welcome to inner heart yoga & holistic institute

We are based in Oddayam Beach, Varkala, Kerala, the palm-forested south-western state of India, locally dubbed ‘Gods Own Country’.  Our training programs are run to the backdrop of a picturesque tropical coastline, a spiritually vibrant area of the world that is thriving with temples, ashrams, meditation and ayurvedic treatment centers.

why study with us?

With so many yoga teacher trainings springing up around India and all over the world, we understand it can be overwhelming to decide which school to study with! You are making a financial investment, as well as dedicating your valuable time, and so it’s important that you can find a program that is right for you.

 We are a Yoga Alliance Certified Institution which provides International Certifications at the 200 and 300 Hour Levels for Yoga Teachers Worldwide. Read here why we think you’ll love our programs. 

Upcoming Programs

To see the full calendar of upcoming workshops and training courses  May 2022 - May 2023 click here.

50 hr sound healing therapist training course

dates:  Nov. 28 - Dec. 2, 2022   
jan. 28 - feb 1st ,    Feb. 28 - March 4, 2023

In this Sound Therapist Training Program you learn how to work with individual as well as group sound healing sessions.  Sound is one of the most profound methods of healing since ancient times.  It is a waveform which moves through and penetrates matter therefore it is not just what we can hear. This is why sound it has the potential to alter every dimension of our being.   

​Sound Therapy is a healing modality which induces a deep state of relaxation helps reduce levels of stress, anxiety, insomnia, inability to focus, to let go, and many emotional issues.  It has also been reported to help reduce mood swings, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reduce risk of coronary issues as well as help in the process of pain management.  Sound therapies can also be used a tool to deepen the quality one’s spiritual practices as well as unleashing the ability for self-healing.
Residential Program  
​Inclusive of  Twin Shared Room, Breakfast & Lunch.
Check in:  September 24th, 2022
Check out: Oct 1st, 2022
Price Before Sep. 18:  850 Euro 
Price from Sep. 18: 950 Euro

200 hour ashtanga vinyasa & yin yoga 
​ teacher training 

DECEMBER 4-27 & APRIL 6-29, 2023

BE strong

Ashtanga + Yin :  A match made in heaven!  A combination to help you cover the most essential and fundamental parts of one's practice and teachings.
Arrival Date:  Nov 4, 2022 ,  
Departure:  Nov 28, 2022 
Fees Foreign Students:  2200 Euro  ​
Fees Indian Nationals:  Rs. 145,000.
​

BE dynamic

Learn this powerful and active yoga practice known as the  "Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Primary Series". 

It strengthens the body, increases internal fire helping  you become more determined in life.
You will learn this classical approach to yoga in the traditional way as
taught by Sri K. Pattabi Jois and T. Krishnamacharya.
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While Ashtanga Yoga focuses on muscle training, it develops physical strength and rejuvenates the body, making it stronger, toned, more flexible and controlled.   Learn to become an excellent teacher with this dynamic style of yoga.

BE still

Pair this wonderful practice with the soft and Gentle approach of Yin Yoga which is a slow-paced style of yoga were asanas  are held for longer periods of time than in other styles.  The purpose:  to stretch and target both the deep connective tissues between the muscles, and the fascia throughout the body. 

The practice helps increase circulation in the joints and improve flexibility, reduce stress, improve sleep and relaxation as well as  increase a meditative state in life.

While ashtanga works on the yang or active aspect, yin yoga will help you balance the  soft or yin aspect.

200 HR YOGA THERAPY teacher training

  MARCH 6 - 28, 2023
Yoga therapy offers a holistic approach to yoga, helping those who wish to improve their physical health and state of mind through the use yogic practices and ayurvedic principle such as postures, breathing techniques, mudras, diet, relaxation techniques and meditations amongst others. 

Gain the knowledge  & skills necessary to work intelligently with clients who are living with health challenges, chronic illness or injury as well as aging populations.   This course is great for those who wish to
deepen their approach as a yoga teacher, practitioner & therapist.  It is also great for those who wish to delve into more alignment based, gentle and restorative styles of yoga that can be incorporated into more active classes.
Arrival Date:  Jan. 3rd & March 28, 2023 
Departure:  Jan. 28th & March  29th 
Fees Foreign Students:  2250 Euro 
​Fees Indian Nationals:  Rs. 135,000
Build your Confidence, expand your range of clients. Connect with ayurvedic principles applied to yogic practices!
*The yoga therapy components of our 200-Hour Teacher Training on Yoga Therapy follows Inner Heart Yoga & Holistic Institute Standards and is not derived from our status as an RYS® nor RYTs® with Yoga Alliance Registry. Our main sources are based on Ayurvedic principles of Charaka and Sushruta Samhita, the yoga teachings and therapeutic benefits of yoga  are derived from Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita and Patanjali´s Yoga Sutras.

200 hr vinyasa flow  & YIn YOGA teacher training

FEBRUARY 3-25, 2023

A carefully crafted course where you will learn how to take the practice into a deeper level as well as into a flow as you honor the movements of the body and any limitations the students may have . 

