The Kindred Approach
More than learning
to teach yoga
Kindred's Level 1 Yoga Teacher Training is an opportunity to deepen your own practice and understanding of yoga. Over 17 days, we explore the principles beneath the practice, bringing together yoga history and philosophy, anatomy and movement, meditation and breathwork, and the practical craft of teaching.
The emphasis throughout is on enquiry: learning through practice, asking questions and developing your own informed understanding. You don't need years of experience, or a particular level of fitness, mobility or body shape to join us.
What matters more is curiosity and a willingness to explore.
A different way to learn
There isn't one method, lineage or style you're expected to adopt at Kindred.
Throughout the training, you'll encounter different ideas, traditions and perspectives, with space to explore, question and consider what makes sense through your own experience.
Some ideas may sit comfortably with you; others may challenge what you already believe. The intention isn't to tell you what to think, but to encourage you to engage thoughtfully and come to your own conclusions.
Why people come
People join us for different reasons.
Some already know they want to teach. Others want to deepen their understanding beyond the physical practice, or are at a crossroads and considering a change of direction.
You don't need to know exactly where this training will lead before you begin.
Your lead teacher
Kindred co-founder Chai Deva developed and leads the Level 1 teacher training, supported throughout by experienced teachers and practitioners from the wider Kindred community.
Chai brings more than 30 years of practice, study and teaching across yoga, meditation, martial arts, self-enquiry, applied anatomy and therapeutic bodywork. This breadth of experience has shaped the training and the connections he draws between how we practise, move, think and learn.
He sees his role as a guide, sharing what he has learned through his own experience and many years of working with people.
Alongside you throughout
Meet your support team
Kathy and Julie are alongside you for much of the programme, offering additional guidance, practical support and different perspectives as you learn and practise.
Kathy Guard
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Kathy has been practising yoga for 15 years and completed her 200-hour Level 1 Yoga Teacher Training with Kindred in 2021, going on to complete her 500-hour training. She now teaches yoga and reformer Pilates from her home studio in Kaikoura and in the local community.
Grounded and organised, Kathy brings a natural sense of structure to the training, helping to support students and maintain the rhythm of the programme.
Julie Wiseman
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Julie has been practising yoga for over three decades and completed her 200-hour Level 1 Yoga Teacher Training with Kindred in 2020. Since then, she has continued her studies in yin yoga and advanced breathwork and teaches regular Hatha Flow and Yoga Bliss classes at Kindred.
Julie brings warmth, care and a steady presence to the training, helping to create a welcoming and nurturing space for students.
The value of immersion
One thing, for 17 days
Level 1 is taught as one continuous 17-day programme. This format asks for commitment, but it also offers something increasingly rare: the chance to focus on one thing for an extended period of time.
The immersion itself becomes part of the learning experience.
Learning from real bodies
There is no single yoga body or one correct alignment
Our skeletons, proportions and histories are different, affecting our range of movement and what a pose may look and feel like for each of us. Rather than working towards an ideal shape, you'll explore the intention behind the pose and how adapting it can change the experience.
The different bodies in the room become part of the learning, as you observe these differences in yourself and the people alongside you.
Chai isn't naturally flexible, and his own experience of working with a tight body has helped shape how he understands and teaches movement.
What you'll learn
The programme brings together the foundations of yoga with an understanding of the body and self, alongside the practical craft of teaching.
Yoga Foundations Yoga Philosophy · Foundational Asanas · Breath + Meditation
Explore the history and evolution of yoga, from ancient traditions to different branches and lineages, including key teachings and frameworks such as the Eight Limbs of Yoga, Pancha Koshas and Chakra system.
Explore foundational asanas through their function and purpose rather than an idealised shape, including how anatomy and individual variation influence practice.
Experience the relationship between breath, body and mind through pranayama, meditation and mindfulness. Explore a range of foundational breathing practices and meditation techniques throughout the training.
