From the Andalusian mountains to the Balearic Islands, Spain has become one of Europe’s most enticing yoga destinations. Here are five Yoga Teacher Trainings that will add a pinch of Latin spice to your practice.
Rise&Shine Yoga, Ibiza (Photo: BookYogaRetreats.com)
If you’re contemplating Yoga Teacher Training in Europe, Spain has much more than a Mediterranean climate and diet to recommend it: every year, there are more and more experienced local and international teachers sharing their expertise in the region. From sunny Basque cities like Barcelona and Bilbao to secluded coves in Ibiza, there are state-of-the-art yoga schools all over the country, many located along the 4964km (3084 miles) of coastline. Whether you’re inclined to a siesta or a sangria between classes, the laid-back Spanish way of life and warm welcome from locals ensure the ideal mix of relaxation and concentration in which to reconnect with nature, body and spirit for the better part of a month. How do you find the right Yoga Alliance accredited YTT for the next step on your yoga journey? Travel Mag has selected five of Spain’s best: quality instruction guaranteed, along with plenty of buenas vibraciones.
19-Day 200-Hour Integral Yoga Teacher Training in Marbella, Málaga Province
Yoga For Life (and for dogs), Andalusia (Photo courtesy of Book Yoga Retreats)
The Mediterranean beach resort of Marbella, in sun-kissed Andalusia, is the setting for this authentic and spiritually attuned YTT run by the Yoga For Life Institute. With more than 30 years’ experience, the guide Maribel studied directly with some of yoga’s beloved modern-day gurus, including Patabbhi Jois and Swami Vishnu Devananda. She imparts that wisdom in the form of Pranayama breathwork, meditation and mantras, but also delves into more esoteric practices including Bhakti (devotional) yoga, Vedanta and Kundalini styles, making them accessible for all levels – this is perhaps the closest you’ll get to India without leaving the beach. The stunning villa features five rooms with private garden and pool, just a short stroll from the beach, markets and cafés. You will be nourished, body and spirit, with vegetarian brunch, snacks and dinner included.
From US$1,772 / 19 days
Reserve via BookYogaRetreats.com
22-Day, 200-Hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training, Tenerife
Shambhala Yoga School, Canary Islands (Photo courtesy of Book Retreats)
Los Realejos, in the north of the Canaries’ largest island, is home to the Shambhala yoga school. Known as Europe’s ‘island of eternal spring’, Tenerife boasts smooth black sand beaches and luscious green hills; your daily classes will take place in the shadow of the volcano El Teide. It’s the head teacher Andrea’s hometown, with her team hailing from Belgium, Egypt, Ukraine, and the US. They welcome students like family, never taking more than 8 bookings per YTT to ensure individual attention and a closely bonded group. The villa’s pristine white walls enclose a pool, garden, clean and light-filled rooms, a terrace for sun salutations overlooking the Atlantic, as well as a large communal table for meals, with all vegetarian ingredients sourced from the school’s orchard. In addition to the comprehensive vinyasa and Ashtanga-based curriculum, there will be a chance to test your equilibrium with paddle board yoga (SUP), or pick up a few Thai yoga massage techniques.
From US$2,294 / 22 days
Reserve via BookRetreats.com
19-Day Yoga and Biomechanics 200-Hour Dynamic Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training in Torre de la Horadada
Sun Salute studio on the beach (Photo courtesy of Book Yoga Retreats)
Not everyone who undertakes a Yoga Teacher Training does so with the end goal of teaching, but if your burning ambition is to become a yoga professional, Sun Salute studio in the Valencian coastal village of Torre De La Horadada offers one of the most rigorous and practical certification courses in Spain (the staff includes an osteopath as well as several highly qualified teachers from New York). In addition to the daily asana, meditation and anatomy sessions, there is an optional second yoga class each evening in Spanish for the local community – a wonderful way to improve if you’re learning the language. There is also a daily hourlong slot in which students practice teaching each other for invaluable feedback. Each beach house in the studio’s lodgings has a balcony, ideally positioned for revising your Sanskrit with a sea breeze. In your downtime, stroll to one of the nearby cafés or pamper yourself with a famous mud bath in neighboring Murcia. Although food is not included, a chef is available on site to prepare meals on request, and there is no shortage of restaurants and juice bars along the beach.
From US$2,959 / 22 days
Reserve via BookYogaRetreats.com
18-Day 200-Hour Vegan Yoga Teacher Training in Cádiz
The Shangri-La eco-shala (no relation to the hotel chain), Cádiz (Photo courtesy of Book Yoga Retreats)
This remote eco-lodge in southwestern Spain, at the edge of The Alcornocales Natural Park, will help you truly disconnect to reconnect. The Casa Shambala yoga school offers an intensive body and mind-opening YTT with a team of dynamic and insightful international teachers guiding you in the mainstay styles of hatha, vinyasa and yin for a well-rounded practice. Vegan and Ayurvedic cooking ensure a healthy and filling meal plan to accompany your training. The Shangri-La wooden eco-ranch in El Berrueco (no relation to the chain of luxury hotels) is surrounded by hiking trails and olive tree-flanked country roads, begging to be explored between daily classes. The ashram is also a short drive away from the ‘Coast of Light’, a vast expanse of white sand leading to the Atlantic Ocean. A spot for meditation, revising class notes, and the ancient art of yoga selfies on the beach.
From US$1,574 / 18 days
Reserve via BookYogaRetreats.com
17-Day 200-Hour Soulful Vinyasa Flow Yoga Teacher Training in Ibiza
Rise&Shine YTT, Ibiza (Photo courtesy of Book Yoga Retreats)
Far from the glowsticks and strobes that give Ibiza its reputation as a party island, there’s a very different kind of ecstatic dancing on offer at Rise&Shine’s yoga school. Led by a caring and experienced instructor, Kata van Doesselaar, this 200-hour YTT will give you a solid foundation in vinyasa flow, energetical alignment, hands-on assists, creative sequencing and Ayurveda. If you’re ready for a yoga qualification but don’t have a long stretch of time to dedicate to it, this 200-hour course includes 30 hours of remote self-study. The time on the island will be intensive and deeply enriching, with 17 days at a villa just 10 minutes from the tranquil Cala Llenya beach. Classes will take place by the pool or directly on the sand, with plenty of opportunities to catch that famous Ibiza sunset. All excursions and rituals are included, as are the vegan, dairy and gluten-free meals prepared by local chef Davide.
From US$3,191 / 17 days
Reserve via BookYogaRetreats.com