Guatemala - Kawoq Forest

Welcome to Your Yoga Teacher Training in Guatemala! 

Checklist

OPERATIONS CONTACT INFORMATION:

Kula Collective
Website: www.thekulacollective.com
Email: info@thekulacollective.com

200HR YTT REQUIRED BOOKS & READINGS:

  • (200hr) The Wisdom of Yoga by Stephen Cope -This is required pre-reading, you do not need to bring it with you although it is also a useful reference for the course content, but please read it before the program begins.

  • (200hr) Yoga Sutras - any translation is fine, we recommend the commentary by Chip Hartranft or Nischala Joy Devi. Please bring a copy with you to the course.

  • (200hr) Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff (second edition). You can either leave it at home after that or bring it with you for reference during the course.

  • Yoga Teacher Training Manual: The Kula Collective Manuals are included in the price of tuition and we will provide it to you electronically.

200HR HOMEWORK & CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

We reserve the right to certify only students who pass the practicum for safe teaching, and demonstrate an ability to facilitate and communicate effectively with a group in a class setting. In the case that you do not receive the certificate directly, we offer a coaching program to help students achieve certification. More details on our Homework & Certification Requirements page.

ONLINE ASSIGNMENTS 

1 Pre Training Zoom Call & 1 Post Training Zoom Call

Use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82472995875?pwd=MG9uV3VPQkoyVXNIUi9ENGkwZXBJQT09

You will receive more info via email from your facilitators about the calls.

IN PERSON ASSIGNMENTS:

We will assign various reading assignments from the manual throughout the course.

During the course, you will be guided through a Flow Design process. Upon completion, you will present a 30/60/90day plan.

PRACTICUM:

In Art of Teaching, trainees will be gradually introduced to teaching by moving through what we call “Asana Analysis” where we breakdown the poses and also string them together in a group of poses called mini sequences. Students will practice teaching these mini sequences. The first part will be learning to teach the Kula Basic Flow while the second part will be focused on building and creating Holistic Yoga Sequences.

We will have two individual teaching practicums of 90 minute classes:

  1. The Kula Basic Flow will be taught to a peer.

  2. Unique Creative Sequence you will develop and teach to a peer.

STAY HEALTHY:

We recommend you begin the process of preparing your body by eating fresh foods that are organic and alkaline-forming such as fruits and vegetables that are high in nutrients.  You may also want to begin limiting your consumption of meat, alcohol and caffeine in the months leading up to the training. Drink water as often as possible and begin to listen to and notice any changes in your body’s responses to this purification process.  The cleansing and fasting is not a required part of this training. If you are taking medication or have any personal or physical conditions that may be a contraindication to cleansing, please let us know on the health form.

HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE AND LIABILITY FORM

This form must be filled out prior to the course.

PLEASE JOIN THE KULA COMMUNITY PAGE:

This group is for all Kula alumni of all programs. This is a good place to share thoughts and ideas, questions and revelations, poetry, art, music... or if you're on the road and looking for a place to stay, connect or co create, your Kula has got your back! just ask.

Venue Contact Info:

Name: Kawoq Forest

Website: www.kawoqforest.com

Location: San Marcos, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Email:  info@kawoqforest.com

Phone: +502 3301 1835

Flight Recommendations:

Plan to arrive into Guatemala City Aurora (code GUA) International airport. From there, please keep in mind that it is still a half day journey to The Yoga Forest, so be sure to arrange a flight to arrive one day prior to the start of the training and plan to stay one day after as well for integration and travel preparation.

Arrange Transportation: We recommend you use Marta, our trusted driver service here in Guatemala. Her company is called RelaxiCab and her direct number for booking is on whatsapp at +502 3073 0413. A private taxi from the airport or Antigua to the lake should be between Q550-Q800 depending on how many people you are.

IF YOU ARRIVE THE DAY BEFORE, YOU HAVE A FEW OPTIONS:

Option 1:  Arrive to San Marcos a day early and stay the night in a hotel/hostel (or contact Kawoq Forest for availability the night prior and ask to arrange a private shuttle direct to San Marcos from the airport so that you settle in a day early.

Option 2:  From the airport take a shuttle straight to Antigua Guatemala (they leave every hour) and stay in a hostel/ hotel in Antigua for the night (see recommendations below). Antigua has great restaurants, markets, night life and is a safe tourist town. From there, take a collective shuttle for the earliest departure the next morning at 8am sharp (arrange at any travel agency the night prior - they are everywhere) and begin your journey to the lake in order to arrive to the meeting point for 1pm.

Arrival Day: You must be in San Marcos la Laguna by 1pm at the latest on the arrival day for an escorted pickup in town (this would mean catching an early 8am shuttle from Antigua at the latest). There will be one free escorted pickup arranged for the arrival day from Circles Cafe, at 1pm sharp. Make sure you have arrived on time for the pickup. For detailed information about getting to Kawoq Forest on your own, see the Getting Here page.

