SYB Academy

This training is for people who want more than a basic yoga teacher certification. It is designed for anyone who wants to teach, to lead, and to grow into a more confident and connected version of themselves.

You will love this program if you:

• Want to become a certified yoga teacher
• Want to improve your presence, confidence, and communication
• Want tools for leading retreats, classes, teams, or communities
• Want SYB-style real-life leadership experience
• Want to deepen your practice and understand your body better
• Want adventure, friendships, and community along the way
• Want a program that blends learning, movement, and personal growth

Who this is not for

This program is not the right fit if you:

• Want a self-paced online-only certification
• Want a quiet, monastic, meditation-only training
• Want an easy check-the-box certification
• Prefer not to travel or join group experiences
• Are not interested in personal development or leadership

There are hundreds of YTTs out there. SYB Academy stands out because it prepares you to teach in the real world, not just memorize cues or sequences.

Here is what makes this program unique:

• Three-phase training that builds skill, confidence, and presence
• Mexico immersion → online development → Nicaragua real-life teaching
• You teach on a real SYB retreat
• This is extremely rare. You get actual experience leading, adjusting, and connecting with guests.
• Leadership training built in
• You learn communication, emotional intelligence, group energy, holding space, room command, and presence.
• Mentorship from experienced SYB leaders
• You learn directly from Katie B, Mantas, and Juliana through workshops, feedback, and one-on-one coaching.
• Small group size with real attention
• Only about 10 students per year. You are not lost in a crowd.
• Adventure + community
• Surf, movement, oceanfront practice, deep conversations, service work, and a crew that becomes family.
• You graduate with more than a certificate

You leave with a leadership toolkit, teaching experience, and a strong teaching voice.

SYB Academy is a two-month training experience designed to transform you into a confident teacher, a grounded leader, and a more powerful version of yourself. This is not just a yoga training. It is a full journey through movement, study, leadership, and real-life teaching.

Phase One: Mexico Immersion (7 Days)

Ensenada, Mexico — Nov 4-10, 2026

You start with a full week of in-person learning with master instructor Katie B and the SYB team.

You will learn:

• Yoga foundations
• Asana, alignment, and technique
• Structural anatomy
• Meditation and breathwork
• Sequencing and class design
• Hands-on assisting
• The fundamentals of powerful, confident teaching

You will also:

• Share local meals
• Visit Valle de Guadalupe for wine tasting
• Take part in a karma service trip at Casa Pequeños Hermanos
• Connect deeply with your new crew

This week sets the foundation for everything that follows.

Phase Two: Online Learning (7 Weeks)

November through January · Flexible pacing

Your training continues online with:

• Weekly live lectures
• One-on-one mentorship
• Anatomy and sequencing labs
• Leadership coaching
• Coursework, practice teaching, and integration work

This phase builds your teaching voice, confidence, clarity, and understanding.

You will feel supported the entire time by Katie B and the SYB team.

Phase Three: Nicaragua Implementation Week (6 Days)

Playa Maderas — Dec 1-6, 2026 (for full or leadership tracks)

This is where everything becomes real.

You will:

• Teach actual guests on a live SYB retreat
• Lead group moments and classes
• Practice room command and presence
• Receive feedback from Mantas and Juliana
• Learn how to connect, inspire, and guide in real time
• Train, surf, sweat, explore, and celebrate your graduation

This week gives you practical experience that almost no other YTT provides.

What You Leave With

• Yoga Alliance 200-Hour Certification (if you choose a YTT track)
• SYB Leadership Certificate (full or leadership track)
• Real teaching experience on an SYB retreat
• A clear teaching voice and grounded presence
• Confidence to lead groups anywhere
• Strong mentorship and a lifelong community

Whether your goal is to teach yoga, guide retreats, coach, lead teams, or simply grow as a human, SYB Academy gives you the full toolkit to do it.

