Join our thriving global community dedicated to elevating yoga as a science-informed, trauma-sensitive, and continually evolving discipline. We look forward to walking this path with you.
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spanda institute
Explore our Courses
At Spanda Institute, we’ve been empowering yogis and teachers since 2009 through globally recognised, Yoga Alliance-certified Yoga Teacher Training programmes. Rooted in yogic tradition and informed by modern science, our offerings include 200-hour and 300-hour Yoga TT, 95-hour Prenatal Yoga TT, 800-hour Yoga Therapy TT, and specialised Continuing Education courses. Whether in Europe, Sri Lanka, or online, our small-group and mentored format ensures a personalised, transformative learning experience.
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200-hour Yoga Teacher Training
We offer intensive Teacher Trainings in Portugal and Sri Lanka and weekend-based 8–12-month programmes across Europe. Our small-group format ensures personalised attention and a meaningful learning experience.
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200-hour online YTT, join any time
This online training is ideal for dedicated yoga students ready to deepen their knowledge but unable to attend in-person courses. What sets it apart is the individual one-to-one mentoring you receive, ensuring personalised guidance and connection throughout your training.
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300-hour YTT in flexible format
Our 300-hour programme lets you customise your training by choosing modules that suit your interests. We offer in-person workshops and masterclasses annually in various locations, plus a range of online, on-demand modules.
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300-hour YTT online, join any time
This program is ideal for certified yoga teachers looking to deepen their practice and teaching skills at their own pace. Perfect for those unable to attend in-person training, it offers flexibility and confidence-building in an on-demand format. Start anytime!
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800-hour Yoga Therapy Training
We are excited to offer our comprehensive 800-hour Yoga Therapy Teacher Training, a program nearly a decade in the making. Combining years of dedication and expertise, it’s the most flexible Yoga Therapy program available.
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95-hour Prenatal & Postnatal YTT
Our Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training equips yoga teachers with the skills to safely support pregnant practitioners. Join us annually via Zoom to deepen your expertise and empower your students through this transformative phase of life.
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Throughout my yoga journey, I have struggled with injuries and self-doubt. Because of this, I was initially apprehensive about training as a teacher, even though I was eager to deepen my practice and guide others facing similar challenges. The training sessions with Maddie and Teresa were incredibly enriching. They made the learning process digestible and comprehensive, allowing me to absorb new knowledge every day without feeling overwhelmed. The Spanda method, in particular, taught me how to systematically sequence my classes, creating a holistic and well-rounded experience for my students. I was also fortunate to be surrounded by a supportive community of fellow trainees who motivated and encouraged each other throughout the journey. Their presence made the experience even more meaningful. My time in Sri Lanka with the team was truly special. I look forward to integrating the energy, love, and techniques I gained from the training into my classes back in Singapore.
Maathavi, Singapore
(200-hour YTT Sri Lanka) -
On returning, my family and friends have asked me “How was it?’ To which my response has been the biggest smile, followed by silence as I try to find words to comprehend the last 3 weeks! The Spanda Method gave me the clarity and confidence I needed as a teacher. Sequencing Vinyasa classes once felt daunting, but Spanda’s logical, anatomy-informed framework provided me with tools to create safe, healing, and theme-based practices. I especially valued the integration of meditation, pranayama, mantra, mudra, and philosophy alongside modern science - a truly holistic approach. The teachers were inspiring: Theresa made anatomy fun and accessible, Maddie brought depth with mantra, mudra, and philosophy, and Bruno’s guidance and support created a safe, nurturing learning environment for all of us. The online studies were a brilliant foundation, and the training space was beautiful and supportive. Overall, I left feeling empowered, knowledgeable, and deeply inspired to teach.
Poppy, UK
(200-hour YTT, Portugal) -
It included in depth science based knowledge for trauma to then be able to combine this with the ancient teachings of yoga. There were outside speakers as well to expand and give different perspectives and teachings which was and excellent addition. Nina brings so much knowledge to TSY with her background as not only a yoga teacher but as a yoga therapist and psychologist - I feel like I have come away from the course really inspired to deepen my studies in this area and cemented my belief that we all hold some trauma in our bodies from this life or past lives and that using yogic tools can be so helpful to everybody as we navigate this ever changing and transformational world. This kind of work can really help shift trauma held within people much more than western medicine perhaps - so I can only highly recommend this course with Spanda! Thank you!
Francesca, UK
(50-hour TSY in Portugal)
What Our Students Say
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I learned so much, not only about yoga itself but also about mindfulness, discipline, and personal growth. The teachers were inspiring, the environment was supportive, and the entire journey allowed me to deepen my own yoga practice in ways I never imagined. I feel more connected to myself and my practice, and I’m incredibly grateful for this experience. Highly recommended to anyone looking to grow both physically and mentally!
Lisa Maree, The Netherlands
(200-hour YTT, Sri Lanka) -
It really gave me a new and refreshing perspective on yoga not only for myself but also to teach. Everything from the pre-recorded pre-study material, to the in-person training, to the materials we received, the location and the people were amazing! Nina has put together an exceptional training which is based on tradition but is backed by science, which I believe makes this YTT even more special and valuable...
