January 3 - 20, 2027
Overview
We are very excited to announce a new chapter of our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Sri Lanka, now hosted in our beautiful new venue in Hikkaduwa.
Since 2018, we have been leading Yoga Teacher Trainings in Sri Lanka, first near Galle and later in Hiriketiya, where we spent four incredible years building a strong international community. Now we are moving our annual training to Hikkaduwa, a vibrant beach town on Sri Lanka’s south-west coast known for its palm-fringed beaches, coral reefs, surf culture and relaxed coastal atmosphere.
Our internationally recognised 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training has been running since 2009 in multiple locations across Europe and Asia. Rooted in traditional yoga philosophy and enriched by modern anatomy, neuroscience and trauma-informed approaches, this training offers a comprehensive and intelligent foundation for teaching yoga with confidence and integrity.
Special discount available for early, early birds (aka Night Owls;)
Email us or book a call: admin@spandainstitute.com
Location & Time
Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
January 3–20, 2026 (arrive Jan 3 by 6 pm; checkout Jan 20 after breakfast)
Investment
Night Owl and Early Bird discounts available
Quadruple, triple, twin and single rooms available.
Key Features
Hybrid format: online preparatory modules + in-person immersion
Balanced schedule with one half-day off; time to rest, surf, and explore
Small cohort: maximum 15 students for individual attention
Yoga Alliance Registered School; graduates earn a 200-hour YA certificate recognised worldwide
Online materials are unlocked upon full tuition; registration closes 6 weeks prior or when full
What You’ll Learn
Science-informed practice and techniques
Spanda Vinyasa Method: intelligent sequencing, functional movement
How to teach themed, Elements-based Vinyasa, Beginners, and Restorative classes
Integration of pranayama, meditation, mantra, and mudra
Trauma-sensitive teaching that creates safe, healing spaces
Faculty
Programme created by Nina Vukas (E-RYT 500, RPYT, IAYT), an experienced teacher with a psychology and neuroscience degree, yoga therapist and founder of Spanda Institute
Led by the Spanda faculty; Spanda has trained teachers worldwide since 2009 and is high-rated on Yoga Alliance
Beyond the Training
Join a lifelong Spanda Sangha community with ongoing support
Giving back: each training donates to a local charity and plants trees globally (learn more below)
What you’ll learn
We teach a comprehensive Vinyasa-style sequencing method allowing you to learn how to prepare a variety of classes - beginners, intermediate, advanced and restorative. You will learn how to weave in pranayama, meditation, mudra, and mantra skilfully into your class. After this training, as many of our students do, you will be ready to teach like a pro as soon as you get certified. You will learn about the beautiful discipline of yoga and its history and tradition in a non-dogmatic way.
We teach the Spanda Vinyasa Method - a dynamic vinyasa-based practice that can be adapted for beginners, restorative classes, or more advanced flows. Rather than memorising a fixed sequence, you’ll learn a flexible structurefor designing classes that are both creative and meaningful, with themes based on the physical body, seasons, or elements.
You’ll also discover how to integrate pranayama, meditation, mudra, and mantra into your teaching, and gain a strong foundation in anatomy and physiology as they relate to yoga. Everything we teach is research-informed and presented without dogma, our faculty share their knowledge as fellow practitioners, not gurus.
Whether you join for personal growth or to teach, you’ll leave with the skills to create safe, healing, and empowering practices. Many of our graduates begin teaching confidently right after certification. If you would like to experience some of our classes to get the feel of the Method we teach, check out PRACTICE WITH US.
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Online training (recorded materials)
Yoga History and Tradition
Anatomy & Physiology
Applied Anatomy of Yoga & Biomechanics
Introduction to Ayurveda
Subtle Anatomy
Practice videos
Reading assignments and homework
Recorded materials can be watched at your own time/pace.Part 1: Fundamental teachings of Spanda Vinyasa Yoga
First half of the training is dedicated to setting solid foundations and acquiring substantial knowledge on which we can build upon, like anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, or how to apply anatomy and biomechanics in yoga. We dive deep into learning about asana alignment and individual adaptation, how to avoid and work with common yoga injuries. We learn about safe adjustments and unravel the method of Integral Vinyasa - from the principles and foundations to the sequencing of themed classes and beginners classes and dive into teaching methodology and take our first teaching steps.
Applied anatomy and biomechanics
Asana alignment and adaptation
Five principles of Integral Vinyasa
Five foundations of Integral Vinyasa
Progressive sequencing
Building a class with a theme
Beginners classes
Safe adjustments
Teaching methodologyPart 2: Spanda Tattva Vinyasa
This module moves from the physical to explore the deeper, more advanced level of yogic practice, teaching, and sequencing. Apart from learning different Namaskars and Elemental sequences, we will learn how and when to use them, considering the laws of Nature - from the time of the day to the moon phase, season, personal constitution, cycle etc. We will slowly start to move deeper into the subtle and explore yoga through the teachings of Ayurveda, yoga's sister science. In this way, we focus on promoting balance and healing on and off the mat. In this part, we cover more teaching methodology, teaching practice, ethics, and the business of teaching yoga.
