Ancestral Academy 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Aljezur, Portugal
When I was invited to teach anatomy at the Ancestral Academy's 200-hour yoga teacher training at Quinta Alma Retreat Center in Aljezur, Portugal, I didn't know how much it would shift my thinking. This training, led by Caro and Marco, had a depth and uniqueness that set it apart from the programs I typically lead, which are rooted in power vinyasa yoga. The training not only broadened my teaching but also gave me a deeper understanding of yoga in ways I didn't expect.
In This Article:
A Different Style of Yoga Teacher Training
Teaching My Practice with Gratitude
The Physical and Energetic Body: Two Sides of the Same Coin
The Rapé Ceremony: A Sacred Experience
A City Girl in Nature
Bringing the Experience Home to Lisbon
A Different Style of Yoga Teacher Training
The Ancestral Academy 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Aljezur, Portugal commits to leading students to connect with mystical consciousness and develop their yoga practice from the soul level. From grounding root postures to expansive heart openers, they lead a journey to explore the transformative power of chakra-based healing in each class.
While I lead 200-hour trainings in the style of power vinyasa yoga, this training opened the door to new perspectives. Caro and Marco brought in a rich mix of Kundalini and Hatha yoga. Caro guided participants in Kundalini yoga practices and shared her passion for pranayama and the energetic body. Marco brought in a classical Hatha yoga approach, music, and a deep understanding of philosophy grounded in his background as an academic philosopher turned yogi. Together they brought a deep passion for yoga including morning mantras and meditations followed by intentional practices throughout the day.
What struck me most about their teaching philosophy was how deeply they encourage their students to explore various yoga styles and, more importantly, to teach what resonates with them personally.
As I taught anatomy to the participants, I felt more inspired than ever by this message: yoga teachers should teach from the heart and from the styles that speak to them. This training was a testament to that, and it reminded me of the importance of being authentic in our teaching.
Teaching My Practice with Gratitude
In addition to leading anatomy sessions, I was asked to guide three morning practices during the training. This was a wonderful opportunity to share my love for the style of yoga I am passionate about.
On the first day, I taught the Journey Into Power sequence with a focus on the element of Earth. This coincided with the teachings on the first chakra, the Muladhara. It felt powerful to root myself in the foundations of my early yoga teacher trainings, grounding into the strong, stable essence of this sequence.
On another day, I led a more fluid, water-inspired flow. The element of Water brought a sense of ease and movement, allowing the practice to become more about connection to the flow of energy and emotions.
On my last morning there, I focused on the Manipura chakra, the solar plexus, our center of power. As I encouraged students to connect to their core, I felt an internal shift. I realized that my power as a teacher is rooted in simply being myself. That moment was a reflection of how I've grown, not only as a yoga anatomy teacher but also in my understanding of the energetic body. I'm no longer just teaching anatomy and movement; I am embodying the deeper aspects of yoga, including the chakras and the energetic body.
The Physical Anatomy and Energetic Body: Two Sides of the Same Coin
One moment during the training that stood out was when a student asked whether aligning the spine is what allows Kundalini energy to rise. A few years ago, I would have dismissed that question as esoteric or "woo-woo." Now, I recognize the beautiful connection between the physical and energetic bodies. I told the student, "Yes, I believe it does."
This experience reinforced something I had been realizing over time: when we talk about the physical body (muscles, bones, alignment) we are often describing the same process as when we speak about the chakras, nadis, and the energetic body. We're just using different languages to convey similar ideas. This concept was highlighted in a powerful yoga philosophy discussion led by Marco, where we explored the limitations of language and how certain experiences (like the state of yoga) are nearly impossible to fully describe with words.
The Rapé Ceremony: A Sacred Experience
Another profound part of the training was the rapé ceremony. Rapé is a sacred shamanic snuff made from a blend of Amazonian plants and is used for grounding, clearing, and connecting to oneself. During the ceremony, I felt an overwhelming sense of love and peace, a deep inner stillness that words can't fully capture. It was a unique experience that allowed me to further connect with the energetic side of my being, beyond the physical aspects I am so familiar with.
A City Girl in Nature
Quinta Alma, nestled in the hills with its compost toilets, no WiFi in the rooms, starry nights, and meals fresh from the garden, offered something rare: a genuine break from the noise of daily life. Being disconnected from the distractions of the city, I was able to connect with myself, my teaching, and the earth in a way that doesn't often happen.
And I won't pretend I didn't love it. I'm a city girl at heart, and even I felt my nervous system settle within a day.
But here's what stayed with me long after I returned to Lisbon: the tools of yoga need to work in real life. Not just in a beautiful setting with garden meals and starry skies. They need to work on a busy Tuesday morning, in a city flat, with a full schedule ahead. That's the balance I'm always reaching for, and the one I try to help people find through my teaching and training. The goal isn't to escape to a sacred space every time you need your practice. It's to build practices that hold you in the everyday.
Quinta Alma reminded me that the extraordinary and the ordinary aren't opposites. They inform each other.
Bringing the Experience Home to Lisbon
Reflecting on this experience, I feel transformed. I've gained not just a deeper understanding of teaching anatomy and movement but also of the energetic body, the power of authentic teaching, and the importance of balance. Being part of the Ancestral Academy 200-hour yoga teacher training in Aljezur has enriched my teaching in ways I'm excited to carry forward. I look forward to continuing to grow and evolve, both as a teacher and as a student of yoga.
The Bottom Line
Teaching outside your home style is one of the most powerful forms of professional development. This training reminded me that yoga is bigger than any single lineage, and that the most authentic teaching comes from knowing yourself, not just your syllabus.
Go Deeper with me.
If you're ready to step into your own yoga teacher training journey, the Power to Lead 200-Hour YTT in Lisbon, Portugal is the only 200-hour program in Portugal led by a Doctor of Physical Therapy (Physiotherapy).
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About the Author
Dr. Trish Corley is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (Physiotherapy) and yoga teacher trainer with over two decades of clinical experience. She helps yoga teachers learn anatomy, give clear cues, and create classes their students love. Based in Lisbon, Portugal, she leads the Enlightened Anatomy Course, the Elevate Your Impact Mentorship, and the Power to Lead 200-Hour YTT.