Ahimsa by Julia

Could not recommend Ahimsa Yoga School more. Julia is an incredible teacher, so knowledgeable and loving. I learned more than I ever thought I would. And there's no better place for it than Paraiso Ahimsa. Beautifully built in the jungle with a view of the Ocean, Paraiso Ahimsa provides the perfect setting for peace and self reflection. I feel ready to start my yoga teaching journey, and hope to return to Paraiso Ahimsa at some point in the future!!!

At the beginning I was still a bit unsure whether this yoga teacher training was right for me. But all my questions were answered by Julia immediately. And so I booked. It was definitely the best decision. I think this changed my life in many different ways...and I was drawn to this location right away. Julia was an excellent teacher. She challenged me every day and was happy to pass on her knowledge to us. I could feel her joy in this activity and her love for yoga every day. I will miss the yoga deck with the breathtaking view very much. Every morning I was just happy that I could do yoga in this beautiful place. In these three weeks I learned so much and improved every day anew. Priya was a warm and lovely philosophy teacher and I will miss her overwhelming radiant smile. I owe a lot to both of them. They have brought yoga back into my hurt and daily life. I don't want to forget Elli and the team either. The food was outstanding every day and she helped us with every request. Good tip: Learn a few words in Spanish the team is looking forward to a "thank you" and "good morning" or "how are you" ;-) in their language.

Es difícil describir en palabras lo que significa una experiencia como esta. Julia pone atención a cada detalle del retiro. Como profesora es excepcional, pone atención a todos los integrantes y sabe muy bien cómo manejar los diferentes niveles dentro de la clase. Todas las clases, su enfoque y su cronograma están muy bien pensados también. Las prácticas, las clases de asanas y de filosofía del yoga se complementan muy bien, y es cuando te das cuenta de que el yoga en realidad es un todo y no se puede separar la práctica de la filosofía.

El lugar es mágico, ubicado en el corazón de la Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, un sitio con un misticismo que te llama y te atrapa. Despertar y hacer la práctica de la mañana con vista al mar y abrazados por las montañas de la selva es algo que no tiene precio, y las fotos se quedan cortas.

Como dije, Julia pone atención a todo. La comida, creo, fue uno de los highlights de este retiro. El menú está muy bien diseñado, y Eli y Lauri, quienes cocinan, dejan ver el amor y la dedicación que le ponen a cada plato. Los alimentos siempre fueron frescos, al punto de que algunas de las frutas que comimos crecían en la propiedad.

Gracias, Julia y Priya, por compartir todo su conocimiento y ser una inspiración para todos los integrantes del retiro de septiembre. Esta ha sido una experiencia que atesoro en mi corazón y que ha sido de gran ayuda para seguir creciendo y cultivando el camino del yoga en mi vida.

This Retreat will change your life in the best way possible! You will learn so much about yourself in a spiritual aspect. This place is more than just the physical practice of Yoga you learn to appreciate life while connecting with the most special teachers who have too much sacred knowledge. Meanwhile you can explore so much beautiful nature around the place some tours are even included in the program. The accommodation is incredible as well as the food! I couldn't be more happy with what I got. Thank you for all the inspiration on my path !! <3

My experience at Julia’s yoga teacher training in Colombia was truly transformational — one of the most unique, challenging, and enriching journeys I’ve had, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. From day one I was gently pushed out of my comfort zone — speaking in front of a group, sharing personal passions, teaching in Sanskrit — all within a deeply supportive environment. My fellow students were kind, encouraging, and inspiring; I feel lucky to have shared this time with such beautiful souls.

Julia is a phenomenal teacher — deeply knowledgeable, commanding yet compassionate, endlessly creative. Her classes were gently introduced yet always challenging, intelligently sequenced, varied, and playful, with fresh variations and subtle adjustments that expanded my confidence. She’s completely changed the way I think about poses and sequencing.

The course was brilliantly designed. I learned more in three days than in two weeks on a previous training in India, with dynamic, hands-on learning, joint-focused rehab sequences, and teaching practice from day three. Even in week two, nothing felt repetitive.

