The LAAIC 200-hour Heart of Devotion Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher Training is an annual gathering in which yoga practitioners from all over the world come together with sincerity and determination to experience first hand yoga as both practice and goal.   

Led in person by LAAIC founder Talia Sutra, the training is intensive, challenging and comprehensive.

LAAIC integrates classical āsana, prāṇāyāma, mantra, chanting, meditation, Advaita Vedānta and Yoga philosophy as well as foundational scriptural study as pillars to a life led by a deep desire for mokṣa- freedom from Self ignorance.

Over the course of sixteen days, trainees cultivate a steady and intensive daily schedule which begins at 6:15am and ends at 8pm which will initiate them as both lifelong students and as potential teachers. The daily program includes morning āsana sādhana, postures clinics, philosophy lectures, practice teaching and more.  

LAAIC Trainings bring together practitioners from all over the world and together LAAIC trainees experience the meaning and importance of the Yamas and Niyamas- yogic ethical observances and restraints, Viveka- the capacity to discriminate between the temporary and eternal, Vairāgya- the ability to release attachment to the results of their efforts and Mumukṣut- a sincere and unyielding devotion to Union with Truth.

NOTE: Of the 200 hours of the training, 30 hours will take place PRIOR to our arrival in Portugal online via zoom LIVE or via recordings. These will be prerequisite classes  which will allow us to come into training feeling grounded, inspired and prepared. Recordings of these sessions will be made available, live attendance is not mandatory but recommended and preferred. 

These 30 Hours of session will include:

1. About LAAIC, Code of Conduct, Q&A, Notable Teachers,  Daily Mantra Invocations, Yoga History, Sanātana Dharma. With Talia. 8 hours (4 sessions) 

2.  Foundational Yoga Philosophy and History Dr. Keshava Murthy. 8 Hours (4 sessions) 

3. Anatomy and Physiology for Yoga Teachers with Dr. Rose Erin Vaughan. 8 Hours (4 sessions) 

4. Foundations of Ayurveda with Dr. Nidhi Pandya. 6 Hours (3 Sessions)

**The exact times of these sessions has not yet been established but will probably take place in the couple of months prior to our on-site main training. You will be informed as soon as the dates are made available. **

The LAAIC TT programs are challenging mentally, emotionally, energetically and physically. They are not retreats or holidays.  There are ten hours daily of classes and all classes must be attended on time, while following LAAIC's Code of Conduct.

Therefore, the most important requirement is the complete acknowledgment, acceptance and personal responsibility to meet, face and work with the challenge as it reveals itself. 

The second most important requirement is an earnest faith in the process of practice and a foundation of working trust and respect for LAAIC as a school and all its teachers.  It is recommended that all applicants have some experience with LAAIC instruction, such as attending classes or workshops with Talia Sutra in person or online at taliasutra.com

There are no physical requirements to attend. You do not need to be physically flexible to join. What is required is the will to learn and the ability to be present even through challenging moments.

There is no requirement for trainees to teach post graduation. Many people join for personal inner growth. But in order to receive a certificate, all trainees are required to participate in the Practice Teach portions of the training.

- Daily LAAIC āsana sādhana led by Talia Sutra. Of all these morning sessions, a total of 4 will be led by LAAIC Mentors who are LAAIC graduates and professional, full time teachers selected by Talia to teach on this training.

- Introduction to mantra and chanting practices. We will chant daily.   

- Introduction and practice of dṛṣṭi, prāṇāyāma, bandha and mudrā

- Introduction and study of aṣṭāṅgayoga- the Eight Limbs from Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras

- Introduction to seated meditation

- What makes a good teacher? What makes one a yogi?

- Significant teachers in recent history

- Brief history of yoga

- LAAIC Teaching Guidelines and Principles

- Learn to teach the LAAIC Heart of Devotion 1 hour Open Level Class using the LAAIC Teaching Guidelines

- Sanskrit and English names of postures and principles 

- How to sequence a class

- Receive Teaching feedback from Talia and LAAIC Mentors and practice teach daily

- Practice and learn Talia’s Methods to Backbending, Flexibility and Inversions

- LAAIC Physical Assists theory and practice

- Sublte Body Anatomy: In depth and practical study of cakra system, pañca kośa, pañca vayu and more

- Foundations of Sanātana Dharma, Yoga and Advaita Vedānta

- Professionalism & ethics  

- Social media and the business of yoga

Upon successful completion of the Training, trainees will be eligible for a 200 Hour Certification through Yoga Alliance.

LOVE AND ALL IS COMING - 200-hour Heart of Devotion Teacher Training will take place in Monte Velho Retreat Centre. Monte Velho is in Aljezur, Algarve region, southern Portugal, an area famous for its beaches and natural landscapes.

For your information, closest village is Carrapateria, small traditional Portuguese village, around 3-4 kms; it has nice beaches called Praia do Amado and Praia Bordeira, with sea cliffs. Closest airport is FARO AIRPORT.

IMPORTANT: Please book your flights to FARO AIRPORT, as our transfers on arrival and departure days will be to and from there.

LAAIC 200-hour Heart of Devotion TT is a fully vegan training. We will live, eat and sleep in beautiful and modest rooms that are interconnected which will create a community atmosphere while still holding space for privacy for each of us. The food served is not gourmet or extravagant but will be simple, healthy, delicious and sustaining.

Tuition Cost: Depending on Room