Summer 2015. A hot basement apartment in Salt Lake City, Utah. And a quote from Rumi.
With a wild dream, and a desire to offer a high-level yoga education that encouraged radical self-inquiry through the medium of dynamic movement + breath, Founder Jessica Winderl created the Atman Yoga School. After years of leading trainings in other schools/studios, she knew that her greatest passion was being in the shala supporting the education of the next generation of yoga teachers.
Her vision was to bring together the best parts of yoga: sweaty, fluid vinyasa driven by breath and soulful beats, intersected with an authentic knowledge of yoga philosophy + ayurveda. She wanted to serve the modern yogi while honoring the true roots of yoga. She envisioned a community built around inclusion and compassion, with an invitation to come as you are.
How it all started...
What makes us different
The Atman Yoga School yoga teacher training programs are taught using a pedagogical method to increase student comprehension and information retention. Our curriculum builds a student's knowledge base in a structured and intentional way, using repetition, the Socratic method of cooperative inquiry/discussion, and practical exercises to develop teaching skills and understanding of the subject material.
Our trainings are non-dogmatic (meaning that you are not required to change your beliefs, and that the AYS does not subscribe to the idea that there is only one "right" way to practice yoga), and the guiding principle of our programs is for students to develop critical thinking skills and a nuanced understanding.
At the Atman Yoga School, our core belief is that analytical, critical thinking skills are an essential requirement for a true spiritual practice. Question everything, sift + reflect, connect with your intuition, and arrive at your own conclusion.
Where we are now
In the past decade, we have trained and mentored students across the US, Norway, and Europe, with more that 35+ nationalities represented from 5 continents, and nearly 50 programs completed. Our graduates have gone on to get hired to teach in studios, or lead workshops, courses, and international retreats -- and many students have opened their own studios, launched yoga apps, or founded other yoga-related businesses.
We are so proud to see our graduates out in the world living their yoga, and leading with empathy, grace + confidence.
And we can't wait to cross paths with our new students in future trainings, and see where the journey takes us - together.
Let the beauty you love be what you do.
There are a hundred ways to kneel and kiss the earth.
Want to know more about who we are? Meet the teachers of the Atman Yoga School! All of our teachers are highly qualified (with a teaching designation of 500 RYT or higher), and bring warmth, depth, and humor to your training environment.