Testimonials
- Yoga Teacher Training 2016 was intense; but it was the most fulfilling intensive six (6) weeks I have ever experienced. The Faculty are all experts in their fields and brought valuable and insightful techniques that not only enhanced my personal practice but certainly set the foundation for my journey as a Yoga Teacher. The program offered much more than I expected. I learned my body parts, understanding the Anatomy of Yoga which I did not give much thought as a practitioner. Yoga Teacher Training changed that and now whenever I practice or teach I use that knowledge to create a better experience. If you are serious about your Yoga practice then the Yoga Teacher Training is a must. Make the investment, its the best gift you can give your mind and body.
- Let me start by saying this specifically to Trinidadians, living in Trinidad...if you want to change your life without "changing your life" then this intensive is for you. You can do this without changing your job and location. Sure, you won't have time to do some things...like spend an evening doing absolutely nothing! But this is a temporary sacrifice that will endless rewards. Sometimes you just won't want to do it and that's okay. Just remember the "why" you are doing it and that would help you to get through. This course will make you want to dig deeper, want more, know more...this was the beginning of a lifelong journey for me, that gets better with time, like wine. But I must mention that it is intense in EVERY sense of the word but it is surely worth it. I have no regrets in doing it. Sometimes I felt tired, annoyed, tired, overwhelmed and did I mention tired? mentally and physically, but I can never say that I regretted doing it. The Sangha Trinidad will always hold a special piece of my heart.
- The Sangha Trinidad’s 500-hour teacher-training prepares its trainees to teach principles and techniques of yoga that are more advanced, and to teach with greater skill, than could reasonably be expected of an RYT 200
- There are lots of well-trained and experienced persons out there who can teach you the countless Asanas and no doubt help you to become a qualified yoga instructor. But there is only one Karen Blackman – she not only teaches you those yoga Asanas but she also blows your mind and opens your heart to welcome and receive the true meaning of yoga. Most of all what stands out is her positive and uplifting interaction with people – you can see this is in her classes at the Sangha, she has a large following of students; many whom have been with her for a number of years. She consistently delivers new types of classes with fresh twists – so students are always challenged and keep coming back for more. Karen’s teacher training takes you on a holistic journey never to be forgotten – that year was one of the most memorable and life changing experiences of my life. There is the physically rigorous training and learning about the various aspects of yoga from a host of experienced local and international teachers which Karen hand picks to be part of her annual teacher training line up. And then there is that ‘mother like’ but boot - camp, tough but empathic, daring, inspirational and brave woman that is Karen Blackman to help you along every step of the way. Her experience and knowledge are truly vast and she is an excellent teacher – grabs your attention from the start and is always challenging you to reach new heights and try new things. She is not afraid to push you and let go of your hand as you discover your path on the journey to becoming a qualified and fantastic yoga instructor. So if your quest is to become a qualified yoga instructor or you are looking to deepen your practice and you want to be challenged, benefit from the experience of world class teachers and a fun learning environment, I definitely recommend that Karen Blackman is the person for you. Of course you can see for yourself by trying out her classes at the Sangha!
- The Sangha Teacher Training is the first of its kind throughout the Caribbean, as the only Yoga Alliance Registered 500 hour school in the region. However, the quality of the teacher training draws on excellent expertise from North America and the Caribbean. The program is specifically structured to be as accessible as possible, allowing for morning or evening options, which was a huge benefit for me as a single mom, with an extremely demanding job, as well as a young son. The benefits of this program are phenomenal, affecting not just my yoga practice but every facet of my life and resulting in a change of career to full-time yoga instructor. Karen Blackman was blessed with the gift of teaching yoga from her heart and shares every part of this with every student who makes the decision to embark on this journey.
- Completing The Sangha Trinidad Yoga Teacher Training program was a life changing experience for me. It helped me answer so many questions I had about my body and how it works and also about my life in general. The program helped me not only answer those questions for myself but also gave me the tools to help my students answer those questions for themselves. A truly invaluable experience!
- In short The Sangha Trinidad's Yoga Teacher Training programme positively transformed my life. Worth every moan, groan, tear, and sacrifice!
- My teacher training experience with The Sangha Trinidad, has launched me into new paths of personal growth. I love the way we are encouraged to play with, to create and even go beyond existing paradigms presenting fresh views of this multifaceted diamond.
- THE SANGHA TRINIDAD'S YOGA TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME, IS AN INTENSIVE, PRACTICAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME THAT PRODUCES A KNOWLEDGEABLE CREATIVE TEACHER AND DEEPENS YOUR YOGA PRACTICE. AT THE END YOU WOULD HAVE HAD A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE!
