200-Hour Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training in Varkala, Kerala

The Vrinda School of Yoga runs this 200-hour teacher training over 28 days in Varkala, Kerala. The course is certified by Yoga Alliance USA and led by Dr. Malathi, who holds a B.N.Y.S. and M.D. in yoga and naturopathy from the Central Government of India. Her teaching combines medical knowledge with traditional yogic practice, which shows in how she explains alignment, pranayama, and philosophy with both scientific detail and spiritual depth.

A typical day includes morning asana practice, a theory class covering philosophy, anatomy, or teaching methodology, and an afternoon practice session. The curriculum spans Hatha and Ashtanga yoga, pranayama techniques like Ujjayi, Nadi Shodhana, and Kapalabhati, meditation and Yoga Nidra, kriyas such as Jala Neti and Trataka, and study of the Yoga Sutras and Bhagavad Gita. You'll also learn to sequence classes, give verbal cues, and work with props and modifications, with practice teaching sessions where you teach your peers and get feedback.

What stands out about this program is the setting and the teaching style. Varkala is a quieter, more spiritual stretch of the Kerala coast than some other training hubs, and the school is in a residential neighborhood rather than on the tourist strip. Students in the reviews talk about the food being so good they didn't want to leave the school, and about Dr. Malathi's ability to tell stories during theory classes that make yogic philosophy easy to understand.

The location itself is part of the experience. The beach is within walking distance, the cliffs of Varkala stretch along the Arabian Sea, and the area is known for Ayurvedic treatments, temples, and sunset views. The program includes one temple visit, and Sundays and a Vipassana day are quieter, with meals not served on those days so you can rest or explore.

This course suits people who want to teach yoga professionally and those who simply want to deepen their understanding in an intensive, disciplined environment. It's run by a small school where Dr. Malathi and manager Praveen both take a personal interest in the students' progress and comfort — a contrast to some of the larger, more production-line trainings elsewhere.

What's included

- 27 nights accommodation (shared or private room) - 3 daily vegetarian or vegan meals (except Sundays and Vipassana days) - Water and tea throughout the day - 200-hour Yoga Alliance certified teacher training course - Course manual, textbooks, chant book, and yoga chart - Daily yoga and asana practices - Theory classes - One temple visit - Free wifi

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Flights costs - Visa fees - Additional treatments - Travel insurance - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Personal expenses (yoga mat, toiletries, laundry, etc.)