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200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training · Rishikesh

200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Curriculum & Syllabus

What you actually study, subject by subject, and how the 200 hours are divided — the full Yoga Alliance RYS 200 syllabus taught at Abhayaranya Ashram.

What do you learn in a 200 hour yoga teacher training

What you will learn

Over three weeks you build a working foundation across four areas: the practice itself (asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra and cleansing techniques), the science behind it (anatomy and physiology), its traditional and philosophical roots (yoga humanities), and the professional skill of teaching it to others (methodology, sequencing and supervised practicum). Every subject is practised first, then studied as a teacher would need to explain it.

200 hour yoga teacher training curriculum Rishikesh

200 Hour curriculum at a glance

The syllabus meets Yoga Alliance requirements for RYT 200 — and university requirements for the one-month Certificate Course in Yoga recognised by the Government of India.

Techniques, Training & Practice — 115 hrsAsana · Pranayama · Meditation · Mantra · Shatkarma
Anatomy & Physiology — 20 hrsAnatomy · Physiology
Yoga Humanities — 30 hrsHistory · Philosophy · Ethics · Sanskrit
Professional Essentials — 55 hrsTeaching Methodology · Professional Development · Practicum

115 hours · the daily practice

Techniques, Training & Practice

Asana, pranayama, meditation and mantra — is pranayama included in a 200 hour yoga teacher training? Yes, practised daily alongside meditation, mantra and yogic cleansing.

Asana

Study of asanas

Each posture practised for its purpose — alignment, detoxification, strength, rest and a calm mind. Sequencing is taught alongside the postures themselves.

Pranayama

Technique & practice of breathing

The foundation of yoga: deep breathing techniques for circulation, digestion and detoxification, practised every morning.

Dhyana

Meditation

Deeper levels of concentration on the path toward Samadhi — the ultimate aim of yoga — practised daily in the evening session.

Mantra

Mantra chanting

Sanskrit chanting to steady the mind and manage tension, practised daily at sunrise.

Shatkarma

Cleansing techniques

Yogic purification practices — Jalneti, Kunjal, Rubber Neti and Shankprakshalan — that keep the body strong, healthy and clear, scheduled across the three weeks.

20 hours · the science of practice

Anatomy & Physiology

Human anatomy and physiology through the lens of practice: bones, muscles, the nervous system and hormones — enough to teach asana and pranayama safely and explain their therapeutic effects with confidence.

Anatomy

Human anatomy & physiology

The fundamentals that make yoga's therapeutic effects make sense — taught with direct application to the asanas and breathing techniques you are practising each day.

30 hours · philosophy, history & tradition

Yoga Humanities

Do you learn yoga philosophy during a 200 hour YTT? Yes — history, philosophy and ethics grounded in the eight limbs of the Patanjali Yogsutra, alongside the Sanskrit terminology used throughout the course.

Yogadarshan

History, philosophy & ethics

The traditional foundations of yoga: its history, its philosophical framework and the ethical principles (Yamas and Niyamas) that shape how it is taught and practised.

Sanskrit

Postures, names & terminology

Learn each posture with its Sanskrit name and meaning, so you can teach with understanding rather than by rote memorisation of English cues alone.

55 hours · learning to teach

Professional Essentials, Teaching Practice & Assessment

Does a 200 hour YTT include teaching practice? Yes — you design and lead real sessions during the course, and confidence is built the way it is meant to be: with practice.

Methodology

Sequencing & improvisation

How to design and run an effective class — and how to adapt a sequence when the room, the time, or a student's ability demands it.

Practicum

Confidence through teaching practice

You teach real sessions to your peers during the course under faculty supervision — the single biggest confidence-builder students report.

Is there an exam at the end of a 200 hour yoga teacher training?

Evaluation is continuous rather than a single exam: written and practical assessments, your conduct throughout the training, and a minimum 90% attendance. Faculty are 6–7 resident teachers per batch, led by an E-RYT trainer resident at the ashram throughout your course. Meet the faculty

What certification will I receive?

On completing this curriculum you are eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as RYT 200. Combine this training with our 300 Hour course to become eligible for RYT 500; the 200 Hour on its own does not carry RYT 500 eligibility. Students can additionally earn a Certificate in Yoga from HNB Garhwal University via our extension-centre program, at an additional cost.

Curriculum questions

Curriculum & syllabus — frequently asked questions

Asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra and Shatkarma cleansing (Techniques, Training & Practice); anatomy and physiology; yoga history, philosophy and ethics (Yoga Humanities); and teaching methodology with supervised practicum (Professional Essentials).

Nine core subjects: asana, pranayama, meditation (dhyana), mantra chanting, Shatkarma cleansing, yoga history & philosophy, Sanskrit terminology, teaching methodology and practicum.

Yoga Alliance's RYS 200 standard requires four categories: Techniques Training & Practice, Teaching Methodology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Yoga Humanities (philosophy, lifestyle and ethics) — all of which this curriculum meets in full.

115 hours Techniques, Training & Practice; 20 hours Anatomy & Physiology; 30 hours Yoga Humanities; and 55 hours Professional Essentials — 220 total contact hours across the 3-week residential course.

20 hours, covering the bones, muscles, nervous system and hormones most relevant to practising and teaching asana and pranayama safely.

Yes — 30 hours of Yoga Humanities cover yoga's history, philosophy and ethics, grounded in the eight limbs of the Patanjali Yogsutra, alongside Sanskrit terminology.

Yes — supervised practicum is part of Professional Essentials. You design and teach real sessions during the course, with faculty feedback.

Yes — sequencing and improvisation are taught under Teaching Methodology, so you can design a class and adapt it in the room.

Yes — pranayama (breathing technique) is practised every morning as part of the Techniques, Training & Practice category.

Yes — dhyana (meditation) is practised daily, working toward deeper concentration on the path traditionally described as leading to Samadhi.

Traditional Hatha Yoga is the foundation taught throughout, with asana practised for alignment, detoxification, strength and a calm mind rather than as a fitness-first style.

Evaluation is continuous — written and practical assessments plus your conduct throughout the training — combined with a minimum 90% attendance requirement, rather than a single closing exam.

The primary certification in yoga teaching

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