Yoga and Ayurvedic principles - flowing with nature
Spanda Vinyasa - Bhumi (Earth) flow
Spanda Vinyasa - Agni (Fire) flow
Spanda Vinyasa - Vayu (Air) flow
Spanda Vinyasa - Jala (Water) flow
Teaching methodology: Trauma-Sensitive Yoga
Teaching and assisting practicum
Ethics and business of teaching yoga
+ Closing & Diploma ceremony
What to expect
An intensive teacher training is exactly that - intensive on every level. Your body and mind will be challenged, and emotions may surface. At the same time, you’ll experience joy, clarity, and connection, those unforgettable aha!moments and friendships that last a lifetime. Through it all, our role is to hold space for you and support you. You’ll always have the freedom to express yourself, and we’ll balance the intensity with free time so you can rest, reflect, and integrate what you’ve learned.
To help you arrive prepared, we’ve created an online programme to complete before the immersion. This includes practice and alignment videos, anatomy and biomechanics lectures, and readings and essays on yoga history, philosophy, and Ayurveda. By the time we meet in person, you’ll already feel confident in your body and grounded in key concepts.
During the first half of training, we focus on the fundamentals of the Spanda Vinyasa Method: anatomy and biomechanics, asana alignment, basic adjustments, and the Art of Sequencing. In the second half, we explore subtle anatomy, Ayurveda, the Five Elements, and the principles of Elemental Vinyasa - learning how to sequence in harmony with the rhythms of nature. Instead of memorising a set flow, you’ll leave with a solid structure and practical tools to design sequences confidently for different students, groups, and contexts.
Two detailed manuals are included, providing guidance throughout the course and resources you can return to well beyond graduation.
Example of Daily Schedule
07:00 – 08:30 Spanda Vinyasa practice
08:30 – 09:30 Breakfast
09:30 – 13:00 Lectures
13:00 – 15:00 Lunch + beach break
15:00 – 18:15 Lectures / practicum / practice
What our Students Say
“My fellow students and I joked about how difficult it would be to convey our unique, special, and challenging experience to others; this training has created a clear "before" and "after" in my life. Still, I will try, and I hope this post will inspire you.”
An excerpt from a blog post written by one of our students about her experience at the Sri Lanka Yoga Teacher Training. Read the full story at the link below.
“I could not have chosen a better yoga teacher training to start this beautiful journey. The Spanda Vinyasa Method is so well structured, the perfect combination of wisdom and science. The amazing teachers provided all the tools to come out of the training and start to teach right away, using a sequencing method based on understanding the physical and subtle body. I highly recommend, anyone who chooses yoga as a path, to grow and learn from Spanda Institute.”
Your Teachers - in person
Bruno Morais
E-RYT 200, RYT 500
Movement has always been central to Bruno's life; he studied dance in Amsterdam and performed in theatres across Europe. Yoga began as a warm-up for his dance practice but soon became a way to connect more deeply with himself, leading him to complete his first Yoga Teacher Training.
At a professional crossroads, Bruno traveled the world, teaching yoga and continuing his education, including a 300-hour training with Nina Vukas and Celest Pereira. He joined Spanda Institute as a mentor, later becoming an assistant teacher, and now leads our 200-hour YTT courses in Portugal and Sri Lanka. Known for his fun, humble, and patient teaching style, Bruno also teaches weekly classes in and around Lisbon.
Alberica (Biki) Rindi
E-RYT 200, RYT 500
Biki left Italy 14 years ago to explore different cultures and study and work around the world. She joined the 200h and 300h YTT with Spanda Institute in Ericeira in 2021 and 2023, at first not planning to become a yoga teacher, but rather understand how this ancient practice could benefit body and mind. Spanda's holistic trainings provided her with so much more: a resonant philosophy, a structured method to create fun and balancing practices for all and a desire to explore teaching and learning more.
She deepened her studies in India in Ayurveda, Aerial Yoga and Yoga Therapy for kids with special needs. She had the opportunity to teach in different countries to different people during her travels as well as at home in Portugal. Believing this practice should be available for all, she has been volunteering practicing yoga and dance with kids and adults with special needs as well as in a center for homeless and substance users. Biki also teaches annual retreats in Portugal and Italy.
