300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh, India
Let’s Talk About It!
Hello Beautiful!
If you’ve read my previous posts, you already know some of the challenges I faced before finally arriving in Rishikesh, India, for my 300-hour yoga teacher training. But what you don’t know is everything that happened before that! 😳
It’s always been my goal to visit Rishikesh by the end of 2024—to complete my 300-hour YTT and spend some time meditating in an Ashram. So, let’s dive into how this journey unfolded.
I returned to Florida on New Year’s Eve, 2023, feeling defeated about my future yet ready to roll up my sleeves and make things happen. But as 2024 unfolded, things didn’t improve much after the previous quarter’s challenges. I applied to hundreds of roles, managing to convert only about 15% into interviews. After six months, I finally accepted a contract role with an international company.
Phew, right? Not quite.
While grateful for the opportunity, I knew from the initial interviews that this role wouldn’t be a long-term career move. I was also uneasy about breaking the news to my new employer that I’d be taking a month off to attend yoga teacher training in India. I had committed to this goal on my vision board the previous year, and there was no way I was moving it to 2025. I was determined to make it happen before the year’s end.
Fast forward six weeks, and the work environment grew more challenging—imagine a “joke” in a sales meeting that was wildly inappropriate. I sent an email to HR explaining the unprofessional behavior I had witnessed, which quickly led to a meeting. O M G! 😳
A few days later, I learned that my contract would be terminated for unspecified reasons. I was okay with that, though. They initially offered one week’s severance and my commissions payment. I laughed—I knew my rights and ended up negotiating a fairer severance package.
So, there I was in my room in Colombia, reading The Social Animal by David Brooks. I reached a chapter about meditation, which reminded me of my own journey. That’s when it hit me: I had both the funds and the time to go to Rishikesh for my YTT.
After filtering through various yoga schools, I found Rishikesh Yog Nirvana, which had fantastic reviews and met all my criteria: no mold or mildew (I’m severely allergic), quality food, and a safe, caring staff. I wanted an authentic school that wouldn’t simply cater to Western expectations. I also looked for manageable class sizes, aiming for an intimate learning environment. Rishikesh Yog Nirvana checked all these boxes.
I paid for the classes, booked my flights, and assumed I could get a visa on arrival as an American citizen. But just the night before my departure, I rechecked the visa details and discovered I needed to apply in advance. O M G! I missed my flight but was able to push the ticket back by a week. Through all this, Sajan, one of the school’s owners, was incredibly supportive and understanding.
Finally, I arrived in Rishikesh five days after the course began, welcomed by warm staff and fellow students.
Let me tell you about the instructors—they’re all experts in their fields.
Sajan led morning cleansing and pranayama sessions. Although I tend to resist pranayama, his classes were both relaxing and insightful. I always left feeling glad I attended.
Our Vinyasa instructor, Rajesh, was fantastic, and I later learned he had taught my instructors from my 200-hour YTT! Learning under my teachers’ teacher was a special experience.
We had Yoga Philosophy, Anatomy, and Alignment classes, each top-notch. Yoga philosophy sparked thought-provoking discussions, and our Anatomy teacher, Av, was a “celebrity” in the field with an incredible sense of humor. Deepraj, our Alignment teacher, was equally impressive, guiding us into asanas I never thought I could achieve.
Ashtanga with Deepa was a highlight. Deepa was joyful, supportive, and challenging. Her classes were hard work but always rewarding.
In the evenings, Sajan also led meditation. Though I didn’t attend every night, the experiences I did have were unforgettable. The school truly goes all out to provide authentic, memorable experiences for its students.
Beyond the instructors, there were unsung heroes at Rishikesh Yog Nirvana I want to acknowledge. The kitchen staff, for instance, was outstanding—you could feel the love in every meal. And then there was Rahul, a volunteer who ensured we had everything we needed, from clean rooms to coconut water. His presence made a big difference.
The school’s location was ideal, too, within walking distance of anything you’d need for a quick errand or bite to eat.
In short, my experience at Rishikesh Yog Nirvana was nothing short of transformative. No matter what my experience was with other students, the staff always made me feel valued and heard.
If you’re wondering why I haven’t mentioned anything negative, it’s because any minor issues were quickly addressed. And no, I’m not being compensated for this post—I genuinely loved my time there and can’t wait to return!
With love,
Shane