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Why I Created The Yoga Nerds YTTC – Authentic Yoga Teacher Training in Edinburgh That Goes Beyond Asana

Writer's picture: madhura bhagwatmadhura bhagwat

I grew up in a Hindu household where the Bhagavad Gītā and Vedic studies were not just texts to be read but philosophies to be lived. While my friends spent their summer holidays at amusement parks and foreign trips, I spent mine in my grandparents’ hometown, immersed in Sanātana Dharma texts, discussing the deeper truths of life. These experiences shaped my understanding of the world and grounded me in spirituality long before I fully appreciated its depth.


As I grew older, my path led me toward formal education in politics and law. These disciplines sharpened my analytical mind but left my spirit unfulfilled. I was drawn to the structure and intellectual rigour of these fields, and for a while, I even relished the ambition-driven world of corporate professions. The glamour, the power, and the pursuit of success seemed enticing. However, deep inside, I felt like I was playing a role in a production I had not scripted. No matter how much I achieved, something was missing.


By my mid-20s, I found myself yearning for simplicity. A life guided by needs rather than wants. I naturally distanced myself from the endless noise of materialistic aspirations, tuning in instead to the deeper questions I had ignored for so long. This shift was not a sudden transformation but a slow and conscious peeling away of layers, revealing what had always been there - my true self.

Throughout this transition, yoga remained my constant. However, the more yoga teacher trainings I attended to fulfil my thirst for knowledge, the more disillusioned I became. I was searching for depth and authenticity, but what I found instead was a manufactured and superficial version of yoga that barely skimmed the surface of its true essence.


The Problem with Most Yoga Teacher Trainings

Most yoga teacher trainings are formulaic and rooted in bookish knowledge. They teach about yoga rather than offering an experience of yoga. Trainees memorise sequences, recite Sanskrit words without context, and learn cues that sound profound but lack real understanding. The emphasis is almost entirely on asana, with spirituality treated as an optional footnote rather than the foundation of the practice.


It quickly became clear that many of these trainings were run by individuals who had never truly lived yoga beyond the mat. Yoga was being packaged and sold as a commodity, a fitness trend, and a certification business rather than a deeply transformative practice. Western yoga schools, and even some within India, were exploiting students’ vulnerabilities. They promised enlightenment in a month-long training and granted certifications to those who had barely scratched the surface of yogic wisdom.


Many yoga teacher training schools are registered with Yoga Alliance, which is often seen as a global credentialing body. However, the truth is that there is no real check on whether these schools are actually delivering what they have registered under Yoga Alliance. There is no proper monitoring to ensure that the curriculum follows the credentials outlined. This results in a system where subpar trainings continue unchecked, misleading students into believing they are receiving authentic education.


The result is a generation of yoga teachers who have been misinformed, taught half-baked concepts, and left with an incomplete or entirely inaccurate understanding of yoga. Without the experiential aspect of practice, without tapas, swādhyāya, and deep contemplation, how could they possibly pass on something they had never truly experienced themselves?


Creating The Yoga Nerds: A Space for Authentic Yoga Teacher Training in Edinburgh

I could not stand by and watch yoga being diluted, misrepresented, and commodified. If I was going to contribute to this space, it had to be with integrity. And so, The Yoga Nerds was born with its yoga teacher training in edinburgh, goa and online. A space for genuine seekers, for those who crave the real, unfiltered essence of yoga beyond the certificates and hashtags.


My goal is simple. To provide authentic yoga teacher training that is accessible, affordable, and deeply immersive. Yoga knowledge should not be a privilege limited to those who can afford overpriced retreats. It should be available to anyone who genuinely wants to learn.


Here is how The Yoga Nerds is making that happen:-


For those with time constraints, our on-demand yoga teacher training allows for flexibility while maintaining depth. It is structured for sincere students who want to go beyond the basics, with detailed lectures, guided self-practice, and mentorship for proper learning.


A blend of online study and in-person training in East Lothian, Scotland, perfect for those who seek the best yoga teacher training in Scotland but cannot travel to India. This format allows for immersive learning while accommodating personal commitments and financial limitations.


For those who wish to travel to the roots of yoga, this programme structure combines self-paced online learning with an in-person immersion in India. India offers the perfect backdrop to experience yoga beyond the classroom, within a culture that has held onto its spiritual traditions for centuries.


Why Indian Teachers Matter but Also Do Not

I do not believe that yoga can only be taught by Indian teachers, nor do I claim that nationality defines knowledge. However, in my two decades of experience, I can confidently say that the most profound wisdom I have received has been from my Indian teachers.


Not because of where they were born but because their approach to yoga was holistic rather than fragmented. Their teachings were not just intellectual. They were deeply experiential. They understood yoga as a complete system, philosophy, spirituality, discipline, and self-inquiry, not just as physical movement.

Many Western-led trainings miss this depth. They modify, dilute, and repackage yoga to fit modern palatability, often stripping it of its spiritual essence. That is where the problem lies. If yoga is to be passed on authentically, it must be taught with the respect, depth, and sincerity it deserves.


The Call for a Yoga Reset

Yoga needs a reset. Not just in the West but globally. It needs to return to its roots. Not in a rigid, outdated way but in a way that honours its wisdom while making it applicable to modern life. Yoga is not about aesthetics, nor is it about certifications. It is a system designed for self-inquiry, discipline, and transformation. If it is not taught with this understanding, we are simply perpetuating another industry of superficiality.


If you are tired of the commercialised and watered-down versions of yoga, you are not alone. If you want to understand yoga beyond asana and tap into its true potential, you are in the right place.


Welcome to The Yoga Nerds, where yoga is taught with depth, integrity, and sincerity. If you are ready to embark on a journey of true learning, we are here to guide you.


Let us do this right.


Namaste!

Madhura x






Yoga Alliance Registered School Badge: A certification badge showing that a yoga school is registered with Yoga Alliance, though it does not guarantee the quality of education. - yoga teacher training edinburgh
Yoga Alliance Registered School Badge: A certification badge showing that a yoga school is registered with Yoga Alliance, though it does not guarantee the quality of education.


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