Yoga Teachers Training Course

Just teaching is not enough. Along with teaching, one has to add the components of affection for the students, the ability to understand their needs and the dedication to help them as much as possible. Therefore, teachers should know the needs, aspirations, strengths and limitations of every student, because without really understanding these, it is not possible to teach yoga.

If teachers feel compelled to teach something, then the effect, the benefit or even the mental projection of the teachers will not be positive, and that will affect the students. If the teachers enjoy what they are doing and give out positive emanations, then the students will be able to understand and perceive more than the practice. The attitude of the teacher is important.

—Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati

LIVE,  LEARN,  TEACH YOGA

Learn from the wellspring of ancient wisdom. Delve into the time-tested practices of yoga that have been applied to modern times. Receive a yoga education that will broaden your horizon and nurture you. Get to know yourself and expand your awareness through holistic yoga. Use the knowledge you gain to teach and benefit others by guiding them in their yogic practice.

The Course

Since 2014, Atma Darshan Yogashram has been conducting the Yoga Teachers Training Course (YTTC), and nearly 200 students have passed through its portals under the program.

We are pleased to announce the commencement of the next session of the training: Yoga Teachers Training Course 2027 (YTTC 10).

During the one year course, participants will meet over two weekends every month, when they will be taught the principles of yogic disciplines such as hatha yoga, karma yoga, raja yoga, bhakti yoga and jnana yoga. There will also be satsang with senior members of the Satyananda Yoga family, wherein questions and doubts may be resolved. In addition, there will be special sessions with medical and psychology experts to understand the parallels in these fields. In these weekend sessions held exclusively for the group, there will be the opportunity to discuss, practice, contemplate, share, laugh, make mistakes, improve, and more.

It will be mandatory to be physically present at the ashram for the weekend sessions. The ashram weekend will allow participants to practically experience a yogic lifestyle beyond classroom learning, imbibe the ashram energy and connect with the parampara, with opportunity for karma yoga, sattwic meals, kirtan, prakriti aradhana, havan, and more.

This mandatory physical presence will also be an endeavour to break out of the conditioning created in the present times of online living and learning, and, despite personal challenges that the step may entail, to make conscious evolution a priority. The main aim is to help participants experience yogic precepts as living principles, so they may take them back into their daily lives and thereby create a yogic culture – the purpose of all yoga teaching.

The YTTC participants will also be part of the ongoing Yoga Fundamentals/Yoga Sadhana courses throughout the year, wherein a progressive deepening of various practices of hatha yoga, raja yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga and karma yoga takes place through daily one-hour classes. They will have the option of choosing a suitable time for themselves for the classes (online or offline), as these are held several times in the day Monday to Friday. The practices learnt during the week will be delved into in detail during the weekend sessions in special hatha yoga and raja yoga sessions, to develop an understanding of the purpose and application.

Other than the weekend sessions, a special ashram experience will be part of the course with a one week stay at Atma Darshan Yogashram for all. The whole group will also visit our Guru Ashram in Munger, Bihar, circumstances permitting – no doubt, it will be a memorable part of the course for all.

In the last three months, the participants will receive practical training of teaching yoga. At the end of the year, all participants will undergo an assessment, and those who qualify will be awarded certificates during a special graduation ceremony held during Vasant Panchami in the following year.

All participants who graduate from the course can continue to participate in the Fundamentals/Sadhana courses during the following year and also deepen their experience with the monthly Yoga Anubhava and Yoga for Wellness programs (Refer to our website for details of these programs). Selected students will have the opportunity to teach at the ashram under the guidance of senior teachers during this year. They will also receive the experience of teaching special groups such as children, senior citizens, differently-abled, etc.

The format has been chosen to allow a wider section of sadhakas to benefit from the holistic yoga training the course offers, and at the same time provide committed and serious sadhakas the opportunity to explore the depths of yogic knowledge. The training will seek to provide all participants with the classical understanding and experience of yoga as per the tradition of Satyananda Yoga/Bihar Yoga, and prepare them to teach the same.

We invite all sincere yoga practitioners in and around Bengaluru who wish to make a meaningful difference in their own lives and in the world around them, to experience the joy and depth of yoga through this training. Not only those who wish to teach yoga, but anyone who wishes to expand their vista on the yogic journey is welcome.

Aspects of the Course

Structure

The one-year program is divided in the following way:

• There will be two weekend sessions in a month. It is mandatory to be present in the ashram for these sessions (Sat/Sun), and the participants are encouraged to stay in the ashram for this period.

• Attending the ongoing Yoga Fundamentals/Yoga Sadhana classes on week days (students will have the option of choosing suitable batch timings) either online or at the ashram for the first nine months.

• During the last three months, there will be practical training of teaching yoga.

• The students will be assessed on specific parameters at the end of one year, and those who qualify will teach at the ashram for the next year, under the guidance of senior teachers.

• All students have the option of attending the thematic courses of Yoga Anubhava and Yoga for Wellness in 2028, as well as the daily classes.

• A graduation ceremony will be held on 30th January 2028, the auspicious day of Vasant Panchami, to award certificates to successful students who fulfil all criteria for graduation.

