Testimonials

I’ve practiced yoga and meditation for nearly 20 years, but I didn’t discover Sandra until 2023 at her retreat in Costa Rica. From our very first opening circle, I knew without a doubt that she was meant to be my teacher. Her approach is soft, feminine, and patient. Her teachings are both profound and practical. Her guidance is steady, consistent, and truly non-judgmental. I’ve continued to join several of Sandra’s retreats and, between retreats—since I don’t live in Texas where her studio was based—my ongoing connection to her offerings has been online, both live and on-demand. It’s not the same as physically being in a yoga studio—it is its own unique and wonderful experience! Sandra’s use of technology makes the online platform disappear. I am transported into the space she’s in and into the container we co-create. I feel included, connected, and fully present. In 2025, I completed her six-month meditation program entirely online and was pleasantly surprised by how rich and deeply personal my experience felt outside of a traditional studio. Even in a virtual space, Sandra brings together an inclusive community that leaves no one behind. I grew to love the comfort and ease of practicing in my own home, and it is helping me establish a more consistent personal practice. I will follow Sandra wherever she goes—from retreat centers to the heart of the computer. And now that working with her is more accessible than ever, regardless of location or schedule, I hope that even more people give themselves the gift of learning from and practicing with this beautiful soul.

Carrie B.

online client

This program is for brand new and experienced meditators, and will absolutely take your practice to greater depths, even if you don't know what that might look like yet. It has undoubtedly changed my daily life in such a positive way. I am more grounded, I feel I have more capacity to navigate challenging and stressful moments before becoming overwhelmed, and I hold myself with much more compassion.

Dan H.

My experience in 6 months brought so much growth for me that had I not taken this course I would still be struggling with the same issues over and over. I have learned so much about myself, my beliefs, my behaviors, that I feel that myself as a human being has changed so much for the best. Left me wanting more.

Caryl W.

meditation training and somatic coaching client

I reached out to Sandra because I could not find a self-directed solution to my PTSD symptoms. Every attempt to regulate with yoga and breathwork at home was met with so much resistance, that I wasn’t making any progress. Sandra has trained herself to be extremely empathetic without getting drawn into what is going on internally with a student. She was able to sit with me and get me in the right frame of mind to start the process of deep breathing to create a foundation for more training. The instruction was literally life-changing for me as it changed me physiologically so that I could focus and listen to her, and then start listening to myself. I started the process to simply get through my day with better control and focus, but there were other benefits that I had not anticipated. I am now free to exercise regularly without any chemical assistance after 18 years of living with adult onset asthma. My singing voice has returned, I am literally a ½” taller due to better posture, and I am currently taking Sandra’s Fall Meditation Course (I was never able to sit still for any length of time). The breathwork was initially very challenging, and I cannot make any promises for anyone else, but if you follow her instructions and devote yourself to daily practice, you might find very positive changes like I did. I am very grateful I found her.

Cory A.

somatic coaching client and meditation training

Practicing with Sandra for over a decade has been one of my most cherished gifts. Her teachings of yoga is so much more than exercise, it is a mind-body transformation, an exploration of the soul, that has deeply enhanced the quality and meaning of my life. Her depth of knowledge in all modalities, from breath work to meditation, traditional yoga to reiki and beyond provides an incredible holistic journey for mind, body and spirit. Her teachings have honestly been life-changing, positively impacting physical and mental wellbeing, personal pain management, and reduction of anxiety and stress. I could not be more excited for her expansion onto this online platform that enables her to share so much more of her varied depth of knowledge and reach a wider audience of people from all over the world who can be blessed by the practices she shares. Transformation and inner peace in a world that can be quite chaotic are now accessible here online in the safe space provided by Sandra in The Practice.

Lisa M.

long time student

I've learned so many valuable tools to enhance my relationships. The layering of resources during the training was wonderful. Each weekend built on the previous. I would encourage anyone to trust the process and take advantage of this amazing offering.

Katie H.

I learned so much about myself than I knew that I needed to live a more peaceful and powerful life. Sandra has the ability to genuinely speak and answer questions with grace while being non-judgmental. She's the real deal! Sandra speaks from experience and from her heart. I truly believe that Sandra cares deeply for her students seeking transformation! It's easy to tell when someone is just feeding you answers but Sandra deeply cares that her students grasp the concepts in depth while using her personal experiences to help her students to understand what is being conveyed. Learning how to apply these principles in real-life situations has been truly a blessing.

