Studios of the Central Valley
Yoga Mandir
Yoga Mandir is a yoga and Thai massage school in San Pedro de Montes de Oca, near the University of Costa Rica in San José. It suits locals and long-stay visitors who want regular classes, a part-time teacher training taught in Spanish, or a Thai massage certificate.
Yoga Mandir, which means "temple of yoga", is a school of yoga and Thai massage in San Pedro de Montes de Oca, the university district on the east side of San José. Its director, Edgar Ortiz, also leads the Costa Rican Yoga Association, according to his teacher profile at the Omega Institute. The school's website was current when we checked in November 2026, with a monthly timetable and a teacher training dated for 2027.
Where it is
The studio is in San Pedro, close to the University of Costa Rica, in what its website calls the bohemian heart of the neighborhood. It's an easy bus or taxi ride from downtown San José, and handy if you're staying in San Pedro, Los Yoses or Curridabat.
Classes
Yoga Mandir runs regular group classes through the week, with the schedule posted month by month on its website. It also offers corporate yoga for companies. The site is in Spanish, and classes are taught in Spanish.
Teacher training
The school's entrenamiento para profesores de yoga is one of the few teacher trainings in Costa Rica taught in Spanish and run part time in the city, so you can keep a job while you study. Its website lists:
- Length: 300 hours (250 in person and 50 outside class), or 400 hours with its extra Virabhadra program.
- Format: weekday morning classes (Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:00 to 12:00; Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30 to 12:00) plus 4 weekend workshops of 16 hours each.
- Next dates: 2 March to 29 May 2027, with an orientation talk on 11 February 2027.
- Group size: up to 15 students.
- Before you apply: 2 to 3 months of steady practice, in person or online, and basic English for the reading.
The school says the course is registered with Yoga Alliance. Edgar Ortiz teaches it, with visiting teachers for some workshops. It also offers an international certification in yoga for children. To compare it with residential courses on the coast, see our guide to yoga teacher training in Costa Rica.
Thai massage courses
Thai massage, sometimes called passive yoga, combines assisted stretches with pressure along the body. Yoga Mandir has taught it since its early years. Its website now describes an international Thai massage certification in 3 levels, with course manuals and information on where to stay while you study.
Who it suits
Yoga Mandir suits Spanish speakers, people living in San José, and visitors staying for a few months who want a structured training without moving to a beach retreat. If you want a residential course in English, the coast has more choice; our guide to where to do yoga in Costa Rica compares the regions.
Check Yoga Mandir's website for the current timetable and rates.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Yoga Mandir?
In San Pedro de Montes de Oca, near the University of Costa Rica, on the east side of San José.
Is Yoga Mandir's teacher training in English or Spanish?
The school and its website work in Spanish. It asks trainees for basic English, but it doesn't say the course is taught in English, so plan on Spanish.
How long is the teacher training?
300 hours, or 400 with the Virabhadra program, spread over about 3 months of weekday mornings and weekend workshops. The next course listed runs from 2 March to 29 May 2027.
Is the training registered with Yoga Alliance?
The school says it is. You can confirm any school's registration yourself in the Yoga Alliance directory before you enroll.
[Updated on: 4 November 2026]
