Bangalore, India

Sometimes, things just workout and there is no way of explaining such situations. All you have to do is accept and believe you deserve it. Such was my experience at 5 Elements - International School of Yoga and Movement .

Ever since I fell in love with yoga, all I wanted to do was to teach more people about it. Finding the right school was of utmost importance because the mode of basic knowledge imparted to one makes the difference in becoming good at anything. 5 Elements International Schools of Yoga and Movement provides you with that solid foundation to teach yoga confidently to your students. 

The technicality Vinay brings in understanding the asanas and the depth in knowledge Szymon possess not only deepens your understanding of yoga but makes you a better teacher too. 

Deeply rooted in ancient knowledge mixed with modern scientific knowledge and methodology, 5 Elements International School of Yoga and Movement is the place to go if you want to blossom into a wonderful teacher.

New York, USA

The art of weaving together content and energy during a yoga teacher training is akin to a ballet performace. It is a dance that requires an immense amount of preparation prior to the performance and awareness and patience during. In addition to putting on the show, TTC requires that the students understand much of the behind the scenes work because they too are preparing to put on their own performance as well.
A delicate balance must be maintained in order to move through the required content as the days unfold and sustain momentum and positive energy. Szymon and Vinay achieved this balance gracefully as they are extraudinary compliments to eachother and know their content impecibly.
I am grateful for the previous student testimonals which was the deciding factor for me to attend this course.

Poland

Szymon and Vinay, thank you for the great course!

Going through your 21 days yoga teacher course was like reading the best book.

Would I do the same course again? YES!

During the course I was transitioned to a mental and physical state, I did not want to leave.

I was challenged and inspired. I was pushed to my limits and recharged with fresh energy.

Would I recommend the course to others? YES! With the highest notes on the quality of teaching and the focus on students.

Besides teaching anatomy and perfect alignments, your teach how to be careful, patient, observant and accepting. You open a wider perspective on yoga. 

You give enough time and create enough space during lectures and practice to listen and to discuss, to clarify any question, to try and fail, to analyze mistakes and correct them. 

I admired your observation skills and how you adjusted the teaching tempo to our, the students, actual mental and physical state and endurance.

Theoretical and practical parts had a perfect flow, because you teach from your hart and you focus on students and their progress.

Thanks you for sharing your knowledge and experience!

You have my highest respect and gratitude.

I would love to be back to your school one day and I hope I will be back for your other courses  :)

Sweden

It's been already 3 months since I've finished Yin Yoga course with Szymon and Vinay, and I can still fell inspiration and kind of new approach to my body and yoga-practise in generall, which they gave me as a teachers. It really changed my every day life, gave me a knowlege and "direction" which helps to be more balanced in my every day, intense and full of activities life. The course was held in small group, both Szymon and Vinay were very patient, cheerfull and open, always ready to treat serious every small problem ar question we had in the group. I felt like home there in Krakow with them. I highly recommed everyone to try and take part in their courses.

Ireland

The 200hr Hatha/Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training course that I attended at the 5 Elements - International School of Yoga in Portugal was excellent. The course covered an extensive curriculum of theory and physical Yoga practice. Vinay and Szymon are gifted teachers. Knowledgeable and patient. They helped me learn, and practise and gain confidence in my ability to become a Yoga Teacher. The class size was small and we each got considerable encouragement to help us complete this challenging course. I feel very grateful to have chosen the 5 Elements - International School of Yoga.

Netherlands

In July 2017 I did my 200 HR Hatha/Vinyasa TTC here. I didn't really know what to expect when I travelled to Krakow, but I couldn't have had a better experience. Vinay and Szymon are both great teachers and there was a great atmosphere throughout the whole TTC. I also appreciated that they have knowledge of both the practice of traditional yoga and also a more scientific approach of yoga. I swear I'm not a bot who just posts positive reviews, Im just a person who had a great time and learnt a lot. Thank you Vinay and Szymon for a great TTC

Poland, Oman

The 300hrs of Yin, Vinyasa, Somatic, Mindfulness and Pranayama course gives you tools to balance your own 5 Elements and prepares for teaching Yoga to others with awareness and confidence.

