Preparing for your stay in India
BECAUSE YOGA STARTS THE MOMENT YOU DECIDE TO COME.
India isn't just where yoga began but where it still breathes differently. It's not polished or predictable. But it will teach you more than any manual. The experience starts before you even land.
If you're heading to India for a yoga course, especially your first one, know this: how you prepare will shape how deeply you're able to receive. This guide doesn't just cover what to pack or which vaccine to take;
it's about how to prepare your system, your senses, and your expectations for the ride ahead.
Health prep: vaccines, insurance, and common sense
Before you pack your bags, take a moment to check in with your health, not just how you feel now, but how your body might respond to a new climate, cuisine, and rhythm.
We recommend consulting your local travel clinic or healthcare provider at least four to six weeks prior to departure. They'll guide you based on your personal history and your specific travel route.
Common vaccinations travelers ask about:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus
- Typhoid
- Japanese Encephalitis (for long-term rural travel)
especially if your training takes you to a rural area. In some regions, it may be difficult for travelers to access the first dose quickly after exposure.
Other important health prep:
Get travel insurance
that covers emergency care, yoga-related injuries, and travel delays.
Bring a personal health kit
with any prescribed medication, probiotics, anti-allergy pills, and rehydration salts.
Arrive well-rested, well-fed, and hydrated
Your body will thank you when adjusting to a new pace, food system, and climate.
Beyond vaccines, focus on:
Gut prep
Start taking a probiotic daily 1–2 months before departure
Hydration
Travel can dehydrate your body and disrupt digestion
Sleep
Arrive rested. India is not where you want to land jet lagged and depleted.
Travel insurance
Get it. Make sure it covers trip interruption, medical care, and potential activity-related injuries
Packing with intention (and without overthinking)
You will need a way to feel grounded in a simple, often unpredictable environment.
What to pack: the functional edit
Yoga wear
- 3–4 sets of breathable clothes you can practice and sweat in
- Loose cotton pants and longer tunics if you want to dress more locally
- A modest swimsuit (for beachside locations like Goa or Kerala)
Everyday wear
- Tops that cover shoulders and chest
- Loose bottoms that cover knees (dresses, skirts, pants, your call)
- A scarf or shawl (essential for temples, chilly rooms, or mid-day sun)
- Flip-flops or sandals
- One closed shoe (for city days or hikes)
Gear
- Your own yoga mat (see note below)
- A small towel for practice (especially if you are in a humid place)
- Notebook and pen for philosophy, journaling, or what your teacher says when the lights go out
Toiletries and wellness
- Menstrual care (your preferred products may not be available locally)
- Natural bug repellent
- Sunscreen
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
- Rehydration salts (ORS)
- Probiotics and basic medication: anti-diarrheal, motion sickness, antihistamines
Documents
- Passport (valid for 6 months post-departure)
- Tourist visa (or student visa, if applicable)
- Photocopies and digital scans of ID, visa, and insurance
- 4–6 passport photos (yes, you'll still need these in some Indian admin offices)
About your yoga mat:
Yes, many schools provide mats — but they're often shared, well-used, or worn thin. Beyond hygiene, there's an energetic dimension to this: your mat becomes your space. It holds your breath, your intention, your transformation. The practice gets deeper when your body recognizes the ground beneath it. Bring a mat that feels like yours, even if it's not fancy. It's not about aesthetics. It's about connection.You don't need to bring your life: India has what you need
What you can buy (or replace) locally:
- Yoga clothing made from natural, breathable fabrics
- Lightweight scarves, shawls, and tunics
- Ayurvedic toiletries and skincare
- Herbal teas and adaptogens
- Incense, mala beads, and altar items
- Notebooks, pens, and journals (many schools sell these on-site)
- Reusable water bottles, tiffins, or cups
- Organic snacks, spices, and supplements
Markets in cities like Rishikesh, Dharamshala, and Goa cater to travelers and seekers, but you'll also find incredible local artisans and small businesses off the beaten path. Buying local doesn't just lighten your luggage. It supports the community that's hosting you. It's an invitation to step out of the Amazon mindset and into a slower, more mindful way of being.
Tip: Leave space in your bag. You'll want to bring a few things home, and not just souvenirs.
