Frequently Asked Questions - Yoga Vidya Mandiram - 200, 300 & 500 Hours Yoga Teacher Training School

General Questions

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What do I need to bring/prepare?

We provide yoga mat and equipment for all classes. In your room, we provide fan, bedding, towels and basic toiletry set. There is a grocery store just beside our school that you will be able to find snacks, shampoo, soap, toothbrush, etc. Here are few things that you should have with you:

General

  • A white outfit for closing ceremony (optional)
  • Polite clothes for temple visits (cover shoulders, chest, legs)
  • Comfortable clothing for classes and excursions
  • Mosquito repellents for classes and excursions
  • Water Container/Bottle for refilling at our school filtered water dispenser
  • Adapter for Indian power outlet
  • Personal medication
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal belongings
  • Specialty Items that you know you need (i.e. snack from home, supplementary diet, etc.)

Seasonal

  • Winter Season (mid-October until mid-March)
  • Sweater / Jacket for morning and evening classes
  • Sneakers / Walking Shoes for excursions
  • Summer Season (mid-April until mid-July)
  • Light and breezy clothes
  • Sunscreen/umbrella for UV protection (very high in India)
  • Rainy Season (mid-July until early September)
  • Light and breezy clothes (easy to dry)
  • Sandals/slippers that can get wet
  • Raincoat/umbrella for rain protection
Do I need to take any vaccinations before travelling to India?

It is recommended that you bring your vaccination history to your doctor and ask for his opinion on any additional vaccinations to be taken before your travel.

I am taking medications. Will I be able to get it in India?

Maybe. The hospitals should have the same common medicines as Western countries, but they might not be the same brand. You should bring a sample to show the hospital or pharmacy when you make a purchase.

Is there laundry service?

Yes. Laundry service is available just next to school at a charge of approximately 9 Indian Rupees per piece (may be slightly more or less). How long it takes to get your laundry back would depend on the weather and season of the year.

Is there WiFi at school?

Yes, we have Wifi available (free of charge) in your accommodation, dining hall and yoga hall.

What is the dress code at school?

At school, we are quite flexible so you can wear anything that you feel comfortable in for your classes. However, please still be respectful of the culture and people.

What is the dress code at school?

At school, we are quite flexible so you can wear anything that you feel comfortable in for your classes. However, please still be respectful of the culture and people.

How should a female traveler dress in India?

During your travel you should cover up your body properly to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Indians are not used to women revealing so much skin and some men may take that as an invitation to approach you. Moreover, foreigner should always respect and understand the culture of the places where they visit without trying to impose their own culture, rights or opinions through inappropriate dressing, actions and speech.

You would be required to wear polite clothes (covering shoulders, cleavage, legs, stomach, etc.) when you are visiting temples and holy sites. It would be appropriate to carry a shawl with you whenever you leave school.

How is the weather in Rishikesh, India?

The below is a brief description of the weather in Rishikesh. However, each year weather may shift according to nature and ongoing global climate changes.

Summer Season (March-June): These months constitute the summer season in Rishikesh, where June is the hottest month with temperatures rising up to 36-38°C. Expect a sunny weather with temperatures around 20 °C to 35 °C from night to day. Bring light clothes!

Monsoon Season (July-September): These months constitute the rainy season in Rishikesh and the temperature would be between 16°C to 30°C from night to day. Rainfall is normal at this time, which could be everyday in peak monsoon season in August. Humidity is quite high and the temperature cools down from the summer peaks due to the rain. The rain does not affect classes because all classes are indoors, but may affect excursions on rest day.

Winter Season (October-February): These months constitute the winter season in Rishikesh and the temperature would be between 8°C to 24°C from night to day. January is the coldest month in Rishikesh and it is advisable to carry warm clothes.

School & Certification

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Does the certificate allow me to be qualified for teaching around the world?

