Completing your Meditation Teacher Training in Rishikesh, India is an exceptional experience. Nestled amongst the foot of the Himalayan mountains and on the banks of the holy river Ganga there couldn’t be a better place to tune into your inner world and go on this expansive journey.
I chose to complete my 200-hour Meditation Teacher Training with Dev Om from Soulversity, the course was interactive and we learnt first-hand as the students and then the teacher.
I cannot recommend this course enough, whether you want to train to become a meditation teacher or deepen your spiritual connection and learn more about meditation this is an incredible way to do it.
Throughout this guide, I will outline exactly where it is, why the location is so special, what to expect from the training, how to book, and some India travel essentials!
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200-hour Meditation Teacher Training in Rishikesh with Soulversity
Where is Rishikesh?
Rishikesh is a city located in the north of India in the state of Uttarakhand, located at the foot of the Himalayan mountains beside the Ganges River, it is a truly special location.
Known as the world capital of Yoga, countless travellers come here each year for all different kinds of trainings and to bask in the magic of Rishikesh.
The Ganges river is one of the holiest rivers in India, Hindus believe the river is the literal body of Goddess Ganga, a deity who descended to earth to purify souls and release them from the endless cycle of death and rebirth.
Flowing straight through the middle of Rishikesh the presence of the river here soothes your soul and invites you into a state of calm and stillness.
Rishikesh is often referred to as the gateway to the Himalayas and is a place of pilgrimage in India with many gathering here for religious holidays and celebrations.
How do you get there?
- By air
If you are flying into India and want to head straight for Rishikesh you can fly into Delhi and catch a connecting flight to Rishikesh’s closest airport Dehradun, it is then a 40-minute drive to Rishikesh city.
- By taxi
Another way to get to Rishikesh is by taxi you can arrange for a taxi to take you from Delhi to Rishikesh, this costs a lot less than flying but is about a 5/6 hour journey.
💡 if you are coming for the Meditation Teaching Training in Rishikesh with Soulversity, then make sure to speak to them about your arrival and transport, they will arrange it all for you with local companies who they know and trust.
What’s included in the Meditation Teacher Training in Rishikesh?
You have a choice when booking your Meditation Teacher Training in Rishikesh to either come for 100 hours, 200 hours (held in Rishikesh) or 300 hours (then moved to Goa).
🙋🏻♀️ I personally completed the 300-hour training with Soulversity which I cannot recommend enough, so if you fancy taking your Meditation Teacher Training one step further make sure to check it out. Throughout this guide, I will just be talking about the 200-hour Meditation Teacher Training in Rishikesh.
The price for 100-hours includes:
- Your fee for the training
- Accommodation for 9 days – prices vary depending which room you choose
- Food – 3 meals a day are provided by the Ashram
The price for 200-hours includes:
- Your fee for the training
- Accommodation for 19 days – prices vary depending which room you choose
- Food – 3 meals a day are provided by the Ashram
You will also get:
- Worldwide Meditation Teacher Training Certificate
- Lifetime meditation useage
- Lifetime group support
- Meditation scripts
- 4 books written by Master Dev OM
- Class recordings
- The complete process of learning from student to master
Where Do You Stay? Yoga Niketan Ashram
Throughout the training in Rishikesh, you will be staying at the Yoga Niketan Ashram. If you have never visited India before, be prepared for a complete overwhelm of all your senses. India is a truly magical country, if it is your first time it can feel utterly chaotic. But don’t worry, you will get used to the craziness and miss it once you’re gone!
India is noisy and busy and there is always a lot going on around every corner, but the Yoga Niketan Ashram is a peaceful sanctuary located above the madness of the roads below.
Nestled on a hilltop, from the Ashram you have incredible views over the river Ganga and the surrounding mountains. From this spot, you can feel the powerful essence of Rishikesh and its potent energy.
As everything is provided for you in the Ashram if you don’t want to then you do not have to leave, you can spend your whole 19 days within the tranquil gardens, your room or the library. The ashram also provides daily yoga and meditation classes which are free to join.
What Qualification do you Receive?
Yoga Alliance USA recognises this Meditation Teacher Training in Rishikesh with Soulversity as a form of continued education.
Soulversity is a recognised training facility and on completion of your 100 or 200-hour training, you will receive a Meditation Teacher certification that is recognised worldwide.
How to book
Before you decide to book I recommend watching Dev OM’s video linked below that outlines exactly what his mission is with this training course, what to expect and could help to clear up any of your unanswered questions about the Meditation Teacher Training in Rishikesh.
Once you have watched the ‘why you should attend’ video and you feel a bubbling excitement within you then it is definitely time to take that next step and book!
The training is held twice a year, once around November time and again around March, when you know which days you would prefer to attend just follow the links on the website and you can reserve your space for a small deposit.
💡 if you are still unsure about booking the training, then Dev offers a free discovery call where you can have a one-on-one conversation about the training and what to expect from it. I did this and I found it super helpful, Dev cleared up all my questions and I then went on to book with complete confidence.
