Hi yogis, I’m planning on going to Sivananda YTT Neyyar Dam, India January 9-Feb 6th. I would love to chat with anyone that also went there. After speaking to a acquaintance about his experiences in Goa, I have been playing around with the idea to go to Goa instead for my YTT; the beach and freedom is luring me to research more after I’d already made the decision to go to Sivananda YTT. I’m very open and looking forward to learning all aspects of yoga that Sivananda teaches and I’ve hear most other programs don’t give you such an indepth study. If anyone can recommend a YTT program in Goa or near that they completed and loved, please share your thoughts and info. Lastly, if anyone is thinking about going to India for YTT in January, let’s swap ideas etc. Thanks, Jen
Hi Jen, i did the sivananda ttc in kerala in 2009 and it was wonderful, really nice place and teachers and staff…if you know the sivananda style you will surely feel at home there…its the “real thing”… let me know if you need any extra info. bye!
Rita G.
Hi Rita, Thanks for your response. We’ve decided to go for it in Kerala, a friend is join me for the YTT. Do you have any tips for travel or staying there? What to bring or what not to bring? Did you feel safe traveling in India? Do you have any suggestions on what sites to see or not see while there. Our time is limited to about 3 days on the front end and 3 days on the backend of the YTT. Thanks!!
[QUOTE=ritagonc;41228]Hi Jen, i did the sivananda ttc in kerala in 2009 and it was wonderful, really nice place and teachers and staff…if you know the sivananda style you will surely feel at home there…its the “real thing”… let me know if you need any extra info. bye!
Rita G.[/QUOTE]
I stayed at the Sivananda ashram at Neyyar Dam in 2006. I must say it wasn’t my cup of tea, and I ended up leaving after only 3 days. The area that the ashram located in as well as its grounds are very beautiful, peaceful and conducive to learning and contemplation. However, I found the atmosphere there quite backpackery (there was only one Indian guy there - a friend we were travelling with, everyone else was a Westerner, so it hardly felt I was in India at all) and the staff were not particularly approachable. Moreover, as it turned out, the Sivananda style of asana practice did not really “work” for me - the standardised approach and the sequence itself. The teachers were quite uninvolved during the practice.
But it’s just my experience (based on 3 days’ stay, as I mentioned). Two of my friends that I was travelling with ended up staying there for the intended 10 days (we weren’t doing YTT, we wanted to experience ashram life), and our Indian friend goes back there every year.
Kerala is absolutely wonderful though, it is one of my favourite places in India. We spent a couple of weeks there and did all the standard touristy things, all of which I can highly recommend. Our base was Fort Cochin, which is a lovely place with quiet streets, cafes, bookshops, and a peaceful seashore with fishing nets. One day we did a backwaters excursion - an essential Kerala experience. A few hours gliding along the palmtree-lined banks in near silence, taking in the sun, the views, the serenity :), followed by a simple vegetarian lunch on the shore. Beautiful!
Another memorable experience was elephant washing at Munnar (?). There is an elephant sanctuary there and elephants are brought to the river bank in the mornings to get washed by their trainers and excited tourists. You get half a coconut for a cleaning tool and a part of an elephant to wash. Loads of fun for all parties! The smallest ones came up to our waist, and were following their trainers around like puppies. Aaww.
Varkala beach was also a lovely experience, I much preferred it to Goan beaches. It only has one main promenade of neat “shack-style” restaurants, ayurveda clinics, souvenir shops and yoga studios, situated on a cliff above the beach, and it’s so green, clean and welcoming. I want to go back now…
Hi
I can understand your point of view tanguerita, you were there as a guest…its quite a different experience to be in the TTC “race”…its such a demanding and intense program…the staff in 2009 was lovely, there for me all the time…but then again that was me, im quite open and funny so i got “cuddled”… i imagine if you get a TTC with more than 100 people (we were 94), you will feel a bit left out… I had 1 third of indians in my group and i loved being around them, but I also loved meeting the canadians (there are normally a lot at sivananda schools) and everyone else in general… i was the only portuguese yeeaah!
