Rishikul Yogshala aims to spread the wisdom of yoga through the teacher training courses and retreats on offer. The school was founded in 2010 by passionate yogis, and now has a group of dedicated, experienced and high-quality teachers to guide students through their yoga journey. With 200 and 300 hour Yoga Alliance accredited teacher training courses available, as well as relaxing retreats and workshops, there is something for every aspiring yogi.
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From the moment you step through the front door, the friendly and welcoming staff are around to make your stay as comfortable and easy as possible. No matter what you need, what questions you have, or what time of day it is, you will always be greeted with a smile and knowledgeable staff who will do all they can to help you. The atmosphere at Rishikul Yogshala puts you completely at ease, allowing you to immerse yourself in your experience from the beginning.
Daily Hatha classes are part of the schedule – they are a great way to build your strength and understand exactly how your body works and what you can do. The classes will teach you all the postures you need to apply to your personal practice and to teaching, and give you all the basics you need to take forward. It also delves deeper into the reasoning behind certain asanas, how to modify and advance further, and how to practice safely. Ashtanga classes form the other half of the physical practice, and are designed to lead you through the Ashtanga series and develop your stamina and also your understanding of the postures. They will build up as you progress through, and aim to guide you into your own practice of the series that you can continue into daily life in the future. The Hatha and Ashtanga classes perfectly compliment each other at Rishikul Yogshala, and together they will improve your strength, flexibility, practice and also your understanding of the poses. Taught by highly experienced, passionate and knowledgeable teachers, the asana classes will give you a great yoga foundation.
As well as the physical aspect of yoga, classes such as meditation, Pranayama and mantra are also part of the schedule. These practices bring in another aspect of yoga, and give an opportunity to develop spiritually. Pranayama is incredibly important to learn alongside the asana classes, as it allows you to apply the breathing techniques when practicing the postures. Mantra classes are a great way to get to know the traditional Sanskrit language, and to get to know more about the spiritual side of yoga. Meditation allows you to delve more into your own self, and may awaken your inner spirituality more. These classes give you the techniques to allow you to lead yourself and others in various meditation practices in the future, and perfectly align with the more physical classes on offer.
To help you gain a deeper understanding of teaching yoga, anatomy classes and adjustment & alignment classes are also given daily. These provide a knowledge base for understanding how the body works in yoga, how to safely teach others and how to recognize what is right for students and what isn’t. These classes are designed to make sure you can take what you learn to others in a safe and measured way. Yoga Philosophy runs alongside these, and gives you a background into the meanings behind yoga and the origins. It perfectly balances out the other educational classes, and combined they give a well-rounded overview of all aspects you need to become a yoga teacher.
All of the teachers at Rishikul Yogshala are experts in their field, and they hold qualifications that support the amazing work they do. They are all extremely passionate about their subjects, are knowledgeable in all areas of yoga, and come from diverse and interesting backgrounds that add to the down-to-earth feel you get from studying with them. The teachers make all their students feel welcome and like part of a family. This family atmosphere extends out across the rest of the complex, and very soon you will feel like part of the Rishikul family – a membership you will keep for life.
The accommodation at the school is homely, clean and bright. With shared and private rooms available, all with their own bathrooms, you will be comfortable throughout your stay. Every part of the campus is welcoming and relaxing to be in. All the food is cooked by experienced chefs, who are always coming up with new and inspired dishes to satisfy the hungriest of students! They provide an Ayurvedic diet that is designed to help cleanse your system, and it goes hand in hand with yoga practice.
On days off from all the classes, the school also organize trips out to visit the local area. Rishikesh and the surrounding areas are vibrant and culturally rich, with beautiful scenery as a backdrop. Excursions include visits to local beauty spots – such as waterfalls – and caves, and a breathtaking drive to Kunjapuri Temple in the Himalayas for sunrise. Cooking classes and laughter yoga are also some of the other added extras: there is always something to do!
Not only will you leave Rishikul Yogshala with a stronger physical practice, a deeper understanding of the philosophy behind yoga, the ability to teach and the knowledge of all aspects of yoga, you will also leave with a huge yoga community at your fingertips. All the experiences you have will bond you with everyone else at the school; students, staff and teachers. By the end of your time at Rishikul, you will have a group of lifelong friends that will stay with you wherever you go.
