1. TRADITIONAL YOGA

First, learn your a, b, c’s or the scales of a musical instrument and then only can you write a beautiful piece of writing or compose a majestic symphony. You’re presented with the roots of yoga that creates the perfect base or knowledge platform for you to begin or refresh your yogic practices. Understanding where it comes from and what can be achieved by practicing yoga is a wonderful gift if you wish to either continue on this traditional path or begin to approach other, more recent variants of hatha yoga, such as ashtanga, vinyasa, etc.,

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2. PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION

Along with gaining the skills you need to teach, the opportunity to grow and deepen your own practise is equally as prevalent. You really get given both the guidance and space to delve into your selves, allowing for self-realisation and transformation

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3. CARING, PASSIONATE TEACHERS

The teachers are very much the jewel in the Shiva Shakti crown. They are local to India and have had yoga embedded into their lives from a young age. They don’t just talk to talk but walk the walk too. Yoga is their life focus and having the opportunity to share it with the students is as much a blessing for them as it is for the student. But the knowledge doesn’t stop with these particular teachers, they are instruments of a long line of teachers that reach back through spiritual gurus for generations and generations and you, yourself become connected to this yogic ancestry, as too will your students

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4. STUNNING BEACH LOCATION

Patnam Beach is one of the quietest beaches in Goa, and one of the most beautiful too. The natural environment is so perfect, the beach is clean, the water is cool and clear and right at your feet (no shoes required). The opportunity to jump in the water or spend some time topping up on vitamin C is certainly appealing. Also, on the occasional evening, having the opportunity to take a walk and get a little distance from the intensity of the course is a real blessing, giving you some time to ‘switch off’ and recharge yourselves. And on my days off I really enjoyed going exploring around the neighbouring beaches of Palolemn, Agonda and Cola or going to peruse through the markets. The weather from November to April/May is ideal, getting hotter towards the end of the season. There are hardly any mosquitos or ‘scary’ bugs and animals either – ideal!

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5. SMALL GROUPS

The joys of having a small group make a big difference on two very crucial levels: learning and community. You receive directed, deep and personal attention from the teachers, with so much opportunity to ask questions and gain feedback. Equally, as the course progresses you get to know your fellow students intimately, forming deep bonds that you know will last a lifetime

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6. SEMINAR STYLE LED THEORY

Perhaps another proponent of small groups is that the theory-based classes are taught through a seminar style method. The teacher doesn’t just dictate but directly engages you in the topics, getting each of you to contribute and to learn from one another, ask questions, debate answers and breakdown the dichotomy between teacher and student

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7. CONFIDENCE TO TEACH

Practicing teaching from day one and conducting and giving your own, individual yoga classes to your group. There are drop in classes taught by previous Shiva Shakti students and sometimes the opportunity to lead one of these classes yourself

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8. YOUR OWN SPACE

The days are long and not always easy, having your own hut to retreat to on your breaks or after class is a real luxury that should not go unmentioned

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9. INTENSELY REWARDING

You get out what you put in; it’s not a walk in the park if your intentions are to get out of it everything you can. It’s exhausting but it’s so very rewarding, the feeling of achievement at the end of the course is overwhelming, worth all the sweat along the way

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10. AYURVEDA MASSAGE ON SITE AND GUEST THERAPISTS

Wonderful Ayurvedic massages right on your doorstep at a discounted rate for Shiva Shakti students - a blissful way to relax those muscles at the end the day. Also, guest teachers and therapists come by on occassion, during my time I took part in a complementary sound meditation workshop and recieved free Huna Healing Therapy

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