** Please watch the student testimonials video on our "Why Sakhi Yoga School" page

 

Foundation

At Sakhi Yoga School, we believe the spiritual path is never meant to be walked alone. Rooted in the sacred principles of sangha (community) and sakhi (friendship), our school honors the timeless bond between teacher and student.

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When you join our "Inward Journey" Advanced Teacher Training, you aren’t just signing up for a series of workshops; you are entering a supportive, diverse family of practitioners. Unlike programs built on disconnected electives, our curriculum is a deliberate, progressive journey. Each module builds upon the last, guiding you toward a profound understanding of both the Self and the practice.

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You will graduate with more than just lifelong friendships. You will embody a deep, authentic connection to ancient wisdom and the refined skills needed to share that light effectively with others.

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Structure

The "Inward Journey" program honors two equally meaningful paths. For those feeling called to teach at a more advanced level, the training fulfills, and exceeds, the requirements for 500-hour certification with Yoga Alliance. For those drawn to deepen their own practice, and be part of an uplifting community, it offers a rich container for study, reflection, and personal evolution—without the focus on certification.

 

This program includes a hybrid mix of 8 in-person weekends and weekly virtual lectures and practices. Each year’s class is restricted in number, allowing for ample one-on-one interaction and rich group discussion.  This program is designed to give you a deeper dive into the practice and understanding of yoga, in a very intentional way.

 

The Sakhi Yoga School has the unique fortune to offer teachings passed down directly from a living master, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, of the Himalayan Institute.  Our studies build logically and deliberately, as we progress through the program, culminating in a deeper, richer understanding of yoga. Each of the four quarters is focused on one of the Four Gates of Freedom as defined in the Yoga Vasistha.

 

At the culmination of our program, Pamela will lead an optional pilgrimage to India, where we will travel to sacred sites connected to our tradition and stay in the Himalayan Institute Khajuraho ashram. 

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Schedule: September 2026 - December 2027

Quarter One – Vichara/Self-Inquiry 

• 2 in-person weekends ​

• weekly virtual lectures: Thursdays 12:00-2:00pm EST

• weekly practices Sundays: 4:30-6:00pm EST

 

Quarter Two – Shanti/Self-Mastery 

• 2 in-person weekends ​

• weekly virtual lectures: Thursdays 12:00-2:00pm EST

• weekly practices: Sundays 4:30-6:00pm EST

 

Quarter Three – Santosha/Contentment 

• 2 in-person weekends ​

• weekly virtual lectures: Thursdays 12:00-2:00pm EST

• weekly practices Sundays: 4:30-6:00pm EST

 

Quarter Four – Sangha/Community

• 2 in-person weekends ​

• weekly virtual lectures: Thursdays 12:00-2:00pm EST

• weekly practices Sundays: 4:30-6:00pm EST

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Learning Highlights

 

• Enhance your knowledge of the anatomy of yoga and understanding of physiological problems and structural limitations

 

• Explore the profound teachings of Sri Vidya that lead you toward embodying the wisdom, power, compassion, beauty, and joy of Sri

 

• Deepen your understanding of Ayurveda and learn how to apply this ancient science in your practice, life, and teaching

 

• Understand the five Prana Vayus & how to work with them, using asana, pranayama & mantra

 

• Explore yoga as a supportive tool for transforming depression and anxiety into resilience

 

• Experience ancient meditation techniques and learn how to teach them in a meaningful way

 

• Tap into your internal well of creativity, learning to design practices that will support you and your students in a profound and practical way

 

• Learn to work with the Koshas (five sheaths or layers) and develop a relationship to those layers in practice and teaching

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• Identify your Dharma (life purpose) and how to sustain alignment with it

 

• Learn ancient mantras and study the science of sound, and Sanskrit language 

 

• Study Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra and The Hatha Yoga Pradipika in-depth, as guides for “living your yoga”, on and off the mat

 

• Discover your authentic voice, learn to use it more effectively & elegantly, in a variety of arenas

 

• Refine your skills in purposeful sequencing for specific energetic outcomes

 

• Develop your online instruction skills and understanding of how to serve students’ needs through this medium

 

Reading List

• The Secret of the Yoga Sutra ~ Pandit Rajmani Tigunait

• The Practice of the Yoga Sutra ~ Pandit Rajmani Tigunait

• Autobiography of a Yogi ~ Paramahansa Yogananda

• Yoga & Ayurveda ~ Dr. David Frawley

• Hatha Yoga Pradipika ~ Swami Satyananda Saraswati: commentary by Swami Muktibodhananda

• Living with the Himalayan Masters ~ Swami Rama

• **The Four Desires + workbook ~ Rod Stryker (**included with tuition)

• Meditation and Its Practice ~ Swami Rama

• The Key Poses of Yoga ~ Dr. Ray Long

• If you did not complete your 200-hr YTT with Sakhi, please include:

  • Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha ~ Swami Satyananda Saraswati 

  • The Bhagavad Gita ~ translated by Eknath Easwaran

  • The Key Muscles of Yoga ~ Dr. Ray Long

 

Investment

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• Teacher Path - $3800

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• Personal Path - $3500 

   

  *Partial scholarships and payment plans offered on a need basis. Please write to inquire.​
   

Details and Inclusions

• A $200 non-refundable application fee will hold your spot and be deducted from your total rate.

• Four Desires Book, Workbook and virtual Sakhi Manual are included.

• Optional pilgrimage to India January 8-22, 2028 is not included.

• Cash, Check, Zelle, and PayPal payments are accepted, with no additional fees.  

• Credit card or “PayPal: Services” payments are accepted, with a 3% fee added to the total. 

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FAQ -Is the Sakhi School right for me?  The answer is YES if…

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• You are interested in a deep spiritual path, rooted in ancient tradition and connected to authentic teachings from a true living master. Pamela is a devoted student of Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Spiritual Head of the Himalayan Institute.

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• You want not only to refine and expand your teaching skills, but also to find a deeper connection to your own unique truth and inner teacher.

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• You understand the benefits of learning and connecting with others in person for full weekends, and having the undivided attention of your teacher.

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• You want the consistency of weekly classes and lectures in a virtual format.

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• You are seeking a teacher who is also a devoted student. Pamela and all of the Sakhi 300 YTT faculty (with a combined 100+ years of teaching experience), continue to study with master teachers.

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• You want a teacher whose primary focus is to serve her students, and one who will be available to you beyond the scope of the program.

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• You are inspired to better understand the energetics of yoga, moving deeper than a purely physical approach.

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• You value having a past-graduate mentor throughout the program and being part of a close-knit community going forward.