Ubud, Bali offers a 58-day, 500-hour yoga teacher training course for those looking to deepen their yoga practice.

The rooms were infested with cockroaches – I had to throw away my suitcase full of them. The food was repetitive (closed kitchen on weekends or disgusting porridge), and there was nothing around to eat. The yoga classes were for beginners, not for teaching. One student had to leave urgently, feeling sad and sick. They pass off lack of hygiene and seriousness as authenticity. In the kitchen, cleaning was not done properly, and there were only local male villagers (not friendly at all – not a safe atmosphere). It’s far from the welcoming and spiritually profound India. The founder is never there, the heart of an ashram is its GURU. Run away from this place! They make a huge amount of money and forget how much we sacrifice (time/money) to fulfill a DREAM! This dream is crushed by people who only care about money and not providing proper services or a good atmosphere. I’m not criticizing the three teachers who were nice and did their best with what they had. The anatomy class was a joke with a tiny skeleton and an unintelligible lesson. In my entire life, I have never left such a harsh review, but I want to say 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 in bed to recover. They left me without hot water for 8 days, with a smelly blanket, and so on! I was immensely shocked and disgusted.

Arranging my exams was a struggle, but I managed it. The videos were nicely organized and well-done. The teachers really knew their stuff.

The asana practice at the school wasn’t great. They hire teachers without properly interviewing them or testing their skills and knowledge. Some teachers are hired based on personal connections, even if they don’t have enough experience teaching certain styles of yoga. Each batch’s experience depends on which teachers they have, like a lottery. I was there for 2 months and saw how changing the teachers completely changed the experience for each batch.

It’s important to note that the school’s founder doesn’t teach or participate in the teaching process. His knowledge and experience don’t matter to you. The information on the website is just his personal knowledge that he doesn’t share with students because he doesn’t teach or train the teachers at the school.

There isn’t a class that teaches you how to teach, so you aren’t prepared to be a teacher. You only learn some basic theoretical concepts and practice yoga yourself. They don’t teach the anatomy of yoga asanas or explain what each asana does for your mind and body. The practice at the school feels mindless, just doing for the sake of doing.

The course felt more like a yoga retreat than a teacher training program, and the quality of the retreat is questionable. The food quality and timing don’t follow Ayurvedic and yogic rules.

On a positive note, the philosophy teacher at the school is amazing. She has great knowledge and emits a serene energy. She explains yogic philosophical concepts in an easy and accessible way. She emphasizes that yoga is a path to liberation, not just a physical practice. However, it’s important to know that she won’t be at the school in November and December. Keep that in mind if you’re considering applying for the YTT program.

I absolutely adore this school and the teachers here. They make me feel incredibly satisfied for so many reasons:

1. The structure of the classes is perfect for me. They include both pre-recorded and live sessions, allowing for self-study at my own pace.

2. The teachers are simply amazing. They are enthusiastic, helpful, and always available to answer my questions and clear any doubts I have in a prompt and proper manner.

3. The pre-recorded videos are packed with valuable information, and I appreciate the ability to pause and review them whenever I need to.

I’ve found a helpful strategy of summarizing what I’ve learned, which not only helps me remember the lessons better but also makes it easier for me to revise when needed. It’s even been beneficial for my theory exams.

I’m actually considering coming back for the 300-hour course because I love everything about this place. Thank you so much, HYA and BYS! You guys are the best.

When I got there, the building was a complete fraud! It was still under construction—even the walls weren’t finished. The whole place was covered in concrete dust, and the noise from the construction was relentless. It was absolutely awful!

I really enjoyed my time studying with the Himalayan Yoga Association. I learned so much and it was an amazing experience. The course was awesome because it was easily accessible and didn’t break the bank. I quickly realized that I got way more than my money’s worth. I learned a bunch of new practices that I didn’t even know existed and now I have an even deeper love for ashtanga, vinyasa, and hatha yoga. I can’t wait to start using everything I’ve learned and do something awesome with it. Shoutout to all the incredible tutors and the people who made this amazing course possible at such a great price. I wish you all the best! Thank you.

Nothing. The quality of teaching and the professionalism of the teachers, as well as their availability. 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 have incredible knowledge that they share very effectively. It’s not always easy to find instructors who can convey information so well. Plus, they provide an online platform with well-structured lessons that give a great overview. On top of that, they offer daily classes on Zoom, which they also make available on YouTube. This shows their dedication to making it accessible for everyone. It was especially beneficial for me as a parent with a young child, as I could study whenever I had the time. After completing this teacher training, I feel equipped to continue my yogic journey with confidence and enthusiasm for learning even more.

I enjoy the philosophy, meditation, and pranayama classes the most in organizing the course material.

