Privacy, Grievance, Payment, Cancellation & Media Policy
Aatm Yogashala - Yoga Teacher Training School, Rishikesh, India
Aatm Yogashala (“we”, “us”, “our”) is a Yoga Alliance-registered yoga school based in Rishikesh, India, running residential Yoga Teacher Training Courses, retreats and online yoga programs for students from 70+ countries. This page brings together, in one place, how we handle your personal data, how we resolve complaints, how course payments work, what happens if you need to cancel or reschedule, and how we use photos and videos from your course.
By visiting our website, submitting an enquiry, making a payment or enrolling in any Aatm Yogashala program (in Rishikesh, Bali or online), you agree to the terms set out below.
Privacy Policy
How we collect, use and protect your personal data
We collect only the information needed to process your enquiry, confirm your booking and deliver your course safely. This policy is prepared in line with India's Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023. Since students join us from across the world, we also follow the spirit of the GDPR for EU/EEA visitors and the CCPA for California residents.
Data Collection & Processing Guidelines
- Personal Contact: Full name, email address, phone/WhatsApp number and nationality.
- Health & Practice Level: Yoga experience level, health conditions or injuries relevant to safe practice.
- Identification: Passport/ID details needed for enrollment and certification records.
- Course Preferences: Course, batch date and room-type preferences shared during booking.
- Payment Reference: Payment reference details (we never store your full card number).
- Technical Data: IP address, browser, device and pages visited collected automatically.
- To process enrollment, send booking confirmation and course joining instructions.
- To communicate schedules, pre-arrival guidance and logistics on email/WhatsApp.
- To issue certificates and maintain records for Yoga Alliance verification.
- To send newsletters or offers only where you have explicitly opted in.
- To improve our website and course experience using anonymised analytics.
- To meet legal, tax and regulatory obligations under Indian law.
Data Protection & Student Rights
We do not sell or rent your personal data. Information is shared strictly with parties required to deliver your training:
- Secure payment gateways and banking partners
- Email, WhatsApp and website analytics tools (such as Google Analytics)
- Government or legal authorities, only where disclosure is required by law
- Cookies: Used to remember preferences and track anonymised site metrics. Can be disabled in browser settings anytime.
- Retention: Enrollment & certification records kept for minimum 5 years for Yoga Alliance and employer verification.
- Access a summary of the personal data we hold about you
- Correct or update inaccurate information
- Withdraw consent for optional communications (such as marketing emails)
- Request deletion of your data, where we are not legally required to retain it
- Raise a grievance with us using the Grievance Redressal process below
- Minors: Residential courses designed for 18+. Ages 16-17 join only with verified written guardian consent. No data collected for <16.
- Data Security: Protected via encrypted SSL connections, restricted staff access and regular security reviews.
We may revise this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law or our services. The “Last Updated” date at the top of this page always shows the most recent version.
Grievance Redressal Policy
How complaints and concerns are received and resolved
We want every student to feel heard. In line with the IT Act, 2000, the IT (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules, 2021, and the DPDP Act, 2023, Aatm Yogashala has a designated Grievance Officer to handle privacy, billing, certification, and service-related complaints.
Designated Grievance Officer
- Name: Amit Yogi
- Designation: Founder & Director, Aatm Yogashala
- Email: aatmyogashala@gmail.com
- Phone / WhatsApp: +91 84459 93766
Aatm Yogashala
Yoga Village - Jonk, Ram Jhula, Swargashram,
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India - 249304
Where to Raise Different Grievances
| Grievance Type | Contact Person | When to Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Billing or payment dispute | Grievance Officer (aatmyogashala@gmail.com) | Any time |
| On-campus (food, room, class, staff) | Campus Coordinator | During course |
| Certification or data privacy concern | Grievance Officer | Any time |
| Code of conduct / disciplinary matter | School Administration | During course |
- Billing & Payment Issues: Raise directly with the Grievance Officer at aatmyogashala@gmail.com (Any time).
- On-Campus Concerns (Food, Room, Classes, Staff): Contact the Campus Coordinator for immediate support during the course.
- Certification & Privacy Matters: Email the Grievance Officer at aatmyogashala@gmail.com.
- Code of Conduct & Disciplinary Matters: Managed directly by School Administration during the course.
Email us at aatmyogashala@gmail.com with:
- Your full name and registered contact details
- A clear description of the issue
- The course/batch it relates to
- Relevant dates and any supporting screenshots or documents
| Grievance Stage | Resolution Time |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgement of complaint | Within 48 hours |
| Initial investigation & response | 7 – 10 working days |
| Final resolution & outcome | Within 30 calendar days |
- Acknowledgement: Within 48 hours of receipt.
- Initial Investigation: 7 – 10 working days.
- Final Resolution: Within 30 calendar days.
If you remain unsatisfied after our resolution, data-privacy grievances can be escalated to the Data Protection Board of India (under the DPDP Act, 2023) once constituted, and consumer disputes can be raised with the National Consumer Helpline or the relevant Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Payment Policy
How course fees are booked, paid and taxed
Booking your seat at Aatm Yogashala is simple and transparent. Reserve your place with a nominal $50 USD advance booking deposit, and settle the remaining course fee upon your arrival in Rishikesh.
