This course takes a student-centered, cooperative approach to learning. The syllabus provides structure for the course while the facilitators use discernment and allow for the natural unfolding of the course to occur in an organic and timely manner. Students will be assigned a variety of topics to research and present to the group of teacher trainers. When we all come to the table, it’s clear we each have unique contributions to the whole. Throughout this program you will be seen, heard, valued, and honored; just as you are.

Buffie Diaz, MA, E-RYT 500, is the CEO and Creator of Elements Wellness. She is a dedicated student and teacher of yoga and spirituality. After completing her Master's degree in School Counseling in 2016, she began training with yogis around the world, exploring a wide variety of lineages and methods. A mother of four and currently residing in Costa Rica, she has deeply benefited from the spiritual, mental, energetic and physical aspects of a modern yogic lifestyle and enjoys incorporating all of those aspects into her training and retreats. Buffie considers herself a life-long student who will always be playing and exploring.

When Buffie is not hosting transformational trainings & retreats, she enjoys practicing yoga, meditating, writing, hiking, traveling, cooking, creating art, dancing, educating her children, and spending time outdoors with her family. A few of her passions include empowering others to find healing and taking care of our planet.

“May my soul bloom with love for all existence.”

The online portion of the training will be conducted via Zoom and will require you to have a webcam and a reliable internet connection. All sessions will be recorded and may be reviewed at your convenience (for example, if you have to miss a class due to a scheduling conflict). However, we require live attendance for a minimum of 75% of all online classes. Special exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis.

Immerse yourself in the wild and high vibe of Costa Rica, during this 5 day retreat January 5-30, 2025.

PURA VIDA is a phrase you will see and hear everywhere in Costa Rica, it means “pure life” or “simple life”. Experience the Pura Vida way of life for yourself on retreat!

Immerse yourself in the magic of Costa Rica during this 5 day/4 night retreat with

We have the privilege of booking our stay on the beautiful west-coast!

Take a dip in the pool after daily yoga practice. Enjoy gourmet cuisine prepared by our exclusive chef. Add on a massage to allow any tension to release as you enjoy a 60-minute massage on site! Celebrate yourself and all you’ve accomplished in the lush jungle coastline of Costa Rica!

- Included –

• minimum twice daily yoga (restorative, yin, vinyasa & more)

• use of open/shared spaces within and surrounding

• guided meditation

• deep relaxation (yoga nidra)

• 3 hour silent retreat

• rejuvenating community

• healthy & fresh cuisine prepared by chef

• lush jungle environment

• relax on pristine beaches of Costa Rica's west coast

• interact with exotic wildlife

• custom welcome gifts, retreat packet/materials & welcome drink upon arrival

• Honoring ceremony and ritual

• photo shoot for professional photos on your new ventures

• optional community service project (indicate if interested)

- Additional (a la cart) Experiences –

o Massage

o Monkey Mangrove Tour

o Horseback Riding

o Surf Lesson

o Ziplining

o Waterfall Rappelling

o White Water Rafting

Weekly Yoga Classes in Studio or Via Zoom (20 total)

+

Weekly Mentorship Session Via Zoom (20 total)

Every Tuesday

Aug. 27, 2024 - January 21, 2025

Monthly Training Modules Via Zoom (15 total)

2024

Aug. 17-18; 24-25

Sept. 8-9; 21-22

Oct. 5-6; 19-20;

Nov. 3-4; 16-17;

Dec. 7-8; 14-15;

2025

Jan. 11-12; 25-26;

Feb. 8-9; 22-23

Mar. 8-9; 22-23

TIMES (ET):

Sat.

8:00-12:00pm Morning Session

12-2pm Working Lunch/ Independent Study

Sun. 12-3pm

Tues. 7:00-9pm

This program will have a strong emphasis on the philosophy and psychology of yoga, as well as continue to guide you in the expansion of your understanding of Yoga Asana, Ethics, Pranayama, and Meditation. We will go deep, pushing to the edges of what we understand as consciousness, just as the yogis before us. We will hold sacred space. We will laugh, cry, and grow through it all, together, expanding, not just individual, but universal, collective consciousness. This program will not only benefit those who undergo instruction within its parameters, but will continuously ripple out to ultimately affect the well-being and advancement of all.

The Elements Wellness Retreats 200-hour course laid the foundation, taking time to explore the initial concepts of yoga. We studied the first 4-5 limbs of Ashtanga’s 8-limb understanding of yoga and briefly touched on the later limbs. You got a lick of the ice cream. Now, you’re wanting more. This program will continue to incorporate the knowledge and understanding you have attained, thus far. If you completed an outside 200-hour program, rest assured that you are right where you should be! You are right on track and will quickly enter the flow and pace of this program.

