How the Peruvian Medicine Wheel Shapes Our Yoga Teacher Training
Yoga means “to yoke” — to unite mind, body, heart, and soul. To walk the path of yoga is to look within, recognize what is out of alignment, and take conscious action toward transformation. In today’s modern world, especially in the West, many of us feel disconnected from Spirit and lack practical tools for lasting change.
At School Yoga Institute, we turn to the ancient wisdom of our ancestors to restore this connection. In our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, we weave together the teachings of yoga and the Peruvian Medicine Wheel, an ancient and sacred map for spiritual transformation and personal growth.
The Peruvian Yoga Medicine Wheel supports us through four cycles of healing, awakening, empowerment, and embodiment. This indigenous framework helps students engage deeply with their inner journey while integrating the yogic path in a way that’s rooted in ritual, connection, and Spirit.
What is the Peruvian Medicine Wheel?
The Peruvian Medicine Wheel offers the framework that guides personal transformation through the four directions—South, West, North, and East—each representing a stage of growth, healing, and spiritual evolution.
At School Yoga Institute, we weave this ancient Andean wisdom into our Yoga Teacher Training Programs as a powerful tool for self-inquiry, healing, awakening, empowerment, and embodiment.
Why we incorporate the Peruvian Medicine Wheel into our 200hr YTT
Our Mystical 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training is designed to guide students through a powerful journey of self-inquiry and evolution. Each training follows the structure of the four directions of the Peruvian Medicine Wheel, inviting connection with ancestral wisdom, sacred archetypes, and the natural elements.
Wherever you join us, each of our powerful 200hr YTT is shaped by the four transformational phases of the Peruvian Medicine Wheel.
The 4 cycles of the Peruvian Medicine Wheel
Each training is arranged in four cycles, following the four cardinal directions (with one day off between each cycle):
CYCLE 1 – The South Direction of the Medicine Wheel
Wind of the South, the great Serpent, Amaru
The first cycle of the training is dedicated to the Wind of the South. We welcome the energy of the Serpent, represented by Amaru. As students arrive in the sacred space of their yoga teacher training, they are immersed in new surroundings — a new community, rhythm, home, and lifestyle. The Serpent teaches us to ground fully into the present and shed the past, much like it sheds its skin. We let go of our homely comforts in the effort to fully arrive and recognise what truly serves us and what promotes our growth.
During Cycle 1, guided by the Serpent, we:
CYCLE 2 – The West Direction of the Medicine Wheel
Wind of the West, the Jaguar, Orotongo
In Cycle 2, we journey to the Wind of the West, guided by the spirit of the Jaguar – Otorongo. This is the cycle of courage and shadow work, where we face the hidden aspects of ourselves with presence and compassion.
Healing is based on personal growth, wholeness, and integration. As yogis, we strive to unify all parts of ourselves into an integrated Self. The Jaguar holds the energy of the mother — the one who protects us so that we can truly heal, transform, and empower us to reclaim lost parts of ourselves and walk forward with strength.
During Cycle 2, guided by the Jaguar, we:
CYCLE 3 – The North Direction of the Medicine Wheel
Wind of the North, the Hummingbird, Colibri
With the Wind of the North, we welcome the Hummingbird – sweet Colibrí. After moving through shadow, we emerge into lightness and joy. This cycle emphasizes heart-centered living, beauty, creativity, and spiritual sweetness. The Hummingbird reminds us that life is a sacred journey and encourages us to celebrate every step. We perceive the world as a place of beauty and embrace the sweetness of the flowers, the earth, and the food that nourishes us.
During Cycle 3, guided by the Hummingbird, we:
CYCLE 4 – The East Direction of the Medicine Wheel
Wind of the East, the Eagle, Anka, the Condor
The final cycle aligns with the Wind of the East, represented by the Eagle or Condor – Anka. Here, we rise above our life story and see the bigger picture. The Eagle offers perspective, clarity, and vision. This is a time to integrate all that we have learned and pre.pare to step into our purpose beyond the training
From this bird’s eye perspective, we can tap into the pure possibility that lies ahead. We take flight — mentally, physically, emotionally — and lay the foundation for our lives after the training. The energy of the Eagle guides us to connect to the spirit beyond our body and mind. We are invited to step into our power and potential, and share our gifts far and wide.
During Cycle 4, guided by the Eagle, we:
Why we use the Peruvian Medicine Wheel in our yoga teacher training
The Peruvian Medicine Wheel is a sacred spiral — a journey with no beginning and no end. It reflects our continuous evolution and invites us to deepen our relationship with ourselves and the natural world.
At School Yoga Institute, we weave this ancient wisdom into every 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. Whether you are seeking personal growth, spiritual awakening, or the skills to guide others on the yogic path, this framework supports profound transformation.
We are honored to share the teachings of the Medicine Wheel and look forward to seeing how these sacred cycles can guide your yoga journey, spiritual practice, and everyday life.
We are so grateful to incorporate the four directions of the ancient wisdom of the Peruvian Medicine Wheel into our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. We hope to share this magic with you and see how tuning into these animal guides creates change and transformation in your spiritual practice and different aspects of life!
Integrating the medicine wheel into your yoga practice
The Peruvian Medicine Wheel is a sacred spiral — a journey with no beginning and no end. It reflects our continuous evolution and invites us to deepen our relationship with ourselves and the natural world.
This connection to the Medicine Wheel doesn’t end with training — as it offers a living map for daily awareness, intention, and reflection. Whether through ceremony, journaling, or simply honoring the direction of the day, we encourage our students to keep weaving this wisdom into life after the training ends.
We are honored to share the teachings of the Medicine Wheel and look forward to seeing how these sacred cycles can guide your yoga journey, spiritual practice, and everyday life.
We are so grateful to incorporate the four directions of the ancient wisdom of the Peruvian Medicine Wheel into our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. We hope to share this magic with you and see how tuning into these animal guides creates change and transformation in your spiritual practice and different aspects of life!
Wherever you are on your journey as a yoga teacher, we’re here to help! If we can support you in any way, please contact us!
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