The Sangha Trinidad is currently
the ONLY 500hr Yoga Alliance Registered School in this part of the Caribbean!
THIS IS THE SANGHA TRINIDAD’S FINAL TEACHER TRAINING (TT#10)
THE NEW DATES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2027 TO SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2027
The program we currently offer is a 300hr Teacher Training
While the Program is a Yoga Certification, over the course of The Sangha Trinidad’s 20+ years in existence, the Director – Karen Blackman, has seen the need for all forms of teachers and/or Trainers to take a Training like this.
Whether you are training to be Yoga Instructor, a Pilates Instructor or even a Personal Trainer,
the Program is completely accessible!
It is a well-rounded program, to help prepare you for today’s world, where Yoga Teachers are doing Personal Training or teaching Pilates,
Pilates teachers are teaching Yoga and Personal Trainers are dabbling in all, etc.
The Training is a VERY intensive one, where we introduce numerous techniques not being offered in other Trainings around the world
in the hopes that this program will help produce the best instructor in YOU – safe, knowledgeable and confident!
We use a combination of nationally renowned Caribbean faculty and internationally world renowned faculty to not only keep the cost of the training affordable, but to help us offer a spicy, balanced program that would be recognized anywhere you taught.
Finally, The Sangha Trinidad’s Training has no more than 10 people, no modules, no airfare (if you are local) and some of the same North American faculty as in the other Trainings abroad…like we said, it’s ACCESSIBLE!
Here is the need-to-know info on the Training…
(INCLUDES COURSE MATERIALS ONLY).
Any Food, Room and Board, Transport are extra, but we can assist with finding accommodations if needed.
THE PROPOSED TEACHING FACULTY FOR 2027
KAREN BLACKMAN
E-RYT® 500, YACEP (Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider® )
DIRECTOR/FOUNDER, THE SANGHA TRINIDAD
CREATOR, THE SANGHA TRINIDAD’S TEACHER TRAINING
Teaching Methodology, Alignment, Adjustments, Working With Props, Public Practice Teaching, Feedback And Guidance Practice Teaching, Sequencing, Business, Ethics, Public Speaking, Presentations, Quiz and more!
EMILY TOROCKIO
A breakdown of the various body systems and how these systems are affected. PLUS, workshops on Adjustments, to help affect those systems and make them work optimally. Activities & Exercises to bring concepts to life, Deepen your knowledge of movement and mini tests at the end of the seminars, a Final Exam at the end of the course
HALI SCHWARTZ
PUBLISHED AUTHOR AND PHILOSOPHY EDUCATOR
INDIAN YOGA HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY, MEDITATION , BREATHOWORK, SANSKRIT STUDY AND HATHA ASANA PRACTICE
In this 6 part lecture series we will cover the history of the spiritual quest, the Vedas, the Unpanishads, The Bhagavad Gita, Patanjali. While this Training is not going to be focused solely on yoga, even as a personal trainer or a pilates instructor, having knowledge of the history and philosophy of such an ancient practice can only make you a more rounded instructor.
ZAHRA DUNCOMBE-EDWARDS
500HR CERTIFIED KEMETIC YOGA TEACHER,
500HR CERTIFIED SANGHA YOGA TEACHER
An Introduction To Kemetic Yoga – African Yoga Philosophy, The History And Practice. Zahra will also be teaching us through her brand – HerWellness – coaching, The Business of Being Self-Employed and Entrepreneurship – Business Model Development, Strategy And Growth
DENNISE DEMMING
LEAD CONSULTANT, DEMMING COMMUNICATIONS
THE ART OF COMMUNICATION FOR RESULTS
What is communication? Verbal vs Non-Verbal, Empathy as a vehicle, Little things that mean a lot (touch, body odour)
OBEDIYA JONES-DARRELL
DIRECTOR, SOUND BODY INTERNATIONAL
Introduction To Thai Yoga Massage, Watsu Aquatic Therapy And Balinese Foot Massage To Help Improve Touch.
(Certificate of Participation
from Sound Body International upon completion of the sessions)
ANGELA BLACKMAN
REIKI MASTER
Reiki is a form of ENERGY MEDICINE. Energy Medicine are techniques used for relaxation, stress relief, accelerating physical and emotional healing & enhancing overall well-being. As Instructors, it is so easy to absorb your client’s energy, which sometimes may not be very positive. Reiki helps to protect you and your well-being so you are able to perform at your best in all circumstances.
This course includes an overview of the history of Reiki, hand placements, self & group practice
(REIKI CERTIFICATION 1ST. DEGREE (LEVEL 1) upon completion).
