You’ve done your homework, looked through the yoga schools’ websites, watched some Instagram videos about them, and even had a good talk with yourself about whether this is the appropriate moment. You think you have an idea about what your experience will be like.
The reality is that the majority of all people who complete a yoga teacher training program will all tell you the same thing after finishing their training. “I didn’t realise it would be this way.”
Not in a bad way, rather, in an extremely good way; honest, occasionally uncomfortable and ultimately, life-changing. Here are a few items that you may have heard very little about prior to beginning your training.
1. You’ll Learn More About Yourself Than About Yoga
While of course you will learn postures, breath control, body function and yoga philosophy, quietly, each of the above also has some other personal aspect which will occur at the same time — resurfacing. Old Patterns will arise, things that you have been avoiding will demand your attention; the peace and the silence that come from being in an ashram will help everything that has been hidden come back to the surface.
This isn’t a warning; this is one of the most tremendous opportunities you will experience while you are participating in training. However, it may be helpful for you to be mindful of this prior to entering into training.
2. The Yoga Teacher Training Schedule Is Intense, and That’s the Point
You will have early morning practices, theory lessons, pranayama, and evening meditation. Initially, this may seem overwhelming due to bodily changes and adjustments. The schedule’s layout is on purpose. The use of routine is one of the oldest tools of the yogic tradition, and will ultimately help you transition into thriving through your second week of Teacher Training.
Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh is an immersion experience beyond just simple classes; it is a full-time practising lifestyle.
3. You Don’t Need to Be an Advanced Practitioner
Let me be clear: Many people wait to join because they think they are “not ready.” BothThe 100 hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh is built for those new to yoga and therefore will offer the most basic yet thorough introduction to asanas, breathing, and philosophy. The 200-hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh is the most popular global program and has absolutely no prior certification requirements. Simply show up and learn. Simple as that.
4. The Friendships You Make Are Unexpectedly Deep
You immediately develop deep connections with your peers after participating in the program because of the shared experiences of early mornings, having meals together, and sharing your feelings. Students come from all over the world and have diverse life experiences; however, by the end of the program, they frequently refer to their classmates as their most important relationships. Many students will continue to keep in touch long after the end of the program.
5. Philosophy Will Surprise You
Most people expect to improve their flexibility in yoga class, and some people (fewer) expect to fall in love with the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali while becoming inspired by a lecture about the Bhagavad Gita. The philosophy classes taught at the best Yoga Schools in Rishikesh are less about textbook theory and more about living wisdom shared by teachers who have actualised these principles for decades.
6. You’ll Probably Hit a Wall — and That’s Normal
After around seven or eight days, many students experience a difficult time adjusting to their new routine. The excitement of being in a new place is no longer present, fatigue is beginning to take its toll, and individuals are starting to emotionally process their experiences. Teachers commonly refer to this stage of the program as crisis week, which denotes an opportunity for positive change. If you persevere through the challenges and reach the other side, you’ll likely find that you’re going to experience the best and most profound part of your training.
7. Not Everyone Comes to Become a Teacher
A large number of participants coming to Rishikesh to take one of the 300-hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh or the 500-hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh have no intention of teaching professionally. Many of them want personal growth or to enhance their own practice; some of them want to finally permit themselves to develop their inner selves. Each of these motives is completely legitimate, and all of them will be satisfied by the program.
8. The Location Does More Work Than You Think
Recognised by many of the most dedicated yogis from all over the world, Rishikesh is known for its sacred river and the calming sound of temple bells in the morning; it is also home to the majestic Himalayas, which in clear weather rise majestically above the city. The venue itself adds to the learning experience. You can study yoga anywhere in the world, but you will have a more profound experience in Rishikesh.
9. You’ll Leave Knowing How Much More There Is to Learn
Completing a quality teacher training course does not leave one with a feeling of accomplishment, but rather opens a door to a long, beautiful, endless hallway filled with lots of opportunities. Finishing the teacher training program leaves most participants with a desire to continue learning; they want to continue practising and to learn more about the philosophy of yoga.
10. It Will Change Your Relationship with Your Daily Life
The way you breathe. The way you eat. The way you move through stress and discomfort. The things you notice. All of it shifts. Not dramatically, not overnight — but gradually and permanently.
Where You Learn Shapes What You Learn
Each quality of a great yoga school contributes to both the environment and the experience of each student. One of the most traditional yoga schools in Rishikesh, Gurukul Yogashala, has been training students in the spiritual centre of Rishikesh for more than a decade.
With more than 1500 student graduates and a 4.7 average rating, Gurukul Yogashala is able to provide quality teacher training programs, which are supported by Yoga Alliance certification, in traditional, authentic Himalayan yoga. The school philosophy, “you become who you believe you are”, is evidenced through the transformational experiences of each student and exceeded only by the quality and experience of the school’s faculty.
Whether you are doing the 100-hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh or the 500-hour program, the real learning will take place in the moments between the classes, such as when sharing sattvic food, within the stillness of your early morning practice, and in the moments of stillness by the river.
Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh at Gurukul Yogashala is not just about the completion of the course, but also about the experience of the process of transformation that will occur within you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is prior yoga experience required to join a TTC at Gurukul Yogashala?
There are no prerequisites for the 100-hour and 200-hour yoga teacher training courses in Rishikesh; anyone can participate with no prior experience and start their yogic journey! However, to participate in the 300-hour teacher training course in Rishikesh, you must possess a prior 200-hour certificate. While a good physical condition and some experience will benefit you when participating in the 500-Hour yoga teacher training course in Rishikesh, neither is required.
Q2. What is the difference between the 100, 200, 300, and 500-hour programs?
The 100-hour YTTC is an introductory course for persons who are new to a structured yoga teaching environment (offered over the course of 12 days). The 200-hour YTTC is the standard course for anyone who has completed the 100 Hour course to become a certified yoga instructor (offered over the course of 22 days). The 300-hour YTTC is designed for those who have already completed their 200-Hour yoga teacher training (offered over the course of 28 days). The 500-hour YTTC is the most comprehensive yoga teacher training program available over an extended duration (50 days).
Q3. Will my certificate be recognised internationally?
Yes, with a Registered Yoga School (RYS) designation from Yoga Alliance USA (the largest non-profit yoga certification organisation in the world), you can obtain registration as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) upon completion of your Gurukul Yoga teacher training course. This certification will enable you to become certified to teach at any qualified yoga studio, wellness centre, or yoga teacher training programme worldwide.
Q4. What does a typical day look like during training?
A normal day starts with meditation and yoga before the sun rises, having a meal, going to class, and learning about everything, having lunch, having free time, going to class, and studying pranayama or yoga, then having dinner, and often attending a Satsang class (chanting and discussing) to help create an experience of their own. After the first few days, this daily practice becomes nourishing to the student.
Q5. Why choose Gurukul Yogashala over other schools?
Gurukul Yogashala is one of the best Yoga Schools in Rishikesh, because of the fact that it is a very traditional yoga school, and therefore, has instructors with an extensive history in the Himalayan mountains. The group sizes are small enough that each student can receive enough attention from the teacher to make a meaningful difference in their practice. Gurukul provides all of this in a comfortable place to stay and eat good, organic, vegetarian food (sattvic). The school combines a true spiritual foundation with an internationally recognised certification program. Therefore, Gurukul is a yoga school that develops the individual as a whole person instead of just as a yogi.