Ram Jain

Dr. Ram Jain

(ERYT 500, RPYT 500 & YACEP with 40,000+ hours of Teaching Experience)

YACEP-50-Yoga-Alliance
ERYT500-Yoga-Alliance

My Story

Early Life

I was born into a family where yoga has been a way of life for five generations; my formal yoga education started when I was eight years old at a Vedic School. The day began with a yoga class. My first yoga class was very awkward. Yoga was not new to me, and I often saw my father practicing yoga. I was looking around, trying to copy other students. Guruji was walking around with a stick and giving instructions. I wanted to look good and impress him, but I was so nervous and had no idea what to do. Still, somehow, the whole experience turned out beautiful, and I started to look forward to the yoga class every morning.

Shortly after that first awkward moment, I remember Guruji calling me to demonstrate the new poses. I was timid, and I had mixed feelings of shyness and pride. More than 80 classmates were looking at me to copy my yoga poses.

As the years passed, I began assisting Guruji in teaching the class, helping students older than me. Guruji already recognized my physical flexibility and teaching ability.  Although, in my wildest dreams, I would never have expected that I would one day teach yoga to others as my profession.

Moving to the Netherlands

With years of yoga teaching experience, I arrived in the Netherlands in 2007 with a total life savings of 1400 Euros and two suitcases mostly filled with food. I could not find a job as a yoga teacher, primarily because I did not speak Dutch (I still don't).

As the eldest son,  I was responsible for supporting my family. So, I took labor jobs in the factories and warehouses. I worked the entire week, lived in a tiny room, and slept on the floor. I sent half of my income to my parents and managed to survive on only 500 Euro per month for the next year.

Life was hard, I lost hope that circumstances would ever improve.

The Moment of Realization

One snowy, wet night, I had to work the night shift at a warehouse 12 km away. I left for work on my bicycle, which had seen better days. The seat twisted, and the wheels buckled. I fell many times due to the icy road. The cycle chain would come off each time I fell, and I had to put it back.

It was dark, cold, and rainy. I fell again, hard this time. My clothes were wet, my hands all black and greasy; the cycle chain was jammed and not moving. I was in a panic because I was already late for my shift. I knew the supervisor would not allow me to work today and would lose a day's income.

I did not know what to do, feeling helpless, tears came to my eyes, and I could not hold them back.

I was 28 years old and had worked since I was 14, trying to support myself and my family. I had no time for fun or parties like other young people.

I did not leave my family, friends, and country to live like this.

At that moment, I realized that no one but only me has the responsibility to change my life.

I decided to start my own yoga classes in the evenings after my daytime factory job.

In November 2008, I began to teach yoga classes in an old, closed-school gym. I hand-made posters for my classes and put them in organic shops, supermarkets, and the university.

My life was steadily changing, and classes were filling up even though I was teaching in English. My financial situation improved, as well as my peace of mind.

Seeing the blissful faces of students after class would give me a beautiful feeling of inner satisfaction. Finally, I had found my purpose.

I realized I wanted to help others to do the same. I wanted to share all my knowledge and help others take control and live a joyful and balanced life.

When growing up, I assisted many yoga teachers.  I always felt something was missing in how yoga is taught. There is no point in having good self-practice but no skill in helping others learn.

Most of the yoga teacher training courses did not impart the skill of teaching others correctly.

So, I decided to create yoga teacher training courses to teach the practical skills essential to train and teach effectively; this passion for helping others to succeed drives all of us at Arhanta.

Beginning of Arhanta Yoga Ashrams

Our first ashram was founded in 2009 in India, where people could come and train with me in an authentic ashram atmosphere. Yoga is a way to master the five senses, so I named the ashram "Arhanta Yoga"; the yoga to master the five senses!

Arhanta Yoga Ashram India

In 2013 we opened another yoga ashram in the Netherlands,  for people who wanted authentic training and an ashram experience but were not keen to travel to India.

Arhanta Yoga Ashram Netherlands

Since 2009 I have trained over 21000 yoga teachers worldwide and published a book in four languages.

When starting out, I only taught classical Hatha Yoga training. In 2016 I also began teaching newer yoga styles to give my students a wide spectrum of knowledge.

I have trained under some of the best teachers on the planet to continuously develop and enrich the sacred knowledge Arhanta Yoga provides our students, and I consider myself to be a live long learner and student.

I studied Yin Yoga with the founder, Paul Grilley, and Ashtanga Yoga with David Swenson, to name a few.

In 2017 we decided to create online versions of our courses. Many people from remote countries wanted to learn from me and could not travel to our ashrams due to life obligations.

At Arhanta, we don't just teach yoga. We teach you how to reach your potential, develop skills and confidence and take control of your life.

To read reviews and student feedback please visit: Ram Jain Reviews