Last updated: 18 October 2026 · Written by the Jeevatman Yogshala team, Swargashram, Rishikesh
Quick answer
Yes, you can do a full 200 hour yoga teacher training over Christmas in India. Jeevatman Yogshala’s December 2026 batch runs 3–26 December in Swargashram, Rishikesh, so you graduate the day after Christmas and can stay on for New Year by the Ganga. December in Rishikesh is dry and sunny, around 20°C by day and 5°C at night. The 24-day Yoga Alliance–recognised course costs US$950 (shared room) or US$1,150 (private room), with a maximum of 10 students.
Why do yoga teacher training over Christmas?
- Your leave goes further. The course spans the Christmas period, when many workplaces slow down or close. Part of your time away overlaps public holidays you’d have off anyway.
- A different kind of holiday season. Rishikesh is a holy town where alcohol and meat are prohibited. Instead of parties and overeating, December here means sunrise practice, quiet evenings and the Ganga Aarti.
- You come home with a qualification. You return in January with a 200 hour certificate and can register with Yoga Alliance as an RYT 200, ready to teach in the new year.
- Clear, dry weather. December has only one or two rainy days on average, so outdoor sessions by the river are rarely cancelled.
December 2026 batch: key dates
| Date | What’s happening |
|---|---|
| 1–2 Dec | Arrive. Free pickup from Dehradun airport (DED) |
| Thu 3 Dec | Course begins |
| Sundays 6, 13, 20 Dec | Weekly day off |
| Sun 20 Dec | Gita Jayanti, the festival marking the Bhagavad Gita, falls on your day off |
| Fri 25 Dec | Christmas Day, in your final week of practice teaching |
| Sat 26 Dec | Graduation and certificate |
| 27–31 Dec | Optional: stay on for New Year in Rishikesh or travel onward |
Full course details, syllabus and room photos: 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh.
What is Christmas like in Rishikesh?
Low-key. Rishikesh is a Hindu pilgrimage town, and Christmas isn’t a local festival, so don’t expect decorations everywhere or a party scene. The town is vegetarian and alcohol-free by law. For many people, that’s the appeal: a December that feels calm rather than hectic.
Christmas Day 2026 falls on a Friday in the last week of the course, so it’s a training day. Evenings are free after the final session, so you can mark the day with your group over dinner.
What is New Year’s Eve like in Rishikesh?
Quieter than most places. With no alcohol, New Year’s Eve here centres on the riverside: the evening Ganga Aarti, walks along the ghats, and cafés around Laxman Jhula and Tapovan. If you’d rather see in the new year at a party, plan to travel onward after graduation.
What to do after the course (27–31 December)
- Stay in Rishikesh: practise at your own pace, visit the Beatles Ashram, or catch sunrise at Kunjapuri Temple.
- Day trip to Haridwar: about an hour away, famous for the evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri.
- Add a short course: ask about extending with sound healing or a retreat; see our sound healing course and yoga retreats.
- Head south: fly from Dehradun via Delhi to Goa or Kerala for warmer weather before returning home.
Is Rishikesh too cold in December for yoga?
Not for practice, but you’ll need proper layers. Days are typically sunny, around 20°C, but nights drop to around 5°C and early morning sessions are cold. Pack:
- a warm down or fleece jacket
- thermal base layers and woollen socks
- a shawl or blanket for meditation
- a beanie for early mornings and evenings by the river
See our full packing list for yoga teacher training in Rishikesh.
How to plan your leave and flights
- Book flights early. Fares to India usually rise in the second half of December. Aim to land in Delhi by 1 December and connect to Dehradun.
- Apply for an e-Tourist visa on the official government site at least 4 days before you fly (indianvisaonline.gov.in). Short-term yoga programmes are allowed on this visa. More in our visa guide.
- Reserve your seat with a US$200 deposit; the balance is paid on arrival.
- Get travel insurance that covers India for the full trip.
Travelling alone? Read is Rishikesh safe for solo female travellers?
What does the December course cost?
US$950 in a shared twin room or US$1,150 in a private en-suite room. This includes 24 days of training, accommodation, daily sattvic vegetarian meals, study materials, free airport pickup from Dehradun, a free 3-day sound healing course, and an Ayurveda massage and consultation. Flights, visa and insurance are extra. Full breakdown: 200 hour YTT cost guide.
