100-Hour Yoga Teacher Training and Wellness Retreat in Varkala, Kerala

The 100-hour Multi-Style Yoga Teacher Training at Lalitha Yoga Academy is an 11-day intensive that covers far more than asana. Each day opens with Shatkarma or naturopathy cleansing, moves into a traditional Hatha practice, then pranayama and mantra chanting before breakfast. The afternoons and evenings take in yoga philosophy, alignment and adjustments, yoga anatomy, a second Ashtanga practice, and meditation or emotional detoxification. It's a full schedule, but one that gives you a real foundation in the classical side of yoga, not just the physical postures.

What sets this training apart is the beachside setting. Most yoga schools run their courses in enclosed studios, but here the training happens close to the cliffs and the Arabian Sea. You can swim every day, and the sound and presence of the ocean become part of the practice. The academy describes it as an ashram-style experience blended with modern teaching methods, and the small batches mean you get personalised attention from instructors who have been teaching for over eighteen years.

The curriculum itself is wide. You'll work through more than 20 Hatha and 13 Ashtanga poses, learn eight different pranayama techniques, and be introduced to the Shatkarma cleansing practices, mudras, and meditation, including yoga nidra and trataka. There's also a substantial teaching methodology component – how to structure a class, use verbal cues, assist and correct safely, and deliver a workshop. Anatomy and physiology are covered, as is yoga philosophy, including the chakra system and the koshas.

Founder Sai Naresh is a Varkala local who trained at Shivananda Ashram in Madurai, did further teacher trainings in Mysore and Kerala, and has taught across Russia, Germany, Italy, and Austria. He opened Lalitha Yoga Academy in 2023, and his approach comes from a long personal practice. The training is open to all levels, and while it's a certification course, many guests come simply to deepen their own practice and spend time in a beautiful part of India.

What's included

- 10 nights accommodation in a private room - 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Water, tea, and coffee served throughout the day - Welcome drink - Certificate upon successful completion - Teacher training course and certification - School t-shirt/tote bag - Course manual - Yoga mats, blocks, straps, and bolsters - WiFi connection

What's not included

- Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Additional treatments - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Airport transfers (available for €40 per person)