HIYC runs four distinct programs — a 5-Day Course, a 9-Day Immersion, a 160-Hour Intensive, and a 320-Hour Teacher Training — and they're not just different lengths of the same thing. Here's what actually separates them, and how to tell which one fits where you are right now.
The four programs at HIYC build on each other, but each one is also a complete experience in its own right — you don't need to work through all four to get real value from any single one. This guide lays out the practical differences side by side, so you can pick based on your actual situation rather than guessing.
The Four Courses at a Glance
| Course | Duration | Cost (Indian / Foreign) | Prerequisite | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Course | 5 days | ₹5,500 / ₹6,000 | None | First-timers, short trips, testing the method |
| 9-Day Immersion | 9 days | Contact for current pricing | None | Going deeper without a long commitment |
| 160-Hour Intensive | 3 weeks | ₹45,000 / ₹55,000 | 9-Day Immersion, or three 5-Day Courses | Serious practitioners ready for a silent retreat |
| 320-Hour Teacher Training | 6 weeks | ₹70,000 / ₹95,000 | By application only | Becoming a certified Iyengar-method teacher |
Pricing shown is a reference point — always confirm current rates on the course page before booking.
5-Day Yoga Course — the starting point
No prerequisite, no long commitment. Standing poses, twists, forward bends, back bends, inversions and relaxation, taught with the props-based precision the Iyengar method is known for. Most people take this first, either as a standalone trip or to see if the teaching style suits them before committing to something longer. Accommodation and meals aren't included, so it works well if you're staying elsewhere in Dharamkot or already have a place booked.
Full details on the 5-Day Course →
9-Day Immersion — going deeper without the full commitment
Same foundation as the 5-Day Course, but with room to actually settle in: 36+ hours of instruction, daily meditation, and by the third or fourth day, 30 minutes of guided morning self-practice. It's designed as the natural bridge toward the 160-Hour Intensive or Teacher Training, but plenty of students take it purely as a deeper standalone retreat, with time built in for walking and swimming in the surrounding Himalayan nature.
Full details on the 9-Day Immersion →
160-Hour Intensive — the silent retreat, for serious practitioners
This is where the program changes character. Held at Himalaya Shanti Ashram rather than the Dharamkot centre, the 160-Hour Intensive runs 3 weeks in silence and seclusion — structured mornings of Pranayama and Asana with Sharat Arora himself, afternoon relaxation sessions, daily meditation, and Karma Yoga. You need to have completed the 9-Day Immersion or three separate 5-Day Courses first; this isn't a course you walk into cold. All food is included, and accommodation at the Ashram is arranged separately.
Full details on the 160-Hour Intensive →
320-Hour Teacher Training — becoming a certified teacher
The most demanding of the four, and structurally different from the others: it incorporates the entire 160-Hour Intensive as its first three weeks, then adds three further weeks of pedagogical training — Yoga Philosophy, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, teaching ethics, and how to actually teach each Asana's props, physical and energetic function. It's by application only, residential, and the most authentic path in India to teaching Sharat Arora's evolution of the Iyengar method directly.
Full details on the 320-Hour Teacher Training →
How to Decide
- Never practised Iyengar Yoga before? Start with the 5-Day Course. There's no benefit to skipping ahead, and it's the easiest way to find out whether the method suits you.
- Want more depth but can't commit to 3+ weeks yet? The 9-Day Immersion is built exactly for this — and it counts toward the Intensive's prerequisite either way.
- Ready for a real retreat, not just a course? The 160-Hour Intensive's silence and seclusion is a genuinely different experience from the shorter programs — make sure you've met the prerequisite first.
- Want to teach, not just practise? Only the 320-Hour Teacher Training leads to certification. Read our separate guide on how to evaluate a Teacher Training program before applying anywhere, including here.
New to the method entirely and want the background first? Start with What Is Iyengar Yoga? before picking a course.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the 5-Day Course and the 9-Day Immersion?
The 5-Day Course is a standalone introduction with no prerequisite, covering foundational postures and philosophy. The 9-Day Immersion goes deeper, includes daily meditation and morning self-practice, and doubles as the qualifying step toward the 160-Hour Intensive or 320-Hour Teacher Training.
Do I need experience before the 160-Hour Intensive?
Yes. HIYC requires students to have completed either a 9-Day Immersion or three separate 5-Day Courses before joining the 160-Hour Intensive, since it is a silent, immersive retreat built on that foundation.
Can I go straight into the Teacher Training without the Intensive?
No. The 320-Hour Teacher Training incorporates the full 160-Hour Intensive as its first three weeks, followed by three further weeks of pedagogical training, and is by application only.
Whichever program fits where you are, all four are taught with the same underlying method and the same attention to alignment — the difference is depth and commitment, not quality.
Talk It Through With Us Directly
Not sure which course fits your experience level or schedule? Reach out and we'll help you figure out the right starting point.