Ahimsa’s setting was magical — waking to sunrise from a hammock in a jungle treehouse, sea views, tropical birdsong, and scented breezes. The food was delicious - fresh, varied and nourishing.

I left feeling stronger, braver, more open, and inspired — as a teacher and a person. I cannot recommend this training, this teacher, and this place highly enough.

The best thing about this retreat was the connection I felt within myself and with everyone who intended Ahimsa. 💝 Julia was a wonderful leader who warmly challenged us and guided us, not only in physical asanas, but with the way we approached yoga. The location and Colombian experience in Santa Marta was also an amazing perk. If it were possible I’d come to every training. :)

Ce TTC a dépassé mes attentes.

Je me suis inscrite en pensant uniquement améliorer ma pratique physique du yoga et faire une pause dans un endroit atypique.

Après des heures de pratique je peux confirmer que ma pratique physique du yoga a énormément évolué grâce à Julia qui est une professeur extraordinaire. Elle partage son savoir et nous aide à nous dépasser dans la bienveillance. Peut importe le niveau, chaque personne repart avec une pratique transformée.

Merci Julia, tu nous as donné toutes les clefs pour que nous puissions à notre tour transmettre la pratique du yoga.

Au delà de la pratique physique, j’ai, à ma grande surprise, énormément appris sur le plan mental grâce aux cours dispensés par Espe. La philosophie du yoga nous aide à voir les choses de façon différente et prendre du recul. C’était pour moi une vrai surprise. Espe est une professeur exceptionnelle, qui invite à se questionner sur les choses, exprimer nos opinions, tout cela dans dans la bienveillance. Merci beaucoup Espe pour tout ce que tu nous as transmis et pour ta bonne humeur !

Paraiso Ahimsa est un lieu magique, niché dans la jungle avec une vue exceptionnelle.

Enfin, nous étions un groupe de 13 personnes incroyable. Ces 20 jours se sont passées dans la bonne humeur, la joie et la bienveillance.

Merci encore à Julia, Espe, et tous ceux qui ont rendu ce TTC unique.

The location was unbelievable. Julia is an exceptional Yoga teacher and has alot of passion and authenticity. She is inspiring and I learn't so much from her and it was the perfect place for self reflection and growth. I would recommend anyone to try it.

I did the yttc with julia this november and it was one of the best weeks of my life.

The amount of knowledge we archived with this training, not just about yoga but also about our body, food, philosophy and life, is incredible.

Everyday I was happy to look whats next ob the shedule because they created a really well mixed and structured shedule that allowed us to learn so much in a short time period. I am forever grateful that I chose this training and was bale to wake up everyday in one of the most amazing places in the world, el corazón del mundo, with the sunrise in the middle of the jungle.You are surrounded by so much nature and a diversity of birds. There are no words to express how amazing this yoga teacher training is and I say this with all my heart. The teachers are so amazing. Julia invested a lot of her lifetime to learn about every aspect that yoga has to offer. Just recently she went to India and that why she could give us a really authentic way of learning about the aspects of yoga. A part from the training we did amazing trips to some amazing places the area has to offer. So we went to Quebrada valencia for example which is an amazing waterfall with a really nice hike to get there. We also visited her friend and neighbor who has a farm and creates amazing chocolate.

What I also really appreciated was that Julia did the training with just 10 persons.It’s really unique to find that in a training and it allowed us to ask as many questions we had! I recommend🤍

Julia est une professeur stricte qui enseigne avec amour et bienveillance, toujours là pour vous encourager et vous aider à progresser chaque jours , le lieu est juste magique peut importe le temps qu’il y fait .

Les chambres sont très belles , une très belle énergie se dégage de la maison .

J’ai appris et changer mon quotidien grâce à cette formation , il y a un avant et un après pour sur .

Alice la deuxième professeur est elle aussi incroyable .

J’encourage tous ceux qui sont prêts à investir en eux à faire cette formation de 20 jours ou plus .

Avec tout mon amour .

