29 Day 300-Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh

Facilities

Certification

Students who complete the training are eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT®).

Techniques, training, and practice (TTP) - 70 Hours

Students will learn how to enrich their yoga practice and teaching. Students will be taught the advanced practices of yoga. Instruction methods will include lectures, guided group practice, workshops, and group discussions. These are the techniques that will be covered: asanas, trunk-twisting postures, trunk bending and leg raises, pelvis-raising postures, pelvic postures, static balance postures, chakras, pranayama, meditation, and advanced Mudras.

Teaching methodology (TM) - 30 Hours

You will focus on refining your teaching skills by learning how to communicate clearly with students via strong cues and thoughtful messaging. You'll also discover how to vary these clearly and they'll review fundamentals of creating a theme in your students' physical practice.

A comprehensive exploration of the principles of assisting your students: physical, verbal, demonstrating, props, and directional.

A rooted deep dive into the fundamentals of assisting: intention, connection, honoring limitations, and confidence.

This module has an emphasis on practice in action with the objective of building confidence as you practice discovering how to look at families of poses to make decisions about movements to prepare and to counter.

How to access tools of mirroring and demoing, speech volume and tone, teacher’s location in the room, and the use of lighting and music to impact students for the better and how to adapt familiar sequences to new poses and themes.

Students will learn how to individualize their classes for meaningful experiences. This is designed to create progressive movements to prepare the body for the physical work of yoga and how to honor individual taste and style to meet the needs of specific groups of students and formats of class.

Anatomy and physiology (AP) - 20 Hours

The focus of this module will be on the structures and movements of the spine. You will also focus on the muscles of breath and the anatomy and physiology of inhalation and exhalation. You will gain a deeper understanding of the five directions of movement of the spine and the roles of breath, muscles, structure and functional mechanics within each.

Yoga Philosophy/LifeStyle Ethics (YPLE) - 100 Hours

Yoga Philosophy/LifeStyle Ethics (YPLE) This part will focus on the fundamentals of yoga philosophy and ethics. Your expert teachers will take trainees on a transformational journey by expounding on ancient yogic texts. The history of yoga and will help you come up with your own clear vision and mission to apply this ancient knowledge to help your community and the world. Below are a few of the learning objectives covered in this part of the training.

• Understand the complex layerings of yogic history.
• Differentiate between and apply various ideas of yogic philosophy to yogic practice on and off of the mat.
• Explore some of the lesser-known, but equally important, sacred texts of Hatha yoga.
• What is yoga?
• What does the practice mean to you?
• Dive deeply into the work of ego and the self that you embody.
• Create a vision of what you will contribute to yourself, your community and the world through your journey in yoga teacher training.
• Through a comprehensive overview of the Yamas and Niyama will dig deeper into who you are being on your path as a yogi and teacher.

Yogic ethics

• The Qualities of the Spiritual Teacher and Student
• The Vows of Personal Liberation
• The Commitments of Awakening Mind
• The Vows and Pledges of Sacred Mantra

Teaching practice - 90 Hours

Each student will be teaching at least two to four classes to the group of other students: Intermediate and advanced. These classes will be monitored by expert teachers who help with corrections and suggestions. All classes will be run in traditional ashram style.

Rishikesh School of Yoga places great emphasis on helping their students developing a deep relationship and understanding of the art of teaching. In order to complete your training program, they require their students to spend contact hours teaching as a lead instructor.

Bandhas

Bandhas, their functions, significance, and how to properly perform them. A major part of Hatha yoga is the Bandhas. In this course, students will go over all three bandhas, their functions, significance, and how to properly perform them in conjunction with asana practice or by themselves. Students will also be instructed on how to teach each of the bandhas.

• Learn all about bandhas
• Perform all the bandhas correctly
• Learn how to teach them safely

Dristi

Dristi or gaze is what keeps the mind focused and centered during Hatha yoga. In this course, students will be instructed in the importance of each dristi, when they can be used, how to perform them properly and how to teach them.

• Learn the different types of dristis
• How to perform them effectively
• How to teach them

Ujyaya

How to properly perform Ujaya breathing. The breath is the life force of the physiology. Ujaya breathing, when combined with Hatha yoga, energizes the practice. In this course, students will be instructed on how to properly perform Ujaya breathing during asana practice and independently as a standalone practice.

