our REFUGE community and Yoga School
About our REFUGE community and Yoga School
Based in Reno, NV, United States, our REFUGE community and Yoga School is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School. The school holds RYS 200 and RYS 300 designations through Yoga Alliance. 31 verified Yoga Alliance reviews average 4.82 out of 5. Training emphasizes Flow Yoga, Alignment-Oriented Yoga, and Spiritually-Oriented Yoga. The teaching team consists of 3 registered trainers. Training is delivered online, which works for students who can't relocate. Non-residential formats let local students commute in. Request info below to ask the school about upcoming dates and tuition.
our REFUGE - Community & Yoga School
Formerly known as the Alaya Yoga School (Experience Alaya), our school and community now gather under the name REFUGE—a living circle where ancient wisdom and modern life meet.
At the heart of REFUGE is a global community of seekers, practitioners, and teachers who come together to study, embody, and live the timeless teachings of the wisdom traditions. Rooted in Hatha Yoga and enriched by the compassionate clarity of Buddhism, we honor these lineages as living streams of wisdom that awaken us to the fullness of life.
Our offerings are not simply about learning information but about direct, embodied experience. Through immersive study, mindful movement, meditation, breath practices, and heartfelt community connection, we explore the ways these ancient teachings can be integrated into the messy, beautiful complexity of our everyday lives. In doing so, we discover that these practices are not something separate from life, but a way of living that nurtures clarity, resilience, compassion, and freedom.
While the REFUGE community extends beyond teachers to welcome practitioners from all walks of life, we are also a Yoga Alliance–registered school dedicated to the highest standards of teacher training. Our programs provide not only the philosophical and anatomical foundations of yoga but also the hands-on skills, tools, and lived experience necessary to teach in an authentic, embodied, and empowering way. Teachers in training are guided to find their own voice, rooted in lineage yet alive and relevant for the modern world.
We offer 200-Hour and 300-Hour Teacher Trainings, as well as immersions open to everyone who wishes to walk these teachings more deeply, whether or not they intend to teach.
At REFUGE, we believe in the power of community as fertile soil. We gather together not only to study and practice, but to remember—again and again—what it means to be fully human, fully awake, and deeply rooted in love.
Frequently asked questions
Is our REFUGE community and Yoga School Yoga Alliance registered?
Yes. our REFUGE community and Yoga School is listed in the Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School (RYS) directory under RYS 200 and RYS 300. That designation means the school's curriculum and teaching hours have been reviewed and meet the Yoga Alliance standards for that level.
Where does our REFUGE community and Yoga School hold teacher training?
The school is based in Reno, NV. The school offers online training, so students can attend from anywhere.
What yoga styles does our REFUGE community and Yoga School teach?
our REFUGE community and Yoga School teaches Flow Yoga, Alignment-Oriented Yoga, and Spiritually-Oriented Yoga as the core of its curriculum. The program is delivered by 3 trainers listed on the school's Yoga Alliance roster.
Does our REFUGE community and Yoga School have student reviews?
Yes — 31 verified Yoga Alliance reviews are on file, averaging 4.82 out of 5. A sample is shown in the Student Reviews section of this page, and the full list is available on the school's Yoga Alliance directory entry.
Featured in
- Top Rated 2026 — One of 1,617 schools earning the Top Rated badge
- RYS 200 Schools — Registered RYS 200 program
- RYS 300 Schools — Registered RYS 300 program
- Schools with Scholarships — Offers scholarships or financial aid
- Work Exchange Programs — Offers work exchange
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Programs offered
Upcoming cohorts
| Program | Start | End | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| RYS 300 | 2026-01-04 | 2026-10-04 | — |
What they teach
Meet the team
Student reviews
I've been studying with Meg McCraken (REFUGE Community & Yoga School) for many years. Meg is the embodiment of what Yoga is in this complex world. Her courses are thorough, thoughtful and thought-provoking. The wisdom she shares is meaningful and applicable to the every day. Meg has lovingly guided me along this yoga journey and I will be forever grateful.
Yoga training with The Alaya Yoga School at True North Paducah was one of the best experiences of my life. Our trainers, Crystal and Ivey, made the experience unforgettable. I walked away with a new circle of lifelong friends, the confidence to teach a class, and a deeper understanding of the practice of yoga.