6 Best Locations for Yoga Teacher Training in 2025

Choosing the right place to take your yoga teacher training matters more than you might think. The setting, energy, and support system you’re surrounded by can either deepen your yoga experience—or distract from it.

That’s why finding the best locations for yoga teacher training is just as important as picking the right school or style.

This list covers 6 highly recommended destination yoga teacher training options that offer a mix of quality programs, immersive environments, and supportive yoga communities.

1. Bali

Bali is one of the most sought-after locations for yoga teacher training courses because it naturally supports inner reflection and growth. The island’s spiritual culture blends beautifully with its lush landscapes and thriving wellness scene, making it easy to drop into a consistent yoga practice and focused learning.

Ubud is Bali’s cultural and yoga heart, offering jungle settings, sacred temples, and vibrant community spaces. While Nusa Lembongan offers you a quieter, slower pace with open-air shalas facing the sea which is ideal for students who want peace, movement, and daily routine in sync.

Top recommended yoga schools:

• All Yoga Training (Nusa Lembongan): Focused on Ashtanga Vinyasa and Rocket Yoga with beachfront classes and small group sizes, ideal for students seeking an authentic yoga immersion and hands-on Bali yoga teacher training experience.
• Zuna Yoga (Ubud): Known for deep breathwork, meditation, and well-structured modules that enhance both your yoga practice and your confidence as a future yoga instructor.
• Yoga Barn (Ubud): A larger center offering a variety of yoga courses and ongoing community events for all levels of yoga experience.

2. Thailand

Thailand is ideal if you want to slow down, focus, and train in a relaxed but structured environment. Known for its calm islands, welcoming locals, and balance of tradition and modern living, it’s also one of the most accessible locations for yoga teacher training programs in Southeast Asia.

Koh Phangan, especially the Sri Thanu area, has become a yoga haven with shalas built in nature, close to beaches, and surrounded by healthy cafés. Phuket and Koh Samui offer a bit more comfort and infrastructure, while still providing great programs by the sea.

Top recommended schools:

• All Yoga Thailand (Phuket): Small and intensive group yoga teacher training in Thailand programs in beachfront shalas with a hands-on teaching focus.
• Samma Karuna (Koh Phangan): A mix of yoga, healing, and conscious community.
• Vikasa Yoga (Koh Samui): Strong on lifestyle transformation with panoramic ocean views.

3. India

India is where yoga began ‘the birthplace of yoga’, and that presence is felt in every class, temple, and street chant. If you’re serious about diving into the roots of yoga—its philosophy, ethics, and lineage—it’s hard to find a better place for yoga teacher training in India or to explore how to teach yoga with depth and authenticity.

Rishikesh offers a spiritual backdrop with views of the Ganges and dozens of ashrams and certified yoga schools. Mysore is all about structure and ashtanga yoga practice, while Goa gives you the option to train with a traditional foundation in a relaxed, coastal setting—perfect for those seeking an affordable yoga teacher training experience.

Top recommended schools:

• All Yoga Training (Mysore): Offers a modern yet grounded yoga program in a serene setting near the beach, combining strong technical training with personal development for those who want to become a yoga teacher.
• Himalayan Yoga Association (Rishikesh): A mix of traditional teaching and modern anatomy in a peaceful, riverside environment—ideal for a well-rounded yoga teacher training in Rishikesh.
• Samyak Yoga (Mysore): Deeply rooted in yogic tradition with a professional, structured curriculum focused on ashtanga yoga and yoga teaching methodology.
• Kranti Yoga (Goa): Great if you want solid vinyasa yoga-based training steps away from the sea and a clear path to certified yoga instruction.

4. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the top destinations for yoga teacher training abroad – Central America if you’re looking for immersion in nature and a focus on wellness. Its lush rainforests, clean beaches, and commitment to sustainability make it a powerful place to practice yoga while preparing to teach yoga in a mindful, grounded way.

You’ll find most training in quiet beach towns like Santa Teresa or Nosara, or in jungle retreats where monkeys, waves, and birds become part of your daily soundscape. Many schools combine yoga with plant-based nutrition, mindful living, and outdoor practices.

Top recommended schools:

• Blue Osa (Osa Peninsula): Offers intimate programs with limited spots and a remote, distraction-free setting, perfect for a focused yoga program.
• Vida Asana (Puntarenas): Community-oriented and welcoming with daily rituals and healthy meals.
• Nosara Yoga Institute (Nosara): Well-known for advanced modules and continued education options for those seeking to expand their yoga teaching beyond the foundational level.

5. Mexico

Mexico offers a colorful, welcoming environment where yoga blends easily into daily life. As one of the best yoga teacher training programs close to North America, it combines culture, coastline, and comfort.

