Insights and Tips from My Personal Experience in Goa and Rishikesh
During my trip to India, I was often asked how to choose a yoga teacher training program, which school to pick, and where to go. I decided to share some of my advice gathered from my two trips to India. With two YTTs (Yoga Teacher Trainings) under my belt—one in Goa and the other in Rishikesh—I’d like to share some insights from my experiences to help make your decision easier.
Yoga has surged in popularity and transformed into a booming industry. This surge has resulted in thousands of new yoga schools opening up around the world, each trying to offer unique and specialized programs to meet the needs of the expanding yoga community.
It’s hard to make a decision when the choices are so vast! I was very fortunate with both of my yoga schools and am proud to call myself their graduate. My first 200-hour YTT was an incredible and transformative experience that not only deepened my understanding and my practice of yoga but also profoundly influenced the direction of my future, shaping my personal growth and professional journey in ways I had never anticipated. I truly wish that your yoga experience will provide you with exactly what you need and want from your future YTT. However, try to keep your expectations flexible to fully embrace and benefit from the experience.
In 2023, I joined a yoga teacher school as a lead teacher for their Yin yoga trainings, gaining behind-the-scenes experience in how YTTs operate. I hope this post will make your decision regarding your future YTT a little easier. Here are a few factors to consider before choosing your school:
1. Yoga Teacher Trainings in India
For me, it was clear from the beginning that if I wanted to study yoga, I had to go to India—the birthplace of yoga. India is an intense country on many levels, and people either love or hate it. It’s chaotic, loud, and full of contrasts. You’ll witness cruelty and kindness, ignorance and wisdom, poverty and wealth side by side. Despite these paradoxes, during my two stays in India I was able to experience deep peace and serenity.
Since I began practicing yoga I felt an inner pull towards visiting India, maybe you’ll have the same.
Decide if you want to do your training in your home country or if you can spend at least 3 weeks abroad. This is very individual, as not everyone can take a minimum of 3 weeks off for a 200-hour teacher training. In Europe, many yoga schools offer weekend teacher trainings or modular programs over several months.
YTTs are intensive programs and can be overwhelming for some. For example during my 300-hour TTC we had classes from 5:30 am until 7:30 pm. Rest and integration time are essential for assimilating new knowledge and still enjoying the whole YTT experience.
Remember, YTT is not a yoga vacation or retreat! Expect to feel physically and mentally exhausted. The program’s intensity, combined with yoga’s ability to open up our bodies and minds and shift our energy, can lead to a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s going to be a challenging time, so prepare yourself for the demands.
India is also one of the most affordable places to do your YTT, with some schools offering 200-hour YTT programs for as low as $500.
2. Popular Yoga Destinations in India
If you choose to train in India, there are three popular yoga destinations: Goa, Rishikesh, and Mysore.
Goa:
Goa, located on the West coast of India, is a beautiful holiday destination with white sandy beaches, palm trees, and stunning landscapes. It’s an excellent option for your first trip to India as the culture shock is less intense here. Goa was never a traditional yoga place; it became one due to tourist demand.
Studying yoga here means you’ll be close to the beach and have access to nice cafes, restaurants, and a conscious community of artists and workshop facilitators, such as sound healing, cacao ceremonies, ecstatic dance, and kirtan.
The downside is that the courses are more expensive than other parts of India, and the holiday atmosphere can be distracting. The temptation to enjoy the beach and nightlife can interfere with your tight yoga schedule.
I recommend staying in the South of Goa (Patnem, Palolem, Agonda) because it’s more peaceful, quieter, and less touristic than the North. In the South, all clubs and restaurants close by 11 pm, ensuring you can still wake up for your morning yoga session.
I also had a wonderful experience teaching at Kranti Yoga in South Goa, where I led Yin Yoga trainings for four months. The school is right on the beach with four shalas, great teacher and fantastic food. They offer both teacher trainings and yoga holidays. You can check their website here: Kranti Yoga.
Rishikesh:
Known as the yoga capital of India, Rishikesh is located in the North of India, along the banks of the holy river Ganga. The energy of this river is indescribable, making it one of my favorite spiritual places.
The city became famous in the West when the Beatles traveled to India in the 1960s and stayed at the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram (you can still visit this ashram which is now a tourist attraction). Rishikesh offers a deeply spiritual environment with numerous ashrams and temples. It is a pilgrimage site for many Hindus, who come to seek guidance and solace by the river Ganga.
