Top 10 Yoga Teachers in India (2024) – Best-Rated Gurus, Schools & Career Insights
India, the home of yoga, has presented to the world ancient knowledge, eternal practices, and some of the most enigmatic yoga teachers. From the Himalayan foothills to Goa’s seashores and Rishikesh, the spiritual core of India, yoga teachers in India provide much more than a sequence of postures and flows they provide a journey of transformation.
Whether you are a beginner wanting to discover your inner calm or an experienced practitioner wanting more, your search for the right yoga teacher in India is critical to your quest. In this blog post, we present to you a carefully selected list of some of the best-rated yoga teachers and schools that you must know of.
We start with one of the most highly regarded yoga schools of Rishikesh: Gurukul Yogashala
Gurukul Yogashala – Respecting the Traditional Origins of Yoga
Address: Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Specialties: Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Pranayama, Philosophy of Yoga
Gurukul Yogashala is one of the best yoga school in Rishikesh based on its strong roots in the traditional Gurukul system. Situated in the holy womb of India—Rishikesh—this school is renowned for its disciplined but loving method of teaching yoga.
Shikha Ji, an intuitive and committed yoga teacher, guides the classes here. Her teaching is soft yet deep, combining Vedic wisdom, Ayurveda, and traditional Hatha Yoga into every class. She is greatly revered not just for her yogic knowledge but also for her spiritual guidance and empathetic leadership.
Why Gurukul Yogashala Is Among the Top Yoga Schools in Rishikesh
•Focus on 100-hour and 200-hour Rishikesh yoga teacher training
•True ashram-style living experience
•Traditional Indian scriptures-based teachings
•One-on-one attention in small class sizes
•Certification from Yoga Alliance International
If you’re looking for yoga teacher training in India that’s immersive, disciplined, and spiritually nourishing—this is where you want to be.
Top-Rated Yoga Instructors in India (Detailed List)
Dr. Hansaji Yogendra – Director, The Yoga Institute, Mumbai
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Specialties: Classical Yoga, Lifestyle Management, Therapeutic Yoga
Dr. Hansaji Yogendra is one of India’s most prominent figures in the yoga world and today’s director of the world’s oldest established yoga center, The Yoga Institute, which was founded in 1918. She has transformed the methodology of classical yoga by bringing it to contemporary life and well-being requirements.
A spiritual force in herself, Dr. Hansaji’s teachings are rooted in the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, with a focus on ethics, mental discipline, and holistic health. Her training programs are perfect for those looking to integrate yoga into everyday living.
Sadhguru – Founder, Isha Foundation
Location: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Specialties: Inner Engineering, Hatha Yoga, Meditation
One of the world’s best-known spiritual gurus and yoga teachers from India, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev founded Isha Yoga. His courses—particularly the life-changing Inner Engineering—have drawn millions of seekers around the world.
His system is based on traditional yogic science and the Shiva tradition, providing instruments for inner alignment, mental clarity, and spiritual growth.
Isha Hatha Yoga School provides senior-level training in Hatha Yoga and Kriya practices, and their teacher training is rigorous and authentic.
Yogrishi Vishvketu – Founder, Akhanda Yoga Institute
Location: Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Specialties: Akhanda Yoga, Pranayama, Holistic Living
A Himalayan master and one of the world’s most respected yoga teachers, Yogrishi Vishvketu (Vishva-ji) is recognized for his distinctive approach—Akhanda Yoga—that weaves asana, pranayama, mantra, and yogic philosophy into a harmonious practice.
His 200-hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh is a world favorite and one of India’s most in-depth courses for becoming a yoga teacher. With his soothing teaching style and profound yogic understanding, Vishva-ji focuses on self-discovery, healing, and bliss.
Baba Ramdev – Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar
Location: Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Specialties: Pranayama, Ayurveda, Naturopathy
A national name in India, Baba Ramdev has been instrumental in getting yoga popularised as a mass movement. Through Patanjali Yogpeeth, he provides mass yoga training, Ayurvedic therapy, and open yoga camps.
Although his approach is populist and physical in form, his lectures on Pranayama and natural healing are highly beneficial for beginners venturing into yoga and health.
Anand Mehrotra – Founder, Sattva Yoga Academy
Where: Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
What they’re known for: Sattva Yoga, Kriya, Meditation
Anand Mehrotra is a young spiritual teacher from India and the creator of Sattva Yoga—a powerful fusion of ancient Himalayan wisdom and Kundalini, Tantra, and Vinyasa flow.
His Rishikesh yoga school is located in the peaceful foothills and teaches 200-hour and 300-hour yoga teacher training, retreats, and higher self-mastery programs. Sattva Yoga emphasizes individual evolution, emotional cleansing, and spiritual growth.
