Almost three years ago I signed up for a 200 hr Yoga Alliance Certified Power Vinyasa Teacher Training with  Tamal Dodge @ the Wilmington Yoga Center.  Tamal looked to be a little Hawaiian kid with really long hair and his trainings were recognized worldwide as one of the most extensive certifications in power vinyasa. It turns out he is not Hawaiin. He is Japanese American, but he was born in his family’s Ashram in Oahu, Hawaii, where he grew up practicing asana, chanting mantras, and reading ancient yogic scriptures as a toddler. From pictures I was fooled by his youthful veil and found that below Tamal’s whimsical, larger than life disposition lies an old spirit wise beyond his years with so much to offer.

At the time I had been practicing yoga on and off for a few years. I was fairly new to the practice for sure. At first I was very hesitant about signing up for the training. I really had no intentions of signing up for this training to become a yoga teacher. I was just passionately curious about this time tested practice and I had a substantial thirst for learning and deepening my practice. The stars definitely seemed to align for me and I found myself at a crossroads where luckily I was able to find the time to be immersed in yoga for three straight weeks.

After the first day of training all of my doubts and uncertainties were laid to rest and I knew that this was exactly what I needed to be doing in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. Tamal’s training took me on an inward journey that shaped and directed the following chapters of my life.

I learned so many new things about my body and mind. I learned so much about my unique physiology in the posture clinics throughout the training that gave me so many tools to take back to my personal practice. I came out with a much improved understanding of what my body can and can’t do. I found myself expressing postures that I never dreamed of doing. With this newfound body awareness I found on my mat it transcended through the studio walls and permeated my life off the mat. I was able to move through life more mindfully whether it be running, walking, swimming, talking, driving or eating.

I learned that the asanas (postures) only comprise one of eight limbs of yoga. Without the other eight limbs the asana practice is just eastern calisthenics. In my opinion the most intelligent thought out group of calisthenics designed to take care of every part of your body.

I began to explore all of the other aspects of the practice to develop a more well rounded and balanced lifestyle. My spiritual practice deepened. I connected with my true self in a deeper way. Tamal had a way of presenting ancient spiritual/philosophy teachings in a very digestible and relatable manner for the modern yogi. Not to mention his storytelling will captivate your attention leaving you wanting more after every tale he told.

You have a chance to study with this amazing teacher this year in California! Whether you are interested in a foundational 200hr Yoga Teacher Training or are wanting to deepen your skills with our Kunga Power Vinyasa 300hr Yoga Teacher Training, you don’t want to miss this amazing opportunity to study with Tamal.

Why someone would want to travel to LA for a teacher training immersion?

Yoga Salt is a beautiful yoga studio located in the heart of Marina Del Rey, California just outside of Los Angeles and only 3 miles from the Venice Beach Boardwalk. Some of Los Angeles’ best and brightest yoga instructors teach at Yoga Salt and they offer classes that cater to all levels of practitioners. With hundreds of restaurants nearby, yogis can enjoy a variety of cuisines and any food lifestyle can be accommodated. Marina Del Rey offers shopping, spas, outdoor parks, watersports, coastal bike tours, parasailing, and beautiful beaches.

Top 10 things to do during your time off in Marina Del Rey, CA

• Take class with some of the most experienced yoga teachers in the country at Yoga Salt.
• Enjoy the white, wide, clean beaches with great Pacific and coastal views and experience the amazing weather of Southern California.
• Go parasailing and experience the breathtaking views of the Santa Monica Pier and the Venice Beach Boardwalk at Marina Del Rey Parasailing. Standard flight (500 ft) is $80 per person or take the Mangum flight at 800 ft for $90.
• Rent a bike to coast along the Pacific Ocean. Beach cruisers can be rented for $8 an hour or $24 a day at Daniels Bike Rentals
• Check out the iconic ferris wheel and see the view of the beach at the Santa Monica Pier. The amusement park is packed full of rides, games, food and fun!
• Take a scenic drive up the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). There’s no better view than on the drive from Santa Monica to Malibu Beach. You can stop along the way to watch longboarders catch rolling waves at Surfrider Beach or wander near the cliffs of Point Dume in search of seashells.
• Enjoy a hike in the Santa Monica Mountains located an hour’s drive from the studio. The mountains offer some of the most beautiful views in the world with amazing panoramic views.
• Take a walk on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. The promenade is a popular place for tourists and locals. There’s endless shopping, talented street performers, and gelato while you people watch.
• Shopping on Main Street in Santa Monica. While there’s high end boutiques and thrift shops galore, there’s also Urth Café, Angel City Books where you can buy both books and vinyl records, and on Sunday morning, check out Farmer’s Market ( & catch some celebrity sightings).
• Visit Los Angeles. There are many things to see and do in LA and it’s less than an hours drive away. Visit Universal Studios Hollywood, see the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit the museums and observatory, shop Rodeo Drive, and so much more!

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