IGNITE THE FLAMES OF STUDENTSHIP WITHIN
HOMECOMING | 200 ytt
This training is for you if you have fallen in love with yoga and feel a sincere calling to humbly share the teachings of yoga.
This is a comprehensive, mindful, vinyasa flow 200 hour teacher training. Co-taught by Eliza Coolsma and Lucy McCarthy, who between them have over 20 years of teaching experience.
The training will give you a solid grounding in how to offer mindful, intelligent and transformative yoga classes.
Born out of our deep passion for yoga. A belief that this sacred, ancient practice has the potential to transform, awaken and heal us from the inside out. We believe the powerful practices of yoga postures (asana), breath work (pranayama) and meditation (dhyana) have the potential to bring us back to a place of wholeness. A homecoming.
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This training is grounded in the fluid, graceful tradition of vinyasa flow with an emphasis on linking the breath with movement to embody the ‘union’ at the heart of yoga. This training invites you to transform and embody yoga on and off the mat.
It is our aim to empower you through the training to find your own voice, your own unique style and offering as a teacher.
It is our intention that our graduates become known more for their kindness, humility and compassion, than for their perfect downward dogs (though we will be working on those too!)
We will teach you how to hold a loving space for your students that allows them to go on a deep, transformative journey inwards that ultimately leads them to greater happiness, peace and inner fulfilment.
The course will be rigorous and thorough and require dedication and commitment. A willingness to explore the places and ways in which you are currently not embodying the ‘union’ of yoga so as to inspire a fuller expression of yoga in your whole life.
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4 Modules in 4 Seasons
April - December 2025, Madrid
4 In Person Modules taking place in the centre of Madrid, Spain with Eliza Coolsma & Lucy McCarthy
April 17-21 2025, Madrid, 9-19h with lunch break
June 26-July 1 2025, Madrid, 9-19h with lunch break
October 9-14 2025, Madrid, 9-19h with lunch break
December 5-9 2025, Madrid, 9-19h with lunch break
1 extra Q&A call in August 2025
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Module Days: 9:00 - 19:00
Typical Training Day
9-11am Practice with Asana, Pranayama & Meditation
11-11:15am Tea break
11:15am-2pm Lecture, Practicum or Asana Lab
2-3pm Lunch Break
3-5:30pm Lecture, Practicum or Asana Lab
5:30-5:45 Tea break
5:45-7pm Restorative Yoga/Yoga Nidra, Closing Circle
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History of Yoga
Asana, Meditation & Pranayama
Yoga Philosophy
Anatomy & Biomechanics
Esoteric Anatomy
Teaching Methodology
Voice
Sequencing
Ayurveda
Pre- & Postnatal Yoga
Art of Adjusting
Mantra
Injury Prevention
The Art of Adaptation & Teaching Multi-Levels
Business of Yoga
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Includes:
All 4 in person training modules
Manuals
Extra online Q&A call during summer
Personal support & feedback from lead teachers Eliza Coolsma & Lucy McCarthy throughout the duration of the training
Practical & written exam
Certificate of completion
Not included:
Travel costs or lodging in Madrid
Early Bird:
€2999,- when paid before September 1st 2024 (includes a €750 non-refundable deposit to book your spot)
4 Installments:
€889,- per installment, available until July 1st (of which €750 counts as a non-refundable deposit)
3 Instalments
€1169,- per instalment, available until December 1st (of which €750,- counts as the non-refundable deposit)
2 Installments
€1749,- per installment, valid until February 1st 2025 (€750 counts as the non-refundable deposit)
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What previous yoga experience do I need prior to the training?
Ideally you have had committed, consistent practice for at least 1 year. How physically advanced you are is not important. But a foundation in the practice is important, as is an open mind and heart and a willingness to learn and explore.
What if I can’t attend all the dates?
Full attendance to ALL sessions is a requirement in order to attend and pass the course. In order to fulfil and receive the Yoga Alliance accreditation you must attend all in-person hours as well as doing all the homework within the timeframe set. In exceptional unforeseen circumstances it will be at the discretion of the course leaders of how to proceed.
Besides the course attendance, what other requirements are there?
Classes
To attend and document a minimum of 20 Classes outside of the course in at least 5 different styles of yoga with a minimum of 6 different teachers. E.G. Vinyasa, hatha, ashtanga, restorative, Iyengar etc.
Observation
To observe and document at least 2 yoga classes.
Assist
To assist at least 1 class.
Homework
To complete and hand in on time all the homework set throughout the training.
Written Exam
At the end of the training there will be a written exam that you need to pass with at least 70% in order to pass the course.
What are the 3-4 day immersion parts of the training?
There is great power and transformation in cumulative practice. So these 3-4 day modules are a chance to really dive into long, deep practice sessions and the teachings for 3-4 full days at a time. The immersions will still be based in Madrid and non-residential but we will be inviting you to arrange your life so that over those 3-4 days you can really immerse yourself in a retreat-like schedule and practices without your day-to-day chores diluting the experience. A digital detox and dawn starts may well be part of the process!
