Most 200-hour trainings in the US are taught by teachers who themselves learned from a book, a video, or a single weekend workshop. The lineage at Yoga Vedanta Trust runs back through Swami Gopal Sharma's personal training at Swami Dayanand Ashram — one of the oldest continuously operating yoga ashrams in Rishikesh, founded in the same non-dual Himalayan tradition the Beatles studied under in 1968.
Americans who train here consistently say the same thing: the discipline of waking at 5:30am for shatkarma and pranayama, every day, for 28 days straight, changes you in a way that a weekend intensive simply cannot. You're not visiting a yoga retreat. You're living inside the practice.
You'll fly into Delhi (Indira Gandhi International, DEL), then either take a short connecting flight to Dehradun (30 minutes from Rishikesh) or an overnight train to Haridwar. We can help arrange pickup either way.
Flying from another US city? Most routes connect through one of the three hubs above, or through Europe (London, Frankfurt, Paris) or the Gulf (Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi) — all of which also connect onward to Delhi.
Best for a focused introduction without taking a full month away from work. All levels welcome.
The foundational certification. Yoga Alliance RYS 200, recognized by US studios, gyms, and corporate wellness programs.
For RYT 200 holders advancing toward E-RYT 500. Deeper philosophy, Sanskrit, and advanced teaching practicum.
US passport holders need an Indian e-Tourist Visa. It's a fully online application — there's no need to visit an embassy or consulate. "Attending a short-term yoga programme" is explicitly listed as a valid reason for this visa category, which covers exactly what a 100, 200, or 300-hour TTC is.
Visa rules can change without notice — always confirm current requirements on the official Indian government e-visa portal before booking non-refundable flights.
"I came as a skeptic. What I found was Swami Gopal Ji sitting cross-legged at 5:45am, utterly present. By day 28, I was a different person. Not better — clearer."
"Waking at 5:45am to the Ganga. Shatkarma. Then 90 minutes of Hatha as the sun rose over the Himalayas. This rhythm changed me permanently."
"The 300-hour program — Vedanta philosophy, Sanskrit, Yoga Nidra — is extraordinary. This is not a tourist package. This is a serious school."
"As a solo female traveler I was nervous. Within hours I felt completely safe and at home. The community here is unlike anything."
Yes. US citizens need an Indian e-Tourist Visa, applied for entirely online. "Attending a short-term yoga programme" is explicitly listed as a valid purpose for this visa category, and processing usually takes a few days.
Yes. Air India and United fly non-stop from Newark and San Francisco; Air India also flies non-stop from Chicago. From other US cities, you'll typically connect through one of those three, through Europe, or through the Gulf.
Yes — completely. Yoga Vedanta Trust is registered directly with Yoga Alliance USA (RYS 200 and RYS 300), the same organization that certifies US-based trainings. Your RYT 200 or RYT 300 is identical to one earned in an American studio.
India is roughly 9.5–13.5 hours ahead of the continental US depending on your time zone and the season. We respond to WhatsApp messages within a few hours even across that gap, so most questions get answered the same day.
Yes, significantly. Our 200-hour TTC starts at $1,050 fully inclusive of accommodation, meals, and materials. Comparable US residential 200-hour trainings typically run $3,000–$6,000 before any travel costs.
October through March is peak season with the most comfortable weather. April–May and September also work well. Plan flights several weeks ahead — fares from the US to Delhi are typically cheaper when booked in advance.