What you think India will be like, and what it actually is
Expectation
You'll meditate at sunrise by the Ganges and feel instantly transformed.Reality
You might meditate at sunrise by the Ganges. But first, you'll probably fight your jet lag, bargain for a SIM card, drink bad chai, and spend a day getting your stomach used to the local food.Expectation
The ashram will be simple but beautiful.Reality
It may be simple. It may be beautiful. It may also have cold showers, geckos in the bathroom, and occasional Wi-Fi blackouts.Expectation
Yoga will heal everything.Reality
Yoga will show you everything. The healing is up to you.
What we're saying is this: arrive without a script. Bring curiosity, flexibility, and the willingness to sit with moments that challenge you. India doesn't ask you to be perfect. It asks you to show up real.
Food and hygiene: eat with care, live with ease
YOUR GUT IS YOUR BEST FRIEND IN INDIA, TREAT IT WITH RESPECT.
Most schools offer satvik meals: vegetarian, mildly spiced, and easy on the body. However, outside the school, you'll have options (and temptations) everywhere.
Food safety basics:
- Only drink bottled or filtered water
- Avoid ice in roadside cafés
- Skip raw vegetables unless you're sure they've been washed in clean water
- Choose busy street food stalls over empty ones
- Don't overdo it on spice if your system isn't used to
- Wash your hands often, but don't become obsessed with being sterile
Tip:
You may want to avoid dairy for a few days post-arrival. Some people need time to adjust to local milk (which is often unpasteurized or buffalo-based).
Cultural sensitivity is safety, too
You’re not just coming to train. You’re entering a country that holds yoga as both sacred and personal. That doesn’t mean you need to walk on eggshells, but it does mean you should walk with awareness.
Essential principles that go a long way
Dress modestly, especially in temples or village areas
Cover shoulders and knees when visiting sacred spaces. Loose, breathable clothing works best in the climate and shows respect for local customs.
Ask before taking photos of people or ceremonies
Many spiritual practices and local customs are deeply personal. Asking before you take a photo shows respect and often leads to more meaningful connections.
Public displays of affection are generally frowned upon
Keep intimate moments private. Hand-holding might be acceptable in tourist areas, but err on the side of discretion.
Don’t enter temples or yoga spaces with shoes
Sacred spaces require bare feet or socks. Look for shoe racks and follow the lead of locals.
Avoid pointing your feet at people or altars
Feet are considered the lowest and least clean part of the body. Sit cross-legged where possible and avoid pointing them toward sacred objects.
Tip fairly, especially at guesthouses, cafés, or for services like laundry
10–15% is customary in restaurants. Small tips to service workers make a meaningful difference.
Learn a few local words
A simple 'namaste' or 'namaskar' goes a long way when spoken with respect. 'Dhanyawad' (thank you) and 'maaf kijiye' (excuse me) are also appreciated.
Managing your mind: the real preparation
The biggest mistake most people make? Preparing only their bag and not their mindset.
In India, things don't go as planned. Schedules change. Power cuts happen. You might feel overwhelmed. You might cry without knowing why. You might want to leave or never leave at all (a true story of our founder, who literally never left).
Here's what helps:
- Create space, not agendas. Don’t plan every minute. Let India shape you.
- Don’t expect comfort. Expect meaning
- Bring presence over perfection. You will forget things. You will get lost. You will also find yourself in ways no guidebook can describe.
- Don’t compare your journey. Some people fall in love with India at first sight. Others take weeks to settle in. Both are valid
You're not coming to India to escape your life. You're coming to remember something deeper than your routine. And India (chaotic, wise, contradictory) will remind you — often in the places and ways you least expect. So yes, book the ticket. Get the shots. Pack the scarf.
But more than anything, be prepared to let go.
Need clarity? We're here.
If you're feeling overwhelmed or want to make sure you're not forgetting anything, you are not alone. Preparing for a yoga course in India raises questions most search engines can't quite answer.
Whether it's about packing, school expectations, choosing the right SIM card, or what to do when you land at 3 AM in Delhi, we've either lived it or know someone who has. Reach out. We'll give you a real response, not a generic auto-reply.
Whether it's about packing, school expectations, choosing the right SIM card, or what to do when you land at 3 AM in Delhi, we've either lived it or know someone who has. Reach out. We'll give you a real response, not a generic auto-reply.
