Rishikesh is the yoga capital of the world, and honestly, that title is well-deserved. The city lies in the foothills of Himalayas, with the Ganga river very close to the city and this energy makes learning yoga here different. But with hundreds of schools offering 200 hour TTCs, it can be overwhelming trying to pick the right school.
So let’s start!
Start with Yoga Alliance certification. A school that is worth your time and money, must be registered with Yoga Alliance (RYS 200). This will guarantee that your certificate will be recognised internationally and that the curriculum is at international standards. If not, it may not be accepted by the studios overseas. This is an essential check that you should not miss.
Review the curriculum carefully. The 200 hours TTC should include asana, pranayama, meditation, yoga philosophy, anatomy and methodology of teaching. A red flag is a school that does not describe or specify its program in its brochure. If you see a detailed daily schedule, this is a good indicator.
Check who’s actually teaching. There are many schools that promote the names of big names but teach classes by junior people. Check reviews, ask questions, and if possible, contact the school by phone. You don’t want a flashy website, you want experienced, passionate teachers.
Read authentic student feedback. Google Reviews, forums on specific courses or even Instagram can be telling indicators. Attention to patterns, both praise and complaints are important. Look for comments from students who have recently had training, rather than years ago.
Think about class size. The smaller the size of the batch, the more personal attention. When you are a new teacher, feedback is the key.
Take your comfort level into consideration. These are not luxuries, these are an integral part of your experience, accommodation, food, location within Rishikesh. Training is rigorous and a peaceful, comfortable environment really does help, especially a month-long training.
Lastly, trust your gut. When it feels wrong in the inquiry stage, it will most likely feel wrong during the course as well. The right school will be clear, transparent, and truly invested in your development, not your payment.