A December day during yoga teacher training over Christmas
The schedule doesn’t change for the holidays. Here’s how a training day in December looks:
| Time | Session | December tip |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00–7:00 am | Pranayama and mantra chanting | Coldest part of the day: wear layers and socks |
| 7:15–8:45 am | Hatha yoga practice | Peel off layers as you warm up |
| 10:30 am–12:30 pm | Philosophy, anatomy or teaching methodology | Sunny late mornings are pleasant |
| 4:00–5:30 pm | Ashtanga Vinyasa practice | Good warmth before sunset |
| 6:00–7:00 pm | Meditation, kirtan or sound healing | Bring a shawl for sitting practice |
Sunday is a full day off. See the full daily schedule.
How much leave do you need for a December yoga teacher training?
Plan on about four weeks away from home:
- Travel out: 1–2 days, arriving in Rishikesh on 1 or 2 December.
- Course: 24 days, 3–26 December.
- Travel home: from 27 December, or stay on for New Year.
Because Christmas and the days around it fall inside the course, part of that time overlaps with public holidays in many countries, so you may need fewer days of annual leave than the trip length suggests. Check your own country’s holiday calendar.
Staying healthy in December
- Keep your Delhi stopover short. Delhi’s air quality is often poor in winter. Connect straight to Dehradun if you can.
- Dress in layers. The gap between a sunny afternoon and a cold night is large.
- Drink warm fluids. Herbal tea and warm water help in the dry winter air.
- Look after your hands and feet. Floors are cold in the early morning, so bring warm socks for before and after practice.
Is yoga teacher training over Christmas right for you?
It suits you if you want a meaningful break from the usual holiday season, are happy to spend Christmas with a small international group rather than family, and want to start the new year qualified to teach. It’s not for you if Christmas Day with family matters most, or if you want a party New Year’s Eve. In that case, the 200 hour course page lists every batch from January to April 2027.
Spend this December in Rishikesh
The December batch is limited to 10 students. Message us and we’ll confirm availability.
Can’t wait until December? The November batch starts 3 November.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do yoga teacher training over Christmas in India?
Yes. Jeevatman Yogshala’s 200 hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh runs 3–26 December 2026, spanning Christmas. You graduate on 26 December.
Are there classes on Christmas Day?
Christmas Day 2026 is a Friday, a regular training day in the final week of the course. Sunday is the weekly day off.
Can I stay in Rishikesh for New Year after the course?
Yes. You can stay on after graduating on 26 December. Ask us about extending your accommodation when you book.
Is alcohol available in Rishikesh at Christmas or New Year?
No. Rishikesh is a vegetarian, alcohol-free town by law, all year round.
What is the weather in Rishikesh in December?
Dry and sunny, around 20°C during the day and 5°C at night on average, with one or two rainy days in the month.
Is December a good month for yoga teacher training in Rishikesh?
Yes, if you’re comfortable with cold mornings. It’s quieter than October–November, dry, and ideal for focused study. Compare months in our guide to the best time for yoga teacher training in Rishikesh.
How much annual leave do I need for a December yoga teacher training?
Plan on about four weeks away: arrive 1–2 December, train 3–26 December, travel home from 27 December. Christmas public holidays fall inside that period in many countries.
Can I share a room with a friend or partner?
Yes. The shared twin room option (US$950 each) suits two people travelling together. Mention it when you book.
Is Delhi’s winter air pollution a problem?
Delhi’s air quality is often poor in winter, so keep your stopover short and connect straight to Dehradun if you can. Rishikesh is in the Himalayan foothills, away from Delhi.
What should I pack for yoga teacher training over Christmas?
Warm layers matter most: a down or fleece jacket, thermal base layers, woollen socks, a beanie and a shawl for meditation. Add comfortable practice clothes for two classes a day, modest clothing for temples, and any personal medication for the full month.
Is the December batch suitable for beginners?
Yes. The 200 hour course starts from the basics and builds week by week. You need commitment to the full schedule and basic fitness, not advanced poses. The December batch has the same syllabus and certificate as every other month.
