Training at a glance

ISHTA stands for Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra and Ayurveda. ISHTA lineage is rooted in the deep honoring of uniqueness in human bodies, and aims to offer a practice to each person that resonates with their Individual Spirit (ishta devata). 

This hybrid (in person and online) training consists of four modules:

✺ Art of Touch (60hrs) in person in Helsinki

✺ Physical Body & Advanced Asana (60hrs) in person in Helsinki and online

✺ Philosophy and the Subtle Body online with ISHTA Yoga New York (60hrs)

 ✺ Apprenticeship (90hrs) in person and online

+ a final retreat weekend in person in Southern Finland and homework & self study (remaining 30 hours)

• A Finnish lead trainer, Mikaela Soldan and an international faculty of ISHTA Senior Teachers with decades of experience. 
• Training is held in English, but trainees can do practice teaching and submit written homework and final project in Finnish with Mikaela.
• Pricing starts at 4550 €, payment plans available. Applications are open. 

The training combines immersive weekends, online study, mentorship and independent practice.

In-person modules | Helsinki

Eight weekends across February, March, May and June and December 2027.

These weekends focus on asana practices, posture labs, "spotting labs" (hands on assistance), practice teaching and mentorship.

Online modules | ISHTA Yoga New York

Two online weekends dedicated to Philosophy and the Subtle Body, and one dedicated to Physical Body taught directly by ISHTA Yoga's senior faculty.

You can join Philosophy and the Subtle Body module with ISHTA Yoga New York already in 2026, or start in 2027.

• Nov 9, 13-15, 2026: Philosophy & Subtle Body - Tantra | Meditation | Yoga Nidra

• April 12 + 16-18, 2027: Philosophy & Subtle Body - Ayurveda | Advanced Pranayama | Bhagavad Gita

• Nov 2027 exact dates TBD Philosophy & Subtle Body - Tantra | Meditation | Yoga Nidra

Apprenticeship

This is where learning becomes holistic!

Throughout the training you'll complete an apprenticeship by assisting Mikaela during live classes or supporting ISHTA teachers online. This experience develops the often-overlooked skills of observation, presence and holding space.

Svādhyāya Project

Yoga is ultimately a path of self-study.

Each participant completes an individual research and practice project, exploring a topic that resonates personally while integrating the teachings of the training into their own life and teaching.

Meet your trainer, Mikaela Soldan

When I completed my first teacher training in 2013, I knew I wasn't finished learning. I had done the 200-hour training just to learn more about yoga for myself, but once I had the toolkit to teach an actual class and was hired to teach at a local yoga studio in Helsinki, a spark for teaching others what I had learned was ignited. 

Two years into teaching I was hungry for more knowledge. I wanted more techniques and practices to introduce my students, and I was also in need of them myself; I suffered from anxiety and felt the lack of support which led me to the next training. 

My 300-hour training became one of the most meaningful experiences of my yoga journey. It gave me practical tools I still use every week, introduced me to techniques that completely changed the way I teach, and deepened my understanding of yoga far beyond the physical practice. It also deepened my relationship with myself through the svadhyaya project; I had to apply what I had learned to my own life. The level of mentorship was also profound – a teacher and a helper needs support and guidance for themself, too. 

I ended up staying in New York, but always felt the longing to bring these teachings to Finland. With the help of my Finnish ISHTA colleague Aino Siren and other senior teachers in the lineage (huge thanks to Peter Ferko + Wendy Newton for coming all the way to Finland to teach!), I started bringing ISHTA classes, workshops, retreats and eventually the 200-hour training to Finland. First training took place in Lauttasaari in 2017, next one in Punavuori 2018 and finally we were able to bring a 200-hour and the first ever 300-hour training to Helsinki in 2021 (after postponing it due to the pandemic).

I know what it feels like to travel across the world in search of teachers and community. While those experiences were invaluable, I've often wished this level of education existed closer to home.

After a few years break, I said yes to my mentor Mona Anand's invitation to reignite the teacher trainings in Finland. Summer 2025's hot and humid 200-hour training started a new era for ISHTA in Finland and I am beyond excited to offer an advanced training to anyone, who wants to continue their studies under this wonderful lineage. 

My hope is not only to educate exceptional teachers, but also to strengthen the Finnish yoga community by connecting it with the wider international ISHTA family.

