“Living Yoga.”
Over 21 residential days at SWAN Yoga Retreat in Goa, India, you experience an immersive and deeply traditional 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training that goes beyond learning asana. The programme covers the practices of Hatha Yoga, the complete Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, the four paths of the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, yogic anatomy, pranayama, meditation, Yoga Nidra, philosophy and, importantly, how to teach Yoga.
Living within the ashram environment allows the teaching to continue throughout the day. Practice, study, meditation, daily living and direct interaction with experienced teachers come together to create a deeper experience of Yoga and its traditional Gurukula approach.
This 200 hour YTT is designed for serious practitioners and aspiring Yoga teachers who want to deepen their personal practice while developing the knowledge, skills and confidence to teach Yoga professionally. On successful completion, students are qualified to teach and are eligible to register with Yoga Alliance, USA as RYT 200.
Rooted in the traditional Yoga lineage of India, SWAN carries forward a living tradition through direct teaching, practice and the teacher student relationship.
Who this course is for
Who should join
- Yoga teachers, and anyone who intends to teach
- Practitioners who want to live healthily and with awareness
- Anyone who wants to understand yoga in totality, not asana alone
- Beginners with a positive attitude and a receptive heart
Who should not
- Anyone drawn only to asana as physical exercise
- Anyone unwilling to keep to the ashram discipline and routine
- Anyone whose doctor has advised against yoga practice
Syllabus
Philosophy and classical foundations
- Yoga: tradition, history and philosophy
- Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, all four chapters, and the eight limbs
- The four paths of yoga in the Bhagavad Gita
- Teachings of the Upanishads
- History: the Vedas and the Shad-darshana (six systems)
Practice
- Asana and the science behind each posture
- Pranayama and prana techniques
- Pratyahara and internalisation
- Yoga Nidra, deep relaxation
- Hatha Yoga and the Shatkarmas
- Meditation and concentration
- Mantra and its practices
- Sun salutation and sequences from the Tantras
Anatomy, Ayurveda and teaching
- The body and nervous system as understood through yogic principles
- Introduction to Ayurveda and Tantra
- Ayurvedic consultation and a diet chart for your body type
- How to teach, practical sessions, sequencing and class structure
Upcoming batches
| Batch | Starts | Ends | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2026 | 7 Nov 2026 | 27 Nov 2026 | Goa |
| Jan 2027 | 15 Jan 2027 | 4 Feb 2027 | Goa |
| Feb 2027 | 26 Feb 2027 | 18 Mar 2027 | Goa |
Dates shown are check-in and check-out days. Seats in each batch are limited.
Enquire about this batch Ask on WhatsApp
Course fee
All fees are per person and include accommodation, all meals and the entire course. Choose the cottage that suits you, the teaching is identical whichever you pick.
Budget Cottage
Row rooms with private bathroom.
Standard Cottage
Private cottage with private bathroom and sit-out area.
Deluxe Cottage
Best-view cottage with private bathroom and sit-out area.
AC Deluxe Cottage
Air-conditioned best-view cottage with private bathroom and sit-out.
Early bird: 5% off twin sharing and 10% off single occupancy on full payment at the time of booking, subject to availability and our written confirmation. Offer ends 30 December 2026. Payments made in full are non-refundable and non-transferable, though dates may be postponed in genuine health situations, subject to availability.
A day on the course
The rhythm is the ashram's, not a timetable invented for the course. It is full, and it is the reason the training works.
| Time | Practice |
|---|---|
| 5:30 am | Wake, Good morning |
| 6:00 – 6:45 am | Meditation, Dharana, Pratyahara |
| 6:50 – 7:20 am | Fruits |
| 7:30 – 9:30 am | Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha |
| 10:00 – 11:00 am | Brunch |
| 11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Yoga Nidra (as per the schedule) |
| 12:30 – 2:00 pm | Yoga & Upanishad philosophy |
| 2:00 – 3:30 pm | Mantra, Japa, Kirtan, Karma Yoga, mantra writing |
| 4:00 – 6:00 pm | Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha |
| 6:00 – 7:00 pm | Dinner |
| 7:00 – 8:30 pm | Havan & Kirtan (Saturday & Sunday) / Patanjali Yoga Sutra |
| 9:00 pm – 5:00 am | Mauna (silence) & good night |
Havan and Kirtan are on Saturday and Sunday evenings only, not every day.
