Teaching Yoga in Rishikesh: East, West, and Everything in Between

What does it truly mean to teach yoga in Rishikesh – a place where the flow of the Ganga tells ancient stories, and the air is filled with silence? The silence here becomes especially tangible at dawn and at sunset, when the atmosphere seems to fill with a soft, almost weightless tranquility. In this article, we share the voices of yoga teachers whose paths brought them to this sacred city in the north of India. Each has a unique story and their own vision of what it means to teach yoga here. In their words, you will find wisdom and experience that may transform how you see yoga – and how it is shared with others.

Many people see Rishikesh as the yoga capital of India – a center for personal growth and self-discovery. For centuries, it has attracted great keepers of yogic knowledge, masters who guide students to grow their bodies and find peace of mind.

Since the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram was established in 1968 and The Beatles visited Rishikesh, the city has drawn seekers not only from India but from faraway countries around the world. This exchange of cultures has deeply influenced the local community, which has lived in a close dialogue with people from every corner of the globe for nearly a century.

This special context is where our journey begins. It is not just about yoga practices, it is an invitation to see yoga through the eyes of those who teach it in the spiritual heart of Rishikesh.

S u r i n d e r S i n g h

A Guide into Hatha Yoga

Let us introduce Surinder Singh, hatha yoga teacher in Rishikesh. Students who have attended his classes often describe their experience as life-changing. A moment when they realized there is something deeper, that knowledge can be more profound, and perception more subtle.

Surinder Singh. Photography - fuckluckygohappy.de
In most Indian families, the day starts with prayer. We are spiritual people, and before doing anything, we meditate or worship. I remember my mother waking up at 3:30 or 4 AM, taking a shower, and sitting for one and a half hours in meditation. I was a child and didn’t understand, but I watched her with admiration. After she passed away, I started to recall these moments. I realized how deeply she inspired me. I am grateful to her for everything.
Surinder Singh
How do you define yoga?​

Before we talk about hatha yoga, it’s important to understand what ‘yoga’ means. Yoga is not just a system of exercises or a philosophy. It is ancient, deep knowledge that offers answers at all levels: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. People find different things in yoga. For some, yoga is a way to maintain health through physical exercise. These practitioners benefit from asanas – body postures. Others look for deeper transformation – working with the mind and emotions. They continue their journey through pranayama (breath control), meditation, and mindfulness. And there are those who seek the highest aspect of yoga – to discover the truth about themselves, to answer the question: “Who am I really?” They go into deep meditation, searching for awakening and self-realization.

What exactly is hatha yoga?

The word ‘hatha’ traditionally means ‘effort’. It is not just physical work; it is focused effort to go beyond our inner limitations. Hatha yoga begins with asanas – physical practices that teach us discipline, awareness, and prepare the body for deeper inner work. But it is not a fight with the body. It is effort under control. It is a balanced practice between strength and relaxation, between striving and surrender. As one master said: ‘Body’s nature is laziness. Mind’s nature is chaos. To overcome both, we need effort.’ Hatha yoga is a path that begins with the body but goes far beyond. Asanas, breathwork, and meditation are tools that help us rise above our inner laziness and scattered thoughts, and bring attention inward. Hatha yoga is not just yoga of the body. It is yoga of effort, discipline, and awakening. And whoever walks this path eventually discovers something greater within themselves.

What message would you like to give your students and yoga seekers?

Please find time for practice. Even if you can’t do a full session, just close your eyes and watch your breath. Through the breath comes the message. It is the way to the inner center, which helps you not get lost in the outer world. When you find your center, you face fewer problems outside. Everything starts inside. If possible, go deeper, study, practice, and travel within. I never aimed to become a teacher, but I am grateful to the universe and great masters for placing me on this path.

I r a a

Yoga Teacher in the Sivananda Tradition

Our second teacher is Iraa. She offers private lessons in yoga and pranayama. She has an ability to find the right words for each student, to sense their physical and emotional needs, and to help them grow and open up. Let’s explore her techniques and teaching philosophy.