I'd be honored to share this journey with you. - Mikaela

Mikaela's credentials:

• Somatic Trauma Therapy Certification (The Embody Lab) 2025

• Gene Keys Guide 2025

• Spiritual Life Coach (Life Purpose Institute) – 2020

• Reiki I & II – 2015 & 2019

• Yin Yoga Module I with Ulrica Norberg 25h – 2018

• Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher Training with Exhale to Inhale 25hrs – 2018

• Yoga Nidra Training with Mona Anand 25hrs – 2017

• ISHTA Yoga 300hr Teacher Training with Alan Finger – 2016

• Yoga Hands on Assisting Training 8hrs with Ulrica Norberg – 2016

• Raindrop-technique certificate with Catherine Garro – 2014

• ISHTA Yoga 200hr Teacher Training with Alan Finger – 2013

• BA in Media and Communications 2015

Photo credit: Helena Jalava

Where it all began

The Modules

The full training consists of four modules. If you do not wish to enroll in the full 300 hour training, you can also join individual modules. If you end up completing all the modules (either in Finland, online, or travel to another country where they are being offered) you can still obtain your 300 hour certificate. 

Art of Touch

Our Art of Touch Module can be only done in person and consists of four weekends with a focus on "hands on adjustments."

From an energetic perspective, our hands are the transmitters of shakti, the mother-nature force that governs us. Our hands also relate to the heart and throat chakras, so how we touch relates to both how we feel and how we communicate. In this module you will learn how to facilitate the experience of yoga through "hands on adjustments." You will learn how to individualize spots and enhance the free flow of breath and life force energy.

This module can be taken as part of the ISHTA 300-hour trained teacher. If you are a 200 Hour Teacher who simply wants to learn the "Art of Touch" but are unable to commit to the full 300 Hour training, this program is also open to you. 

Dates in Helsinki, Finland: 

Weekend 1: Feb 5-7

Weekend 2: Mar 12-14

Weekend 3: Apr 2-4

Weekend 4: Apr 23-25

Training hours will be announced closer to training start. Typical training weekend is Friday 18-21, Saturday 10-18, Sunday 8-14.30. Central Helsinki, location TBD. 

The Physical Body

Our Physical Body courses teach you how to master yoga postures as a form of mastering your consciousness. Our approach to the physical body is a reflection of the Tantric perspective that all matter is different densities of energy, and that our bodies are the vehicles that carry us through this life. In addition to learning more advanced and complex asana, we also offer Anatomy and Physiology, Advanced Therapeutics, Injury Management, a subtle body approach to asana, sequencing, prenatal yoga, and so much more.

Each part of this module is approximately 30 hours - including pre-recorded content, live zoom sessions, and in studio sessions. Senior Trainers have over 20 years of teaching experience and include: Mona Anand, Peter Ferko, Kelly Eudailey, Douglass Stewart and Mikaela Soldan.

Part 1 - The asana component focuses primarily on sequencing, standing poses, sun salutes, & inversions

Part 2 - The asana component focuses primarily on arm balances, backbends, seated poses and resting poses

This training is offered in a hybrid format; 2/3 of the training in person in Helsinki with Mikaela Soldan, and 1/3 with ISHTA trainers in New York (online).  

Dates in Helsinki, Finland:

Weekend 1: May 14-16 

Weekend 2: May 21-23

Weekend 3: June 4-6th

Week 4: June 7 + 11-13 online with ISHTA New York

Training hours will be announced closer to training start. Typical training weekend in Helsinki is Friday 18-21, Saturday 10-18, Sunday 8-14.30. Online sessions with ISHTA New York will happen during evening time in Finland.

Location: central Helsinki, exact location TBD. 

Philosophy and the Subtle Body

ISHTA is an acronym for the Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra and Ayurveda. Our Philosophy & the Subtle Body Module brings a uniquely ISHTA perspective to yoga philosophy and the science of yoga and spirituality.

We will delve more deeply into tantra, the chakras and kriya yoga and study the sutras from a tantric perspective. This course will help expand your tool box with more advanced pranayama and meditation techniques including yoga nidra. You will learn how to integrate the subtle body and Ayurveda into your asana practice to find balance.

Curriculum includes:

• Advanced ISHTA Meditation and Pranayama techniques,

• Teaching to Chakra Imbalances

• Ayurveda and Asana,

• Yoga Nidra

• Tantra of the Sutras

• The Bhagavad Gita

• Ayurveda for self-care

• And more!

Trainers: Alan Finger, Mona Anand, Peter Ferko, Sarah Finger and Wendy Newton.

This module will be taken online with ISHTA Senior teachers from New York. See module dates through ishtayoga.com website. 

Apprenticeship (90 hours)

Our apprenticeship program is a truly unique part of our curriculum. When you enroll in our 300 Hour training, you are assigned a mentor to guide you through the training. Yoga was traditionally taught one on one, teacher to student. Our apprenticeship program helps you integrate the teachings into your life and into your teaching under the guidance of your mentor. Mentor meetings, a svadhyaya or self study project, In Class Privates, One on Ones, Class Assisting, Class Observations and much more are a part of this program that helps you integrate the teachings into your life.

This is automatically included for anyone who joins the full program. If you are doing the training module by module, you can enroll in this module for 1200 €. 