ELIZABETH VECCHIO
TRAUMA INFORMED LECTURES AND SOMATIC PRACTICE
In this 3-Part Lecture Series, we will explore how and why exercise is important to a healthy mind and body framed by advances in Cognitive Science, Neurobiology, Philosphy, History and
Hands on Techniques to balance the nervous system.
GUEST INSTRUCTORS
OTHER INFORMATION, FEES AND CANCELLATION POLICY
OTHER INFORMATION:
- 300HRS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM Yoga Alliance Recognised Program (Open to non-Trinidadians and Non-Yoga Teachers as well)
- 6-WEEKS INTENSIVE:
Mondays to Fridays 8:30AM to 1:30PM (5hrs)
PLUS Saturdays and Sundays 8AM to 7PM (11hrs) - ALL CLASSES HELD 6 SCOTT ST., ST. CLAIR
- Some of the best instructors from North America and The Caribbean
- A Teacher Training program that will provide a strong foundation in:
Anatomy and Functional Anatomy, Teaching Methodology with emphasis on safety and building connection with your students; The Business of Self-Employment and more that can be used for any field of instruction!
COURSE FEES:
- 300HRS COURSE FEES: TT$30,000.00 10th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL TT$25,000.00
- ALL FEES INCLUDE COURSE MATERIALS ONLY. Any Food, Room and Board, Transport and other expenses are NOT INCLUDED, but we can assist with sourcing if requested.
- 50% DEPOSIT DUE BY OCTOBER 31, 2026
- ALL FEES DUE BY APRIL 1, 2027
- WhatsApp 730-YOGA (9642) to discuss a payment plan if necessary
REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY:
- If for some reason beyond the control of the Participant, A CANCELLATION needs to happen BEFORE the start of the Training, between JANUARY 1, 2027 AND MARCH 30, 2027 – then a TT$10,000.00 NON-REFUNDABLE processing fee will be retained as many elements would have been put in place to make the Training possible. Any other payments made after the $10,000 fee will be refunded. However, ANY TIME from APRIL 1, 2027 and once the Training has begun and ANY TIME during or after the Training, ABSOLUTELY NO REFUND of ANY PART OF ANY PAYMENT made will be entertained or considered, at ANY TIME.
- If for some reason beyond the control of The Sangha Trinidad, A CANCELLATION needs to happen BEFORE or BY the start of the Training – then a FULL REFUND will be available. However, if the cancellation needs to happen during the Training, then a refund for any days of the Training not completed will be available – in this case, a daily rate will be calculated and the refund for the days outstanding will be refunded.
- PLEASE NOTE: If the Participant falls ill during the Training and/or misses more than 10% of the Training, then the NO REFUND policy still stands. The Participant will either have to make-up the hours at their own extra cost OR they agree to an Incomplete Status. If making up the hours, the cost and the timing will be determined by which parts were missed and the faculty member needed to help the participant complete.
- THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS to this REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY so please be guided accordingly.
PAYMENTS CAN BE ACCEPTED BY:
Manager’s Cheque/Bank Draft, Credit Card (can also be done by phone), Online Banking (contact us by Whatsapp at 730-YOGA (9642) OR by email at manager@sanghayogatrinidad.com for banking info)
Here are THE CURRICULUM DETAILS for 2027:
To help keep this Training financially accessible, some of the faculty is online, but mostly in-person.
The local faculty will be in-person and some of the Foreign Faculty will be online and will be indicated
Please contact us to discuss, if interested at manager@sanghayogatrinidad.com
PLEASE NOTE: Because this Training is so small, we are VERY flexible. As a result the actual schedule is finalized based on the registrations and as a group on the first day. We discuss the schedule, see if there are any days and times that participants need to miss, so we can figure out make-up times etc.
TRAINING TIME MONDAY TO FRIDAY: 8:30AM TO 1:30PM
**[Week day Training times can be adjusted depending on who registers and the what the majority needs]**
TRAINING TIME ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND ANY HOLIDAYS: 8AM TO 7PM
*NOTE: We may have to do evening sessions on some of the days to accommodate some of the foreign faculty schedules.
**Completion of the 300hr Program, does not guarantee full time teaching positions at The Sangha Trinidad.
This is not negotiable!
- TECHNIQUES TRAINING / PRACTICE
PRACTICE
We will explore sequencing and learning to teach varying levels. Variety in teachers, teaching styles and types of classes, will provide tools for interpretation and further the process of making your teaching personal and authentic. During the Training, Trainees will be exposed to over 10 types of classes, preparing you for a wide cross-section of client.
