For more than 20 years SOYA (South Okanagan Yoga Academy) has been training yoga teachers at international standards and offering the most diverse and accessible yoga teacher training programs. Owned by Marion and Robert McConnell, SOYA also offers yoga retreats and workshops in BC, Alberta and Mexico. With its roots in the Sivananda lineage, and guided by the highest standards SOYA gives students a diverse and broad exposure to many styles, lineages and philosophies. Ever evolving, SOYA’s Teacher Training is designed with flexibility, accessibility and transformation at its heart. SOYA’s lead trainers have extensive experience teaching, training and are dedicated to continued study. Some of the master yoga teachers they have had the blessing to study with include Dr. Hari Dickman, Swami Vishnudevananda, Pattabhi Jois, Namadeva Acharya, Erich Schiffmann, Rod Stryker and Chris Chavez. SOYA is proud to offer their students exposure to lineages or styles such as Ashtanga, Sivananda, Yin, Restorative, Anusara, Vinyasa as well as Tibetan, Buddhist and other practices. South Okanagan Yoga Academy has trained over 500 teachers at the 200, 300 Advanced Upgrade and 500 hour levels. We offer ongoing support to our students after graduation as they advance their skills as teachers. SOYA is a registered school with Yoga Alliance. After completing all modules for the 500 hour certification SOYA teachers are eligible to apply as Full Teaching Members with the International Yoga Teachers’ Association (IYTA). We endeavour to open students’ world up to the many paths available to them so that they may find their path. As Swami Sivananda once said, “The paths are many, the Truth is Oneâ€.
To provide Internationally recognized yoga instruction infused with classical wisdom and philosophy as well as modern day advances, to any people who wish to learn, regardless of physical limitations.
To offer ongoing yoga education for all levels of practitioners through yoga teacher training, workshops and an annual yoga retreat with world renowned presenters. Master classes are offered for more advanced interests.
To teach the origins of yoga to ensure yoga practitioners and teachers are exposed to the roots and basics, all while incorporating modern day wisdom and knowledge that is current for today. We strive to teach these classical aspects of yoga beyond asana to practitioners and teachers in a non-threatening, inclusive environment.