Your Teachers - Online Modules
Nina Vukas
E-RYT 500, YACEP, RPYT, C-IAYT
Nina is a founder of Spanda Institute, a program director, and a lead trainer for Advanced Study Programs. She has been a Yoga practitioner since 1998, started teaching full time in 2005, and has been educating yogis on their journey towards becoming Yoga Teachers, as well as educating Yoga Teachers to advance their knowledge and teaching skills since 2009.
Nina is also a Psychologist, Yoga Therapist, Somatic Psychotherapist, Mindfulness and Meditation teacher, an author of Safe Space: Trauma-Sensitive Yoga and Embodied Calm: Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Nidra. Currently, she is pursuing Applied Neuroscience degree.
Nina created this programme and Spanda Method, and will be teaching your Yoga History and Tradition module as well as a part of the Anatomy module. .
Teresa Wohlmannstetter
E-RYT 500, Physio
Teresa is a physiotherapist who worked in an orthopaedic practice for many years before she became a full-time Yoga Teacher. A yogini since her teens, she attended a Yoga Teacher Training to bring more tools into her passion for supporting and healing body/mind.
After completing her 200-hour training with us in Portugal and graduating with honours as one of the best in her class, Teresa joined us as an Anatomy Teacher first while continuing her Yoga education, sound healing education, as well as pursuing professional education in manual therapy. Teresa teaches annual surf & yoga retreats in Portugal.
She will be covering a part of the Anatomy, Biomechanics and Physiology online module.
Marina Moric
RYT 500, RPYT, PhD Neuroscience
Marina has been a valued member of the Spanda Institute community for many years. Her journey began as a student completing her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at our first home base, Sangha Yoga Studio. Following her initial training, Marina began teaching classes at the studio, quickly establishing herself as a skilled and passionate teacher. Her commitment to learning led her to pursue additional certifications, including Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training and advanced 300-hour studies with Spanda Institute and other renowned yoga teachers. She also completed an Aerial Yoga Teacher Training.
At Spanda Institute, Marina serves as our resident neuroscientist and is an integral part of the teaching faculty for our 200-hour, 300-hour, and Yoga Therapy Teacher Training programs. With a master's degree in biology and a PhD in Neuroscience, Marina brings a unique and deeply informed perspective to her teaching.
Location
Sri Lanka is blessed with breathtaking natural beauty, swaying palm trees, tropical greenery, serene lagoons, and the vast Indian Ocean stretching along its coastline. Rich in history and deeply rooted in Buddhist tradition, the island carries a quiet spiritual presence that can be felt everywhere. Sri Lankan people are known for their warmth and generosity, welcoming, gentle, and always ready with a smile. The country is also considered very safe and accessible for travellers.
The Venue
Our Teacher Training venue is nestled beside a tranquil lagoon, just a few minutes’ walk from South Hikkaduwa beach and its vibrant collection of cafés, restaurants, and small local shops. Within walking distance, you’ll also find several other secluded beaches, perfect for early morning swims, sunset reflections, or peaceful time alone with nature.
On a small island in the middle of the lagoon sits a Buddhist temple, where students have the rare opportunity to visit for morning meditation with resident monks. It’s a truly special way to begin the day, immersed in stillness, tradition, and the living heart of Sri Lanka’s spiritual culture.
The venue features a swimming pool, a spacious, light-filled shala fully equipped with everything you’ll need so you can travel light, and generous indoor and outdoor spaces to relax and connect. Cold cascade showers and ice baths are also available on the property for those who enjoy an invigorating reset between sessions.
Rooms
The rooms are simple yet thoughtfully designed, bright, airy, and infused with natural light, creating a calm and restful atmosphere. We offer single, twin, triple, and quadruple en suite rooms to suit different preferences and budgets. Please note that only three single rooms are available, and these share two bathrooms.
Each room is equipped with red light therapy panels, offering a supportive addition to your stay, ideal for relaxation, restoration, and overall wellbeing.
Meals
Your package includes daily breakfast, lunch (except on your day off), and every other dinner, giving you the perfect balance between on-site nourishing meals and the freedom to explore Hikkaduwa’s vibrant local restaurant scene. All meals are plant-based and thoughtfully prepared, blending Sri Lankan flavours with creative Western-inspired dishes for a diverse and satisfying culinary experience. Hydrogen-enriched drinking water is available throughout your stay to support optimal hydration and overall vitality.
Investment and Terms
Room type - Package option euros (Night Owl / Early Bird / Late Bird)
Single room* - 3840 / 4050 / 4270 euros
Twin en-suite room - 3530 / 3730 / 3930 euros
Triple en-suite room - 3380 / 3570 / 3760 euros
Quadruple en-suite room - 3230 / 3410 / 3590 euros
*three single rooms share two bathrooms
Packages include:
Tuition, materials, and manual
Accommodation
Daily breakfast
Daily lunch (except on a 1/2 day off)
Dinner every other day
Terms and conditions
500 euros to save your spot
Night Owl prices are available until May 1st, 2026, when full payment is due
Early Bird prices are available until August 1st, 2026, when full payment is due
Late Bird full payment is due November 15th, 2026 when full payment is due
All other terms and conditions are listed in the Application Form
Frequent Q & A
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As soon as your full tuition is paid. We send out invoices on due date, but if you wish to start earlier, let us know.