Understanding the Body + Self Functional Anatomy + Physiology · Women’s Health · Self Esteem
Develop a practical understanding of how the body is structured and functions, including the major organ systems, nervous system, joints, ligaments, tendons and fascial connections. Explore breathing physiology, skeletal variation and mobility, and what these differences mean for yoga practice and teaching.
Explore women’s cycles and different stages of life, including pregnancy, post-partum and perimenopause, and consider how these, alongside the seasons and cycles around us, can inform yoga practice and teaching.
Consider the assumptions and patterns that shape how you see yourself and others. Through self-reflection and group and individual exercises, learn to recognise and question unconscious patterns.
The Craft of Teaching Voice + Communication · Teaching + Class Design · Teaching Experience · Ethics, Opportunities and the Business of Yoga
Explore how presence, body language and voice shape the way you connect with a group, guide a class and influence the atmosphere in the room.
Explore the practical craft of teaching, from structuring and sequencing a class to developing a theme and creating a cohesive experience for your students.
Build teaching experience progressively, beginning in small groups where you'll practise teaching, observe and exchange feedback with your peers, before moving into teaching the wider group.
Understand the practical realities of teaching yoga, including ethics and professional responsibilities, different opportunities and pathways for teachers, and the considerations involved in making teaching part of your working life.
The wider whānau behind the training
Yoga + Nia Teacher
Yoga Teacher
A typical day on the training
7.00am to 6.30pm, unhurried
Regular breaks, shared meals and time to yourself are built into the rhythm of each day.
Morning practice
Begin with guided meditation and pranayama, followed by asana practice and a shared vegetarian breakfast.
Learning through the day
Sessions generally run for one to two hours and may include practical workshops, group discussions and teaching practice, in small groups or as a whole class.
Breaks and meals
Regular breaks give you time to step outside, grab a hot drink or simply pause. A longer lunch break provides time to eat, rest or go for a walk. A wholesome vegetarian afternoon tea is provided daily.
Afternoon practice
Most days finish with a guided class led by a training teacher or member of the wider Kindred community, exposing you to different styles of yoga and approaches to teaching.
25 March – 10 April 2027 · Nelson
A non-refundable $500 deposit secures your place. The remaining balance can be paid in full or through a flexible payment plan. Contact us to arrange a plan that works for you.
Full payment is due by 1 March 2027.
View our cancellation policy.
Scholarship fund
Kindred Yoga Teacher Training Scholarship Fund
We recognise that teacher training is a significant financial commitment, and a limited number of partial scholarships are available.
Applications are assessed on an individual basis.
in their own words
"I came to the training with hardly any experience of yoga, but with an open mind. Early on I was challenged both physically and emotionally, and through that I learned that I am stronger and more capable than I realised.Read more + Show less −
As the training unfolded, experiencing different styles of yoga, learning from different teachers and having opportunities to practise teaching helped me grow in ways I hadn't expected.
I came away with confidence in my body and mind, and a peace within myself that I'm so grateful to now be able to share with my family, friends and community through teaching yoga. Even now, as I complete my practical teaching hours, I'm constantly remembering more of what I was taught as each new challenge arises."
Sonita · 2026 Graduate
"Yoga has helped me through some challenging times, and I chose Kindred's yoga teacher training simply to deepen my practice, never believing I had the capacity to teach.Read more + Show less −
The 17 days of intense focus facilitated by deeply caring teachers created a supportive, kind space for both physical and emotional growth. It was an inspiring and well-designed course where the 'learning by doing' approach truly built our skills. Completing my 20 hours of teaching post training consolidated this learning.
The biggest surprise? My fear of standing up and teaching transformed into the confidence to hold space for guiding and teaching yoga to others. I am now teaching a weekly class. Amazing!"
Christine · 2026 Graduate
"Kindred's 17-day immersive training was an ideal format for my lifestyle. Although the days were long the course was well structured with timely breaks and there was a good balance between learning and putting the theory into practice.Read more + Show less −
I truly valued the training which went beyond the physical practice of yoga, amalgamating teaching skills with philosophy, self-reflection and time to consider if and why we wanted to teach yoga.
