21-Day Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher Training in the Himalayan Foothills

Yoga Om Nirvana's 200-hour teacher training in Dharamshala is built around the idea that you can learn to teach yoga even if you're new to it. The curriculum splits its hours across technique, teaching methodology, anatomy, and philosophy — 125 hours go to specific educational categories, 55 are electives (things like the specialised workshops and evening activities), and 20 can be contact or non-contact. You won't just copy poses; you'll learn why they're sequenced that way and how to adjust a student who can't do them.

Classical Hatha gets the deepest treatment here. You'll study the full traditional series — standing, kneeling, sitting, prone, supine, and inversions — with attention to alignment, benefits, and contraindications for each. Ashtanga Vinyasa comes in as the second major style: the structure of the primary series, vinyasa counts, bandhas, and how to teach it. Pranayama takes up a serious chunk of the month — you'll practice and learn to teach a range of breathing techniques, from the basics of diaphragmatic breath to the classical ratio practices.

The teaching side isn't an afterthought. There are workshops on hip opening, backbending, forward bending, and twists; dedicated sessions on verbal cues and hands-on adjustment; and classes on sequencing and lesson planning. You'll practice teaching other students as you go, and by the final week you'll have run your own classes, get feedback, and sit both a written and practical exam. On the last day, the certificates are handed out — and you can register with Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher once you're home.

Instructor Varun leads the training. Reviews of his classes — the school has a perfect 5.0 rating from 51 reviews, several naming him directly — describe him as a brilliant, supportive teacher who gives personal attention and brings real energy to the room. The school also runs 300-hour and 50-hour trainings from the same base, so there are people here working at a range of levels.

What's included

- 21 nights accommodation (private or shared room as chosen) - Breakfast and lunch Monday to Saturday - Water, tea, and coffee throughout the day - 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training course - Teacher training certification on successful completion - Registration with Yoga Alliance/Professionals - Specialised workshops - Group excursions and activities - Guided nature hikes in the Himalayas - Rest day and weekend excursion assistance - Evening activities: kirtan, movie nights - Course manual - Yoga mats, blocks, straps, and bolsters - School t-shirt or tote bag - Professional event photos - WiFi connection

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Meals on rest days (Sundays) - Meals other than breakfast and lunch - Additional activities not in the itinerary