Himalayan Yoga Teacher Training and Ayurveda Wellness Retreat in Uttarakhand, India

The course runs on a repeating daily rhythm so you fall into a routine fast. Mornings start at 5 AM with a wake-up call, then an hour of asana, meditation, and mantra, followed by pranayama and a short shatkarma (yogic cleansing) session. Breakfast comes at 8:15, and by 10 AM you're back in the classroom for Ayurveda and Indian philosophy. Afternoons are for treatments — each student gets a personal Ayurvedic consultation on day one, and daily treatments like Abhyanga (warm herbal oil massage), Shirodhara, and Karnpurna are assigned according to your body type, called your dosha.

Lunch and rest run until 3:30, then tea, and from 4 PM you're in yoga theory and Q&A. Evenings include outdoor activities or group discussions at 5:45, meditation or an Ayurvedic cooking class at 7:30, dinner at 8:30, and satsang, music, or a guest lecture before lights out at 10:30 PM. It's a long day, but the structure keeps you engaged without leaving you exhausted.

What sets this program apart is the Brahmin teachers — a lineage that has studied and taught these texts for generations — and the daily inclusion of Ayurveda, which most YTTs treat as an optional extra. The location in Manila, a small village near Almora, means you're far from the chaos of Rishikesh, yet close enough for excursions: organic farms, village visits, and evening aarti ceremonies. Free time is simple: bicycles or walks to markets, old temples, and ashrams, or time to read and rest.

The school is strict about media — no TV, magazines, or newspapers — and they ask you to go easy on your phone. That's not a punishment; it's what frees up the space for the introspection the course is built around. Master Masant has over 12 years of practice and has been teaching the traditional Himalayan approach for years, and he's supported by a small, caring staff who are available around the clock.

If you've done a yoga retreat before, this is a different animal: it's training, not just relaxation, and every day is structured. The payoff is a real qualification, a daily Ayurvedic treatment, and a month inside a traditional Indian yogic lifestyle, all for a very reasonable price for the length and what's included.

What's included

- Airport pickup from Pantnagar and Dehradun (free, one-way) - Airport drop-off included from Dehradun and Pantnagar (free, one-way) - 23 nights accommodation - 3 daily sattvic meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day - Fruit and snacks available all day - Welcome drink - Teacher training course and certification (200-hour Yoga Alliance registered) - Daily yoga classes (Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Sivananda, Kundalini, Chakra yoga, Kriya) - Daily Ayurveda classes - Free Ayurvedic body check-up and daily treatment - Specialized workshops (including Ayurvedic cooking class) - Group excursions and activities (organic farm, village culture, aarti) - Evening activities (kirtan, movie night, satsang) - Weekend/day-off excursions - Yoga mats, blocks, straps, and bolsters - All study material - Professional event photos - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - Free school t-shirt/tote bag and Rudraksha Mala - Ayurvedic consultation - Course manual - Pre and post-training support from the team - Transportation during the retreat - WiFi connection

What's not included

- Flights to India - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Food outside the yoga school - Use of the swimming pool (if available) - Extra activities and treatments (except the ones included) - Airport drop-off from Pantnagar (€52 per person if selected)