Today I sat here reminiscing about the time I went to India from the US to explore what the cultural trance there looks like. I have often heard how there are so many religions, so many languages, and so many different ethnicities around the country and wanted to give it a look. I like every traveller who started with Goa, moved to Delhi, and there when a friend recommended a trip to Rishikesh. We came here and took a dip in the holy Ganga as was the custom. The place had something that pulled me towards it that was unsettling at the time. As we arrived around evening and were at the Triveni ghat for the dip there was a hustle and bustle in the area and we didn’t know what was happening.
After some time we were experiencing the best views of our lives the evening aarti at the Triveni ghat with hundreds of believers gathered around. The people were chanting shlokas, and clapping all around. We weren’t familiar with a lot of what was happening there but felt the move in our hearts and by the end of the aarti were left teary-eyed because of the kind of energy the place had. We moved to an ashram which happened to be of a famous guru and I experienced the first kirtan of my life.
The days went by of our visit and after chit-chatting with fellow travellers I got to know about the yoga classes that are offered in the area of Tapovan as I was travelling and had no other plans and found it to be the best plan to rekindle with when I used to practise yoga and I started researching. I found a lot of yoga places and honestly, it was a good amount of money. I was spending a good amount of time I was going to invest so step two was going to a few ashrams.
This was still my little secret stroll from my friends so I woke up pretty early and went to two yoga schools and finally stumbled on Nirvana Yoga School India. I went in and started making notes like I did for the other two. Premium location, a huge place, pretty positive vibes, and more. I went in to check if I could catch hold of someone to explain what was going to happen, how, and more! I got a tour of the property and saw a live class of hatha yoga which I now know thanks to the course. At that time I thought asanas were pretty hard asanas. The place has great amenities, an amiable staff, great food from the fragrance that travelled to me when I entered, and above all a very positive vibe and serene environment.
I started my journey of yoga at Nirvana Yoga School. As I was a beginner who knew a few asanas, the teachers there asked me to start with a 200-hour yoga teacher training course. That appealed to me too as fresh out of high school I was looking to make a career too and what a dream to become a professional with your hobby. I was told I would receive a US Yoga-alliance certification that would allow me to practise and teach yoga in the USA and also around the globe. Good enough!
The first day of YTT teacher training began with a hatha and ashtanga yoga class I wasn’t able to do as well as the teacher or the people around me in the class and I was embarrassed. However, no one laughed at me. In fact, the teacher very calmly and patiently helped me with the correct way to go about it and hold the posture. I won’t say I became a pro on the day but I didn’t feel judged and that was great! The day moved as per the schedule and there were theoretical classes as well and to my surprise, as I was learning about myself and my body the lectures were very engaging and the teachers made sure that we understood it well.
The other thing that made me feel secure with my choice was the food that was served there. I am a vegan and the diet was stricter for me to follow around the city, however, there were options available for me to have. The school ensured that we were well nourished, well-fed, and above all satiated with the taste and the quality of what was offered to us.
The 200 hours were to be completed soon, however, there was still a weekend and I wanted to explore the city so went for another thing Rishikesh has to offer Adventure. We went to the highest bungee jumping and rafting. There are so many options available and best.
I completed the 200-hour YTT and I feel a change not just in how I perform asanas now but above all how I feel from inside. I felt a deeper sense of self, I am more considerate about the environment, I am calmer in my demeanour, I feel lighter on the stomach and feel stronger and leaner than ever. The thing that made the most difference now is how much focus I can do because of this course. I can meditate now and stay in the state for a considerable time. I know my body better and how every asana has helped me and is going to help me. If I wish to start my training classes I am equipped to do that with my knowledge and practice. All the thoughts that ran in my mind at that time.
I decided not to start just yet with the training as I felt I needed to achieve more excellence and thus I went for a 300-hour YTT course and a 500-yoga teacher training course. As I was out of the time in India and COVID pandemic was going to hamper my stay here I did my 300-hour course online which didn’t feel any different than in-person sessions. The schedule took the same route and there was an added advantage of being at home and a disadvantage of the lack of serene vibes that I felt in Rishikesh. I went back to India and completed the 500-hour YTT course and today I stand with three degrees and a very great practice.
I have now started my own coaching back in the US and even today whenever I sit and think about the time I was there I feel beyond lucky that I went to Nirvana Yoga School as many who went after me to different schools in Rishikesh fell prey to scams and others didn’t find the coachings as well as I did. If you are someone looking to make a career in YTT or are thinking about joining a YTT and what you can do well I will suggest that you too go to Nirvana Yoga School and select a course that you find most suited. They not only offer YTT in hatha and ashtanga yoga but also in Ayurveda, Kundalini yoga and meditation courses. You can also go to their workshops on mindfulness, stress management, well-being happiness and focus building. The courses and the workshops both online and offline are inexpensive compared to the other places and work well for your development better than any other. You can check their official website for more information and contact details for admission.
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