If yoga has become the way you navigate the world, our 500-hour course in Kerala, Varkala is the journey you have been looking for.
This is a total immersion. We have combined the foundational 200-hour and advanced 300-hour programs into one complete, intensive experience. It is designed specifically for those who want to jump straight into a professional career or for anyone who simply wants to master every single layer of their own practice.
The syllabus goes deep. You will work through advanced postures, learn the science of breath, and try various styles of meditation. We also cover the wisdom found in old texts, the way the body moves, and how to keep your students safe. Our teachers are more like kind mentors. They guide you with a lot of heart and make sure you really “feel” the lessons so you can explain them to others with confidence later.
Our school is a meeting place for people from all over. Whether you are coming from the US, UK, Germany, Spain, Australia or from Israel - our doors are open for all. They travel to Varkala because they want something real and a spiritual vibe that feels honest. Surrounded by the greenery of Kerala, you will build the physical strength and the quiet inner courage to lead a class anywhere on Earth.
To wrap up your time here, there is a final evaluation to show how much you have grown. Once you pass, you will receive your 500-hour Yoga Alliance certificate. This is the highest professional credential you can get, and it officially opens doors to teaching opportunities across the globe.
The 500-hour training is our most thorough program. It connects the dots between the foundational 200-hour basics and the high-level mastery of the 300-hour course. One of the most valuable things you will take away is the ability to make yoga work for everyone. You will learn how to adjust every pose for different body types and experience levels, ensuring that no student ever feels left out of your future classes.
Tackle challenging Hatha and Ashtanga Vinyasa sequences focusing on clever modifications and perfect alignment. Be it the Primary Series and Secondary Series in Ashtanga Vinyasa or the Foundational and Intermediate Hatha Poses - You attain perfection in them and enhance strength and stamina
You will explore how to use the breath to move energy naturally throughout the body. We focus on specific techniques that help settle a busy mind and keep the body steady. You will learn how to smoothly guide your students through these breathing exercises during movement or meditation.
We dive into various ways to sharpen your focus and look inward. You will learn mindfulness tools that are incredibly effective for handling modern stress. It is about finding a way to stay grounded and present.
You will learn exactly how each pose impacts the bones, muscles, and nervous system. We teach you how to change your instructions so they make sense for a total beginner or an advanced athlete. You will also gain the specific skills needed to lead your own private sessions and workshops.
We spend time studying ancient texts like the Yoga Sutras to understand the heart of this practice. You will discover the history and ethics that make yoga so much more than just a physical exercise, helping you live with more clarity and purpose.
Discover how yoga can be a powerful tool for healing, pain relief, and managing stress. We include training in slower, deeply relaxing styles like Yin and Restorative yoga. You will also learn about the chakra system and how to balance your internal energy.
You will get plenty of time to lead actual sessions and receive supportive, honest feedback. By watching our expert teachers in action, you will start to understand how to “read a room” and manage the natural energy flow of a professional yoga class.
Since we are a Yoga Alliance-approved school, you will leave ready to teach in any country. We also provide real-world advice on how to launch your own yoga business or build a successful career as an online instructor.
Our eight-week program is built on a simple idea. To be a great teacher, you have to truly live the practice first. During your two months surrounded by the natural beauty of Kerala, we help you transition from being a dedicated student into a mentor who leads with soul and confidence.
We use tools like bricks, belts and blankets to help make yoga accessible to all. Following the path of B.K.S. Iyengar, we focus on the fine lines of alignment to make yoga reachable for every body type.
We use the vibrations of specific instruments and tones to create a therapeutic space that settles the nervous system. It is a meditative practice that restores balance to both the mind and body through the simple power of resonance.
To practice yoga is to seek union. Here at Rishikul Yogshala Kerala, we use it as a holistic tool to relieve disorders and restore balance. We combine traditional asana, pranayama, and meditation with modern science.
Teaching is both a science and an art. You will learn sequencing and rhythm, and the subtle skills needed to manage different class sizes. We show you the mechanics of building a sequence while helping you develop the heart to connect with a room full of people.
Restorative yoga is about slowing down and releasing tension with almost no muscular effort. We hold passive stretches for longer periods with bolsters, blocks, belts and blankets. It is a deeply meditative way to calm the nervous system.
