12 Reasons Train at Doron Yoga & Zen Center

The reasons to embark on your yoga teacher training journey are limitless! From our 200-hour yoga teacher training and beyond, here are just a few details about what makes training at Doron Yoga & Zen Center so unique.

12. Double Major in Ashtanga-Vinyasa

The Doron Yoga Method mixes together ashtanga principles and alignment with sequence flexibility more typical of a vinyasa practice. The Doron Yoga teacher training program educates students about the ashtanga practice while incorporating a variety of poses that aren’t found within the Ashtanga primary series. By using the Doron Yoga building blocks, we will teach you how to create a class that is well-balanced and consistently offers a good full-body experience.

11. Meet an International Group of Aspiring Yogis

Our location in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala attracts yogis from all over the world. From Myanmar to New Zealand, Berlin to Montreal–our typical teacher training features a mix of students from a wide variety of interesting places. Because of this, each student brings their unique perspective with them as we undertake this journey together, and many make friends here that they will keep for a lifetime! It’s the perfect place to find your tribe.

10. Get A Feel For Local Maya Culture

We are fortunate to be located in the village of Tzununa. Removed from the heavy tourism of some other towns around the lake, you can enjoy a more authentic and local experience. At Doron Yoga & Zen Center we aim to live in harmony with the community; many local workers are a part of our team. For example, our cooking staff is a group of amazing local women, many of whom wear traditional traje (hand woven clothing). They speak the local Mayan language (Kaqchikel) as a first language.

Indigenous artisan traditions, like textile and pottery production, are alive and well around the lake. Our property’s aesthetic, heavily inspired by our surroundings, uses local materials, building styles and textiles. A local craftsman built all of our wooden chairs and benches.

For more information on Tzununa and the surrounding villages, you can check out some more information about the lake.

9. Feel The Power of Hands On Assists

One of the many elements of Doron Yoga is incorporating hands on assists to aid students in deepening their practice. Unlike other yoga teacher training programs, you will have several workshops devoted to the the practice of assisting students in their alignment. Learn how to connect with students on multiple levels and help them feel the full benefits of each pose.

Our blog has an abundance of information on methods for hands on assists as well as the benefits of using hands on assists in yoga.

8. Eat an Unbelievably Fresh,  Holistic Diet

A garden fresh diet is one of the biggest benefits of living in our community. We grow our coffee on-site, processing and roasting the beans ourselves. Each morning and evening we serve tea with fresh herbs from around the grounds. We pull salad greens, sweet potatoes, avocados, tomatoes, squashes, berries, celery and more from our garden and to serve on your plate the same day. Our compost system ensures nothing we produce ever goes to waste.

In addition, founder and lead teacher Doron Hanoch is a trained holistic chef. The menu at our Buddha Cafe is tailored to be nutritious as well as delicious.

7. Temazcal Ceremonies

A Temazcal is a traditional Central American Sweat lodge. They are indigenous to Mexico and Guatemala, as well as many other parts of Mesoamerica. Like relaxing and detoxifying in a sauna, the Temazcal offers a purifying experience. Typically our Temazcal ceremonies include chanting, cold water ceremonies, and meditative insights. Although this is an optional part of the training experience, it’s the perfect thing to help relax those sore muscles!

Learn more about the history and uses of Temazcal.

6. Eco-Friendly Lifestyle

If you want to learn more about living in a sustainable, eco-friendly way, there are a ton of different opportunities here at the center. We follow permaculture principles – our goal is to produce as little waste as possible. Basically, this means that everything from our diet to our waste management has been designed to be sustainable within our beautiful natural environment. While on-site, learn more about going green.

5. Enjoy Swimming, Sun, and Fun at the Lake

With access to a dock for swimming nearby, it’s easy to enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Atitlan. Refresh yourself between sessions with a dip in the water. In addition, experience amazing views of the mountains and the Tzununa valley. Other water activities, such as Stand-up-paddling, kayaking, and even paragliding are available around the lake for your free-days!

4. Sunday Free Days

Speaking of free days, we certainly recommend taking advantage of your time off on Sundays! While we believe in working hard, there is also plenty of opportunity to rest and to explore the area. We offer massages on-site to help you relax. You can also enjoy sitting in the river that runs through our grounds, or in one of the hammocks in our garden. Visit nearby San Marcos, or enjoy lunch in another village!

3. Work with a renowned instructor with over 25 years of experience

With over twenty-five years of yoga experience, teaching is Doron’s true passion. He’s built his entire life around creating a space to share his teaching. Doron studied under a variety of renowned ashtanga instructors and other prominent teachers such as Phattabi Jois, Tim Miller, Richard Freeman,  Mark Stephens, and more.

Doron also studied at prominent institutions such as Osho’s ashram and the Esalen Institute.

2. Learn Step-by-Step Secrets to Sequencing

Ensure every yoga class you teach works every part of the body. Over his many years of practice, Doron has created a structure that ensures yoga teacher trainees have specific building blocks to craft an incredible class. This flexible formula mixes and matches different sequences, allowing you to understand and utilize many different methods to make sure your students feel the full benefits from their yoga practice.

Practice a vinyasa flow class using the Doron Yoga sequencing guideline with this fun online class.

1. Emerge with True Confidence in Your Practice and Teaching

The Doron Yoga teacher training is designed to help you be the best teacher you can be. We will give you practical, hands-on training in everything from hands-on assists to the business of modern yoga. Deepen your own practice, but also get plenty of experience teaching your own classes. We will teach you how to lead a group, and understand how the body moves. We will help you become a confident and informed instructor so that you can help guide others.

Learn More 

We run 200-hr trainings four times a year here at Doron Yoga & Zen Center. Don’t miss your chance to join us! For upcoming dates, and more information, see this page. If you’d like to apply for the program, you can find the application here.

We also run a 300-hr training program once a year in the summer. Additionally, there is an internship option for this program. This allows you to live and work at the center while completing your 300-hr training in 4-6 months. Please click here for more information about these 300-hr yoga teacher training options.

For a sneak peek at some of the insights you’ll be taught, check out the Doron Yoga Manual.