POSTURE/EXERCISE WORKSHOPS
In this interactive lecture series, various postures and/or exercises will be broken down to explore alignment , modifications and variations, “release valves” (including Contraindications), and benefits. We will also discuss the reason for sequencing with regards to Backbends, Forward Bends, Balancing Poses, Twists, Hip Openers, and how they all intertwine with other styles of exercise from Yoga to Pilates to Weight Training…it’s all related! We will discuss this in deep detail so that the Trainees can discover the biomechanics of movement and hence the safest and most effective way to move.
- TEACHING METHODOLOGY
Teaching Methodology focuses primarily on all the teaching moments that happen before, during and after class. This is a chance to learn how to create comfort and confidence within the art of teaching and defining your teaching practice…being the best instructor that you can be!
QUALITIES OF A TEACHER/TRAINER
- Communication – helps us how to be be better communicators. We will learn how to make eye contact, the effects of your body language and how to read your clients’ body language, verbal cues.
- PLUS we will learn…“It’s not about you” and what that means.
- We also learn how to find your own voice
- Your teaching tone and the importance of variety, including voice projection, utilizing key ‘trigger’ words, body language and the use of visualization to convey information.
- Further discussion will revolve around the different ways in which people learn (visual, physical and audio)
- How to demonstrate
- The importance of observing and giving feedback
- How to prepare oneself mentally before teaching/instructing
ADJUSTMENTS
This section resolves around one of the most important aspects of teaching and instructing: SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE. We will also focus the following:
- Teaching various body types – seniors, hyper-mobile, lack of awareness, heavier body types vs. smaller body types, injuries (common, multiple, special cases), pre and post natal
- Introduction to potential mental and physical disorders and how to handle – eating disorders, anxiety and panic attacks, depression, asthma, Rheumatoid Arthritis
- The use of props
- Using both verbal and hands-on adjustments. There will also be discussion revolving around the issues of hands-on adjustments, recognizing limitations and how to be most effective in directing clients to self-adjust.
- ANATOMY – PHYSIOLOGY and FUNCTIONALITY
An introduction to the Principles of Anatomy, Kinesiology and biomechanics of movement, through exciting workshops and discussions
- PHILOSOPHY, LIFESTYLE AND ETHICS, MINDFULNESS, BREATHWORK, AND TEACHING SKILLS
- THE BUSINESS OF BEING SELF-EMPLOYED
Learn how to build a sustainable career as an entrepreneur. Hireability and Saleability. Building your brand and using Social Media. We will explore in detail the nuts and bolts of setting yourself up as an effective professional and introduce practical techniques for managing your time, your finances (NIS, Taxes, etc.), building your sessions and/or classes and/or workshop numbers. Creating a strong and consistent following and ultimately flourishing - PRESENTATIONS
The art of public speaking! Each Trainee will be required to give a presentation. Presentation topics will be provided and is a great opportunity to put public speaking skills into practice in a setting that is more comfortable and varied
- PRACTICUM – You will receive some practice teaching time during the 6-Weeks, just so you put into practice what you have learned.
This part is broken down into three (3) parts:
- TEACHING YOUR PEERS
Emphasis will be placed on preparing the Trainee for the actual practice of teaching and/or giving instruction, by teaching each other. - OBSERVATION
Emphasis will be placed on the Trainees watching and observing other teachers. This helps with learning the “tricks of the trade”. - TEACHING PUBLICLY – Though you will be encouraged to invite your family and friends during the 6 Weeks, you will be given the opportunity to lead a session or 2 at The Sangha Trinidad. The session(s) will be observed by The Director and feedback given.
- OTHER / ELECTIVES
Emphasis will be placed on touch…the importance of understanding how the touch of an instructor can have a huge impact on your student. Mindfulness, care, healing and love are the focus here. This will be done via the following courses:
- FOUNDATIONS IN THAI YOGA MASSAGE/BALINESE MASSAGE/WATSU AQUATIC THERAPY
We are taught a short routine that will allow you to incorporate into your classes and to use when you recognize students in extra need. - REIKI CERTIFICATION
We are introduced to Reiki and its power of healing. Again, helping the Trainees understand its affects and all with the intention of making you be the best instructor you can be! After this session, you will be Reiki certified. - TRAUMA INFORMED LECTURES AND CLINICAL SOMATIC MOVEMENT
In this lecture series, we will explore how and why it is a important to maintain a healthy mind and body framed by advances in Cognitive Science, Neurobiology, Philosophy, History & Hands-on Techniques to balance the Nervous System AND more!
