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South Okanagan Yoga Academy (Headquarters/Calgary/Edmonton)

4.9

Based on 341 reviews

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3 more Locations

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233003 Range Road 240, AB

Wheatland County, AB, Canada

Types of Yoga Taught

Flow Yoga

Alignment-Oriented Yoga

Spiritually-Oriented Yoga

Gentle Yoga

Specialty Yoga

Trainings Formats

Full-time
usually intensive/immersion

Part-time
spread out over time

Weekends only

Modules
several, shorter immersions

Residential
trainees stay on-site

Non-residential
trainees commute to the program

Destination / retreat

Languages

ENGLISH

Other Locations

South Okanagan Yoga Academy (Michigan/Florida/Costa Rica)
12372 Center Road
Traverse City, MI, USA

South Okanagan Yoga Academy (Penticton/Sorrento/Mexico)
100 Nanaimo Ave E
Penticton, BC, Canada

South Okanagan Yoga Academy (Prince George & Northern BC)
2930 5 Avenue
Prince George, BC, Canada

About South Okanagan Yoga Academy

With more than 25 years of training yoga teachers SOYA has transformed into an Academy owned by Marion (Mugs) and Robert McConnell. SOYA offers one of the most diverse and accessible yoga teacher training programs in full-time immersion and part-time formats, in these locations:...

With more than 25 years of training yoga teachers SOYA has transformed into an Academy owned by Marion (Mugs) and Robert McConnell. SOYA offers one of the most diverse and accessible yoga teacher training programs in full-time immersion and part-time formats, in these locations:
Penticton, Prince George, and Creston, BC/ Calgary, AB, /Michigan and Florida/ and Mexico.

With its roots in the Sivananda lineage, and guided by the highest standards, SOYA gives students a diverse and broad exposure to many styles, lineages and philosophies. Ever evolving, SOYA’s Teacher Training is designed with flexibility, accessibility and transformation at its heart.

SOYA’s lead trainers have extensive experience teaching, training and are dedicated to continued study. Some of the master yoga teachers they have had the blessing to study with include Dr. Hari Dickman, Swami Vishnudevananda, Namadeva Acharya, Erich Schiffmann, Rod Stryker and Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani (son of Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri). SOYA is proud to offer students exposure to various lineages or styles such as Ashtanga, Sivananda, Gitananda, Yin, Restorative, and Vinyasa, as well as Mantra and Mudra.

South Okanagan Yoga Academy has trained over 900 teachers at the 200, 300 Advanced Upgrade and 500 hour levels. We offer ongoing support to our students after graduation as they advance their skills as teachers. The SOYA website at www.soyayoga.com has all the details on our yoga teacher training. After certification SOYA teachers are eligible to apply for RYT with Yoga Alliance, and with thee 500 hour certification they can become Full Teaching Members with the International Yoga Teachers’ Association (IYTA). We endeavour to open students’ world up to the many paths available to them so that they may find their path. As Swami Sivananda once said, “The paths are many, the Truth is One”.

First Registered January 2001

Reviews

As part of the Yoga Alliance Social Credentialing system, teachers that register with Yoga Alliance must submit a review of the RYS training program they completed.

Feedback from trainees provides Registered Yoga Schools with the opportunity to understand their trainees’ experiences in order to continually improve their trainings.

By choosing to display comments, schools enable trainees to provide insight into a school’s culture and training which helps potential trainees choose the right teacher training for their individual path with yoga.

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  • 4 out of 5
    By: Karen Little Myatovic Feb 06, 2023
    Training Program held on Sep 10, 2022—Dec 18, 2022

    The training with SOYA was intense but very worth it at the end. The teachers were knowledgeable and kind and made the teacher training an amazing experience.

    • General Comments

      The training with SOYA was intense but very worth it at the end. The teachers were knowledgeable and kind and made the teacher training an amazing experience.
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Sharlene Lavallee Feb 03, 2023
    Training Program held on Sep 10, 2022—Dec 18, 2022

    My experience was life changing. Denise and Emma were amazing teachers and I would recommend them to anyone wanting to embark on their ytt journey. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that I had to connect with them and the other students in my class.