Szymon and Vinay are very professional, patient and wise teachers, sharing their experience and passion with open hearts, sharp minds and mindfulness, always open to adjust and one step ahead of the course participants needs.
It is not easy to find an advanced yoga course that will see the practice and teaching of Yoga in a really holistic way, as it is such an insightful and wide topic that one can get easly lost following one tradition or style only. Each of us is an individual with different needs, that constantly change.

Brussels, Belgium

As a beginner yoga teacher (only three year teaching experience), I like to nourrish myself of new experiences and to be a student again....I really appreciated the 30-hrs yin yoga training that I attended with Szymon and Vinay in Poland. I particularly would like to emphasize their professionalism and I enjoyed the small group we were allowing everybody to feel cared about. Thanks to the self-confidence they insuflated to me, I have developed yin yoga classes in Brussels and I really feel that I am teaching a more respectful yoga for the body and soul considering each person as an individuality and allowing even elderly people (using props and chairs) to enjoy the benefits of yoga. All my gratitude to my teachers ....

Namasté !

Poland

I really appreciate the time I've spent on that course. Generally. I enjoyed the schedule, knowlegde that teachers shared with us and - maybe it's the most important - the ways they shared that knowledge. I'm glad I did the course in this partuicular school. I really like their approach - it's not stiff and rigid, but features a lot of flexibility (just exactly like yoga should!) and broad knowledge, including anatomy. And also, appealing to students' imagery while teaching is the best thing in the world. We've spent a lot of time working with groups with the knowlegde we've received - just to understand it, not only to learn in by heart. The atmosphere was great, practice amazing. I also appreciate discussions about books of yoga, after presentations we, students, all did. And movies we've seen together. I'll deffinitely come back in the future to learn more from Szymon and Vinay.

Slovenia

I attended Yin Yoga Training in Krakow and I felt amazing after the first morning class we had with Vinay. I liked very much how he presented the Yin asanas, modifications. Also, Szymon's Yin Yoga theory was very clearly explained, I learned a lot! So I recommend this training to all who wish to deepen the knowledge of yoga in general and get to know the gentle side of yoga and deepen the feeling of how Yoga is supposed to feel like after a deep relaxation which is present throughout the whole class. Thank you Szymon and Vinay. And also thanks to all the wonderful people I met along the course. :-)

Finland

The Yin Yoga Teacher Training was very inspiring and well organized. Szymon and Vinay are great teachers and wonderful people. I went home with a lot of knowledge about the asanas and how to design and teach a balanced yin yoga class. I highly recommend the training!

USA

I have nothing but amazing things to say about my experience in Krakow with Szymon and Vinay. The program I attended was exactly the program they advertised and exactly the program I signed up for. I believe their thorough attention to detail and their commitment to provide comprehensive anatomy lessons, have paved the way to my success in teaching! I cannot thank them both enough for all of the love and energy they pour in to yoga and their school. I look forward to taking more trainings with them in the near future!

The Netherlands

The Yin Yoga Teacher Course in Portugal was great! In a beautiful place with beautiful people. I learned a lot about Yin, the sound of being still in my own body. The theory and the practice were well balanced. 

I'd love to offer Yin Yoga classes in teaching. It felt so good. I miss this yin aspect in my busy life in the Netherlands. Teaching it will help me integrate this in my life. A little bit of Vinay, a little bit of Szymon and a little bit of Eveline, will create beautiful Yin Yoga lessons.

Australia

I had doubts at the beginning because I thought the 30h Yin Yoga course  would be too short to learn everything there is to know about Yin yoga, but once we started I realised that Yin yoga is not about learning everything! 

We spent the majority of the time practicing Yin yoga asanas which really set the tone to absorb the concepts behind Yin yoga. The most important thing I learnt was that it isn't just a set of restorative asanas designed to balance out life's yang activities; for me Yin yoga is a restorative practice designed to bring balance to my entire life journey. Thank you Szymon and Vinay for showing me this.

Aum with shanti.

Scotland, Dharamsala

The 5 elements Yin yoga course with Szymon and Vinay was superb. From the first moment to the last,the teaching was professional, informative and came from the heart. They are simply nice people and there is absolutely no pretence with them. The other students were also wonderful and so this made for a most supportive and enriching learning experience. Thank you Szymon and Vinay. I would wholeheartedly recommend your courses to others.