Choose the Full Program (200HR + Leadership) if you:

• Want the most complete experience
• Want to teach yoga professionally and lead groups with confidence
• Want both certifications: Yoga Alliance 200hr + SYB Leadership
• Want all three phases: Mexico + Online + Nicaragua
• Want real-life teaching practice on an SYB trip
• Want priority consideration for future SYB leadership roles

Choose the 200HR Yoga Teacher Training Only if you:

• Want a full yoga education and Yoga Alliance certification
• Want the Mexico immersion and online curriculum
• Want foundations, technique, anatomy, and sequencing
• Do not need the leadership curriculum or the Nicaragua implementation week

Choose the Leadership Track Only if you:

• Want next-level confidence, communication, and presence
• Want to lead groups, retreats, or fitness experiences
• Want to train with the SYB leadership curriculum
• Do not need a 200hr yoga certification
• Want to join the Mexico leadership work + Nicaragua implementation week
• Are already a teacher or coach looking to upgrade your leadership skills

If you are unsure, the Full Program is always the best path.

It gives you the most experience, the most training, and the strongest foundation for teaching and leading anywhere.

The program begins in Ensenada, Mexico, about two hours south of San Diego. The best airport to fly into is San Diego International Airport (SAN). From there, Katie B will coordinate a group van that takes everyone across the border and directly to the retreat site. It is simple, safe, and stress free.

For the final portion in Playa Maderas, Nicaragua, you can fly into Managua (MGA) or Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR). We will organize group shuttles based on arrival times, and we can also help with private transportation if you prefer.

Once you arrive at either location, we take care of you. All travel logistics are coordinated in advance, and you will have clear instructions, timing, and communication before each phase of the program.

Yes. Travel and medical insurance are required for this program.

You must secure coverage before arrival. If you choose not to purchase insurance, you accept full responsibility for any costs or emergencies and agree fully to our cancellation policy.

Cancellation Policy

More than 28 days before the program:

You receive trip credit for all payments made, minus the deposit.

Credit is valid for 12 months and can be used toward any SYB trip or experience.

Within 28 days of the program:

All payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.

No exceptions.

If you do not attend, arrive late, or leave early:

Payments are not refunded or credited.

Why Insurance Matters

We do not offer refunds for any reason.

Travel insurance helps protect your investment if:

• your flight is delayed
• you have a medical issue
• you need to cancel for a covered emergency
• your plans change unexpectedly

It is one of the smartest parts of preparing for this experience.

To reserve your spot, a $550 non-refundable deposit is required. This goes toward your total course fee and secures your place in the program.

Space is limited. We only accept 10 students per year to keep the teacher-student ratio personal and powerful.

You can pay the remaining balance at your own pace, but it must be fully paid three weeks before the program starts.

If something comes up, you can transfer your payment (minus the deposit) to a future trip within 12 months, as long as you notify us at least 28 days before the program begins.

There are no deposit transfers or credits if you cancel within 28 days of the start date. We require you purchase trip insurance just in case life throws a curveball.

This is your roadmap. The full course blends online learning, in-person retreats, and practical training to give you everything you need to become a confident, qualified yoga teacher.

You’ll earn your 200-Hour Yoga Certification, recognized by Yoga Alliance (Registry ID: 254125 RYS 200), and gain hands-on experience through:

• Weekly online lectures, quizzes, and class assignments
• Live-streamed sessions with Katie B for real-time feedback
• Deep study of chakras, anatomy, meditation, and yoga philosophy
• Access to YogaGlo and the SYB Online Yoga Library
• A final exam to complete your RYT 200 Power Yoga certification
• An engaged online community for support and connection

This course is designed to stretch you mentally, physically, and emotionally so you leave with more than just a certificate. You leave with clarity, strength, and momentum.

Yes. During the in-person portions of the program in Mexico and Nicaragua, you’ll receive daily breakfast and dinners on most nights. Meals are fresh, nourishing, and designed to support your training and recovery.

Lunch is usually left open so you can explore local spots or take some solo time. You’ll also have access to coffee, tea, and filtered water throughout the day.

Alcohol is not included, and we encourage moderation during the training. The focus here is on feeling good, staying energized, and showing up fully for yourself and the group.

Your first week of training kicks off in Ensenada, Mexico, where you’ll be fully immersed in yoga, connection, and adventure. This week is designed to ground you in the foundations of your practice while also giving you a taste of the SYB magic.

