Announcing Sarai's Third
200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training
Winter/Spring 2027
Is this you?
You love yoga. You’ve experienced firsthand how it has helped you become stronger both physically and mentally, build confidence, and remain sane through difficult times in your life. You’ve benefited so much from your practice, you get excited when you meet other people who love yoga, and you recommend it to as many people as you can.
For awhile you've been wondering…
"Could I be the one at the front of the room leading the class? Would I make a good yoga teacher?"
Imagine waking up with a sense of purpose, knowing you're about to do something that not only leverages your talents but also builds community and improves your students' lives.
If this speaks to you, this training is for you.
Our 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training is designed to give you the foundations necessary to teach. Here are just some of the things you’ll learn:
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Speak Clearly and Confidently - How to cue a class so clearly that you can lead the whole thing without demonstrating a single pose
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Be Adaptable - How to “read the room” and adjust your sequence on the spot for the people in front of you
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Leave No Student Behind - How to lead an “open level” class that is both challenging and accessible for everyone who shows up that day
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Build Community - How to connect with your students so that your classes become a joyous gathering of "regulars"
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Create an Inclusive Environment - How to meet your students where they are and teach options for poses in a non hierarchical way
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Find Your Authentic Voice - How to sound like “you” when you teach and not like you’re reading a script
Meet Your Lead Instructor
My name is Samara, the founder of Sarai, and becoming a yoga teacher was single-handedly the best decision I have ever made, though I didn’t know it at the time.
Teaching put me right in the center of a beautiful community of New Yorkers who I would have never gotten the chance to get to know otherwise. I am so lucky that I get to:
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help anxious college and law students discover their breath as an anchor during exam season.
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have the honor of teaching women through pregnancies and miscarriages.
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hold space for people recovering from injuries, illness, and grief.
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help elderly people regain strength and confidence in their bodies.
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watch busy parents carve out precious moments of self-care in afternoon classes.
I’ve now been teaching some of my students for 8 years! (Somehow they’re not sick of my class yet). Many have become good friends.
It is the most rewarding feeling to connect with someone through teaching because when you do it well, students are incredibly grateful and they’re not afraid to tell you.
I constantly hear statements like:
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"I look forward to Mondays, just because of this class."
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"I was so stressed when I came in here. The difference between when I walked in and when I finished class is crazy. I really needed that."
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"This is the best part of my day."
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"Thank you so much for helping me with that pose. That changed everything for me."
To be such an important part of their day makes me feel valued, knowledgeable, and confident. I've been teaching for 10 years and it's still one of my absolute favorite parts of existing.
So should you become a yoga teacher?
You may be thinking “That’s wonderful but I can’t just quit my job and become a yoga teacher!”
And you’re right.
Our goal for this training is not to try and convince you to quit and become a full-time yoga teacher yourself. Dropping yourself into a brand new career as a yoga teacher will certainly not make you rich, and the hustle of it all can be as stressful as any profession.
We offer this training because your hard work should be in service to the person you want to become.
Thankfully, there are countless paths to incorporate teaching into your ideal lifestyle. Whether you want to become a full-time teacher, teach once-a-week, or never teach a class at all, there is a flexible path for you.
Over the past decade, I have:
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Taught private lessons one-on-one in students’ homes
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Led destination retreats and trainings in Portugal, Morocco, Peru, and France
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Taught weekly online classes during the pandemic
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Led corporate meditation sessions in Fortune 500 companies
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Helped my yoga-resistant father relieve his chronic back pain in our living room
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Traded yoga lessons for salsa dance lessons
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Hustled full-time teaching packed classes in NYC's top studios
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Recorded yoga classes for others to watch on their own time
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Opened my own studio
But more importantly, I've trained new teachers who have found their own unique paths:
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Some teach one or two classes a week while keeping their corporate jobs
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Some have careers they love and are passionate about and teaching yoga only adds to their fulfillment
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Some pursue creative fields like music, acting, or entrepreneurship and teaching yoga provides them with a steady income to support their other passions
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Some have used teaching yoga as something they could always fall back on, taking on more classes when they were between jobs and then dialing back to 1-2 classes a week when they were busier
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Some don’t teach at all – they just value deepening their practice
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Others build online courses, teaching virtually worldwide
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Some trade their skills – yoga for haircuts, acupuncture, or web design
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And some teach at Sarai!