Brighton, UK

Having just completed 200 hours Hatha/ Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training with 5 Elements I am really satisfied with the course. I liked the fact that it was a smaller class because it meant the teacher could give us more individual attention. I enjoyed learning assanas, pranayamas and how to adjust people also the lecturing classes on anatomy and philosophy were fantastic. After the course I felt well prepared to teach and I have already started teaching which have given me a lot of confidence and joy to share yoga with other people :-)

Thank you very much Szymon and Vinay. you are great teachers.

Bangalore, India

Szymon led us, with grace, ease, and assurance, into the world of yoga. Wanting to shed ourselves of compounding stress and reduce various aches (lower-back pain), we sought an instructor who could thoughtfully tailor classes to our personal needs. Szymon was the perfect resource, blending traditional yoga techniques (and even a few modern dance stretches) into continually evolving sessions that helped us progress at a guided pace. We felt calmed and renewed by his presence, and we truly appreciated the friendly, gentle manner in which he encouraged us to explore our capabilities. Szymon's relaxed but confident demeanor took away all trepidation and intimidation we thought we might feel, as students new to the practice, and we thoroughly enjoyed our every session with him — what a wonderful teacher, whom we greatly miss!

Warsaw, New York, Costa Rica

In my entire life I’ve finished two faculties, uncountable numbers of courses and workshops. All this experiences make me demanding, but also skeptical.  What I have to say is that the Yoga Teacher Training under leadership of Szymon and Vinay was this investment in self-education of mine, which I will situate on the top, if not call it as the best one.

Both – the theory and physical parts – were unbelievably great! Such a nice surprise it was to feel hunger of knowledge instead of bored after 2,5 h theory of anatomy! Could it be any better than have yoga guru who is able to present you any tricky asana which you’ll ask him to show,  and  in the same time explains  what of five elements it increases and which particular joint, muscle or tendon is working or exposed to injury? – Could not be, trust me! Despite of fact that course was very intensive, I was truly looking forward for every next session. Small groups gives opportunity to be treat like individual unit, not number of many. The atmosphere in our Yoga House was also heavenly, perfect to polish up this inner diamond that each of us has inside.

Both Teachers are just incredible! They are not just guys who give you what you paid for (knowledge in that case), but they are pure definition of yogis. What I actually received during the courses led by them, was not only education passed at the highest level, but fundamental goods such as wisdom, mindfulness, calmness, love and positive vibration -all these are the main part of their life. Szymon and Vinay shows us that all these themes  are achievable, and not only can, but should be our way of living.

It’s the beginning of my way as the Yoga Teacher, but I know by whom I want to be taught and guided.

Namaste!

Austria, Denmark

You will have to search long and hard to find teachers who compare to these two wonderful people. I did search long and hard - countless hours on the internet over the past couple of years and the trying out of a few schools - and this is the best I have ever come across!
Szymon and Vinay are lovely people. They are knowledgeable, patient, and respectful, and they teach with presence and curiosity, never getting bored or arrogant in the things they share with us.
Vinay is by far the best asana teacher I've ever had. His knowledge of asanas, anatomy, different bodies, and adaptations is never-ending. His precise and clear instructions are as close to perfection as it can possibly get, and to this adds his warm, kind, and inspiringly grounded personality.
I never expected that I should feel so fully absorbed in the course and all that I was learning. Thanks to Szymon's patient, detailed, and lucid delivery of anatomical and physiological insight and thanks to the profound practice I underwent in those 20 days, I have completed this course with a feeling of empowerment that exceeds my expectations, and I have finally started doing what I have wanted for so long: teach yoga!
 

New Jersey, USA

This experience has exceeded my expectations, from the initial correspondence, to the accommodation and thorough course content. I highly recommend this Yin Yoga 30-hour Teacher Training to any wellness professional who wants to deepen their understanding of yoga, meditation, and cultivating a sustainable practice. This course offered a perfect balance of theory and practice, with some homework or readings to complete on your own at night.

