Rishikul Yogshala
Rishikul Yogshala
4.5
6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Being located in the yoga capital of the world, we understand the need of daily classes in Rishikesh for those travelers who are here for few days. Our drop-in classes are suitable for beginners and intermediate levels. Available in morning and evening, the cost of our daily classes is Rs.200.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
358 reviews
Excellent
284
Very good
44
Average
10
Poor
8
Terrible
12
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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Jai G
Mumbai, India138 contributions
Sept 2021
We spent one month at this place and must say that from the very first minute till the very last minute, everything was absolutely perfect and amazing. The teaching is excellent, the food is amazing, the staff is super helpful and friendly, the rooms are good, location of the school is great, more than anything the vibe of this place is amazing. if you are planning for a TTC course or for drop in classes then Rishikul Yogshala is the place I would highly highly recommend. We made some friends for life here. Not to forget, Bipin sir, the principal of the school is not only a great teacher but also an amazing person. Every things that were taught to us will help us improve in right direction.
Written 26 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
evi
Carcassonne, France1 contribution
Feb 2023 • Friends
For several years, I had this ambition to travel to India to complete this very enriching 200 hour yoga teacher training.
India, the country where yoga took root and then flourished. 🪷
This philosophy which is very ingrained in the culture of the population.
I discovered Vanayoga and its yoga teacher training in India through research on the internet.
The description of the training in India translated into French inspired me.
So I signed up and invested my time and energy.
In Rishikesh, I discovered the seriousness, humility and potential of Indian teachers. Each, very pedagogical and with cutting-edge knowledge of the subject taught.
Their lessons were clear and understandable thanks to the live translation by Juliette and Jonathan.
The teachers trusted us and trust us.
There were a reasonable number of us in the class so that everyone could progress at their own pace.
We were very well received, fed and accommodated there. Surrounded by cultural rituals.
It's very nice.
I hope you will immerse yourself in it and absorb what they will bring you and what you can exchange between students during this training.
Wishing you a beautiful yogic path.
Namaste 🙏
India, the country where yoga took root and then flourished. 🪷
This philosophy which is very ingrained in the culture of the population.
I discovered Vanayoga and its yoga teacher training in India through research on the internet.
The description of the training in India translated into French inspired me.
So I signed up and invested my time and energy.
In Rishikesh, I discovered the seriousness, humility and potential of Indian teachers. Each, very pedagogical and with cutting-edge knowledge of the subject taught.
Their lessons were clear and understandable thanks to the live translation by Juliette and Jonathan.
The teachers trusted us and trust us.
There were a reasonable number of us in the class so that everyone could progress at their own pace.
We were very well received, fed and accommodated there. Surrounded by cultural rituals.
It's very nice.
I hope you will immerse yourself in it and absorb what they will bring you and what you can exchange between students during this training.
Wishing you a beautiful yogic path.
Namaste 🙏
Written 25 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaywantee S
Moncton, Canada1 contribution
Feb 2020 • Solo
Highly recommended. Rishikul Yogshala is very famous with its talented teachers. Down to earth and humble staff. I never felt I was away from home, felt being in a family, very helpful and caring. Amazing food which I still miss. I have acquired tons of knowledge which I will definitely put in practice in my life. I want to thank all the teachers for their dedication, patience and kindness. Rishikesh itself is a beautiful city with loving people. Hope I cross path with Rishikesh Yogshala someday. Thank you. Namaste. Anita
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Trek742382
Greetings from Rishikul Yogshala !!
Thank you for your TTC at Rishikul Yogshala Rishikesh, Your feedback regarding the School is highly appreciated and we are happy to know that you had a pleasant experience with us.
It is heartwarming to know that we were at par with expectations regarding accommodation, services, tours & Ambiance. Rishikul Yogshala Rishikesh is a perfect place to unwind and relax over the TTC & even during the course of the journey to the Ganga River.
We also have Yoga School for TTC in Kerala, Nepal & Bangalore. Please let us know in case any assistance required for any of our schools in India.
We thank you once again for sharing your view and looking forward to welcoming you again in coming future.
Best Regards
Mohinder Singh
Manager-RishikulYogshala
Written 18 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carolina Mello
Rio de Janeiro, RJ14 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
What a perfect place to do my TTC and spend the end of the decade! It felt like home 🧡, I wouldn’t change a thing (except for some freezing days, which just made us more close ahahaha).