The lesson is…
If you have the desire to teach, there is a way to incorporate it into your life.
What Sarai Teachers Enjoy Most About Teaching
“It motivates me to consistently practice and to bring new perspective to what could be a very insulated practice but because I have to share it and articulate it and show it to a really diverse set of bodies, it helps me think about every posture in a different way. It’s fun! I feel very confident when I’m teaching, and I get to be creative when I build a sequence, and I get to be part of a community.”
“My favorite thing about teaching is the energy of the room which is maybe a bit of a woo answer but I really love when you can just tell that everyone in class is really dialed in. Teaching to me is about building a container for everyone to feel safe and have that experience so when you’re teaching and you can feel everyone vibrating to you in the way you are to them, I just love it.”
“Seeing people’s progress. Going from being a complete beginner and feeling like they can’t do certain poses and then seeing the joy in their face when they finally accomplish them.”
“Yoga has meant so much to me personally. It feels really gratifying to be able to bring that into the lives of people around me. I teach yoga because it has really changed my life, my relationship to my body and my mind. The ability to do that is really such a valuable tool that everyone should have.”
“I love to see the evolution of my own teaching and confidence but also the students and how their practice has changed. It is a day to day practice to meet people where they are and to meet myself where I am and teaching allows me to do that more intentionally.”
Introducing…
Winter/Spring 2027
200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training at Sarai
We are thrilled to announce Sarai’s third 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training! This training will deepen your knowledge and broaden your scope of what yoga is and how to share it with others. It will be led in person by Sarai's founder, Samara Speller, as well as our other experienced and talented teachers. Not only is it for those who wish to teach but also for anyone looking to embark on a journey of self inquiry through consistent practice, intensive study, and a supportive community.
This training is divided into five 30 hour modules over five months, plus 50 hours of personal practice at the studio. Classes are taught Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from January to May. There is a 1-2 week break between each module.
Why Sarai?
Over my years of teaching, and lessons learned the hard way, I have developed methods and principles that I think truly set you up for success - that you won’t find in other 200 hour teacher trainings.
OUR TRAINING METHOD IS PERSONAL
Most trainings only cover how to teach a group of people, but not an individual. We’ll start with how to teach a single person and build your way up to teaching a full class. You’ll receive personal feedback each step of the way.
OUR COHORTS ARE ALWAYS SMALL
A small group (max: 16 people) ensures you will feel personally attended to, be able to ask all of your questions, have more opportunities to practice-teach, and receive individual feedback throughout the training. You’ll also become part of a close-knit community anchored in shared interest and experience.
REAL-WORLD PRACTICE
We prioritize real teaching experience, not just lectures and theory. You’ll have plenty of time to lead segments, try out adjustments, and get comfortable guiding others. By the end of your training, you’ll have real-world experience under your belt, building the confidence you need to teach with ease in any setting.
OUR CURRICULUM IS NON-DOGMATIC
A non dogmatic approach to yoga means our teachers are trained in a variety of lineages including Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Traditional Hot, Katonah, Restorative, and Prenatal Yoga. Students often ask what is the “right” and “wrong” way to do a pose. The answer is “it depends.” It’s not that anything goes, but if the pose isn’t serving the person doing it there are ways to adjust it so that it will, without losing the integrity of the pose or further reinforcing existing habits or limitations.
WE VALUE COLLABORATION
A collaborative approach means we don’t pretend to have all the answers or to be the definitive authority on all things yoga. We believe that questioning tradition is healthy and that everyone who participates in this training has something unique to offer the group by way of their life experiences, training in other modalities, and perspectives.
Syllabus
Module 1
Yoga History & Philosophy with Purba Tyagi
Learn the origins of Yoga and what it truly means. We will dive into the key yogic texts: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and The Bhagavad Gita, learn how yoga began and developed over time, as well as explore the eight limbs of yoga, the subtle body (nadis and chakras), prana and more.
Learn how to read yoga texts in context, with a discerning eye for the modern world, so that you can both honor yoga’s roots and explore what it means to teach yoga today.
Module 2
Anatomy & Physiology
Using the world’s most advanced 3D anatomy platform we will explore how the human body functions in relation to yoga practice. You will learn to observe anatomical differences in students’ bodies and offer fitting and functional options. You’ll be able to explain, (for example):
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Why one person can sit comfortably on the floor with legs crossed and another has their knees up by their shoulders (no, it’s not necessarily because their hips are “tight”).
