I first met Carolyn McPherson while completing my Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Calgary. She was completing the same degree as me, and we ended up in a group together for an entrepreneurship class.

We became friends on Facebook, and went our own ways as we completed our degrees. Following university, Carolyn began working abroad and living in numerous countries around the world.

Never for a second did I think that I would reconnect with Carolyn over 5 years later to discuss her travels (check out her interview for The World Wanderers podcast here), and then months later, about our mutual love of yoga.

Since completing her Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) in India, Carolyn has taught in Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic & now she is working & teaching yoga in India. The purpose of this post is to give you an understanding on what a YTT program in India is like, and specifically what it is like to do a program at AyurYoga Eco-Ashram where she studied yoga and now, works.

Enter Carolyn…. 

It can be overwhelming to choose a YTT Program or Yoga Retreat in India. There are hundreds of different options and offerings, and unless you have a specific recommendation from someone, it can be hard to decide. Most people in their research have also come across some stories of scams, schools which don’t really exist, teachers who are not well qualified, airport pickups not showing up, etc.

A couple of years ago, I was also faced with the tough task of deciding where to do my teacher training in India. When I came across the website for AyurYoga Eco-Ashram, I felt like I had found the right place for me. And after my experience there, I can really say that it was a great decision. I did my one-month, 200 Hour Teacher Training Course there in June 2014. When I completed the course, I already felt confident to teach, and taught for 3 months in Nicaragua and 9 months in the Dominican Republic. Now I am back to help out on this same ashram in India where I did my teacher training.

Since I have been on this ashram for a few months, I would like to share my experiences: What is it like to do an intensive Yoga Teacher Training Course in India? What makes this ashram/the courses it offers special and unique compared to others in India? What is it like to stay at an ashram in India for an extended amount of time? Why should you come to India to study yoga?

I know that there are many other great Yoga Teacher Training Courses and Yoga Retreats around India, and I encourage each person to do their own research to find the best one for themselves. In this article I am sharing my own experience at what I consider to be a great ashram and great teacher training program so that anyone who reads this can feel confident about the quality, authenticity, and experience you may get if you decide to come to AyurYoga Eco-Ashram.

The most popular course at AyurYoga Eco-Ashram, and the one which I originally attended, is the 200 Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Course, held over the duration of 28 days. Upon the completion of this course, you are presented with an internationally recognized Yoga Alliance certificate, which enables you to teach yoga anywhere in the world.

The typical day begins at 5:30 am when the wake-up bell rings. You have half an hour to wake up and make yourself fresh for the meditation which begins at 6am. It is still a bit dark, and often misty, as you walk along the riverfront pathway to get to the meditation hall, where one of the Swamis will be waiting to lead the morning meditation. It is often quite magical, because you close your eyes and enter the meditative state when it is dark, and when the meditation finishes 30 minutes later, it is light!

After the meditation session, you can walk up to the dining hall where there is a hot lemon-ginger drink (or other herbal drink) waiting for you. You also have the opportunity to practice Jala Neti, a nasal cleansing practice where you pour warm saline water through your nose.

The morning yoga asana and pranayama session begins at 7am. The class is facing the rising sun and always begins with sun salutations. During the next 2 hours, one of the expert teachers will guide you through a traditional Hatha Yoga Asana practice, some pranayamas, and a relaxation at the end.

Most students are ready to eat after this class, and walk up for the delicious “brunch”. The first meal of the day usually consists of rice, chapati, raw vegetables/ salad, a lentil/bean/protein dish, and a cooked vegetable dish. You can also drink milk tea or a hot herbal drink. The food is served buffet style, so you can take as much as you want! It is very delicious, healthy, mostly organic, sattvic, Indian food.

