Set in the wild, story-rich landscapes of the Scottish Highlands’ gateway, Ancient Ways, Inner Paths is an immersive 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training that unfolds at the extraordinary countryside retreat of Rachel’s Farm in Stirlingshire. Surrounded by rolling hills, ancient forests, and sweeping views toward the Trossachs, this program blends rigorous professional training with a deeply restorative retreat experience. 

Designed to meet Yoga Alliance’s elevated standards, this comprehensive residential training invites students to fully step away from daily life and immerse themselves in the study, embodiment, and teaching of yoga.

For three transformative weeks, participants live and learn together in an intimate community where luxury, nature, and sacred practice converge.

Every aspect of the training is designed so students can focus fully on their practice and transformation.

The program includes:

✔ 200-hour Yoga Alliance accredited training
✔ Luxury accommodation for the entire immersion
✔ Three nourishing, locally sourced meals daily
✔ Private chef and curated farm-to-table cuisine
✔ Daily yoga and meditation practice
✔ Philosophy, anatomy, and teaching methodology curriculum
✔ Guided nature walks and cultural experiences
✔ Daily housekeeping and concierge services
✔ Use of hot tubs, gardens, and outdoor spaces

Optional experiences such as massage therapy, whisky tastings, or excursions into nearby villages and the Trossachs National Park can be arranged through the property’s concierge services. 

This program meets and exceeds the Yoga Alliance RYT-200 requirements, offering both academic rigor and experiential learning.

Techniques, Training & Practice (100 hours)

• Vinyasa, Hatha, and restorative yoga
• Meditation and breathwork (pranayama)
• Alignment and intelligent sequencing
• Teaching methodology and cueing
• Adjustments and assists

Anatomy & Physiology (30 hours)

• Functional anatomy for yoga

• Biomechanics of movement

• Injury prevention and adaptation

Yoga Philosophy, Ethics & Lifestyle (30 hours)

• The Yoga Sutras
• The Eight Limbs of Yoga
• Yogic ethics for teachers
• Ayurveda and yogic lifestyle

Teaching Methodology (50 hours)

• Practice teaching
• Class design and theming
• Voice, presence, and leadership
• Sequencing for different bodies and levels

Students graduate with the tools, confidence, and certification needed to teach yoga internationally.

The rhythm of each day is intentionally designed to mirror the philosophy of yoga itself—balancing discipline with spaciousness, study with reflection, and personal practice with community. While individual sessions evolve throughout the three weeks, the overall cadence remains consistent, allowing students to settle into a sustainable and deeply immersive learning experience.

6:30 – 7:00 AM | Morning Tea & Quiet Reflection

Wake slowly with herbal tea, fresh fruit, and the quiet beauty of the Scottish countryside. Students are encouraged to journal, meditate, or take a silent walk through the gardens before the day's practice.

7:00 – 8:45 AM | Meditation, Pranayama & Morning Asana Practice

Each morning begins with meditation and breathwork before moving into a thoughtfully sequenced practice. Classes progress throughout the training, exploring Hatha, Vinyasa, restorative techniques, and intelligent alignment while embodying the day's theme.

8:45 – 9:45 AM | Farm-to-Table Breakfast

A nourishing breakfast prepared with seasonal Scottish ingredients, enjoyed together in community.

10:00 – 12:15 PM | Yoga Techniques & Teaching Lab

Hands-on learning focused on:

• Asana alignment

• Functional movement

• Cueing and language

• Demonstrations

• Observation skills

• Partner work

• Assists and modifications

Students spend significant time practicing how to teach—not simply learning poses.

12:15 – 1:30 PM | Chef-Prepared Lunch & Rest

A leisurely lunch followed by free time to rest, journal, read, or explore the property.

1:30 – 3:00 PM | Anatomy or Yoga Philosophy

Afternoons alternate between:

Anatomy

• Functional anatomy

• Biomechanics

• Injury prevention

• Breath physiology

• Nervous system

• Adaptive yoga

or

Yoga Philosophy & Humanities

• Yoga Sutras

• Bhagavad Gītā

• Ethics

• History of yoga

• Subtle body

• Ayurveda

• The role of the modern yoga teacher

Classes are interactive and discussion-based, encouraging students to connect ancient teachings with contemporary life.

3:00 – 3:30 PM | Tea Break

Fresh tea, homemade baking, fruit, and conversation.

3:30 – 5:30 PM | Practice Teaching & Methodology

Students gradually develop confidence through:

• Sequencing workshops

• Teaching drills

• Voice development

• Practice teaching

• Constructive feedback

• Classroom management

• Professional ethics

As the weeks progress, students teach increasingly longer portions of class until they confidently guide complete practices.

