Tulum Teacher Training Testimonials
200 Hour Intensive Yoga Teacher Training- Mexico | 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training - Lexington
"I loved the 2-week emersion into Yoga. My whole body, mind, and spirit were THERE. Tulum was a beautiful location to be doing this training. The setting encourages a relaxed mind and openness to receiving the teachings.
Sharon has the special gift to make everybody feel welcome, comfortable, and well cared for. She instinctively knew when we (students) needed a walking meditation on the beach rather than a meditation on the mat. Her sensitivity and love for her students is evident in every lesson she teaches. The guest teachers were carefully chosen and brought with them their expertise in certain fields (e.g. Anatomy, nutrition, yoga sutras, chakras...). The support and encouragement from my fellow students is also something I’ll never forget.
Yoga teacher training in Tulum was another major life shaping experience. I taught a Yoga lesson the day after we came home from training. I was able to teach with confidence each asana, incorporate breathing and help the students find steadiness and ease in each pose. Feedback was great! I’m proud to be a teacher trained by Barefoot Works. I not only teach Yoga now, but also have incorporated a daily personal Yoga practice.
Sharon is one of the most wonderful people you’ll ever meet in your life. Yoga is her life - she lives it well. She is radiating love for life and for others. In her you find a very knowledgeable and confident teacher. I also appreciate that she touched on the business of Yoga. - She will be in my heart forever." — Gabriela
"My yoga teacher training experience in Tulum under Sharon's guidance was both incredibly exciting and challenging. I lived and breathed yoga for an intensive two weeks covering exciting ground on philosophy and practice. And as we were nestled on the quiet, beautiful beaches of Tulum, it also proved to be a valuable (and liberating!) time to pause without distraction for self-inquiry and exploration. I have emerged from the teacher training not only with practical skill and knowledge but also with newfound appreciation for a yogic lifestyle that extends beyond the mat and the classroom. I left Tulum motivated, inspired, and giddy -- giddy knowing this would be a springboard for a lifetime of learning. I could not have imagined a better time, better place or better teachers and companions to have shared this precious beginning." — Liana
"I signed up for YTT in Tulum with a strong desire to learn more about yoga and a glimmer of hope for teaching in some capacity, someday. By the time I left Tulum after the final day of training, I realized I had received so much more. I found myself with a wealth of knowledge and understanding I could never have dreamed, relationships with fantastic fellow yogis who were so unique yet so connected, a love for teaching and sharing the postures and principles of yoga, and an inspiring immersion in yoga that could not compare to any other experience I've ever had.
Sharon's genuinity, dedication, expertise, yogic living, and contagious contentment make me truly believe the yoga training field is her dharma. Her compassion, understanding, and heartfelt concern for every being's holistic health and happiness truly inspired me during and following training. With a passion for yoga that shines brightly, Sharon taught us how to teach safely and positively, but also from the heart. She instilled in us that our job is of the utmost importance - as inspiring awakeners, we will now reach each of our future students with a genuine touch." — Laura
"For this yoga teacher training I expected to get the tools to help me start to teach yoga and to refine my overall knowledge about yoga practice. I achieved this and more. I definitely had some reservations about my abilities to teach with confidence. The approach of the teaching program drastically helped me to deal with fears of speaking in front of others and to build the confidence I needed little by little. The course helped me to compliment some basics of yoga theory and to strengthen the foundation I already had.
The teacher program worked on many levels for me. The experience is so personal that it gives you the opportunities for a lot of self-discovery about your yoga practice, your role as a teacher, your belief systems and how you connect with yourself and others. I definitely feel I have grown as a stronger person emotionally. The experience gave me the opportunities to choose to deal with some self doubt and fears about my abilities as a yoga teacher but also has a normal human being. My overall knowledge of yoga was challenged and improved through the theory and philosophical sessions. Spiritually I was able to re-connect with myself and my fellow teacher trainees. My personal practice is enriched because of all of this hard work while at the same time I got what I needed to start teaching.
I was able to deal with a lot of doubts, fears and confidence issues. I am looking at my yoga practice now with more depth but at the same time in a very simple way by just reminding myself about the Yoga Sutras and that they apply to all aspects of my life. Most importantly the training reminded me to remember to examine how I am dealing with my yoga practice, my personal life and my work situation. It has helped to remind me also about the things that are really important to me.
What was it like doing this training in Tulum? I think the idea of getting away from our personal lives and re-connecting in such a beautiful place is the perfect environment for this kind of training. The setting allows you to focus on the work at hand, disconnect and deal with your own progress and issues. The serenity of the ambience just promotes growth and healing. I think equally important is the idea of living, learning, working, dealing with a small group of new friends in an intensive program is so helpful to immerse into yoga.