The style, like i said before, is totally “sivananda” so they do correct you but its up to you to perfect yourself. I actually love that about this style, no forcing, you will get it on your own. But it is definitely something important to take into consideration…if u dont know sivananda yoga think again before doing the TTC…
Stuff to take: a nice pillow to sit on, insect repellent, good hiking shoes, snacks like dry fruits (bring loads!), and general stuff. I stayed in a room with a friend its a little investment but its worth it if you have a hard time sleeping with lots of people in the same room…
3 days after and before…hmmm…follow tanguerita’s advice, do some beach time in varkala for example… i went to the north after my ttc so i cant really help you on that… what i can tell you is that you will have 1 day off per week to go on several outings: the jungle trip, the visit to the temples and the southern tip of india, i did an ashram opening in trivandrum…those were all amazing experiences and out of the packpacker route … the jungle day was amazing (dont forget your bathing suit!) and the temple day was even better, we visit things that are normally not open to everyone…
Sivananda is a great school but a very traditional one. They will try to “convert” you i must say. They are so in love with their path, they want to share it with you, i understand that. You will be immersed in hindu traditions and rituals and will have to show respect to the deities. Some people freaked out and left, others like me understood that anyway religions are all the same and that if the love for what is sacred is there, than we speak the same language. I loved discovering this culture and religion, but im very open to asia… remember my words, the love is there, open up to it…but dont get brainwashed as well.ask yourself do I agree with this, take what is useful with you and leave behind what you find is too “fundamentalist”.
Have fun work hard and welcome to the wonderful world of yoga teaching!
ps and no, you dont have to know how to do the headstand to pass the exam, but try it, its not really that hard after all!..same goes for the scorpio 
Rita G.
Thank you both for your responses. I find this dialogue very useful and love all the excursion suggestions!! I haven’t taken an official Sivananda class but have taken other yoga classes by a handful of teachers that got their TTC from there. I am very open to learning the traditional style of Sivananda, Indian culture, Hinduism, chanting and meditation. I know enough about Sivananda style that I think that I will really benefit from the traditional style and living in an Ashram but I will likely not teach it and will incorporate more vinyasa into my classes to appeal to the Westerner. Rita how has it worked out for you, do you teach Sivananda or a variation?
Headstand is no problem for me without a wall, but Scorpio I haven’t tried yet. Since meditation pillows are almost 50euros here in Europe, I was thinking about getting one there, is this is a good idea or not?
Did either of you visit Mumbai or Delhi, other than the airport of course? My husband thinks I should go there for 2 days. But I’m scared of such a big congested city, it is not like NYC where I feel very comfortable. I will probably do Tanguerita’s suggestions. Thanks!
I’ve been to Mumbai a couple of times. The first time I went there by myself - and it was overwhelming! Even though by that stage I had spent two months in India (I was working in Bangalore and travelling through South India), Mumbai was too full on. The traffic, the pollution, the slums, the people who hassle you non-stop… I couldn’t wait to get out of there. I felt unsafe and out of place.
The second time my friend and I were staying at our local friend’s place, and it was much better. He and his mum showed us around, we saw some major landmarks - Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves etc., went out to some trendy places. But none of it was enough to really want to go back. So many other places in India are much more beautiful, memorable and welcoming.
Hi Rita,
I am taking the course early next year. I 've read some negative feedback about the food and the acco. (I am taking a twin share room). Could you give me some feedback on the food ? Also I ma a bit older (50+) so my body takes an hour or so in the morning to loosen up. ( After that it is fairly flexible.) Would that be a problem ? Any other feedback would be welcome.
Ravi
Sivananda is a great school but a very traditional one.
