Ashram Destination & Travel Guide
A Coastal Setting for Yoga Study in Goa
A peaceful coastal sanctuary in Querim, North Goa — where ancient yogic traditions meet serene Arabian Sea sunrises, lush coconut groves, and a focused residential learning environment.
Why Students Choose Goa for Yoga Teacher Training
While traditional pilgrimage towns in the north offer historical significance, North Goa provides an unmatched balance of authentic yogic rigor and soothing natural tranquility.
The tropical coastal climate naturally warms the muscles and joints, allowing practitioners to safely deepen their asana alignment without stiffness. Clean ocean air enriched with negative ions supports deeper respiratory volume during morning Pranayama, while the rhythmic sound of waves provides an organic backdrop for evening meditation.
Far from the noisy commercial nightlife of central Goa, our campus in Querim (Pernem) is nestled amidst quiet palm groves, providing a dedicated ashram atmosphere free from external distractions.
Clean Coastal Energy
Fresh sea breeze and unpolluted air support diaphragmatic expansion and cellular vitality.
Warm Climate Healing
Warm year-round temperatures encourage muscle elasticity and prevent injuries during training.
Location Highlights & Surroundings
Querim is North Goa's northernmost coastal village, celebrated for its raw natural beauty, ancient banyan trees, and tranquil beaches.
Querim (Keri) Beach
A pristine, wide golden sand beach lined with casuarina trees. Free from commercial beach shacks and noisy water sports, it is our sanctuary for sunrise yoga and meditation.
Arambol & Sweet Water Lake
Just 7 minutes down the road lies Arambol — a world-renowned wellness hub filled with Ayurvedic doctors, organic health cafes, ecstatic dance gatherings, and the serene freshwater lake.
30 Mins from MOPA Airport
With Goa's new international airport (GOX) located right in Pernem, arriving at the school is fast, seamless, and completely avoids long multi-hour highway commutes.
The Origins of Yoga in Goa
More than a tropical beach escape, Goa holds one of modern yoga’s most remarkable growth stories — how an ancient Indian practice found a new world audience on its northern shores.
What is the history of yoga in Goa?Yoga in Goa is not a single ancient lineage — it is the meeting point of India’s deep yogic traditions with the global seekers who arrived on the Hippie Trail from the late 1960s onward. Fleeing conscription and the pressures of Western urban life, thousands of travellers reached Goa drawn by its natural beauty, affordable living, and an open, tolerant society. They came searching for meaning, and many turned to the yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda they discovered from local teachers and ashrams across India.
Goa’s north, and Pernem taluka in particular, became the heart of this exchange. The region carries older Hindu heritage rooted in the Kadamba dynasty and the Vijayanagara Empire, which shaped its temples and spiritual culture long before European colonisation — and before Goa was liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961. It was this layered, deeply spiritual landscape that made Arambol — then the fishing village of Harmal — the first tourist beach of Pernem in the early 1980s.
A defining milestone came in 1985, when Yoga Master Sharat Arora founded the Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Centre — the first yoga school in North Goa — teaching an evolution of Classical Iyengar Yoga developed under his guru, B.K.S. Iyengar. Its legacy helped establish North Goa as a place where serious, disciplined yoga would be taught, studied, and shared across the world.
Today the quiet lanes of Arambol and Querim are lined with internationally accredited schools, organic cafés, and meditation studios. What began as a countercultural refuge has matured into one of India’s most respected destinations for yoga teacher training — an ecosystem our own ashram in Querim is proud to be part of.
Why Goa Became a Global Yoga Destination
A rare blend of tradition, climate, community, and calm that keeps serious practitioners returning year after year.
An Open, Accepting Culture
Goa has welcomed seekers of every background since the 1960s. Practitioners feel at home immediately — no judgement, no pressure — only a shared, quiet devotion to practice.
Climate That Deepens Practice
Warm, humid air keeps the body warm and supple, supporting deeper asana work and safe joint mobility throughout long daily trainings.
A True Wellness Community
From Ayurveda to breathwork, sound healing to meditation, North Goa concentrates world-class wellness teachers within a few square kilometres — ideal for immersive study.
Rooted, Distraction-Free Study
Away from Goa’s busier beach towns, Querim offers a focused ashram atmosphere — palm groves, quiet lanes, and a 5-minute walk to an untouched shore.
Study Yoga Where Modern Yoga Found Goa
Join The Hatha Yogashala in Querim and train within walking distance of the very coastline that helped shape global yoga — in a calm, authentic, residential setting.
Planning Your Arrival in Goa
Flights & Airport Transfers
Fly into Manohar International Airport, MOPA (GOX) for the fastest arrival (30 mins). Alternatively, fly into Dabolim (GOI). We arrange reliable, pre-paid driver pickups directly to the ashram gate.
Visa & Entry Requirements
Most international travelers can obtain an Indian e-Tourist Visa (30-day, 1-year, or 5-year) easily online within 3 to 5 business days before flying.
What to Pack
Light, breathable cotton yoga wear, sandals/flip-flops, reusable water bottle, sunscreen, natural mosquito repellent, and a personal travel yoga mat if preferred.
Ashram Accommodation & Food
Private and shared eco-cottages with hot water, ceiling fans, Wi-Fi, and 3 freshly prepared vegetarian Ayurvedic meals daily included in all courses.
Goa Travel & Ashram FAQs
Which airport is closest to The Hatha Yogashala in Goa?
Manohar International Airport in MOPA, Goa (Airport Code: GOX) is only ~30 minutes (28 km) away by taxi. Dabolim Airport (GOI) in South Goa is ~90 minutes (65 km) away. The school arranges direct pre-booked taxi pickups for all arriving students.
Is North Goa safe for solo female travelers?
Yes, North Goa (and Querim/Pernem in particular) has a long-standing, peaceful international yoga and wellness community. The school campus is private, secure, and fully staffed 24/7.
What is the best time of year to visit Goa for yoga?
The prime season runs from October through March, with warm, sunny days (26–32°C), cool evening breezes, and low humidity ideal for multi-hour daily asana and pranayama practice.
How far is the ashram from the beach?
Querim Beach (Keri Beach) is just a short 5–10 minute walk through tranquil village coconut paths. Arambol Beach and Sweet Water Lake are roughly 7 minutes away by scooter or local taxi.
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Experience Authentic Yoga Study in Goa
Check upcoming training dates, room availability, and confirmed course fees at The Hatha Yogashala in North Goa.