A Transformative 3-Day Journey Into Consciousness, Cosmos, and the Self
Yoga Metaphysics for Beginners – An Introduction to the Foundations of Yoga Philosophy
Cost for individual module- $450
**Also a part of the shefayoga 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training
February 27-March 1, 2026
Friday 6-9pm
Saturday 9-4:30pm
Sunday 9-4:30pm
This immersive training offers an accessible yet authentic introduction to the core metaphysical and philosophical teachings that underpin traditional yoga practice. Rooted in ancient Indian thought, the course explores the ethical, epistemological, and spiritual dimensions of yoga through close engagement with foundational texts such as the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali and the Sāṃkhya Kārikā.
Participants will gain insight into the dualistic metaphysics of Sāṃkhya philosophy—particularly the distinction between puruṣa (pure consciousness) and prakṛti (the material world)—and examine how this framework influences yogic practice and understanding. Through the teachings of Srivatsa Ramaswami and the interpretive work of Edwin Bryant, students will explore the practical and transformative power of the Yoga Sūtras, including the Eight Limbs of Yoga (Aṣṭāṅga Yoga) and the path to kaivalya (liberation).
Designed for yoga teachers and dedicated practitioners alike, this training blends philosophical discussion, meditative practices, visual mapping, and reflective journaling to foster a deep, embodied understanding of yoga’s inner path. By bridging traditional wisdom with contemporary relevance, students will explore how these teachings can inform personal growth, community engagement, and conscious living.
Bio:
Erin Rusler holds a Master’s in Science from Maharishi International University and a Master’s in Yoga Studies from Loyola Marymount University, where she is currently pursuing an advanced Yoga Therapy Certification. A practitioner of Maharishi Ayurveda, Erin has assisted a world-renowned Vaidya, run an Ayurvedic clinic in Los Angeles, and now operates her own practice in Santa Monica. She consults with clients and doctors while also teaching courses at LMU.
With years of experience leading teacher trainings and workshops in yoga philosophy, Samkhya, and Ayurveda, Erin seamlessly integrates alignment, breath, and Ayurvedic wisdom into her teaching. Her approach meets students where they are—physically and emotionally—guiding them to cultivate strength, flexibility, and inner balance.
Start your day with a guided meditation in our beautiful Salt Room sanctuary. Using Bluetooth Hi-Fi headphones, listen to a variety of recorded meditations while the salt clarifies and the lights glisten. Sit in presence and set your intention for the day. Then take a yoga class after if desired.
*Recordings are offered during the weekday, and live teacher offerings on the weekends.
Cristi is an author, teacher, and global wellness leader, on a mission to shake up the planet! After an injury ended her dreams of Olympic gold, Cristi shifted her focus to helping others awaken and transform through the healing arts of yoga, meditation, dance, reiki, and tarot.
With her best-selling book Chakra Rituals: Awakening the Wild Woman Within, and two decades of experience in helping students transform their lives, she has become a leading voice for women’s awakening and liberation. Her powerful teachings have brought her to more than 20 countries around the world. She has created an international 500-hour school of yoga called Kirana and is the co-founder of Deep Exhale, a transformational yoga and dance experience with her creative partner Marques Wyatt.
Cristi has graced the covers of Yoga Journal, La Yoga, Om Yoga, and Asia Wellness. She has been featured in publications such as The Los Angeles Times, Harper Bazaar, Marie Claire, Mantra Magazine, and Publishers Weekly.
When she isn’t teaching, writing, or empowering others, you’ll likely find Cristi dancing and doing backflips on Venice Beach!
Shawni’s journey began in India at the age of 21. She has been studying, practicing and teaching yoga and meditation ever since and for over 20 years now.
She was initiated into the Sri Vidya tradition, the Tantrik lineage of the Masters of the Himalayas, by her former teacher, Rod Stryker, with whom she studied for over 11 years.
In 2018 she found her latest and current teacher of Zen Buddhism, Adyashanti.
Shawni is a Holistic Coach, a Life & Meditation Mentor and a Sound Healer.
She offers Transformational Sound Meditations and in her private practice she draws upon many modalities to work with her clients, such as: Holistic Coaching, Biofield Tuning, Sound Healing, Meditation, Pranayama, Kriyas, Yoga, Body Temple Dance and Shamanism.
Shawni is also a musician with extensive releases and a mantra and lullaby album soon to be released.
Angela’s instruction will help your practice grow wings you never imagined.
After a life changing injury, Angela’s souls purpose unfolded down the path of yoga and today she teaches others to move beyond their fears and limitations. While her mastery of the poses provides inspiration, she maintains a magical knack for leading yogis straight into the achievement of postures they never thought possible, distracting them with humor, inspiring with music and leading with colorful metaphor. Angela teaches warm Vinyasa Flow to music. You can expect to feel supported yet challenged while having fun in the process. Angela completed her 200 and 300 hr trainings with Yogaworks. She feels blessed to have gotten to study with many inspiring teachers, with her main influences being Annie Carpenter, Brock Cahill, Krista Cahill, Dice Lida-Klein, Maria Villella and Kathryn Budig.
David is a lover of learning and expression, a forever student. From this place of curiosity he discovered yoga in many modalities in southern California where he has practiced for the last decade. After multiple journeys to the foothills of the Himalayas in India to submerge himself in the ancient wisdom, along with years of consistent, devotional practice, David has welcomed the role of sharing these transformational teachings with others. David leads asana practices from the Bishnu Gosh lineage, facilitates breathwork journeys and guides meditation in the Yogic-Vedantic tradition.
Erin Rusler, E RYT® 500 • YACEP® • MA Yoga Studies • MS Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine
Erin’s spirited classes—Vinyasa, Rocket, 26 & 2, and now Sculpt & Flow—fuse Yogic wisdom with cutting-edge health science. With upbeat energy, grounded humor, and fierce anatomical precision, her classes are where yoga, strength, and Ayurvedic insight come to life.
Armed with master’s degrees from Loyola Marymount University and Maharishi International University—and rooted in a healing lineage—Erin blends philosophy, physiology, and heartfelt intention.
She loves teaching at Shefa Yoga Venice because of the strong community. Erin also leads teacher trainings, manages an Ayurvedic clinic in collaboration with a traditional Vaidya, and supports continuing education in LMU’s Yoga Studies Department.
Her teaching bridges East and West: timeless wisdom and modern practice, ancient rituals and current science—all delivered with joy, depth, and approachability.
Katie is a therapist who also teaches mat pilates and yoga. She values the mind body connection and bringing meaning to movement: moving and breathing with intention to release repressed emotions and invite renewed energy. She finds joy in creating lively playlists and sequencing movements with the rhythm of music so her students can get out of their heads and into their bodies, fostering a flow state and getting a break from our typical mental chatter. In her classes, you can expect to laugh, sweat and feel a deeper sense of connection to yourself. Katie loves connecting with her students before and after class and hopes to meet you soon!
Build flexibility and strength in this 50 minute music intense class.
Heated at 95 degrees.
Coming soon..
Rebecca started doing yoga during her early college years while working on her undergraduate music degree. During this time, she found yoga gave her a much needed calming peace of mind, energetic reset, and a clear, positive shift in her inner self-talk, which was often consumed with stress. Doing yoga provided space in her mind and life – she immediately fell in love with it. In 2019 while working on her Masters in Music degree, she completed her first Yoga Sculpt Teacher Training and 200 hr Power Yoga Teacher Training. Since then, she has also been certified in Personal Training and now teaches a variety of Vinyasa yoga, sculpt yoga, group fitness and private training. Being a musician herself, Rebecca loves engaging with dynamic and grounding music in her practice. For her classes, she chooses music she feels will inspire, uplift, motivate and ground her students. In her class, you will have opportunities to build strength and be guided to a deeper connection with your breath and body.
Celia’s passion for health and wellness led her to discover yoga nearly 25 years ago—and she’s been an avid practitioner ever since. Now certified in a wide range of modalities including Hatha, Vinyasa, Prenatal, Yin, Sculpt, Barre, Kids Yoga, and most recently, Kama Flight she blends alignment-focused cueing with uplifting energy and cosmic intention. Certified in Moonology, Celia uses astrology to guide class themes, helping students align their energy and find flow both on and off the mat. For Celia, yoga is more than just a physical practice—it’s a powerful tool for connection: to self, to others, and to the rhythms of the universe. Yoga is how she finds ease within the effort of parenthood, relationships, and the beautiful chaos of her life in Venice Beach, CA.
Originally from Breckenridge, Colorado, Dora has been sharing her passion for movement for the past eight years, teaching yoga, barre, boot camps, and Pilates. She discovered yoga in 2012 during college and earned her teaching certification in 2015 while living at an ashram in Nederland, Colorado—an experience that sparked a lifelong love for mindful, holistic wellness.
Dora holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida State University, deepening her understanding of the mind-body connection and inspiring students to tap into their inner strength. Known for high-energy, challenging classes, Dora always integrates her love for music, believing the right playlist transforms a practice and elevates the vibe in the studio. When she’s not teaching, you can usually find her at a concert or exploring new sounds to share in class.
Coming soon
A force of love and inspiration for many, Danielle is a seasoned yoga teacher, yoga therapist, and mentor to new yoga teachers. With over 2,000 hours of formal Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapy Certifications (Jivamukti-800hr, Prenatal, Iyengar, Katonah, Lady Niguma and a graduate of Yoga Therapy Rx from Loyola Marymount) and going on decade of teaching experience, Danielle is a magnetic teacher who gently guides students to awaken fully to their power and potential.
Danielle is one of those teachers who makes students feel seen and important from the very first encounter – her smile radiates warmth and joy, As well as bringing the physical practice of yoga asana to her students, Danielle brings a safe and time-tested pathway to self love, compassion, peace, surrender and joy.
Through years of continuous study in Tibetan Buddhism and Yoga Philosophy, Danielle infuses every class with accessible life lessons rooted in ancient scriptures and deep wisdom. She embodies divine love and her intuitive teaching style allows for the perfect messages to come through, leading students to connect to their own self-understanding, self-acceptance, compassion and wisdom both on and off the mat.