Best Yoga Teacher in India: Top Instructors and How to Find Them

Yoga is India’s greatest gift to the world and is rooted in culture, tradition, and history. People all over the world look for the ancient wisdom that our scriptures provide and they believe only the best yoga teacher in India can decipher them appropriately.

Yoga is not just about physical postures; it’s a balance of body and mind. This balance makes it essential for a teacher’s guidance to be clear, practical, and adaptable to each student’s needs. 

A good teacher knows when to push the limits of the students and when to pull back. This way the students can get out of their comfort zone and also improve their capacity.

The best yoga teachers share their knowledge and expertise to elevate their students and help them experience yoga in all aspects of life.

In this post, we’ll introduce you to some of India’s top yoga teachers, and know more about their background, achievements and what makes their teaching special.

Baba Ramdev

Popular Indian Yoga Guru 

Biography

Baba Ramdev was born as Ram Kisan Yadav to Smt. Gulab Dei and Shri Ram Niwas in a village in Haryana. After unwillingly attending the traditional school for a few years, he was admitted to the Gurukul at Kalwa, Haryana at the age of 14. There he studied Sanskrit and Yoga.

Under the guidance of Acharya Shri Baldevji, he earned a postgraduate, Acharya degree with a specialization in Sanskrit Vyakrana, Yoga, Darshana, Vedas, and Upanishads. 

From an early age, he was committed to yoga and vowed celibacy and asceticism. In deep meditation, he had a clear vision of the work to be done by him.

Since then he has been committed to the propagation of Yoga and Ayurveda and engages in social, political, and economic reformation of India. His vision has taken the form of unforgettable names in the Yoga and Ayurveda industry:

Patanjali Ayurveda 

Baba Ramdev laid the foundation of Patanjali Ayurveda in 2006 with Acharya Balkrishna, his classmate and a man with equal vision and mission. The company offers products across different categories like personal care, food and beverages, health supplements, natural medicines, home care and wellness products.

Having the vision to revive India’s traditional Ayurvedic wisdom and make natural products accessible and affordable to everyone, Patanjali Ayurveda has become one of the leading FMCG companies of India with a strong presence in India and international markets.

Patanjali Yogpeeth

This institute was started to promote the practice of Yoga and Ayurveda. It has two campuses in India: Haridwar and Uttarakhand. Patanjali Yogpeeth also has an international presence in the UK, US, Nepal, Canada, and Mauritius.

Divya Yoga Pharmacy

It was established in 2012 at Haridwar for promotion of authentic Ayurvedic medicines. 

Philosophy

Baba Ramdev was deeply inspired and influenced by the life and teachings of Maharshi Dayanand. He has studied Satyarth Prakash and Rigvedadibhashyabhumika thoroughly.

Achievements

• He received many awards like the Mahamahopadhyaya title from Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, the Sri Chandrasekharendra National Eminence Award, and the Tarun Kranti Award.
• He popularized yoga through the medium of television among the masses. His show ‘Om Yog Sadhana’ has been viewed by an estimated 85 million people. 
• Socially, he is an active voice against growing corruption. 
• He received an honorary doctorate from the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneshwar.
• The government of Haryana appointed Baba Ramdev as a brand ambassador of Yoga and Ayurveda.
• The Legislative of New Jersey honored him for his commitment to improving the health and well-being of people from all social backgrounds.
• In May 2016, the American business magazine, Fast Company, ranked him 27th in its Most Creative Business People of 2016.
• In 2017, India Today ranked him 5th in the list of India’s 50 Most Powerful People of 2017.
• Baba Ramdev’s wax figure was unveiled in 2024 in Madam Tussauds New York in recognition of his contributions to the yoga and wellness field.

Dr. Hansaji Yogendra

Director, The Yoga Institute, Mumbai; Life coach; Motivational speaker

Dr Hansaji Yogendra is the only lady who stands tall as a remarkable Indian yoga teacher.  She is the epitome of simplicity and humility with immense work in the yogic field.

Biography

Born in 1947 in Indore, her life changed after her marriage to the President of The Yoga Institute, the oldest yoga institute in India, Dr Jayadeva Yogendra.

Specialization

She has brought constructive changes in the massive work done by the institute for five decades. Her work in spreading yoga education in women’s lives is outstanding. She expanded the ladies’ wing and started more classes for women, pregnancy, ante-natal, post-natal camps, and menopause women’s camps. Due to her exceptional contribution to society, she is considered as the best yoga instructor in India.