In Finland teacher training, apprenticeship module includes final weekend where trainees present their self study projects and give a teaching sample. There will be an added cost of lodgings (about 300€ for a weekend in a retreat venue) that is paid directly to the retreat venue. Graduation weekend is required for everyone who wishes to obtain their 300 hour certificate. 

You can mostly design the assisting hour schedule yourself, and mentor meetings with be arranged together with the group. Mentor meetings can be attended online if you are unable to travel to Helsinki for in person meetings. 

Training pricing:

The training consists of four modules that can be taken altogether or individually. 

Full training tuition:

Regular tuition: 5250 € (inclusive of 25,5% VAT)

Early bird pricing 4850 € (inclusive of 25,5% VAT) through January 5th, 2027.

Super Early Bird pricing  4750 € (inclusive of 25,5% VAT) through October 31st, 2026.

Alumni rate for ISHTA 200-hour graduates 4700 € (inclusive of 25,5% VAT).

Alumni rate + Super early bird: 4550 € (inclusive of 25,5% VAT) through October 31st, 2026. 

Not included: final graduation weekend accommodations and meals that are confirmed at the start of training and paid directly to the retreat facility. We will look for a space that is around 300€ / 2 nights, all inclusive. 

A non-refundable deposit of 500 € is paid upon acceptance to training. The remaining payment is due February 1st, 2027. Payment plans are available, please contact [email protected] to arrange a payment plan. 

Full training tuition includes access to online training modules from ISHTA New York, in person modules in Helsinki, apprenticeship program and 3 months of online classes through ISHTA Yoga (can be taken as individual months throughout the year). Helsinki group will also receive access to Mikaela's online yoga classes. 

Individual modules:

You can take the training in individual modules, if you are not looking to obtain your 300-hour certificate right away. Each module duration is 60 hours, except the Apprenticeship module which is 90 hours. 

• Art of Touch Module in person in Helsinki 1499€ (inclusive of VAT 25,5%)
• Physical Body Module in person in Helsinki + online 1499€ (inclusive of VAT 25,5%)
• Philosophy and the Subtle Body Module online with ISHTA New York $1390 (sign up through ISHTA New York) 
• Apprenticeship Module in person in Helsinki 1200 € (inclusive of VAT 25,5%)

Only by completing 4/4 modules, will you be able to fulfill the requirements for full 300-hour certification. Certificates are issued once attendance, requirements and presentations are completed in full. 

Art of Touch module can be substituted with 60 hours of other ISHTA-led specialty trainings such as restorative training, yoga nidra training, meditation training etc. Please contact us at [email protected] to discuss this option.  

What you'll get:

• 180 hours of study of yoga with ISHTA Senior teachers.
• 90 hours of assisting Senior teachers and mentorship.
• 30 hours of self study materials and personal project work.
• 3 months of online yoga with ISHTA Yoga to study with world class teachers.
• Access to Mikaela's online yoga library for additional learning and inspiration.
• A dedicated group of yogis to study with.
• Access to the international ISHTA community and Acharya (graduated teacher's community).
• Ongoing support throughout the year of yoga studies.
• A forever connection to your mentors for continuing support. No need to figure it all out on your own. 
• Education in an internationally recognized lineage and a career in yoga that can look just like you.

Who is this for: 

• Teachers, who are dedicated to the practice of yoga and want to deepen their studies.
• Students, who have obtained a 200 hour training degree.
• Anyone who wants to pursue their studies in the 300 hour, no physical requirements of having to know advanced yoga poses necessary. Having a body + willingness to learn is enough. 
• You, who want a high quality training without having to leave Finland.
• You, who want to go beyond their basic level 200 hour and become an advanced teacher, rooted in a lineage of teachers.
• You, who want to become a teacher for All Bodies; learn to modify, adjust and teach students with unique bodies, injuries, conditions etc. 
• You, who value the continuum of yoga teaching: the essence of ISHTA has remained the same for decades while curriculum keeps being updated to reflect modern science.

Who is the training NOT for:

• Those, who currently do not have time or energy to dedicate themselves to study (both in class and internally as a reflective self study) for 11 months.
• Who are looking for RIGHT/WRONG dichotomies instead of being open to multiple ways of looking at things. 

Please note: The training is a self growth journey and can increase your overall health in significant ways, but is not a substitute for therapy or medical treatment. If you have a physical or mental health condition, make sure you have sufficient support from your clinicians and other professionals before you enroll in the training.

While being mostly "sattvic" (balancing) in nature and having always the permission to opt out, some advanced techniques can bring emotion or memories stored in the tissues of the body up into your consciousness. When a person is primarily balanced and regulated, these materials can be easily dealt with and released out of the system with the support of the experienced faculty, which can provide incredible benefits and relief. However, if a person is dysregulated and does not have enough support in their every day life, they might not have the capacity to go deep into this work. If you are unsure about your ability to handle such things, please contact us at [email protected] to discuss your concerns.