Intelligently sequence a vinyasa krama class for different types of people and levels.  And carefully design a progressive flow that dives into different areas of the body & mind, allowing the entire being to be involved.​

​The 200 Hour Vinyasa Flow Yoga Teacher Training Program provides yoga teachers the  skills & knowledge  necessary to work intelligently with students from all backgrounds & ages who wish to undergo a vinyasa flow practice that is safe and progressive allowing the practitioner to connect at a deeper level with his/her own self.
Arrival Date:  February 2nd, 2023
Departure:  February 26th, 2023 
Fees Foreign Students:  2200 Euro  ​
Fees Indian Nationals:  Rs. 145,000

200 hour yin yoga & meditation teacher training 

NOVEMBER 5 - 27, 2022

BE SOFT

Arrival Date:  Nov 4, 2022 ,  
Departure:  Nov 29, 2022 
Fees Foreign Students:  2200 Euro  ​
Fees Indian Nationals:  Rs. 145,000.
​

BE KIND

 This unique signature training program includes the physical, spiritual, philosophical, mental and energetic aspects of yin yoga. 

​Training includes the asanas, pranayamas, teaching techniques, anatomical and traditional chinese medicine aspects of the practice.  Training also includes an in-depth meditative approach to yoga. ​

BE STILL

Yin Yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga were we hold asanas for longer periods of time than in other styles in order to stretch and target both the deep connective tissues between the muscles, and the fascia throughout the body.  The practice helps increase circulation in the joints and improve flexibility, reduce stress, improve sleep and relaxation as well as  increase a meditative state in life.      

Important Notice

Our Institution is open to students from all walks of life!  Varkala Area has high rate of vaccination and the COVID 19 pandemic has been well managed in the area. ​ Our heart goes to all the corners of India as well as the world who have been affected by the pandemic and we hope the situation continues to improve. 

Health and Safety Measures are always mandatory in the studio and housing premises.  We ask students to bring their own mat, to always keep a towel to place over bolsters, to sanitize your hands before and after class. 
The area where the housing and the studio are, is surrounded by nature and social distance is very easy to maintain.   Feel free and safe to book your flights and your stay with us.

The weather averages between 76 to 84 F (24-29 C).  ​
In the months of June and July we expect some rain, so we suggest you bring a light raincoat or umbrella.  After the rains there is always sunshine and nature feels even more alive.  Come to paradise! Varkala is the hidden Jewel of India.  We hope to see you soon!
Our yoga teacher training immersions and programs
are designed for those who wish to undergo a unique experience
where you cultivate yourself &
learn to be a yoga teacher who is
thoroughly equipped with the skills necessary to share the knowledge of yoga with the world.  

Our graduates teach all around the world, and they continue to help lakhs of people everyday!

A Day at inner heart

Start at early morning  with a two-hour yoga asana practice in the yoga style of your chosen Teacher Training or Immersion Program (Ashtanga, Hatha, Yin, Vinyasa Flow, Restorative, Trapeze, or Yoga Therapy) followed by a hearty breakfast by the ocean.
 Head to asana methodology classes & teaching practicums from mid morning am to 1.30 pm. 
Come for lunch at the ocean view restaurant for a vegetarian meal followed by study time.   Social time at 4.15 pm for tea break.  Classes resume at 4.30 pm with pranayama, anatomy & yoga philosophy. 
Close the day from 6 -7 pm with a different meditation, yoga Nidra or group sound healing session.
​Everyday is different!  It is filled with new challenges and opportunities for self-growth! 
Fridays we enjoy meditating at sunset by the ocean!   

About Us

Inner Heart Yoga and Holistic Institute is born of more than 20 years of teaching and learning.   Inner heart is the result of the experience and the need to expand Yoga to a deeper, holistic level.   Located in Odayam Beach, the institute
provides the students a calm, serene & quiet place to study & meditate away from pollution and fast-paced city life. Our location allows students in many ways including the easy access from any part of the world.  The closest airports to Varkala are Thiruvanathapuram (TRV) and Kochi (COK), which are easily reachable by taxi & train. 

Our school is equipped with two stunning yoga studios or yoga shalas,  nestled among luscious tropical vegetation, open to the sounds of nature 100 meters from the beach.  

Inner Heart Yoga also boasts a  sound healing as well as a therapy room where both students and visitors alike can experience a variety of therapies during their stay.

We also provide housing accommodation to yoga students and yoga retreat participants.

The Location
The Yoga Shala is set in virgin surroundings.  Kerala is the greenest part of India and much so is Varkala as the south west monsoon starts here.  The Yoga shala is nestled in between coconut and banana plantations.
Varkala is characterized by wide, clean roads and friendly people who always welcome you.  Accommodation is 5 min walking from the Shala and the ocean is 10 min walking from the accommodation. 
The transit time from the international airport to the Yoga Shala is just one hour when compared to Rishikesh (9H) & Mysore (5H). We are located around 700 M from the ocean.  The Shala is also easily accessible to many restaurants, hotels and guest houses, fruits stores, convenience stores and supermarkets.

Featured Program:  200 Hour Yin Yoga & Meditation TTC 

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Connect with your Yin Force - the force of creativity and source of stillness.  

The Yin Yoga & Meditation Teacher Course is divided into two essential parts where the student develops into a competent teacher:  
1.  Yin Yoga Techniques:  you will learn how to structure and teach beginners, intermediate and advanced yin yoga practices thus helping you cater a wide range of clients.
2.  Meditation Techniques:  Learn to teach and safely guide meditations.
ABOUT THE FACULTY

Ellie Ruales is the main teacher and the lead trainer for the 200 & 300 Hour Teacher Trainings at the Institute.
​
The students spend almost 150+ hours with the main teacher on the chosen course.  We we feel the relationship between the main teacher and the student has to undergo a special bonding.  

Ellie has been training students from around the globe for the last 10 years in different styles of yoga.  Her main interests include ayurveda, yoga, sacred geometry, sound and vibrational healing, tcm as well as kalaripayattu martial arts.  She is passionate about teaching and helping students develop their skills and overcome their fears.