Yoga Teacher Training in India

Himalayan Yoga Institute


International Yoga Teacher Training Courses in India, Kullu Valley
(Himalayas, India)

1 - 24 October 2013

Practice yoga outdoors while enjoying the views of magnificent snowcovered mountains in the distance, the gentle murmuring of the creeks and breathe the pure, vibrant air of the Himalayas as you prepare for a lifelong journey of discovering and sharing the manifold benefits of yoga and meditation.

An ancient scripture, the Svetasvatara Upanisad, cites:

"The precursors of perfection in yoga are lightness and health of the body, the absence of desire, a clear complexion, a beautiful voice and a fragrant odour of the body."

Kullu Valley, located in the Western Himalayas, is the ideal place to devote yourself to the practices and experience these results for yourself.

You will leave this teacher training course feeling exuberant, full of joy and enthusiasm and highly inspired to pass on the practices of yoga onto your own future students. At the same time you will leave with the tools to prepare and teach intelligent classes generating energy as well as relaxation, strength as well as calm.

Here is what our course participants say:

"I feel absolutely blessed to have had the opportunity to spend 3 intensive weeks in a secluded valley surrounded by the magnificently beautiful Himalayas among such hospitable, warm-hearted teachers and staff, to be pampered with the most delicious Indian food I can think of and on top of all of it to receive the most excellent, comprehensive, well-structured and informative training I could have ever hoped for. It was packed with great tips on teaching and personal practice – Ganga shared with us real gems of wisdom and insight. I can’t wait to go out and share it with others!"

Paul Cockitt, UK

Dr. David Haberlah, Brisbane - Australia

The Himalayan Yoga Institute offers an authentic approach to yoga developed by the Himalayan yogic masters who have been passing on this time-tested and subtle knowledge for the benefit of all. While providing a thorough training in asana, mudra, bandha and kriya it probes beyond mere physical practice into the realm of higher yoga and meditation and facilitates the awakening of the subtle pranic energies within ourselves.

This course focuses on both practical and theoretical aspects, with an integrated emphasis on the student's personal development in yoga and meditation. Our trainers are internationally recognized teachers and are highly skilled and experienced in the field of yoga education.

Having been awarded Registered Yoga School RYS 200 by Yoga Alliance International, for maintaining high standards and perpetuating the ethics and the tradition of Yoga worldwide, the Himalayan Yoga Institute has designed a course most conducive to studying the vocational art of being a Yoga Teacher.

Preview:

March/April 2014

Dates include arrival and departure days

• 3 weeks of theoretical and practical training in all aspects of yoga
• Internationally recognised certificate accredited by Yoga Alliance International

Tuition fee:

Shared £1,400; Triple £1,600; Double room: £1,900

Fee includes all classes and training, a teacher's manual, meals, tea, snacks, water and accommodation. Flights, airport transfers and excursions are excluded.

Course language

The course will be taught in English.

For the YTT course curriculum >>

Venue

Kullu Valley

Kullu was once known as ‘Kulanthpitha’, which means “the end of the habitable world”. Beyond rose the forbidding heights of the Greater Himalayas, and by the banks of the shining river Beas, lay the fabled 'Silver Valley'.

Here is the core of an intricate web of numerous valleys - each of which is a visual delight and seems more beautiful than the other. The mountain scapes remain spectacular whether in brilliant sunshine or in the haze of the mist. The town of Kullu has long been a centre of devotion and faith. In the 17th century, Raja Jagat Singh installed here an idol of Lord Raghunathji, which he brought from Ayodhya. As a mark of his penance, he placed the idol on his throne and it became the presiding deity of the valley.

Manali and the Kullu Valley have become important destinations for visitors escaping the summer heat of India. Sikh and Hindu temples and popular hot springs can be found in the eastern part of the district, the village of Manikaran. The Hadimba Devi Temple can be seen in Manali.

The Ashram

Our yoga ashram in Kullu Valley is a beautiful villa in the idyllic village Ropa, where the villagers, the animals and indigenous plants live together peacefully and harmoniously. We offer shared and double accommodation. The village is situated in a lovely self-contained valley away from the hustle and bustle of the city, surrounded by pine-studded mountains offering views of enchanting sunrises. Countless creeks and waterfalls are meandering through the village and it is a special delight to drink the refreshingly pure water from the mountain spring.

The villagers mostly live in traditional Himalayan cottages along with their cows and other domestic animals. They are warm-hearted and welcoming hosts helping out with some of our ashram chores.

Guest rooms are spacious with large windows offering plenty of light and fresh air. Asana classes will be taught on the roof terrace with a view of the surrounding Himalayan peaks or indoors in one of the two yoga and meditation halls.

