ABOUT THE SHALA SCHOOL OF YOGA
ethos
The Shala School of Yoga offers authentic yoga teacher training and professional development for a diverse range of students utilising our exceptionally experienced and gifted team of Senior teachers. Our philosophy is based upon understanding Yoga in its myriad forms as an invaluable holistic wellness tool that goes way beyond physical fitness. We respect yoga as an ancient discipline designed to bring long-lasting balance and harmony to the physical, mental and emotional aspects of our lives. Our yoga teacher trainings and CPD courses craft and intertwine traditional methods with a more contemporary approach utilising modern-day research and knowledge, providing a non-dogmatic comprehensive immersion into the vast subject of yoga. We are a registered yoga school (200-RYS and 300-RYS) accredited by Yoga Alliance (US).
why train with the Shala school of yoga?
At The Shala School of Yoga, we empower aspiring and experienced yoga teachers and those working in other well-being professions to deepen their practice, refine their offerings and create meaningful impact within their communities. Here’s why our teacher training courses and programs stand out:
- A Proven Legacy
A proven legacy of over 25 years in the yoga community. Our training programs are built on a foundation of integrity, professionalism, and a deep commitment to nurturing a new generation of exceptional and authentic yoga teachers. - Expert Mentorship from Industry Leaders
Learn from highly experienced and respected teacher trainers, many of whom are leaders in the field. With decades of teaching experience, our faculty brings unparalleled expertise, creating a learning environment that is safe, supportive, and inspiring. - Accredited, Comprehensive Trainings
Our Yoga Alliance-accredited courses are thoughtfully designed to provide a strong foundation in teaching skills and personal development. From 200-hour teacher training to CPD modules and our Level 2 300-hour programme, our trainings are structured to help you evolve both professionally and personally. - Trauma-Informed and Inclusive Approach
We embrace diversity and inclusivity, offering teaching methodologies that meet the needs of all bodies and backgrounds. You’ll leave equipped to teach with confidence, compassion, and sensitivity. - Small Groups for Personalized Learning
Unlike many training schools, we keep our groups intentionally small, allowing for personalized attention, meaningful connections, and an enriching learning experience tailored to your needs. - A Supportive, Connected Community
Join a network of like-minded yoga teachers and practitioners in a space that fosters collaboration, growth, and connection. - Beautiful, Purpose-Built Studio
Our peaceful, purpose-built studio in South London provides an inspiring and tranquil setting for your training, helping you immerse fully in the experience.
Take the Next Step in Your Yoga Journey
Join The Shala School of Yoga and benefit from over two decades of expertise, a dedicated highly experienced teaching team, and a nurturing environment where you can flourish as a yoga teacher.
OUR TEACHING FACULTY
The Shala School of Yoga brings together an exceptionally experienced and gifted team of Senior teachers. Our lead teachers on the 200 and 300 hour programmes are Melanie Cooper, Gingi Lee and Charli Van Ness, who have a profound depth of knowledge. Our faculty also includes the following teachers who have been teaching for many years and are experts in their own specific fields: Dr Matthew Clark, Norman Blair, Jennie Wadsten, Adelene Cheong, Daniel Simpson, Dina Coen, David Behrens, Barrie Risman, Alexa Dean, Anne Malone and Ellie Grace.
the shala history
Established in the late 1990s, the Shala was one of the first yoga centres in London. For over two decades, The Shala has served a wide community in London and built a strong reputation for high-quality authentic yoga teaching. In 2016, The Shala School of Yoga, our sister organisation, was set up to enable our most experienced Senior teachers to pass on their considerable knowledge through more in-depth courses and trainings. These courses have been primarily designed for yoga teachers and other healthcare, wellbeing and caregiving professionals.
