Unplug Meditation Teacher Training Review
Written by Dr. Tracey McGrath
Founder of Bliss Arts Co. Mindful Art & Meditation
Are you thinking of joining the Unplug Meditation Teacher Training program this year? You’ve come to the right place. Here I share my honest review of UMTT!
How Unplug Meditation Changed My Life
I lived in Santa Monica, CA for several years before my divorce. It was at that time that I was dealing with some pretty difficult emotions. Mostly a lot of negative emotions about my self-worth. I was asking myself questions like “Who am I without this person as my partner?” “Did I make the right decision?” “Am I loveable?” “Am I hated?” “Why do I exist?”
Nothing too heavy, right?
Let’s not forget that I had also gotten into a new relationship, a veritable emotional roller coaster. This situation was literally driving me to tears almost every day.
Needless to say, I wasn’t in a great place.
A good friend of mine had mentioned Unplug Meditation to me but for whatever reason, I felt I wasn’t cool enough to go.
Yes, that’s exactly what I had been telling myself.
One night when I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest and I was so sick of crying that I figured, what the hell? If I’m actually not cool enough to be there they’ll tell me to leave and nothing will have changed.
But, of course, it wasn’t what I had imagined.
My first class was a guitar-led sound healing meditation. And it was magical. For once in many months, I was actually able to relax. To not hear the seemingly unending scenarios in my head. To release some of my emotions and fears. The sounds were so strong and powerful (and the room was dark) I knew no one would see me as tears streamed down my face.
And then I was hooked.
I made it a weekly routine to attend live classes at the studio. Meditation opened me up to so many new ways of thinking about myself and taking care of myself.
I eventually moved back to NC and had to leave my beloved Unplug meditation studio. But I still had the amazing Unplug app to help me. I loved seeing the familiar teachers that had helped me through such difficult times. Check out my review of the Unplug app here!
Then one day I got an email with the subject line, “This would change my life.” It was announcing the next Unplug meditation teacher training led by davidji and Unplug’s studio owner, Suze Yalof Schwartz! I knew I already trusted and loved the content that they had been creating and delivering to the world.
My determination to expand my knowledge of meditation and learn how to share it with others was real.
I was pregnant at the time so I knew that it was going to be tricky getting to CA with an infant. But I started brainstorming how I could make it work.
And then COVID hit.
Now, COVID has affected all of us in great ways – some super difficult and others eye-opening. In this case, it was a blessing.
I could attend the week of live classes online via Zoom! This made it possible for me to become a certified meditation instructor in my own home.
Now, I feel so confident in my own practice and in my ability to teach others, that I started a mindful art and meditation coaching business! Learn more about mindful art and how it can help you reduce stress and anxiety here! I couldn’t be more grateful for this experience and all that it taught me.
If you’re ready to learn how to teach meditation to others or just expand your own practice, keep reading! If you’re ready to apply, click here and be sure to mention my name, Tracey McGrath, to get $100 off the price!
What Is Unplug Meditation Teacher Training?
Let’s start with the basics.
Unplug Meditation Teacher Training helps you learn the basics of meditation as well as the proven scientific benefits (this was a huge draw for me as a healthcare professional!). You’ll get tons of background information about meditation and its benefits. And you’ll get hands-on experience teaching live meditations!
The program provides clear instructions for each week’s content and assignment. Trust me, you’re not left wondering where to begin. And you also have 3 live calls during the first 5 weeks for more support and to meet your classmates. The final week of the program is an immersion week with daily live calls with davidji and Suze.
What Is Unplug Meditation?
Unplug Meditation is a meditation studio located in Santa Monica, CA. It was founded in 2014 by Suze Yalof Schwartz.
She has over 10 years of experience with meditation. Suze began her studio when she discovered a quick and powerful relaxation method in 2012. She wanted more but felt there was a void in the meditation world.
At the time, it seemed the only options were signing up for a several weeks course or going on a silent retreat to learn how to meditate. These options didn’t work for her lifestyle, which I totally can relate to.
Suze had a different idea of how we could learn to meditate and reap its benefits in today’s modern world. And I’m so glad that she followed her intuition!
Suze’s meditation studio has helped so many learn the power of meditation. And her book, Unplug: A Simple Guide to Meditation for Busy Skeptics and Modern Soul Seekers, is a powerful resource for anyone wanting to learn how to meditate quickly!
Who is davidji?
davidji contributes greatly to Unplug’s teacher training program. His method of teaching meditation (that anyone can do!) has helped to spread its healing power throughout the world.
He apprenticed under Deepak Chopra for nearly 10 years before becoming the first Dean of Chopra Center University. davidji has certified thousands of people on how to teach meditation and trained thousands more how to meditate.
His work with Navy Seals shows how well he teaches using meditation to manage stressful situations. He has written 3 books about meditation. They include Sacred Powers: The “5 secrets to awakening transformation”, “destressifying: The real world guide to personal empowerment, lasting fulfillment and peace of mind” and “Secrets of Meditation: A practical guide to inner peace and personal transformation.”
Is Unplug Meditation Teacher Training Worth The Investment?
In one word…absolutely!
This experience was a pivotal point in my life. I made a big investment in something I believed in and wanted to know more about…and it has paid off!
I have experienced even more great benefits from a daily meditation practice. And now I have the confidence to go out and teach others.