Amazing yoga teachers, super friendly staff, best food ever, perfectly situated on the holy city of Rishkesh and Ganga!
Just left there (still traveling with the friends made there) and can’t stop thinking on how special this last month was. Thank you thank you thank you. Very grateful to be part of Rishikul Yogashala family 🧡
Amazing yoga teachers, super friendly staff, best food ever, perfectly situated on the holy city of Rishkesh and Ganga!
Just left there (still traveling with the friends made there) and can’t stop thinking on how special this last month was. Thank you thank you thank you. Very grateful to be part of Rishikul Yogashala family 🧡
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear C1carolinamello,
Greetings from Rishikul Yogshala !!
Thank you for your TTC at Rishikul Yogshala Rishikesh, Your feedback regarding the School is highly appreciated and we are happy to know that you had a pleasant experience with us.
It is heartwarming to know that we were at par with expectations regarding accommodation, services, tours & Ambiance. Rishikul Yogshala Rishikesh is a perfect place to unwind and relax over the TTC & even during the course of the journey to the Ganga River.
We also have Yoga School for TTC in Kerala, Nepal & Bangalore. Please let us know in case any assistance required for any of our schools in India.
We thank you once again for sharing your view and looking forward to welcoming you again in coming future.
Best Regards
Mohinder Singh
Manager-RishikulYogshala
Written 6 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris &
Canada3 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
This school has so much to improve on before we would ever recommend it to anyone. My wife and I did the 200 hr course in Rishikesh.
Firstly, the website is completely inaccurate and out of date, the photos don't represent any of what the building/ practice areas look like at all. We were told there would be a maximum of 15 students in our course, which turned out to be more than 20. Basically all the things they promise on the website or tell you via email is unrealistic and unreliable information. We arranged for them to send a taxi to pick us up in Delhi, and it never arrived for us. We waited 4 hours, where the phone numbers they gave us either were not answered, or when we finally got a hold of staff, they gave us a number of unhelpful excuses (lies!!). We unexpectedly had to find a hotel in Delhi which was such a disaster and we were so upset. We later heard that a few other students had the same issues, indicating that they are just not organized or reliable in any way.
The yoga hall is not nice, it's a long hall with itchy green carpet that never gets cleaned. The mats they have for students to use are NEVER cleaned, are cheap foam mats that are smelly and falling apart. The shared bathroom in the yoga hall was never fully cleaned in spite of asking the staff to clean it numerous times, not to mention that there is no toilet paper, no soap and no towels to dry hands. The bolsters and cushions for students to use are moldy and old and terrible. We saw them let the cushions get wet in the rain, then just let them sit in a pile in a corner for days before they just put them in the sun. Don't expect the practice space to be peaceful and inspiring, it's not. The mountains outside are nice, but we spent the majority of every day in that same hot, itchy room.
The accommodation rooms are dingy, dark and dirty. The beds and pillows are awful. Some people were sleeping in different buildings than they were eating and practicing at and it was just so unorganized.
The dining hall was the worst part. It was absolutely disgusting, the carpet was always wet and dirty (and we sit on the ground to eat). There was a lot of bugs, food was always left out overnight, the water cooler was often left empty (so no water for yoga or hot water for tea). The dishes were never cleaned properly, they remained oily and gross, including the tea cups (we actually saw the staff merely rinsing the milky chai out with cold tap water with his hands and then putting them onto the clean tray. No soap or hot water or scrubbing) The food itself was highly inconsistent in quality.. some meals were good with a nice variety, and some meals were seriously lacking in protein options. A lot of students got sick and we were all always so hungry and tired.. not getting the appropriate nutrition.
The only positive we can provide is the teachers. They are knowledgeable and were overall patient and helpful. We loved our time with the teachers outside of classes, they definitely have hired a nice variety of instructors who are a breath of fresh air to the rest of the frustrations of this yoga school.
The management did ask for feedback in the first week of training to help make the rest of the month better, we were impressed that they were trying to be a bit proactive.. and the manager took time to listen to every student, but nearly NOTHING was implemented from this long discussion, which was incredibly frustrating.
Overall, We would recommend taking some drop in classes with Rishikul Yogshala's teachers.. but don't take your teachers training with them.