Yoga Alliance USA (abbreviated as “YA”) is an organization that makes sure yoga schools and teachers are providing standardized yoga lessons and that they have been trained under a standardized curriculum. YA is recognized internationally worldwide and if you register as a yoga teacher with them, you would also be recognized internationally as a yoga teacher. The requirement to register as a registered yoga teacher (“RYT” as called by Yoga Alliance) is a yoga teacher training with a yoga school that is also registered with Yoga Alliance. Our school, Yoga Vidya Mandiram, is registered for all 200 hours, 300 hours and 500 hours yoga teacher training program under the standards of Yoga Alliance. Upon the completion of the training, you will receive a certificate which would make you eligible to register as a yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. If or when you register with them, you would be recognized as a yoga teacher anywhere in the world.

What is the school’s lineage or tradition?

As far as the lineage is concerned, we have learned yoga and meditations directly from our Gurudeva Swami Veda Bharati, who was the direct disciple of Swami Rama of the Himalayas. Therefore, during the courses Meditation and Relaxation clases are taught from our lineage as passed down by Swami Rama, while other subjects are taught from different traditions such as Ashtanga Yoga by Krishnamacharya, Hatha Yoga and Pranayama of Bihar School of yoga and Yoga Philosophy based on Vedic scriptures.

Do I need to pass any exams in order to complete the course?

Yes, you will have to pass a final written and practical exam to complete your certification. The decision will be based by your performance, attendance and behavior as a yoga practitioner.

Will language be my barrier as English is not my first language?

No, all students are coming from different parts of the world, so English are most likely second language of them. The courses are easily understandable and teachers will help you in anything.

Can I attend the same course with my partner?

Yes, it is possible to attend the TTC with your partner.

I have only some experience of yoga. Will I feel lost during the training?

You have no need to worry about experience. In our 50 Hours, 100 Hours, 200 Hours and 500 hours training, we make it our priority to layout the most essential yoga foundations regarding the understanding of the philosophy and practices of yoga at the beginning of the training. This is will set the strong base for you that enables you to continue and further your practice after the completion of the training, which is when your personal journey really begins. So in the training, everyone starts at the same page to ensure strong foundation and the course gradually picks up a pace from there.

Therefore, if you go through the training diligently, you will be able to follow the theories and practices during the course.  Of course, each person has different yoga asana background and experience so this is main class that each would experience differently.  The training is for your own progress and you should go through it at your own pace without competing with classmates or feel bad if you are not as flexible, have as much strength, know as many asana names, etc. as other people.  That is not the point of practicing yoga anyway.  How much you can internalize from the yoga studies and practices is what matters most, so even the most beginner person can experience this transformation more than other experienced students.  So don’t worry about anyway.  You should be focused in the training but go through it with ease of mind. Teachers are there whenever you need extra help on any subjects.

Can I teach with 50 Hour Yoga TTC?

In truth, anyone can teach yoga with or without a certificate or recognition. However, to be recognized as a yoga teacher, in the case that your students or yoga school require teachers with accreditations, then 50 hours Yoga TTC is not sufficient training hours. If you would like to become a professional yoga teacher, 200 hours of training would be the minimum training hours required by Yoga Alliance USA.

The 50 hours Yoga TTC is actually suitable for people who would like to get deeper in their practices but currently not looking to have a teacher certificate, as well as for a registered yoga teacher (RYT) to refresh their yoga practices. As the structure of the training follow the standards set by Yoga Alliance USA, it is required that you go through the either 200 hours Yoga TTC or a complete 500 hours Yoga TTC in order to be eligible for registering with Yoga Alliance USA as RYT 200 and RYT 500. You could also first do a 200 Hours then later a 300 Hours to complete the 500 hours training. However, if you have a time to spare, definitely go for the 500 hours Yoga TTC.

What if get sick during my course?

If you are sick, injured or in need of medical assistance, we can provide you with preliminary medications or take you to a western-style hospital (whichever option is needed). In this case, we will find alternatives for you in order to be able to properly complete the course, but with discussion and under conditions set by our school.

If I want to skip class am I able to do that?

