Why do your yoga teacher training in Goa, India?
The starting point of your yoga teacher training (YTT) is where should you do it? Most often students look for options in Asia to take this journey as this is home of yoga. The fact that you are ready to commit to a month of yoga teacher training (YTT) involves a very basic question as why not travel to a new city or continent to explore along with learning. India is home of yoga and thus draws hundreds of thousand yoga students each year travelling to learn where it all started.
Within India there are a few cities that are predominantly home to yoga schools like Goa, Rishikesh and Mysore. Most of the yoga schools in India are based in these cities. So you will have choice of these cities to do complete your yoga teacher training in India.
Here are reasons as why Goa should make to the top of your list for a yoga teacher training in India.
Rich culture
Goa became a part of independent India only in the year 1961. The Portuguese invaded Goa in 1510 and ruled Goa for 450 years which has a strong influence on the Goan culture, food and architecture. Hence Goa offers a strong mix of both a colonial past and rich Indian local culture. It has diverse population which is a mix of Christianity and Hindu culture.
Long coastline of over 106 kms with one of the finest beaches in Asia
Goa has a long coastline of over 106 kms with a series of beautiful beaches from north to south. South of Goa has one of the finest beaches in Asia like Palolem, Agonda, Patnem, Turtle Beach, Majorda, Colva to name a few. In the north of Goa you have famous beaches like Arambol, Mandrem, Ashvem, Anjuna, Calangute, and Candolim. While central Goa hosts the capital of Goa called Panjim famous for old Goan churches like the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
The water in Goa is pleasant to swim all season and it is not cold like the beaches in Europe or North America. While some beaches in north goa are more commercial with more shops and people selling you stuff on the beach, the beaches in south Goa are more quiet and serene just to relax and swim with the right mix of shops and beach shacks.
Locals are very receptive to tourists
Goa is one of the most travelled cities by local Indians as well as International tourists in India. The tourist traffic to Goa has been growing consistently over the years. The locals are used to tourists and respect the same since they are source of livelihood for them. You will be able to find your way around using English as most locals are working around tourism and have a basic understanding of working English.
Very safe to travel as a single tourist
Goa is super safe for any single tourist and has low crime rate. Several factors are responsible for this, exposure to basic education, high tourism, rich cultural mix are some of the reasons. The Goan police is very active and has regular patrols in the beach areas as they are frequented by a lot of tourists most year. Especially for women safety they have taken measure like Pink Patrols where lady police officers patrol the beach areas regularly.
Cost of food is cheap to moderate in restaurants
Goa offers you a rich culture of food to explore owing to its past. It has an influence of Hindu culture and Portuguese both at the same time. The food uses local ingredients like coconut milk, fresh produce of vegetables and local spices. It is very easy to find range of food from vegetarian, vegan to non-vegetarian on the menu of most restaurants. Also there are restaurants catering to just vegan food in the recent years with the arrival of International tourists. Rice and fish is the local staple food for most Goans which boasts of a large fishing community.
The food price in Goa is reasonable and can range from 3 Euros to 10 Euros per meal in a sit out restaurant.
Has International Airport and is well connected with major Indian cities
Goa is well connected with other large Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai etc. So you will always have an option to either fly into India through Mumbai or Delhi and then take a connecting flight to Goa. Alternatively you may fly straight into Goa on some airlines like Qatar which fly you through Doha. You may also consider taking a train or a bus from Mumba to arrive in Goa at a low cost but we would not recommend this option if you are first time traveler in India.
In the end Goa does make a compelling destination for your yoga teacher training in India. We are always happy to answer any questions for you, please write to us at [email protected] if you have any queries.
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