Since 2016, we have had well over 1,000 students come through the Shala School of Yoga. Some have graduated from our 200-hour yoga teacher training programme as certified yoga teachers, others have gone on to gain advanced certification as 500-hour registered teachers from our 300-hour yoga teacher training programme, many others have attended our broad range of stand-alone CPD courses.
our mission
The Shala School of Yoga aims to offer yoga teacher training, professional development and growth opportunities to a broad range of caregiving professionals including:
- yoga teachers
- school teachers
- life coaches
- healthcare professionals
- corporate well-being and HR managers
- nurses & doctors
- counsellors
- holistic therapists
- midwives and doulas and more
We aim to not only teach but support and empower our students, creating a community that can share knowledge and grow together beyond the training itself. This is facilitated by the fact that we are one of London’s oldest and most experienced studios and house teachers with many years of experience who are committed to passing on their knowledge through the school. We are committed to honouring a breadth of yoga disciplines and exploring many aspects of the art and science of yoga, from the physical practices of asana, pranayama, meditation, and anatomy to the mental, philosophical and spiritual nature of the practice. We are committed to inclusivity and offer a wide range of trainings including 1-day workshops, online offerings and longer accredited courses as well as opportunities for bursaries.
our students
Our students fall into three main categories
- Anyone seeking personal development
- Yoga Teachers & Trainee Teachers
- Healthcare, Wellbeing & Caregiving Professionals
anyone seeking personal development
Many students begin their educational journey with us by deepening their connection to yoga on our workshops and shorter courses. Some also embark on our 65-hour Foundation course or on our 200-hour programme for personal rather than professional reasons. Often this turns into an unexpected passion for teaching but that need not be the end goal for those who join our courses with personal growth as their objective. Most students have found our 200-hour programme a hugely transformational experience on a personal level whether they are looking to teach or not.
yoga teachers & trainee teachers
Many students join our yoga teacher training courses specifically to qualify as a yoga teacher from our 200-hour programme, or to uplevel their yoga teaching skills on our 300-hour yoga teacher training programme. The Shala School of Yoga has very much become a home for developing teachers. We engender continuous learning, evolution and growth, which we encourage as a life-long process and commitment.
Our modular based approach allows you the flexibility to choose your own individual unique path of learning.
healthcare, wellbeing, holistic & caregiving professionals
We run modular courses ranging from half day to week-long trainings and courses, which are ideal as CPDs for professionals who work with supporting others in a wide range of capacities. This can range from school teachers, life coaches and therapists to wellbeing coordinators, healthcare professionals, doctors, counsellors and doulas. Depending on the length of the course, we offer certifications for CPD purposes, most of which are accredited by the Yoga Alliance.
our mission
The Shala School of Yoga aims to offer yoga teacher training, professional development and growth opportunities to a broad range of caregiving professionals including:
- yoga teachers
- school teachers
- life coaches
- healthcare professionals
- corporate well-being and HR managers
- nurses & doctors
- counsellors
- holistic therapists
- midwives and doulas and more
We aim to not only teach but support and empower our students, creating a community that can share knowledge and grow together beyond the training itself. This is facilitated by the fact that we are one of London’s oldest and most experienced studios and house teachers with many years of experience who are committed to passing on their knowledge through the school. We are committed to honouring a breadth of yoga disciplines and exploring many aspects of the art and science of yoga, from the physical practices of asana, pranayama, meditation, and anatomy to the mental, philosophical and spiritual nature of the practice. We are committed to inclusivity and offer a wide range of trainings including 1-day workshops, online offerings and longer accredited courses as well as opportunities for bursaries.
BLENDED LEARNING
Wherever possible, we widely encourage in person learning in our London studio, though we have also embraced the advantages of the new era and make the most of the flexibility and convenience of online learning, wherever we feel it is appropriate. Our overall programme represents a broad approach, with in studio, livestream, on demand and blended options offering a variety of learning styles.
facebook community
We have a by invitation Facebook community page which is a forum open only to those studying with us. The group has been set up in order to facilitate sharing of knowledge, ongoing support and connection within our professional community. If you would like to join the group and have not yet been invited, please log on to our Facebook Community page and request to join.
The Shala School of Yoga Teacher Training 200 Hour Programme
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