Vinay's classes were eye-opening and Szymon is so knowledgeable. Szymon and Vinay are such wonderful people who are passionate about what they do. It was so gratifying to participate in an atmosphere of growth. I left feeling such a strong sense of peace and innate optimism. This class has certainly helped to increase my knowledge and confidence as a Yin Yoga Instructor and yoga practitioner."

​

You are both such wonderful teachers and I can’t thank you enough. I truly appreciate everything you’ve taught me. Your 200hr TTC has allowed me to return home with a much deeper understanding of the asanas, pranayama, & the yoga philosophy. I’m so lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from you not once but twice

Lithuania

I am so happy and grateful for all ideas, knowledge & inspiration during amazing 3 weeks of RYT200 Yoga Teacher Training at 5 Elements - International school of Yoga and Movement. Szymon and Vinay set this course up so well to cover every aspect of Yoga theory and philosophy, anatomy, teaching methodology and much more. Complex topics were discussed and explained in simple & engaging way which helped us to form own opinions and understanding. Due to small groups - every person got a lot of attention, individual approach, could  easily and openly express themselves. Vinay and Szymon lives the Yogic life. Warmth, positivity and good vibrations just radiates during the course and infects everyone. We all become like a happy family and didn't want to leave :))
It was interesting, sometimes challenging and truly enjoyable journey. One that I highly recommend to anyone who loves yoga, looking to become a Yoga teacher or just to deepen own knowledge and practice. After the course I genuinely feel confident and receive a good feedback from my students. Thank You for sharing your passion, experience and expertise with such grace and detail.
I would love to come again sometime in the future, maybe for RYT500 course :) Thank You and all the best!

UK

Szymon and Vinay have created an oasis of peace and a perfect yoga study place in beautiful and magnetic city of Kraków. I enjoyed everything: every single class of yoga and every lesson of theory, every talk – as Vinay and Szymon are really the extraordinary specialists on their fields of interest, willing to share their knowledge with students with patience and friendly, non-dogamatic attitude. We could really rely on them and explore yoga from many perspectives, in many different styles like vinyasa, hatha, partner yoga, yin yoga and acro yoga. Szymon and Vinay have provided all that is needed also in the free time: we could rejuvenate in a lovely garden or sit together in the kitchen, cooking, sharing experiences – I felt like at home!

We did a lot of practise which was great, because we could really understand what the postures are about and how they refer to our bodies, how to understand our own bodies and how to work with other people.  We were treated very individually and with full attention.   

We got everything that a good teacher of yoga and every yoga lover could get in as friendly and respectful atmosphere as only possible. I recommend the course with all my heart and in aim to continue my adventure with yoga hope to come to any other course they organise in the future.

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France, Italy, USA

My Yin Yoga training in Krakow, Poland was excellent ! Both teachers are very well trained and experienced. They gave me a complete, intensive training so I hope to teach Yin Yoga soon. You must send many more people to 5 ELEMENTS YOGA SCHOOL, both in POLAND and in GOA, INDIA, since they teach in Europe during summer and in winter they'll be in INDIA."

Bangalore, India

I feel blessed that I had Szymon as my private yoga instructor for two years in Bangalore.
I first worked with Szymon after having carpal tunnel surgery when I was having difficulty using my right hand and arm. Not only was Szymon able to work around my disability and create engaging and beneficial sessions, he also helped me build the strength back in my arm through specific exercises. Szymon really focused on me and my needs, tailoring each and every class to how I was feeling that day (stressed? tired? energetic?) and through this I am grateful to have learnt a variety of yoga techniques from him.
   Through yoga with Szymon I have developed a deeper awareness of my physical self and become more health conscious, developing better habits. Just a few weeks after starting with Szymon my colleagues commented that I seemed to have become much calmer and relaxed and asked me why! I guess that yoga has made me much more attuned to my spiritual side. I can better identify when I need quiet time to myself and time for reflection.
   Always punctual and with a very gentle and positive demeanour, Szymon has an excellent balance of patience and motivation - ideal for those new to yoga or those lacking the willpower to practice yoga alone.
   Thank you Szymon for your excellent yoga classes and I wish you and all your new students all the best with 5 Elements in Poland!

