Mukesh Kothari on Building a Yoga Studio with Purpose

My Yoga Journey: From Rishikesh to the World

My yoga journey formally began in 2004 at my father’s yoga studio in Rishikesh. Early on, I taught at Ananda in the Himalayas, a world-renowned destination spa, where I gained profound insights into therapeutic yoga and holistic wellness.

In 2005, I moved to Moscow to share yoga abroad. By 2008, I had settled in Budapest, facing the challenge of transitioning into freelance teaching. It took time and patience, but I gradually mastered the basics of conscious business and eventually opened my own yoga school.

By 2015, I began offering Yoga Teacher Trainings throughout Europe, including in Romania, the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, Luxembourg, and Slovakia. For the past ten years, I've focused deeply on 200- and 300-hour trainings, partnering with studios in long-term, trust-based collaborations.

In 2023, I launched TourwithYoga, a retreat company offering immersive experiences in places like Hungary, Bali, India, and Spain. Then in 2024, a lifelong vision was realized: the founding of a professional residential yoga training institute in Rishikesh. This center now serves as a home for deeper yoga studies, Ayurveda, and healing, accommodating up to 40 students.

Lessons I've Learned

From starting in Rishikesh to building my presence across Europe, I've learned that yoga is both a calling and a responsibility. Teaching yoga is not just about technique—it's about connection. I've learned to listen more than I speak, to respect the uniqueness of each student, and to always return to the foundational teachings for guidance. There were moments of uncertainty, especially when adapting to new cultures and learning the business side of yoga in different countries. But each challenge pushed me to evolve, personally and professionally.

I've learned that true success in yoga teaching comes from alignment—when your inner calling, your business practices, and your teachings all come from the same place of integrity and care.

My Message to Founders

To anyone building a career in yoga: begin with love for the practice and real care for people. You are not just leading postures, you are walking alongside others in their transformation.

Be ready to adapt, learn systems, and respect the local laws of the countries you work in. Build slowly and honestly. This is not a quick path, but it is a deeply fulfilling one if you stay connected to your purpose.

Never lose touch with the wisdom that first inspired you to teach. Let that guide every business decision, every class, and every retreat you offer.

Business Takeaways from Rooted Purpose

Build your business on a clear spiritual and philosophical foundation. It keeps you aligned in times of growth and challenge.

Adapt Across Borders

Understanding tax systems, regulations, and local customs is vital if you want to teach internationally.

Sustainable Teaching

Long-term collaborations and consistent offerings create trust and stability, for you and your students.

Vision into Reality

Big dreams like building a center or launching retreats take years. Start small but keep moving forward with patience.

Deepen, Don't Just Scale

True growth in the yoga business comes not from doing more, but from going deeper in your teaching and service.

At , we don't just share inspiring stories — we break down what makes yoga businesses succeed. By learning directly from real founders and entrepreneurs, we extract actionable lessons and proven strategies you can apply, so you can avoid common mistakes, feel more confident, grow faster, and make bold choices with clarity.