Unique Selling Point

She uses simple language to give real-life examples to convey yoga philosophy to a larger audience. She teaches in English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati.

Achievements

Today Dr Hansaji is the Director of The Yoga Institute, life coach, and motivational speaker and is well known in the international yoga fraternity. Her excellent oratory skills and yoga knowledge made The Yoga Institute famous nationally and internationally.

She was the anchor of the popular TV series ‘Yoga for Better Living’ which was telecasted in 1980 on DD National Channel. She has also anchored ‘Yoga Sutra’ in a program telecasted on ZEE TV across the globe in 162 countries.

She has given lectures and conducted many seminars across the globe on yoga and well-being. She has also inaugurated many yoga centers in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Kunchaman, Mumbai, and Rajasthan- all run by The Yoga Institute trained teachers.

Awards

• Dr Hansaji is the only lady yoga guru to share the stage with the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji at the ‘First International Yoga Day’ (21st June 2015- New Delhi)
• She has written over 100 books on yoga
• She was selected as “Woman of the Year” in 2000 by the American Biographical Institute, USA
• Awarded by The International Association of Yoga Therapists with a special award for her pioneering work in Therapeutic benefits of Yoga, Yoga Education and Research in 2011
• Elected as the Vice President of the Indian Yoga Association and is also in charge of its Accreditation committee
• Awarded “Yoga Tapaswini” at ‘Pune International Yoga Week’
• Awarded by the Rotary Club of Bombay with a ‘Citation and Appreciation Award’ on 17th June 2015
• The Yoga Institute is the first QCI (Quality Control of India) certified yoga teacher training school in India
• The Yoga Institute received the Prime Minister’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Promotion and Development of Yoga on International Day of Yoga 2018

Along with all the awards Dr Hansa has, she is standing with her head held high with her beautiful smile, vast knowledge, soft face, and folded hands every time she speaks. This is the biggest blessing to all her fans, students, and listeners.

Yogi Tara Dutt

Founder, Gyan Yoga Path Yogashala, Rishikesh; Lead Trainer at Siddhi Yoga

Qualifications

• E-RYT 500 Yoga Alliance USA
• BA Sanskrit, Sanskrit University Haridwar
• MA Sanskrit, Sanskrit University Haridwar
• Master’s in Yogic Science and Vedic Philosophy, Sanskrit University Haridwar

Yogi Tara Dutt is the perfect example of “Samatvam Yoga Uchyate” (Yoga is balance) where yoga has penetrated the subtle body and has made the body and mind sharper.

You’ll definitely experience the power of Yoga with Yogi Tara Dutt. One of the best Yoga teachers of modern India, Yogi Tara Dutt has carved a niche for himself.

Background

His yoga passion got a chance to bloom when he started teaching at Nada Yoga School after his first teacher training. Then his learning of the subject never stopped as he completed multiple degrees and certifications.

Specialization

He has 12+ years of teaching experience. He is an expert in Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Power Yoga, Sanskrit mantra chanting, Meditation, Pranayama, Chair Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Therapeutic Yoga and wellness.

He has balanced his yoga teaching with a perfect mix of online and offline classes. Siddhi Yoga is happy to have him on board. He is one of our most popular teachers.

Achievements

He founded Gyan Yoga Path Yogashala at Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. He gives students a deeper understanding of Yoga by combining traditional theory and his own experience.

Philosophy

According to Yogi Tara Dutt, success is when his yoga knowledge and experience are passed on to the students and it brings a transformation in their lives. He lives to spread peace, love, happiness, and health to all.

Check Out Courses Led by Yogi Tara Dutt

Yogi Tara Dutt leads various yoga training courses at Siddhi Yoga. Whether you want to learn Hatha Yoga, or are more interested in the foundational 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Hindi, you will find everything explained uniquely and in simpler language.

Saurabh Bothra

Co-founder Habuild

Qualifications and certifications

• Yoga Instructor Certification, Level 3, YCB
• B. Tech Mechanical Engineering, IIT BHU, Varanasi

Youngblood in the yoga field, Saurabh Bothra has made a big impact in a short time. He is a government-certified yoga teacher with 18000+ hours of teaching under his belt.

Background

He has always been a fitness enthusiast and a health buff. While Saurabh was doing his B.Tech, he started a “Satvic mess” to promote healthy eating habits among the students.

He uses technology to the fullest to build healthy habits for his students. Online classes, water reminders after regular intervals, and daily motivational quotes to students to get up and practice yoga are some examples of how he makes health simple through technology.