Lisa M.

meditation training and somatic coaching client

Learning the scaffolding of meditation was even better than learning that which I learned during Yoga Teacher Training. To understand and feel the subtleties of my body and tune into that has really penetrated my yoga practice as well as having helped me to establish a great meditation and pranayama practice in the early morning.

Margaret C.

meditation training

Time spent in Teacher Trainings or Classes with Sandra Vanatko is beneficial beyond words. The graceful, compassionate leaders ALWAYS inspire healthy growth, healing and awareness.

Client

Somatic Healing Session

I have been fearful of change and travel my entire life to the point of severe depression. This course helped me uncover the issue of abandonment in my early years. This included emotional abandonment, too. Now that I know why my depression is triggered when there is a life change or I travel, I believe I can get past it as the truth is I am not being abandoned in my adult life. I comfort and love myself at the onset of this depressed feeling. I talk to myself like a loving mother to her precious child. Now have the tools to meditate on other areas to improve other aspects of my life. I love this type of personal growth and can't wait for the next discovery.

Tomibeth B.

meditation training

"Working with Sandra on this personal journey of self-discovery, self-awareness and healing (physical, emotional and spiritual) has been truly transformational. When I began, I was completely locked up spiritually, emotionally and physically and in a horrible rut/slump and state of mind and body in general. Step by step over the last year with Sandra’s presence and guidance we have identified the energetic blocks from negative emotions, stress, unhealthy relationships and habits that were holding back my life and keeping me from moving towards my full potential and towards self-acceptance and self-love. Working to unravel the “stories” and find my true identity as a child of God and part of his loving, expanding universe. As a result of our work together, I have been inspired to make many changes in my life for the better and have been able to deal with the most stressful personal and business issues of my life without feeling depressed, overwhelmed and without giving up. I have lost over 40 lbs; I have more energy, clarity and the ability to be present with myself and with others. I have come into contact with divine energy and my true self. I still have plenty of work to do but now I have the confidence and conviction and peace to continue the journey. I love the direction I am heading. I am forever changed. I am forever grateful."

Hunt P.

Somatic Coaching

I met Sandra at a time in my life when everything I had been holding inside no longer had space. I was working through grief, learning forgiveness, and trying to feel at home in my body again. Working with her has been truly transformative! Through her guidance, I’ve learned to speak my truth, soften long-held tension, move through grief, and connect more deeply to my body’s wisdom - finding a profound sense of deep inner peace. From the very first day we met, she was welcoming to all—keenly present, aware, and deeply compassionate. Over the years, I’ve admired her dedication, integrity, vulnerability, and honesty. Her presence is warm, joyful, and genuine—she truly embodies what she teaches. Through all of her offerings, I’ve witnessed so much love and healing. ❤🩹 Sandra moves with grace and hope. I’m so thrilled she’s sharing her gifts more widely, and that her platform will allow her to reach an even larger community. So very grateful.

Cynthi M.

Working with Sandra has been a truly transformative experience. I’ve had the privilege of learning from her through teacher training, meditation and yoga classes, workshops, and retreats, each one a unique and nourishing gift. Whether in person or online, every encounter with her meets me exactly where I am. She creates spaces that feel alive, supportive, and deeply grounding. Her presence is warm, kind, and genuine, rooted in authenticity and vulnerability. She walks the walk with compassion, kindness and integrity, embodying everything she teaches. Sandra has a beautiful way of seeing without judgment. Her insight and guidance have helped me soften long-held tension, move through grief, and find forgiveness around old hurts. Through her work, I’ve been able to love more deeply, including reconnecting with my mom with greater openness and generosity. She asks thoughtful questions that invite me to feel into my body and listen to what it’s communicating. That somatic awareness has been profoundly healing, it’s where real change begins. I’ve learned to regulate myself more, feel more peaceful, and show up in the world with greater authenticity and vitality. Her teachings braid wisdom, knowledge, and intuition in a way that feels holistic. Each offering feels tailored to what’s needed in the moment. I’ve experienced growth, inner peace, and a renewed sense of creativity and joy. She is consistent, playful, and fully dedicated to her students. It’s a joy to be around her. When she sees something in me that I haven’t yet seen for myself, she holds space for it to unfold with grace. I’m profoundly grateful for her love, support, and the community she’s cultivated, a space where acceptance and hope flourish. Working with her reminds me how precious this life truly is.