Throughout this 300-hour advanced Yoga Teacher Training you will develop understanding and move into the deeper philosophical underpinnings of yoga, as a way of life. We will go to the ice cream shop and see more flavors, sample more, discover how the ice cream is made and fall deeper in love with the various flavors, keying in on the ones that resonate most with our palette. This journey is not something in which we seek a final destination. Some of the content of this course includes;

Hindu Mythology: History of Yoga & Deities

Energetic Body Systems

Teaching Methodology

Ethics, Business of Yoga

Professional Development

Ayurveda

Philosophical Literature Review & Discussion

Yama or Niyama Further Ethical Exploration & Life Application

Practice! All is coming!

Advanced Asana & Anatomy; Aligned with the Major Chakras

We will continue to grow, expand and live more fully, exponentially. This will be a fun, interactive program. While the work can be intense, we will approach it lightly, and with reverence.

Admittance Requirements

In order to be accepted to the Elements Wellness Advanced 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training Program please complete the application below, under “Apply Here”. It is preferred that applicants have have completed the Elements Wellness 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Program. We will also accept applicants who have been personally reviewed and have completed an equally rigorous Yoga- Alliance approved Yoga Teacher Training Program.

Additional Requirements:

Complete Application, Including Waiver and Letter of Interest.

Complete a Yoga Alliance Certified 200-hour course.

Be actively practicing yoga.

Have read the Yamas & Niyamas.

Submit proof of Yoga Alliance membership.

Purchase all course materials.

Program Completion Requirements

Be punctual to each meeting. Provide appropriate make-up work for any missed sessions or assignments.

Complete weekly assignments including reading, writing, attending and teaching classes.

Check in with your Mentor 200-hour regularly.

Research and present one current event/topic in the yoga world.

Research and present one style of yoga and provide a one-page handout.

Research and share about a Hindu Deity of your choice.

Observe and provide feedback for YTT-200 and YTT-300 student teaching

Teach our training group and receive feedback.

Pass with 70% or higher a comprehensive, open-note final exam.

Submit 1-page Book Report.

Attend and fully participate in retreat.

Create an original 60-90 minute interactive workshop to be shared on retreat.

Minimum of 3 hours (recommended 20) community service in a yoga environment.

Weekly Assignments:

Read & Sit with (journal/meditate/etc) Assigned Yoga Sutras or Philosophy of Yoga.

Read & color assigned pages of Anatomy books.

Attend a minimum of 2, 60-minute yoga classes per week in addition to personal daily practice that includes pranayama, asana and meditation (at minimum).

The Elements Wellness Advanced 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training Program includes all online modules (for details see “Schedule”), as well as the 2024 Retreat (for more see “Retreat Experience”).

The cost of the program is $3950. Save $700 when paid in full with Early Bird pricing, making tuition $3250. Please see Investment payment options below. If you opt for a payment plan, fees are included in monthly payments.

Early Bird Savings end March 1! Save up to $700!

We believe people of all backgrounds & lifestyles should have access to yoga and yoga teacher training.

We are delighted to offer 3 options for tuition; pay-in-full, 6-month payment plan, and 12-month payment plan.

We also provide partial scholarships for qualifying applicants. Please inquire upon application.

Notice of Cancellation: The program requires that any notice of cancellation or withdrawal by a student must be provided by email.

Admission Denials: An applicant who is denied admission into the program is entitled to a full refund of all money paid by said applicant.

Three (3) Day Cancellation: An applicant who submits written notice of cancellation within three (3) business days after signing the training agreement is entitled to a refund of all money paid. The refund will be paid within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice of cancellation.

Cancellations After Three (3) Days But Before Program Start Date: An applicant who submits written notice of cancellation of the program more than three business days after signing the training agreement but before the program begins is entitled to a refund of all money paid less the $500 registration fee.

Cancellations Within the First Week of Training: For an applicant requesting cancellation within the first week of training, the tuition retained by the program shall not exceed 10% of the contract price of the course plus $500 but in no event more than $900.

After the First Week and Additional Periods: For a student terminating training after one week but within the first 25% of the course, the tuition retained by the program will equal 25% of the contract price of the course plus $500.

For a student terminating training after completing over 25% but less than 50% of the course, the tuition retained by the program will equal 50% of the contract price of the course plus $500.

A student completing more than 50% of the course is not entitled to a refund of any tuition.

Special Cases: In case a student needs to withdraw from the program due to illness, accident, death in the family, or other circumstances that make it impractical for the student to complete the course, the program will provide a reasonable and fair refund. Bad Conduct: No refunds will be given if the program removes a student from the program for bad conduct. Bad conduct is violation of the Code of Conduct. Please refer to the training manual for our complete code of conduct.