I joined a yoga teacher training at Ahimsa Yoga School in 2024 and it was a truly amazing experience. Julia is an incredibly knowledgeable yoga teacher and helped me so much improving my knowledge of postures, alignment and teaching ethics. Apart from different styles of yoga the three week program also included a lot of anatomy, yoga philisophy, mantra singing, different techniques of meditation and pranayama… and all that in the most beautiful environment at the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Strongly recommended!!

Julia a une rigueur et un professionnalisme qui est très inspirant. Les journées sont bien organisées. Nous avons le temps d’apprendre beaucoup en peu de temps.

Pour ça, Julia a crée un manuel qui aide énormément.

Les évaluations sont bien construites, ce qui permet au fil des semaines d’avoir assez confiance en nous pour être capable de donner un cours d’une heure. (Ce qui paraissait impossible la première semaine!)

J’ai apprécié le petit groupe à échelle humaine, ça reste familiale.

Il y a aussi un bel espace de prise de parole.

Pryia et Julia sont très impliquées et présentes pour toi au moindre soucis ou questions !

Ce fut un groupe formidable et l’ambiance a toujours été au top.

De plus l’endroit est idyllique, juste côté de la plage et du centre de Palomino.

La nourriture servie le matin et le soir est excellente.

Je recommande ce stage à tout ceux qui souhaitent passer leur 200h teacher training.

I loved everything of this trajning, Julia did an amazing job!

Everything was super organized, I’ve learned a lot, both Julia and Priya are wonderful teachers, the people that were doing the training were lovely as well.

I would do it again!

The course is structured very well and gives you enough tools to start tapping into the teaching world, on top of transmitting the discipline a yoga teacher should maintain the keep learning and improving.

The course is very complete also in terms of personl growth as it allows many moments of sharing with the rest of the group, which helps creating an amazing familiarity with all the people practicing with you.

Where to start? This experience exceeded my expectations. The first few days were challenging to me as I was coming straight from a wedding week in Medellin. But quickly we morphed into Julia's agenda and rythme; everyday we were starting our classes at 7 AM and finishing around 6.30 PM and pushing our bodies a little extra to see what we are capable of doing. The location (raw jungle beach on the Caribbean), the hotel choice, the food (vegetarian), Julia's mix of class and subjects (yoga philosophy, mantra chanting, asana labs, Reiki session, Cacao ceremony, etc.) are were very well tailored to ensure there is no monotony or routine. We had 2 hrs break everyday in the afternoon, so we took that as a great free time to go to the beach that was only 5 min walk from the hotel. We sometimes reviewed our noted on the beach, or called our loved ones while laying down on sunbeds by the Caribbean. It was dream like. I am really grateful for having done this experience !! If you are planning to get better at Yoga, push yourself and your body a little extra, disconnect from the materialistic and corporate world, then this is exactly what you need ;) :) <3

As a devoted yogi who is from Los Angeles and who cultivated her practice in Jackson Hole, Wyo. (among professional athletes and talented instructors,) I had high hopes regarding a yoga teacher training. I can say with my whole heart that Julia’s passion and practice far exceeded anything I could have imagined!!!! She is a wildly tenacious yogi who has practiced Ashtanga (like high-intensity, military yoga) every single day for about a decade, waking up at 3 a.m. for several years to keep with her practice. She is truly the strongest, most determined and most skilled yogi I’ve ever known, and she cares so deeply about every single student. And for Alice, the philosophy teacher, she is the most ego-free, angel of a human I’ve ever met. As a Columbia University alumna, I’ve had the pleasure of learning from some top-tier professors, but I can say with complete confidence that the teachers in this program are some of the most inspiring and caring mentors from whom I’ve ever had the pleasure of learning. Seriously incredible value for a beachside program with two goddesses at the helm, (along with food and lodging for three weeks.) Truly the perfect program.

Critiques: Mosquitos can be a burden, (but can easily be managed with spray and clothing.) No communal stovetop, but there’s access to a small fridge and grocery story. Despite some comments warning about Julia’s dog barking, I found him to be well-behaved and frankly an asset!!😛

I specially loved the challenging morning practices and Asanalab. The workshops made the daily base very variable and unique. I got a lot of input and knowledge that i wanna incorporate in my daily routines and I recognized a big change in the awareness of my own yoga practice.

