Graduate Spotlight! Meet Nicola!

VIKASA GRADUATE STORIES

Every year at Vikasa we certify around 200 yoga teachers, either in our Foundation 200hr Yoga Teacher Training, or in our 300hr Advanced Yoga teacher Training. Our graduates continue to inspire us as they bundle up all the wisdom, lessons and practices they gained through their time at Vikasa, and take yoga out into the world in their own unique way. Our graduates are running yoga studios, offering retreats and workshops, teaching at global events and festivals, providing private yoga classes or have their own digital yoga studio platforms.

Each month we are excited to feature one of our graduates in a ‘where are they now’ series so that you too can witness their ongoing transformation and get an idea of where a Vikasa Yoga Training can take you.

This month we introduce you to Nicola. Scroll down to read more about Justin’s journey and how yoga continues to shape his daily life.

When did you do your Vikasa teacher training?

I completed my 200-hour training at Vikasa in 2019 and returned for my 300-hour in 2023.

What drew you to Vikasa in the first place, and how did the experience of being here shape you personally or professionally?

I first discovered Vikasa online through another yogi, and the moment I saw the photos and videos I knew I wanted to be there. It looked like the most magical, welcoming place, and it was. Both trainings were life-changing. I never went in with the intention of becoming a teacher; I simply wanted to do something for myself as I was closing the chapter on my dance career. But those four intense weeks of my 200-hour training shifted everything. It planted the seed of a huge life change I didn’t see coming. Professionally, it opened a path I never imagined, and personally, it gave me the courage to step into a new version of myself.

After closing the chapter on your dance career, what was it like to step onto a new path with yoga? How have you found fulfilment in this new expression of movement and purpose?

Dance was my first love. I had a 16-year career as a professional dancer, and I never thought I’d find something I loved as much. Yoga surprised me. It became another great love in my life. Teaching came naturally, not because I pushed for it, but because the love I felt for the practice was too strong not to share. At first, blending my background in dance with yoga brought a lot of imposter syndrome. I felt like I was stepping into an entirely new industry. But over time, I realised those experiences are what shape you as a teacher. Now, I feel fulfilled knowing that yoga doesn’t require you to be a great dancer or mover. It simply invites you to move, breathe, and reconnect.

What does it feel like to host and lead retreats—being fully immersed with your students for several days? And what advice would you offer to other teachers who are dreaming of creating their own?

I always knew I wanted to run retreats. My time at Vikasa showed me just how powerful that experience can be, and I wanted to share even a fraction of that magic with others. Hosting retreats is deeply fulfilling. They are not easy, and they require you to give so much of yourself, but the connection and transformation that happens in those days is worth it. My advice is to start small. Be organised, get excited, and talk to your students about it. When you truly believe in the magic you are creating, people will feel it and want to be part of it.

What has your journey been like in building an online space for your work and community? What have you found most meaningful—and most challenging—about showing up in this way?

At first, I struggled with the noise and comparison. But after my 300-hour training at Vikasa, I really embraced the idea that there is only one me, and that was enough. That shift allowed me to have fun with online content and use it as a space where people could see the real me, both as a teacher and as a person. It has been so meaningful to connect with students all over the world, many of whom now travel to join my retreats. The challenge is tuning out the constant comparison, but the reward is knowing you can impact so many more people than just those in your in-person classes.

What inspires you to keep showing up authentically—both on and off the mat—and how do you stay connected to your ‘why’ in the work you do?

Every day, I meet people living in high-stress, anxious states, struggling with posture, movement, or simply feeling disconnected from themselves. Yoga has the power to shift that, and that is what inspires me. People need this practice. Seeing them soften, breathe, and reconnect keeps me showing up. And just as much as I hope to inspire my students, they inspire me daily with their stories, resilience, and humanity.

Find Nicola at-

Online– nicolacoates_

Salted Soul Retreats – https://www.saltedsoul.co/

Inspired to take the next step of your yoga journey?

If you’re ready to take the leap from student to teacher, or deepen your existing yoga practice and teaching skills, join us at Vikasa for a Yoga Teacher Training. We offer our 200hr and 300hr training several times a year. You can also join us for a shorter 100hr Yin Yoga training, or 100hr Refresh Yoga training once per year.

Check our training page here for all upcoming dates and details.

If becoming a successful yoga teacher is a goal or dream of yours- we’re here to support you to ensure that becomes a reality.