Is it recommended that you practice with Lucy and Eliza before taking the course?
Yes. There are a lot of different trainings out there and it is vital that you resonate with Lucy and Eliza and the style of this training in order to get the most out of it.
If geographically this is challenging you can practice online with both Lucy here, and Eliza here.
Are my classes at The Natural Yogi included in the tuition fees?
All trainees will be able to attend all classes at a special TT reduced rate.
Is there a reading list?
Yes! Please do start to read these straight away and ideally before the course begins.
Essentials:
The Heart of Yoga - Desikachar
Bringing Yoga to Life - Donna Farhi
Light on Yoga - Iyengar
Key Muscles for Yoga - Ray Long
Meditation for Yoga Lovers - Lorin Roche
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras - Swami Satchidananda
Raja Yoga - Swami Vivekananda
The World’s Religions - Huston Smith * just the chapter on Hinduism*
Additional suggested reading:
Shambhala Guide to Yoga - Georg Feuerstein
Man’s Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl
The Complete Book of Chakras - Cyndi Dale
The Subtle Body - Cyndi Dale
How many students will there be on the course?
Maximum of 20. Minimum of 8.
Do I need to pay in full?
You are welcome to, however we also have payment plans in which you can pay by installments.
Early Bird Full price | €3200 (if you pay before June 30 2022)
Full Price | €3450 (non early bird)
Installment scheme options:
All installations need to be received before the start of the first training weekend in September 2022.
Two installments (€1759) | Available til August 30
Three installments (€1188) | Available til July 31
Four installments (€889) | Available til June 30
Is there a refund policy if I can’t attend in the end?
Yes.
Upon acceptance to the course there is a non-refundable deposit of €750 to pay.
Refund policy:
If you decide not to attend the training 60 days or more before the training you will receive 50% of the fees back minus €250 administration fee.
If you decide not to attend the training between 30 and 59 days before the training you will receive 30% of the fees back minus €250 administration fee.
If you decide not to attend the training less than 30 days before the training begins you will not receive any refund.
Will I be qualified to teach yoga as soon as I complete the training?
Yes! On completion of the course and successfully passing the assessment you will be ready and qualified to teach straight away.
What’s the difference between doing an intensive training all in one go versus doing it spread out over 6 months?
There are pro’s and con’s to both. But for us, we feel that becoming a teacher is such a big journey to go on and with such a lot of information and knowledge to take on and then embody that giving yourself the time and space to really assimilate is of great benefit. It allows you to go away after each weekend together and actually practice and take on everything you have just learnt in a full, deep manner.
Is this course accredited?
Yes, the course is accredited by the leading yoga body Yoga Alliance.
Is there a prospectus with more information?
Sure thing! Please view it here.
‘Lucy is an incredible teacher and mentor! An inspiration. With her down-to-Earth approach, patience (so much space held for me) and incredible leadership she can spot straight away when there’s something that can be transformed or not quite authentic. Lucy has an amazing gift of listening, kindly guiding and for teaching from a place of love for the tradition of Yoga'.
— Leti Ghisletta
IMMERSE INTO THE FULL SPECTRUM OF YOGA
YOUR TEACHERS
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LUCY MCCARTHY
Lucy’s yoga journey began many years ago on a rooftop in India. She fell immediately in love with this beautiful, peace- inducing practice and has never looked back.
After studying traditional Hatha Yoga in Rajasthan, India, she trained with Max Strom in America, whom she now assists on his trainings around the world. She has also completed over 1000 hours of training in a diverse array of traditions and styles including Anusara inspired vinyasa with Sianna Sherman and Meghan Currie, Forrest with the infamous Ana Forrest as well as studying yogic philosophy, meditation and pranayama under the guidance of Louisa Sear, Rose Baudin and Clive Sheridan.
Lucy draws on all her experience, training & passion to offer up rich, wisdom filled full spectrum classes that are an expression of her huge devotion to the yogic path and deep desire to serve people on their healing journey.
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ELIZA COOLSMA
Eliza is a Vinyasa Yoga teacher & Ayurvedic Health Counselor.
She has been offering yoga classes since 2009 when she was living in her home country The Netherlands. When she moved to Madrid 12 years ago, she founded The Natural Yogi, Madrid’s English spoken yoga studio.
Her Vinyasa Yoga and Restorative Yoga classes are based on the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and create deep inner balance.
She now lives in Genova, Italy.
Still have questions about whether this training is for you?
The passion for yoga Lucy expresses throughout her classes and on the teacher training is truly amazing and special. She makes everyone in the room feel welcome and special in their own way. Her teaching is so well balanced with asanas, breath-work and meditation but they are also fun, filled with emotions and she always creates a safe and sacred space whether teaching in a physical room or online.
— Agnes Sellgren