If you are reading this comment because you are not sure about what you’ve read on Julia and the training so far, you can stop hesitating and just go for it. (I hope this is the sign you were looking for).

It was actually my second TTC and I have to say, I found everything I needed with Julia.

On the matter of yoga, she knows everything (or at least a lot). She is fiercely passionate and will transfer this to you.

On a teaching matter, she will challenge you but will always respect your limits.

Thanks to her I felt safe to be myself, to show my weakness and my strengths. And most of all, she gave me what I needed: all the confidence in the world. Both in Yoga and my private life.

Because yes, you are going to grow. In your yoga practice but in yourself as well.

As a human, she is fun, a real sun with a lot of personality.

If you have the chance to have this training with Alice too, you are very lucky. The two of them are a perfect combination of Yin and Yang. Her sweetness, her music and her heart will help you in the most surprising ways.

The place is great as well. Great rooms, peaceful environment, amazing food.

So, I hope this is your time to live this amazing experience.

To both Julia and Alice, I would like to tell them Gracias, for everything.

Julia ist eine wundervolle, sehr professionelle, erfahrende, fordernde aber auch sehr liebevolle und unterstützende Yogalehrperson. In der kleinen Gruppe konnte ich ganz viel profitieren und wir sind in der Zeit eng zusammengewachsen. Julia und Alice haben sich sehr gut ergänzt und machen ihren Job, die Leitung des YTT mit voller Überzeugung und viel Liebe.

Die ganze Ausbildung war hervorragend organisiert. Die Unterkunft ist wunderschön und das Essen herrlich.

Ich bin unglaublich dankbar für die intensive, lehrreiche und einfach sehr schöne Zeit.

Ich kann die Ausbildung bei Julia von ganzem Herzen empfehlen.

Casa Chapolin was amazing, food was great and staff was very friendly. Julia was a great asana teacher and was really knowing what she's talking about - my yoga training definitely improved SO MUCH. Value for the money was excellent and our group was amazing!! I especially enjoyed the classes Alice was giving and I hope others will have a chance to be teached by her as well, what an amazing kind energy she has. I also enjoyed the ceremonies a lot.

- Julia is an excellent teacher ! She’s really talented to transmit her knowledge ! My yoga practice change a lot in 3 weeks both spiritually and practically !

- Having 3 different teachers was very interesting !

- I loved the place where we stayed for the three weeks, everything was perfect : accommodations, food, poeple, garden, localisation and the new place that Julia is building in the mountains is just magical

- I enjoyed a lot different workshop : reiki, cacao ceremony, etc

- Julia is listing and make sure it goes well for you but also with the group and with the program!

Of course it’s not possible to learn everything in three weeks but at the end, everything was perfect for those three weeks, I would like to go back and do it again !

- it was a transformative experience.

Go go go and you won’t regret it 🧘‍♀️🙏🏻

In general the teacher certification program was amazing 😻! This program allowed me to enhance knowledge of yoga and provided me with the tools that were necessary to deliver meditation and yoga classes in a logical and structured manner. Everyday up until the very end The whole day was organized with different components: asanas, philosophy, mantras , meditation, anatomy etc.

There were numerous opportunities for us to practice the skills that we were studying. The classes that the students imparted to “teach” were also well put together. So although some of the students complained that they were not ready to teach at the end, the opposite was true. Their classes were superior to classes I attended in the city of SantaMarta, Barranquilla, Cartagena and other places where I was able to participate in a yoga class in my travels afterwards.

A plus for this yoga certification was the location. It was near the beach where we were able to take a dip if the weather turned a bit too humid . The town was a lot of fun with delicious food and friendly people that invited me out to lunch and other activities.

Palomino is beautiful and Casa Chapolin was very nice. It's obvious that Julia loves yoga, enjoys teaching and I learned a lot about the asanas and alignments that I didn't know before. I met a lot of really great people and had many nice experiences.

Casa Chapolin, where the education was held, was amazing, both staff, facilities and food.

El lugar es hermoso, aunque no haya luz electrica. No importo

La gente muy amable

La experiencia unica.