5 Things to do Before Coming to India to Learn Yoga
You want to make a great career in yoga and want to equip yourself with the best knowledge. Many students choose to come to India to study yoga under the expertise of yoga gurus who have excelled in this knowledge with years of practice. Moreover, India being the place of origin for yoga, offers a lifestyle that truly exuberates the yogic principles, something difficult to emulate in the west.
If you are coming to India to take up a yoga course, there are things you need to do before you actually land in your yoga school.
1. Learn about the country
India is land of charm, mystic and spirituality. Its diversity and richness of culture attract a lot of foreign tourists who want to explore something significantly different from their own culture and lifestyle. But the fact of matter really remains that there are lot of differences between the Indian culture and that of the western countries. Also, since you will be here for long it is advisable to get to know the country, its culture, people, climate and every better so that you know what to expect.
2. Learn about the location of the yoga retreat
You may plan to go for yoga teacher training in Dharamshala or any other popular destination in India - as it has yoga schools spread all across the country - you need to know about the place you are travelling to. It’s a good idea to try and know about the location of your chosen place on the Indian map, the weather conditions, the food and people, and other things that you can do there apart from learning yoga. For example students who choose to take up yoga teacher training in Goa, have a personal preference for beaches and tropical climate.
3. Learn the local language
While most yoga teachers training courses disseminate the knowledge in English but it is good to learn some important communication phrases in the local language.You can learn how to ask for directions, food and shelter, water etc. in local language so that when you step out of the retreat you can go around the place without difficulty.
4. earn about the culture - so you don’t offend
Indian and western cultures are extremely different and since you will be staying at least for a month, as the minimum the yoga instructor courses take is with RYT 200 which runs for a month or little more, you should understand the basic culture guidelines so that you don’t offend the yoga retreat or the locals when you go out and about the place.
5. Be prepared that’ it will hard work and not holiday
Yoga instructor courses are a serious affair. Plan to invest significant time of your stay in learning yoga and not on sightseeing. Make plans to extend your holiday in case you want to indulge in some sightseeing and exploring the place. 
Yoga learning in India can be a refreshing experience for your mind body and soul the key is to come prepared so that you can have single minded focus on learning yoga.