Journey to Yin Yoga Teacher Training

After completing my 200-hour Hatha/Vinyasa teacher training in January 2025 and a 200-hour Meditation Teacher Training in Rishikesh, a Yin Yoga retreat felt like the perfect next step on my spiritual journey. I’ve always viewed the 200-hour yoga training—regardless of style—as a gateway into the spiritual world, opening doors to countless other paths and practices. While I already had a consistent meditation practice, I think the Yin Yoga training could have come either before or after the meditation course—it would have complemented my journey just the same.

View from the roof of the school. The school is located a little higher on the hill in Topovan and closer to Secret Waterfall.

I choose Vinyasa Yoga Ashram for the 100 hr Yin Yoga Teacher Training course because it had great reviews on Google and, since I was already in Rishikesh, I was able to visit before signing up. From the very beginning, I could tell the school was professional, responsive, and knew how to cater to international students while still providing an authentic experience.

I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical about taking a Yin Yoga course in India, since Yin didn’t originate here and most schools only began offering it in recent years. Yin yoga has become quite popular lately, and I used to think it was simply Hatha postures held for longer periods of time—but that’s not accurate. The essence of Yin lies in knowing how to hold a pose, listening to your body, and finding your “edge,” a balanced space where you can stay still and present. Practicing Yin helps cultivate body awareness while also teaching detachment, lessons that naturally carry over into daily life.

The program was well-structured, and much of what I learned was new to me, going beyond what’s typically covered in Hatha or Vinyasa yoga. I especially enjoyed learning about Daoist philosophy and how it complements yogic teachings. Having a foundation from my 200-hour Hatha/Vinyasa teacher training was definitely helpful going into this course.

My main discoveries from the training

Since completing the training, I feel more ease in my body, and I’ve gained another tool to add to my meditative practices. I’ve realized that Yin, like meditation, offers another way to experience life. Even though I naturally lean toward a more Yang and energetic in nature, it’s been refreshing to explore my softer side. Ultimately, I don’t think I’ll ever fully “find” who I am—because I simply am. As long as I stay curious and keep my heart open, I trust I’ll continue along the path that’s meant for me.