Attendance is an important part of the training because every training hour is as required by Yoga Alliance standards. If you skip classes, school reserve the right not to give you certification at the end of the training. In the case that a student feels too sick to practice, they can observe quietly at the back of the class which can be counted as class hour. If a student is too sick to be present in class at all, he needs to notify the teacher and school team before class or immediately after leaving the class.

How many students are there in the Yoga TTC?

The average number of students depends on the month of the year. During May until September, we have on average from 10-15 students per training for 50 Hours, 100 Hours and 200 Hours Yoga TTC groups, but just approximately 3-8 students for 300 Hours and 500 Hours Yoga TTC groups. The number could be less or more, depending on the month. It is high season during October until March, sometimes into April, and there could be up to 21-22 students for 200 Hours Yoga TTC (maximum capacity), but only about 8-12 students for 300 Hours and 500 Hours Yoga TTC.

Do you separate classes for different student levels?

No, we do not separate classes. As we want to make sure that students have a good foundation, the 1st week of the 200 Hours and 500 Hours training will focus on the foundations. As the training progresses and there are people of different levels and experience, the teacher will teach modifications for those who still needs more strength or flexibility to go into a posture. Others more advanced will be able to do the posture without modifications or move on to a more advance variation of the postures. This will enable students to learn and practice at their own pace within the same group. This also enables more advanced students to observe and learn how teachers teach and make modifications for those at beginner or intermediate level students, which is an essential teaching skill to have once students start teaching their own classes.

Are there drop-in classes?

Yes. Drop-in classes are available but not everyday. Therefore, please stop, call, message (whatsapp) or email for information before you arrive for the class. The charges are 300 Indian Rupees per class. Please come at least 5 minutes before class time to register and pay fees before entering your class.

Food & Accommodation

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Is vegan and gluten-free diet available?

Food provided at our center is 100% vegetarian, not vegan. For vegan and gluten-free diet, students will need to inform us in advance, so our chef can prepare food for you separately.

Do most student get sick from food?

Most western students would most likely feel sick in the stomach if it is their first time in Asia or India due to the unfamiliar bacteria in the atmosphere and food. The body needs time to adapt and become immune to these unfamiliar bacteria, which may be just few days to a week depending on each person’s travel experience and immunity. It does not necessarily mean you ate something bad. Sickness happen less in winter and more during summer season as bacteria in the air grows with heat.

Can I eat eggs at school?

Eggs are considered as non-vegetarian food for Indian culture, so eggs are not permitted at school.

How much do I need to pay for food and accommodation?

You don’t need to pay extra money as our course fees includes food and accommodation. You’ll be provided either shared or private room with basic amenities like attached bathroom, 24 hours water supply, hot shower, bedding, towel and a small basic toiletry set.

Is air conditioning (AC) included in the fee?

No. If you would like AC facility, this would be an additional charge of US$ 10 per night per room. For shared room, student allocated to the same room needs to discuss with each other if they both want AC in summer season. The charge may be split between the roommates in shared room. If a roommate disagrees to split the cost and the other still wants AC, she would have to bear the US$ 10 charge per night.

May I rent a room without attending any yoga courses?

No. Student accommodations are limited and reserved for yoga students only. However, if you are together with a friend, partner or family who is attending the course, you are permitted to stay on campus with additional charges per night.

Do I need to be careful about eating food in India?

Eating outside of school is pretty safe if they are proper and clean restaurants in Rishikesh. If your stomach is sensitive, you should avoid eating street food.

Can my partner stay with me without participating during my course?

Yes, this is possible but at an additional cost per night.

Can I eat non-vegetarian food outside of school?

You may discretely go to restaurants outside of school, but you may not bring non-vegetarian items into school campus or our student accommodation.

What is the check-in and check-out time?

Check-in time is from 12pm noon onwards. Early check-in is possible if room is available the night before that. If you arrive early morning, you may have breakfast at our school between 9-10am, complete your registration and course payment at our school reception before we start an Opening Fire Ceremony at 10.30am. On last day of the course, graduation ceremony takes place and finishes by 11.30am. Check-out time is 12pm noon.

Can we stay extra nights before or after our course?