I noticed cultural differences during my time in India, but they didn’t surprise me since it wasn’t my first visit. However, some of the other students complained a lot about them. Personally, I absolutely loved everything about it – the food, the ambiance, and the entire experience. Admittedly, it was initially challenging to be without the usual comforts I’m used to, but it turned out to be an incredible opportunity for personal growth and I found inner peace in the process.

The accommodations are very poor. They need to hire more staff to clean properly. I was there in winter and it was so cold, it’s really difficult to do asanas when you’re freezing. I suggest 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 receptive to suggestions, whenever we asked for something or encountered any issues, they immediately fixed them. 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, but everything else is nice and enjoyable. No complaints.

Sometimes, the food wasn’t sufficient or varied enough. The mandatory orphanage visit was awful because it felt like being in a zoo. The yoga school is located about a half-hour car ride away from Rishikesh, which makes it much quieter compared to Tapovan/Rishikesh. This is perfect for unwinding and soaking in the atmosphere. There are classes in Vinyasa, Asthanga, and Alignment, with only 14-15 people. The Sunday temple excursion was incredible. Ankit, Rahul, Kirti, and Bipin were fantastic yogis.

I’m sorry, but I have to write a negative review about this place/course. I usually don’t like giving negative reviews and would prefer not to, but I thought it might be helpful for some people. The actual place where we stayed was new, not the one the good reviews were talking about. It had new teachers, mostly young ones who had very little teaching experience. There were a lot of things missing, like a proper teaching methodology and many things were not covered in their own workbook, such as 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.
In general, doing a yoga course in India is a great experience. Rishikesh is an interesting place with fascinating people, and if you are on the yoga path, I would definitely suggest going, but perhaps with a different school.

I absolutely love everything about this school, but going home might be a little harder for me. You see, I have obtained five additional certificates and experience from other schools as well. And let me tell you, in my opinion, HYA is undeniably the best school in the whole world. The teachers here are incredibly knowledgeable and highly educated.

I had an absolutely amazing experience with HYA. The team there really goes above and beyond to ensure that we thrive and learn in the best possible way. The teachers are incredibly knowledgeable and provide excellent resources for further learning. I highly recommend HYA to anyone looking to experience the true essence of Yoga in the world capital of Rishikesh. It truly changed my life. Thank you so much!

The teachers showed great commitment and approached teaching in a holistic manner. Yogi Pradeep has a deep understanding of Anatomy and Alignment, as if it’s second nature to him. His teaching style is truly incredible, combining scientific knowledge with practical application in a way that engages and motivates. Yogi Ram radiates positivity and his Vinyasa Flow and Ashtanga classes leave you feeling uplifted and enlightened. Yogi Vishnu generously shared his vast knowledge of Philosophy and Meditation, creating a well-rounded course experience. The location, nestled in the bush next to a mountain stream that flows into the Ganga River, was absolutely perfect. It allowed us to connect with nature and enhanced the entire learning process.

I absolutely wasn’t disappointed by anything. Everything was amazing! I really love my Himalayan yoga family and I hope I can visit again soon. I’ll miss everyone so much. Thank you to each and every person who made my stay so wonderful. I’ve never felt such warmth from a group of people. The teachers are all incredible! They’re so informative, friendly, and funny, yet they remain humble. The staff instantly make you feel at home and are always there to help with anything. The food was always fantastic and the accommodations were clean and cozy. I give the school, teachers, staff, food, and accommodations a perfect 10/10. I wish I could have stayed longer.

I really loved my 500-hour TTC! Big thanks to HYA, the teachers, and all my classmates for making these two months such an amazing experience. Everyone was super friendly and always ready to help with any questions I had. 🙂

The anatomy course didn’t have much structure, but it was interesting. I think they should teach more in-depth anatomy to become a qualified yoga teacher.

The meditation course was a bit frustrating. They didn’t explain the theory or the benefits, and there was no gradual introduction to the practice. They just started with a 50-minute meditation on the first day.

But the teachers were amazing! They were so knowledgeable, engaging, friendly, helpful, and enthusiastic. Satish (ashtanga) and Rajesh (alignment) were incredible instructors, and I felt privileged to learn from them.

The location is fantastic. It’s up in the town, away from the noise of traffic. If you walk up the hill, you’ll find yourself surrounded by mountains and forests, with a stream, clean air, and a waterfall. And if you walk down the hill, you’ll reach the Ganga River, along with shops, restaurants, and transportation options.

We have more variety of food.

