As the birthplace of yoga, India might seem like the obvious choice for your first Yoga Teacher Training . With its ancient history, varied landscape and colorful culture, India is a country many fall in love with. If you’re set on furthering your yoga journey in this spiritual landscape, you will be pleased to know that India offers some of the most cheap yoga teacher training courses. But with so many registered yoga schools, yoga teacher training programs and stunning locations to choose from, how do you go about choosing the right school for you? To help make your research easier, we’re put together a handpicked list of our top 10 yoga teacher training courses in India.
While there are hundreds of respected and established schools to choose from, our choices are based on research and personal recommendations from trusted sources. No matter where you decide to train, you are guaranteed a life-changing experience and a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself into the spiritual and cultural wonders that India has to offer. Before we dive in, we’ll walk you through the origins of yogic practice in India and helpful guidelines for choosing your yoga teacher training.
The Origins of Yoga
Yoga in India dates back thousands and thousands of years. While there is no official recorded date of its birth, the first mention of yoga was found in the Vedas, a collection of yogic religious texts from around 1500 to 1000 BCE. Patanjali, a respected Indian sage known as the ‘father of yoga’, systematised the practice of yoga in a text called The Yoga Sutras. The sutras, meaning threads, are the basis of all modern forms of yoga, meditation and yogic practices. Many centuries following, yoga was spread to the rest of the world by devotees of the practice including B.K.S Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, Desikchar, and Indra Dhevi, who would go onto popularise the yoga that we know today.
Guidelines for Choosing Your Training
-
- There are many forms of yoga to train in. When deciding on which type of course is best for you, we recommend starting with those that focus on Hatha or Ashtanga. Both are foundational forms of yoga that give you solid postural and philosophical basis to start from, and later build on.
-
- If time and budget allows, you can get a feel for different locations and registered yoga schools by visiting them first. Some schools offer drop-in classes and workshops, so you can try out their style and get to know the teachers you resonate with
-
- When deciding on accommodation, consider taking you own private room. Although shared dorm rooms are the most economical option, you will appreciate the privacy and quiet time after a few weeks of intensive yoga course
-
- When considering your budget, make sure to take into account what is included in the yoga training package. If food and accommodation aren’t included, research your options in the area. India is mostly a very affordable place for everyday living, however prices will vary according to location.
- A great way to get a fuller picture of yoga institute of india is to look through their student testimonials. This will give you a good idea of the positives of each school and what students benefited from most.
If you’re still considering where to do your yoga teacher training, Bali and Thailand are also great options for a yoga course. Each location offers an unique atmosphere and experience that can enhance your yoga training and personal growth. Ultimately, the best location for your yoga teacher training will depend on your personal preferences and goals. Consider what each location has to offer and choose the one that aligns best with your vision for your training and personal journey.
| INDIA | BALI | THAILAND | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culture | Rich yoga history and culture | Vibrant Hindu culture and breathtaking natural beauty | Rich Buddhist traditions |
| Cuisine | Mostly Indian vegetarian cuisine | Healthy and delicious cuisine with a focus on fresh fruits and vegetables | Delicious street food and local cuisine. Spicy! |
| Climate | Varied climate, ranging from hot to cold | Warm and tropical climate | Warm and humid climate |
| YTT Cost | Cheapest options | Affordable prices | Affordable prices |
| YTT Faculty | Local Indian teacher | International team of teacher | International team of teacher |
| Accommodation | Basic accommodation options | Good Accommodation option | Good Accommodation option |
Yoga Hotspots in India
The most popular places for studying yoga in India are Rishikesh and Goa. Risihikesh, known as ‘Yoga Capital of the World’, is where yoga originated. The holy town in India’s northern state has countless yoga schools, trainings and yoga retreats, as well as an International Yoga Festival held every year in March. Goa, located in western India has coastlines stretching along the Arabian Sea and is a popular location for those who enjoy beachside living. Depending on where you stay on the island, you can enjoy tranquil beaches and laid-back vibes, or a more sociable setting with plenty of beach parties and friendly travellers to encounter. You will also find plenty of high quality yoga schools in Mysore (the birthplace of Ashtanga), Dharamsala in the Indian Himalayas and the surf and yoga town of Varkala.
