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What to Pack for a Yoga Teacher Training in India
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For a yoga teacher training in India you need far less than you think: modest practice clothes you can layer, a shawl, basic medicines, copies of your documents, and enough cash for the first few days.
Quick answer: pack for a month of 5:30am starts in a dry, vegetarian pilgrimage town. Most things you forget can be bought in Tapovan within a ten-minute walk.
The actual essentials
- Printed copies of your passport, visa and insurance, kept separately from the originals.
- Cash in rupees for the first few days. Cards work in the larger places; the small shops and auto drivers want notes.
- A refillable water bottle. You will carry it everywhere and it saves a mountain of plastic.
- A shawl or large scarf — the single most useful item. It covers shoulders at temples, becomes a blanket in meditation, and is a pillow on the bus.
- A notebook and pens. You will be taking a lot of notes in philosophy and anatomy, and tablets are awkward in a practice hall.
- A universal adapter and a power bank. Power is reliable but sockets are not always where you want them.
- A head torch or small torch for early mornings and the occasional cut.
Your room is provided and furnished, so bedding, towels and a yoga mat are not on this list — those are included.
Clothing, by season
Rishikesh is a pilgrimage town as well as a yoga town, so modest clothing off the mat matters. Shoulders and knees covered is the simple rule.
- All year — four or five sets of practice clothes (you will practise twice a day), loose trousers, a few t-shirts, one warm layer, flip-flops and one pair of walking shoes.
- February–April, September–November — light layers. Mornings are cool, afternoons warm.
- May–August — light cotton only, plus a quick-dry towel and a rain jacket for monsoon. Temperatures can reach 40°C.
- December–February — thermals, a proper fleece or jacket, warm socks and a hat. Rooms are not heated and mornings run 15–26°C.
Medicines and toiletries
- Any prescription medicine for the whole stay, in its original packaging with the prescription.
- A basic kit — rehydration salts, something for an upset stomach, painkillers, plasters, antiseptic.
- Insect repellent, especially in monsoon.
- High-factor sunscreen. You will be outdoors at altitude more than you expect.
- Any speciality toiletries you are particular about. Ordinary ones are easy to buy here.
Tell us before you arrive about any injury, condition or medication. It changes how a teacher adjusts you, and it is far better known on day one than discovered in week three.
What not to bring
- A yoga mat — provided, and they are heavy to fly with.
- Towels and bedding — provided.
- Alcohol — Rishikesh is a dry town and it is not permitted at the school.
- Smart or going-out clothes. There is nowhere to wear them. The town is asleep by ten.
- Valuables and expensive jewellery. Rooms are safe but there is no reason to carry them.
- Too much. Almost everyone over-packs and ends up giving clothes away at the end.
What to buy in Rishikesh instead
Tapovan has everything within a short walk and far cheaper than packing it: loose cotton trousers, shawls, notebooks, toiletries, a SIM card, fruit, and a mat bag if you decide you want one.
Buying a couple of sets of local clothes in the first week is something most students end up doing anyway. They are cooler, more modest and cost very little.
Bottom line
Bring documents, cash, medicines, a shawl, a notebook and clothes you can layer and move in. Leave the mat, the towels and the going-out clothes at home. Whatever you forget, Tapovan sells it ten minutes from the school.
If you want the full joining pack with dates and what is included, see the 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training page or write to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I pack for a yoga teacher training in India?
Documents and copies, cash in rupees for the first days, four or five sets of modest practice clothes, one warm layer, a shawl, a refillable water bottle, a notebook, prescription medicines and a basic first-aid kit. Most other things can be bought in Tapovan within a ten-minute walk.
Do I need to bring my own yoga mat?
No. Mats are provided, along with bedding and towels, so there is no need to fly with one. If you prefer your own mat for personal reasons you are welcome to bring it.
What clothes should women wear in Rishikesh?
Rishikesh is a pilgrimage town as well as a yoga town, so modest clothing off the mat is expected: shoulders and knees covered. Loose cotton trousers and a shawl work for everything, and both are cheap to buy locally.
Can I buy things in Rishikesh if I forget them?
Almost certainly. Tapovan has cotton clothing, shawls, toiletries, notebooks, SIM cards and fruit within a short walk of the school, usually far cheaper than packing them from home.