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Why we breathe through our nose during yoga practice and how the breath affects your ability to stretch
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How to improve your balance with the three support points in your feet
Module 3
Deep Dive into Asana, Pranayama, & Meditation
What you see when you look at a yoga posture is only the surface of all that is happening within it. Together we’ll learn in detail how to build each pose from the ground up, from where to place your weight, which muscles to contract and relax, the rotation and angle of your joints, to where to place your gaze so that with time each pose becomes more effortless.
Learn variations of each pose so that you can best serve the range of people who come to your class. We’ll also cover basic pranayama (breathwork) and meditation techniques and practice them together.
Module 4
Intro to Teaching: Sequencing & Cueing
“Vinyasa” is derived from the Sanskrit term nyasa, which means “to place,” and the prefix vi, “in a special way.” Understand how one pose gives birth to the next so that you can create safe sequences with intelligent progressions. Once you learn the family tree of yoga asana you’ll uncover the possibilities of where each pose can lead and how to teach each branch.
Module 5
Practice Teaching & Mentorship
Teaching is an art and requires presence, patience, astute observation and the ability to articulate your message clearly and succinctly. A great teacher sounds like themself, not anyone else. Learn to speak from an authentic and honest place and how to infuse that into your teaching. You will practice-teach to one person first, and work your way up to teaching the entire group.
Schedule
The training consists of five modules over 4.5 months.
Each module is taught Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, for three weeks followed by one-two weeks off.
Each week the schedule will be the same and as follows:
Friday: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday: 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm - 5:00pm
To complete the 200 Hour Teacher Certification, students must also take 50 hours of classes at Sarai between January 1st and May 31st.
MODULES 1&2
Week 1
Jan 15 - 17, 2027
Yoga Philosophy & History
30 hrs | Purba Tyagi
Week 2
Jan 22 - 24
Week 3
Jan 29 - 31
Wk 4 & 5
No Classes
MODULES 1&2
Week 6
Feb 19 - 21
Anatomy &
Physiology
30 hrs | Samara Speller
Week 7
Feb 26 - 28
Week 8
Mar 5 – 7
Week 9
No Classes
MODULE 3
Week 10
Mar 19 -21
Asana, Pranayama, Meditation Deep Dive
30 hrs | Samara + Staff
Week 11
Mar 26 - 28
Week 12
Apr 2 - 4
Week 13
No Classes
MODULE 4
Week 14
Apr 16 - 18
Intro to Teaching:
Sequencing & Cueing
30 hrs | Samara + Staff
Week 15
Apr 23 - 25
Week 16
Apr 30 - May 2
Week 17
No Classes
MODULE 5
Week 18
May 14 - 16
Practice Teaching /
Mentorship
30 hrs | Samara + Staff
Week 19
May 21 - 23
Week 20
May 28 - 30
Graduation
!
“Sarai’s 200 Hour YTT was life-changing. I have come away from the training with a thorough understanding of yoga history and philosophy, yoga anatomy, physiology, and functional movement. I feel incredibly prepared to teach safe and effective vinyasa classes that incorporate Ashtanga, Bikram, Dharma, Forrest, Katonah, and Iyengar yoga. Learning about and practicing from a diverse range of yoga lineages has allowed me to understand how to provide a yoga experience that individuals can connect with physically, emotionally, and spiritually. During Sarai's 200 Hour TYY I felt personally attended to; I was given consistent feedback on how to authentically be an effective teacher during a group class, during a one-on-one, and online. I’ve also become part of a community with like-minded individuals that deeply care about creating empowering spaces for all people. I am excited to continue learning from and practicing with Sarai!”
Important: This Training Is Not For Everyone
Becoming a yoga teacher isn't just about learning poses or memorizing sequences. It's about dedication, growth, and a genuine desire to serve others. I've learned through years of training teachers that the most successful graduates aren't necessarily the most "advanced" practitioners. They're the ones who show up with an open heart, ready to learn and grow. Before you commit to this journey, let's make sure this is the right program for you.