Based in central India at Nagpur, Maharashtra, he connected every part of the country and the world through his YouTube classes and videos.

Achievements

He started a 21-day online yoga challenge in January 2024, in which 4.5 lakh yoga enthusiasts from 92 countries participated. On 12th January, he made a Guinness World Record with 246252 people participating in his session, the highest number of viewers in a single session. He conducts multiple yoga and meditation sessions and due to their positive impacts, his followers crown him as the best yoga teacher in India.

Philosophy

Saurabh believes that the quality of our habits decides the quality of our life. Hence Habuild was born which is all about habit building. He says “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey”. At Habuild, they focus on the process not the outcome and one core habit: exercise.

Unique Selling Point

In his daily sessions, he combines traditional yoga asanas with dynamic movements to make them accessible to all generations. He takes different exercises to target every muscle group in a week and improves the overall health of his students.

Yogi Sandeep Solanki

Lead Trainer at Siddhi Yoga

Qualifications and certifications

• E-RYT 500 Yoga Alliance USA
• Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Yoga from Kaivalyadham
• BA in Yogashastra from KJ Somaiyya College, Mumbai
• YCB (Yoga Certification Board Level 3)
• National Entrance Test (NET) for Assistant Professor
• International Teacher Training Course from Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanvantari
• Yoga Professional examiner for YCB
• Advanced course in acupressure
• Gold Gym- personal trainer
• Thai Yoga Body Workout- The Sunshine Network
• MA in Philosophy from Mumbai University
• Pursuing a Doctorate in Yoga from Mumbai University

Background

Born in Mumbai, Yogi Sandeep is an urban yoga practitioner and trainer. He has been practicing yoga since 1999. When he felt the need to study yoga from a scientific perspective to achieve optimal health, he enrolled for Advanced Diploma in Yoga Education from Ishwardas Chunilal Yogic Health Centre (ICYHC).

Specialization

He specializes in Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Yin Yoga, Pranayama, Mindfulness, Meditation, Yoga philosophy, Mudras and Chair Yoga.

Achievements

Sandeep Solanki is a dedicated teacher at Siddhi Yoga with extensive experience in the field.

He is a Lead Trainer for various courses like Mudras Certification Course, Yogic Kriyas Certification for Hygiene of Senses, Mindfulness Teacher Training, Chair Yoga Teacher Training, Chair Yoga for Seniors, and Chair Yoga for the Corporates.

Due to his vast knowledge and unique teaching techniques, his disciples consider him as the best yoga instructor in India.

Philosophy

He is a lifelong learner. As he goes deeper into his yogic studies, he finds that yoga is much beyond the physical practice. It’s a way of life to become a better person.

He believes that yoga teaching creates a community of friendship and learning. It creates a space where those around him can open their hearts to laugh, cry, and love. He believes every teacher is a friend, philosopher, and guide.

Yoga is Sandeep’s passion and a medicine for all diseases. He sees it as a tool to connect the community.

Check Out Courses Led by Yogi Sandeep Solanki

Yogi Sandeep Solanki leads various yoga training courses at Siddhi Yoga. Whether you want to learn Yoga Mudras, want to enroll into a Recognized Chair Yoga Certification Course, or are looking to explore Mindfulness Yoga, you check out the uniquely crafted courses led by Yogi Sandeep.

Yogi Varun Anand

Hatha Yoga practitioner and preacher

Yogi Varun Anand is one of the very few yoga practitioners, who find the solutions to modern-day issues in yoga.

He wants to share the forgotten basic knowledge of Hatha Yoga as described in the scriptures so that everyone can benefit from it. He believes Hatha Yoga is not only for physical and mental well-being but is also a powerful spiritual practice to develop consciousness.

Background

Yogi Varun Anand started practicing yoga at a very young age. He worked for years with Jagriti Shankhanaad Trust and Sanatan Yoga and helped thousands of people to stay healthy.

Achievements

He has reached out to multiple audiences through YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, post pandemic, just like many other yoga teachers. He has 119K followers on Instagram, a big number for a person from a small town. His videos offering holistic solutions to different problems and ailments are a hit among his fans.

Apart from that, he also has a Hindi blog where he writes on different topics to motivate and answer people’s queries. He also organizes camps and satsang programs at different places, due to which his followers consider him as the best yoga teacher in India. 

He shares daily updates, tips, and practices through the Yogi Varun Anand App.

Philosophy

He believes that the real aim of yoga is to complete a human life and give them physical and mental well-being. Therefore, he started his YouTube channel to give spiritual and health-related advice to the common man.