The first theory class of the day is from 10:30-12:30, and will either be “Yoga in the Big Picture” (which includes the history of yoga, different paths of yoga, yoga in the modern day, prana&chakras, etc.) or Yoga Anatomy (learning about the physical body from a scientific perspective, specifically relating to the yoga asanas). These classes are usually taught by Krish, a very experienced yoga teacher with a vast knowledge on the subjects, and a sense of humor!

From 12:30 to 1:30 you have the option to go for a private coaching session with one of the teachers, do some self study or practice, or take a nap or relax. The light, fruit lunch is served at 1:30 and includes 3-4 different fresh tropical fruits, a natural fruit juice, and sometimes a small snack. Lunch is light so that the stomach is not too full for the evening yoga practice.

The afternoon theory class is Yoga Philosophy with the Swami, from 2:30-4pm. He will discuss some of the Yoga Sutras, making it relevant for our daily lives. He is great with accepting and answering questions. For one week out of the course, a traditional Ayurvedic doctor will visit the ashram, and give lectures during this time slot. He also offers one-on-one consultations for all students who have any medical issues or health questions.

Next is the Teaching Workshop. Each day during the first two weeks of the course, you will study in depth 2-4 asanas, learn how to teach them, contra-indications, etc. You will also get the opportunity to practice teaching those asanas to a partner. In the second two weeks of the course, you will break into small groups of 4-5 people, and each student will have two opportunities to teach a 90 minute yoga class to his/her group mates, and then receive feedback.

Dinner is at 7pm, similar to breakfast with at least 5-6 delicious dishes served buffet style. Some evenings there is a video about Yoga Anatomy / another yoga subject / the culture of India, and some evenings there is chanting mantras.

Every day at the ashram, silence is observed from 10pm to 10am, giving the students plenty of time for self reflection and going within.

The schedule is intense, but there is still enough time to get to know the other amazing students who come from all over the world, and quickly become close friends. Sometimes students go for nature walks in the beautiful countryside, practice massage on each other, play with the ashram dog, and share other life experiences or talents.

 

Although the schedule at AyurYoga Eco-Ashram may resemble other Teacher Training Courses, this ashram itself is very unique, and probably incomparable in India. It is located on an 18-acre river-front property in the quiet and peaceful countryside. Space and quiet are two things which are very hard to find in India, but at this ashram they have it!

Currently there are about 27 cottages, and since the property is on a hill, all cottages have a view of the river from the front porch. The rooms have a comfortable bed, a desk, a western style bathroom, and are either shared with one other person, or private. The main yoga hall is called the Chakra Hall, a large circular building right in front of the river with 360 degree floor-to-roof windows. From this hall, you can hear birds chirping, see beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and if you are lucky, see a crocodile floating by in the river! There are two other spacious yoga halls, which also have great views. The eating/hang out area has a great atmosphere, wifi connection, and a panoramic view of the gardens and lawn.

The are many fruits and vegetables being organically grown on the land. All the food which is eaten on the ashram is either from our own land, or bought from nearby farms. The ashram employs local farmers to work on the lands, and periodically has workshops on organic farming open to any farmers who wish to attend. Over 1000 trees have been planted, and many more will be planted in the coming years. Soon they will have a sacred forest, and grow medicinal plants to make their own ayurvedic medicines. All of the plants give off a great energy, and are beautiful to look at.

The weather here is great! All year round it ranges from about 25-30 degrees, and does not experience any severe rain.

Currently the ashram is offering the 4 week Yoga Teacher Training courses, 2 week Yoga Immersion retreats for beginners, 2 week Yoga Intensive retreats for intermediate/advanced, 4 week Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Course, and 5 day Yoga and Art Therapy retreats. Within the coming year, they are planning on a building an Ayurveda treatment center and beginning to host people who want to come for Ayurveda therapies.

All the teachers are very experienced, professional, and approachable, and genuinely seem to love sharing their knowledge. The kitchen / housekeeping / behind-the-scenes staff are well organized and always willing to help, with smiles on their faces. And the students who come here from all walks of life are amazing and inspiring to say the least.

