Naturally, I started to research more about yoga. I read articles, scientific studies, personal blogs, anything that explained why I felt so much better after class. The more I read, the more I understood that yoga was not just a workout. It was a whole philosophy and way of living. And that realization made me want to dive deeper.
I discovered the idea of doing a 200 Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh — an immersive program where you step away from your daily life and spend weeks studying yoga in depth. The thought of taking time away from my job, my routines, my social circle, and dedicating it all to yoga sounded perfect. I imagined how much I could learn and how much calmer, stronger, and more connected I could feel.
When I started looking for schools, I quickly realized there are countless options for a yoga teacher training in India, spread across beaches, cities, remote villages, and mountain areas. I knew I wanted something traditional and rooted in the classical approach to yoga. I wasn’t looking for a resort or a holiday vibe. I wanted an environment that encouraged discipline, focus, and authenticity.
That is why I chose Rishikesh. Located at the foothills of the Himalayas and alongside the Ganges River, Rishikesh is often called the birthplace of yoga. It carries an energy that is hard to describe — serene but powerful, sacred yet welcoming. It is more conservative than the beach towns in the south, but that was exactly what I wanted.
During my search, I found Yoga India Foundation. The moment I landed on their website, something clicked. The program was exactly what I was looking for: a focus on classical Hatha Yoga, a full curriculum including philosophy, Ayurveda, anatomy, meditation, and the eight limbs of yoga. The reviews were glowing, the communication was quick and clear, and I felt supported even before booking. Everything about the process — from answering my questions to guiding me through the visa application — felt smooth. I knew I had found my yoga teacher training in Rishikesh.
I booked my 200 Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh for June 2025.
Arriving in India was an adventure in itself. At Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport, I spotted a smiling man holding a sign with my name. He was there to pick me up, along with another student from my flight. The 30-minute drive to the school felt like a transition into another world — lush green hills, glimpses of the river, small roadside temples.
When we arrived, we were greeted with a marigold flower mala — a garland placed gently around our necks. It was such a simple gesture, but it felt deeply respectful and welcoming. After checking in, I was shown to my room, which was bright, new, and comfortable.
At reception, I received my course materials: hard-copy books, a new yoga mat, cleansing tools for our Shatkarmas, a water bottle, a notebook and pen, a t-shirt, and other essentials. That evening, we had an informal introduction circle with other students and some of the teachers, followed by a delicious vegetarian dinner.
The next morning, we began with a fire ceremony. Seated together, chanting mantras, we learned about the meaning of Vedic rituals — how they are designed to focus the mind, create discipline, and prepare us for study. It was a beautiful way to mark the start of our 200 Hour yoga teacher training in India.
From that point, the rhythm of the training settled in: morning asana practice, followed by philosophy, anatomy, and Ayurveda classes. In the afternoons, we had alignment and teaching practice. In the evenings, meditation. We studied six days a week, with one day to rest or explore.
The teaching style was interactive and engaging. There were only 12 students in my group, so we could ask questions at any time. The small group meant we received personal adjustments during asana practice, direct feedback in teaching sessions, and space to clarify anything we didn’t understand. It didn’t matter if someone learned faster or slower — the teachers made sure everyone was included and supported.
What stood out most was the energy in the group. Everyone was there because they wanted to be. No one was forcing themselves through the material; we all had this fire to learn and grow. That created a powerful atmosphere of curiosity and dedication, which is exactly what makes a yoga teacher training in India so transformative.
Within just a few days, I realized how much I was learning — far more than I had expected. I began to understand the science behind yoga asanas, the importance of alignment, the role of breath in calming the nervous system, and the philosophy that shapes the practice.
As the weeks passed, we moved into more teaching practice. At first, the idea of leading a class was intimidating. But with guidance from the instructors, I planned two sequences with a partner and taught them to the group. Standing at the front of the shala, speaking out the cues, watching my classmates move and breathe — it was surreal. The nerves faded, replaced by a sense of quiet pride.
Our teachers were endlessly patient and deeply knowledgeable. They somehow managed to be everywhere at once — demonstrating, correcting, answering questions, encouraging us when we felt tired or doubtful. Their passion for yoga was contagious. This is something you truly feel when you do a yoga teacher training in India with teachers who live and breathe the tradition.
The final week came quickly. We had a closing ceremony where each of us received our certificates, marking us as 200-hour certified yoga teachers with Yoga Alliance. Holding that certificate in my hands was more than just proof of completion; it was a reminder of the effort, discipline, and openness I had brought into those three weeks of yoga teacher training in India.
It felt like a transformation — not in a dramatic, overnight way, but in the small, steady shifts I noticed in myself. I was calmer. I listened more. My body felt stronger, lighter. My mind felt clearer. I carried myself differently.
I left Rishikesh with more than just a teaching qualification. I left with friends who had become like family, with lessons that went far beyond the mat, and with a deeper sense of who I was. I can honestly say this yoga teacher training in India was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
I will be back for my 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training soon. And until then, I carry the spirit of those weeks with me — the discipline, the warmth, the teachings, and the quiet, powerful reminder that yoga is not just something you do; it’s something you live.