Firstly, the website is completely inaccurate and out of date, the photos don't represent any of what the building/ practice areas look like at all. We were told there would be a maximum of 15 students in our course, which turned out to be more than 20. Basically all the things they promise on the website or tell you via email is unrealistic and unreliable information. We arranged for them to send a taxi to pick us up in Delhi, and it never arrived for us. We waited 4 hours, where the phone numbers they gave us either were not answered, or when we finally got a hold of staff, they gave us a number of unhelpful excuses (lies!!). We unexpectedly had to find a hotel in Delhi which was such a disaster and we were so upset. We later heard that a few other students had the same issues, indicating that they are just not organized or reliable in any way.
The yoga hall is not nice, it's a long hall with itchy green carpet that never gets cleaned. The mats they have for students to use are NEVER cleaned, are cheap foam mats that are smelly and falling apart. The shared bathroom in the yoga hall was never fully cleaned in spite of asking the staff to clean it numerous times, not to mention that there is no toilet paper, no soap and no towels to dry hands. The bolsters and cushions for students to use are moldy and old and terrible. We saw them let the cushions get wet in the rain, then just let them sit in a pile in a corner for days before they just put them in the sun. Don't expect the practice space to be peaceful and inspiring, it's not. The mountains outside are nice, but we spent the majority of every day in that same hot, itchy room.
The accommodation rooms are dingy, dark and dirty. The beds and pillows are awful. Some people were sleeping in different buildings than they were eating and practicing at and it was just so unorganized.
The dining hall was the worst part. It was absolutely disgusting, the carpet was always wet and dirty (and we sit on the ground to eat). There was a lot of bugs, food was always left out overnight, the water cooler was often left empty (so no water for yoga or hot water for tea). The dishes were never cleaned properly, they remained oily and gross, including the tea cups (we actually saw the staff merely rinsing the milky chai out with cold tap water with his hands and then putting them onto the clean tray. No soap or hot water or scrubbing) The food itself was highly inconsistent in quality.. some meals were good with a nice variety, and some meals were seriously lacking in protein options. A lot of students got sick and we were all always so hungry and tired.. not getting the appropriate nutrition.
The only positive we can provide is the teachers. They are knowledgeable and were overall patient and helpful. We loved our time with the teachers outside of classes, they definitely have hired a nice variety of instructors who are a breath of fresh air to the rest of the frustrations of this yoga school.
The management did ask for feedback in the first week of training to help make the rest of the month better, we were impressed that they were trying to be a bit proactive.. and the manager took time to listen to every student, but nearly NOTHING was implemented from this long discussion, which was incredibly frustrating.
Overall, We would recommend taking some drop in classes with Rishikul Yogshala's teachers.. but don't take your teachers training with them.
Written 30 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
XplorMoor
Coventry, UK7 contributions
I can't recommend this place as a genuine yoga school but unfortunately their are very few schools left here that are. I left after 2wks as couldn't take the teaching seriously and was refused any refund at all. Be warned, this is only a money making venture, their English is appalling, their education is dismal and I am surprised that the Yoga Alliance thinks this type of course is allowed to warrant certificates that allows you to practice on people, very worrying indeed. If you must get ur TTC then spend a bit extra and go to Thailand, I've heard nothing but excellent reports from there. This company is very dodgy, they avoided giving receipts and even took people to dodgy jewellery shops to make further payments, none of it recorded anywhere. Be careful, trust ur instinct!!!
Written 6 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SusiDelmart
New Delhi, India1 contribution
Jan 2017 • Solo
Teachers are not following yoga concepts themselves still teaching it. They kept curriculum in half, they skipped many things. I have seen people do gossiping in reception. Lots of ego in teachers which can be easily felt in their teachings. They charging much more for cabs etc than normal rates and its kind of stealing which is a part of yama which they themselves not following. Meditation teacher has lot much ego, mantra teacher was the same. Nothing was there in mantra class than few mantra chanting. Rooms are not as shown in pics, cockroaches were in my room, room cleaning was horrible.They ask to be silent while eating but they can talk while eating. lots of discrepancies in what they teach but what they really live in. It was disappointing experience.
If lots of things they can change, it could be little better.
If lots of things they can change, it could be little better.
