We are delighted to welcome Tanya Savitri Popovich back to Cyprus for a highly anticipated teacher training in August & September 2025!
Tanya, the founder of Shri Gaia Institute, is an internationally acclaimed yoga teacher whose Hatha/Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training was ranked 2nd best in the world by a team of experts. With over 20 years of experience, she masterfully integrates yoga, sound healing, and deep inner work.
This year, MBS Cyprus is honored to collaborate with Tanya once again to bring the Complete Intensive Yin Yoga & Yin Resonance® Teacher Training to Cyprus. Participants can train in Yin Yoga (Level 1), Yin Resonance® (Level 2, for certified Yin Yoga teachers), or both levels. This Level 1 & 2 certified training offers participants a profound journey into the depths of Yin Yoga, enhanced by the healing power of sound vibration. Whether you’re a certified teacher or a dedicated practitioner, this program will expand your practice, deepen your knowledge, and open new doors for personal and professional growth.
To learn more, we asked Tanya a few questions about the training and her approach.
Tanya, thank you for sharing your insights with us!
Yin Yoga & Its Depth
How does Yin Yoga differ from more active (Yang) yoga styles like Vinyasa or Hatha, and what makes it an essential practice in today’s fast-paced world?
We live very active, stressful lives filled with constant stimuli, keeping our nervous systems in a state of tension. According to Chinese Taoist philosophy, this active, outward-focused energy is called yang. Even yoga practices in the last few decades have leaned towards the yang side, emphasizing movement and intensity. Yin Yoga offers the necessary counterbalance by embracing stillness, surrender, and deep relaxation. It is based on both Indian Hatha Yoga and Taoist Yin-Yang philosophy, supporting balance between the passive and active forces in our lives. By targeting deep connective tissues, joints, and fascia, Yin Yoga restores physical, emotional, and mental equilibrium, making it an essential practice in today’s overstimulated world.
Beyond the physical postures, what deeper elements (philosophy, energy work, meditation) does this training explore?
This training integrates the philosophical foundations of Yin Yoga, particularly the Taoist principle of balance and the interdependence of yin and yang energies. It also incorporates Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) meridian theory, demonstrating how Yin Yoga supports energy flow and overall well-being. Mindfulness, breathwork, and meditation are essential components, cultivating deep introspection and self-awareness. The practice encourages emotional release and nervous system regulation, fostering a profound sense of inner harmony.
Yin Resonance & Its Uniqueness
Yin Resonance® integrates sound healing into Yin Yoga. How does this enhance the practice, and what impact does it have on the body and mind? What makes it unique?
Yin Resonance® is a pioneering approach that amplifies the benefits of Yin Yoga by incorporating the deeply therapeutic properties of sound vibration. Using vocal, acoustic, and/or machine-engineered sound during long-held Yin postures, this method enhances relaxation, energy alignment, and meditative depth. Sound healing principles—resonance, entrainment, and intention—work synergistically with Yin Yoga to restore balance, promote deep cellular healing, and harmonize the body-mind connection. The vibrational frequencies help regulate the nervous system, release tension, and create a profoundly immersive healing experience unlike any other.
Is prior experience in sound healing necessary, or is this training accessible to everyone?
No prior experience in sound healing is required. This training is accessible to everyone, whether they are yoga practitioners, teachers, or individuals seeking personal healing. The course provides foundational knowledge and experiential practice with sound vibration, allowing participants to intuitively explore its effects and learn how to integrate it into their practice or teaching.
Personal Growth & Teaching Aspects
Many participants describe the training as deeply transformational, beyond just learning to teach. What makes this experience so powerful?
This training goes beyond technical instruction; it offers a deeply immersive and healing journey. Through the fusion of Yin Yoga and sound healing, participants experience profound states of relaxation and introspection, allowing for emotional processing and energetic shifts. The combination of stillness, resonance, and breathwork creates an environment for self-discovery, nervous system restoration, and personal breakthroughs. The safe and supportive atmosphere further enhances the transformational experience.
Can you share some of the biggest insights or breakthroughs that past participants have reported during or after the training?
Participants have reported deep emotional releases, heightened self-awareness, and a sense of energetic realignment. Many have described a newfound ability to embrace stillness and surrender, as well as a greater connection to their intuition. Others have experienced shifts in their teaching approach, discovering how to hold space in a more mindful and resonant way. The integration of sound healing has also inspired many to explore new dimensions of holistic wellness.
For those already teaching yoga, how does this training expand their skill set and approach?
Yin Resonance® training equips yoga teachers with tools to enhance their classes through sound vibration, nervous system regulation, and deep meditative guidance. It deepens their understanding of Yin Yoga’s therapeutic potential and teaches them how to use sound intentionally to support their students’ healing processes. Teachers leave with the ability to create immersive, sound-infused experiences that foster deep relaxation and energetic balance.
Can someone take this training even if they don’t plan to teach but simply want to deepen their own practice?
Absolutely. Many participants join the training for personal healing, self-care, and a deeper understanding of Yin Yoga and sound healing. The immersive nature of the experience makes it valuable for anyone seeking inner transformation, whether or not they intend to teach.
The Setting – Tochni & Its Energy
Tochni is known for its picturesque streets, peaceful atmosphere, and proximity to nature and the beach. How does practicing in such a setting enhance the Yin experience and support personal growth?
The serene, natural environment of Tochni provides the perfect setting for Yin Yoga and sound healing. The village’s quiet charm, surrounded by nature, allows for deep introspection and nervous system relaxation. Practicing in a tranquil, retreat-like atmosphere enhances the grounding and restorative effects of Yin Yoga, making it easier to let go of external distractions and turn inward.
How does the retreat-like environment encourage self-reflection and transformation during the training?
A retreat setting creates an intentional space for inner work, free from the demands of everyday life. The peaceful surroundings, combined with the immersive nature of Yin Resonance®, support profound self-reflection and energetic shifts. Being in a supportive community of like-minded individuals further enriches the experience, fostering deep connection and personal growth.
To learn more about the upcoming trainings check the links below:
