COHORT 4 and 5

“Having gone through other YTTs, PKY is in a league of its own. The course has been thoughtfully crafted to be relevant to the time, place, and culture of Hawaiʻi. The folks that this kind of training attracts are people that I continue to look up to and lean on well after the training has ended. I loved learning from all the different kumu whose life work is to uplift people and movements for liberation. Before this training, I cognitively understood that our liberation is bound, but through PKY YTT, I am still learning how yoga could be a tool for liberation, practice and truly embody it in real time.”

“This space is revolutionary and I’ve been thinking lots of thinks and feeling lots of feels, trying to find the right words to express what it looks like to be in community with and to learn from and alongside this cohort and teachers. The deeply rooted community being cultivated and thoughtfully tended at PKY is new world building stuff! The resonance and affinity felt in this space is something unexplainable and truly must be felt. I know in my body that the magic feeling has something to do with intention, right-relation, alignment, integrity, authenticity and melanin running deep! Not only does this cohort of 40+ bipoc teachers and students breathe diversity, but it’s the kind that is intersectional and mutually invested (non extractive)…..I am so honored to be part of this foundational cohort and my heart is moved towards pouring into this community in all the big and small ways.”

“I discovered PKY through two friends who were teaching during the program. Their encouragement prompted me to apply, and I was pleasantly surprised by what I discovered. Both of my friends, who taught during the training, are of South Asian/Indian descent. Finding teacher trainings that genuinely respect the origins of yoga has been challenging for me in the past. After several negative experiences, I had been hesitant to pursue any yoga training and hadn't attended a public yoga class in over a decade. However, PKY's training exceeded my expectations. It offered a comprehensive experience beyond just asana-based practices. We delved into the 8 limbs of yoga, learned from a diverse group of teachers, and explored the significance of Native Hawaiian culture, given our location. Moreover, the training created a welcoming space for LGBTQIA Mahu+ and BIPOC individuals. It was accessible, inclusive, and deeply respectful of yoga's roots. I treasure everything I gained from this training and the supportive community it provided. Mahalo.”