By visiting this ashram and participating in any one of their retreats, you will receive a very holistic experience that goes much beyond the yoga that you practice on your mat. The experience of living in harmony with both nature and your own body and mind, leaves most students feeling a profound change. And part of the appeal of the courses is that they give you the skills and knowledge to try and keep this sense of peace and well-being with you when you return to your daily life.

As I am writing this, I have been back on the ashram for three months, and planning on staying at least three more. Many people think it may be difficult for a western woman to live for an extended amount of time on a yoga ashram in India. Although there are things I have had to give up to live here, in general, I love the experience, always feel happy, and realize that I am very fortunate to be here.

Every day I participate in at least one of the on-going yoga classes and eat all the delicious food with the students. My main work is in the office, updating the website and all social networking sites, helping with the marketing strategy, and doing any other necessary work. Depending on the number of students in the courses, sometimes I also teach yoga classes for the beginners retreat. Usually within each month, I will have at least 5-6 days free time, where I can leave the ashram and travel around.

I know that I am learning a lot and growing as a person by being here, not only in terms of yoga, but also in terms of helping with the development of a growing business. I love the lifestyle revolving around yoga and healthy food, I love seeing the sun rise and set every day, I love meeting all the amazing students who come from all around the world, I love not having the stress of commuting from home-office-yoga studio, I love how my mind and body feel, and I love being in India.

Which brings me to the last point, why come all the way to India to study yoga? There are many great yoga teacher training courses and retreats around the world, but in my opinion, there is something special about India, and everyone wishing to further their studies in yoga should visit India at least once!

India is generally considered to be the birth place of yoga. Although now in the modern day not every Indian is practicing yoga, there is a special, spiritual feeling about being in India. Being here can truly stimulate all your senses! Everywhere you go, you can smell incense and spices, hear chanting coming from the temples, taste the delicious food, see the incredible natural beauty all around the country (and contrast it with the hustle and bustle of any Indian city), and feel the warmth and generosity of the beautiful and colorful local people.

The people are really amazing! They have a saying that “the guest is god”, and in general, they treat visitors to their country very well. I am constantly being invited to people’s houses for food, and every time I exchange a smile with someone as I pass them by on the street, I remain smiling for many minutes after! The culture is so vibrant, unique, and colorful. I think any person from around the world can learn certain things about themselves, and put their own lives into perspective by spending time in India.

In general, I feel the experience of travelling in India to be incredibly rewarding. Although there are certain “western-comforts” that are missing here, and many people may feel a bit out of their comfort zone in India, as long as you come here with a positive attitude and an open mindset, you will probably enjoy your time.

One more benefit about coming to AyurYoga Eco-Ashram is that you will be in India, and get the full experience and joy, with a bit less of the hassle and stress! They organize a taxi / driver to be waiting for all students at the airport to bring them directly to the ashram. While on the ashram, you will eat the delicious food, get to know some amazing Indians, and have the experience of being in India, you will not have any annoyances, stress or problems. They also offer cultural tours off the ashram once a week (on the days off from studying), so you can see some more interesting things around the ashram. And of course, you can always stay after the course to travel around India.

Personally, I have fallen in love with India. It is one country that I know I will always return to. And AyurYoga Eco-Ashram will always be a place I will visit. I feel incredibly fortunate that I had such a rewarding experience at my Yoga Teacher Training Course, and that I was able to return here to be immersed in the lifestyle for an extended amount of time. After the course and my experience, my mindset and way of being changed, for which I am very grateful.

I wish any one of you reading this that you will also have a similar positive experience, whether it is on AyurYoga Eco-Ashram or elsewhere. If you have been thinking of doing a yoga teacher training in India, do it! I’m sure you will not regret it!

For more information about AyurYoga Eco-Ashram, or to book one of their retreats or teacher training courses, please visit their website: www.ayuryoga-ashram.com