Written 17 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kiara A
Sydney, Australia1 contribution
Apr 2018 • Solo
After much research and development in my own yoga practice of 3 years, I decided to study yoga further in Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga. During my quest to find a school, Rishikul Yogshala came up several times with high ratings so I was inclined to INVEST my money and time here.
Upon my arrival, the group of 60+ students were split into "English" and "Spanish" - which ofcourse made sense to accommodate students by their tongue.
From my point of view, the Spanish group received more of a community experience where English did not have a touch of empathy or community. This was because the Spanish group had 3 coordinators who were able to translate, filter and pass on the knowledge of the teachers to the students. It had also seemed evident that their philosophy and yoga nidra classes were more in depth and provided more spiritual growth. The English group were confused and frustrated at times because content was not translated accordingly or taught with compassion. I feel disappointed that we did not have equality in this education.
I am disappointed that the teachers did not know the students by name and they seemed to be rushing content instead of making students feel as though they understood things and were resonating with the knowledge. At times the teachers looked as if they didn't want to be there which was uninspiring.
I had also hoped to enter this course seeking a Guru, or even a teacher that would be of inspiration for my practice whom I would come back to for my 300HR course but the teachers at times lack personality, compassion and patience.
Overall, I enjoyed my time purely because of my peers and I decided not to be so bitter about my experience, I decided to walk away with knowledge gained regardless of the schools input.
I would not recommend this school if you are seeking spiritual growth and a journey of this path. It is far too big and commercial to provide this sense of belonging.
I write this review with honesty from my perspective and intentions to let potential students aware of what they are walking into to avoid disappointment.
I am thankful to Rishikul Yogshala for holding this space for learning but I hope management will also take these notes into consideration for future endeavours to allow progession and success.
PROS
- Course focuses on RAJA yoga (goal is to meditate personally I enjoy BHAKTI yoga which a more devotional and emotional approach of practice)
- Dance Yoga was very fun
- Sunrise over Shri Kunjapuri Temple is beautiful
- Close to Ganga Beach for a swim
CONS
- This school is in a hotel turned into a school NOT an Ashram!
- This is NOT a spiritual journey more of an intensive boot camp for yoga
- Only 2/9 classes in the day are physical therefore you are sitting down most times which can be uncomfortable
- Teachers do not know your name - at times I felt like a number in a group rather than an individual student. This is because a new course commences at the beginning of every month thus they do not have time for personal relationships
- NO personal approach whatsoever
- School is 15 minute walk to Laxman Jhula (main strip of cafes and shops) which is okay at times but not ideal to walk through during night time
- You DO NOT receive any text books other than a poorly written book with minimal information related to content learnt in classes and plenty grammar errors
- NO common area for students to study. There are cafes closeby to do so however it is still inconvenient you have to leave and you cannot study in the school unless you're ok with your bed
- Rooms are below average - poorly decorated with no lamps for evening study
- NO school T-shirts are provided even though this was promised
Upon my arrival, the group of 60+ students were split into "English" and "Spanish" - which ofcourse made sense to accommodate students by their tongue.
From my point of view, the Spanish group received more of a community experience where English did not have a touch of empathy or community. This was because the Spanish group had 3 coordinators who were able to translate, filter and pass on the knowledge of the teachers to the students. It had also seemed evident that their philosophy and yoga nidra classes were more in depth and provided more spiritual growth. The English group were confused and frustrated at times because content was not translated accordingly or taught with compassion. I feel disappointed that we did not have equality in this education.
I am disappointed that the teachers did not know the students by name and they seemed to be rushing content instead of making students feel as though they understood things and were resonating with the knowledge. At times the teachers looked as if they didn't want to be there which was uninspiring.
I had also hoped to enter this course seeking a Guru, or even a teacher that would be of inspiration for my practice whom I would come back to for my 300HR course but the teachers at times lack personality, compassion and patience.
Overall, I enjoyed my time purely because of my peers and I decided not to be so bitter about my experience, I decided to walk away with knowledge gained regardless of the schools input.
I would not recommend this school if you are seeking spiritual growth and a journey of this path. It is far too big and commercial to provide this sense of belonging.
I write this review with honesty from my perspective and intentions to let potential students aware of what they are walking into to avoid disappointment.
I am thankful to Rishikul Yogshala for holding this space for learning but I hope management will also take these notes into consideration for future endeavours to allow progession and success.