Tulum is ideal for those looking for stylish wellness spaces with a bit of luxury, while Baja California offers more quiet and raw nature. Programs here often integrate sound healing, local rituals, and self-development work alongside hatha and vinyasa yoga, anatomy, and opportunities to deepen their understanding of yoga.

Top recommended schools:

• Yandara Yoga Institute (Baja): Known for its emphasis on teaching skills and community connection, with a curriculum that covers both yoga and vinyasa yoga practices.
• Beyond Yoga Retreat (Puerto Vallarta): Boutique-style 200-hour yoga teacher training course with curated experiences and small class sizes, ideal for students looking to become a certified yoga instructor.
• Kula Collective (Tulum): Combines yoga with indigenous wisdom, ceremony, and holistic living, including immersive ashtanga yoga teacher training tracks for those on the path to becoming an ashtanga yoga teacher.

6. Hawaii

Hawaii brings a grounded, healing energy that supports deep practice and quiet focus. It’s one of the few places for yoga teacher training within the U.S. that offers year-round tropical weather, nature-based learning, and a slower pace of life.

Most training takes place on Maui or the Big Island, often near sacred land or forested coastlines. Programs here tend to be rooted in respect for local culture, land-based practices, and include mindfulness, nature immersion, and opportunities to deepen their understanding of yoga through hatha and vinyasa yoga styles.

Top recommended schools:

• Yoga Centered (Big Island): A close-knit training experience with strong mentorship and technique breakdown.
• Sacred Path Yoga (Maui): Known for integrating yoga with self-inquiry and spiritual depth.
• Maui Yoga Shala (Paia): Creative, modern training with strong ties to community and ocean living, ideal for those who want to become a certified yoga teacher in a serene, supportive setting.

How to Choose the Best Yoga Teacher Training Destination for You

Choosing from the many locations for yoga teacher training comes down to more than just scenery. 

It’s about how supported you’ll feel, how effective the training is, and whether it fits your personal goals and lifestyle. Here’s what to look for when making your decision:

Match the teaching style to your future goals

Make sure the school teaches the style you want to focus on—whether that’s Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Hatha, Yin, or a combination. If you’re unsure, look for multi-style programs that let you explore different approaches before specializing.

Check the school’s credentials and reviews

The school should be Yoga Alliance certified if you want your certification to be internationally recognized. Go beyond the testimonials on their website—search student reviews on Google, social media, and yoga forums for honest feedback.

Know what’s included (and what’s not)

Some programs include meals, accommodation, transport, manuals, and even excursions—others do not. Always ask what’s covered in the fee so there are no surprises later.

Ask about the teaching team

A program is only as strong as its lead trainers. Look into their experience, training background, and teaching approach. Many schools now offer free info calls or sample classes—use them.

Consider group size and learning environment

Smaller groups often mean more individual attention, more chances to practice teach, and a stronger connection with your teachers and peers. If you prefer quiet or need more time to absorb information, avoid very large training sessions.

Think about the pace and environment

Do you want a highly structured course with little free time, or one that includes space to rest, journal, or explore? Some destinations like India and Costa Rica lean intensive, while Bali and Mexico may offer more balance between study and rest.

Know the local logistics

Look into visa requirements, weather, accessibility from your home country, local culture, and health services. Also consider the cost of living if you’re planning to stay on after the course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I do my YTT?

It depends on your priorities. If you’re drawn to tradition and deep philosophy, India is your place. For nature and eco-conscious living, Costa Rica is a great fit. If you want tropical island life with a good wellness scene, look at Bali or Thailand. For easy travel from North America, Mexico and Hawaii offer solid programs in beautiful settings.

Which institute is best for yoga certification?

There’s no one-size-fits-all, but some consistently well-reviewed options include:

• All Yoga Training (Bali, Thailand, and India)
• Yandara Yoga Institute (Mexico)
• Himalayan Yoga Association (India)
• Blue Osa (Costa Rica)

The best school for you will depend on the style you want to teach, your learning preferences, and your budget.

Which course is best for yoga teachers?

The 200-hour yoga teacher training is the foundation and required first step for anyone who wants to teach. After that, many teachers move on to 300-hour advanced programs that specialize in a particular style like Yin, Ashtanga, or Yoga Therapy. The key is choosing a course that offers a good balance of practical teaching skills, anatomy, and yoga philosophy.

Ready to Start Your Yoga Journey?

There are countless locations for yoga teacher training, but the right one will depend on what you need most—structure, peace, depth, nature, or community. The 6 destinations listed here—Bali, Thailand, India, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Hawaii—offer trusted programs, inspiring settings, and the kind of environments where students can grow and transform.

Before choosing, reflect on your goals, learning style, and what kind of experience you want to have. Whether you’re looking to teach or just deepen your practice, the place you pick will shape how this journey begins—and how far it takes you.