12-day yoga teacher training in Ubud, Bali, offering 100 hours of instruction in multiple yoga styles.

Rooms infested with cockroaches – I had to throw away my suitcase full of cockroaches. Repetitive food (closed kitchen on weekends or disgusting porridge) with no nearby options for dining – Yoga class for beginners, not for teaching. One student left urgently, feeling sad and sick. They pass off lack of hygiene and seriousness as authenticity. In the kitchen, cleaning, and teaching, there are no women, only local village men (not even smiling – not a safe environment). We are far from the welcoming and spiritual India. The founder is never around; the heart of an ashram is its GURU. Run away from this place; they make a monstrous amount of money and forget how much we sacrifice (time/money) to fulfill a DREAM! This dream is trampled by people who only care about one thing: money, and without any decent service or classes, nor a good atmosphere. I don’t criticize the three teachers who were quite nice and did their best with limited resources. Anatomy class was a big joke, with a tiny skeleton and an unintelligible lecture. In my entire life, I’ve never left such a harsh review, but I say this to women dedicated to their art and love for yoga: go somewhere else. I left with a fever of 40 degrees, and it took me a month to recover – they left me without hot water for 8 days, a smelly blanket, and the list goes on! It was a massive shock and disgust.

I struggled to arrange my exams, but the videos were well-organized and the teachers knew their stuff.

The asana practice at the school was of poor quality. They never properly interview the teachers they hire and don’t test their skill and knowledge. Some teachers are hired simply because of personal connections, even if they don’t have enough teaching experience with a specific style of yoga.

Each batch of students doesn’t have a set curriculum for their yoga practice. The experience of each batch depends on the luck of which teachers they have. I stayed at the school for 2 months and saw how changing the teachers completely changed the experience for each batch.

It’s important to note that the founder of the school doesn’t participate in teaching and his experience doesn’t matter to you. The information shared on the website is his own personal knowledge and revelations, which he doesn’t share with students because he doesn’t teach or train the teachers at the school.

There isn’t a class that properly trains you in the essence of teaching. You don’t get prepared to teach, you only learn some basic theoretical concepts and practice yoga for yourself.

They don’t teach the anatomy of yoga asanas, or what each asana is meant to do for your mind and body. The practice at the school is very mindless, just doing for the sake of doing.

The course felt more like a yoga retreat than a teacher’s training program, and even the quality of the retreat is questionable.

The food quality and timing at the school violates Ayurvedic and yogic rules. On a positive note, the philosophy teacher at the school is amazing. She is highly knowledgeable and emits serene energy. She explains yogic philosophical concepts in an easy and accessible manner. She emphasizes the true essence of yoga as the path of liberation, rather than the misconception of it being solely a physical practice. However, it is important to note that she will not be at the school in November and December, which should be considered when thinking of applying for the YTT.

I absolutely adore this school and these teachers. There are so many things that truly satisfy me about it!

First off, the structure of the classes is just perfect. They offer both pre-recorded sessions and live ones, which allows me to study at my own pace. Plus, there’s dedicated time for self-study, which I find really helpful.

The teachers are incredible – they’re enthusiastic, helpful, and wonderful at what they do. Whenever I have questions or doubts, they respond quickly and provide me with proper guidance. It’s such a relief to have their support.

The pre-recorded videos are a goldmine of information. I can learn so much from them, and what’s even better is that I can pause and review whenever I need to. It’s a fantastic way to ensure I truly grasp the material.

By the way, I have a little tip for studying. After each lesson, I like to summarize what I’ve learned. It really helps me remember and makes revision a breeze. Plus, it’s proven to be super handy for theory exams!

Oh, and guess what? I’m actually planning on enrolling in their 300-hour course. That’s how much I love this place! Huge thanks to HYA and BYS – you guys are amazing!

When I showed up, the building was a complete fraud. It was a construction site, not even close to being finished. The whole day was filled with concrete dust and never-ending construction noise. It was absolutely awful. It felt like a scam, to be honest.

I really enjoyed studying with the Himalayan Yoga Association and I learned so much. The course was so easy to access and affordable, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much value I got for my investment. I discovered new practices and developed a deeper love for ashtanga, vinyasa, and hatha yoga. I can’t wait to start using all the knowledge I gained and do something amazing with it. I want to thank all the incredible tutors and everyone who made this incredible course accessible at such an affordable price. I wish you all the best! Thank you.

Nothing. The quality of teaching and the professionalism and availability of the teachers. The whole team listens, smiles, and despite the online classes, makes us feel immersed in the training.

I highly recommend this teacher training. The teachers are amazing and they have great knowledge, which they are able to share effectively. They provide an online platform with well-structured lessons that give a great overview. Additionally, they offer daily classes on Zoom, which are also uploaded on YouTube afterwards. This shows their dedication. This flexibility to study whenever I have time was a big help, especially with a small child. I am excited to continue my yogic journey with all the new knowledge I gained from this training, and I am even more eager to keep learning.

