If you’re considering pursuing yoga teacher training in India there’s a good chance that Rishikesh has come across your radar, and rightfully so! Rishikesh is known as the birthplace of yoga and why shouldn’t it? Rishikesh is a holy city that has housed thousands of yogis looking to deepen their practice.
From the mention of Rishikesh as the place where lord Rama performed yoga and meditation to the Beatles who came to town to deepen their understanding of the subject, we can’t deny the significance Rishikesh holds. The place might be holy for practice then but that can’t be the only evidence, which raised the question in my head.
Here are a few reasons why Rishikesh convinced me of its worth and judge for yourself why this will be the ideal choice for Yoga Teacher Training for you.
I Stamp My Approval
My mantra is don’t make a judgment till you know it all! Here are the top three pointers that marked the basis of my choice to make Rishikesh the home for my yogic awakening.
A fair comparison with other locations offering YTT
While I was selecting places for YTT courses I came across three to four locations: Bali, Mysore, Goa, and Rishikesh. After contemplating each option I divided my choice into three categories: cost of living, proximity, and local transport. Bali and Mysore fell off in the first category itself and I was left with Goa and Rishesh as the contestants.
Goa is approximately 1,971.6 km away from the national capital whereas Rishikesh is merely 241.7 km away so the point went in favour of Rishikesh. The other criterion I kept on my checklist was the cost of living. Goa being a coastal area offers a diverse range of options to live under budget but the quality of those as compared to Rishikesh was expensive as well as low on quality, so the point went to Rishikesh again.
The next pointer in comparison was local transport. In both Goa and Rishikesh, you can rent cars and motorbikes for your convenience and the cost for both are similar in both places. But for someone like me who doesn’t know how to drive, Rishikesh became a savior as you can take auto-rickshaws, buses, and even shared taxis. So point Rishikesh again!
Beyond just mat
If you take up YTT courses in Rishikesh you won’t just experience the world of yoga. Rishikesh offers you a perfect amalgamation of yoga, spirituality, and adventure. People from around the world visit Rishikesh to enhance their understanding of Ayurveda, meditation, panchkarma, Reiki, and much more. You can experience the wave of spirituality by engaging in Ganga aarti and attending Satsangs and sermons by renowned gurus from around the globe.
Not just that Rishikesh also houses multiple adventure activities such as paragliding, parasailing, cliff jumping, giant swings, river rafting, and so much more. A yogi needs a strong connection with nature to calm themselves and Rishikesh won’t disappoint you there either as you can meditate near multiple river banks and even experience the diverse flora and fauna in Rajaji National Park.
To read more you can check out our writeup on Yoga, Spirituality & Adventure: Explore Rishikesh Beyond The Mat
Theory, Practical, and Experience
Almost all yoga teacher training courses in Rishikesh design their curriculum to ensure that you get a first-hand experience of theoretical and practical knowledge. The degree of touching on the subject might vary from school to school but the school that I selected allowed me to learn it all!
The course I took up had a well-designed curriculum where we were taught yoga philosophy, anatomy, and the science behind every asana and mudra we performed. Not just that the well-versed teachers made sure that we learned the important values that will prove worthy while we teach post-out courses. They ensured that we developed a sense of calm, composure, and patience that is helping me immensely now that I am a teacher myself.
Which Course And Institute Should You Select?
Rishikesh without a doubt is the best location for practising yoga and we have established the point. Still, it is equally important to lay a thought on what kind of practice you are going to pursue and which institute will be your optimum choice.
- Course: It is extremely important to lay out a thought that you should take up. If you are new to practising yoga you can’t take up stage 10 of hatha yoga. You should understand your body’s calling and start from the basics. However, if you are a practitioner of yoga you have a choice of selecting whether you need to take up Ashtanga yoga, hatha yoga, or kundalini yoga and then whether you should take up 200-hour, 300-hour, or 500-hour YTT courses. Nirvana Yoga School India offers various options where you can select your calling and if you are confused you can consult our yogic gurus and make a thoughtful decision.
- Liberty of medium: Not everyone has the opportunity to visit the ashram by physically being there thus there must be a liberty for people to select whether they wish to take up an online course or offline. Schools like Nirvana Yoga School offer you the liberty to select an online session where there will be no difference in the teachings. You will be taught in a one-on-one session where there will be the same curriculum that the gurus will follow. Our institute in fact offers multiple workshops for the students where they can practice mindfulness, stress management, focus building, etc.
- Accreditation And School Reputation: Authenticity and quality are non-negotiable when selecting a training program. After graduating, no one wants to discover that their degree isn’t accepted. Make sure the institution is legitimate by obtaining the appropriate certification for yoga teachers (Yoga Alliance is the best option). Read reviews, speak with other graduates, and get a sense of the program’s atmosphere. You want to train with the greatest of the best, after all.
- Beyond teachings: Yoga practice, theory of the body, and all are important but it is extremely important to check that the standard of living that the institute offers is as per the standards. Nirvana yoga school offers you the autonomy to live on your terms. We understand that Rishikesh is not your place of living and thus, we try to ensure that you feel as at home as possible. We allow you to inform us what your dietary requirements are, and which accommodation standards suit you the best. Nirvana School will let you explore this divine place, and they encourage you to take part in activities outside of the course.
So far I have experienced that Rishikesh has been like a beacon of light in the world of my YTT journey. By luck or by choice I selected this location and its spiritual heritage, immersive learning environment, beauty, and supportive community have provided me with an unparalleled experience of a lifetime. If you wish to deepen your yogic practice, nourish your soul, and embark on a career path, we at Nirvana Yoga School, Rishikesh welcome you to embark with us on a profound journey of self-transformation.