28 Day 200-Hour Affordable Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh, India

Certification

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

Program

This course is tailored to meet the needs of beginner and intermediate yogis and spiritual seekers who want to experience a teacher training course in Rishikesh according to the purest Himalayan tradition. During this intensive and immersive training, you will be living an authentic yogic lifestyle, having a balanced and disciplined routine, eating delicious organic, vegetarian, and vegan food, and being exposed to the rich Hindu traditions of North India firsthand.

This course is also a big opportunity for personal development. You’ll be working on self-discipline, self-control, stamina, endurance and resilience, practicing spiritual and physical purification techniques, and learning a new set of skills that will help you in life and in your career as a professional yoga instructor.

A big attention is given to yoga teaching techniques and principles, as well as the correct alignment of all asanas. You’ll learn not only how to prepare and conduct a class from beginning to end, but also how to demonstrate, adjust, and help your future students to reach their maximum potential, and get the most benefit out of the techniques performed.

Every week, you'll have group activities and excursions. They’ll be held on Sundays, for students to have a break on the schedule and enjoy and explore Rishikesh.

In the Ayurveda module, you will learn how to design and adhere to a healthy Ayurvedic diet for optimal health, according to your body type specifications.

A module on the secret practices of Kundalini yoga, and an in-depth workshop and initiation on Reiki level 1 were added to the curriculum, making this course one of the most complete yoga teacher training in India.

During this course, your level of fitness will improve significantly, and you will feel your body and mind much stronger, flexible, and balanced, as a result of the intense daily practices.

Pranayama

Pranayama is a set of yogic techniques and practices generally defined as breath control and is on its own considered a science. Here is what you’ll learn on the subject:

• Introduction of pranayama
• Benefits of pranayama
• The Pranic body
• Prana and lifestyle
• Breath, health and pranayama
• Pranayama and spiritual development

Bandha (energy lock)

Bandhas are energy locks provoked by the contraction of certain groups of muscles and are widely used in yoga practice. Here's a glimpse of what you’ll learn on the subject

• Preparation for Bandha
• Benefits of Bandha
• Mula Bandha
• Jalandhara Bandha
• Uddiyana Bandha

Mantra chanting

Mantras play a big role in daily yogic life. Mantras are sounds and prayers that carry huge energy and vibration. You'll be taught to sing:

• Opening mantra
• Om chanting
• Gayatri Mantra
• Guru Vandana (prayer to Guru)
• Student and master mantra
• Patanjali mantra (ashtanga mantra)
• Completeness mantra

Kriya and Shatkarma (the six purification methods of Hatha yoga)

Shatkarma is the Sanskrit term for one of the six yogic purification techniques (kriyas) as outlined in the "Hatha Yoga Pradipika." The purpose of these cleansing techniques is to keep the body strong, clean, and healthy. They remove toxins and anything blocking the flow of prana in the body.

Practicing shatkarmas internally purifies the body and makes pranayama and meditation practice easier by preparing the body to perform these practices without distraction, discomfort, or fatigue. These are traditional yogic cleansing techniques which are very effective to remove many illnesses and open the body blockages. You'll learn to use and perform:

• Jal Neti
• Rubber Neti
• Kunjal

Hatha yoga

Indian traditional yoga style is called "Hatha" (“ha” means sun “Tha” means moon), unifying the sun and the moon within (Yin and Yang). It's a physical method for preparing and maintaining the body, providing stamina, flexibility, balance, and strength. This is the most traditional, popular, and beneficial yoga style.

What you’ll practice:

• Joint warm-ups (pawanmuktasana series a, b, and c)
• Surya Namaskara (sun Salutation) and Chandra Namaskara (moon salutation)
• Yoga Mudrasana
• Matsyasana
• Gupta Padmasana
• Baddha Padmasana
• Kukkutasana
• Garbhasana

Backward bending Asanas

• SaralBhujangasana (Easy cobra pose)
• Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
• TiryakaBhujangasana (twisting cobra pose)
• Sarpasana (snake pose)
• ArdhaShalabhasana (half locust pose)
• Shalabhasana (locust pose)
• Saral Dhanurasana (easy bow pose)
• Kandharasana (shoulder pose)
• Ardha Chandrasana (half moon pose)
• Setu Asana (bridge pose)
• Gomukhasana (cow’s face pose)