What is included
Included
- Shared or single cottage accommodation for the full course
- All meals, sattvic Ayurvedic vegetarian, plus fruit and herbal teas
- Every class, lecture and practical session on the syllabus
- Course manual and study materials
- Personal consultation with our resident Ayurvedic doctor
- An Ayurvedic cooking session
- Havan and kirtan on Saturday and Sunday evenings, and satsang
- Certificate on completion, and Yoga Alliance registration eligibility
Not included
- Flights and visa
- Airport transfers (approx. ₹2,200 each way, air-conditioned)
- Ayurvedic treatments, therapies and medicines
- Anything bought at the juice bar or the SWAN boutique
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
- Excursions and days out
Certification
On completing the training you are given a certificate of attendance, followed by post-course assignments. After a full assessment we send out the qualifying certificate as endorsed by Yoga Alliance, and you are then eligible to register as RYT 200.
Frequently asked questions
No. We look for a positive attitude and a receptive heart rather than an advanced asana practice. Beginners who are willing to keep the discipline do well here; people who are interested in asana alone generally do not.
Yes. SWAN is registered with Yoga Alliance, USA. On completion you receive a certificate of attendance, then complete post-course assignments; after a full assessment we issue the qualifying certificate endorsed by Yoga Alliance.
Batches are deliberately small so that every student gets personal correction and attention. Seats for each batch are limited, early booking is advised.
Loose, modest clothing you can practise in, a shawl or light layer for early mornings and evening havan, sandals, a torch, insect repellent, sunscreen, and any personal medication. Mats, bolsters and props are provided. Laundry can be arranged locally.
There is Wi-Fi on campus and mobile coverage is good. That said, the day runs on a full schedule and we keep mauna (silence) from 9 pm to 5 am, so most students find they use their phones far less than they expected.
Usually yes, subject to availability. Write to us in advance with your dates and we will confirm whether we can accommodate the extra nights and what they cost.
Send us an enquiry with your chosen batch and cottage type. We confirm availability, then a non-refundable deposit of 30% holds your seat. The remaining 70% is due at least one month before the course starts. Bookings made less than one month before the start require the full fee at the time of booking, which is non-refundable. Full payment at the time of booking also qualifies for the early bird discount.
What graduates say.
Written reviews from past guests, and video reviews from our YouTube channel and Instagram.
“The best experience in my life at Swan❤️ I completed 200 hours Yoga Teachers Training Course. It was very interesting informative course. The Yoga philosophy classes and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali classes were amazing and mind-expanding. Also we had morning meditation, asana classes, Yoga-nidra, karma Yoga, Shatkarmas - cleansing practices and Havan with Kirtan - it is a very spiritual part. The place wonderful! The center is surrounded by palm trees and greenery. Staff prepared delicious pure vegetarian dishes. The dishes were very diverse, healthy and nutritious. Also I had a consultation with an ayurvedic doctor and had massages treatments. Highly recommended! So I very like this place and I miss so much! Hope to see you again! Thank you very much Gyanmitra, Shivendra, Dayamurti and all staff! Hari Om Tat Sat 🙏💙”
“I completed 200 hours yoga teacher training at Swan in December 2023. I did the training to deepen my understanding of the full breadth of yoga, rather than with any set intention to teach. I received far more than simply knowledge. The wisdom I received has completely changed my perspective on life. I am so honoured and grateful to have received the ancient wisdom of yoga from the amazing gurus that live, work and serve at Swan. Through a beautifully curated schedule of meditation, asana, yoga philosophy, yoga nidra, mantra chanting, studying Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and weekend fire ceremonies, I have begun to understand that our true existence goes far beyond this body, this mind and this life. The learning at Swan is entirely experiential and when you start to stretch the boundaries of your mind and body, you realise what you’re capable of. The staff are the warmest souls, who welcome you in with absolute love and care. The gurus are wise, knowledgeable and committed to their spiritual mission of passing on the teachings of their ancestors. I have to give special mention to Swarnim who manages the place and looks after all guests with the most impressive patience, efficiency, kindness and sense of humour. Swan won’t be for everyone. If you want to be an asana teacher in the ‘West’, you’ll gain some very good experience of that, but that isn’t the focus of this course. If you want luxury beyond everything you actually need to be comfortable, stay elsewhere. If you’re averse to a strict schedule, perhaps think again. But if you’re prepared to be disciplined, open-minded and challenged, then this is the right place for you. In return, you’ll get a life-altering experience, you’ll be held like family in this ashram-style environment, fed wonderfully healthy food, bestowed with profound ancient wisdom and coached to become the best version of yourself. Surely there is no better gift? See you again soon Swan. Hari Om Tat Sat. 🙏🏽”
Join the 200 hour training in Goa.
Tell us which batch you are looking at and which cottage you would like. We will confirm availability, answer anything still open, and hold your seat.