June 21 is celebrated as International Day of Yoga around the world and with this fitness form gaining widespread popularity, people are keen to take it up and imbibe it in their daily life. If you are someone who wouldn’t miss yoga even on vacation, these 6 yoga resorts in India are just for you. But if you’d like to learn it and also experience the ashram life, here’s where you can do so in India.
Experience living in an ashram and learn yoga at these places in India.
The Art of Living Ashram in Bangalore offers many programs including one on yoga. Called the Art of Living yoga and meditation, it is a 10-hour workshop spread over five days. The ashram or as they call it, the Art of Living International Center, is situated on top of the Panchagiri Hills and is spread across 65 acres. Apart from yoga and meditation, one can attend satsangs that are conducted every evening. Where: Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth, 21st km, Kanakapura Road, Udayapura, Bangalore, Karnataka Contact: 8067262626
Founded by His holiness Swami Sivananda, a yoga master, there are several Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers & Ashrams in the country from the north to the south of India. These ashrams preach the teachings of their master and also offer several yoga courses. You can choose from a yoga vacation program that lasts two weeks or opt for a one month teachers training course. Where: Dhanwantari Ashram, Neyyardam. Meenakshi Ashram, Madurai. Sivananda Kutir, Uttarkashi. Contact: yogaindia@sivananda.org
One of the oldest ashrams in Rishikesh, Yoga Niketan Ashram offers accommodation and yoga courses to Indians as well as foreigners and preaches Patanjali’s eight-fold yoga path. The ashram is situated on a hill by the banks of Ganga. Sadhaks who stay here need to follow ashram rules that include taking part in all yoga and meditation activities and not smoking, drinking or eating non-vegetarian food. Apart from the main ashram in Rishikesh, there are several branches in various parts of India and one in Japan too. Where: Muni-Ki-Reti, Ramjhula, Shivanand Nagar, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand Contact: 01352430227
Located on the foothills of the Himalayas, by the banks of Ganga, Phool Chatti Ashram is over a 100 years old and offers yoga course and the ashram life experience. For Hatha to Ashtanga yoga to Pranayam, you can learn the basics of yoga at its seven-day course. In addition to these, meditative walks, lectures and mantra chanting are also part of the course. Where: Neel Kanth Road, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand Contact: phoolchattiashram@gmail.com
Mostly thronged by foreigners, Shri Kali Ashram in Goa specializes in teaching Tantra yoga. The courses offered here include seven and 14-day retreats and longer courses like six and 12 months traditional tantra studies. They also have teacher training courses that one can pursue. Located on Turtle Beach in Goa, this ashram is quite secluded with only locals visiting the beach and not foreigners. Where: Mata Shree, Canacona, Goa Contact: 07262010295