Ashram life experience

Ashram life experience will be an integral part of the course. Other than weekend visits, students will be required to come and stay in the ashram for a duration of one week. The days and month will be decided at a later time based on the situation prevailing; however, everyone will be intimated well in advance.

A seven-day visit to our Guru Ashram in Munger at the Bihar School of Yoga will also be organized, if the circumstances permit such a visit.

Apart from the above, all participants of the course are welcome to come and stay at the ashram at any time during the course, whether the entire duration, a few months, or a few weeks. In fact, we encourage you to do this, as it will minimize external distractions, help imbibe the yogic lifestyle and keep you focused. (Read details about ashram living on the Ashram Life page of our website.)

Faculty

The faculty includes teachers who have lived yoga as a lifestyle under the guidance of Guru in an ashram environment. These teachers have the ability and experience to convey the wisdom of yoga in a simple and interesting manner. Students will learn, practise and assimilate various aspects of the art, science and lifestyle that is yoga.

Curriculum overview

The course is designed to provide experiential learning of all the major branches of yoga, including hatha yoga, raja yoga, karma yoga, bhakti yoga, and jnana yoga. The training program encompasses a gradual deepening of the practices of asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha, pratyahara, dharana, yama-niyama, as well as learning to live yogically. During the ashram stay, the cleansing practices of shatkarma will be taught. The classical understanding of yogic precepts is provided throughout, besides learning the techniques to convey these to others appropriately within a class setting.

Over the period of the course, participants will acquire a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. In the process, they will experience yoga as a body of living knowledge.

The course includes:

• The techniques of asana, pranayama, mudra and bandha.

• Meditation (pratyahara and dharana) techniques such as antar mouna, ajapa japa, chidakasha dharana, hridayakasha dharana, that address deeper aspects of the human psyche.

• Progressive relaxation techniques such as a deep, multi-level shavasana and various stages of yoga nidra as formulated by Swami Satyananda.

• Lifestyle yama-niyamas as given by Swami Niranjanananda.

• Shatkarma practices.

• Discourses by medical experts on human anatomy, physiology and psychology, alongside yogic understanding of the body, prana and mind.

• Discourses on the rich history and tradition of yoga which occupies a unique place in the six ancient darshanas (philosophies) of India.

• Discourses on Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga.

• Study of yogic texts, in particular those published by the Bihar School of Yoga.

• Training to design complete classes and courses for individuals and groups, and introduce various practices in a systematic and thorough manner.

Essential Information

Eligibility

Applicants must be 18 years or older to apply. They must be of sound physical and mental health. Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Ability to read Devanagari script is desirable.

Dakshina (Course Fee)

Registration fee: ₹10,000 (to be paid by 19th December 2026)

For remaining fee:

Option 1: Full payment of ₹1,15,000 in Jan 2027. (Total amount ₹1,25,000.)

Option 2: Initial payment of ₹20,000 in Jan 2027 and ₹12,500 every month for the next 8 months. (Total amount ₹1,30,000.)

The fee includes the dakshina for the Yoga Fundamentals and Yoga Sadhana courses (one year of offline/online yoga classes), ashram accommodation and meals whenever participants stay at Atma Darshan Yogashram. It does not include course expenses such as text books or travel related expenses to ADY or Bihar School of Yoga, Munger.

A limited number of scholarships will be available to ashram sevaks. The office may be contacted for details.

Refund policy

A refund request can be made only within a period of one month after starting the course. The request has to be made in writing along with a reasonable explanation for withdrawal from the course. It will be reviewed by the faculty and the decision regarding the refund will be communicated in writing. Any amount refunded will be pro-rated.

Graduation requirements

To receive the certificate of completion, students must complete the following:

1. Required attendance of sessions.

2. Completion of assignments.

3. Demonstration proficiency in the assessments.

4. Completion of practical training during the last 3 months of the course.

5. Physical attendance during the two weekend sessions in a month.

6. Ashram stay of seven days.

How to apply

Interested candidates should fill up the application form by clicking the link below, and submit it to the ashram. The last date of submission is 31st October 2026. Applicants will be interviewed at the ashram on a date and time fixed mutually.

There will be online Information Sessions to explain the details about the course and answer the queries on 7th June and 4th October 2026, 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm. Those interested in the course or applying for it should attend these. The Zoom link will be shared upon request. The final Information Session will be held on 20th Dec prior to the commencement of the course.

Inauguration of the course

The inauguration ceremony will be held on 1st January 2027, during the auspicious Hanuman Aradhana. The classes will commence from the second week of January 2027.

Timelines

March–December 2026: Application submission, interviews, and intimation to selected candidates.

Sundays, 4th October & 20th December 2026, 4 to 5 pm: Online Information Sessions to provide overview of the course and answer questions.

Saturday, 31st October 2026: Last date to submit the completed application.

Friday, 18th December 2026: Last date to pay fees and sign agreement.

Sunday, 20th December 2026: Final Information Session.

Thursday, 1st January 2027: Inauguration ceremony and havan.

January 2027: Classes begin.

January 2028: Graduation ceremony.