    • General Comments

      My experience was life changing. Denise and Emma were amazing teachers and I would recommend them to anyone wanting to embark on their ytt journey. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that I had to connect with them and the other students in my class.
    School response
    South Okanagan Yoga Academy
    Feb 04, 2023
    Thank you Sharlene. We all wish you the best for your yoga journey ahead.
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Nicole Prowse Dec 24, 2022
    Training Program held on Nov 17, 2022—Dec 04, 2022

    The 200 hour immersion teacher training by SOYA is incredibly thorough and so thoughtfully put together. The entire training gives every student an opportunity to immerse themselves in yogic studies and the 8 limbs of yoga, so you feel confident leaving and teaching in the real world. I cannot wait to further my training and upgrade to my 500 hour with South Okanagan Yoga Academy down the road. If you are looking for a passionate, well rounded and impressive training that is steeped in yogic philosophy and amazing teachers, this training is for you.

    • General Comments

      The 200 hour immersion teacher training by SOYA is incredibly thorough and so thoughtfully put together. The entire training gives every student an opportunity to immerse themselves in yogic studies and the 8 limbs of yoga, so you feel confident leaving and teaching in the real world. I cannot wait to further my training and upgrade to my 500 hour with South Okanagan Yoga Academy down the road. If you are looking for a passionate, well rounded and impressive training that is steeped in yogic philosophy and amazing teachers, this training is for you.
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Amanda Robertson Dec 19, 2022
    Training Program held on Jun 08, 2022—Dec 04, 2022

    What an absolutely incredible experience! I took the hybrid 300hr program that was online, finishing with an incredible immersion in Mexico. So much care, wisdom and love for yoga is poured into this program. The deep exploration of the roots of yoga philosophy and the beautiful practices are supported by incredibly knowledgeable teachers that provide a safe place for learning and discussion. I would absolutely recommend this training for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of yoga and themselves.

    • General Comments

      What an absolutely incredible experience! I took the hybrid 300hr program that was online, finishing with an incredible immersion in Mexico. So much care, wisdom and love for yoga is poured into this program. The deep exploration of the roots of yoga philosophy and the beautiful practices are supported by incredibly knowledgeable teachers that provide a safe place for learning and discussion. I would absolutely recommend this training for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of yoga and themselves.
    School response
    South Okanagan Yoga Academy
    Dec 19, 2022
    Thank you Amanda. We wish you the very best for your journey in yoga. I am excited for you to share the teachings with your students.
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Holly Rawlek Oct 18, 2022
    Training Program held on Apr 23, 2022—Oct 14, 2022

    This training, based in tradition, was thorough and complete. Classes were delivered by a lead instructor who was exceptional, as well as guest instructors with expertise in a variety of areas like trauma and pain care and a special class with the founder of the SOYA yoga school. This school was founded in Canada over 25 years ago and has a rich tradition which is relevant to our modern experience; see the book Letters from the Yoga Masters by the founder Mugs McConnell. I found the school to hold the highest standards of professionalism and expectations for my learning as a teacher. The lead teacher spent extra time outside of our classes to answer questions and was committed to meeting the individual goals we had as students. As a result of this program, I have the skills and tools to create safe, transformative, yoga classes for my students and have grown in my personal life as a practitioner of yoga. I would highly recommend SOYA (South Okanagan Yoga Academy) as a school for aspiring yoga teachers and for those who want to commit to further training.

    • General Comments

      This training, based in tradition, was thorough and complete. Classes were delivered by a lead instructor who was exceptional, as well as guest instructors with expertise in a variety of areas like trauma and pain care and a special class with the founder of the SOYA yoga school. This school was founded in Canada over 25 years ago and has a rich tradition which is relevant to our modern experience; see the book Letters from the Yoga Masters by the founder Mugs McConnell. I found the school to hold the highest standards of professionalism and expectations for my learning as a teacher. The lead teacher spent extra time outside of our classes to answer questions and was committed to meeting the individual goals we had as students. As a result of this program, I have the skills and tools to create safe, transformative, yoga classes for my students and have grown in my personal life as a practitioner of yoga. I would highly recommend SOYA (South Okanagan Yoga Academy) as a school for aspiring yoga teachers and for those who want to commit to further training.
    School response
    South Okanagan Yoga Academy
    Oct 18, 2022
    Thank you so much Holly. We are so grateful to share these teachings, and to have students/teachers such as yourself who are eager to dive deep into yoga. Blessings on your future teachings ahead!
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Amy Sztupovszky Oct 15, 2022
    Training Program held on Apr 23, 2022—Oct 14, 2022

    Completing my YTT500 with South Okanagan Yoga Academy was an incredible journey. The program is so rich in philosophy and how we can bring this philosophy into our daily lives, teachings, and practice. My instructor Lalita is a caring, kind and compassionate yogini and I am SO happy to have completed this training with her! So many mentors were brought in so we could learn from different people and dive deep into different yoga niches. I recommend SOYA to anyone who is passionate about taking the next steps on their yoga journey.

