| 6 mins read
By Teresa Manring
For years, travelers searching for serenity and spiritual renewal have sought out ashrams and retreat centers in India, the birthplace of yoga, to study and practice. In India, unlike many other countries, yoga is a holistic physical, mental, and spiritual practice. Whether coming to India to master the headstand, deepen ones spiritual practice, or just take a break from the everyday demands of life, travellers can look forward to finding what they’re seeking here, and returning home calm, inspired, stronger and more flexible than when they arrived. Yoga is practiced and taught all over India, but the following four places offer the most variety in terms of yoga styles and experiences.
Rishikesh
Yoga in Rishikesh:
True to its name, the self-styled “Yoga Capital of the World” has unlimited options for yoga, meditation, and spiritual development. A traveler could spend months here and still not have time to try a class with every teacher in Rishikesh. To really experience yoga in Rishikesh, stay in one of the many ashrams in the Swarg Ashram or Laxman Jula areas. Most of these ashrams are perched on the river, and provide a comfortable place to stay and two yoga and meditation classes for as little as $10-15/night.
While you’re there:
The Ganges runs cool, clear and blue right through Rishikesh, making it the ideal place to take a holy dip, or for the adventurous—take a white water-rafting trip. Hire a Rishikesh tour guide and visit the nearby waterfalls, or be lead on the 3 km mountain hike up to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Visiting the abandoned “Beatles Ashram” (Maharishi’s Ashram) is also an interesting and popular place to explore for a few hours. Enjoy the delicious vegetarian food in Rishikesh, as meat is banned in many parts of the city.
When to go: Mild, sunny weather can be found in Rishikesh from November through March, or for those who like hot yoga, visiting from April – October might be more enticing.
Dharamsala
Yoga in Dharamsala: If doing yoga in a quiet place nestled in snow-capped mountains sounds appealing, there is nowhere better to visit than Dharamsala. Previously a place to visit meditation and Buddhism centers, Dharamsala, particularly the areas of Darmacot and Bhag Su, is also becoming a popular place to practice yoga and get trained as a yoga teacher. There are a pretty wide variety of yoga styles taught here, including Iyengar, Hatha, Ashtanga Vinyasa, and Kundalini. The scenic views combined with the fresh air and relaxed, friendly atmosphere of the mountain community make this the perfect place to unwind, stay put, and deepen ones yoga practice.
While you’re there: Dharamsala is the home of the exiled Tibetan government and the Dalai Lama, so anyone interested in Buddhism can have a deeper initiation here. There are two very good meditation centers located in Dharmacot, as well as countless temples and Buddhist societies to visit. The area above Dharmacot offers some gorgeous, snowy treks for those who love nature and adventure, the most popular and intense of which is the hike up to Triund. While Dharamsala trekking guides can take trekkers up and down the mountain in one day, it is also possible to spend a night or two at the top. The food is also incredible in Dharamsala, especially in McLeod Ganj. Don’t miss trying the Tibetan momos (dumplings) and butter yak tea.
When to go: To miss the chilly Himalayan weather, the best time to go is between May and September. For the best trekking, also avoid July and August, as these months see more rainfall than others.
Goa
Yoga in Goa: Feeling drawn to practice yoga on the beautiful Indian coast-line? The popular beach state of Goa offers every type of yoga imaginable in every type of setting. There are hundreds of teachers both local and international, teaching everywhere from 5 star retreats to informal classes on the roof of their hostels. Arambol beach and the up and coming Bardez beach in the north, and Palolem beach in the south, have the highest concentration of yoga centers in Goa. Even the most specialized forms of yoga, from Pre-Natal (pregnancy) classes to Aerial (flying) yoga, can be found in Goa.
While you’re there: Goa has a unique international scene, so it’s worth getting a complete architectural, cultural, religious, and historical tour from a Goa tour guide, which will include some of the hippest art galleries and old Portuguese churches and cathedrals. For a few activities off the tourist trail, visit the offbeat little beach of Arambol for an evening drum circle performance on the beach, and a fun night market where you can buy trinkets and goods made by fellow travellers.
When to go: The best time to visit Goa is mid-November to mid-February when the weather is dry and not too hot.
Mysore
Yoga in Mysore: Mysore is famous for being the birthplace and home of Shri K. Pattabhi Jois, the yoga master who founded Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, a form that is known for being movement oriented and physically demanding. Almost 70 years after Jois began teaching in Mysore, the city is full of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga centers, where students can stay and practice anywhere from a day to months at a time. If a dynamic, energizing, yoga class in the South Indian heat sounds attractive—don’t miss Mysore!
While you’re there: Mysore city served as the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore for 6 centuries, and thus has numerous well-preserved palaces that can be visited, the most famous of which is Mysore Palace. Mysore is full of all kinds of urban activities and sights that can be visited with a Mysore tour guide, including museums, parks and gardens, and a zoo. The light show at Brindavan Gardens, and Melody World, a unique wax museum devoted to musicians and musical instruments from all over the world are must-sees.
When to go: The south of India can get excruciatingly hot; try to avoid February through May, which have the highest temperatures.
(Teresa Manring is a yoga teacher and writer from the US, currently calling Sri Lanka home.)
Image Details and Licenses: https://flic.kr/p/7N6wBC (Vinoth Chandar, CC BY 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/4bP4r3 (McKay Savage, CC BY 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/627ZXR (Barry Pousman, CC BY 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/iwi9w5 (Dennis Yang, CC BY 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/dPeZwZ (Ramnath Bhat, CC BY 2.0)