Here are just some of my biggest takeaways from Unplug mediation teacher training:
I learned so much about the proven scientific benefits of meditation. You’ll see the exact studies that actually show the results.
So many different techniques of meditation can be effective!
How to cultivate your own practice and make it a daily habit
A HUGE part of Unplug Meditation Teacher Training is learning how to teach it to others. You’ll learn practical ways to teach your own class and how to respond to your student’s needs.
I can overcome my fears of being on camera and teaching in front of others
Another INCREDIBLE part of Unplug Meditation Teacher Training is the Week 6 live calls!
You meet with Suze, davidji and your other classmates to dive deeper into the material.
You will feel connected to your classmates because they keep the classes small. You have break-out rooms to discuss experiences, and difficulties and to try out different meditation techniques.
Optional student-only sessions to get to know each other
You’ll teach in front of your classmates and get immediate feedback from Suze and davidji!
Student submitted questions answered daily by Suze!
To sum up: yes, the course cost me $3,500…that’s definitely an investment. I was so impressed that Suze herself called me when I was trying to decide about signing up. She understands that it’s an investment.
But you can expect to spend way over $10,000 on other meditation teacher training programs. And they often require weekends away from home. For me, with an infant, this just didn’t work for me.
I believe that we get out of anything what we put into it. I put a tremendous amount of time and energy into learning and expanding my knowledge in this course. And at the end of it, I felt prepared to teach others.
I also knew:
How to maintain my own daily meditation practice
I had a Lifelong certification to teach meditation
I had support when I needed it
I had cultivated my own knowledge of meditation’s benefits
Is Unplug Meditation Teacher Training Right For Me?
Eager to teach others the benefits of meditation but wondering if Unplug Meditation Teacher Training is the right fit?
This training will serve you in life and as a potential way to create a business if you…
Are working full or part-time and need to learn online in a convenient method
Have dabbled in meditation but know you could reap even more benefits if you go deeper into your own practice
Have meditated for years and you’re now curious about how to teach meditation
Want top-notch and genuinely authentic teachers who understand how modern-day life creates unique obstacles to meditation
Feel the pull to do something different that will make an impact on others’ lives
Want to learn about the benefits of meditation in an intensive and caring environment where you can ask questions and get answers
What’s Included In Unplug Meditation Teacher Training?
5 weeks of self-paced learning with required readings, lessons, worksheets and assignments
3 Live calls with Suze and davidji and your classmates during the self-paced weeks
An optional one-on-one call with davidji
A complete, printable binder with everything you need to refer to from the benefits of meditation to different meditation techniques to teaching methods to hosting your own classes.
Weekly assignments with critiques provided by Suze
The live immersion week classes to go deeper into the lessons, to discuss questions directly with Suze and davidji, to practice creating and delivering mediations with your classmates, to connect with others like you who want to make a difference in the world!
Ongoing support via live Zoom calls with Suze and davidji and to connect with former & current students.
Opportunity to teach live during an Unplug studio class
Lifetime (free!) access to the amazing Unplug Meditation App
An official certificate of completion & graduation ceremony!
To recap, that’s:
5 weeks of intensive self-paced learning
3 Live calls to meet your classmates and mediate with davidji
A one-on-one call with davidji
1 week intensive LIVE calls with Suze and davidji
Printable lessons, worksheets and guides to refer to forever
Critiques on your work directly from Suze and daviji
Opportunity to teach live!
Where am I now after Unplug Meditation Teacher Training?
I now offer one-on-one meditation coaching services and mindful art coaching sessions. You can book a session with me here! Please reach out if you have any questions about the Unplug Meditation Teacher Training. I’m happy to help!
Or if you’re ready to dive deep into your meditation training, be sure to mention my name, Tracey McGrath, when you apply to get $100 off! If you have any additional questions for me, please contact me here!
Frequently Asked Questions
WHEN DOES UNPLUG MEDITATION TEACHER TRAINING ENROLLMENT OPEN?
You can apply anytime here and find out the upcoming training dates.
HOW MUCH SUPPORT DO WE GET INSIDE UNPLUG MEDITATION TEACHER TRAINING?
Tons! You get 3 LIVE calls with Suze and davidji before the week 6 intensive. You also can reach out via email at any time. And you get personalized feedback on your weekly assignments from Suze. During the week 6 intensive, Suze answers student-submitted questions and davidji provides feedback on your techniques.
WHAT SUPPORT DO YOU GET ONCE THE 6 WEEKS ARE OVER?
Once your initial 6 weeks in the Unplug Meditation Teacher Training are over you continue to get ongoing support via Live calls with Suze, davidji, and your peers. Special invites to additional trainings are always offered to prior students first. And there’s a student-only Instagram handle so you can always check in with your classmates! This gives you access to support from your classmates and the team at Unplug!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tracey McGrath is a pharmacist turned mindful art teacher and meditation coach. She is on a journey to share how mindful art can help women with their mental health. She is a certified mindful art teacher by the International Mindfulness and Meditation Alliance and a certified meditation teacher by UnPlug Meditation Studio. She is also a Duke Health & Well-Being Usui Reiki Level 3 Master Practitioner as well as a Certified Strategic Life Coach and Certified EFT Practitioner by Priority Academy. She earned her doctorate of pharmacy from UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy in 2004.