Payment Guidelines
- Nominal $50 Deposit: Your seat is reserved immediately after receiving an advance booking deposit of only $50 USD at the time of registration.
- Non-Refundable with Lifetime Validity: The $50 USD deposit is non-refundable, but remains valid anytime in the future (no expiry date) and is transferable to any batch, friend, or relative.
- Balance Payable on Arrival: The remaining course fee balance is payable upon arrival at Aatm Yogashala in Rishikesh before classes commence.
- Cash on Arrival in Rishikesh: Payable in USD, EUR, GBP, or INR on check-in day with zero extra charges (for balance amount).
- PayPal & Cards: Secure international payment option via PayPal (a 6% platform and processing fee applies).
- Wise (TransferWise): Fast, convenient international direct transfer with low transparent conversion fees.
- Bank / Wire Transfer: International SWIFT bank transfer details shared on request (bank processing charges borne by student).
- UPI & Domestic Cards: Instant online payment methods for students paying from within India.
Fee Inclusions & Exclusions
- Tuition for all scheduled classes, lectures, and training sessions
- Accommodation for the course duration, as per the room type booked
- Daily sattvic vegetarian meals as per the published schedule
- Study material, manuals and props used in class
- Certificate on successful completion of the course requirements
- Flights, trains or local transport to and from Rishikesh
- Visa fees and travel/health insurance
- Personal expenses, laundry, shopping or optional excursions
- Any card/bank transfer surcharge mentioned above
Fees are generally quoted in USD or INR. Applicable Indian taxes, where relevant, are charged as per current law. Price Lock Guarantee: Once your advance payment is received at a quoted fee, that fee is honoured for your batch even if prices change later for new bookings.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Lifetime fee validity, course transfer & student terms
All fees and payments (including advance deposits and course fees) paid to Aatm Yogashala are non-refundable. However, your fees never expire — your payment remains 100% safe and can be used anytime in the future for any upcoming batch, or transferred to your family or friends.
Fee Structure & Lifetime Seat Validity
- All Payments Non-Refundable: All fees, advance booking amounts, and course payments are strictly non-refundable once paid.
- Prior Reservations: Since teacher schedules, student slots, accommodation, and satvik meals are reserved in advance, no cash or bank refunds can be issued under any circumstances.
- Universal Application: This policy applies to all cancellations, travel changes, visa delays, or personal emergencies.
- Lifetime Validity (Join Anytime): If you cannot attend your scheduled batch right now, your paid fees remain 100% safe with no expiry date. You can join any upcoming batch whenever you are ready in the future.
- Transferable to Friends & Family: If you are unable to come, you can transfer your seat and 100% of your paid fees to any family member, friend, or relative.
- Flexible Course Adjustment: Your paid payment can also be applied to any other course or retreat (100-Hr, 200-Hr, 300-Hr TTC, Kundalini Yoga, or retreats) at Aatm Yogashala.
Batch Rescheduling & Departure Terms
- Prior Notice: Please notify our team by email or WhatsApp at least 15–30 days prior to your batch start date if you need to put your seat on hold or select new dates.
- Visa Delays & Travel Issues: If you face travel restrictions or visa delays, your deposit is automatically held as credit for any future batch without any deduction.
- In the rare event a batch is rescheduled by Aatm Yogashala, students receive priority enrollment in the next available batch or 100% credit transfer.
- If you need to leave the course early due to personal, work, or medical reasons, unused days are non-refundable as room and meals are already booked.
- However, remaining course training hours can be carried forward and completed in any future batch without paying the full tuition fee again.
- If classes are disrupted by natural events or government regulations, full credit is transferred to upcoming batches of your choice.
To put your booking on hold, choose new batch dates anytime in the future, or transfer your booking to a friend or relative, simply email us at aatmyogashala@gmail.com or message on WhatsApp at +91 84459 93766.
Media Policy
How we use photos, videos and student reviews
Campus Media & Student Consent Guidelines
By enrolling in any Aatm Yogashala program, you agree that photos and videos taken during classes, ceremonies and excursions may be used by us for genuine promotional and educational purposes — on our website, social media pages, brochures and advertising. We do not sell your photos or videos to unrelated third parties.
Opting OutIf you would prefer not to appear in our marketing material, or wish an existing image removed, write to us at aatmyogashala@gmail.com. We will make a reasonable effort to remove identifiable images within 60 days, except where they are already part of printed material in circulation.
- Students may not photograph or record other students or teachers without their consent.
- Recording is not permitted during meditation and certain personal-practice sessions, out of respect for everyone's privacy.
- Mobile phones should stay off or on silent inside the yoga hall during classes.
When you submit a review or testimonial to us or on platforms like Google, Trustpilot or Tripadvisor, you confirm it reflects your genuine experience. Sharing it allows Aatm Yogashala to feature it on our channels. Reviews represent personal views of individual students.
Frequently Asked Questions: FAQs
Everything you need to know about our school policies
Still Have a Question?
Our admissions & student support team replies within 24–48 hours on working days.