I really enjoy the philosophy, meditation, and pranayama classes the most in the organization of the course material.

Cultural differences existed, but they didn’t shock me since I had been to India before. However, some of the other students complained a lot about them. Personally, I absolutely loved everything – the food, the ambiance, and the overall experience. Initially, it was tough to be without the comforts I’m used to, but it turned out to be an amazing learning experience. I even found inner peace along the way.

The accommodations are very poor. They should hire more staff to clean properly. When I was there in winter, it was so cold that doing asanas was really hard because you were freezing. I recommend getting a couple of heaters for the halls. The teachers are very talented, the staff is friendly, and the food is excellent (the kitchen staff is very professional and hardworking). They are very open to suggestions and immediately fix any issues or provide anything we needed. I can honestly say that I learned so much and felt like they were my family. I hope to come back to wonderful Rishikesh, India someday.

I didn’t like something about it, but everything else is nice and enjoyable. No complaints.

Sometimes, the food wasn’t sufficient and lacked variety. The mandatory visit to the orphanage felt dreadful because it resembled a zoo. The yoga school is located about thirty minutes away from Rishikesh by car, making it a quieter and more peaceful environment compared to Tapovan/Rishikesh. This is ideal for relaxing and savoring the atmosphere. The classes, attended by only 14-15 individuals, focused on Vinyasa, Asthange, and Alignment. The Sunday excursion to the temple was truly incredible. Ankit, Rahul, Kirti, and Bipin were exceptional yogis.

I’m sorry, but I have to give this place/course a negative review. Normally, I don’t like giving negative reviews and would prefer not to, but I thought it might be helpful for others. The actual place where we stayed was new and not the one that the good reviews were talking about. The teachers were also new and quite young, most of them lacking experience in teaching. There was a lack of teaching methodology and they didn’t cover many things from their own workbook, like certain poses and anatomy. Additionally, there was a lack of organization and responsibility from some of the teachers. I’m sorry, but I wouldn’t recommend it. However, in general, doing a yoga course in India is a wonderful experience. Rishikesh is a fascinating place with interesting people, and if you’re on the yoga path, I would definitely suggest going, but perhaps with another school.

I absolutely love everything about this school, although going home can be a little challenging. I have obtained five additional certificates and gained experience from other schools as well. And let me tell you, HYA is hands down the best school in the world. The teachers here are incredibly knowledgeable and highly educated.

I had an absolutely amazing experience with HYA. They created a home away from home for us, making sure we thrived and learned under the best conditions. The teachers were incredibly knowledgeable and provided us with excellent material for further learning. I wholeheartedly recommend HYA to anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the spirit of Yoga in Rishikesh, the world capital. It truly changed my life, and I am so grateful. Thank you!

The teachers showed exceptional dedication and had a holistic approach. Yogi Pradeep possesses an innate understanding of Anatomy and Alignment. He impresses as an extraordinary teacher who effectively imparts scientific and practical alignment techniques in an inspiring and relatable manner. Yogi Ram radiates an abundance of positive energy through his invigorating Vinyasa Flow and Ashtanga classes, leaving students feeling uplifted and enlightened. Yogi Vishnu generously shared his extensive knowledge on Philosophy and Meditation, resulting in a well-rounded course. The location, nestled in the bush beside a mountain stream that flows into the Ganga, provided the perfect setting to connect with nature and embrace the entire learning journey.

I wasn’t disappointed at all. Everything was amazing! I absolutely adore my Himalayan yoga family and can’t wait to visit them again soon. I’m going to miss everyone so much. A big thank you to each and every person who made my stay so incredible. I’ve never experienced such genuine warmth from a group of people before. The teachers are absolutely incredible! They’re so knowledgeable, friendly, and funny, yet they remain humble. The staff instantly make you feel at home and are always there to help you with anything. The food was consistently great and the accommodations were clean and cozy. I would rate the school, teachers, staff, food, and accommodations a perfect 10 out of 10. I wish I could have stayed longer.

I loved my 500-hour TTC! I want to give a big shoutout to HYA, the amazing teachers, and all my classmates for making these two months so incredible. Everyone was super friendly and always ready to help with any questions I had. It was a truly wonderful experience!

The anatomy course lacked structure and formality, but it was still interesting. I believe that a more comprehensive understanding of anatomy should be included in order to become a qualified yoga teacher.

I found the meditation course to be frustrating. There was no explanation of the theory behind it, the benefits, or any gradual buildup of the practice. We were thrown into 50 minutes of meditation on the first day. However, the teachers were amazing. They were incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, friendly, helpful, and enthusiastic. Being taught by Satish (ashtanga) and Rajesh (alignment) was truly a privilege.

The location is fantastic. It’s situated near the top of the town, away from the noisy traffic. A short walk uphill will lead you into the serene mountains and forest, with a beautiful stream, clean air, and a waterfall. On the other hand, a quick walk downhill takes you to the Ganga River, shops, restaurants, transportation options, and travel agencies.

There should be more variety of food.