PROS
- Course focuses on RAJA yoga (goal is to meditate personally I enjoy BHAKTI yoga which a more devotional and emotional approach of practice)
- Dance Yoga was very fun
- Sunrise over Shri Kunjapuri Temple is beautiful
- Close to Ganga Beach for a swim
CONS
- This school is in a hotel turned into a school NOT an Ashram!
- This is NOT a spiritual journey more of an intensive boot camp for yoga
- Only 2/9 classes in the day are physical therefore you are sitting down most times which can be uncomfortable
- Teachers do not know your name - at times I felt like a number in a group rather than an individual student. This is because a new course commences at the beginning of every month thus they do not have time for personal relationships
- NO personal approach whatsoever
- School is 15 minute walk to Laxman Jhula (main strip of cafes and shops) which is okay at times but not ideal to walk through during night time
- You DO NOT receive any text books other than a poorly written book with minimal information related to content learnt in classes and plenty grammar errors
- NO common area for students to study. There are cafes closeby to do so however it is still inconvenient you have to leave and you cannot study in the school unless you're ok with your bed
- Rooms are below average - poorly decorated with no lamps for evening study
- NO school T-shirts are provided even though this was promised
Written 12 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travers88
Perth, Australia64 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
Having completed my 200hr teacher training at Rishikul Yogshala I leave with a mixed review of the experience. The teachers are masters of their field, and I feel honoured to have received their knowledge and guidance whilst here. They will remain with me on my yoga journey for life.
However the overall organisation, duty of care, and hygiene of the institution leave a lot to be desired. Expect to be treated as a 'number', not as a member of the 'family' as is indicated on the website. This is a physically, emotionally and mentally challenging course, and it is NOT designed for beginners as is advertised. You need a minimum of 2yrs regular yoga practice before you should even consider doing such a course if you wish to gain the insight that is possible. I had over 5yrs yoga experience before attending this course, and I truly 'felt' for the struggles and frustrations that the complete beginners in our group had to deal with causing some members to leave the course entirely. It is your fellow students who will become your family, your support, your inspiration and your lifeline.
I was in regular contact with the school via email before commencement of my course, they were very helpful and prompt in their responses. However, upon my arrival I was not collected from the airport as promised, and had a 3hr wait in Dehundrun for another students transfer driver (upon phoning the school they advised my driver wasn't coming, but offered no alternative). Arriving at the school at 11pm at night after 28hrs of travel I was not greeted with any sense of welcome, and they failed to have my name recorded on the student records, nor a room organised for myself. Any duty of care, or letting me know what was going on were completely absent.
Upon receiving a room, it was one which appeared to have not been cleaned at all and we had no hot water for 2 days due to a fault in our rooms electricity. Providing us with a shower during this time was not offered.
The size of our group probably had a lot to do with the fact that we were treated as numbers, not as individuals. From reading their website we all assumed we would have a group of 30ppl or less, however we were in fact 48. Due to this, there were many in our group who did not receive sufficient one- on-one attention in the practical classes, which one would expect in such a course. Completely ignored would be a more accurate description. Some contempt was also felt towards us in regards to Western Teachings of Yoga, yet we had been invited here to learn.
Aside from the above, the teachers themselves truly made this an enlightening and enriching experience. I will forever be inspired by the teachings of master Vimal in philosophy. He stirred a passion for knowledge which I have not felt since I was in school. His analytical and multidimensional approach to thinking left me deeply immersed in the wonders of Yoga Philosophy, and I will sincerely miss his perspective and words.
Another teacher who will always be very close to my heart is Suraj. Waking at 6am in the freezing cold is not the best motivation for Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, however he made this an experience I would not miss. Although catching him smile is as rare as a perfect diamond, He has a heart that is bigger than this world. I learnt the true capabilities of my body (mainly due to him physically contorting us into obscene positions I didn't believe possible with the use of straps and other torturous yoga tools) and gained the courage to try things I never would have dreamed of. I will forever have "just try" and "practice" ingrained in my brain.
Of course the other teachers Bipin , Prashant and Manoj also offered teaching styles and knowledge which excited, inspired and pushed me to improve. They are everything you could wish for in a teacher. I could not have asked for better Gurus.