Fairfield House provided a beautiful setting with space to practice, share meals together and spend time outside in the stunning gardens. Being together for 17 days gave us the chance to get to know the other participants and share a connection that was encouraged but not forced. There were plenty of moments for laughter too.
I came away with a real sense of accomplishment having enjoyed all aspects of the training. I'd recommend Kindred to anyone wanting to expand their knowledge and build inner strength."
Nikki · 2026 Graduate
"I've practised yoga on and off for over 20 years, deepening my practice when I became a mother. I embarked on Kindred's yoga teacher training because I wanted to share the joy yoga has brought me with others, but the thought of standing at the front of a class filled my belly with fear.Read more + Show less −
The training exceeded my expectations and delivered in areas I had no idea I needed. I soaked up the knowledge and lively discussions, and for me, the value was in the programme as a whole. Holistic, well-rounded and diverse, with each element, topic and teacher complementing the others to create an experience far greater than the sum of its parts.
The mix of theory and practical learning, alongside the different perspectives and support of the teachers, kaitiaki and fellow students, gave us so much to learn from. I came away having learned as much about myself as I had about yoga. Now, I guide two yoga sessions a week and relish sharing my offerings with my community."
Lauren · 2026 Graduate
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Questions people ask us
Do I need to want to become a yoga teacher?
Some participants come with a clear intention to teach, while others join because they want the time and structure to study yoga and themselves more deeply. Both are equally valid reasons for doing the training.
How experienced or physically fit do I need to be?
There are no prerequisites to join the training. Some familiarity with yoga and a regular practice are helpful, but you don't need an advanced practice, a particular level of flexibility or fitness, or years of experience.
The days are long and full, with a varied mix of yoga practice, theory, discussion and practical learning, as well as regular breaks. You won't be practising asana all day, but the immersive format does ask for physical and mental energy. Come with an open mind, a genuine interest in learning and an understanding of the commitment involved.
What if I have an injury, health condition or physical limitation?
We recognise that everyone comes to the training with a different body, history and set of circumstances. Where appropriate, the practice can be adapted to accommodate physical limitations and individual differences. If you have an injury, health condition or anything else that may affect your participation, please get in touch before enrolling so we can discuss your circumstances. We ask that you also take responsibility for your own wellbeing and continue to follow the advice of your health practitioner throughout the training.
Where does the training take place?
The training is held at Fairfield House, close to central Nelson and set within seven acres of gardens and heritage woodland. There's plenty of outdoor space to walk, eat lunch or take some time to yourself between sessions.
What happens after the 17-day training?
The 17-day immersion makes up 180 hours of the Level 1 training. After completion, you'll complete a further 20 hours of community teaching to receive your 200-hour certification, keeping a log of your hours using a template we provide. We'll support you to complete these hours. Nelson-based students can gain teaching experience through Kindred's Friday evening koha classes, while those living outside the region can stay connected with Chai and receive mentoring and support by phone or Zoom.
What certification will I receive?
At the end of the 17-day immersion, you'll receive a certificate of attendance. When you finish your 20 hours of community teaching, you submit your teaching logs, then have a final one-on-one with Chai, in person or online, to go over your insights and any questions.
Chai then sends you your certificate of completion for the 200-hour Level 1 training, which you can use to register with Yoga New Zealand or Yoga Alliance.
Is accommodation included?
Accommodation is not included, but we are happy to help you find something suitable for your needs and budget. You can download our accommodation guide for information on local options or get in touch if you have any questions.
How do I know if this training is right for me?
You're welcome to talk with us before enrolling. We can answer your questions and talk through anything you're unsure about before you make a decision.
Building on your foundation
Your 200-hour Level 1 training is just the beginning. Continue learning with Kindred through 50-hour advanced trainings, deepening your knowledge and working towards Level 2 certification.
