Complete residential training, Level 1 + 2
Talalla Beach, Sri Lanka
This training is held on Sri Lanka’s south coast at Talalla Retreat, a beachfront resort set on a beautiful stretch of Talalla Beach. With turquoise water, golden sand, and unforgettable sunrises, this secluded cove offers an inspiring setting for study and rest. The 7-acre sustainable property includes an outdoor freshwater pool, an open-air yoga shala, an Ayurvedic spa, and a gourmet open-air restaurant. Accommodation is designed for comfort, with elegant fan rooms and enclosed air-conditioned rooms featuring marble bathrooms, private patios, and views of tropical gardens or the Indian Ocean. Food is prepared with a sustainable approach, using local ingredients and produce from nearby markets and fishing villages, while many herbs and spices are grown organically on site. Brunch is included in the training price and features a buffet of Western and Sri Lankan dishes. Snacks and dinner are not included; guests may choose à la carte dinner at Talalla or dine at nearby local restaurants according to their preferences.
Paleochora, Crete
The second course location is Paleochora, on the southern coast of Crete, Greece. As the largest and southernmost island in Greece, Crete enjoys a long summer season that lasts for more than five months. Paleochora, known as the gateway to the Libyan Sea, is one of the most charming towns in the Chania prefecture, appreciated for its warm climate, welcoming atmosphere, and excellent local cuisine. Set on a small peninsula between two beautiful beaches, it lies about 75 km from Chania.
The venue is an eco-cottage retreat and seminar center located between Paleochora and the traditional village of Anydri. It is only a few minutes by car from some of the island’s most pristine beaches and from the village itself. Accommodation is available in double and triple rooms, with a limited number of single rooms and tent spaces on request.
Meals are not included, giving participants the freedom to follow their own dietary needs. Two fully equipped kitchens, one for every three rooms, are available for storing food and preparing brunch or simple meals. The village has large grocery stores, supermarkets, and many beachside taverns serving fresh local food. Vegetarian and vegan options are easy to find, including a dedicated vegetarian restaurant in town.
The venue provides two yoga spaces for the training: a peaceful outdoor platform surrounded by nature and a calm indoor practice room.
Modern life is busy, stimulating, and often overwhelming, leaving the nervous system in a constant state of tension. In Taoist philosophy, this active force is known as yang. Over time, yoga practice has also become increasingly yang, which makes Yin Yoga more relevant than ever. When there is too much yang in daily life, imbalance can arise in the physical, emotional, and mental body. Yin Yoga offers a way back to equilibrium.
Drawing from Indian Hatha Yoga and Taoist yin-yang philosophy, Yin Yoga serves as a counterbalance to highly active lifestyles. True wellbeing emerges when yin and yang, passive and active, calming and stimulating, are in harmony.
Yin Resonance® is a pioneering method that integrates the powerful healing qualities of sound vibration into long-held Yin Yoga postures. Using vocal, acoustic, and/or machine-generated sound, it creates a deeply meditative experience that expands the benefits of Yin Yoga through sound healing principles such as resonance, entrainment, and intention. Sound vibration helps bring the body and mind back into harmony.
“The knower of the mystery of sound knows the mystery of the whole universe.”
Hazrat Inayat Khan
Level 1 is a complete Yin Yoga Teacher Training that prepares and certifies you to teach general Yin Yoga classes and apply its philosophy with confidence and skill. It is accredited with Yoga Alliance Continuing Education.
Level 2 certifies you to teach Yin Resonance®, a distinctive approach to Yin Yoga that applies sound resonance throughout the class and uses sound vibration on the body to directly stimulate the meridians.
This training is a wellness and educational experience centered on rest, reflection, yoga, meditation, movement, sound, and self-inquiry. It is not medical advice, psychological therapy, or mental health treatment. The retreat and its facilitators do not diagnose, treat, or cure physical or psychological conditions. Participation is not a substitute for professional medical care, psychotherapy, or counselling. If you are experiencing burnout, depression, anxiety, trauma, or any other health condition, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional. By joining, you acknowledge responsibility for your own wellbeing and understand that this retreat is a supportive educational environment rather than a therapeutic or clinical program.
Tanya Popovich
Tanya Savitri Popovich is an E-RYT 500, Yoga Acharya, hypnotherapist, sound healer, and leadership coach with more than 20 years of teaching experience. She founded Shri Gaia Institute and created and directs its training programs, teaching Hatha Vinyasa, Yin Resonance®, Pranayama, Yoga Psychology, and other continuing education programs internationally across Europe and Asia. Her path began with Transcendental Meditation and extensive study in classical and modern yoga traditions, alongside a lifelong interest in philosophy, dance, and the mind-body relationship. Her broad background shapes a teaching style that respects traditional wisdom while remaining accessible and relevant to modern students.
Portia Leigh
Portia’s interest in spiritual philosophy led her to study Eastern traditions, including the Vedas and Bhagavad Gita, before beginning her yoga journey more than a decade ago. She completed her first 200-hour Hatha & Vinyasa YTT with Tanya Popovich in 2016, followed by another 200-hour training with Shri Gaia Institute in Bali in 2018. Since then, she has taught internationally and co-led several 200-hour teacher trainings with Tanya. Portia is especially passionate about meditation, Yin Yoga, and the connection between breath, body, mind, and spirit.
