A Day in the Life at My Yoga Teacher Training in India
Rishikesh, December 2023
Every time I mention that I did my yoga teacher training in India, people ask the same thing: “What was it like?”
So I decided to share it all here — the rhythm of the days, the things I unlearned, the chai, the fire stove, the cold showers, the philosophy classes, and the many moments that changed how I see yoga — and life.
Why India?
I didn’t go to India to become a yoga instructor. I went for my own practice. After my first solo yoga retreat in Bali, something shifted — I felt deeply called to understand yoga beyond the poses. I wanted to learn its roots, its philosophy, its way of life. That curiosity eventually led me to Rishikesh — the spiritual heart of India — where I spent one month living and studying at an ashram in December 2023.
Here’s a glimpse into that journey:
🌅 5:30 AM
The day began before sunrise. Sometimes the water was warm, sometimes icy cold — but I learned to adapt. Just a quick 2–3 minute shower, and off I go.
6:30 am
My room
The cows I passed by every morning on my way from the Ashram to the Classroom
Daily Newspaper
Every morning, someone would leave a stack of freshly printed newspapers by the front door of the ashram. I was usually the first one up and out, and seeing that neat bundle on the doorstep became a quiet, comforting ritual — a small, mundane detail that grounded the spiritual intensity of the days.
☕ 6:15 am Morning Ginger Tea
We gathered for tea infused with fresh ginger and a touch of jaggery (Indian cane sugar). It was comforting and grounding, the perfect start to a full day ahead.
Preparing the tea
The fire stove where our morning tea was lovingly prepared. The tea was made with jaggery (a traditional Indian unrefined cane sugar), ginger, and spices.
🌬️ 6:30 - 7:30 AM Pranayama Class
One hour of deep, intentional breathwork. I never realized how powerful the breath is — it truly is the bridge between body and mind.
🕉️ 7:30 - 8:00 AM
Mantra Chanting
Half an hour of singing Sanskrit mantras in a group. The energy, the vibration — it was unlike anything I’ve felt before. It awakened something ancient and sacred.
🧘 8:00 – 9:30 AM Asana Practice
An hour and a half of yoga. But not to get a better body or more flexible spine. It was about presence, connection, and listening to the self.
Meals, Mindfulness, and Community
🍛 10:00 – 10:30 AM Brunch
Food at the ashram was an experience in itself — nourishing, grounding, and humbling.
We each had our own metal plate, bowl, and spoon, which we washed ourselves after every meal. We used the same set daily. This simple act was more than just practical — it was rooted in yogic values of cleanliness (saucha), simplicity, and self-responsibility. It also created a deeper connection to the food we were eating and a sense of respect toward what nourished us.
The meals were sattvic — meaning they were made to support clarity, calmness, and vitality. No onions, garlic, caffeine, or processed food. Just clean, balanced vegetarian dishes:
– Light dals and lentils
– Steamed or mildly spiced vegetables
– Fresh chapati and rice
– Seasonal fruit
– Herbal teas
We ate in silence most of the time — allowing space for digestion, awareness, and reflection.
📚 Midday Classes:
11:00 AM Philosophy & 1:00 pm Anatomy
Yoga philosophy gave depth to everything we did. From the 8 limbs of yoga to yogic ethics, it was mind-expanding. Anatomy helped us understand the body with care and awareness.
🍵 3:00 - 4:00 Afternoon Tea & Alignment Class
A gentle pause with tea, followed by a class on pose alignment and technique — understanding how to adapt the practice to each unique body.
🧘♀️ 4:00 – 5:30 PM Evening Yoga Practice
Another long practice, more meditative and inward. We’d leave class with a quiet calm, held by the sunset.
🌙 6:00 – 6:30 PM Early Nights
Dinner, journaling, then off to bed. The body tired, the heart full.
The path between the Music Ashram (where we lived) and the place we had our classes
What I learned
My Yoga Teacher Training in India taught me that yoga is not just a practice on the mat — it’s a way of moving through life. With intention, with softness, and with truth.
I didn’t come back with “advanced” poses. I came back with clarity. And a deeper respect for the wisdom this practice truly holds.