Now let’s talk about the negatives. The training promised to be an advanced Vinyasa and Ashtanga YTTC, but unfortunately, it fell short in the Vinyasa aspect. Our Vinyasa teacher essentially ran a bootcamp for 2 weeks without any flow or synchronization with the breath. It consisted of a rushed 50-minute warm-up with lots of quick repetitions and holds, followed by a bunch of Sun Salutations and only 2 or 3 actual Asanas before cooldown. Throughout the entire practice, there was no instruction on advanced poses or guidance on building a flow for more experienced yogis. Even after a few of us spoke to the office about it, nothing changed.

After 2 weeks, we finally started teaching, but felt unprepared because there was only 1 hour dedicated to learning how to plan a class and work on a flow throughout the entire 300-hour course. This lack of teaching theory and actual Vinyasa instruction was disappointing, especially since some of us had already requested more.

To make matters worse, the first 4 people who taught their Vinyasa classes had a disengaged teacher who played with his phone, keys, and even took naps. He didn’t provide any valuable feedback either. It’s safe to say that I didn’t learn any teaching methods or advanced Vinyasa practices, which was a major reason for choosing this training. On the last day, the teacher didn’t even show up, showing a lack of respect and leaving us feeling even more let down. None of the staff at the office seemed to care about our concerns.

Now, let’s discuss the positives of this training. Our theory teachers, who covered alignment, anatomy, pranayama, yoga therapy, meditation, and philosophy, were truly amazing. They had a wealth of knowledge, and I feel like I learned a lot from them. However, when it came to alignment and anatomy, it felt more like a review of what I had already learned in my 200-hour course. I was hoping for more in-depth information about advanced poses, especially since this was marketed as an advanced YTTC. Nonetheless, going back to the basics and revisiting those concepts was beneficial.

I must mention that Satish, our Ashtanga teacher, was absolutely incredible. I loved his teaching style, even though Ashtanga isn’t my preferred practice. I still gained a lot from his classes and looked forward to attending them every day.

Everything was amazing! I loved it very much!
Rishikesh, HYA, and all the instructors, thank you so much! You guys are absolutely wonderful. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to learn from you and be a part of it. This experience has truly changed my life.
I wish you and HYA all the best!

I think it would be great if the yoga mats were cleaned more often. They only provide water infused with antibacterial leaves once or twice a week, but I would prefer if it was refreshed more frequently.

Some people have complaints about the cafeteria food, but personally, I really enjoy it and feel safe eating there. I heard the menu was designed to align with an ayurvedic diet, but most of the time, I didn’t know the names of the dishes. It would be helpful if they could let us know what we’re eating.

Our school is in an amazing location in Rishikesh – up in the mountains, peaceful and away from the busy town. Besides the classes, the staff and teachers also try to organize trips into nature to help us recharge and connect. One of my favorite memories there was doing morning yoga outside by the Ganga River!

I also appreciate how the teachers are always there to answer our questions and guide us with helpful prep exercises.

The Himalayan Yoga Association in Rishikesh changed my life. I’ve learned more about yoga in two months here than I ever thought possible. The teachers have boundless knowledge and teach with so much love and passion. The kitchen staff works incredibly hard every single day to ensure all the students are fed and taken care of. The building owners warmly welcome us into their home and truly make us feel like family. And spending these two months in Rishikesh itself, with its incredible culture of people, temples, food, and mountains, opened my eyes and helped me grow spiritually, mentally, and physically (thanks to all those chaturangas!).

Sending love and light,
Eve

I highly recommend this place to everyone interested in taking a yoga course. It’s absolutely amazing! The place is impeccably clean and extremely comfortable. The atmosphere is nice and friendly, and the teachers are knowledgeable professionals who are always willing to help you with anything you need. The people attending the course were respectful and trustworthy, creating a great environment to learn and grow. The course covers all the necessary knowledge to really understand yoga, and it’s presented in an intelligent and thoughtful manner.

Content and design …I found the theory on yoga to be lacking depth. It seemed shallow and unprofessional. The teachers were young and inexperienced. The only class that I found useful for me was the ashtang yoga practicals and alignment class taught by Rajesh.

Nothing is super amazing. I just don’t like how quickly time passes by. The teachers here are perfect. They teach philosophy, anatomy, vinyasa, alignment, and ashtanga in a way that even an idiot could understand. All the classes are very interesting and I’ve started to love learning. I want to give a special shoutout to the vinyasa and ashtanga teachers. I’ve been doing yoga for over six years and I’ve tried a lot of teachers in Germany, Spain, India, and the Czech Republic, but the teachers in this school are exceptionally perfect professionals. They really push you to be better. By the way, I spent over a month searching for a yoga school (TTC) all over the world, and I am the happiest person because I chose this one.

I felt like the philosophy and meditation classes were lacking a bit of spirituality, and I was hoping for a bit more, especially in India. But maybe the teachers were a little too young for that (in their early 20s). The teachers were knowledgeable in their subjects, and they excelled in the physical aspects (asanas, alignment, anatomy) of the classes.