Mini Thapar Shastri – Yoga Expert & Wellness Guide
Location: Delhi, India
Specialties: Therapeutic Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Mindfulness
Mini Thapar Shastri is a familiar name in the urban wellness circuit. Her therapeutic yoga and women’s wellness interventions have changed numerous lives, particularly in Delhi and metropolitan cities.
An ever-present face on wellness panels and yoga television shows, Mini emphasizes personalized practice based on individual requirements—whether it is hormonal balance, spinal health, or mental peace.
Her sessions are commonly portrayed as soulful, healing, and utterly grounding.
Deepika Mehta – Ashtanga Yoga & Strength Training Specialist
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Specialties: Ashtanga Yoga, Strength Training, Core Power Yoga
Deepika Mehta is one of India’s strongest and most empowering female yoga teachers. Famous for training celebrities and fitness gurus, her specialty is in Ashtanga Yoga, strength training, and contemporary yoga flows.
She blends the strict tradition of Mysore-style Ashtanga with breathing-led movement. Her workshops and teacher training courses regularly sell out worldwide.
If you’re looking for a contemporary yet traditional yoga practice, Deepika is someone you’d do well to learn about.
Namita Piparaiya – Holistic Wellness Educator
Location: Mumbai
Specialties: Hatha Yoga, Ayurveda, Breathwork
A corporate executive by past experience but now a full-time yoga teacher, Namita Piparaiya offers a scientific and integrative approach to yoga and Ayurveda. Her instruction involves breathwork, balancing the doshas, and aligning lifestyles with yogic knowledge.
Her content is widely followed on digital platforms, and her approach appeals especially to working professionals and urban audiences looking to reconnect with their well-being.
Other Noteworthy Mentions:
• Bharat Thakur – Founder, Artistic Yoga
• Seema Sondhi – The Yoga Studio, Delhi
• Nupur Biswas – Yoga Chakra Founder
• Rupali Tigga – Power Yoga Specialist, Bangalore
• Moksha Priya Ji – Senior Teacher at Parmarth Niketan Ashram
Why Choose an Experienced Yoga Guru Over Just a Course?
India has numerous yoga schools, yet not all yoga teachers provide the depth, lineage, and discipline necessary to grow as a student or a teacher.
Whether you’re joining a 100 hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, a vinyasa yoga training in Goa, or looking for the top yoga school in India, it is actually the authenticity of the teacher that makes the real difference.
Excellent yoga teachers in India:
•Maintain the spiritual purity of yoga
•Unite yogic philosophy with asana
•Facilitate self-inquiry and awareness
•Lead students outside of the mat as well
•Provide certification courses such as Yoga Alliance TTC
FAQs About Yoga Teachers, Training & Careers in India
1. Who is India’s No. 1 Yoga Teacher
India has numerous famous yoga gurus, each being great in his or her own school of yoga. It’s hard to declare a single “No. 1” yoga teacher, but listed below are some of the most respected across the board:
India’s Top Yoga Teachers (World-Recognized):
• Dr. Hansaji Yogendra – Director, The Yoga Institute, Mumbai; one of the world’s oldest yoga institutions.
• Sadhguru (Jaggi Vasudev) – Founder of Isha Foundation; famous for spiritual yoga and Inner Engineering courses.
• Baba Ramdev – Made yoga popular among the masses with public camps and media.
• Shikha Ji Mataji (Gurukul Yogashala, Rishikesh) – Famous for classical yoga teacher training based on Vedic knowledge.
• Yogrishi Vishvketu – Founder of Akhanda Yoga, famous for international teacher training.
• Anand Mehrotra – Founder of Sattva Yoga Academy; specializes in Kundalini, meditation, and self-control.
What sets them apart as top-rated
• Authentic lineage and Vedic training
• Contribution to yoga teaching in India and worldwide
• Ongoing focus on whole-being wellness—mind, body, and spirit
• Pioneering work in teacher training programs such as 200-hour YTT in Rishikesh
So, while the “No. 1” might differ depending on preference and path, India’s best yoga teachers are respected for their integrity, expertise, and life-changing impact.
2. How Much Does a Yoga Trainer Cost in India
The cost of employing a yoga instructor in India can differ greatly by location, experience level, training style, and mode (groupprivateonline).