The ashram kitchen provides carefully prepared lacto-vegetarian meals twice daily, which are moderately spiced, prepared by the local chef and his crew.

Special programmes

Excursion to Naggar and Manali

We will visit the ancient seat of the kings of Kullu at Naggar Castle, about 12 km north of the present town, which was thought to have been built in the early 17th century by Raja Sidh Sing. Raja Jagat Singh (1637-72) moved the capital in the middle of the 17th century to its present position, and called it Sultanpur. The Royal compound consists of the Rupi Palace, several temples, and a long narrow bazaar descending the hill.

Manali and the Kullu Valley have become important destinations for tourists escaping the summer heat of India. The Hadimba Devi Temple can be seen in Manali.

• Monasteries: Manali is known for its shiny gompas or Buddhist monasteries. It is maintained by donations from the local community and by sale of hand-woven carpets in the temple workshop.

• Old Manali: At a distance of 3 km northwest of Manali is Old Manali, famous for its orchards and old guesthouses. There is ruined fort here by the name of Manaligarh. There is also the Manu Maharishi Temple, dedicated to sage Manu.

• Gauri Shankar Temple at DASHAL village(700 mtrs. from Sarsai ) on the main left bank Kullu Manali Highway. This is a 12th century protected monument.

Mr. Gurudhyan, Ropa village, P.O. Box Bhuntar, Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh, 175125

Arrival and departure

How to get to Kullu Valley?

By flight

If you are travelling from London we suggest that you buy your ticket via the Ebookers and Kingfisher Airlines websites:

www.ebookers.com

www.flykingfisher.com

You can buy a ticket from London to Delhi or to 'Kulu' (if you are using Kingfisher Airlines all the way from London to Kulu), which will include one transfer in Delhi, so you will have to get to the domestic airport from the international Indira Gandhi Airport, which should be easy as both airports are next to each other.

All Kingfisher flights to Kullu are on hold at the moment. Hence we recommend to travel by bus. For further information please see below.


 
We recommend the following hotel for your extra night in Delhi:

By bus

Kullu is about 500 km away from Delhi, the capital of India, and there are buses connecting the town with Delhi, Shimla, Dharamsala and Leh. For service from Delhi to Kullu, tickets and reservations can be made at the Inter State Bus Terminus as well as at the Himachal Tourism office, in Chanderlok building on Janpath Road near Mandi House in New Delhi.  We strongly recommend travelling by bus booked via the Himachal Tourism office. The approximate travel time from Delhi to Kullu is 12 hours. Volvo buses—which depart at around 6PM and reach at 7-8 AM next day—are available from Delhi and this is the best option in terms of comfort and value for money to reach Kullu but you need to book these in advance. The destination to be booked is Manali, which is 2 hours further down the road. However by request you will be dropped in Kullu (Bhuntar airport, as the meeting place, from where we will organize a pick up).

Bookings can be made online. Contact details of the Himachal Tourism office:

• Yoga mat - please, bring your own mat
• Alarm clock
• Warm yoga clothes: In October it is hot once the sun comes up and you can spend all day outdoors in short sleeves, but the mornings can be chilly during practice so its best to have something warm
• Money: It is best to exchange cash to rupees, the Indian currency, at the airport, and  there are also some ATMs within a 15 minute taxi ride from Ropa. You would want to have some funds on your arrival, which you can purchase at your airport of departure, however rupees are not to be taken out of India on your return. For the up to date exchange rate see www.xe.com
• Electrical adaptors: Kullu operates on 220V, the same 2 prong plugs as Europe, which are different from the UK ones, so you may want to bring an electrical converter plug.
• Torch / flashlight: Power outages are frequent in India and part of the charm but you might want some help seeing in the dark.
• Earplugs: If you are a sensitive sleeper, you may want to bring them along, even if it is just the snoring of your room mate, that may make its way to your ears.
• Sunscreen: You will need to take care against the strong sun, especially when arriving from winter.
• Clothing: please be sensitive to the local culture and dress modestly. Always cover your legs (long trousers, no skirts), your belly and wear short- or long-sleeved upper body clothing. You may want to pick up some of the beautiful Indian clothing called Salwar Kamiz, consisting of pants and a dress in the local shops or bring them with you from London (they can be bought in Indian stores across the city).

Have you been looking for a hatha yoga teacher training? Or an ashtanga, vinyasa yoga teacher training? Our unique appraoch combines the best of both schools and will above and beyond offer an insight into the mysteries and secrets of spiritual yoga, the science of breathing and pranayama, mantra and meditation - as taught by the Himalayan masters.

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