5:30 – 6:30 PM | Free Time

Relax in the gardens, soak in the outdoor hot tubs, walk the nearby trails, or simply enjoy quiet time before dinner.

6:30 – 7:45 PM | Community Dinner

A beautifully prepared evening meal shared around a long table, fostering conversation, connection, and the supportive community that forms during an immersive training.

8:00 – 9:00 PM | Evening Integration

The final session of the day varies throughout the program and may include:

• Restorative Yoga

• Yoga Nidra

• Meditation

• Philosophy circles

• Fireside discussions

• Guest lectures

• Journaling

• Chanting

• Reflection circles

Twice each week, evening sessions are intentionally left open for rest, personal study, or quiet enjoyment of the Scottish countryside, recognizing that integration is an essential part of learning.

9:30 PM | Silence Begins

Participants are invited to observe evening quiet hours, allowing for rest and contemplation before the next day of practice.

While each day follows a familiar structure, every week has its own emphasis:

Monday–Thursday

• Full training days with a balanced mix of practice, study, and teaching.

Friday

• Integration day featuring extended practice teaching, assessments, and reflective discussion.

Saturday

• Morning classes followed by a cultural or nature-based experience, such as a hike in the nearby hills, a visit to a historic village or castle, or an exploration of local Scottish traditions. These outings reinforce the training's emphasis on connection—to place, to community, and to the living practice of yoga.

Sunday

• A lighter schedule dedicated to restoration. The day may include a gentle morning practice, yoga nidra, personal study, one-on-one mentoring, or free time to enjoy the grounds. This intentional pause supports recovery, reflection, and deeper integration before the next week of learning begins.

The Experience

More than a teacher training, this is a season of intentional living. Days unfold in harmony with nature and community, allowing students to absorb the teachings not only through study but through the experience of living yoga. Set against the timeless landscape of rural Scotland, the training invites each participant to cultivate knowledge, confidence, and presence while preparing to teach with skill, integrity, and heart.

Rachel’s Farm offers an exceptional countryside sanctuary just under an hour from Edinburgh and Glasgow, yet it feels worlds away in its peaceful rural beauty. 

The property features multiple beautifully restored lodges, cottages, and a traditional farmhouse blending rustic charm with refined elegance. Interiors feature luxurious fabrics, spacious living areas, log-burning fireplaces, and private gardens overlooking Scotland’s breathtaking landscapes. 

Participants stay in stunning accommodations designed for comfort and restoration:

• Elegant farmhouse suites with ensuite bathrooms
• Luxurious countryside lodges with panoramic views
• Cozy shared spaces with fireplaces and soft Scottish textiles
• hot tubs under the Highland night sky
• Expansive gardens and walking paths

A 1,000-square-foot yoga studio  offers a peaceful environment for daily practice and study, while the surrounding land provides the perfect natural setting for meditation, journaling, and contemplative walks. 

Sheila Ewers is an ERYT 500 and YACEP teacher certified through Yoga Alliance. She trained at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. With over 10,000 teaching hours, she has been practicing and teaching for more than 20 years. In 2011, she created Blue Lotus Yoga, LLC which operated in two physical location in Johns Creek and Duluth, GA, Under Blue Lotus, she also launched a comprehensive teacher training, online studio platform and developed Sweet Tea Yoga Festival in Alpharetta, GA. She is a published author and served as Yoga Editor for Natural Awakenings Atlanta Magazine from 2019 through 2021.

Today, Sheila owns and operates SEEK Yoga and Travel, a full service yoga platform designed to help students and seekers of all sorts develop tools for deepening consciousness, developing connection and living lives of joyful embodiment. Sheila holds additional certifications in Meditation, Yin Yoga, Thai Yoga, Bodywork, and Yoga Nidra and has trained with dozens of internationally known yoga and meditation teachers. She leads Yoga Teacher Training at both the 200 and 300-hour levels, hosts retreats and workshops internationally and provides spiritual and professional coaching. As a former Professor of American literature, Sheila loves to explore the intersection between philosophy, poetry, religion, nature, and yoga and often brings that synthesis into her work. She continues to take advantage of every opportunity to train and learn and will forever consider herself a student of this ancient and beautiful practice.

Shannon LeMintier, RDN, IFNCP, E-RYT 500, YACEP, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Yoga Alliance–certified teacher and continuing education provider. She has been a dedicated student and practitioner of yoga for more than 25 years and brings over three decades of experience in health, movement, and mindful living.