Indian Yoga Trainers’ average cost:
1. Home-based One-on-One Private Yoga Instructor
•Metro Cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore): ₹800 – ₹2500 per session
•Tier 2 Cities: ₹500 – ₹1500 per session
•Rural or Ashram Situations: Usually donation-based or part of retreat charges
2. Offline Group Yoga Class
• Monthly packages start from ₹1500 – ₹5000, depending on frequency of classes
3. Online Yoga Classes (ZoomYouTubeApps)
• Per session: ₹300 – ₹800
• MonthlySubscription plans: ₹1000 – ₹3000
4. CorporateWorkshop Yoga Sessions
• Daily workshops: ₹5000 – ₹15,000
• Weeklymonthly corporate plans can reach up to ₹50,000 – ₹1 lakh+ based on the reputation of the instructor and years of experience
✅ Factors that determine pricing:
• Certification (Yoga Alliance, International boards)
• Location (yoga trainer in India vs yoga teacher training in Rishikesh)
• Specialization (Prenatal, Therapeutic, Power Yoga, etc.)
• Popularity or celebrity clientele of the instructor
3. How Much Does a Yoga Instructor Make in India
The salary of a yoga instructor in India can be significantly different depending on experience, certification, and employment type (freelancer, institute, online, etc.)
Breakdown of Yoga Instructor Income:
1. New Yoga Teachers (0–2 Years Experience)
• ₹15,000 – ₹30,000month at yoga schools or studios
• Freelancers might make ₹300–₹800 per session
•Following 200 hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, most become assistants
2. Mid-Level Instructors (2–5 Years Experience)
•₹30,000 – ₹70,000month, particularly in tier 1 cities
•Part-time freelance trainers can earn ₹1000–₹2000session
•Teaching own classesretreats increases earnings
3. Advanced Yoga Teachers (5+ Years Experience)
•₹80,000 – ₹2,00,000+month from a mix of:
- Studio classes
- Private clients
- Retreats and workshops
- YouTube influencer presence
- Collaborations with wellness resorts
4. Internationally Certified Trainers
With Yoga Alliance Certification, instructors can:
- Teach abroad
- Operate yoga teacher training in India (100hr200hr)
- Charge high prices: ₹3000–₹5000+class
5. Celebrity Yoga Instructors
• Earnings range from ₹5 lakhs to ₹15 lakhsmonth based on brand endorsement deals, clientele, and social media reach
4. Is Yoga Instructor a Good Career in India
Yes, it is as much a satisfying spiritual calling as an ever-more plausible long-term career option, particularly in the expanding health and wellness sector.
Why Yoga is a Fulfilling Profession:
✅ 1. Huge Demand for Trained Trainers
•Wellness consciousness is booming in India and worldwide
•Schools, corporates, resorts, and hospitals are recruiting yoga professionals
✅ 2. Diversified Income Sources
•Offline + Online sessions
•YouTubeInstagram monetization
•Corporate sessions and workshops
•Retreats and international training courses
•Affiliate with top yoga school in Rishikesh
✅ 3. Inner Satisfaction
•A profession built on healing, mindfulness, and serving others
•A harmonious lifestyle that matches inner well-being
✅ 4. International Career Horizon
• With 100 hour yoga teacher training or 200 hour YTT certification in Rishikesh, teachers can:
o Work in foreign resorts and wellness centers
o Have international student pools
o Operate yoga classes in Europe, the USA, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East
✅ 5. Easy Work-Life
• Set your own schedule, students, and teaching methodology
• Most instructors turn into digital nomads with virtual yoga classes
Challenges to Remember:
•Competition market—standing out is a continuous effort and marketing
•Needs passion, discipline, and learning continuously
•Physical strain and burnout are possible without self-care
•Establishing a stable client base takes time, particularly in the early stages
How to Succeed as a Yoga Teacher in India:
1. Get trained at well-known institutions like Gurukul Yogashala, Rishikesh
2. Choose a niche (prenatal, therapy, vinyasa yoga Rishikesh, etc.)
3. Establish a good personal brand online
4. Obtain 100 hour or 200 hour yoga teacher training Rishikesh Uttarakhand
5. Begin small private, small group instruction
6. Partner with spas, resorts, and corporate wellness programs
7. Understand the business side pricing, retention, outreach, and licensure
8. Keep current with workshops, new flows, and health trends
9. Create a multilingual offering (Hindi + English) to expand reach
10. Teach from the heart and with authenticity students will return for energy, not technique
How to Become a Certified Yoga Instructor in India
Pursuing a career as a yoga teacher in India is not only a job—it’s a vocation. As India sits at the center of the world yoga phenomenon, this is an optimal moment to join the field of work, particularly with yoga teacher training in Rishikesh or 100 hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, India.
Whether you aspire to teach in studios, open your own yoga school, or travel the world as a spiritual educator, the opportunities are abundant—and growing.