On your next vacation, why not combine your passion for travel and yoga? Schools and retreats across the world offer training programs to students who wish to become instructors. It’s a chance to embark on a yoga journey to the destination you’ve been dying to cross off your bucket list, and maybe jumpstart a new career—or at least a cool side gig.
Becoming a yoga instructor isn’t easy. Plenty of time, energy, and money goes into the process. In fact, these programs can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 and can last several weeks or months. However, this experience will be like no other. The program will teach you about human anatomy, physiology, and proper alignment for poses. You will learn how to properly guide your students and know what to do in case of injury. Once finished your training program, you will be an expert at designing sequences of poses, using your voice effectively, and building a teacher-student relationship. Additionally, some training programs also focus on the business side of being a yoga instructor.
Once you have taken everything into consideration and decided you want to become a yoga guru, you need to select a training destination. Below is a list of yoga hotspots to consider:
India. The birthplace of yoga, India is one of the best places on earth to experience a truly authentic yoga retreat. Millions of aspiring yoga teachers from all over flock to India in hopes of seeking peace and enlightenment. India has the biggest number of yoga ashrams and yoga courses in the world. The various schools and ashrams offer great programs at competitive prices as a result of the overwhelming popularity. The most popular places in India for a yoga holiday are Rishikesh, Goa, and Kerala.
Thailand. Many tourists visit Thailand for its food, beaches, friendly people, and affordable way of life. And, with over 300 yoga retreats available for yoga practitioners, it’s the perfect destination for your training program. Options for all budgets, preferences, and length of stay are available. Popular yoga destinations include: Ko Samui, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Ko Phangan.
Indonesia. If you are a yogi on a budget, then Indonesia may be the destination for you. Indonesia is easily one of the most popular and affordable yoga destinations in the entire world. The most popular yoga spot in Indonesia is Bali (Balian Beach, Ubud). Its gorgeous beaches and Ubud’s rainforest attract yoga gurus from all over the globe.
Spain. The weather, beaches, and cuisine here make Spain one of the top yoga destinations in Europe. If you are unable to travel to Asia and looking for a program on the European continent, then book a yoga retreat in Spain now! It has the perfect combination of good wine, superb food, and yoga. The highly recommended destinations for yoga in Spain include: Ibiza, the Canary Islands, Tenerife, Malaga, and Alicante.
Greece. Greece’s history, architecture, and warm culture make this destination the perfect setting for your yoga holiday. Some of the most popular training options in Greece are Crete, Kythira Island, and Paros.
Italy. The diverse geography—from mountains to beaches—and nice weather allow you to practice outdoors most time of the year. Italy gives you an array of options with almost 200 programs available. The most visited areas in Italy by yogis are Sicily, Sardinia, and Tuscany.
Portugal. Portugal’s surfing beaches, hiking hills, and proud culture make this country an ideal destination for active yogis. In your down time, you can even explore its cobblestone streets, castles, and vineyards. The best places to visit for a yoga retreat are the Azores, Lisbon, Porto and Algarve.
Costa Rica. In Costa Rica, you are guaranteed to take in breathtaking backdrops while you practice on the mat. Although relatively small, Costa Rica offers almost 350 yoga retreat programs and yoga teacher trainings. Puntarenas, San Pablo, and Montezuma are some of the most recommended destinations.
USA. USA has great options for teacher training, especially in coastal states like California and Hawaii. California alone has an incredible array of retreats and yoga studios. Programs combine yoga with detox, surf, meditation, and many other activities. If you desire a more tranquil destination, Hawaii will be happy to host you. Aside from these, other yoga hotspots in the U.S. are: New York, Colorado, Florida, and Maine.
Sri Lanka. This island in South Asia provides amazing retreats. Sri Lanka’s programs focus on nurturing your spirituality and gaining mindfulness. Being an island, your accommodations will almost certainly be next to the beach, which makes this the ideal place do some other water activities, such as fish, SUP yoga, or kayak. The hottest yoga spots in Sri Lanka are Kandy, Kalutara, Tangalle and Ahangama.