We have designed the daily flow at our Kerala school to be purposeful and steady, yet still very relaxing. Our students come from all walks of life and every part of the world. So we make sure the routine balances intense study with the breathing room you need to rest and explore. You will be working hard. But we never ignore the need for a bit of downtime and a friendly laugh. It is all about creating a full experience that feels deeply satisfying. This advanced 500-hour program is your chance to really go deep into your practice while supported by the lush, peaceful scenery of Varkala.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 05:30 AM - 06:00 AM | Morning Tea |
| 06:15 AM - 07:45 AM | Hatha Yoga |
| 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM | Pranayama And Meditation |
| 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Yoga Philosophy |
| 11:45 PM - 12:45 PM | Mantra/ Anatomy/ Ayurveda |
| 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM | Lunch |
| 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM | Anatomy / Adjustment Alignment |
| 04:15 PM - 05:45 PM | Ashtanga Yoga |
| 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM | Meditation / Yoga Nidra |
| 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM | Dinner |
The people who lead our classes are the real heart of the school. They are not just lecturers. They are practitioners who actually live by the principles they teach every single day. Each mentor has dedicated their life to the path of yoga, bringing a sense of honesty and warmth into the classroom. They go far beyond the basic syllabus. They offer deep insights gained from their own decades of practice. While you are here, you will be looked after by a team that understands how intense this transformation can be. They are always there to offer a kind and helping presence.
Our trainers are all highly qualified with a deep background in authentic Indian traditions. They are masters at helping you perfect your physical form and translating ancient philosophy into something that makes sense for your life. Their teaching is sincere and direct. It gives you the inner strength to discover your own specific identity as a yoga teacher.
We want you to feel completely at home while you are here. So we offer a choice between shared twin rooms or your own private space, depending on how much quiet time you prefer.
This 500-hour course is for anyone who wants more than just a surface-level understanding of yoga. It is a deep dive meant for those dreaming of a long-term yoga career or simply wanting to see how far they can go with their own practice.
You must be at least 18 years old at the time of enrollment.
Basic English understanding is needed because classes are conducted in English.
No Prior yoga practice is required as you would start with the foundational 200 hours program.
A sincere learning mindset and discipline are required for this comprehensive transformational course.
During your 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Kerala, we ensure a pleasant and comfortable stay at our Varkala campus with clean rooms and attached bathrooms.
All meals follow Ayurvedic Satvic principles to support clarity, stamina, and recovery through this intensive 50-day training.
A 500-hour training should feel like more than education. At Rishikul Yogshala, you get global credibility, true mentorship, a peaceful Kerala retreat, and a warm, inclusive atmosphere that helps you grow with confidence.
This immersive 500-hour program is your chance to go deeper while feeling supported in every step of the way.
Completing a 500-hour training is a huge milestone in any yogi’s life. This certification carries a lot of weight. It allows you to register as an RYT-500 with the Yoga Alliance. They officially recognize you as a certified teacher. This credential is your passport to teaching yoga professionally. You can use it irrespective of whether you want to stay in India or find opportunities across the globe.
After completing this 50-day 500-hour curriculum in Kerala, eligible graduates can proceed with registration pathways aligned with Yoga Alliance standards.
This certification recognizes advanced learning in asana, pranayama, teaching methodology, yoga philosophy, anatomy, and practicum.
It supports global teaching opportunities and forms a strong foundation for professional yoga teaching careers.
The closest international airport is Trivandrum International Airport (TRV), approximately 45 km from the school. You can find taxis and local buses for an hour-long trip to the coast. There is also an option to organize a private pickup from the terminal in advance, which is on a paid basis.
The closest station is Varkala Sivagiri (Code: VAK). Tickets can be booked through the IRCTC website or any regional booking counter. If direct trains are not available, many students travel to Trivandrum Central first. From there, Varkala is a short train or cab ride away. Transport options are easily available throughout the day.
Varkala is exceptionally well-linked to the rest of Kerala and neighboring states. Both government-operated and private buses run frequent schedules from nearby cities such as Trivandrum and Kochi. Private cabs are available for hire to transport visitors directly to the school gates. The route is scenic and coastal.