• Learn how to properly perform and teach Ujaya breathing

Pranayamas

Students will learn basic pranayamas, how to use their breath, and when pranayamas can and cannot be practiced.

• Learn basic pranayamas and proper technique
• Learn how and why pranayamas work

Intermediate pranayamas

Initially, students will continue their study of the basic pranayamas. After gaining experience, students will be instructed in intermediate pranayamas to further their understanding and development.

• Learn Intermediate pranayamas
• Practice Intermediate pranayamas

Meditation

Students will spend time going over preparatory material in order to learn meditation and what conditions need to be set up in order to facilitate the process.

• Prepare for the instruction of meditation
• Learn to meditate

Meditation practice

After the students have learned to meditate, they will meditate for 10 to 20 minutes twice a day to further develop their practice, consciousness, and understanding.

• Develop their meditation practice
• Develop their consciousness

Shat Karmas

Yoga cleansing techniques. After learning about Kriyas, students will learn basic cleansing techniques they can do on a daily basis.

• Learn Kriya techniques

Chanting and mantras

Chants and mantras hold intelligence that enlivens different parts of one’s consciousness. In this course, students will learn simple mantras and chanting through handouts, demonstrations, and repetition. You will also go over pronunciation and how to read and pronounce Sanskrit written in English.

• Learn about chanting mantras
• Learn simple chants and mantras

Anatomy and physiology

Nadis: Anatomical approach to nadis

This course takes an anatomical approach to nadis (channels). Through lecture and illustrations, students will come to understand the different types of nadis and their roles. As well as how different practices have an effect on the nadis.

• Gain an anatomical understanding of nadis
• Learn what practices have effects on the nadis

Koshas

Koshas are the sheaths that the entirety of the physiology is made up of. From the most gross, the physical body, to the most subtle, the bliss body. Students will learn the different Koshas that make up one’s being.

• Learn about the different levels of one’s being

Chakras

Chakras have major roles in our lives, more than most people realize. This course, through handouts, lecture and discussion will provide a way to give clear, simple understanding to chakras, how they function and how to keep them in a relative state of balance.

• Learn about the chakras
• Learn how they function
• Learn how to keep them in balance

Anatomy of asanas

Using demonstrations and illustrations student will learn how the major groups of asanas (forward bends, backbends, twists, standing, and inversions) affects each of the muscular, skeletal, and organ systems. Students will also gain a deeper understanding of why modifications and precautions are necessary for different situations.

• Learn about the relationship between asanas and anatomy
• Understand why and when to advise precautions and modifications

Asanas use

Different asanas and asana groups will have specific effects on the physiology. Through lectures and some demonstrations, students will deepen their understanding of the correlation between asanas and their physical response. This understanding is the key to developing sequences that help students manage specific aspects of their physiologists be it physical, mental, or emotional. With the knowledge of the power of yoga, Rishikesh School of Yoga, Rishikesh always emphasizes the importance of following the recommendations of each student's primary or special care specialist and stress that it is important to not claim to be able to eliminate physical, mental, or emotional conditions with yoga.

• Learn what asanas and asana groups may have beneficial effects on the physiology
• Design a regimen to achieve health in general areas
• Don’t claim to be able to eliminate any condition. Respect the recommendations of other professionals who are trained in their field

Pranic science

Through reading the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and lectures, students will gain preparatory knowledge of pranayamas and learn how pranayamas effect the physiology.

• Gain understanding in the field of pranayamas
• Learn definitions, prerequisites, and proper approach to pranayama

Anatomy of pranayamas

Learn how each pranayama has a specific effect on the physiology. Students will gain some understanding of why some individuals may experience difficulty performing some pranayamas.

• Learn the physiological effect of each pranayama
• Gain insight as to why a student might have difficulty during some pranayamas

Teaching methodology

Teaching asanas

People coming into the practice of yoga will be at different places physically, mentally, and emotionally. Through demonstrations, lecture, and discussion, students will learn how to be most effective as a teacher. This means having the ability to accurately assess each student and give them a task that is challenging enough to inspire growth in their asana practice while not overexerting them to the extent that they become injured or discouraged. The highest priority in this course is to instruct students in how to teach asanas so that they are safe, comfortable, and effective for everyone in the class.

