Reviewed by Master Nirakar E-RYT 500 · Updated October 2026
There’s a reason so many yoga teachers can tell you exactly where they were on New Year’s Eve the year they trained. Winter is when the tropics come alive. Monsoons fade, festivals fill the streets with light, and travellers and yogis arrive from every corner of the world.
At Diksha Yoga School, we run our 200 hour winter yoga teacher training in three places: Arambol in Goa, Galle in Sri Lanka, and Koh Samui in Thailand. Each has its own festivals, its own weather and its own feel. This guide covers all three honestly, including which winter months are best where, so you can choose the batch that fits you.
👉 Short on time? See all winter 2026–27 dates and fees
Starting soon: our November batches begin on 5th November. If you’d like to join one, message us this week so we can help with your arrival.
Table of Contents
Winter yoga teacher training at a glance
| Arambol, Goa | Galle, Sri Lanka | Koh Samui, Thailand | |
| November | Dry, green, quiet | Rainy season | Wettest month |
| December | Dry, sunny, festive | Rain easing | Rain fading late in the month |
| January | Driest, coolest mornings | Driest month | Mostly dry |
| Festival highlights | Diwali, Goan Christmas, New Year in Arambol | Full moon Poya days, Christmas in Galle Fort | Loy Krathong, island New Year |
| 200 hour fee (from) | €1,800 | €2,000 | €2,800 |
The short version: for November and December, Goa is the only one of the three where the weather is reliably dry. From January, all three are at or near their best. For the full month-by-month picture, see our Best Time for Yoga Teacher Training guide.
Every batch runs from the 5th to the 27th of the month, with a maximum of 10 students. Your fee includes accommodation, meals and airport pickup.
Why Train in Winter?
The weather is made for practice. Across the season, our three locations move into their dry, sunny months: cool mornings in Goa from November, and calm seas in Galle and Koh Samui from January.
The energy is international. Winter draws students from Europe, the UK, Russia, Australia, the Americas and across Asia. Your training group becomes a small world of its own, and many graduates leave with friends and teaching contacts on several continents.
You come home with a certificate, not just a tan. Our 200 hour yoga teacher training turns a winter escape into a recognised qualification. Diksha Yoga School is a Yoga Alliance Registered School, and graduates are eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as an RYT 200.
Goa: Diwali, Christmas and New Year in Arambol
Our main school is at The Lotus Sutra, a beachfront venue on Arambol Beach in North Goa, about 45–60 minutes from Mopa GOX airport. From November to February, North Goa slips into its best self: the monsoon is long gone, the sea turns calm and clear, and the mornings are cool enough for a long practice.
The Diwali batch: 5–27 November 2026
Diwali falls on Sunday 8 November 2026, your first Sunday and your day off, so you can enjoy it fully. The festival week runs from Dhanteras on 6 November to Bhai Dooj on 11 November.
Goa celebrates it in its own way. Around Naraka Chaturdashi, villages build giant effigies of the demon Narakasura, parade them through the lanes and burn them before dawn, a symbol of light defeating darkness.
For a yoga student, Diwali is a living lesson in what you study on the mat. Its theme, inner light overcoming ignorance, runs through the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita. Lighting a diya after a day studying avidya (ignorance) and viveka (discernment) hits differently.
The Christmas batch: 5–27 December 2026
Centuries of Portuguese influence make Christmas in Goa unlike anywhere else in India. Paper star lanterns hang from verandas, churches are lit up for midnight Mass, and kitchens fill with bebinca, kulkuls and neureos. You’ll train through it and spend Christmas with a group of people who were strangers three weeks earlier.
The New Year batch: 5–27 January 2027
Arambol is one of India’s most famous New Year destinations, known for its sunset drum circle, open-air music and bohemian crowd. It’s wonderful, and crowded. Rooms, scooters and taxis fill up fast between Christmas and early January.
That’s why our dates work so well. The December batch graduates on the 27th, leaving the whole New Year holiday free, and the January batch starts on the 5th, after the crowds have thinned. January is also Goa’s most comfortable month: dry, sunny and with the coolest mornings of the year.
Why Arambol, Goa Is a Great Place for Yoga Teacher Training
👉 See the 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Goa
Sri Lanka: full moons and Christmas in Galle
Galle sits on Sri Lanka’s south coast, where a 17th-century fort, colonial streets and palm-lined beaches meet. Here, winter is shaped by the full moon. Every full moon is a Poya day, a Buddhist holiday when many Sri Lankans visit temples dressed in white and the whole island slows down.