Here’s what’s included:

• 6 nights of accommodations in beautiful Ensenada
• Airport transfers to and from the retreat
• Daily immersive group study sessions
• Brunch served every day to fuel your training
• A visit to a local winery in Valle de Guadalupe
• Volunteer experience at Casa Pequeños Hermanos orphanage
• Dancing nights to let loose with your crew
• A professional photographer and videographer capturing all the moments

This week sets the tone for everything ahead. You’ll bond deeply, learn intentionally, and begin stepping into the role of teacher and leader.

The online portion bridges your training between Mexico and Nicaragua and gives you the flexibility to go deeper at your own pace.

Here’s what you’ll get:

• Live online lectures every Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 PM PST
• Weekly one-on-one availability with Katie B for personal guidance and feedback
• Full course material available online including lectures, assignments, and resources

This part of the program keeps you connected, supported, and on track with your growth as a teacher and leader.

The final phase of your training takes place in Playa Maderas, Nicaragua, where everything you’ve learned comes to life. This week is about applying your skills, stepping into leadership, and celebrating how far you’ve come.

Here’s what’s included:

• 5 nights of accommodations in Playa Maderas
• Airport transfers to and from the retreat center
• 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners (most meals included, with space to explore local spots)
• Catamaran boat day to a secluded beach
• 3 surf lessons with local instructors
• 30-minute massage to recover and relax
• Themed parties to keep the energy high
• Graduation ceremony to celebrate your journey
• SYB swag to remember it all
• Professional photographer and videographer capturing your best moments
• Daily immersive group study sessions
• Leadership training with Mantas and Steph, focused on teaching, coaching, and commanding the room

This is where it all clicks. You’ll move, teach, lead, and leave with the confidence to take what you’ve learned out into the world.

This is a deep dive into your personal yoga practice. You’ll learn how your body moves through each pose, why certain postures feel the way they do, and how to adjust with purpose. We focus on smart modifications, injury prevention, and giving you the tools to teach safely and effectively. Whether it’s exploring funky variations or refining the basics, this part of the training helps you become a more confident and capable teacher.

This is where ancient wisdom meets your modern life. You’ll explore the Vedantic teachings that have been passed down for thousands of years and learn how to apply them in a real, grounded way. What are energy lines? Where are your blockages? How do you clear them? By the end of this training, you’ll not only understand chakras inside and out, you’ll be able to teach them with confidence. This is the foundation for true self-healing and deeper connection to yourself and others.

This isn’t your average anatomy module. We go way beyond the required 15 hours from Yoga Alliance and dive into over 40 hours of in-depth, practical body knowledge. You’ll learn how to read bodies, adjust safely for all shapes and sizes, and finally understand how everything connects.

Why do the 26 bones in your feet affect your back? How can one acupressure point calm your nervous system? What’s really going on in chair pose and how do you build stronger legs with less effort? By the end of this section, terms like Ujjayi and brachioradialis won’t just sound familiar, they’ll make sense and feel useful. This is the stuff that makes you a confident, informed teacher.

This is where it all comes together. Each week you’ll join a personalized live class with your trainers, tailored specifically for your group. You’ll also study the greats by observing top-tier instructors on YogaGlo dot com, breaking down their cues, themes, and flow.

Together we’ll analyze what works and what doesn’t and most importantly why. You’ll learn how to adjust students safely, teach to mixed levels, and lead in any setting whether it’s a polished studio or an outdoor beach flow. We’ll dig into the business side too, helping you figure out whether private sessions or group classes fit your vibe. By the end of this, you’ll know your teaching style and exactly how to own it.

Yes. Throughout the in-person portions of the training, we’ll have photo and video content captured so you can focus on the experience while still getting incredible memories to take home.

You’ll receive a curated folder of high-quality photos that reflect the energy, effort, and connection you built during the program. These are great for personal use, but also perfect if you’re planning to launch or grow your own teaching or coaching brand.

Once you complete the program, you’ll be eligible to attend select SurfYogaBeer trips with a 20% discount as an assistant leader. This is your first step toward becoming an official SYB leader and running your own trips around the world with us.

Not sure which track is right for you, or just want to talk it through first? Message us on WhatsApp and we'll set up a quick call to walk you through it. No pressure, just real answers.