Yoga Teacher Training Course in Rishikesh (Part 1)

How I did Yoga Teacher Training Course in Rishikesh (Part 1)

Yoga?
Are you passionate about yoga?
Do you wonder to become a yoga teacher?
Looking for yoga school in Rishikesh and lost in options?

Here we go; My name is Svetlana and I’ve just finished an Yoga Teacher training course (TTC 200) at Rishikesh Yog Dham. My course lasted for four weeks from 15^th of July until 11^th of August and it was the most exciting experience in my life!

I have had a dream to travel to India for many years, but always would find excuses and postpone it, but eventually after finishing university I made my mind up about it… My beloved friends couldn’t afford it for some reason, so I decided to go there alone, and you know what? If you’re on your spiritual path and learning about yourself, and enjoy spending time on your own – go for it. Your eyes will be opened, you’ll gain a lot of unique experience, meaningful, maybe not only for yourself, but for the whole universe. You’ll meet incredible people, friendly and open-minded, you’ll find new fellows from all over the world who come to this land for their own search…

In India everything is possible. The power of thought is overwhelming here. It works, believe me… As long as your own intentions are good enough, you’ll encounter so many delightful things around here. It’s a huge country, so take a couple of months for this trip. Even if you don’t have 2 months, go at least for three weeks. Based on my experience, that was one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever taken in my life so far. Be true and be present.

Well…Let’s get back to the topic of yoga in Rishikesh. Everyone knows that this city is the world capital of yoga…That many famous people have come here for inspiration. Inspiration is here; Sure; And not only that; Many things which are not describable in words as well.

When I was trying to find the yoga school in Rishikesh for a training course during summer time (which is not in season, due to rainy days and hot weather), the first school which grabbed my attention was Yog Dham…I questioned myself – is it my power of thought, intuition, luck or just great google optimization? Then I spent three extra days for searching other centers and ashrams. I emailed a couple of them, emailed to RYD, while I was also looking for alternative TTC 200 (teacher training course: 200 hours) in Thailand or Nepal (it was time of floods in Uttarakhand, India)… I  chatted with two teachers for a while and everything seemed ok to me. I was especially surprised how prompt their answers were. Two more weeks passed, and I had to decide whether I was going or not . One day I opened my eyes in the morning and got it – I have to pay the deposit NOW, otherwise I’ll be late for the course. The procedure was quite easy and I received confirmation by email. Cool…

The next step was to get the visa. It’s not difficult though, but requires some time…As I live in Sochi and the closest embassy is in Moscow. I applied for the visa through a travel agent which cost double but made me free from journeying to the capital. I got my visa in approximately 10-12 days… I sent them the documents, not having booked tickets for Delhi yet. During the same time, my family was visiting and I was finishing university etc… Ou yes, tickets. I found a affordable option with Uzbekistan airlines. They fly to Delhi a few times a week through Tashkent (perhaps other routes as well). Have a look online. Although, you can’t buy the ticket through the company’s website unfortunately, but can get it I think on onetwotrip, skyscanner etc. Spend a bit more time and you’ll get the right one for you.

I received my visa just one day before my flight. It was challenging, but I was absolutely happy! I had to fly through Tashkent on the airplane full of local people. I was the only young Russian girl travelling somewhere with all the workers who build the Olympics in Sochi. It was fun. Safe and fun. I spent a few hours in the airport in Uzbekistan, waiting for my trip to Delhi. I arrived in Dehli late at night. The first impression was thoroughly shocking! It was like three different types of saunas at the same time and place!!! It was difficult to breathe and dusty. People sleeping on the streets, drivers trying to catch you and get money out of you. I had prepaid taxi order through my host in New Delhi who organized it. I’ll share his contact if you wish…Great place to stay for a few days being in Delhi, different and quiet spot in the middle of chaos.

After that I stayed for 10 days in a super boiling Delhi and left for Vashisht, next to Manali, the most amazing place I’ve ever been! Little cute village with no roads and cars, modernized and with saved traditions in it. Full of backpackers and welcoming locals who are into handicrafts and lead a natural lifestyle…But that’s another story) Let’s come back to yoga classes in Rishikesh.

I arrived at Rishikesh from Chandigarh (read about this lovely trip in my previous posts). Caution: never take public bus from Chandigarh to Rishikesh!!! Better to walk barefoot than experience this! Especially during the rainy season with a heating sun above the head. There is no concrete road as such, buses are stuffed with local people and they stare at you all the way to town. You have a stop in the middle of nowhere to dine, but I think its highly unadvisable to eat something at these kinds of places…Be careful, and drink lots of  water while you are travelling in India and wash your hands! Actually, oven cooked dishes
are good to eat as is nearly everything that has fire/ oven cooked. Plain rice and chapatti should be also OK.

Also remember; If Indians say 5 hours  it might mean 8! So watch your time and plan the trip with Indian time awareness)))) well…Better not to plan. Just feel the flow and it’ll bring you to where you want to be and who you want to be. And a bit later…To who you are. Acceptance needs to be learnt. It’s a great quality by the way.