Deep Wellness & Yoga Teacher Training Escape in Rishikesh, India

Sri Yoga Ashram's 200-hour Ashtanga and Hatha Yoga TTC is built around two complementary styles. The Ashtanga side follows the classical system of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, with Primary Series practice broken down step by step—postures, sequencing, alignment, and the breath-sync of vinyasa. The Hatha side focuses on balance and awareness, covering foundational asanas with variations, pranayama, mudras and bandhas, and the philosophy of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. It means you finish with a genuinely broad toolkit rather than a single sequence.

The syllabus is thorough and old-school. You'll learn Shatkarma (yogic cleansing like Jalneti and Kunjal Dhauti), mudras, bandhas, a long list of pranayama techniques, meditation practices including Antar Mouna and Osho Dynamic Meditation, and mantra chanting. There's also a proper grounding in anatomy and teaching methodology, so you leave able to actually instruct rather than just practise. The course hours are split across Ashtanga (33 hours), Hatha alignment (33), pranayama and cleansing (22), meditation and mantra (22), philosophy (22), karma yoga (13), anatomy (22), and self-study and assignments (33).

Because the group is small—between one and ten people—teaching is personal. There's almost always a teacher nearby to adjust a posture or answer a question. The three practice rooms are bright and equipped, and from the yoga hall you look straight out at the Ganga. The ashram sits surrounded by mountains on three sides with a small stream running next to the property; guests often spot rare birds, and occasionally peacocks wander through.

The team is led by Dr Gaurav Agrawal, who founded the ashram and teaches philosophy. He has a PhD in Clinical Psychology and a gift for making ancient ideas simple. Yogi Arpit, trained at the Bihar School of Yoga in Munger, teaches asana with a smooth, graceful style. Kalpendra handles pranayama, meditation and cleansing with a Master's in Yogic Science, and Ankur, a 500 RYT, leads powerful pranayama and meditation sessions where students often find themselves getting emotional as old tensions surface. Pradeep Kumar brings the anatomy expertise, with degrees in yoga and over seven years of teaching experience.

The location is part of the experience. Rishikesh is known as the yoga capital of the world—a city of sages, ashrams and temples on the Ganges. You'll practice and meditate beside the river, visit ancient caves, and have the chance to meet monks and sages who live there full-time. The ashram itself is in the Laxman Jhula area, a peaceful pocket of the city that still feels close to nature despite being in a bustling pilgrimage town.

What's included

- 24 nights accommodation in a shared room with attached bathroom and hot water - 3 daily Indian vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Daily Kundalini Yoga, pranayama, cleansing and meditation classes - Daily Hatha and Ashtanga yoga practice sessions - Philosophy and anatomy classes - Teaching methodology and practice sessions - Yoga Alliance USA certified 200-hour certificate - All course books and yoga kit (mat, bag, manual, cleansing material) - Guest lectures on Ayurveda - Beach yoga and meditation classes - Meditation in an ancient cave - Sunday sightseeing trips around Rishikesh - Free unlimited Wi-Fi - Pre and post retreat support - Free one day early check-in (for bookings made here) - Free taxi pickup from Dehradun Airport (with Premium Room)

What's not included

- Airport transfers (unless booking Premium Room) - Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Toilet paper, towels, extra tea or coffee - Laundry or personal expenses - Personal clothing needs - Additional activities not in the itinerary - Optional courses (Yoga Nidra, Ayurveda, Vedic Astrology) - Bank transfer fees (if applicable)