Shannon has spent her career helping individuals reconnect with their bodies through a blend of ancient and modern health science and the embodied wisdom of yoga. As the founder of Whole Living Nutritionist, she integrates nutrition, movement, and lifestyle practices to support sustainable well-being and a deeper relationship with daily life.

Outside of her integrative and functional wellness private practice, Shannon teaches yoga and leads retreats internationally. She offers classes that emphasize breath-led movement, thoughtful alignment, and awareness both on and off the mat. Her work is influenced by years of global travel, study, and a deep appreciation for nature, culture, and the rhythms that support a thriving life.

Above all, Shannon continues to see herself as a lifelong student of yoga and is grateful for the opportunity to share this practice with others.

The first week establishes a strong experiential and theoretical foundation. Students immerse themselves in the daily rhythm of yoga practice, begin studying anatomy and philosophy, and develop awareness of alignment and breath.

Focus Areas

• Establishing personal practice
• Foundations of asana alignment
• Breath awareness and pranayama
• Introduction to yoga philosophy
• Functional anatomy basics

Curriculum Components

Techniques, Training & Practice

• Foundational postures: standing poses, sun salutations, basic inversions

• Alignment principles and safe biomechanics

• Breath-centered movement

• Pranayama: ujjayi, dirga, nadi shodhana

• Introduction to meditation practices

Anatomy

• Skeletal system overview

• Major muscle groups used in yoga

• Joint stability vs. mobility

• Injury prevention

Yoga Humanities

• Origins of yoga

• Historical overview of yogic traditions

• Introduction to The Eight Limbs of Yoga

• Ethics of practice (yamas and niyamas)

Teaching Methodology

• The seat of the teacher

• Language of cueing

• Demonstration vs. observation

• Beginning posture breakdowns

Experiential Elements

• Daily journaling

• Guided nature meditation in the Scottish countryside

• Partner alignment labs

By the end of Week One, students understand how yoga works in the body and breath and begin to observe postures through a teacher’s lens.

Program Outcome

Graduates leave with:

• 200-hour Yoga Alliance certification (RYT-200 eligible)
• The ability to safely design and lead yoga classes
• A deep understanding of yoga philosophy and anatomy
• Confidence in their teaching voice
• A powerful community formed through immersive study

Week two shifts from personal practice toward learning to teach. Students explore sequencing, energetic themes, philosophy, and the psychology of guiding others.

Focus Areas

• Intelligent sequencing
• Energetics of practice
• Advanced anatomy and movement patterns
• Practice teaching begins

Curriculum Components

Techniques, Training & Practice

• Hip openers, twists, and backbends

• Introduction to arm balances and inversions

• Pranayama expansion

• Restorative yoga and nervous system regulation

• Meditation techniques

Anatomy

• The spine and core

• Breath mechanics and the diaphragm

• Fascia and movement patterns

• Understanding common injuries

Yoga Humanities

• The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

• Samskara, karma, and the nature of mind

• Yogic lifestyle and discipline

• Introduction to subtle body systems (chakras, koshas)

Teaching Methodology

• Class structure and sequencing

• The arc of a yoga class

• Theme weaving and storytelling

• Assists and adjustments

• Voice projection and presence

Practice Teaching
Students begin teaching short posture segments and mini-flows to small groups.

Experiential Elements

• Group discussion circles

• Philosophy dialogues by the fire

• Silent walking meditations across the farm

By the end of Week Two, students begin to step into the identity of a teacher and gain confidence guiding small segments of class.

The final week focuses on integration, leadership, and real teaching experience.

Students synthesize everything they have learned into fully developed classes and begin teaching longer sequences.

Focus Areas

• Teaching full classes
• Refining teaching style
• Professional readiness
• Integration of philosophy and embodiment

Curriculum Components

Techniques, Training & Practice

• Advanced sequencing techniques

• Peak pose class design

• Meditation leadership

• Yoga Nidra and restorative practices

Anatomy

• Individual differences and adaptations

• Modifications for injuries

• Prenatal and special populations overview

Yoga Humanities

• The teacher-student relationship

• Yoga ethics and responsibility

• Yoga as service and leadership

Professional Essentials

• Building a yoga career

• Marketing and professional conduct

• Creating workshops and retreats

• Yoga Alliance standards and continuing education

Practice Teaching

Students teach:

• Half classes
• Full classes
• Peer feedback sessions
• Final practicum teaching assessment

Experiential Elements

• Closing ritual

• Reflection on the journey

• Graduation ceremony