This program is perfect for you if:
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You love yoga and want to share it with others
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You're ready to step into your potential as a teacher
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You value personal attention and detailed feedback
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You're willing to push past your comfort zone
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You want to make a real difference in people's lives
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You can commit to showing up to all of the sessions
This program is NOT for you if:
– You're just looking for a quick certification
– You’re not willing to put in your own time to study the material
– You're not open to feedback and growth
– You expect overnight mastery
– You're not willing to practice teaching regularly (including outside of class)
If these points resonate with you, and you're ready to begin this journey, I'd love to help you become the teacher you want to be.
My teacher training at Sarai was a beautiful experience! I was drawn to this program because I considered Samara such an inspiring teacher -- full of kindness and wisdom, with a stunning, effortless asana practice. Samara drew from many traditions and brought in talented specialists to teach Ashtanga, meditation, improvisational movement and prenatal yoga. Every session was challenging and exhilarating, and left me looking forward to the next one. My fellow students amazed me with their courage, generosity, and steady progress. Samara nurtured a warm, inclusive dynamic that allowed us to express our authentic selves while striving to master techniques both ancient and modern. I will always cherish my teacher training days at Sarai!
It was amazing. The vast information covered on anatomy, history of yoga, meditation, and the countless types of pranayama + asana charged me up with inspiration versus depleted me of energy (which I was honestly concerned about given a 200 hr commitment!).
The Sarai teacher training has been a transformative experience on so many levels. Samara's attention to detail and technique from the first day has intensely deepened my practice and improved my relationship to asana. While this training was physically demanding, it was continuously intellectually stimulating. The small class size allowed for plenty of time for questions, debates and discussion - from the specificities of alignment in a pose, to approaches to sequencing, to debates over appropriation and representation.
Samara did a great job of helping each of us find their own voice and style when teaching and provided numerous opportunities for us to practice teaching – somehow meeting each of us where we are at in terms of our goals and strengths. Her insights and feedback are elements that I'm still thinking through and working to integrate into my practice.
THE FULL TRAINING
The Complete 200-Hour Teacher Training & Unlimited Membership
Here's everything you'll receive when you join:
The Complete 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training
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Expert-led training in alignment, philosophy, sequencing, and teaching methodology
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Real-world teaching experience with detailed feedback
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Small group format (maximum 16 students)
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Eligibility for Yoga Alliance Certification upon completion
A Five Month Unlimited Membership at Sarai
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To complete the 200 Hour Teacher Certification, students must take 50 hours of classes at Sarai between January 1st and May 31st
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Your tuition includes unlimited classes January- May, 2027
Tuition: $4000
Early Bird Pricing: Receive $200 off when you apply and submit your deposit before Oct 1st
Secure your spot with a $500 deposit today.
Once accepted into the program, you will receive a link to pay your deposit. The deposit is non-refundable and confirms your commitment to the program.
The rest of your tuition must be paid in full by December 31st via check or Zelle. Payment plans are available at no additional cost (please email to inquire).
LIMITED TIME TO APPLY
The next training begins January 15th, and I'm intentionally keeping it intimate with a maximum of 16 spots.
I pour my heart into these trainings - they're not just another program to me. While other studios run trainings back-to-back, I've chosen a different path, waiting two years between each of our trainings so that the ones who are selected for an audition have time to prepare and practice and, if hired, have time to develop into strong teachers who can then support and teach the next group.
Each training becomes a tight-nit cohort where we dive deep, grow together, and build lasting connections. This isn't about churning out certificates - it's about creating exceptional teachers who are truly ready to serve their communities.
If you're feeling drawn to this path don't miss your opportunity to join us.
FAQ
What if I’m not good enough at yoga to teach it yet?
Some students know immediately that they want to teach. But most feel unsure and worry they're not "advanced enough" or "don't know enough" yet. But here's what you might not realize: your biggest asset isn't how many poses you’ve mastered or how long you’ve been practicing.
The truth is, your journey – including every wobble or fall – has given you something far more valuable than perfect alignment. It's given you the personal experience of what it means to grow through practice. And that's exactly what makes you uniquely qualified to guide others.
Think back to your favorite yoga teacher. Now, was it their perfect poses that made them special? Or was it how they made you feel seen, supported, and capable of growth?
This is where some yoga teacher trainings get it wrong. They spend the majority of the training working on perfecting advanced asanas, leaving graduates feeling overwhelmed and unprepared for actual teaching. But our approach is different.