Forward bending asanas

• Paschimottanasana (back stretching pose)
• Gatyatmak Paschimottanasana (dynamic back stretch pose)
• Pada Prasar Paschimottanasana (legs spread back stretch pose)
• Janu Sirsasana (head to knee pose)
• Ardha Padma Paschimottanasana (half lotus back stretching pose)
• Hasta Padangusthasana (finger to toe stretch)
• Padahastasana (hand to foot pose)
• Sirsha Angústia Yogasana (head to toe pose)
• Utthita Janu Sirsasana (standing head between knees pose)

Spinal twisting and Advanced Asanas

• Ardha Matsyendrasana (half spinal twist)
• Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana (spiralled head to knee pose)
• Poorna Bhujangasana (full cobra pose)
• Kurmasana (tortoise pose)
• Poorna Salabhasana (full locust pose)
• Poorna Dhanurasana (full bow pose)
• Dhanur Aakarshan-asana (archer’s pose)
• Chakrasana (wheel pose)
• Hanumanasana (leg splitting pose)
• Poorna Matsyendrasana (full spinal twist pose)
• Mayurasana (peacock pose)
• Padma mayurasana (Lotus or bound peacock pose)
• Gorakshasana (Yogi Gorakhnath’s pose)
• Astavakrasana (eight-twists pose)
• Vrschikasana (scorpion pose)
• Inverted pose, balancing pose and core pose

Teaching methodology and adjustment

During these classes, you will learn how a perfect posture should be. You will also learn how to connect with your future students through correct class verbal guidance and touch adjustment, and about recurrent yoga injuries and how to prevent them. Teaching methodology is one of the most important parts of the course, as students will learn the following:

• How to conduct a class
• Classroom management
• How to get in and come out of the posture
• How to assist and help while teaching the class
• Leading and cueing - How to use speech in a class environment
• What makes you different from other teachers
• \Which asanas you should recommend for different health conditions
• How to use belts, bolsters, bricks, and chairs to assist in your classes

Yoga philosophy

The history of yoga, the sutras of Patanjali, and the importance of yoga and its origins in India are the subjects of these classes and lectures. A question-and-answer session is performed in every class so doubts can be addressed, and students can deepen their knowledge about yoga.

Topics in this class include:

• The study of yoga philosophies and traditional texts (such as the Yoga Sutras, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, or Bhagavad Gita)
• Yoga lifestyle, such as the precept of non-violence (ahimsa), and the concepts of dharma and karma
• Ethics for yoga teachers, such as those involving teacher – student relationships and community
• Understanding the value of teaching yoga as a service and being of service to others through yoga (seva)

Yoga anatomy

Anatomy classes expose how the body, bones, inner systems, and respiration are affected by asanas and the flow of breath. To know the basic structure and function of the organs and systems is very important to practitioners, so that their work as yoga teachers can be safe and beneficial to future students. This is what you’ll learn:

• Complete body anatomy
• Skeleton system
• Muscular system
• Circulatory system
• Nervous system
• Respiratory system
• Endocrine system
• Joints and movement

Kundalini yoga

Although Kundalini yoga is practiced around the world, its origin is unknown. The concept of Kundalini energy has been around for centuries and was mentioned in ancient Vedic texts from 1,000 B.C.

Kundalini yoga is most associated with Yogi Bhajan, a yoga teacher from Pakistan. He’s credited with introducing the practice to Western countries in the 1960s.

The term “Kundalini” comes from the Sanskrit word “kundal,” which means “circular.” It also refers to a coiled snake. And according to practitioners, Kundalini energy is like that coiled snake: It sits at the base of your spine, sleeping and unaroused.

Kundalini yoga is practiced to activate this energy, which allows it to move up and through the chakras along your spine.

Some of the topics you’ll learn include:

• Fundamentals of Kundalini
• Tantras as the philosophical background of Kundalini yoga
• Concept of Kundalini Shakti
• Concept of chakras
• Their location and psycho-physical significance

Practices you’ll learn:

• Muladhara Chakra Activation: Mula Bandha, Vazroli/Sahjoli Mudra, Ashwini Mudra, Chakra and Kshetram (trigger-point) Location session, Nasikagra Drishti
• Swadhisthana Chakra Activation: Swadhisthana Chakra Ksetram (trigger point) location, Ashwini Mudra, Vajroli and Sahjoli Mudra
• Manipura Chakra Activation: Incorporating relevant asanas for Manipura Chakra, Manipura Chakra and Ksetram (trigger point) location session, Manipura Shuddhi (Purification), Agnisara Kriya, Uddiyana bandha
• Anahata Chakra Activation: Incorporating relevant preparatory asanas for Anahata Chakra activation, Anahata Chakra and Ksetram (trigger point) location session, Anahata Chakra purification, Ajapa Japa and Intensive Heart Chakra and Heart space Harmonization Technique (Dharana Practice)
• Vishuddhi Chakra Activation: Incorporating relevant preparatory asanas and Mudras for Vishuddhi Chakra activation, Vishuddhi Chakra and Ksetram (trigger point) location session, Vishuddhi Chakra purification

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine, originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). Thus, Ayurveda translates to knowledge of life.