Bangalore, India

In just a few months, Szymon helped us get reintroduced to Yoga. His calming demenaor & confident style, helped us enhance the yoga practices quickly. He started every class with a nice warmup to ease in to the yoga postures. His knowledge of different yoga styles such as Sivananda & Vinyasa, helped us learn them & adopt the one's which suited our needs. He also did many sessions of "YogaNidra" which helped us in dealing with stress. We do miss him in Bangalore. We will highly recommend him to anyone who is looking to start the yoga practice or enhance it

Bangalore, India

For me Vinay is God sent...his practice is soul soothing and truly blissful. Anybody should just spread their mat, listen to his instructions and flow with it! Trust me its magical....you just forget the entire world and you are only with your body and breath :) Am sure this is something really special that I feel with each and every session that I have attended. I was blessed to have you as my guide and look forward to practice with you as soon as possible. Till then wishing you good luck and also telling everyone out there in Poland ,please don't miss practicing with Vinay... He is a blessing to be with.

Thank you and Much love

Finland

I cannot believe it has been two months since the Yin teacher training. I must admit I am sometimes a slow learner; I catch new things quite rapidly, but it takes time to kick in and really absorb what I have learned, a kind of silly process of verification and re-verification I myself don't understand. Something like that has happened to me with Yin yoga. "

"I danced ballet for 12 years in my youth and I thought I had hip awareness. Now, it's as if all my joints can talk to me! The course was truly revealing, physically and mentally. Yin releases all that tension Ashtanga practice leaves behind making my Ashtanga practice so much lighter and many asana so much more accessible too. Yin seems to have a kind of restorative influence on me and I recommend it to any Ashtangis I know. They all end up so amazed."

"I have had the opportunity to teach a few Yin classes in an Ashtanga school. It makes me smile to watch students enjoy it so much, not wanting to come out of the poses. Many have told me it has helped them also in their Vinyasa practice. What a sweet combo."

"During the past months, I have not only grown as a practicioner, but the training was a fundamental pilar missing in my development as a teacher. During the course, I remember thinking I didn't know what I have I can offer to my students in a Yin class; and as it happens, it has clarified and refined what I can offer in an Ashtanga class. Life is a mystery."

"I trust you are doing well and never stop teaching teachers. Wishing you the best and hoping to meet again,

Bangalore, India

I can rave on and on about Vinay's manner, style of teaching, knowledge of yoga styles and practices. As far as possible, I've always tried to attend Vinay's classes and like his style of teaching very much. He is an inspiring and immensely popular yoga teacher and phenomenally gifted at what he does.

   Unpretentious and humble, its amazing to see Vinay bring his incredible deep and extensive knowledge of yoga to his students.

  His teaching is grounded in clear instruction, meaningful adjustments, positive encouragement...his ease of communication reflective of his immense experience and mastery over his craft. His genuine commitment towards learning more and passing on more is inspiring. Vinay's enjoyment of the practice is apparent in how he instructs and nurtures students. His patient and supportive style of teaching has helped my own self practice to evolve and come a long way through.

   Days seem to be much better having practiced on my mat listening and watching Vinay guide us through...a teacher for anyone who wishes to make yoga a part of their life!

Bangalore, India

What is the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Vinay and his amazing classes? Is it the purity of his choice of words and instructions, or how grounding his classes are? Is it how interesting he makes his classes, or how much he inspires students..... or is it plain how challenging he can make his classes?! Or maybe all of this together!? The very first class of his I attended, I fell in love with, just the quality of his instructions, and how calming and soothing they were to hear! Vinay is an amazing yogi, and its been a privilege attending his classes, his passion for yoga is truly inspiring, and he is definitely an ascent to the community! We miss his classes here in India, but he leaves with us his resonating words, purity and passion, something that will always inspire us. We look forward to practicing with him sometime soon! Ohm

India, California

Vinay is a truly outstanding and delightful yoga instructor. He is incredibly generous and really guides his students to their highest potential while being safe and supportive and fun. Yoga is clearly Vinay's passion -- he lives yoga and its spirit -- so it is always a pleasure to be in his presence and the embrace of his teaching. Vinay is so warm and his encouragement and commitment to the practice are contagious. You don't want to miss an opportunity to be in one of his classes and to soak in the rays of his light.