• Be able to visually discern where a student may struggle and succeed
• Learn to give proper feedback so that their students can develop their asana practice in a safe and effective manner

How to teach pranayamas

Teaching something as abstract as pranayamas can prove to be more intricate than one might expect. Students will learn how to give proper instruction for each pranayama. They will also learn to observe cues their student may display to signify success or difficulty performing different pranayamas and learn the cause behind each cue and possible ways to help.

• Learn how to teach pranayamas
• Learn to observe physical cues

Voice and language

How you communicate in a class can be the difference between a great class and a bad experience, a great lesson or a dull, dry lecture. Students will learn the differences in voice and language that can make all the difference and how to use their voice and language effectively.

• Learn how to use voice and language to communicate with clarity and compassion

Recognizing challenges

It is important to be able to identify the correct approach for each student by reading the various cues that they display. Through demonstrations and discussions, this course will cover common physical or emotional signals or cues students display indicating that they might be having trouble in a certain area. Examples of these cues include the way they walk, talk, hold their energy, and how their alignment looks in certain postures.

• Pick up on cues and signals that students give to be a more effective teacher

Marketing and social media

One of the most important things you can do for your business is to expand your reach through marketing. Through lectures and handouts, this course will give students an understanding of how media and social media can be utilized to market and grow your business.

• Learn how to gain more exposure in the market
• Learn ways to use social media as an effective promotional tool

Yoga philosophy/lifestyle ethics

Ethics and responsibility

A large part of being a teacher is leading by example. Through lecture, demonstration and discussion, this course goes over what is involved in being a good example for students. Topics such as things a teacher can do to keep their personal issues out of the classroom, how to show students respect, what are appropriate adjustments and what isn't, ways to dress while teaching class, dealing with confidential information, and overall professionalism.

• Learn about the behaviors, practices, and conduct that will lead to a long and prosperous career as a yoga teacher
• Avoid behaviors that might lead to lawsuits, slander, or an abrupt end to your yoga teaching career

Science of meditation

Through lectures and illustrations, students will learn the science and mechanics of meditation.

• Learn about the mechanics of meditation and human consciousness.

Science of creative intelligence

Through lectures and illustrations, students will learn about the intelligence underlying all aspects of the universe and how through meditation, each individual can directly access it.

• Learn about SCI
• How to access SCI

Understanding the Kriyas

Kriyas are actions or duties a yogi takes in order to cleanse the internal system of impurities. Using the material in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, students will learn what Kriyas are and how they work to keep their system in top condition.

Yoga sutras

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are a collection of sutras or passages that impart wisdom and knowledge about the path of yoga. Students will go over the most important sutras through lectures and discussions in order to gain an understanding of the yogic path and how one’s consciousness can develop most effectively and efficiently. Topics covered will include the chitta (consciousness), vrittis (intelligence), samskaras (patterns), yamas and Niyamas (conduct), Patanjali's Philosophy on Ashtanga yoga, abyasa and viragya (continuous practice and detachment), and more. This knowledge will aid students in their own path as well as becoming an effective teacher and role model in your community.

• Learn the fundamentals of the Yoga Sutras
• Learn how to be a role model in one’s community

Hatha Yoga Pradipika

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a yogi’s handbook. It imparts the knowledge of Hatha yoga and Raja yoga. Students will go over the material through lectures and discussions on subjects such as what principals to follow to gain success in yoga, yamas and niyamas, things that affect the path of yoga, how and when to practice Hatha yoga, and dietary guidelines.

• Learn about how to live the life of a yogi
• Learn the different principals and foundations of the spiritual path

Practicum

The practicum provides students with the opportunity to experience what it is like to actually teach a class. A teaching schedule will be created so that each student will be able to meet the practicum requirement of teaching class on their own (with the presence of the instructor if the need arises).

• Gain semi-real-world experience by teaching the other 30 attendees.

The most valuable aspect of a 300-hour yoga teacher training course is direction and intention. Most people come to this course after they have some real-world teaching experience. You can take your course with specific intentions, questions and your focus will be more directed towards becoming a better teacher.

They have many different teachers and their students come from all over the world. For this reason, they have a course curriculum below that is made to fit the needs of the students. Some students need more asanas, some need more meditation or philosophy. Below is a list of techniques that you will cover but they can customize the teaching based on your needs. They may or may not teach all of these techniques based on what best suits your needs.