Best Yoga Teacher Trainings in India
Decided that India is the place for you? Let’s jump into our recommend schools and what they have on offer:
| NAME | LOCATION | PRICE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
Nirvana Yoga Shala |
Mysore | $1200 (200hr) |
| 2. |
Mantra Yoga |
Goa | $1300 (200hr) |
| 3. |
Shree Hari Yoga |
Gokarna, Goa, Dharamshala, Rishikesh | €1300 (200hr) |
| 4. |
Jiva Yoga |
Rishikesh | €1480 |
| 5. |
Samyak Yoga |
Mysore | $1426-1755 |
| 6. |
East+West |
Dharamshala | $3950-4950 |
| 7. |
Rishikul Yogshala |
Rishikesh or Kerala | $1250-1700 (200hr) |
| 8. |
AYM (Association for Yoga and Meditation) |
Rishikesh or Goa | $1200-1500 |
| 9. |
Rishi YogPeeth |
Rishikesh | $1650-1900 |
| 10. |
Anadi Yoga Centre |
Rishikesh | $1400 |
1. Nirvana Yoga Shala
Nirvana Yoga Shala, is a School of Yoga and Meditation located in Mysore South India. Available year-round. Visit us to dive deep into the ancient teachings of India immersing yourself in the yogic lifestyle, with the comfort of a 4 star hotel in our cozy Accommodation. All the levels are welcome. Visit us for: Yoga Holidays, Regular Classes or Courses Online and Onsite with International Certification Yoga Alliance and Yacep. Our programmes offer the chance to learn Meditation, Pranayama and many Yoga styles: Ashtanga Vinyasa, Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Tantra Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Aerial Yoga with hammocks, Back Bending & Hip Opening. Whether you are a Solo traveller, a couple, friends or family we have more than 16 years of experience teaching travellers from all around the globe.
Location:Mysore
Style: Ashtanga Vinyasa, Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Tantra Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Aerial Yoga, Back Bending & Hip Opening.
Offers: 50Hs, 100Hs, 200Hs, 300Hs, 500Hs Price: From 1200 USD
2. Mantra Yoga
one of the best best yoga institute in rishikesh, Mantra Yoga and Meditation School is a RYS 200, RYS 300, RYS 500 accredited by the Yoga Alliance, USA. They offers affordable yoga and meditation dual certification courses for Beginners and to the advanced practitioners. Located in the peaceful and a serene mountain and beaches around India, Mantra Yoga School has four branches in Rishikesh, Dharamsala, Goa and Delhi in India. With the specialties and the uniqueness, 200 hour Level-1 courses are designed with Ashtanga and Vinyasa flow along various method of concentration and Meditation techniques to qualify someone as Meditation Teachers. It is the first Indian Yoga and Meditation School offering International certification in Yoga as well as Meditations.
Location:Rishikesh, Goa
Style: Vinyasa Flow & Ashtanga
Offers: 200hr, 300hr, 500hr
Dates: Every month
Price: From 1300 USD
Duration:24 days
3. Shree Hari Yoga
Shree Hari Yoga School is a Yoga Teacher Training school offering Yoga Alliance accredited Yoga Teacher Training in India as well as Continuing Education Programs (YACEP). Our TTC programs originated from the aspiration to share the authentic heart of yoga and to inspire graduates who do so too. What Makes Us Different is our holistic teacher training which engages all aspects of yoga. We believe yoga is far more than asana and are committed to empowering you to bring yoga’s wholeness into your practice, teaching, and life. Shree Hari Yoga school was established in 2013 and since then we have graduated hundreds of certified yoga teachers and expanded to offer training in several stunning locations across India Gokarna, Goa, Dharamshala, Rishikesh. Our aim is to provide training opportunities and retreats where you can come as you are to be supported, encouraged, challenged, and embraced. You will meet new friends, explore your practice, share your laughter, learn to teach others, and be welcomed as a member of our international yoga family.
Location: Gokarna, Goa, Dharamshala, Rishikesh
Style: Ashtanga, Hatha, Multistyle, Therapeutic, Vinyasa, Yin, Retreats and much more
Offers: 50hr, 100hr, 200hr, 300hr, 500hr
Price: From 600 EUR to 3600 EUR
Dates: Every month
4. Jiva Yoga
Jiva Yoga is one of the best Yoga school in Rishikesh, India that offers different types of Yoga Teacher Training Courses. We are located in Rishikesh, which is the spiritual epi-center of India. Our courses are based on Vinyasa flow, Hatha yoga and Ashtanga yoga practices with Ayurveda and Emotional unblocking kriya. With a traditional, yet actual and highly engaging curriculum covering all facets of the yoga practice.
We offer you Yoga Retreat, 100 Hour Yoga Teacher training, 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training and 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training course. Jiva Yoga Academy is registered with Yoga Alliance USA that allows you to teach anywhere on the planet. If you are looking for an unique experience of Yoga Teacher Training course in India, then you are at the right place. Our courses are created for individuals with aspirations of becoming yoga teachers but are also appropriate for anyone wishing to further expand their own yoga practice. Our teachers are highly experienced, dedicated and kind, with years of self-practice and teaching of students throughout the world. They are living proof that Yoga is the journey to the true Self and is a powerful tool that harmonizes the mind, body and soul in a way that eases tension, reduces inflammation and promotes health & wellbeing. The course includes Pranayama, Meditation, Anatomy, Philosophy, Shath karma, Teaching Methodology etc.