Porterage; If you would like your bag carried up the mountain for you, there will be a US$10 porterage charge added to your bill. Please book this service in advance by emailing info@kawoqforest.com so they will send an extra porter to meet you at the pickup time. Please DO NOT pay the porter directly, but let the manager know on arrival that your bag was carried and our managers will pay the porters.

Departure Day: Schedule your flight out of Guatemala either in the late afternoon/evening (after 6pm) of the last day of the training (Private shuttle would be necessary to arrive in time), or stay a day or two extra. We will finish around 10am on the last day. There are collective shuttles leaving San Marcos each day at 2.30pm for Antigua, arriving around 6pm. Spend a nice night or two exploring Antigua and then take a collective shuttle, private taxi or Uber back to the airport for your flight. Private and collective shuttles can be arranged with the Forest staff a few days prior to departure, there is no need to arrange in advance.

For hotel and hostal stays, we recommend you search Booking.com for options.

Facilities: 

Laundry: Laundry can be handwashed by the forest staff and will take a few days as it is line dry. You can also take your washing into town with wash/dry service by machine. The cost is usually Q50 per 12 lb load. Towels are provided for your stay.

Internet: Kawoq Forest has internet available for guests for an additional fee that will be added to your tab and paid upon check out. We encourage students to disconnect as much as they can during training.

See rates below:

  • 1 day $5

  • 3 day $10

  • 1 week $20

  • 1 month $50

Electricity: Electricity is available in cabins and communal spaces for charging devices.

Book Extra Days If Desired:

If you would like to arrive early or stay later, please contact The Yoga Forest directly by emailing info@theyogaforest.org. Once you have signed up for the training you will automatically be allocated a shared cabana space. If you would like a private option, please email The Yoga Forest directly and quickly in order to reserve one of the limited private spaces as soon as possible. 

Students willing to extend they can extend at weekly rates (price will depend on the lodging type) and if that extension is for 7 nights or more they will get an extra 10% discount on the weekly rate.

RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST:

Weather: Weather in San Marcos La Laguna is split into 2 seasons, dry (november - April) and wet (May - October). Most days the temperature is around 17-24 degrees Celsius, however due to the altitude here at Lake Atitlån (1500m), nights can be as low as 8 degrees. Bring Layers!

  • Headlamp

  • Organic and biodegradable shampoo/conditioner/soap

  • Pen

  • Towel

  • Yoga Wear

  • Sweater/Jacket/Poncho

  • Hat

  • Batteries

  • Water bottle

  • Natural repellant

  • Bathing suit

  • Writing materials

  • Sandals / Boots

  • Yoga mat (Mats are provided, but feel free to bring your own!)

  • Warm clothes for colder nights

    ***We encourage daily journaling before, during and after the training. Please bring a journal, as well as any creative tools that enable you to express yourself such as musical instruments, painting/drawing materials, etc.

    Please bring with you any sacred objects you work with such as crystals, tarot cards, mala, stones etc.

Immigration and Visas:

For most nationalities, a Guatemalan Tourist Visa (valid for 90 days) will be given at immigration once arriving in Guatemala. Please check with your consulate regarding your specific country before entering Guatemala. Depending on your nationality you may need a return flight out of the country to be presented at check in for your flight.

Vaccines:

No inoculations are required to enter Guatemala, but it is always best to talk to your doctor and check out the Center for Disease Control website for information about recommended vaccinations.

SAFETy:

Guatemala is a beautiful country, from the people to the culture to the landscapes, offering amazing experiences to any traveler. Safety is as much a consideration here as in any developing country you may visit or in any touristed area where economic disparity exists. If it will be your first time to Guatemala, or you are a concerned traveler, we always recommend private transport for peace of mind.  If you arrive after 4pm, we recommend you stay in the city or Antigua and travel the next day.

While traveling and when visiting towns and villages, we advise mindfulness. Don’t flash expensive devices or carry large amounts of cash. Theft tends to be petty and opportunistic. Take care with your valuables and lock them away safely. During your stay, security is provided on the property as well as secure storage for valuables. Avoid walking alone on Sundays and in the evenings whenever possible.

Health:

Our filtered water has been tested by a local authority and is approved for drinking and washing. While we take necessary steps to ensure your drinking water is filtered and food is prepared in a safe and clean manner, we encourage you to take responsibility for your health in Guatemala.

It is common for travelers in Guatemala to suffer from upset stomachs, diarrhea and/or vomiting from exposure to different bacterias. If you do fall sick during your time with us, we have many natural remedies to support you and other options at the local pharmacy. We encourage you to regularly eat papaya seeds, probiotic foods such as kimchi, apple cider vinegar to your water, and Activated Charcoal if you are experiencing symptoms.

Money:

The Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ) is the local currency.  

The closest ATM machine in the town of San Marcos la Laguna at Super Tienda Jose behind the Libreria Arco Iris and beside the bridge of the dry river bed.

IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS - FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US!