Hi Ravi
The food is based on traditional southern cuisine, a lot of vegetables dal etc etc, a bit too liquid sometimes, and it can get a bit repetitive…i managed to be ok with it because at some point you get used to this simple food, you understand it as part of the “program”, you eat whats essential for your pratice and your body and you put aside the “pleasure” of eating…
The beds are not fancy at all, the mattress is even a bit hard, and the fact that you only have 1 set of sheets is a bit stressing, you have to wash them early leave them to dry and make your bed on the same day…maybe take a 2nd set of sheets with you…
i had colleagues that were about your age and they were ok…but i dont really know if you are used to doing a lot of yoga, if you’re ready for such an intense program…it is intense just be prepared for it…it is not a yoga holiday thing, its really a lot of info to digest, a lot of physical practice, a lot of discipline, management of your skills and strengths (and weaknesses)… so really think twice before you do it, the ttc is demanding…all the best to you ravi and let me know if you need any help
Thanks for the response Rita. I have been practicing yoga for several years , so I dont think the course should be an issue. I have joined up because I wanted a formal qualification.
Trust you are having a good time teaching Yoga now.
Ravi
yep im loving every minute of it, i’m now on my second year and already became a pilates teacher and yoga teacher trainer in the process! So as you will see one door will lead to other doors, learning is endless, and sharing things with your students will always be different…put love and respect into your practice and all will come in place!..
enjoy your ttc and have a big nice swim in the lake for me…i would float and sing ella fitzgerald it was a great! all the best in all your endeavours ravi
Have done two TTC’s both in Kerala. 1st at Sivananda and the 2nd one at Tulasidalam. I will say it was a correct choice as Sivananda ttc is the primary level and the one at Tulasidalam is fine advanced level for personal practice.
Rita,
You SWAM in the river ? It’s full of crocodiles !!
Ravi
yes ravi the croco story is true but they dont actually come near our river bank, its protected by the gurus hehehe…no its just the noise and smell of humans that scares them…anyway they prefer eating bio food, tasty birds and fishes and such… humans must taste strange! hehehe all the best ravi
Can really recommend Sivananda TTC. I just finished in Madurai. Amazing and very comprehensive course. ofcourse one month is only the tip of the iceberg but i do feel it is enough to get us started, one ounce of practice being worth a tonne of theory!
Dont think 3 days is really long enough to assess whether it’s a good place or not… even on yoga vacation i feel it takes me atleast 5 days to settle in. I have always found Sivananda teachers very approachable in 4 visits to both neyyar dam and madurai. Highly recommend the experience to anyone but do allow yourself time to adjust, bearing in mind the ego/mind usually puts up resistance initially. OM
Ah Yes, Rita,
You know that and I know that , but wonder if any one explained it to thr crocs ? 
[QUOTE=ritagonc;43416]…anyway they prefer eating bio food, tasty birds and fishes and such… humans must taste strange! hehehe all the best ravi[/QUOTE]
How is it doing the Yoga teacher training in a crowd of 100 or more participants?How much personal attention on each students personal progress getting ready to be a yoga instructor? Have a booking in for the January TTC but now also checking my options trying to see if there are any openings available at Tulasidalam, also in kerala, came to know about it late.
seems to be fine with 100 or more people. i too was a little concerned initially about numbers but there are so many teachers and they are of such a high standard i felt everyone got personal attention if they required it. I don’t feel like i missed out on anything in such a big group. With up to 3 hours of chanting each day those sort of numbers make for an amazing energy!:razz: Some of the best yoga teachers ive come across were taught in groups of more than 100.
[QUOTE=jenbc;41692]Did either of you visit Mumbai or Delhi, other than the airport of course? My husband thinks I should go there for 2 days. But I’m scared of such a big congested city, it is not like NYC where I feel very comfortable.[/QUOTE]
Both cities are very different. Your experience of any place will always depend on your mindset and perception. Mumbai for me was a very humbling experience and there are many beautiful landmarks. Delhi was less hectic but I spent less time there as it was my base for visiting the Taj.
I read Shantaram and I could not resist going to Mumbai (clich? i know!), I did not regret going, but then I would rather go to a third world country than America! 
I worked in an ashram where they practice sivananda yoga and i was well impressed by the students there and what they applied in their daily routine and practice. i think everyones experience depends on the frame of mind they are in at the time and even working in the same place twice can be a totally unique experience. i was painting chants and making signs for the ashram grounds and i got really wrapped up in it all was my first time in an ashram too