This course takes a student-centered, cooperative approach to teaching. 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 native of Georgia, 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, social justice, human rights, and taking care of our planet.

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

The online portion of the training (140 contact hours) 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.

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 January 23-28, 2025.

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 Cost 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 Rapelling

o White Water Rafting

Weekly Yoga Classes & Mentorship in Studio or Via Zoom (40 total)

Tuesdays

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

TIMES (ET):

Sat. 8:00-3:00pm (lunch 11:30-12:30)

Sun. 3-5pm

Tues. 7:00-9pm

Elements Wellness Trainees are given abundant opportunities to show understanding across 12 key competencies in our program.

Asana/Teaching Methodology/Practicum: Attend a minimum of 2 weekly 60-minute studio classes, as well as a daily personal practice. Students will practice-teach segment by segment through the asana framework. By the end of the course, students will have memorized and taught a successful 60-minute asana flow. Students will also complete a 50-question comprehensive final exam.

Pranayama & Subtle Body: After receiving instruction on breathwork techniques, students will incorporate breathwork in their daily practice. Students will receive Chakra recordings directly from the lead instructor, leading them through the Chakras one by one over the course of the program. The lead trainer will facilitate a discussion and guide students to integrate newly acquired understanding of the chakras, along with other subtle body concepts into their daily life and practice.

Meditation: Students will be instructed on how to facilitate meditation and will experience guided meditations with the group and will be encouraged to maintain their own daily meditation practice throughout the course of the program.

Anatomy/Physiology/Biomechanics: Students will sign up for one system of the body at the beginning of the program. They will research and gather yoga-pertinent information in regards to the system and will present the system to the class orally, as well as providing a handout. Students will also read through our Yoga Anatomy book and discuss thoroughly the skeletal and muscular aspects of each asana.

History/Ethics/Philosophy: In addition to direct instruction on the history and ethics of Yoga. Students will read through The Yamas and Niyamas book by Deborah Adele. Week by week we will discuss each of the yamas and niyamas after personal reading and completion of the assignments at the end of each chapter. Furthermore, students will choose one philosophical or historical text to read over the winter holiday break and will present a book report to the group. Finally, students will compose their own 1-page, typed Philosophy of Yoga to be submitted as part of the final exam.

Professional Development: Students will show proof of insurance and yoga alliance membership. Students will be educated on how to continue professional development. Students will submit a waiver for review. Finally, students will receive an exclusive invitation to register for Elements Wellness 300-hour YTT.

Because each individual is on a unique path, it’s impossible to put words, limitations, or even expectations around the ways in which you will grow and benefit from going through this program. One thing is certain; you will be changed. Be forewarned, topics like self-study and surrender are not for the faint of heart. This program supports your growth. Sometimes growth requires discomfort. Please review student testimonials to understand what this program could come to mean for you.

Admittance Requirements

In order to be accepted to the Elements Wellness 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Program please complete the application below, under “Apply Here”. It is preferred that applicants have 6-months of yoga experiences.

Program Completion Requirements

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

Complete weekly assignments including, reading of Yamas and Niyamas by Deborah Adele, Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff & Amy Matthews, as well as view and take notes on the Chakra video assigned to you.

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

Complete and present one anatomical system presentation with a one-page handout.

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

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

Participate in group teach-back opportunities.

Meet with your mentor regularly.

Teach a 60-minute class to the group.

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

Submit 1-page Philosophy of Yoga.

Submit ½ page self-reflection on how yoga ethics relate to practice and teaching

Submit 1-page Book Report.

Create and submit a mock waiver for your potential students.

Submit proof of insurance and Yoga Alliance membership.

Attend retreat.

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

The Elements Wellness 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Program includes all online modules (for details see “Schedule”), as well as the 2024 Costa Rica Retreat (for more see “Costa Rica Retreat Experience”).

The cost of the program is $3777. 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 $300!

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 certified mail.

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,