'What stays without force
is yours by dharma —
What leaves despite effort
came only to teach you.'
Traditional Tantric Yoga Teacher Trainings
200-hour foundational training
Next cohort begins October 2026
300-hour Advanced training
Next cohort begins Autumn 2027
Immerse yourself in the world of Tantric Yoga.
Walk the path of the Masters of the Himalayan Tradition and lay claim to life's greatest reward—freedom, fulfillment, and remembrance of who you truly are.
The intention of these trainings is to share the philosophies and practices of the Himalayan Tradition of Tantric Yoga in a way which touches your heart, transforms your life, and empowers you to effectively carry the light of a living tradition.
Śakti Sādhanā and Embodied Śakti interweave the philosophies of Tantra, Yoga, and Sankhya. These ancient
spiritual systems are as practical as they are profound. Their collective purpose is to guide you, grant you access to the inherent sacredness of life, and elevate your relationship to your Self and reality.
The combined wisdom of Tantra, Yoga, and Sankhya sheds light on everything from the most practical and worldly, to the most subtle and sublime. In order to fully understand and experience the scope and ultimate promise of Yoga, we draw from the wisdom of Sankhya and the beauty of Tantra — one of the most life affirming and all inclusive spiritual systems ever developed, and the light of a living Tradition.
Śakti Sādhanā (200-hour) is a deep exploration of your Self. Over twelve months, the training will introduce you to the vast and glorious world view of Śakti Tantra and grant you a transformative experience through the philosophies and methodologies cherished by our tradition. It will also impart a highly effective teaching methodology which will empower you to guide truly impactful and transformative yoga experiences for your future students.
Though only 200 hours, Śakti Sādhanā is an in-depth, immersive training and is appropriate not only for practitioners transitioning into the role of teacher for the first time, but also experienced teachers seeking a thorough introduction to the Himalayan Tradition.
Embodied Śakti (300-hour) is an advanced course of study for experienced teachers and practitioners of Tantric Yoga. We build on your foundational understanding of yoga and tantra by further developing the subtly profound nuances accessible in both individual paths, and the magic that emerges as the two are woven together with finessed expertise. Embodied Śakti is heavily oriented toward practice and self reflection, improving the likelihood of embodiment through experience, and developing capacity for transmission in your teaching.
Embodied Śakti is for teachers with at least a foundational understanding and experience of Tantric Yoga, and ideally a few years experience of teaching. If you are an experienced teacher, but new to Tantric Yoga please begin your journey with Śakti Sādhanā.
What makes these trainings unique?
Rooted in the Tradition passed down by the Himalayan Masters, Śakti Sādhanā and Embodied Śakti draw from ancient wisdom to create a holistic approach to modern practice and life. They are designed to enhance your personal practice and prepare you to embrace the role of an ethical, empowered, impactful teacher with the capacity to carry the light of a living Tradition.
Śakti Sādhanā introduces the philosophies of this Tradition and teaches the fundamental practices and systems for sharing the Tantric Yoga in an authentic and meaningful way.
Embodied Śakti deepens your understanding of Tantric Yoga, and how to share it blending traditional methodology with personal intuition. The structure of the training provides the opportunity to empower and engage with your practice to develop an authentic voice in your teaching that is uniquely your own, while still authentically representing the Tradition. This can only be done by embodying the teachings through dedicated practice with the guidance of an embodied teacher.
Every module of the trainings is mindfully crafted for an immersive experience combined with practical, effective teaching methodology. The modules are woven together in a wise progression to deliver knowledge, appreciation, and direct experience of the teachings and techniques of the Tradition.
Your Guide
Natalie Backman
lead teacher for both trainings
Tantric Yoga has given me an entirely new lease on life.
I was once anxiety-riddled, validation-seeking, victim-identifying and doubtful of my worth. After more than a decade of highly dedicated practice and study I now experience life as beautiful and meaningful, and myself as joyful, peaceful, steady (most of the time), and grateful to be alive.
My relationship with Yoga and Tantra spans twenty plus years and I've been devoted to sharing the teachings of this Tradition for the last twelve. In that time, my experience of Yoga has evolved from physical exercise to a holistic reintegration with my soul. The teaching of Tantric Yoga is integral to my life's purpose and has become my personal spiritual path.
I am a lifelong student of the Himalayan Tradition, profoundly grateful to receive the ongoing guidance of Pandit Rajmani Tigunait along with the other senior teachers at the Himalayan Institute, and the support of the unbroken lineage of the Himalayan Masters.
I share a modern approach to Traditional Tantric Yoga interweaving āsana, prānāyāma, deep relaxation, mantra, meditation, and more. Also certified in Yoga Nidra and Vishoka Meditation®, I endeavor to provide a means for true and thorough transformation. I teach only what I have embodied through direct experience, and guide with the intention to facilitate remembrance of your most sacred Self.
All I do is an offering to the Divine Mother.
It would be an honor to guide you through this journey of healing and help you lay claim to yoga's promises: ultimate freedom and lasting fulfillment.
Jai Mā
‘If Natalie is meant for you, you will find each other — and if you do, she won’t simply teach you yoga and meditation. She will walk beside you for years, helping you become your truest self. Natalie has devoted her life to the Himalayan Tradition, but what makes her extraordinary is how she embodies it through kindness, humility, love, and the gentle space between action and response.
I met Natalie when she was offering free yoga classes for teens in California. What began as yoga became mentorship, community, and forever family. As a young teen, I was entrusted with a leadership position in the local charitable yoga festival she'd founded, giving me opportunities to grow in ways I never expected. I attribute my sense of purpose in life to the confidence and skills Natalie empowered me with at such a young age. Years later, I've traveled with her to Italy for retreats and returned again for my yoga teacher training, to continue nurturing my relationship with yoga, meditation, and myself.
Natalie is my soul mother. She has celebrated my victories, carried me through difficult seasons, and supported me relentlessly. Her teaching has informed the way I move through the world. If you are looking for a lifelong teacher, you've found one.’
— Bita, California