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You will receive both manuals in digital form with your online training modules, and your main manual will be posted to your home address one month before the training begins.
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We will send you a detailed “Know Before You Go” information sheet well in advance, so you will have plenty of time to prepare for your arrival.
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The nearest international airport is Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo (CMB). Transfers can be arranged by taxi or shuttle and we will provide guidance and recommendations in your “Know Before You Go” pack.
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On the day of the training the latest. If you are arriving on the day the training begins, it is best to land in Colombo by 2 pm if possible, as you will need time to travel to the venue.
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The villa is rented as a whole on a weekly basis, so early arrival is not possible. If you wish to come a few days beforehand, we recommend booking accommodation in nearby Hiriketiya Bay.
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Intensive yoga teacher trainings are full-day programmes, but our venue is directly on the beach, so you can enjoy a swim during lunch breaks or even before morning practice. Free dinners every other day give you a chance to explore Hiriketiya, and we also schedule a half day off so you can surf, explore, or simply rest and recharge.
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The villa is reserved for teacher trainees only, but your companion is very welcome to stay nearby.
Students about our Sri Lanka training
“For a long time already, I have been wanting to do a YTT. When I saw the Spanda Institute offer, I was curious. I very much liked the hybrid form of the training as I could already start the training in Germany and do the intensive practical part of 2 weeks in Sri Lanka. I could sign up quickly and the manuals have been sent rapidly to me. Before going to Sri Lanka, I could do the online part and already learn about the history of yoga, about anatomy, Ayurveda and do some practical training and learn pranayama. I really liked the connection of yoga and ayurveda and the teaching of the element flows of earth, fire, water and air. The videos of the online part were very professional, I learnt a lot. The practical part at Sri Lanka was amazing as well. The venue was wonderful with a very good energy. The food and staff lovely. I liked the daily practice in the morning and the intensive way of teaching. I also like the Spanda method very much as I have been doing a lot of Hatha Yoga at the beginning of my Yoga experience and then came more and more to Vinyasa Yoga and today, I am fascinated by Rocket Vinyasa and more dynamic forms of Yoga. For me, Spanda combines it very well. The method is very nice, the flows are dynamic, and you can combine elements of Ayurveda and the great Elements in your teaching. You can choose more hatha flows or more dynamic ones. Also, Pranayama and chanting is a part of the training, as well as mudras and Kyrias. I really recommend the 200 YTT with Spanda Institute. The curriculum and the method is just great as are the teachers Bruno and Teresa and the support from Nina. Thank you very much for this incredible opportunity.”
- Kerstin (Germany)
“I am so so so happy to have had this experience with Spanda Institute and the training was AMAZING and life changing. I recommend anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of yoga, the body, their own practice to join a Spanda Teacher Traning. It was an experience I will carry with me forever, and I would do it all over again if I could.”
- Caroline (Denmark)
“Taking this 200-hour yoga teacher training has been an incredible experience. 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 (The Netherlands)
”The YTT in Sri Lanka was an experience that taught me so much and enriched me in many ways. 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 (GER)
“I did the 200 hour hybrid training in Sri Lanka and it exceeded my expectations. I was looking for a profound and modern YTT and I feel so lucky to have found Spanda as their Method combines sience with the yoga traditions. To my own surprise - I felt ready to teach Yoga Classes right after graduating. Thanks to our teachers Bruno and Teresa. They tought us with passion, fun, and so much backround knowledge. Thank you for the wonderful time!”
- Claudia (Austria)
“I am very happy to have chosen Spanda. The lessons were very professional & so was the knowledge that was imparted to us. The two teachers complemented each other perfectly and were able to guide us through the training with a good balance of pressure and motivation. The accommodation and food did the rest. Thank you very much for this special experience!”
- Marlene (Switzerland)
”I can’t recommend the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) at Spanda Institute in Sri Lanka enough! Maddie and Teresa are fantastic Yoga teachers – so experienced and knowledgeable. They each bring a unique focus to yoga, which really helps you get the most out of the training. The online prep work was great too; it meant I could hit the ground running when the in-person training started. I loved how the Spanda method is structured, and how it really takes into account everyone’s individual needs – body, mind, and soul. I’m so grateful to have shared this experience with such a lovely, small group of just 10 students. What I especially appreciated was the emphasis on anatomy, neuroscience, and the variety of teachers we had (online and in-person). I’m already looking forward to more training with Nina and the whole Spanda family!”
- Noemi (GER)