India is the birthplace of Yoga. For that reason, both practitioners and teachers can benefit greatly from making the trek east to discover where the practice got started. This is a great opportunity to deepen your connection with Yoga and explore the traditions and customs of India. Those wishing to teach (at all skill levels) can sign up for one of the Yoga Teacher Trainings approved by the Yoga Alliance, which might also serve as a motivating reason to book your trip. If you are considering doing teacher training in India, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. More Immersive – Training in India (compared with the U.S.) will exposure you to far more in terms of cultural diversity and practice wisdom. In fact, packages typically involve you staying in a residential facility and eating meals with fellow students and teachers. You will also have the opportunity to explore Temples and other local attractions that are unparalleled in the states.
2. Costs – While the expense of yoga teacher training in India can vary, programs are typically not that much more expensive that in the U.S. However, you will also need to factor in travel expenses, which are generally not included the training fee.
3. Research the Program First – Just like in the United States, individual programs can vary in quality and location. While personal safety is typically not something to worry about, some students of these programs have reported feeling uncomfortable being out alone at night in certain parts of India. For that reason, knowing a little about what to expect going in to your training can help reduce your anxiety.

Many graduates of India-based Yoga Teacher Trainings refer to the experience as “life changing.” You have the opportunity to make lifelong connections with people from widely diverse backgrounds, all while tracing the roots of yoga philosophy and practice. This can allow you to gain greater perspective and impart this knowledge onto your future students. If you have the opportunity, taking a Yoga Teacher training in India can be an incredibly rewarding adventure.