Pranayama
(from Sanskrit: prāṇa meaning "life force" or "breath", and āyāma meaning "expansion" or "control")

Pranayama is the practice of conscious breath control. It plays a powerful role in influencing both physical and mental states. Techniques range from energizing rhythmic patterns to deeply calming pauses, but all share a common foundation: bringing awareness to the breath—something we usually do unconsciously.

Iraa. Photography - Lavrishcheva Anna-Mariia
Can you tell us a little about yourself? Where are you from and how long have you been teaching yoga?

I’m Iraa, originally from Mumbai. For several years, I lived the typical corporate life: structured, fast-paced, and often overwhelming. While on the outside things looked “fine,” something inside me longed for deeper meaning. That longing slowly nudged me towards yoga. I started practicing in 2010, mostly to cope with stress and emotional imbalances. But it quickly turned into something more – a space of quiet and connection.

What style or yoga tradition do you teach, and what attracts you to it?

I mostly teach in the Sivananda tradition. What draws me to it is its simplicity, structure, and deep sense of devotion. It’s not flashy or performance-based, it’s rooted, pure, and gentle. It honors the whole being, not just the body.

How would you describe your teaching approach and philosophy?

For me, every body is unique and sacred. A temple to be treated with reverence and care. My teaching is grounded in breath, presence, and sensitivity. I always encourage students to listen inward, not push or perform. Alignment matters, but so does softness. Healing happens when we feel safe, seen, and supported, and that’s the space I try to hold.

What does yoga mean to you?

Yoga is connection. It’s remembering what we’ve forgotten – that we are whole, we are light, and we are deeply interconnected. It’s not just a practice; it’s a way of being. It teaches me to pause, to feel, to forgive, to live fully. Yoga is not on the mat – it’s in how I speak, breathe, eat, love.

How has teaching yoga in Rishikesh impacted your experience as a yoga teacher?

Teaching in Rishikesh is a blessing. It’s a spiritual energy field in itself, people come here open-hearted, searching for something more. That energy shapes the classes. It also challenges me to stay authentic, because the energy of this place doesn’t allow for pretense. You have to walk your talk. And the presence of seekers from all over the world reminds me how universal the human longing is.

What do foreign students often misunderstand about yoga or Indian traditions?

Many still view yoga as a workout, as something purely physical. They miss the depth, the emotional, energetic, and spiritual layers. There’s also sometimes a romanticized or exoticized view of India and its traditions, which can be limiting. Yoga isn’t a performance or a trend; it’s a sacred science of living. I try to gently open those doors for them.

Has teaching people from around the world changed your understanding or approach to yoga?

Definitely. It’s made me more compassionate and more precise with my words. I’ve learned how to explain concepts that are intuitive for us Indians but new for others. It’s made me more aware of different cultural and bodily contexts, and has helped me grow as a communicator and space-holder.

Do you think some parts of Indian yoga traditions are misunderstood by foreigners? If so, how do you help them understand better?

Yes, especially concepts like karma, bhakti (devotional love or spiritual devotion), or surrender (letting go of control and trusting a higher intelligence). These aren’t easy to grasp when you come from an achievement-driven culture. I don’t preach. I share through stories, through personal experiences, through simple practices. And then I let the practice reveal its truth, rather than trying to “explain” it.

What would you like international students to know before coming to Rishikesh for yoga?

Come with an open heart and empty hands. Don’t rush to become a teacher or master advanced postures. Yoga is not a race. Be a student, stay curious, and let yourself be reshaped. Listen to your body. Let go of what you think you know. And remember, yoga is not about touching your toes, it’s about what you learn on the way down.”

Yoga in Rishikesh: A Journey to the Self

Teaching is a delicate art of engaging with another’s inner world. Teaching yoga in Rishikesh is not merely the transmission of postures, it is the skill of becoming a bridge: between cultures, between seekers and silence, between ancient truths and personal stories. Rishikesh remains a meeting point – of East and West, discipline and softness, tradition and transformation.

Perhaps the most profound lesson they offer is this:

Yoga is not what we do.
It’s how we live.
How we listen.
And how we remember who we truly are.

Picture of Anna-Mariia
Anna-Mariia
I'm an equine therapist (hippotherapist) with a passion for travel and photography. I find great joy in capturing the world through. I believe that love is the most important thing.
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