India Travel Essentials
Coming to Dev Om’s Meditation Teacher Training in Rishikesh was the first time I had ever visited India, I was very nervous and overwhelmed about 1 – flying to a whole new country and 2 – you hear many stories about how you should dress, behave and show up as a woman here.
I can tell you now, it is nowhere near as scary as you could imagine!
The best thing you can do to combat any of these fears is to make sure you are well prepared, I have created this list below of things to make sure you consider before flying here or pack to ensure you have the smoothest journey and best experience in India.
- Valid passport
- Visa if needed
- Travel insurance
- Debit or Credit Card
- GBP or USD in cash
- Power banks for iphone
- Travel adapter
- Camera
- Toilettries
- Tampons or menstrual cup
- Probitotics
- Charcoal tablets
- Suncream
- Tissues
- Hand sanitiser
- Immodium
- Landry soap sheets
- Travel washing line
- Ear plugs – you will thank me when the 5am bells are rung each morning at the Ashram!
- Eye mask
- Respectful clothing – long trousers, t-shirts, shirts etc – it is not recommended to wear revealing clothing in India and can be seen as disrespectful when inside an Ashram
What to Expect from Your 200-hour Meditation Teacher Training in Rishikesh
Who is Master Dev OM?
“Dev OM, a Himalayan yogi and spiritual guide from India is trained directly from Thich-Nhat-Hanh, Dalai Lama, and Mother Teresa in mindfulness and spirituality. He has learned various therapies and has also received spiritual development in the ashrams of Maharshi Ramana and Osho.
Dev OM has identified and structured self-discovery tools to address all aspects of human consciousness: spiritual, emotional & mental. He is an internationally acclaimed best-seller author of 12 spiritual and self-help books.
Since two decades, Dev OM’s path as a Spiritual Guide & Mentor and as an Enhanced Life Coach has assisted thousands of people all over the world to discover their spiritual & life path. His modern and practical techniques involve recognizing one’s full and true potential of creative powers for personal growth and self-evolution.
His coaching has given clarity, mental peace, focus, and purpose to many. His unique, non-religious, and non-judgemental approach is loved by thousands across the globe. Dev OM starts individual spiritual growth from where one stands in a practical and friendly way!”
Master Dev OM is a breath of fresh air, he is so welcoming and kind and makes you feel so at ease in his presence, through his many years of dedication and study he has obtained so much knowledge which he is delighted to share with you.
I found Dev to be a constant flow of information in the purest form, he was an absolute honour to learn from and a master I will continue to look up to throughout my career.
What is Covered in 100-hours
The 100-hour training covers all the basics and foundations you need to know to be able to go out and teach, you learn how to structure classes, put workshops together and make meditation accessible for all.
You review tips for teaching and how to hold space for others and guide them through meditation.
You discover mindfulness practises that you can use throughout your life and with students to keep tabs on where you are, how you are feeling and what elements need your attention.
Dev takes a deep dive into the Chakras, you’ll discover how each of them works separately and together in perfect harmony. You will see what helps each Chakra and what you do in your life that negatively affects them, you’ll then experience how to connect to each one and cleanse them to feel your most authentic and powerful self.
You will practise and experience first-hand every meditation included in the 100-hour booklet, this way you can experience the sensations and take yourself on the journey you wish you help your students go on too.
What is Covered in 200-hours
The 200-hours goes a little deeper, with some more intense and complex meditations. These are designed to help you reach higher states of consciousness and start to open your third eye and view on life.
Dev gets you thinking about life and questioning your approach, helping you to break down your ego, to come from a place of purity and live from your soul, it is about knowing how to handle your emotions and the drama that your ego feeds on.
He invites you to step back and take a more conscious approach to life, learning to lean into the slowness and calmness within your soulful decisions.
Through journaling and homework questions you take a deep dive into your limiting beliefs, all those things within your life that are holding you back and stopping you from reaching your full potential. He arms you with the tools and skills you need to tackle these to be able to allow your true light to shine through once and for all.
‼️ While what I have shared with you above is what was covered in the 100 & 200-hour Meditation Teacher Training in Rishikesh that I joined, please note that Master Dev OM is a pure flow of consciousness, whilst he has a brief outline of what he would like to cover in each of his training he will adapt his teachings for the room and personalise it to each group. So you may cover more or less than what has been covered previously. As Master Dev OM is constantly learning and evolving in his own life, this training is a different reflection of this and will continue to adapt and grow as he does on his spiritual path.
Final Thoughts
If I am completely honest, I cannot really put into words the transformative experience I had on this training, not only did I meet an incredible group of like-minded friends who will now and forever be my soul family, I experienced and learnt more about myself in this 19 days then I think I have in most of my life.
Whether you want to teach meditation or go on a transformational journey this is the course to do it on. Master Dev OM is an incredible teacher to learn from and will help each and every person reach their full potential in their own unique way.
I cannot recommend the course enough, so don’t hesitate to book this Meditation Teacher Training in Rishikesh, secure your flight to India and get ready for an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime.
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HealXO
Friday 8th of November 2024
Your blog has quickly become one of my favorites. Your writing is both insightful and thought-provoking, and I always come away from your posts feeling inspired. Keep up the phenomenal work!