If you want an authentic Indian teacher training experience, then this school may not tick all of your boxes due to high numbers and some elements of commercialisation. However, you will be under the guidance of phenomenal teachers, and the deep rooted connections that you form with the students here will truly open your heart and broaden you perspective on life. I leave rishikul yogshala with new brothers and sisters from all over the globe, and I cannot wait to see where their journeys go from here. Namaste!
However the overall organisation, duty of care, and hygiene of the institution leave a lot to be desired. Expect to be treated as a 'number', not as a member of the 'family' as is indicated on the website. This is a physically, emotionally and mentally challenging course, and it is NOT designed for beginners as is advertised. You need a minimum of 2yrs regular yoga practice before you should even consider doing such a course if you wish to gain the insight that is possible. I had over 5yrs yoga experience before attending this course, and I truly 'felt' for the struggles and frustrations that the complete beginners in our group had to deal with causing some members to leave the course entirely. It is your fellow students who will become your family, your support, your inspiration and your lifeline.
I was in regular contact with the school via email before commencement of my course, they were very helpful and prompt in their responses. However, upon my arrival I was not collected from the airport as promised, and had a 3hr wait in Dehundrun for another students transfer driver (upon phoning the school they advised my driver wasn't coming, but offered no alternative). Arriving at the school at 11pm at night after 28hrs of travel I was not greeted with any sense of welcome, and they failed to have my name recorded on the student records, nor a room organised for myself. Any duty of care, or letting me know what was going on were completely absent.
Upon receiving a room, it was one which appeared to have not been cleaned at all and we had no hot water for 2 days due to a fault in our rooms electricity. Providing us with a shower during this time was not offered.
The size of our group probably had a lot to do with the fact that we were treated as numbers, not as individuals. From reading their website we all assumed we would have a group of 30ppl or less, however we were in fact 48. Due to this, there were many in our group who did not receive sufficient one- on-one attention in the practical classes, which one would expect in such a course. Completely ignored would be a more accurate description. Some contempt was also felt towards us in regards to Western Teachings of Yoga, yet we had been invited here to learn.
Aside from the above, the teachers themselves truly made this an enlightening and enriching experience. I will forever be inspired by the teachings of master Vimal in philosophy. He stirred a passion for knowledge which I have not felt since I was in school. His analytical and multidimensional approach to thinking left me deeply immersed in the wonders of Yoga Philosophy, and I will sincerely miss his perspective and words.
Another teacher who will always be very close to my heart is Suraj. Waking at 6am in the freezing cold is not the best motivation for Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, however he made this an experience I would not miss. Although catching him smile is as rare as a perfect diamond, He has a heart that is bigger than this world. I learnt the true capabilities of my body (mainly due to him physically contorting us into obscene positions I didn't believe possible with the use of straps and other torturous yoga tools) and gained the courage to try things I never would have dreamed of. I will forever have "just try" and "practice" ingrained in my brain.
Of course the other teachers Bipin , Prashant and Manoj also offered teaching styles and knowledge which excited, inspired and pushed me to improve. They are everything you could wish for in a teacher. I could not have asked for better Gurus.
If you want an authentic Indian teacher training experience, then this school may not tick all of your boxes due to high numbers and some elements of commercialisation. However, you will be under the guidance of phenomenal teachers, and the deep rooted connections that you form with the students here will truly open your heart and broaden you perspective on life. I leave rishikul yogshala with new brothers and sisters from all over the globe, and I cannot wait to see where their journeys go from here. Namaste!
Written 23 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MG14052
3 contributions
Apr 2015 • Solo
The website that I found this program through [bookyogaretreats.com] advertised the course as having a maximum of 15 students (though the website of the program stated a maximum of 25). In fact, the course had a total of 40 students. If I had known that the group would be 40 people I would not have signed up for the course. A response from the program to another review states that two groups were formed: this is simply not true. Despite many requests from the students that we separate into two groups - particularly for the asana and adjustment classes - the asana classes were only for about one week of the 3.5 week program and adjustment classes were always held with all 40 students.
The website also stated that the food would be "organic and ayurvedic." The food was tasty and vegetarian, but it was neither organic nor ayurvedic. The menu was very heavy on carbs (toast and potatoes for breakfast, rice and pasta for dinner and lunch), as well as quite greasy. Again, attempts were made partway through the program to provide more options (steamed vegetables at every meal), but these changes were not sufficient to make up healthy whole meals.
