Meals That Support Your Practice
Fresh, Healthy & Organic
At Rishikesh Traditional Yoga School, we pick freshly sourced vegetables straight from organic farms that do not use fertilisers or chemicals to grow their produce. Due to high adulteration in vegetables, fruits, and dairy products, we only trust our local vendors who have been nationally recognised for their work. Every meal at the school is thoughtfully prepared to give you the right balance of energy and nourishment. No-mild spice, simple and warm, to keep your practice going.
09:30 AM Breakfast & Tea
01:30 PM Lunch
07:30 PM Dinner
We have our own kitchen where meals are prepared for the students and staff. We clean our kitchen twice a day to maintain hygiene standards. Every meal is different from the others. Morning meals support and maintain energy throughout the day, afternoon meals keep you active, and evening meals aid proper digestion. You can also talk to our staff and understand the relevance of everything prepared for you. A well-balanced meal keeps you going throughout the course.
Drinks & Soups - Rishikesh Traditional Yoga School
We serve seasonal soups and drinks during the course. Every season brings its own blessings in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables, and we try to serve them as herbal teas, healthy and tasty soups, and detox drinks. These are flavorful delights, different for summer, monsoon, and winter, and are rich in nutrients and easy to digest. The purpose of specially preparing them is to keep you hydrated and energized throughout your practice.
Meals for you
We follow a balanced Saatvik diet—no oily foods, simple, easy to digest, and light on the stomach, with no to mild spices. We ensure that the food is not only nourishing but also tasty and suitable for your training. With every bite, you can experience the natural texture and flavour of the ingredients. A happy stomach supports an active mind.
What's in the Breakfast Menu?
Healthy Puddings
- Semolina Pudding
- High Fiber Wheat Flour Pudding
- Short Grain Rice Pudding
- Carrot Pudding
- Bottle Gourd Pudding - Served with Jaggery or Honey, Available with or without milk
Poha
- Flattened Rice with Peanuts
- Fresh Seasonal Vegetables - Capsicum, Carrot, and Peas
Chilla (Savory Indian Pancakes)
- Besan Chilla (Chickpea Flour)
- Moong Dal Chilla
South Indian Breakfast
- Idli
- Dosa
- Rava Dosa
- Uttapam
- Sambar
- Coconut Chutney
- Peanut Chutney
- Coriander Chutney
Bread Options
- Toast
- Fruit Jam Toast
- Vegetable Sandwich
- Cheese Sandwich
Pancakes
- Banana Pancakes
- Honey Pancakes
- Fruit Jam Pancakes
Upma
- Plain Upma
- Vegetable Upma
- Dry Upma
- Gravy Upma
Dry Fruits & Seeds
- Raisins
- Cashews
- Almonds
- Flax Seeds
- Walnuts
- Dry Dates
Sprouts & Protein
- Chickpea Sprouts
- Moong Dal Sprouts
- White Chickpeas
- Tofu
Fresh Fruits
- Seasonal Fruit Salad
Tea & Beverages
- Tulsi Tea
- Black Tea
- Green Tea
- Herbal Tea
- Masala Tea
- Milk Tea
- Coconut Milk
- Soya Milk
- Ginger Tea
- Lemon and Honey Tea
Special Day Off Menu
- Stuffed Potato Fried Chapati
- Fried Chapati with Aloo
- Plain Paratha
- Potato Paratha
- Cauliflower Paratha
- Radish Paratha - Served with: Curd, Buttermilk, Homemade Pickle, Chutney
Excursion Days
If the excursion starts early in the morning, breakfast will be served at the excursion location.
What's in the Lunch Menu?
Rice Varieties
- Plain Rice
- Jeera Rice
- Sticky Rice
- Lemon Rice
- Brown Rice
- Vegetable Rice
- Biryani
- Matar Pulao
Traditional Meals
- Khichdi
- Barnyard Millet
Chapati Options
- Plain Chapati
- Butter Chapati
- Stuffed Chapati
Lentils & Curries
- Mixed Lentils
- Kadhi Pakoda
- Spinach Gravy
Himalayan Traditional Dishes
- Chaisu
- Faanu
- Mashed Potato
- Mashed Radish
- Kandali
- Kapali
- Bhatt Ki Churkani
Paneer & Tofu Dishes
- Tofu Gravy
- Kadhai Paneer
- Butter Paneer
- Shahi Paneer
For vegan meals, paneer will be replaced with tofu.
Seasonal Sides
- Seasonal Vegetables
- Fresh Salad
Papad
- Plain Papad
- Roasted Papad
- Masala Papad
Curd & Raita
- Buttermilk
- Cucumber Raita
- Cumin Raita
- Pumpkin Raita
- Tomato Raita
- Potato Raita
What's in the Dinner Menu?