Maurício Leal
Maurício Leal is a musician, yoga teacher, and sound practitioner based in Sri Lanka. His work connects the philosophical foundations of yoga with contemporary neuroscience, exploring how sound influences perception, attention, and the nervous system. As a teacher, he supports students in developing a practice that feels personal and authentic. Through thoughtful guidance, critical thinking, and respect for tradition, he encourages an approach that is both deeply individual and grounded in a clear understanding of sound’s impact on human experience.
Daily schedule: 8:30am – 4:00 pm
Sample schedule:
8:30am – 10:00am Morning Yoga (Yin or Yang)
10:00am – 11:00am Brunch
11:00am – 12:30pm Yin Yoga and Sound Resonance Lecture
30 min break
1:00pm – 4:00pm Yin Resonance Teaching Methodology
Included in the price: 100hr Yin Resonance® Yoga Teacher Training, 10 nights’ accommodation & Brunch (Sri Lanka) / 10 nights’ accommodation (Crete)
Sri Lanka:
Shared Twin Bamboo Hut (Fan): €1700 Early Bird / €1850 Regular Price
Single AC Bungalow: €1800 Early Bird / €1950 Regular Price
Crete:
Shared Twin Room: €1250 Early Bird / €1450 Regular Price
Shared Triple Room: €950 Early Bird / €1150 Regular Price
Shared Tipi Tent: €900
*Only these two accommodation options are available for Sri Lanka. Price includes accommodation, brunch buffet, and training.
*Early Bird: Full payment by December 4th, 2026 (Sri Lanka) / June 12th, 2026 (Crete).
*Regular Price: Full payment by January 24th, 2027 (Sri Lanka) / July 22nd, 2026 (Crete).
Deposit of €500 along with your application is needed to hold your spot on the training. Availability is limited to a room type, please book early to avoid disappointment. Please read our cancellation policy here.
Set on the ground floor within the lush gardens of Talalla Retreat, this Deluxe Room offers a peaceful stay surrounded by tropical greenery and a strong sense of connection to the jungle landscape. With three rustic four-poster beds, it is well suited for friends, family, or small groups looking for comfort in a relaxed setting.
The room includes a beautiful open-air ensuite bathroom, a front veranda for unwinding, and practical touches designed to make your stay easy and comfortable, including desk space, mosquito nets, a safe, and WiFi. The enclosed air-conditioned room provides a cool, restful environment throughout the night, offering a refreshing retreat after days spent enjoying the natural beauty around you.
Set within the lush gardens of Talalla Retreat, this charming room offers a peaceful stay surrounded by tropical greenery and a deep sense of connection to nature. It is designed for comfort and relaxation, with two rustic four-poster beds, a lovely open-air ensuite bathroom, and a front veranda where guests can sit back and unwind between island adventures.
The room includes practical amenities to support a comfortable stay, such as desk space, mosquito nets, a safe, and WiFi. The AC room is naturally enclosed for a cooler indoor atmosphere, while the fan room is open-air and welcomes the ocean breeze, helping keep the space comfortable through the night.
Ideal for friends or travel companions, this room blends simple island style with a calm, restorative setting.
Located on the upper floor of the original Tissera family home, this heritage accommodation offers a peaceful stay surrounded by classic charm and a sense of privacy. The collection includes four heritage single rooms and one heritage twin room, each thoughtfully furnished for comfort and ease. Every single room features a double bed, while the twin room includes one double bed and one single bed, making it a flexible option for different travel needs.
All rooms come with a private en suite bathroom, adding convenience to the intimate atmosphere of the house. A shared open verandah stretches across the front of the property, where guests can take in calming views of the tropical garden. It is an inviting place to slow down, unwind, and observe the colorful birdlife that brings the setting to life.
This comfortable single occupancy room is designed for a restful stay, offering a double bed, a mosquito net, and a ceiling fan to help keep the atmosphere cool and relaxed. The ensuite bathroom adds privacy and convenience, while the private verandah with a lounge chair creates a peaceful spot to unwind between activities.
Simple, practical, and inviting, the room provides everything needed for a quiet retreat experience. Guests can enjoy a calm environment for reading, resting, or simply taking in the surroundings from the verandah. With its thoughtful layout and essential comforts, it is a welcoming choice for those looking for a serene place to recharge.
The largest and most refined accommodation offers a serene blend of comfort and character, shaped by a soft Swahili-inspired aesthetic. Makuti ceilings and hand-carved details bring warmth and authenticity to the space, while wide louvered doors invite in natural breezes and create an airy, open feel throughout the suite.
Designed for relaxed living, the room is complemented by both ceiling and standing fans, helping maintain a cool and comfortable atmosphere. Outside, a private terrace provides a peaceful place to unwind, enjoy the surroundings, or simply take in the view at your own pace.
With its spacious layout and thoughtful details, this suite is ideal for guests seeking a calm, elevated stay with a sense of privacy and ease.
Tanya Popovich
Portia Leigh
Maurício Leal
Thu, Feb 18 – Sun, Feb 28