LIBERATION YOGA SCHOOL
Cultivating Devotion Intensive
In Guatemala
October 27 - November 19, 2028
ABOUT THE INTENSIVE:
This intensive is a part of the optional 300 HR training program. This if for students who want to advanced their studies, asanas and focus on deepening their overall practice of yoga.
Arrival Day: October 27 , 2028
On this day we will arrive, get settled and have dinner together. We will begin the proper training the following morning of October 28th.
Departure Day: November 19, 2028
On this day we will wake up and leave the property by 10am.
ABOUT LIBERATION YOGA SCHOOL
Liberation Yoga brings committed students together to learn yoga as practice and goal. Led in person by founder Liz Guardia, the course is intensive and thorough.
We teach classical āsana, prāṇāyāma, mantra and chanting, meditation, Advaita Vedānta, yoga philosophy, and foundational scripture study. These form the basis for a life aimed at mokṣa—freedom from ignorance of the Self.
Over 23 days the schedule runs from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with morning āsana sādhanā, posture clinics, philosophy lectures, and more. The intensive stresses the Yamas and Niyamas (yogic ethics), viveka (discernment), vairāgya (letting go of attachment to results), and mumukṣut (steady desire for union with Truth).
There will be 3 full free days for you to explore the property, Antigua, or participate in off site excursions. Free days are November 3rd, 10th and 17th. On free days, students are welcome to do morning practice, evening practice with the 300 hour trainees if they do choose.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?
LYS Programs are intense—mentally, emotionally, energetically, and physically. They are not retreats or vacations. You’ll have 6-8 hours of classes daily.
Fully accept personal responsibility to face and work with challenges as they come.
Trust the methods and respect LYS, its teachers and classmates. It’s recommended you have prior experience with LYS—attend classes or workshops with Liz or online.
No special abilities in strength or flexibility is required. What matters is the will to learn and the ability to stay present during challenging moments.
Topics of Study:
Foundations of Sanatana Dharma, Yoga, and Advaita Vedanta
Key modern teachers and brief yoga history
Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga
Basics of Ayurveda
Subtle body: chakras, five koshas, five vayus
Sanskrit and English pose names and main principles
Basic anatomy and physiology
Intro to Tristhana: drishti, pranayama, bandha
Daily mantra and chanting
Seated meditation introduction
Daily asana practice led by Liz Guardia
Two morning sessions with guest teachers
The intensive starts with core philosophy and context, then covers anatomy and subtle-body study, moves into practical skills (postures, pranayama, chanting, meditation) and finishes with reflective questions about teaching and being a yogi.
DAILY SCHEDULE:
5:55-6:15am: Silent Meditation
6:15-8:30am: LYS āsana sādhana
8:30-10am: Breakfast
10-12:30pm: Morning Session
12:30-1:30pm: Lunch
BREAK
6-8pm: Evening Session
Tuition Cost: starting at $4400 depending on room choice (see below).
CURRICULUM
Asana practice: 36 hours
Posture Labs: 35 hours
Tristhana method, kriya, pranayama: 15 hours
Mantra and Yoga Sūtra chanting: 15 hours
Scriptural Study: 25 Hours Bhagavad Gita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita and Goraksha Samhita
Sanskrit basics: 8 hours
Philosophy: 20 hours
Physical and subtle anatomy: 20 hours
Āyurveda: 11 hours
States of consciousness & Yoga Nidra: 5 hours
IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE MOST BENEFIT, STUDENTS ARE ASKED TO:
Adopt a vegetarian diet at least one month before training.
Maintain a vegetarian diet during the residential training.
No alcohol or recreational drug use at least one month before training.
No alcohol, drugs, or smoking are allowed onsite.
During certain sessions cell phones will not be allowed and may be collected to adhere to the practice of mauna (silence).
ABOUT THE LOCATION:
LYS INTENSIVE takes place at Earth Lodge Retreat Center, near Antigua, Guatemala. If you would like to extend your trip in the being or end that is possible through our accommodations. The nearest major airport is La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City.
IMPORTANT: Book flights to Guatemala City — arrival and departure transfers use that airport.
The training is fully vegetarian and no drugs or alcohol are allowed during the training. We stay in simple, comfortable shared or single rooms that encourage community while allowing privacy. Meals are healthy, tasty, and nourishing, not gourmet.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Deposits hold your spot and are non‑refundable.
More than 90 days before training: transfer to a future program or get a full refund of the balance (deposit retained).
Within 90 days: no refunds.
No refunds or credits for weather, injury/illness, personal emergencies, late arrival, early departure, or no‑shows. Travel insurance is required.
Guest policy for LYS Intensive:
Only enrolled participants or management‑approved guests may attend. Unauthorized guests are not allowed.
What’s included:
LYS Intensive Manual
Accommodation: 21 night /22 days accommodation
Meals: Three organic vegetarian meals daily served buffet style
Unlimited purified water, black coffee and teas
Unlimited use of Temazcal (traditional wood fired Mayan sauna)
Unlimited use of all property spaces including restaurant, patios, outdoor covered platform, ceremony
space, meditation garden, trails, & our large multi-purpose green field
Daily bathroom & towel service, full room cleaning service upon request
Mats: We will have mats available for use but you may also bring your own if you prefer.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
Flight: Students must purchase their own flights
Transport to and from La Aurora Airport
Airport transfers & local transportation services
Bag porterage services
Personal laundry services are available for a fee
Spa services (massages, ice baths, etc.)
Gourmet Coffee & Tea Beverages, Mocktails
Ala carte orders from the standard Earth Lodge menu
Excursions & Activities
INVESTMENT
Tuition options
Standard Rooms are small cabins with private bathrooms and showers:
Standard Room Single: $5400 Single bed and private bath
Standard Room Shared: $4400 Two separate beds with private bath
Premium Rooms are more spacious with larger bathrooms:
Premium Room Single: $5900 Single bed with private bath
Premium Room Shared: $4900 Two separate double beds with private bath
Testimonial:
Liberation Yoga provided an incredible experience. The depth of instruction from Liz is second to none. The materials (manual and separate assist manual) were comprehensive, interwoven throughout the training, and practical. Drawing from their deep fund of knowledge and expertise our teachers taught authentically and comprehensively. We were privileged to meet an amazing array of guest speakers and go on trips that immersed us in the rich culture of yoga. The video recordings and subsequent feedback brought about significant improvement, and was one of many of the innovative cutting edge aspects to this training. This training carries my highest recommendation and is worthy of your most favorable consideration. - T.M.
Fantastic training! Three major things stand out to me: The teachers honor the lineage and carefully present the important sacred text in their original form, followed by digestible discussion. I greatly appreciated the amount of time and emphasis on treating the words and message of the texts as sacred teachings. We dived into both Hinduism and Buddhism traditions at great depths, which was unique for a teacher training. For me, this was one of things I was seeking in a training and was pleased with how well it was presented here. The teachers spoke to their strengths, for which they were knowledgeable and passionate. It gave for a positive dynamic that kept the training fresh every month and left room for students to explore their interests. Students were encouraged to explore and grow into our personal style of teaching (as opposed to becoming a mimic of the teachers). Feedback on students' teaching was constructive and a large component of homework assignments. I really appreciated that we had reading, teaching, and writing assignments between training weekends. Overall I felt challenged and had eminence growth as a practitioner and provider of yoga. I have learned a breathe of knowledge, yet am humbled by how much more there still is to learn. Liz and her team are experienced, adept, and knowledgeable teachers, yet share the teachings humbly. Perhaps this is one of the greatest lessons from them of all! I couldn't more highly recommend this training! - C.C.
