A Journey of Transformation: My 300-Hour Teacher Training in Rishikesh with Talia Sutra and LAAIC

Graduation day

From April 2nd to the 22nd, I had the immense privilege of joining a 300-hour yoga teacher training in the sacred town of Rishikesh, India, right at the foothills of the Himalaya. Guided by the luminous Talia Sutra and held in a group of 54 diverse and inspiring fellow trainees, this experience became far more than a certification—it was a true journey inward.

We began our training with a traditional puja ceremony, marking the start of a process that would unfold over three intensive, beautiful weeks. Each day began early with a 5:45 AM silent meditation—just 30 minutes, but immensely grounding. It set the tone for what followed: two hours of asana practice, followed by long and disciplined days of study, reflection, and deep immersion in the teachings of yoga.

Our curriculum was both wide and profound. We studied the Yoga Sutras (which we also learnt to chant), yogic philosophy, asana alignment, shatkarmas (cleansing practices), the energetic body systems, and in several occasions we chanted kirtan with open and joyful hearts. This was not just physical training—it was a chance to meet ourselves and each other with clarity, compassion, and courage.

One of the most powerful practices we held was a nightly silence, from 9:30 PM until the end of our morning practice. This space of quiet was not enforced as a restriction but welcomed as a gift. After spending full days immersed in community, conversation, and absorbing immense amounts of information, silence offered us the chance to wind down, digest, and reconnect inward.

For me, this time became a safe space. I developed a habit of sitting just outside the bungalow I shared with Baru, under the stars and with river view, journaling about the day. I wrote down anything the practice and the day had brought up—emotions, insights, shifts, and questions. Over time, my pages filled with reflections on deconstructing my own walls, the difficulty and beauty of sharing and receiving in such a diverse group, and my personal process of learning to use my strength not to protect myself or close, but to open. There was vulnerability. There was growth. There was my own truth.

On the night before our exams, we held a simple but incredibly moving affirmation ceremony. Each of us walked slowly and silently between two lines of peers, our eyes closed, as they whispered supportive affirmations and words of appreciation. It was intimate, emotional, and set a powerful tone for our exams. Though the exams were challenging, they were filled with kindness and collective energy.

The final graduation ceremony was both joyful and poignant. We stood together not just as trained teachers, but as transformed individuals—each of us having travelled our own path, yet arriving in unity. It was the culmination of something far deeper than just study—it was connection, to ourselves and to something greater.

After the training, I had the chance to stay on in Rishikesh a few days longer with some of my peers. Exploring the town—the Ganges, the markets, the temples—with those who had become a bit like family was the perfect way to integrate everything that had taken place. I carry beautiful memories from those days, a feeling of freedom, shared laughter, and peace.

Since returning, I felt more inspired than ever to continue learning and teaching. These days I’ve begun deepening my study of pranayama with Deepak, one of our guest teachers whose presence and wisdom truly resonated with me. And I’m currently in the process of creating content for my platform—sharing the insights, practices, and teachings that have shaped me.

This training was a turning point—a humbling and powerful experience I’ll carry forward into my life and teaching. I’m endlessly grateful to Talia, to every teacher and peer, and to Rishikesh itself for holding such an immense space for transformation.

Kirtan party

Our shared daily asana practice