November and December in Galle
The Il Poya full moon falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026, and the Unduvap Poya, which honours the arrival of the Bodhi tree sapling in Sri Lanka, on Wednesday 23 December 2026. Christmas Day (Friday 25 December) is a public holiday too, and Galle Fort’s historic churches hold services through the season.
An honest weather note: November is still Galle’s rainy season, and rain eases through December. Showers are often heavy but short, and the town is quieter. If dry weather matters most to you, January is the better choice.
The January batch in Galle: the best of both
January is Galle’s driest month, with calm seas and clear mornings. The Duruthu Poya full moon, which marks the Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka, falls on Friday 22 January 2027, inside the batch. It’s one of the most special times of the year to be on the island.
Why Galle, Sri Lanka Is a Great Place for Yoga Teacher Training
👉 See the 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Sri Lanka
Thailand: Loy Krathong and New Year on Koh Samui
Koh Samui is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, known for its palm-fringed beaches, Buddhist temples and green hills. Its weather runs on a different calendar from the rest of Thailand: the heaviest rain falls from October to December.
Loy Krathong: November 2026
Loy Krathong falls on the full moon of the twelfth Thai lunar month, around Tuesday 24 November 2026. On this night, people across Thailand float small krathongs made of banana leaf, flowers, candles and incense on rivers, lakes and the sea, letting go of the past year’s troubles. As a reflection on letting go, it’s a beautiful moment during a yoga training.
An honest weather note: November is Koh Samui’s wettest month, and the December rain usually fades late in the month. If you want sunny beach days, choose January or later.
New Year on Koh Samui
Koh Samui celebrates New Year with beach gatherings and fireworks across the island. Our December batch graduates on the 27th, leaving the celebrations free for you. Our January batch starts on the 5th, as the island moves into its dry season.
Why Koh Samui, Thailand Is a Great Place for Yoga Teacher Training
👉 See the 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Thailand
Winter festival calendar 2026–27
| Festival | Date | Where |
| Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) | Sun 8 Nov 2026 | Goa |
| Bhai Dooj | Wed 11 Nov 2026 | Goa |
| Il Full Moon Poya | Tue 24 Nov 2026 | Galle |
| Loy Krathong | Around Tue 24 Nov 2026 | Koh Samui |
| Unduvap Full Moon Poya | Wed 23 Dec 2026 | Galle |
| Christmas Day | Fri 25 Dec 2026 | All three |
| New Year’s Eve | Thu 31 Dec 2026 | All three |
| Duruthu Full Moon Poya | Fri 22 Jan 2027 | Galle |
The 24 November full moon is celebrated twice: as Il Poya in Sri Lanka and as Loy Krathong in Thailand.
Which winter batch should you choose?
| Batch | Goa | Galle | Koh Samui | Our pick |
| 5–27 Nov 2026 | Good: dry, green, Diwali | Wet: rainy season | Very wet: wettest month | Goa |
| 5–27 Dec 2026 | Best: dry, sunny, Christmas | Fair: rain easing | Fair: rain fading late in month | Goa |
| 5–27 Jan 2027 | Best: coolest, driest | Best: driest month, Duruthu Poya | Good: mostly dry | Goa or Galle |
Want festivals and sunshine? Goa in November or December.
Want a peaceful, spiritual winter? Galle in January, with the Duruthu full moon.
Love the idea of Thailand? Koh Samui from January onwards, when the island dries out.
Meet your lead teacher: Yogini Manisha
Diksha Yoga School was founded by Yogini Manisha (E-RYT 500, YACEP), who has more than 16 years of teaching experience and has guided over 23,000 students from more than 80 countries. She trained at Aarsha Yoga Vidya Peetham in Kerala and owned Oceanic Yoga before founding Diksha. Her teaching combines traditional yogic wisdom with practical teaching methods, with an emphasis on awareness, alignment, breath and energy.
A day in your training
Teacher training follows a steady rhythm, so festivals add to your experience instead of disrupting it. From around 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM, Monday to Saturday, your days include pranayama, two asana practices, philosophy, anatomy, teaching methodology, practice teaching and meditation. Sundays are free for the beach, the festivals or simply rest.
Will the festive season make it hard to focus?
This is the question we hear most, and the honest answer is no.
- Your study keeps moving. Celebrations happen in the evenings and on Sundays, around your training rather than in place of it.
- You stay in a calm base. Each of our venues is a quiet place to practise, sleep and study, close to the festivities but not in the middle of them.
- Everything is already sorted. Your room, meals and airport pickup are included, so you won’t be hunting for a bed or a taxi during the busiest, most expensive weeks of the year.