Client

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Student

Sandra Vanatko embodies the essence of yoga—the union of body, mind and soul. She has a rare gift for truly seeing each person, honoring who they are with sincerity, wisdom , and grace. Her life-changing classes guide with compassion, depth, and light. Practicing with her for over a decade-as a student, a teacher trainee, and a fellow teacher-has deeply and beautifully impacted my life. I’m deeply grateful to see her offerings expanding online—a rare opportunity not to be missed, so that more may be touched by her passion and grace.

Sherri J.

1:1 with Dan

Forever grateful for the way this course was conducted including how to execute in real-life !

Indra's Grace Student

The community I've encountered throughout this journey has been a source of immense support and inspiration. The love and connection shared among participants have created a nurturing environment that fostered growth and understanding. I appreciate all the individuals who contributed to this experience, making it not only educational but also profoundly enriching. This course has equipped me with tools that will enhance my well-being for years to come, and I look forward to carrying these lessons forward and share with all. Thank you!

Client

Somatic Coaching Client

This 6 month offering has been truly transformative. The invaluable framework I've gained will serve as a continual resource in my life, guiding me through various challenges and moments of reflection. I am incredibly grateful for the rich array of resources provided, from insightful books to thought-provoking reading materials and practical exercises.

Meditation Training

Forever grateful for the way this course was conducted including how to execute in real-life !

Meditation Training

Sandra is a God send. She is like an angel communicating with you. She will help one feel better about their day, their life and their self after every session with her. I know my life has blossomed because of her. I yearn for her classes and teachings. In my opinion, she is right up there with Marianne Williamson and Brene Brown!

Student

Sandra Vanatko is a rare jewel in the world of yoga and meditation teachers. I've been practicing yoga since 1999, from Ashtanga and vinyasa flow, originally, to Kundalini and Hatha the last ten years. Sandra's experience and training infuses her teaching with love and soul. One thing that sets her classes apart from the others is that she focuses not only on the physical poses, and also teaches breath and meditation to open up the more subtle aspects of the mind and body. This has helped me evolve physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually and has overflowed from my experience on the mat to my life off of the mat. Because it was over an hour drive to get to her studio for me, I was really blessed in 2020 when she began offering classes online and on demand. For the past five years, I've attended trainings, seminars and classes live online, and when my schedule doesn't allow me to attend live, I dive into the on-demand library when the time works for me. Her strong presence to all of her students, regardless of whether they're in person, online or on-demand and the sophisticated technology she uses for video and audio make the virtual experiences seamless and just as impactful as the ones I've done in person. I've also taken retreats with her each year since 2018 which are an incredible way to immerse yourself into the beautiful experience of practicing with her. She is masterful and creating a safe, inclusive container for all of those on retreat to feel welcome, empowered and inspired. Take one class or one trip with Sandra, and you will feel better in your body, more open in your mind and lighter in your heart.

Kim C.

Somatic Coaching Client

"To say that working with Sandra saved my life would be an understatement. I know this is one of those things people say in an effusive or gushing sort of way, but I share this from a deep and reflective place. Sandra and I began our partnership to support me in dealing with significant medical and health issues for which I was experiencing limited healing through traditional methods. I tiptoed into the “woo-woo” nature of pure awareness, embodiment practices and energy healing hopeful, yet mildly skeptical. Sandra offered a safe space along with gentleness, patience and loving guidance while I explored the possibilities and expansion her offerings might provide. I was converted rather quickly. I began to experience shifts in my energy, attitude, feeling-space and body. I continued to work with her weekly through a particularly difficult time, both live and virtually, continuing to grow into more optimal ways of being, both with myself and in the most challenging of relationships. It is hard to say what I love most about Sandra. One, and this is a big one for me, she walks the walk. Her commitment to her own practice, and belief that anyone who serves others must have one, is both profound and obvious. She can only hold the space and offer guidance for others by stepping out of the way and allowing spirit, consciousness or whatever one calls it, to come through her as a conduit. Sandra does not profess to be a guru, expert or know what’s best for anyone else. Instead, she helps me access this from within myself. Second, she provides resources and exercises that I can use between sessions. This has included meditations, book recommendations, chants and kriyas that have become part of my daily self-care rituals. These have helped me to develop self-trust, become capable of receiving, set boundaries, detach from problems and see them as both data and opportunities. Last, but certainly not least, Sandra loves me. She loves. And that love is felt through every interaction. She sees the pure soul in front of her and meets that soul with unconditional love, acceptance and a spirit of service. I cannot imagine ever not having Sandra in my life. I leave my sessions with her renewed, inspired and invigorated to press forward with playfulness, joy, curiosity and trust in the unknown aspects of my life. I am excited to watch how my life continues to unfold. This is a radical shift for me."

Client

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