Mindful Sadhana and Self-Development

A 100-hours certificate course geared for yoga teachers of any tradition and experienced students in Europe/UK and India, with Nirmala
Learn to deeply integrate philosophy, mindfulness, and creative self-reflection to discover a more authentic yoga practice and understand the more subtle effects on the body and mind.

The course is divided into three separate Modules. Each module is 36 hours, offered part-time over two weeks, with time in-between the modules for practice and integration. The schedule may be easily managed while working, teaching, or meeting family responsibilities

  • Module 1. 1: Physical
    Dates: Jan 5 to 17, 2026
    Register
  • Module 2: Energetic
    Dates: Feb 2 to 14, 2026
    Register
  • Module 3: Subtle
    Dates: Mar 9 to 21, 2026
    Register

Fees:

for students living outside India

  • 400 USD per module
  • 1,000 USD for all 3

for Indian nationals currently living in India

  • 7,500 INR per module
  • 18,000 INR for all 3

The course modules may be attended individually, however all three modules must be completed in full to obtain a certificate.

The course incorporates:

Asana
Practice of asanas & variations; study of symbolism of hatha yoga

Pranayama
Steady progression of pranayama practice for stress relief, health and mental balance

Meditation
Meditation instruction and guidance, talks

Hatha & Raja Yoga Workshops
Deep understanding of the effect of the practices on the physical, energetic, and subtle bodies.

Swadhyaya/Self-Study
Daily self-reflection through study of Vedanta philosophy, and positive thinking

Creative Writing Exercises
We will encourage daily reflection, writing exercises, and journaling in order to understand thoughts, feelings, and experiences; based around Vedanta philosophy and its themes.

Workshop topics include:

Physical

  • Is my yoga practice working? Where am I in the practice?
  • How much should I push myself in the practice?
  • How to practice safely and avoid injury.
  • Tips for methodically working on complex, advanced asanas.

Energetic

  • What are the subtle and energetic benefits of the practices?
  • 3 Bodies: subtle anatomy, Chakras, prana
  • Raja Yoga, Meditation, Hatha Yoga, Pranayama
  • Sanskrit & Chanting (Shanti Mantras & Guru prayers)

Subtle

  • What motivates me? What are my fears? What do I really want?
  • Symbolism of the Hatha Yoga Practices
  • Karma & Reincarnation
  • Vedanta (topics from Viveka Chudamani, Sadhana Chatushtaya)

Who is it for?

Intermediate level students or yoga teachers of any tradition wishing to deepen their understanding

Prerequisites:

  • Beginners Level 1 and/or at least 6 months of regular yoga practice, OR 2-week Yoga Vacation at one of our ashrams, OR Yoga Teachers’ Training Course (TTC) in any tradition
  • Sincere interest in learning and willing to commit to the entire course schedule

Schedule

The weekly schedule for each of the modules includes 18 hours of class time.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays have 3.5 hours of class time. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays have 2.5 hours.

Activity Days Duration
(in minutes)
India Time
(IST)
UK Time
(GMT)
Europe Time
(CET)
Meditation Mon / Wed / Fri 30 10.30 5.00 6.00
Positive Thinking & Writing Mon / Wed / Fri 90 11.00 5.30 6.30
Break Mon / Wed / Fri 30
Asana Practice - Variations Mon / Wed / Fri 90 13.00 7.30 8.30
Pranayama Tues / Thurs / Sat 30 10.30 5.00 6.00
Workshop / Lecture Tues / Thurs / Sat 120 11.00 5.30 5.30
Optional Time with teacher as needed

Total Hours 18

For any queries contact us at: [email protected]

Glimpses from our past sessions

Testimonials

I enrolled for this program to deepen my personal practise and more importantly to get a holistic understanding and perspective of what sadhana really is. I would say the week long module has given me just that and more! It has been a very enriching experience where I learnt about not just the physical practise but also the symbolism behind it, how to make my own practise meditative and also how to slowly approach certain asanas step by step with kindness and focus. I am looking forward to the second and third module and surely feel inspired to continue my sadhana with a renewed perspective and dedication. Thanks to Nirmala Ji and the team for putting together this wonderful program.

– Radhika, India

The whole course was truly eye, mind and heart opening. Sadhana is practice. Mindful sadhana is practicing by being fully connected to ourselves – body, mind and soul. It is about observing and feeling what is going on deep inside at all levels, in our three bodies. It is about touching our resistances, obstacles, desires, fears… but also about letting go, surrendering. It is therefore about self-development.  I would warmly recommend the course to anyone wishing to advance on the path.

The course renewed my commitment to the practice and the path. With each module, I gained a clearer and deeper understanding of what I was practicing and why. It enriched my experience not only on a personal level, but also for students. I know that even without mentioning anything, students will feel a difference in my teaching.

The teacher and team were all excellent, kind and dedicated. Exchanges with participants were open and stimulating. I also appreciated the 30 minutes we had at the end of the morning to exchange with Nirmala and the way she stimulated us at all levels by writing exercises, showing art work, citing quotes, recommending readings and sharing fragments of her life and experience. – Adeline, France

This course has come exactly at the point that I needed in order to bring myself back into a fuller union. It’s so often like that, isn’t it! Always in fact 🙂 Thank you for your care in guiding us so patiently and beautifully to our own next level. – Sarada, UK

All these topics that we can really describe as Subtle and ‘out of the daily box’ are difficult topics that sometimes you do not want to face or at least never know how to do. [In this course, it] has been more easy, achievable in a certain way; letting me understand some important things and the need to work and deepen others…done with a certain freedom of thoughts and humility. Thank you!
-Marion Hayoun, Hong Kong