Accommodations were acceptable, though some students were required to stay at a hotel several minutes away from the main campus. This information would have been helpful to have in advance - particularly because the second hotel was located close to multiple loud music sources and frequently had guests that made it difficult to sleep on the schedule required for classes beginning at 5am.
The Nepal location was close to the center of Pokhara, a tourist area with many bars and live music most nights. This meant that it was easy to go out souvenir shopping or to find a cup of coffee, but that it was difficult to find quiet during our meditation classes. I t was a challenge to concentrate on the meditation to a sound track of Guns'n'Roses or Cold Play.
Feedback was frequently solicited, both by the administrator of the course and from individual teachers. However, the administrator (Maron) and teachers met negative feedback with a defensive attitude and excuses as to why changes could not be implemented. For example, the Anatomy and Physiology teacher felt that many students were not coming to her class or "connecting" with her in class. Several students suggested that, rather than teaching a purely theoretical class (eg, this is the spine, these are the specific bones in the spine, here is how the muscles attach) that she attempt to link the discussion more directly to yoga poses (eg, here is the spine, forward bending causes this to happen to the spine, backward bending causes that to happen, etc). Her response was that this is a theory class, not an applied class.
The asana teachers were both strong teachers and very good at explaining asanas. However, the course started very slowly (almost no movement the first 3 days, then nearly a week and a half for sun salutations before rushing through the entire Ashtanga primary series in 3 or 4 days).
The overall feeling of the course was frequently very negative. The orientation introduced the idea that the course was a "competition" and that one or two students would be "rewarded" with an internship. Similarly, our “Karma yoga practice” - an activity performed to put good into the world, expecting no return - was delayed waiting for press to arrive. The pranayama teacher berated students out for bringing "bad energy" to the class and sometimes yelled at them to leave. These repeated criticisms and comparisons (this group is more negative than the other, etc), went against everything that I had previously learned as yoga philosophy.
If I had known about the lack of professionalism, disorganization, false advertising, and negativity of the program, I would not have signed up. Although I did learn from the asana teachers and particularly from the philosophy and meditation teacher - who is a gem - my time and money would have been spent more wisely elsewhere.
The website also stated that the food would be "organic and ayurvedic." The food was tasty and vegetarian, but it was neither organic nor ayurvedic. The menu was very heavy on carbs (toast and potatoes for breakfast, rice and pasta for dinner and lunch), as well as quite greasy. Again, attempts were made partway through the program to provide more options (steamed vegetables at every meal), but these changes were not sufficient to make up healthy whole meals.
Accommodations were acceptable, though some students were required to stay at a hotel several minutes away from the main campus. This information would have been helpful to have in advance - particularly because the second hotel was located close to multiple loud music sources and frequently had guests that made it difficult to sleep on the schedule required for classes beginning at 5am.
The Nepal location was close to the center of Pokhara, a tourist area with many bars and live music most nights. This meant that it was easy to go out souvenir shopping or to find a cup of coffee, but that it was difficult to find quiet during our meditation classes. I t was a challenge to concentrate on the meditation to a sound track of Guns'n'Roses or Cold Play.
Feedback was frequently solicited, both by the administrator of the course and from individual teachers. However, the administrator (Maron) and teachers met negative feedback with a defensive attitude and excuses as to why changes could not be implemented. For example, the Anatomy and Physiology teacher felt that many students were not coming to her class or "connecting" with her in class. Several students suggested that, rather than teaching a purely theoretical class (eg, this is the spine, these are the specific bones in the spine, here is how the muscles attach) that she attempt to link the discussion more directly to yoga poses (eg, here is the spine, forward bending causes this to happen to the spine, backward bending causes that to happen, etc). Her response was that this is a theory class, not an applied class.
The asana teachers were both strong teachers and very good at explaining asanas. However, the course started very slowly (almost no movement the first 3 days, then nearly a week and a half for sun salutations before rushing through the entire Ashtanga primary series in 3 or 4 days).
The overall feeling of the course was frequently very negative. The orientation introduced the idea that the course was a "competition" and that one or two students would be "rewarded" with an internship. Similarly, our “Karma yoga practice” - an activity performed to put good into the world, expecting no return - was delayed waiting for press to arrive. The pranayama teacher berated students out for bringing "bad energy" to the class and sometimes yelled at them to leave. These repeated criticisms and comparisons (this group is more negative than the other, etc), went against everything that I had previously learned as yoga philosophy.