What did I feel Sharon was like personally? Everything Sharon does is with love. Sharon has the keen ability to see the strengths and weaknesses of the students to progress individual development and growth. She is a wonderful teacher. Her love and passion for yoga is so motivating to her students." —Cody
"The first morning, I walked down the palm tree lined path to start our morning meditation; I had tears in my eyes. I was so excited to be there and couldn't wait to start my journey. The separation from home gave me time to re focus on my priorities with loved ones and friends. You couldn't help but be emotionally and spiritually touched while watching magnificent sunrises and practicing and learning in such beautiful surroundings. While the training was intense at times, I return from this training with the confidence to go out and share the knowledge I obtained with others.
I have made a commitment to myself to do a home practice every day which will keep me focused on this yoga life style and journey. I needed this experience to make positive changes to my life, to eat a vegetarian diet and curtail my addictive personality. This training has helped me find my way – finally. I know I will endeavor to be a better person and instructor.
Sharon is such a kind, loving, caring soul. She took time every day to check in with each of us and allocated time for us to spend one on one time with her to go over any concerns. She held my hand when I needed her. My heart overflows with gratitude for the love, tenderness and knowledge that I received from Sharon. The group was truly blessed to have found her." — Carol
"The Barefoot Works Teacher Training caught my attention because of the location. Friends had previously shared stories about great Yoga retreats in Tulum.
Upon reviewing the program outline I found Barefoot Works approach to Yoga aligned with my own. My own path of Yoga has been one of self discovery, the very theme Barefoot Works emphasized in their description of the program. The inclusion of pranayama, meditation and Yoga philosophy with the prospect of personal growth and transformation is appealing.
I think the students, guided by Sharon, Tracy, Shelli and Sarah, delivered. Barefoot Works provided the fertile ground of location, practice, teaching, learning, reflection and meditation that allowed us students to grow and become Yoga teachers. Our personal Yoga journey made a quantum leap forward. In Tulum we became more who we truly are, humans alive, breathing, stretching, discovering, learning, dancing and eating together. And teaching!
The experience in Tulum was much more than I expected or could have hoped for. The self discovery in the Yoga practice combined with the interactions with fellow students and the Barefoot Works teachers made for an unforgettable journey. Many thanks to Sharon and her team for providing the opportunity!" — Martin
"I am already subbing next month for one of my teachers! I am more committed to my yoga practice than ever before. I plan to incorporate the teaching of yoga into my life. And, best of all, I returned with the vitality and insight to move forward on some idea/plans that I had postponed. It's very exciting.
Sharon is stunningly beautiful, both inside and out. She has amazing lightness of being and depth of spirit all at the same time. It is a wonder to be in her company. I feel very fortunate to have studied with her." — Harriet
"Sharon thank you for your hard work and sharing your wisdom with all of us. You are a great teacher and I feel very blessed to of trained with you. I find myself closing my eyes and just being in the moments on the beach surrounded by jungle, the juicer, the birds, the support of fellow yogis. Wow! The journey begins! When I began training I knew I loved yoga, and others always told me I should teach, but I still doubted myself as a teacher and now after training I truly feel a need to teach, a strong desire that this is my path!" — Michelle
"I feel so fortunate to have taken part in Sharon's teacher training in Tulum. The course was more than I could have ever imagined it would be! Sharon is a true professional, her curriculum was well-paced, interesting and informative and her materials clear and intuitive. I will be using them as reference and for review and reflection as a student and teacher of yoga for many years to come. The guest teachers all provided a distinct insight into different aspects of yoga and are all very passionate and committed as well as being pleasant people!
Sharon led us directly into practice teaching to one another (in groups of 3) on the very first day of class, which was a wonderful way to get us involved in the process of learning to teach right away and helped build our confidence.
I initially hoped to go to Tulum and enjoy the calm and quiet for reflection and to really concentrate on the study of yoga and filling in the gaps in my knowledge. I feel that Sharon's course met those expectations and brought me much, much more. The two weeks of training and the previous preparation really brought me in touch with my own struggles, desires and abilities. Sharon was always willing to listen and support me with wisdom and kindness.
The energy of being in a group of learners from different backgrounds was positively amazing. During the two weeks, we learned and grew, supporting one another wholly throughout the process. I will continue to feel close to my peers for many years to come and know that we shared something very special together.
Tulum itself is a slice of paradise! Morning meditation on the beach during sunrise, the sounds of birds in the morning (and the squeezing of fresh orange juice for thirsty yogis), and the ocean at night were all part of the experience. Practicing and learning about yoga, surrounded by nature was so rich and so right! It helped to clear my head and feel connected to the universe!
I feel that I left the training not only with the knowledge necessary to share yoga with others, but also with a road map for my future as a student and teacher of yoga, as well as with a new-found understanding of myself emotionally, spiritually and physically. On a personal level, Sharon's course helped me to re-evaluate my relationship with yoga and gave me the tools to create a yoga practice that serves me and my needs and that can evolve with time.
Sharon is a person of strong integrity, and she has a beautiful, radiant energy. She is kind, supportive, a fantastic teacher and a professional. She open to different points of view and inspired us to look within ourselves to find answers. She is also joyful and playful and a light, an enjoyable person to be around! A great guide and a lovely person." — Elizabeth