How to choose the best yoga school in India for yoga teacher training

Reasons for choosing India for yoga teacher training in India:

1. Home of Yoga: India is home of yoga and known as the world yoga capital. India has followed the path of lineage practice of yoga and transmitting this rich knowledge from generation to generation.
2. Diversity: India has a diverse range of practice which includes ashtanga, hatha, Iyengar yoga, vinyasa combined with modern approaches including yin yoga.
3. Immersive Experience: The experience of staying in India for about 3 weeks leads to a deep immersive experience which is holistic in approach which includes rich cultural exposure combined with diverse food and people interaction.
4. Value for money: When compared with the cost of yoga trainings in the western countries, yoga TTC in India is extreme value which includes meals and stay.
5. International certification: Most yoga schools in India offer international certification which is valid internationally to teach anywhere in the world with affiliation to Yoga Alliance, USA.

All the above provide an ideal space for deep practice and personal transformation.

As a first step: understand as to what you want from your yoga teacher training in India:

1. Grow personal practice Vs Certification: Are you taking the yoga teacher training to become a registered yoga teacher or for improving personal practice.
2. Level of training: Beginner course like 200 Hour YTTC or advanced courses like 300 Hour YTTC or specialised trainings like Aerial yoga, Yin YTTC.
3. Yoga style: Whether you wish deep dive into traditional practices likes Ashtanga, Hatha or modern styles like Vinyasa or Yin. Alternatively you can choose multi style trainings which is inclusive of all different styles of yoga.
4. Yoga Course Structure: Whether you wish to take the course which has emphasis on classroom learning or more on practical learning which is focused on becoming a yoga teacher.
5. Location: India offers few cities which are the key yoga hubs for yoga teacher training each appealing differently. Rishkesh offers spiritual vibe in the Himalayan setting, Goa offers sunny beaches combined with cultural dive into Portuguese heritage combined with old hindu temples, Mysore offers traditional lineage based teaching in Ashtanga.

Cost of the training: if the course fee includes stay, meals, airport transfers. 

Best yoga school in India – what to consider as a student:

1. Certification: The most popular certification which allows you to teach anywhere in the world is with Yoga Alliance, USA. So as a starting point it’s a good idea to check with yoga school if their program is a registered program with Yoga Alliance, USA, so look for yoga schools which are RYS (Registered Yoga School with YA, USA).
2. Range of courses offered by yoga school: A yoga school offering different styles of yoga to learn from means that they have a range of teachers to learn from. Like a school offering trainings in Yin yoga along with haha yoga has deeper understanding for the curriculum needed to successfully run a traditional program with a more advanced program giving the yoga school depth of understanding and learning to share.
3. Student to teacher ratio: Overtime many yoga schools started treating trainings like yoga factories with large number of students in each program. Mathematically that may seem like a successful yoga school but it is also the one which does not offer a personal experience. It becomes important when as a student you prioritise personal engagement with teachers to learn – a hands on adjustment in asana class or personal learning in adjustment and alignment class takes priority for you over large groups. Ideal group size is maximum 12 to 15 students with 2 to 3 teachers.
4. Quality of teachers: Check for credentials of teachers as to what level of trainings they have attended like being a – ERYT 200, ERYT 500, RYT 500. It may seem like a good idea to get on a call with the senior teacher if that’s possible as an option to understand there styles of teaching.
5. Emphasis of the program: It may be best to ask what the program is emphasising – is it more based on classroom teaching or focused on adding skills for you to start teaching. Is the program dedicating reasonable hours to start teaching with classes on practical teaching each day or its just one way teaching all day for the course.
6. Course structure: Check for detailed course structure to see whether it includes all asana practice, mantra chanting, pranayama, meditation, adjustment and alignment, anatomy, teaching methodology, sequencing, practical teaching classes.
7. Special classes: Does the program go beyond by offering special classes on subjects like ayurveda, business of yoga, yoga Nidra – all these add value to the training.
8. Final certification requirement: what is the process of certifying finally, would there be written assessment, practical teaching assessment etc.
9. Location of the yoga school in India: Each city has something different and distinct to offer in the overall experience over the weekends while you are here for the yoga teacher training. Goa offers sunny tropical white sand beaches when’s its winters in Europe combined with Portuguese heritage, while Rishikesh offers mountains.
10. Weather: Goa offers the best weather during the months of October to March when you will be able to enjoy the sunny beaches while Rishikesh offers best months as April to September. April to June is very hot in Goa with intense summers and then rainy season starts until August. Rishikesh has intense winters between November to February being in the mountains.
11. Testimonials: Check for what the past students have to say about the experience of being with the yoga school. One of the best way to choose a yoga school is when it comes as a reference.
12. Cost and Value of training: Check if the training induces all costs like stay, meals, teaching material. Hidden costs can be laundry, airport transfers, meals on weekends. This may be useful to budget your total course cost, though this may be marginal.
13. Accommodation and meals: whether the yoga school provides options for stay like single/double shared room/dormitory rooms. Do meals cater to any food allergies like lactose intolerance, vegan meals etc.
14. Ease of reaching the yoga school: how far from the airport and if they have trusted set driver to offer you taxi transfer to the campus.
15. Refund policy of the yoga school: whether the yoga school is going to refund the deposit or transfer your deposit to any future course of there are any last minute changes to your travel plans for any emergency.

Why choose yoga teacher training in Goa?

1. Safe International beach travel destination: Goa was ruled by the Portuguese for 451 years and hence the local residents are exposed to western people and lifestyle. Locals are very respectful of International tourists and safety takes priority as a first time traveller to India. Goa has a large mix of Christians and Hindus living together peacefully. As a first time solo woman traveller to India this town is great place to start.
2. Beautiful white sand beaches: Goa offers serene palm trees with white sandy beaches which have a soothing effect. Great setting for an intense training combined with a relaxed beach weekends. You will have a wide choice of beaches to explore during the weekends.
3. Culturally rich and diverse: Goa offers very rich and diverse culture to experience with a Portuguese heritage blending into Indian way of living which reflects in diverse food culture which blends with range of western and Indian food. From a spiritual perspective there are old Hindu temples which coexist with churches. Goa is full of international entries and cafes combined with Indian food restaurants.
4. Weather: Goa offers perfect get away from cold winters of the west, its the best weather between October and March with sunny tropical sun and moderate night temperature of 25 degree Celsius.
5. Highly Accessible destination: Goa is one the highest travelled tourist towns in India offering easy accessibility connecting International travel with direct flights through Doha Qatar and indirect flights from major towns like Mumbai and Delhi.
6. Range of yoga schools: you get to choose between traditional and modern yoga schools with different teaching styles.

Common red flags while choosing the best yoga teacher training in India:

1. No testimonials or references of past students when asked for.
2. Very low prices may indicate poor quality of teachers, poor accommodation, overcrowding.
3. Lack of transparency of teachers or course structure.
4. Mixing different courses into one program like combining 200 Hour program within a 300 hour training.

Conclusion:

India is definitely one of the best choice to make for yoga teacher training as an overall experience much beyond just the asana practice. Its good to do your own research and see what you value more and if any particular yoga schools aligns with what you are seeking more as an experience, always feel free to ask as many questions before arriving at your decision. Once arrived at that decision just trust the process that good things are to come your way and give you lifetime of cherishful memories.