If I had known about the lack of professionalism, disorganization, false advertising, and negativity of the program, I would not have signed up. Although I did learn from the asana teachers and particularly from the philosophy and meditation teacher - who is a gem - my time and money would have been spent more wisely elsewhere.
Written 6 August 2015
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Hello , i would love to know where did u do your yoga course . Did you do it in Rishikesh , Nepal or Kerela?
thank you
Written 28 November 2019
Hello, I see you stayed at the Pyramid Guesthouse? Is that different than the Pyramid Yogashala? We're considering going to the Pyramid Yogashala, do you know anything about that one?
Written 29 May 2019
Hi, What Rishikul Ayurshala yoga school in Kerala is that? Is Rishikul Ayurshala a certified India's international Yoga Alliance school? Thanks in advance for the answer.
Written 10 May 2019
Thank you so much for your answer, but i asked about Rishikul Ayurshala.
Fortunately, my friends told me that Yoga Alliance International (YAI) has official website. There is a list of all certified yoga schools on this website.
I didn't find Rishikul Ayurshala among certified yoga schools and i decided to write a letter to Yoga Alliance International (YAI) to be 100% sure.
Organizing Director of YAI answered me: "Rishikul Ayurshala is not certified yoga school by Yoga Alliance International (YAI). You can check for certified schools on our website."
Written 28 July 2019
Hi,
Very useful review. Thank you.
How was the accomodation? Ans the toilets?
Do you have photos of the rooms and bathroom?
Thank you.
Written 22 December 2018
hi there, the accommodation is fairly basic and not quite as nice as the pictures! Bring your own soap and towel. warm showers though power can cut from time to time. Bed simple also but after the long day of thinking and activity, you sleep well!
Written 10 January 2019
Hello,
Most of the reviews seem to be regarding Pokara or Kerala. Has anyone stayed at the Rishikesh location in 2018? What’s your opinion of the quality of teaching? What about the accommodations and food? How convenient was it to get from Dehradun Airport to the ashram? Are here any tips you would provide for me prior to my arrival? Thanks in advance!
Written 25 November 2018
Hello
I’m planning 200 hours ttc in august 2018.
Which one would be recommended, Rishikesh or Kerala, and why so?
Thanks in advance
Written 9 July 2018
Rishikul2016
Rishikesh, India
Hi,
Thank you for connecting with us.
Glad to know you are planning for a yoga Journey in India.
Its really tough to compare both the locations because both have their own charm, like you can find more spirituality in Rishikesh but you can find amazing beach location in Kerala and also Kerala is the motherland of ayurveda, so we offer yoga and ayurveda in the 200 hour yoga ttc.
Please apply online through our website to get detailed answers for your questions.
Looking forward to hear from you
Thank You
Written 13 July 2018
Hi guys I'm trying to decide between the Rishikesh and the Nepal 200hr courses.. which would you recommrnd please for all round experience? Thank you!
Written 10 May 2018
I went to the Nepal training and it was fantastic! Same teachers from India, different location. Nepal is a hub for yogic spirituality and pokhara is a wonderful tourist town. Nepali locals are friendly to travelers (which there are an abundance of) and I always felt safe walking the main drag alone. Hotel tulsi is incredible (great location, 1 block from main Street) and the staff is so friendly. I loved going to Nepal for my training, however Rishikesh is next on my list. I don't think you could go wrong with either
Written 11 May 2018
Hello.. would you recommend the Rishikul or the Nepal course for the all over experience please? Thanks
Written 10 May 2018
Hi, I wouldn’t recommend Rishikul at all - as I found the accomodation very filthy and uninspiring! - hope you will find a nice place to go
Written 11 May 2018
Yes Sunday and half day on Wednesday if you're doing the 200hr
Written 2 February 2018
Bonjour, j'ai lu votre évaluation sur Rishikul. Je pense d'y aller le mois d'avril, mais la nourriture me fait peur. Vous avez dit que la nourriture et très bien, je voulais seulement savoir si elle est trop épicée.
Je vous remercie de votre attention,
Rosi Carvalho
Written 25 January 2018
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