    • General Comments

      Completing my YTT500 with South Okanagan Yoga Academy was an incredible journey. The program is so rich in philosophy and how we can bring this philosophy into our daily lives, teachings, and practice. My instructor Lalita is a caring, kind and compassionate yogini and I am SO happy to have completed this training with her! So many mentors were brought in so we could learn from different people and dive deep into different yoga niches. I recommend SOYA to anyone who is passionate about taking the next steps on their yoga journey.
    School response
    South Okanagan Yoga Academy
    Oct 15, 2022
    Thank you so much Amy. It has been such a joy for us to be a part of your unfolding yoga journey. All the best lies ahead!
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Rachel Ducat Oct 07, 2022
    Training Program held on Mar 08, 2022—Jun 22, 2022

    This program not only prepared me to be an effective yoga instructor, it also helped me to connect with myself again. I feel like this program helped me to recenter and is allowing me to feel confident as I start this next chapter in my life.

    • General Comments

      This program not only prepared me to be an effective yoga instructor, it also helped me to connect with myself again. I feel like this program helped me to recenter and is allowing me to feel confident as I start this next chapter in my life.
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Emily Zallas Aug 10, 2022
    Training Program held on Aug 21, 2021—Jan 30, 2022

    I cannot express how much of an impact this course has made on me. I grew deeper connections with not only myself but also my teachers and classmates. I will forever be grateful to have experienced and learned from this wonderful school. Thank you for all the knowledge guidance and lessons that you shared and continue to share with me.

    • General Comments

      I cannot express how much of an impact this course has made on me. I grew deeper connections with not only myself but also my teachers and classmates. I will forever be grateful to have experienced and learned from this wonderful school. Thank you for all the knowledge guidance and lessons that you shared and continue to share with me.
    School response
    South Okanagan Yoga Academy
    Aug 11, 2022
    Emily, we are so grateful for your presence in our training, and your desire to dive deep into authentic yoga teachings. Thank you. May your students appreciate the knowledge you have to share with them! You will be a light for them all!
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Lisa Deleo Aug 04, 2022
    Training Program held on Feb 26, 2022—Jul 17, 2022

  • 5 out of 5
    By: Amrika Tikasingh Jun 22, 2022
    Training Program held on Oct 04, 2021—May 05, 2022

    Training was rich in philosophy and technique, and the teachings compiled in the content Letters from the Yoga Masters was exceptional to experience. The Immersion was at a magical venue at Sorrento Center, was unforgettable. Lead trainer Natasha Scott was knowledgeable, kind and a blessing to learn from.

    • General Comments

      Training was rich in philosophy and technique, and the teachings compiled in the content Letters from the Yoga Masters was exceptional to experience. The Immersion was at a magical venue at Sorrento Center, was unforgettable. Lead trainer Natasha Scott was knowledgeable, kind and a blessing to learn from.
First Registered January 2001

School Reviews

Total Reviews: 341

By Karen Little Myatovic RYT® 200

Feb 06, 2023

The training with SOYA was intense but very worth it at the end. The teachers were knowledgeable and kind and made the teacher training an amazing experience. Full Review

By Sharlene Lavallee RYT® 200

Feb 03, 2023

My experience was life changing. Denise and Emma were amazing teachers and I would recommend them to anyone wanting to embark on their ytt journey. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that I had to connect with them and the other students in my class. Full Review

All Reviews (341)

Teaching Staff

Emma Faulkner

E-RYT® 500, YACEP®

Marion Lea McConnell

E-RYT® 500, YACEP®

Terri McDermott

E-RYT® 500, YACEP®

Lalita

E-RYT® 500, RCYT®, RPYT®, YACEP®

Becky Stone

E-RYT® 500, YACEP®

Cindy Szekely

E-RYT® 500, YACEP®

Dorothy Fizzell

E-RYT® 500, YACEP®

Chloe Haddad

E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500, YACEP®

Courtney Mollins-Bidlake

E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500, YACEP®

All Teaching Staff (9)

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