Daily schedule

• 06:00-06:30 Wake up, morning tea
• 06:30-07:10 Abyangha/Shat Karmas
• 07:10-08:20 Hatha yoga
• 08:20-09:00 Pranayama and meditation
• 09:15-09:45 Ayurvedic breakfast
• 10:00-11:00 Vedanta study
• 11:00-12:00 Meditation
• 12:10-13:00 Ayurvedic lunch
• 13:00-15:00 Free time, self-study
• 15:00-16:00 Yoga clinic, anatomy
• 16:00-18:00 Evening Asana practice
• 18:30-19:20 (Optional) Bhakti Satsanga
• 19:30-20:30 Ayurvedic dinner
• 21:30 Lights off

Saturday schedule

• 06:00-06:30 Wake up, morning tea
• 06:30-07:10 Abyangha/Shat Karmas
• 07:10-08:20 Hatha yoga
• 08:20-09:00 Pranayama and meditation
• 09:15-09:45 Ayurvedic breakfast
• 10:00-11:00 Vedanta study
• 11:00-12:00 Meditation
• 19:30-20:30 (Optional) Bhakti Satsanga

Group events on Sundays

On Sunday, you will have fun, explore India, and enjoy group or individual recreation

• Rafting and trekking to local temples
• Ram Jula, Parmath Ganga Arti
• Kunjapuri Sunrise Temple Darshan
• Rishikesh tour - Beatles ashram, Trivani Ghat Ganga Arti
• Vashistha’s cave (Gufa)

Rishikesh, the world capital of yoga, has been one of India's holiest and most spiritual centers for thousands of years. It is known as Tapo Bhumi, meaning the place for yoga and meditation of the gods. Rishikesh is a peaceful temple town where the Ganges River flows clear and full of spiritual energy.

A place of great Indian yoga masters

The peaceful environment of Rishikesh fills the person with immense positive energy, and one can feel the surge of spirituality in them hence known as spiritual yoga center in India. Since ancient times yoga has been an integral part of Rishikesh, and the place is filled with some amazing yoga teachers who are masters of this ancient art. Swami Sivananda, Swami Aatm Prakash, Dayanand Saraswati, and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar are some of the prominent yoga gurus of India that have chosen Rishikesh for their spiritual journey.

Top 10 excellent reasons why yoga teacher training in Rishikesh is popular

• Going to the source
• Learning amidst nature
• Immerse yourself in a new practice
• Learn about yogic philosophy
• Eat and sleep with Ayurveda
• Experience inner peace
• Connect with different energies
• Discipline your life
• New skills acquired
• New everlasting friendships

At Rishikesh School of Yoga, they provide students with traditional, comprehensive teachings on all aspects of yoga: Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga-Vinyasa, Raja yoga, pranayama, meditation, Philosophy Bhakti, mantras, and Vedic Science.

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During this yoga training, you will be served daily three delicious and healthy vegetarian meals - breakfast, lunch, and dinners. Filtered water, herbal tea, and snacks are also available. The menu is creative and balanced with proteins so you feel full and satisfied. If you are planning to have fast in any day, please inform Rishikesh School of Yoga for avoiding food waste. The food is Indian style cooking and definitely suitable for a yogic diet.

Food highlights

• Pure filtered water
• Fresh fruits
• Indian and Western vegetarian food prepared to Ayurvedic and yogic standards
• Ayurvedic doctor on standby in case of illness

Below are the most amazing things to do in Rishikesh. These activities are not included in the package but Rishikesh School of Yoga can arrange upon request. There will be an extra charge for this.

• River rafting - the most popular thing to do in Rishikesh
• Bungee jumping
• Mountain biking
• Flying fox
• Cliff jumping
• Trekking
• Rappelling and rock climbing
• Kayaking
• Ayurvedic massage and therapies
• Parasailing and paragliding
• Experience traditional Indian culture

During this retreat you will enjoy one session of massage. Various kinds of massages are also available in this retreat at an additional cost.

• Eligible to register with Yoga Alliance upon completion
• Explore India's rich culture (Saturdays and Sundays)
• Yoga on the River Ganges beach and foothills of Himalayas
• Course materials
• 28 nights accommodation
• Free Wi-Fi connection at the yoga school
• Library
• Satsanga (devotional concert)
• Soup and herbal tea
• 3 daily meals

• Flight tickets
• Visa
• Personal transportation
• Additional food outside the school
• Shopping
• Any personal need
• Drop off to the airport

Recommended Airports

• A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.