Based on the idea that disease is due to an imbalance or stress in a person's consciousness, Ayurveda encourages certain lifestyle interventions and natural therapies to regain a balance between the body, mind, spirit, and the environment.

Some of the subjects in this module include:

• Ayurveda – Basic Concepts
• The Body Matrix
• Panchamahabhutas
• Health and Sickness
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Types of Treatment
• Diet and Ayurvedic Treatment

Reiki

The word “Reiki” means “mysterious atmosphere, miraculous sign.” It comes from the Japanese words “rei,” meaning universal, and “ki,” meaning life energy.

Reiki is a type of energy healing. Energy can stagnate in the body where there has been physical injury or even emotional pain. In time, these energy blocks can cause illness.

Energy medicine aims to help the flow of energy and remove blocks in a similar way to acupuncture or acupressure. Improving the flow of energy around the body can enable relaxation, relieve pain, speed healing, and reduce other symptoms of illness.

Some of the topics in this workshop include:

• The best ways to perform complete Reiki sessions on yourself and others
• Advanced techniques to help you access your intuition
• Learning to feel energetic imbalances and areas which require healing
• Exploring yours and others' energy fields
• The History of Reiki
• Cleansing and grounding rituals
• Discovering boundaries and energetic protection
• Understanding the chakras
• Meditation practices
• Reiki Initiation level 1

Ashtanga Vinyasa

An intensive and integral part of yoga, Ashtanga yoga style requires deep commitment and self-practice to achieve the goal. Mimamsa Yogshala’s yoga instructors are experienced teachers and advanced practitioners of the Ashtanga style, and will guide you safely through the hardest postures. You’ll learn the complete Led primary series:

Standing poses

• Hasta Padangusthasana and Pada Hastasana
• Utthita Trikonasana
• Parivrtta Trikonasana
• Utthita Parsvakonasana
• Parivrtta ParsvaKonasana
• Prasarita Padottanasana A, B, C and D
• Utthita Parsvottanasana
• Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana
• Utthita Parsvasahita
• Utthita Eka Padasana
• Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana
• Utkatasana
• Virabhadrasana A, B and C
• Paschimottanasana A, B and C
• Purvottanasana
• Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana
• Tryang Mukha Eka Pada Paschimottanasana
• Janu Sirsasana A, B and C
• Marichyasana A, B and D
• Navasana
• Lolasana
• Bhujapidasana
• Kurmasana
• Garbha Pindasana
• Kukkutasana
• Baddha Konasana A and B
• Konasana A and B

Intermediate asanas

• Salabhasana A and B
• Dhanurasana
• Ustrasana
• Kapotasana A and B
• Supta Vajrasana
• Bakasana A
• Bakasana B Jump
• ArdhaMatsyendrasana
• Yoga Nidrasana
• Tittibhasana
• Pincha Mayurasana
• Vatayanasana
• Gomukhasana A and B
• Hasta Sirsasana (head stand)

Advanced A (optional)

• Kasyapa Asana
• Bhairava Asana
• Urdhva Kukkutasana A
• Galavasana
• Eka Pada Viparita Dandasana
• Viparita Salabhasana
• Ganda Bherundasana
• Hanumanasana
• Natarajasana
• Raja Kapotasana

Schedule

• 05:00 Wake up
• 05:45 - 06:15 Mantra chanting
• 06:15 - 07:30 Shatkarma and pranayama
• 07:30 - 09:00 Hatha yoga class
• 09:00 - 10:00 Breakfast
• 10:00 - 11:00 Self study / library
• 11:00 - 12:30 Anatomy and physiology
• 12:30 - 14:00 Lunch and rest
• 14:00 - 15:00 Philosophy / Ayurveda
• 15:00 - 16:00 Teaching methodology
• 16:00 - 16:30 Tea break
• 16:30 - 18:00 Ashtanga / vinyasa yoga
• 18:00 - 19:00 Meditation / kirtan
• 19:00 -20:00 Dinner
• 21:00 Lights off