You will be empowered with all necessary knowledge to not only teach your own classes, but broaden and maintain your own practice. What is Yoga? What is Asana? and What is the difference between Yoga and Asana? Is every Asana for everyone? How to align the body in Asana? Is there the same way you can correct everybody? How to apply daily Yoga practice in your busy lifestyle?. You will find the answers of so many similar questions that you always have in your mind.
Location: Rishikesh
Style: Vinyasa, Hatha & Ashtanga
Offers: 100hr, 200hr, 300hr
Dates: Every month
Price: From 685 USD
Duration: 14 days
5. Samyak Yoga
If you are serious about learning Ashtanga yoga then the most renowned place to study is in Mysore, India. Samyak is situated in an ashram on the banks of Cauvery River. Students learn traditional Ashtanga methods led by Indian masters in an idyllic setting with few distractions. The 200hr and 300hr courses cover a traditional basis of yoga, incorporating meditation and techniques of pranayama and kriya. The ashram also offers Hatha and Vinyasa courses. While you will be living Ashram-style, the location is far from basic, with comfortable rooms complete with wholesome Ayurvedic vegetarian food.
Location: Mysore
Style: Hatha/Vinyasa/Ashtanga
Offers: 200hr, 300hr
Price: From 685 USD
6. East+West
Founded by a yoga master from India and an entrepreneur from America, East+West is allows for an equal balance of practical teaching and traditional yogic philosophy. Incorporating ancient and modern philosophies, trainings are led by experienced yoga teachers from India and yoga instructors from the West. A significant amount of focus is given to transitioning into the modern world of yoga after graduation, with topics including the business and marketing of yoga. While costs may be higher than other schools in India, they do offer payment plans, early bird discounts and deals for friend referrals.
Location: Dharamshala
Style: Hatha/Vinyasa Mix
Offers: 100hr, 200hr
Website: www.yogaeastwest.com
7. Rishikul Yogshala
With schools in Rishikesh and Varkala, Rishikul’s courses offer a variety of interesting and diverse elements including Ayurveda, Kalaripayattu (a form of Indian martial arts) and laughter yoga. In line with Ayurvedic philosophies, students also learn the art of yogic cooking and how to create a yogic balance in everyday life. One of the more affordable of schools in India, it offers a variety of accommodation options as well as scholarships for those who are eligible.
Location: Rishikesh or Kerala
Style: Multi-style (Ashtanga/Hatha/Vinyasa/Kundalini/laughter yoga)
Offers: 200hr, 300hr, 500hr
Website: www.rishikulyogshala.org
8. AYM (Association for Yoga and Meditation)
One of the most popular yoga schools in Rishikesh, AYM is highly praised for its experienced yoga teachers and thorough training program. Their 200-hour yoga teacher training offers classes in a wide variety of styles including the alignment focussed Iyengar. In addition, it’s also a well-respected Ayurveda centre, offering specialised courses in the ancient discipline. Students get to enjoy Ayurveda inspired nutritious vegetarian meals daily. For those who prefer beach to mountain, AYM also has a school in Goa near the trendy Arambol beach.
Location: Rishikesh or Goa
Style: Multi-style (Hatha, Iyengar, Ashtanga-Vinyasa)
Offers: 100hr, 200hr, 300hr, 500hr
Website: www.indianyogaassociation.com
9. Rishi YogPeeth
Rishi YogPeeth is located outside of Rishikesh town in the mountains of Garhwal Himalayas. Boasting serene surroundings, students live in a tranquil community with accommodation on-site. In addition, the school is also a great budget-friendly option. Course prices include shared accommodation, daily yogic meals and excursions. With drop-in classes also on offer, you can visit and try out the school prior to signing onto a course.
Location: Rishikesh
Style: Multi-style
Offers: 50hr, 100hr, 200hr
Website: www.rishiyogpeeth.com
10. Anadi Yoga Centre
The highly reviewed Anadi Yoga Centre in Rishikesh has small class sizes and a comprehensive syllabus of Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, anatomy and physiology. While it doesn’t offer early bird discounts, course fees include 3 meals a day, private accommodation with en-suite bathroom and sightseeing excursions.
Location: Rishikesh
Style: Hatha & Vinyasa Flow
Offers: 200hr, 300hr, 500hr
Website: www.anadiyogacentre.com
Reference: https://www.allyogatraining.com/best-yoga-teacher-trainings-india.html