It’s a place of religious pilgrimage for sadhus and devotees, but also for young Indians escaping city life to experience nature and extreme sports (Rishikesh is famous for rafting on the Ganga). One side of the river Ganga is more spiritual, with Ganga aartis (rituals of worship) happening each evening before sunset, while the other side (Tapovan) is popular among younger tourists, with more newly built yoga schools, cool cafes, and hostels.
The city itself is busy and chaotic, so the location of your school is important. The best time to study yoga in Rishikesh is March when the weather is pleasant, and you can experience the vibrant Holi festival. However, from December to early March, it can be quite cold, and accommodations might not be well insulated.
I did my YTT in Tapovan, Rishikesh with “7 chakras” where I learned from passionate and knowledgeable teachers. The entire staff for so caring and supportive and made my stay there so enriching and memorable. You can visit their website here
An advantage of studying yoga in Rishikesh is the abundance of skilled, passionate, and knowledgeable teachers who have grown up in this spiritual city. The competition among schools keeps the training prices affordable, making it a cost-effective option compared to Goa. If I could I would go each year to study yoga in Rishikesh – that’s how much I adore this place and the people there.
Mysore:
Located in Karnataka, South India, Mysore is the birthplace of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. If you want to specialize in Ashtanga, this is the place to be. The city is renowned for its traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa schools and experienced teachers.
Mysore is generally more affordable than Goa, and I have heard many positive reviews from people who studied yoga there. The city offers a rich cultural experience and is less touristy compared to Goa.
Studying yoga in Mysore is still on my bucket list!
3. Choose which Yoga Style you want to study
With many new yoga styles available, choosing the right one can be challenging.
Five years ago, the most popular were Hatha, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Kundalini, and Yin yoga. Choose a style you are passionate about and want to teach. Dedicate time to your self-practice to understand your preferences. I did my 200-hour TTC after six years of practicing yoga and trying various styles, leading me to choose a 200 hour -multi-style training. Looking back, I am happy with my choice because I can now teach various yoga styles. Depending on the demand of the yoga studio I work for, and I can also adapt my teaching to my students’ needs.
For your 200-hour TTC, a multi-style training can be beneficial if you’re unsure. For your 300-hour TTC, you could then focus on a specific style, diving deeper into its alignment and sequencing.
Note that “Vinyasa yoga” is popular in the West but is not recognized as a separate style in India; it refers to dynamic and flowy sequencing using Hatha yoga asanas. However, many schools in India have already picked up on this trend and offer “Vinyasa yoga trainings” but just so you know that it’s more about a way of sequencing a class rather than being a separate style.
4. Meet Your Teachers and Visit the School
Ideally, visit the school, meet your teachers, check the facility, and join a drop-in class before committing. This may seem like a hassle, but it’s worth investing your time and money in something you’re passionate about.
If visiting isn’t possible, make video calls, exchange emails with questions, check reviews, and contact previous students for their opinions. The way schools respond to your inquiries can give you a good indication of how they might treat you as a future student.
Before I committed to my YTT in Rishikesh, I visited a few yoga schools to do exactly what I am recommending here, which allowed me to choose the school that best suited my personal needs as a student.
Skilled, dedicated, and passionate teachers are crucial in YTTs. Even the best facilities can’t compensate for poor teaching. Your current teachers, whether in-person or online, can help you find the right school. A good teacher will shape your teaching style, practice, and focus areas. Finding the right teacher that can be like your mentor and a source of inspiration is a gift for life!
5. Final thoughts
Completing a YTT is just the beginning of your journey to becoming a yoga teacher. Choosing the right school will provide a solid foundation for your future career. Dedicate time to research and make the most of this experience. Have clear intentions and focus areas, as these will guide you to the right school and teachers who meet your needs.
I have been very fortunate with the schools and courses I’ve completed. Of course, no experience is perfect, as we are all human and make mistakes. My last tip is to have clear intentions and a focus area. When I was looking for a school for my 300-hour TTC, I knew I wanted to deepen my understanding of philosophy and pranayama rather than focusing solely on my asana practice. Thanks to my extensive research I was fortunate to find teachers who met my needs.
Yoga can be truly transformative because it cultivates deep self-awareness and personal growth. Having a regular yoga practice often brings about significant shifts in our mindsets and brings new perspectives. Thisyoga journey not only improves your physical and mental well-being but also uncovers new paths for your personal and professional development. As you integrate mindfulness, discipline, and self-reflection into your life, you may find yourself approaching challenges with greater clarity and purpose, ultimately aligning more closely with your true self and reshaping how you engage with the world.
This is what I wish for your yoga journey to be like!
Please let me know if you have any questions, I am happy to share my journey and experiences with you!
Thank you for reading
Kasia