Chapati Varieties
- Plain Chapati
- Butter Chapati
- Rice Flour Chapati
- Wheat Flour Chapati
- Corn Flour Chapati
Seasonal Vegetables
- Fresh Seasonal Vegetable Preparations
Salad
- Fresh Seasonal Salad
Soups
- Tomato Soup
- Spinach Soup
- Mushroom Soup
- Noodle Soup
- Mixed Vegetable Soup
- Ginger Soup
Papad
- Plain Papad
- Masala Papad
Rice & Noodles
- Fried Rice
- Vegetable Rice
- Vegetable Noodles
- Manchurian
What's in Detox Drinks & Healthy Beverages?
- Mint Drink: Good for hydration and refreshing the body.
- Cumin Buttermilk: Supports healthy digestion and helps cool the body.
- Seasonal Fruit Shake: Rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- Turmeric Milk: Known for its natural antibiotic and anti inflammatory properties.
- Indian Gooseberry (Amla) Juice: Good for skin, eyes, and hair. Helps improve digestion and supports the nervous system.
- Giloy Juice: Helps strengthen the immune system.
- Jamun & Bitter Gourd Juice: Supports pancreas health, has anti bacterial properties, strengthens digestion, and improves blood circulation.
Back to Source
Meet The Chef & Our Kitchen Team
At our school, we celebrate food like a festival. We all sit together, share our stories, and enjoy that time with everyone. It’s more about building a connection. The intent is to bring everyone together in one place and create a bond that keeps the community intact. All of this is possible because of our amazing chef and his team.
Our Chef – Dharmu Ji
Dharmu Ji has been with us for many years, and you will not only find him preparing food for you but also experimenting like a food magician. He comes from a spiritual background, very humble, grounded human being, and believes in intentional cooking. He says, “All the emotions we carry within while cooking are directly linked to how people experience it. That energy is transferred from the one who is cooking to the one who is eating it. So, it is extremely important to be physically clean and intentionally pure while cooking.”
We call him the inventor of Saatvik meals. He believes that Ayurveda and other traditional texts on food have given us knowledge, and it is our duty to make the most of it. His dishes are inspired by recipes that sages and yoga practitioners used to follow during their practice.
We are also grateful to his team, who keep the kitchen running throughout the year with love and passion. It’s their energy that not only fills stomachs but also hearts with gratitude.
We do not recommend eating outside daily, as the meals prepared in the kitchen are aligned with your practice, and outside food can create imbalance during the course. However, we do suggest some good places where you can enjoy food, but only on days when your practice is not affected.
We do not purchase cooking oils from the stores. Our mustard oil comes directly from a farmer who freshly extracts the oil in front of us, and we bring it to the Aashram and use it for cooking purposes.
We do not use store-bought wheat. Our atta, or wheat, comes from our founder’s hometown. Ensuring familiarity, trust, and quality in every grain.
We are strictly against animal torture, which is why we are connected to local farmers who do not overproduce milk and follow ethical, compassionate practices.
We promote eating the traditional way. Once a week during the course, we serve food on banana and Malu leaves. They have organic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties and support healing. We also use Kullahd (mud glasses) to serve drinks and soups to help you connect with nature & feel the earth element deeply.
If you are vegan or lactose-intolerant, we provide alternatives to milk-based products like Tofu instead of Paneer (cheese), and almond milk in shakes & drinks. We support a plant-based diet & ensure you get full nourishment during the course. So, don’t be hesitant in sharing your dietary preferences with us.
We take dietary requirements very seriously
We understand that every person has different dietary requirements, and most of our meals are prepared with this in mind. However, if you are allergic to any specific food, spice, or ingredient, please let us know in advance. This will give us time to prepare special meals for you, and we can also suggest some healthy alternatives.
We will do our best to accommodate these changes and make your stay stress-free and comfortable. Food allergies, plant-based diets, dietary restrictions, and specific preferences will be taken care of.
Meals inspired by Traditional & Philosophical depth
- Food as Prana in Yogic Science: Ancient texts guide us on how food is directly related to the mind and affects the quality of thoughts. It is not only physical nourishment but also a carrier of energy (Prana). It helps the practitioner move from distraction to deeper states of consciousness.
- Diet in the Yogic Path: Diet, or Ahara as known in classical yoga philosophy, is a foundation of discipline. What you eat is what you become. Your life is influenced by your eating habits. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika highlights that controlled, mindful eating stabilises the body and prepares it for higher practices.
- What Ayurveda Says: There are five elements in the human body, and every meal should help balance them. Harmony between these elements is essential for a sustainable practice and mental clarity.
- Eating is also Awareness: Ancient traditions believe that eating and awareness co-exist. Eating is also a practice, and what you eat, how you eat, and how much you eat are extremely important for your overall health.