Unique Selling Point

All his content whether it’s Instagram, YouTube, or Facebook is for the Hindi-speaking audience and clearly defines its scope. For anyone looking for solutions to their health problems, Yogi Varun Anand is the best guide to give permanent scriptural solutions.

Dr Manoj Yogacharya

A Popular Online Yoga Teacher, India

Biography

Born in Mumbai, Dr Manoj Yogacharya now teaches yoga at Churu, Rajasthan. He learned yoga and meditation at a very young age and started teaching yoga at the age of 30. He is a physicist and a yoga educator, who teaches yoga with his knowledge and talent.

Specialization

He is an expert in therapeutic yoga for weight loss and mental and physical wellness. He has helped thousands of people to overcome mental and physical problems.

Achievements

Located in a village in Rajasthan, he is one of the most popular Indian yoga teachers. He has reached multiple audiences through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. On Instagram, he has 601K followers, who consider him as the best yoga teacher in India.

He also started Trinetra TV to broadcast his yoga classes.

Philosophy

Dr Manoj Yogacharya’s teachings are based on traditional Ayurveda and Yogic knowledge.

Unique Selling Point

He teaches to the masses at minimum cost and even for free. He charges Rs 399 per month and teaches yoga and meditation for free on social media.

If physical and mental well-being is your priority and paying hefty fees is a problem, then search no more, Dr. Manoj Yogacharya is the yoga teacher of the masses!

Amit Namdev

A young and dynamic yoga teacher with multiple certifications

Amit Namdev is another young name in the yoga world. If you want to experience holistic healing, Yoga with Amit is the one. With his experience in Reiki and NLP, his teaching style includes all the knowledge resulting in holistic development of his students.

Certifications

• Reiki Certified from Usui Shiki Ryoho
• Diploma in Yoga and Naturopathy DYN from the Indian Council for Research in Yoga
• Yoga Siromani, Yoga Teacher from International Shivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
• Yoga Acharya, Master of Yoga from International Shivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
• Fit India Ambassador
• Certified Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming from David J Lincoln International, London UK
• NLP Master Practitioner from the International Association of NLP-Institutes (IN)
• Basic Course in Integrated Clinical Hypnosis from California Hypnosis Institute of India
• Guide to creating a Hypnotherapy stop-smoking practice from the International Certification Board of Clinical Hypnotherapy
• Ericksonian Hypnosis from the International Certification Board of Clinical Hypnotherapy

Background

Amit Namdev has been teaching yoga since 2004. His journey started in Rishikesh. He then established a yoga school in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, India. Now he is running a yoga school in Hanoi, Vietnam.

He conducts multiple types of yoga classes- private yoga classes, group classes, breath work, and online classes on Google Meet or Facetime. He also takes seminars and lectures for a group, team, or professional staff.

Unique Selling Point

He has a strong social media presence on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. He also has an app for his followers. He posts therapeutic videos regularly for the benefit of the viewers. Amit Namdev has a Hindi website for his Hindi-speaking audience.

Yoga with Amit is the best if you want to learn yoga for therapeutic purposes. In the yoga world, Amit has updated himself with Indian, Chinese, and multiple other traditional therapy courses to offer the best to his students.

Things to consider while choosing the best yoga teacher in India

Qualifications and Certifications

The qualifications and certifications of your yoga teachers do matter, if you want quality learning. Good certified yoga teaching courses teach students about the way of teaching yoga properly. They cover yoga for specific problems and ailments making their teaching more effective.

Specialization

Not all equally qualified teachers specialize in the same type of yoga. They have their own method developed by self-study, experience, or influenced by their Gurus, which need to be known beforehand.

Location and medium of teaching

If you want physical classes, obviously the location of the teacher matters. Otherwise, you have to consider which online medium the teacher uses and your comfort level for the same.

Experience

Experience in terms of a number of students the teacher has taught to date does matter. The more the number, the more experience the teacher gathers to handle different types of students and their problems over time.

Online presence

In today’s digital age, most teachers have an online presence. You can check their teaching style, experience, qualifications, student reviews and credibility there.

The Bottom Line

With so many yoga schools and practices around it’s time to differentiate between average and best yoga teachers in India. One small mistake can harm your mind and body in the long run.

A good yoga teacher will always give yogic instructions with full awareness because he knows the importance of small mistakes. He gets this awareness from his effective practice which he masters first.

So read, think, evaluate, and then enroll with the best yoga teacher in India.

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