Rishikesh is often called the Yoga Capital of the World—and with good reason. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas and bathed in the sacred Ganges, it offers the perfect environment for diving deep into yoga, meditation and self‑discovery. If you’re considering taking a Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) course or want to immerse yourself in yogic lifestyle, here are Top 10 best yoga schools in Rishikesh, each offering something unique.
What to Consider When Choosing a Yoga School
Before we look at the Top 10 Best Yoga schools in Rishikesh, here are some criteria that make a yogic learning experience great:
- Accreditation / certification (eg. Yoga Alliance)
- Types of courses offered (200‑hr, 300‑hr, 500‑hr, short retreats)
- Teaching style & authenticity (lineages, traditional vs modern)
- Teacher experience, student reviews
- Setting & facilities (ashram vs retreat centre; food; accommodation)
- Location (on or near river Ganga; peaceful vs more touristy)
Here is the list of Top 10 Best Yoga Schools in the Rishikesh –
- Drishti Yoga School
- Sivananda Ashram
- Patanjali Yoga Foundation
- Parmarth Niketan Ashram
- Maa Shakti Yoga Rishikesh
- Aatm Yogshala
- AdiyogPeeth
- Rishikesh Yog Temple
- Abhayaranya Yoga
- Tattva Yogshala
Top 10 Best Yoga Schools in Rishikesh
Here are ten excellent options, presented in no strict order. Each has strengths, depending on what you are looking for.
1. Drishti Yoga School – Highly Recommended, Economical & Transformational
Drishti Yoga School in Tapovan is one of the most popular schools for individuals interested in doing an economical and truly transformative yoga teacher training in Rishikesh. They provide small class sizes with highly qualified teachers, yummy sattvic food, and quality attention, making a nurturing environment for transformation.
Highlights:
- 200, 300, and 500-hour YTT programs are Yoga Alliance certified
- The packages are inexpensive and offer private rooms and organic meals.
- Well-trained Indian teachers, with a strong and deep spiritual background
- Strong emphasis on alignment, meditation, and philosophy
2. Sivananda Ashram – Traditional Ashram Lifestyle Experience
Sivananda Ashram is run by the Divine Life Society and is a cornerstone organization for spiritual learning opportunities in Rishikesh. Sivananda Ashram is more devoted to spiritual sadhana and development and less about commercial teacher training, making it a great choice for someone who wants to live a pure yogic life for a short time.
Many of the programs at Sivananda are free or donation-based and the teacher training programs have limited materials and are worked into a daily schedule.
Highlights:
- A very deep traditional approach to yoga and vedanta
- An ashram lifestyle, with karma yoga and chanting
- A spiritual commitment, with daily expectations and silence
- Almost primarily!
3. Patanjali International Yoga Foundation – Combination of Yoga and Ayurveda
This institute Focus on classical Hatha Yoga and Ayurvedic healing. The location offers a calm atmosphere, the courses provide good structure, and programs come with a price tag on the high end for teacher training.
Highlights:
- Ayurveda + Yoga Teacher Training offerings
- RYT-200, 300, and therapy-based certifications
- Indian focus, traditional detox practices
- Well-maintained campus with Ayurvedic clinic
4. Parmarth Niketan – Spiritual with Iconic Ashram Environment
In the foothills of the Himalayas on the banks of the Ganges, Parmarth Niketan, owns the largest and most beautiful ashram in India. There are many more programs here based on spiritual retreats or public programs than they are for structured YTT.
Highlights:
- Iconic Ganga Aarti every evening
- Yoga classes, satsangs, Vedic chanting, and kirtan
- Panchkarmas, Yuosart (Ayurvedic), various Hermeneutic Satsangs,
- Regular spiritual events and yoga festivals,
- Pricing for accommodation & meals can get costly for non-resident guests.
5. Maa Shakti Yoga Rishikesh – Energy Based Yogic Living
Maa Shakti Yoga provides healthy holistic and spiritual courses. They base their curriculum on chakra healing, energy, and healing the emotional body. These are pretty unique courses and different than all the budget schools. This discipline is perhaps a little less beginner-friendly and also costs more in order to provide their curriculum.
Highlights:
- They put a lot of focus on energy work, pranayama, and spiritual anatomy
- Smaller batches with more focus
- Meditation and mantra yoga were practiced in morning and evening practice sessions
- Tuition fees are higher price point because of the intensity
6. Aatm Yogashala –
Aatm Yogashala has a clear string discipline and delves into strong alignment. They have amazing instructors with clear experience, and many of their instructors are based in India but have taught internationally (which makes a difference!). Their packages are quite expensive when compared to the budget schools. But a clean and quiet environment is worth the premium, and is conveniently located near the river.
Highlights:
- It has a strong emphasis on alignment and a string discipline
- The instructors are led by Indian yoga masters, with international experience
- The space is quiet, nice and suited for learning
- Teachers are from good backgrounds and learned at reputable nunneries
- Packages are quite pricey due to premium lodging
7. Adi Yogpeeth –
Adi Yogpeeth is popular among international students for its multi-style yoga training including Hatha, Ashtanga, and Vinyasa. It’s a good choice for those who want a mix of practice styles, though it’s known to run larger groups.
Highlights:
- Multi-style yoga approach with a focus on anatomy
- Affordable 200-hour and 300-hour programs
- Large class sizes may limit personal attention
8. Rishikesh Yog Temple – New Age Facility with Traditional Curriculum
A newer school, Rishikesh Yog Temple offers very clean accommodations and modern facilities while still adhering to the traditional teachings of yoga. Pricing straddles the mid-to-high tier depending on room selection.
Highlights:
- Hatha, Vinyasa, and Yin Yoga offerings
- Yoga Alliance certified
- Visitors can enjoy a peaceful environment with rooftop views
- Is slightly more expensive than budget schools
9. Abhayaranya Yoga(Rishikesh Yogpeeth) – Reputed & Established Institution
Abhayaranya Yoga is an offshoot of Rishikesh Yogpeeth. Rishikesh Yogpeeth has a presence in the yoga world and it has a rigorous and well-structured yoga teacher training program. They have a rich history and great reputation which attracts students from all over the world, but coming out of the reputation, the pricing reflects an established institution.
Highlights:
- Yoga Alliance accredited with good faculty
- Course offerings have a broad curriculum, offering Ayurveda and philosophy
- Courses offer naturally retreat like feel with a mountainside setting
- Courses are priced
10. Tattvaa Yogashala – Ashtanga-Focused Intensive Training
Tattvaa Yogashala is best suited for dedicated students, particularly those inclined toward Ashtanga Yoga. Led by seasoned teachers, their programs are intensive, with a strong focus on physical practice, though the fees are relatively high.
Highlights:
- More Ashtanga Focused
- Highly trained and respected instructors
- Offers 200-hr and 300-hr TTCs
- Pricing is on the higher side due to faculty reputation
Join Drishti Yoga School one of the top 10 best yoga schools in Rishikesh
