Are you feeling the desire to learn and become a student of knowledge again? To step into your power and learn life-changing tools that will support you in all aspects of your life? You may be ready to commit to a yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, but unsure of what school to choose. Rishikesh is the birthplace of yoga and magnetically pulls all spiritual seekers towards the Himalayas. It may seem difficult to know what to look for when choosing your first 200-hour yoga teacher training. This guide is designed to help you look at some practical aspects that will make your decision much easier and best suited for your needs.

You can focus on one specific style of yoga such as hatha yoga, vinyasa yoga, and Ashtanga yoga or experience a multi-style yoga course. You can also complete training in more specialized styles of yoga such as kundalini yoga, yin yoga, yoga therapy, Ayurveda or prenatal yoga. It is important to have a solid foundation, for your yoga learning and personal self-development.

Choosing the right instructors

You will want to make sure you are taught by experienced teachers, who have certifications or degrees in yoga education. You will be spending one month learning a wide array of subjects from them, such as yogic philosophy, anatomy, alignment, pranayama and meditation. You will be putting a lot of time in energy in the course, so you want to find teachers that will put all their time and energy into you as they guide you with your personal transformation. If you come to India before-hand you can try drop-in classes with different teachers to see what suits you. Otherwise, research and read about the teacher’s experience on their website. Read reviews and find out how long they have been teaching.

Accommodation and food

What is the accommodation like? Are the yoga halls bright, inviting and spacious? Are meals included?

This is important as you want to make sure you are in a calm, peaceful environment that will enhance your concentration and learning. Living in an ashram will help you focus and keep you motivated to follow an intensive schedule. In Rishikesh, most of the schools include three home-cooked vegetarian meals a day, so you won’t have to worry about going outside for food.

Expansive and well-crafted curriculum

When looking for a teacher training, you should know what elements are important to you. Do you want a school that also teaches about Ayurveda and naturopathy? India is an incredible place to learn true yogic philosophy straight from the source. Some schools may have different requirements, so be sure to look at the curriculum on their website and see what is taught in the course.

Student size

How many students will be in the training? Do you prefer a more intimate environment with fewer students, or do you enjoy large group settings? These are some questions to think about. There are some pros and cons to both. A smaller group setting allows more one on one guidance from the teacher, but with larger groups offer more opportunities to connect with like-minded people.

Make sure the school is registered with Yoga Alliance

Are they registered with Yoga Alliance? This is one of the top things that everyone looks for when searching for a yoga teacher training. Every (RYS) Registered Yoga School requires a certain framework to be certified to be able to provide 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training. For those who want to teach private or group classes, in a studio, or internationally it is important to make sure that your course is Yoga Alliance certified as many people ask for this.

Remember, no matter what yoga course you choose you will learn something new and it will be life-changing. Whether you want to become a yoga teacher or use this knowledge to deepen your practice and self-growth, this opportunity will open many doors for you. You will find the perfect TTC course in Rishikesh. Just trust that you are in the right place, and know that doing a little bit of research will go a long way.