Yes, we will cover all the fundamentals: the history, anatomy, cueing, etc. But we’ll also help you find your unique voice and give you plenty of in-person teaching practice.
If you’ve been practicing for at least a year, and are familiar and proficient in Sun Salutations A and B then physically, you’re ready for a Yoga Teacher Training.
What is more important is having the passion and willingness to put in the work.
Can I get rich teaching yoga?
It is unlikely, but not impossible. Most new teachers start out teaching community classes for free in order to gain experience. From there they are usually hired at a starting rate, which depending on the studio, may increase over time. More profitable opportunities like teaching private students, leading workshops, trainings, or retreats, or headlining a yoga festival come later after years of hard work and experience. I say this, to be truthful and upfront. Teaching yoga full time is a hustle and not for everyone. That being said, teaching a couple classes a week because you love it can be a rewarding experience that also provides a significant supplemental income.
I’ve already done a 200-hour training. Is there a benefit to taking another one?
Yes. Several trainees from our past trainings had already done 200 hours before and found it really helpful to not only revisit the philosophy and anatomy sections but also to approach it in a different way as each training will tackle these topics differently. You’ll also learn our unique method for cueing and sequencing, and be exposed to more poses than are taught in most trainings (I created a manual for you with photos and cues for literally every pose I know from all lineages).
Do you hire teachers from the training?
Yes. While we won’t have space to hire everyone, we will be looking to hire from this next cohort. 4 of our current staff members are Sarai graduates and 4 more participants have taught at Sarai in some capacity whether it was subbing or leading workshops in our space.
Who will be leading the training?
The training will be directed by Sarai’s founder Samara Speller. The Philosophy & History module will be taught by Purba Tyagi. Alyssa Magsano, Brandi Brady, Will Farris, Abigail Stevenson, Kent Ishimoto & Lulu Soni are also part of our Teacher Training staff.
How else can my teacher certification serve me in the future?
Some more experienced teachers have used teaching yoga as something they could always fall back on, taking on more classes when they were between jobs and then dialing back to a couple classes a week (or none) when they were busier. Teaching yoga has been a safety net for them: a reliable way to keep the money flowing without a long commitment.
Some teachers “travel teach,”meaning they’ll pick up a few classes or lead a workshop at a studio they have a relationship with while they’re traveling as a way to help cover the cost of the trip. For example, there are a few wonderful teachers who used to teach at Sarai but have since moved to other states. You might have noticed them pop back up on the schedule whenever they’re in town.
I saw the training requires 50 hours of classes at Sarai. Can I complete these hours at a different studio?
No, since you will be learning our teaching methods it is important that you take all 50 hours of classes at Sarai to familiarize yourself with and practice the poses that we’ll cover during our training and so that you develop a teacher-student relationship with our staff. This way we’ll be better able to offer you feedback and corrections to improve your own practice. For your convenience, all training sessions take place 30 min before or after one of our classes.
What if I can’t make all the dates?
Depending on the module and number of hours you’ll miss, we may be able to record the session for you to listen to later. Before signing up, send us an email with the dates you’ll miss and we’ll confirm.
Have a different question?
Send us an email and we'll get back to you ASAP.
“I left this program with (what felt like) the highlights of teachings from all over the world. It was clear the Sarai 200 hr YTT was crafted from a place of intention and wanting to offer the best of what there was out there, and with hope that the yoga world will continue to be more diverse, welcoming and fair. Thank you Samara and team for this experience.”
“I was so inspired by the people in the room and the soul that carried the conversations weekend after weekend. Samara, Rita, Amy and the rest of the Sarai teachers are so knowledgeable in SO many different styles of yoga—from Katonah, Ashtanga, and Traditional Hot to Vinyasa, Prenatal and Yin— it was a blessing to get a taste of it all. It was a bonus that all of the Sarai teachers brought a slightly different style of teaching to the table too (which was refreshing since some studios don't have too much diversity in the teachings). The common thread in the teaching between the Sarai staff seemed to be the quality of the classes, a sense of genuinity, a dedication to the practice and a focus on making the classes totally ego-less.”
“In addition to learning how to better my teaching and practicing—I felt the program and its consistency regrounded me into my practice and myself by reminding me what matters in this life and who I want to be both on (and off) the mat.”