As a team, we are always here to support you with well-nourished meals. If you still have any doubts, please feel free to connect with us in advance.
Food, Diet & Awareness
Shlokas that highlight the relevance of meals in your diet
“आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः ।
रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः ॥”
Meaning: Foods that promote longevity, strength, health, happiness, and satisfaction—fresh, nourishing, and naturally pleasant—are dear to those who follow a sattvic lifestyle.
“युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु ।
युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा ॥”
Meaning: Yoga becomes a source of harmony when one maintains balance in eating, activity, rest, and sleep.
“मिताहारी युक्तचेष्टो योगी भवति सिद्धिभाक्।”
Meaning:
A yogi who eats in moderation and lives with discipline attains success in yoga.
“आहारशुद्धौ सत्त्वशुद्धिः”
Meaning:
When the food is pure, the mind becomes pure.
We chant some mantras before consuming our meal. And we avoid ‘digital distractions’ during that experience because mindful eating nourishes our body and satisfies our soul.
A worldwide circle of students
Practitioners from every continent come to Rishikesh to learn with us.
Holistic Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh
Join The Yoga Community Of Rishikesh, India
It’s been more than 10 years now, and the amount of love, respect, and learning shared in this community is beyond feeling grateful. The purpose of starting this school was also to build a community where we can interact with like-minded people and understand the relevance of yoga together.
This community circle includes students from 85+ countries with diverse experiences, but one goal: to support each other & help with intent. Experts, beginners, great teachers, and yoga masters are also a part of this community.
When you join a course at the school, you also sign up for community-based learning. We believe that yoga and spirituality deepen when knowledge is shared. It also amplifies the feeling of being stronger together.
TrustPilot Reviews
Thank you for choosing us as the best yoga teacher training school in Rishikesh
Every review matters to us, and we take our students' feedback very seriously. We are extremely thankful to the students for their honest reviews, and we promise to deliver our best time and again. Thank you for trusting us as your yoga school; we are always happy to have you with us.
Excellent
5 Based on 35+ reviews
Yoga Practice | Self-discovery | Rituals
How Does A Typical Day At School Look In The Heart Of Rishikesh?
You experience an Aashram life here in the city of Rishikesh. Nothing fancy, but everything genuine and rooted in culture. You dive deeper into yoga philosophy and learn from the best teachers in Rishikesh. This ecosystem prepares you for better mind-body functioning and rewards you with discipline.
Honestly, we all enjoy ourselves a lot during the sessions. An Aashram life is not typically strict or boring. It adjusts your timetable and schedule to understand the essence of yogic life. There are deeper conversations, happy hearts, and peace around the table.
युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु । युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा ॥
He who is temperate in his habits of eating, sleeping, working, and recreation can mitigate all material pains by practicing the Yoga system.
You can ask anything, share your perspective, and question the universe at any time. We are traditional but not primitive. We welcome you with utmost gratitude.
- So, what else can you expect here?
- Comprehensive learning with a well-structured YTTC curriculum
- A sacred learning environment with comfortable & hygienic living
- Complete community support & staff assistance
- Meaningful conversations and shared experiences
- 24*7 network & support
- Best facility care with organic food & a journey towards healing
Rishikesh, India's Best Yoga Classes
Reviewed As One Of The Best Yoga Schools In Rishikesh
We are committed to making this institution a safe and trusted place for everyone. Where every person feels empowered through learning. Students' reviews are both motivation and encouragement for us, our teachers, and staff. Thankful to them for taking the time to share their experiences.
Your reviews continue to inspire future students to choose their journey with confidence.
Excellent
5.0 Based on 335+ reviews
Reviews & Reflection
Our School Is Yoga Alliance USA Certified
Our school is a registered yoga school. Here are honest reviews that our students have shared with us post their graduation from the school. These video testimonials offer real insights into their experiences, learning journey, and overall recommendations. We are grateful to our students for sharing their perspectives and being a part of our growing community.
Guide | Teachers in Rishikesh
Meet Your Yoga Gurus Who Are The Major Rock Of Our School
A teacher's role in life is crucial for the practice of yoga, and their contribution to our journey is invaluable. We shall always remain indebted to them.
Following the path of Lord Krishna, our teachers put sincere efforts to guide students' path with clarity and wisdom. Their role goes beyond instruction; they support, observe, and help you understand your path.
Our teachers make sure that you experience the best yoga teacher training in India at our school.
Student Experience
Student's Yoga Experience With Us
Every student arrives with a unique story, a different goal and a desire to grow through yoga. These real experiences shared by our students offer a glimpse into life at our school, the friendships they build and the transformation they experience during their journey. Watch their stories and discover how traditional yoga in Rishikesh has inspired students from around the world.

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25+ Years Of Experience In Yoga