Bangalore, India

Vinay has been my guru for over four years now. His knowledge of yoga is vast, and his dedication to his own learning and practice is nothing short of awe-inspiring. In the time that I have known him as a teacher and as a friend, he has grown to be seasoned, mature, and extremely focused in the way he imparts knowledge. Vinay has an innate ability to inspire, and help one push boundaries that one didn’t know existed in the first place. Most of all, his humility is what makes him stand apart from any other teacher I have ever known. To learn from Vinay is an honour and a privilege. I consider myself blessed to have him as my guru. Om

Bangalore, India

Vinay's classes are always such a joy to be a part of! They say, every yoga teacher brings a different flavour of  energy to class and the one Vinay brings is that of peace, happiness and strength ... Every class, be it Hatha, Power, Vinyasa flow or Meditation, is so beautifully thought out and structured respecting all body types :) That's what I really love about his style of teaching. All of his classes have left me feeling completely at peace with myself and everything around me... really "soulful" yoga :) Thank you Vinay!

Bangalore, India

Vinay Kumar Jesta is an amazing and dedicated teacher and basically a wonderful person, full of life... His Passion and commitment towards yoga is very inspiring. It's a pleasure to attend his class, well paced and challenging. His teaching skills are outstanding. Instructions are very clear and well demonstrated which inspires even the beginners to try the difficult postures. My love towards yoga grew eve more after attending his yoga classes. Hope to learn more from him in future

Bangalore, India

There are few great things I have undertaken in my life… and practicing Yoga is one of them.
After my first class with Vinay I was inspired, uplifted and knew that I had to take the teacher training program. Vinay’s passion for yoga and life oozed from every pour. His kindness, warmth, vast knowledge and quirky personality opened my heart and left me feeling hopeful as he masterfully guided me toward my spirit. There is a love and compassion that underlies the philosophy of Yoga which is a reflection of  Vinay's energy. Each day he dedicates his life to improving the lives of anyone who asks. Yoga gave me an opportunity to meet myself

Bangalore, India

Vinay changed my life and got me to love Yoga in the truest sense. I have tried all sorts of classes and places to learn yoga, but could not even touch my own toes inspite of all the years I put in to it. Vinay is the most kindest, gentlest and above all patient teacher I have met. The step by step instructions he gives you will get you to do the toughest asanas as if it is the easiest and most natural thing to do. He takes time to understand you and teach you yoga in the way best meant for you. Vinay definitely touches and lights up the life of his students with yoga and his disposition

Bangalore, India

1. The first thing that appeals to me of Vinay is his lovely smile. If you have come to class with any baggage, its just gone!
2. He takes the classes not very fast nor very slow. We get time to complete each aasana before we get into other. Be it Suryanamaskar or while doing Vinyasa. So each and every part of the body is exercised.
3. I love the fact that he gives individual attention. Be it a class of 5 or 25... If anyone struggling with any aasana, he corrects us without even we asking him. ( No favoritism)
4. I was very scared to do standing chakrasana, tried doing it many times but gave up. Vinay gave me some very simple tips and I could do it easily with his help though! His techniques are simply the best!!!
5. His knowledge in Yoga, his dedication, love to teaching, connection with his students is commendable. He is a true Yoga Guru in class, n after class one among us! So Simple n mature at this young age. We are going to miss you Vinay at Aayana. All the Best!!!!

Bangalore, India

The purpose of this short testimony is my experiences with VINAY in the journey of Spiritual Deception.If we think that you can useyoga only for physical training and not be affected by its spiritual side, we are wrong.

 Vinay Kumar Jesta is a Hatha Yoga practitioner with many years of experience. I practiced yoga with Vinay for more than an year and my experiences with him was truly amazing. 

 From the moment I used to step into the studio Vinay greeted with a feeling of complete serenity & a wonderful smile. Vinay is a perfect combination of 3P’s passion, patience and perfection which makes him a perfect yogi.

 For me personally, yoga is my way of balancing the stress of being a home maker and a part time consultant. No matter what class we used to do, Vinay would give me a feeling like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and was ready to take the day head-on.One of the things that I particularly loved about his class is the variety offered. 

I have been fortunate and blessed to have had an opportunity to learn yoga from Vinay and I miss him tonnes and loads!!! Wishing you good luck for all your future en devours!!!