Winter 2026–27 dates and fees
Every batch runs from the 5th to the 27th of the month. Fees include accommodation, meals and airport pickup.
| Location | Winter batches | Fee (from) |
| Arambol, Goa | 5–27 Nov 2026 · 5–27 Dec 2026 · 5–27 Jan 2027 | €1,800 twin shared · €2,000 private |
| Galle, Sri Lanka | 5–27 Nov 2026 · 5–27 Dec 2026 · 5–27 Jan 2027 | €2,000 |
| Koh Samui, Thailand | 5–27 Nov 2026 · 5–27 Dec 2026 · 5–27 Jan 2027 | €2,800 |
Batches continue monthly until May 2027. With a maximum of 10 students per batch, winter batches fill first, so we recommend booking 6–8 weeks ahead.
👉 See all dates, room types and fees
We also run shorter 100 hour and 50 hour courses. Ask us for their winter dates.
Your winter training checklist
- Choose your location and batch, then book flights. Festival weeks push fares up, so book early.
- Check your entry requirements early. India requires an e-visa for most nationalities see our Visa, Packing List and Travel Guide for India. Sri Lanka and Thailand have their own entry rules, so check the official government sites before you travel.
- Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months.
- Send us your flight details at least 3 days before you arrive, so we can arrange your airport pickup.
- Arrive on the 4th. Courses start on the 5th, so arriving a day early lets you start rested.
- Pack light and modest. Bring cotton clothes, a shawl for cool mornings, something to cover your shoulders and knees for temple or church visits, and reef-safe sunscreen. In Galle and Koh Samui, a light rain jacket is useful in November and December.
- Plan your post-course days. December graduates finish on the 27th, in time for New Year wherever you trained.
What our students say
1. Céline Schimanski – 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training | Lead Trainer: Yogini Manisha
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Namaste Diksha Yoga Team,
I miss all of you very much! I can’t thank you enough for showing me my way to self-realisation and leading me to the beautiful path of Yoga. I appreciate all your time, effort and patience. I will carry all of you in my heart forever!
I had the most amazing and most special time of my life with you guys! Big kiss and a special one for my sweetheart Yogini MANISHA ❤️
LOVE YOU All Yogini Manisha, Yogi Abhay, Vinod Vitkar! NAMASTE!
2. Leigh Hughes – 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training | Lead Trainer: Yogini Manisha
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’ve completed my 200 YTT with Yoga Manisha, Yogi Abhay, and Vinod and can truly recommend it. Although it was “only” one month, it will influence my path a lot. I have learnt so much, not only asanas but, more importantly, about what yoga means and how it will positively impact my life. You can really tell that the Diksha Yoga crew loves what they do and the teachers are amazing…
Read More:- Reviews from Our Yoga Teacher Training Students
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place for winter yoga teacher training?
For November and December, Goa, which is reliably dry while Galle and Koh Samui are in their rainy season. From January, all three of our locations are at or near their best.
When is Diwali in 2026?
The main day of Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is Sunday 8 November 2026, during the first week of our November batch in Goa. The festival week runs from 6 to 11 November.
When is Loy Krathong in 2026?
Around Tuesday 24 November 2026, the full moon of the twelfth Thai lunar month. It falls during our November batch on Koh Samui.
What are Poya days in Sri Lanka?
Every full moon in Sri Lanka is a Poya day, a Buddhist public holiday. This winter, they fall on 24 November and 23 December 2026, and 22 January 2027.
Is December a good time for yoga teacher training?
In Goa, yes. It’s one of the best months: dry, sunny and festive. In Galle and Koh Samui December rain is easing but not over, so January is the better choice there.
How much does winter yoga teacher training cost?
Our 200 hour course costs from €1,800 in Goa, €2,000 in Galle and €2,800 in Koh Samui. Accommodation, meals and airport pickup are included.
Do I need to be advanced to join the 200 hour course?
No. A regular practice helps, but the 200 hour course is a foundation programme open to committed beginners as well as experienced practitioners.
Light your inner diya this winter
Diwali reminds us that light wins. The full moon reminds us to let go. Christmas reminds us to open our hearts, and New Year gives us permission to begin again. There’s no better season for becoming a yoga teacher, or simply for coming back to yourself.
Seats for winter batches are limited in all three locations.
👉 Reserve your place for winter 2026–27
Have a question first? Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll help you choose the right location and batch.
Related reading: Best Time for Yoga Teacher Training in Goa, Sri Lanka and Thailand · Visa, Packing List and Travel Guide for India · I Finished My 200 Hour YTT, Now What?
About the author
Yogini Manisha is the founder and lead teacher of Diksha Yoga School. She is an E-RYT 500 and Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP) with more than 16 years of teaching experience. She has trained 20000+ teachers in Goa, Sri Lanka and Thailand, and helps every graduate through their Yoga Alliance registration.