Now let’s talk about the negatives. The training advertised itself as an ADVANCED Vinyasa and Ashtanga YTTC. Unfortunately, there was hardly any Vinyasa involved. Our Vinyasa teacher basically ran a bootcamp for two weeks, completely ignoring the flow and synchronizing with the breath. It consisted of a rushed 50-minute warm-up with lots of fast repetitions and holding, followed by a bunch of Sun Salutations, and only a couple of Asanas before cooldown. Throughout the entire practice, there were no advanced asanas, no guidance on building a flow or mastering asanas for advanced practitioners. We even complained to the office, but nothing changed. It wasn’t until two weeks later that we finally started teaching, and even then, we felt ill-prepared because there was only one hour dedicated to learning how to actually prepare a class and work on a flow. And let me remind you, some of us had already requested more teaching theory and actual vinyasa.

The first four people who taught their Vinyasa class didn’t receive any participation or valuable feedback from the teacher. He was too busy playing with his phone or keys, going to the restroom, and even napping at one point. Overall, I didn’t learn any teaching methods or advanced vinyasa practices, which was a major reason why I chose this training. And to top it all off, on the last day, the teacher didn’t even bother showing up, which is not only disrespectful but also highly disappointing considering that the office didn’t seem to care. This review is specifically for the 300h YYTC ADVANCED course.

Now let’s move on to the positives. Our theory teachers for alignment, anatomy, pranayama, yoga therapy, meditation, and philosophy were absolutely amazing. They had a wealth of knowledge, and I genuinely feel like I learned a lot from them. However, I should mention that the alignment and anatomy portion mainly covered what I had already learned in my 200h course (which I completed in Ecuador) and didn’t dive into the details of more advanced poses. It would have been nice to explore those, especially since this was marketed as an ADVANCED YTTC. Nevertheless, it was still beneficial to revisit the basics. Lastly, our Ashtanga teacher, Satish, was fantastic. I loved his teaching style, and even though I’m not particularly fond of Ashtanga in my personal practice, I really enjoyed attending his classes and gained a lot from them.

I am absolutely amazed by everything! I love it so much! Thank you, Rishikesh, thank you, HYA, thank you to all the instructors – you guys are absolutely wonderful! I am extremely grateful to learn from you and to be a part of this life-changing experience. I wish you and HYA all the best!

I think it would be nice if they cleaned my yoga mats more often. They give us water infused with antibacterial leaves once or twice a week, but I would prefer if they renewed it more frequently. Some people complain about the cafeteria food, but to be honest, I actually enjoy it and feel safer eating there. I heard that the menu was designed for an ayurvedic diet, but most of the time I don’t know what the dishes are called. It would be helpful to have the names of the dishes listed. Our school is located in a great spot in Rishikesh – up in the mountains, peaceful, and away from the hustle and bustle of the town. Besides our classes, the staff and teachers also plan excursions in nature to help us relax and bond. One of my fondest memories was practicing morning yoga outside by the Ganga River! I also really appreciate that the teachers are always accessible to answer our questions and guide us through various preparatory exercises.

My experience at the Himalayan Yoga Association in Rishikesh has changed my life. I’ve learned more about yoga in just two months than I ever expected to learn in my whole life. The teachers have boundless knowledge and teach with so much love and passion. The kitchen staff works incredibly hard every day to make sure all the students are well-fed and taken care of. The owners of the building warmly welcome us into their home and make us feel like part of their family. And being in Rishikesh itself, with its rich culture, amazing people, beautiful temples, delicious food, and breathtaking mountains, has opened my eyes and helped me to grow spiritually, mentally, and physically (thanks to all those countless chaturangas!)

Sending you love and light,
Eve

I highly recommend this place to everyone who is considering taking a yoga course. It’s an absolutely wonderful place – clean, comfortable, and friendly. The teachers are professional and always ready to assist you in any way possible. The people there are respectful and trustworthy. The course covers all the necessary knowledge for you to understand yoga and is presented in a thoughtful manner.

The content and design of the yoga theory lacked depth, making it appear shallow and unprofessional. The teachers seemed young and inexperienced. Out of all the classes, the only class that proved useful for me was Rajesh’s Ashtang yoga practicals and alignment session.

Nothing is super amazing, but maybe I don’t like how quickly time passes by. The teachers here are perfect – they teach philosophy, anatomy, vinyasa, alignment, ashtanga, and more. They explain things in a way that even an idiot can understand, and all the classes are very interesting. I started to love learning. I have a special respect for the vinyasa and ashtanga teachers. I’ve been doing yoga for more than 6 years and have tried many yoga teachers in Germany, Spain, India, and the Czech Republic, but the teachers at this school are extra perfect professionals who push you to be better. By the way, I spent more than a month searching for a yoga school (TTC) all over the world, and I couldn’t be happier that I chose this one.

I felt like the philosophy and meditation lessons were lacking in a bit of spirituality, and I was hoping for more of that, especially in India. But maybe the teachers were still a bit too young (in their early twenties). However, I must say the teachers knew their stuff, especially when it came to the physical aspects like asanas, alignment, and anatomy. Those lessons were really great.