If you would like to stay at the school for an extra night, this is possible. It will cost US$ 28 per night (per person) for a shared room or US$ 38 per night for a private room, both inclusive of accommodation and 3 daily meals.

Is heater available and included in the fee?

No. For winter season, portable heaters for rent are available at US$ 5 per night per heater. You can request for a heater at our school as you arrive

Travel & Transportation

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Is it safe to travel alone to Rishikesh?

Although it is quite safe to travel alone to and in Rishikesh, all travels require certain research, planning and discretion. Many tourists, including single female travellers, have arrived and attended courses at our school. It might be a bit challenging to travel by local buses or trains sometimes if you have never been to India before, as it could be unorganized.

When should I arrive and depart?

In order to attend the orientation program on the first day, students should arrive at least 1-2 hours before the program starts at 10:30am. If possible, it is recommended that students arrive a day earlier to get settled in, become familiar with people and the place and take good long rest before the starting date. However, the extra night would be additionally charged, so it is optional. On last day of the course, graduation ceremony takes place and it finishes by 11:30 am. Therefore, departure should be planned in the late afternoon or one day after completion of the course.

Can school help me with airport transfer?

Yes, we do! From the nearest airport to Rishikesh, Dehradun airport (DED), taxi would be US$ 15 per trip (35-40 minutes ride). Direct taxi from Delhi airport (DEL) is also possible with a taxi charge of US$ 75 per trip (6-7 hours ride). If you need our assistance in booking your taxi on arrival, please provide us with your flight details (i.e. flight no., airline, time, date and location).

How do I arrive to the school?

Arrival by Airplane: The nearest international airport is New-Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), which is usually where students enter India to continue on to Rishikesh. For those who choose to continue their way by air, there are currently domestic flights to Dehradun, Jolly Grant Airport (DED). From there, it is less approximately 35 minutes by taxi to Rishikesh.
Arrival by Bus: Buses to Rishikesh leave New-Delhi from the Kashmiri Gate National Bus Stand, approximately every hour. The bus ride takes about 7-8 hours and costs around INR 450 for A/C buses & INR250 for Non-A/C buses.
Arrival by Taxi: Taxis are always available anywhere in India. The drive from Delhi to Rishikesh will take around 5-6 hours or longer, depending on traffic conditions. You may order taxi from school to ensure safety.
Arrival by Train: From Delhi, the train ride takes between 5 to 8 hours, depending on the train. The best option is to arrive at Haridwar Train Station, which is about 45 minutes from Rishikesh by taxi or the so called tuktuks. Haridwar is serviced by many trains from/to Delhi, Varanasi, Rajasthan, Amritsar, etc.

Payments

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Which kind of visa do I need to apply for?

We always recommend students to apply for e-tourist visa because it is quick and easily applied online. Please visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. Please let us know if there is any help needed.

How do I reserve for my course?

A minimum advance deposit is required to reserve a spot in your course. Please see required deposit amount on the course page that you want to book for.

Is it possible to make any changes about the booking after I made it?

Yes, the advance deposit amount can be retained for rescheduling, only if applicant makes a request 7 days before the program start date. However, such amount can only be applied towards the same program within a timeframe of 1 year after the original course date booked. Booking will expire after the mentioned timeframe. Advance deposit is strictly non-refundable upon cancellations.

Can I use my credit card to pay the remaining course fee in Rishikesh?

The remaining course fee (if any) is due on arrival and may be settled through the following payment methods:

Credit Card: Payments made by credit card would be subjected to additional 4% transaction fee.
Cash: We recommend you to pay the remaining balance in cash on arrival. ATM is available and we can bring you for cash withdrawal.
Direct Bank Transfer: If you want to avoid carrying cash or going to the ATM, online banking is possible. Please make sure you make a transfer before your arrival to ensure the amount arrives before the course starts and that you are able to deal with the bank if there is any issue with the transfer. Please note that any bank charges for the oversea transfer is your responsibility and should not be charged or deducted from the transferred amount.
PayPal: Payment via PayPal is possible but you would be subjected to 6% additional transaction fee.