Laura, CH (300 hour YTT) -
Gea has a way and energy about it ... she will guide you through this learning process with ease and deep care for your understanding of things. The course also enables you to look 'behind the curtain' of pure yoga poses and pregnancy mechanics. You dive deeper into all there is and that encompasses this precious time of pregnancy. To be able to learn from Gea in such a wholesome program - empowers you as a teacher, student, and a woman.I feel very grateful to be able to have done this!
Natalia, ITA
( 85-hour Prenatal Yoga TT)
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It gave me wonderful moments in a beautiful country with amazing women. The program is well planned and structured and really prepares you for teaching. Thanks to Maddie and Teresa - you guided us through the training in such a loving, human and motivating way! I take away much more than “just” teaching. Yoga has made me feel so many things that I previously only understood rationally. I am infinitely grateful - for the training, for the country and its people and the community of incredible, supportive women!
Julia (200-hour YTT) -
One that has deepened my understanding of yoga far beyond what I expected. I’ve learned so much, not only about the practice itself but also about how to share it with others in a authentic way. The Spanda method we were taught is clear, practical, and serves as an excellent foundation for creating well-structured classes that offer a full experience to students. Beyond the technical aspects, this training also taught me a lot about how my own mindset and the people around me shape this experience. I was lucky to be part of an amazing group, and the connection we built throughout the training was so special. I have no doubt that our paths will cross again. I’m leaving this training feeling more confident and excited for the yoga journey ahead!
Celine (200-hour YTT) -
Nina operates with nothing short of excellence. I really appreciate the Spanda Method because it is so thorough and a useful structure for teaching people the core elements of a practice - sankalpa, meditation, breath informed asanas, and restoration. In the 300hr course we dove deep into anatomy compensation patterns and how traumas, major and minor, can affect students in their yoga practice. It was very helpful to see how these stress patterns can affect us physically, and how we as yoga teachers can better inform students to meet postures where their bodies are at...
Jenessa, US (300 hour YTTC)
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Yes, our 200-hour, 300-hour and 90-hour Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training are all Yoga Alliance certified. Our 800-hour Yoga Therapy programme is awaiting certification from IAYT.
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Not at all. You do not need to be able to perform specific postures or have a certain level of strength or flexibility to join. What matters in becoming a good teacher is knowledge, awareness, and the ability to observe and support your students. For that, you need a kind heart and an open mind, not physical strength or flexibility.
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At Spanda Institute, we teach yoga and related tools through a research-informed, science-grounded lens. Our approach is trauma-sensitive, community-oriented, and designed for personal attention, with intentionally small group sizes for in-person training and personalised one-to-one mentoring for online courses. These are features not commonly found elsewhere. Learn more here.
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Yes. We offer half-scholarships and discounted rates for those who are unemployed or on a low income, which can be applied for at any time. We also provide full scholarships, which are announced via our social media and newsletter, so be sure to stay connected. From time to time, we also offer work exchange opportunities, which are also advertised through our social channels.
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Yes. You will be able to teach a wide range of classes, from beginners to more experienced practitioners, as soon as you receive your diploma. Many of our students are surprised at how quickly they feel confident teaching thanks to our methodology.
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Absolutely. Our yoga teacher training is designed to support personal growth, healing, and self-practice as much as a teaching career. Many students attend purely for their own development and leave able to create sequences and practices that work for them.
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Absolutely not. We respect and encourage students who understand their own bodies and minds enough to set boundaries. If you avoid something due to fear but wish to work towards it, we will support you. If you are recovering from an injury and need adjustments or alternatives, we will help you find them. And if you simply prefer to skip an asana, chanting, or pranayama practice, you are always welcome to do so.
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Yes. We integrate functional anatomy, biomechanics, and physiology throughout our curriculum, ensuring that your teaching is safe, effective, and research-informed.
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We offer a holistic curriculum. Alongside intelligent, functional sequencing, you will learn how to integrate pranayama, meditation, chanting, and mudra into your teaching. You will also explore Sanskrit names of asanas, yogic philosophy, subtle anatomy, and the basics of Ayurveda.
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You will leave with confidence and deep practical knowledge, but you also join the Spanda Sangha — a lifelong, supportive community. We like to stay connected, share opportunities, and offer ongoing guidance. All of our teacher trainers were once our students.
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Yes, Spanda Institute offers a 300-hour advanced YTT for those who have already completed a 200-hour certification either with us or another Yoga Alliance-registered school. We run both in-person immersive and flexible hybrid formats, so you can choose the path that suits your lifestyle and teaching goals.
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We currently offer our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training intensives in Portugal and Sri Lanka, and extensives in London, Maribor and Sarajevo. Our 300-hour YTT's are mainly held in Portugal. No matter where you join us, you’ll receive the same Yoga Alliance–certified curriculum and the personal attention we’re known for.
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Yes — all of our online Yoga Teacher Training courses are fully Yoga Alliance certified, meaning you can register and teach worldwide once you graduate. The online programme is exactly the same as our in-person training, covering the full curriculum with the same depth and rigour. What sets us apart is that every online student also receives one-to-one personalised mentoring via Zoom or similar, ensuring you get tailored guidance and support throughout your journey, a feature rarely offered by other schools.
