Parmarth
Niketen, on the banks of the holy Ganges river in Rishikesh, is one
of the top
yoga centers in India
and the biggest ashram in the area. It has 1,000 rooms on its
sprawling eight acre campus, with various rates (on a "donation"
basis from 300 rupees per person, per day) depending on the standard
of accommodations and view.
Two
yoga classes and three meals daily are included in the price. The
ashram runs an extensive program of beginner yoga, Vedic heritage and
spirituality, and teacher training courses. Outsider visitors are
welcome to attend daily classes by giving a donation. The ashram's
evening Ganga
aarti
is popular.
Sivananda
Ashram
Another
of India's top yoga centers, Sivananda Ashram was founded by Swami
Sivananda and is run by the Divine Life Society. Teachings are based
around the five points of yoga -- postures, breathing, relaxation,
meditation, and diet. Free yoga and meditation classes are offered
daily. However, accommodations (which are also provided free of
charge, along with food) are only available to serious spiritual
seekers who need to apply at least a month in advance. The ashram is
located 3 kilometers from Rishikesh, on the way to Badrinath.
Omkarananda
Ganga Sadan
Omkarananda
Ganga Sadan, the guesthouse of the Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, is
home to the Patanjala Yoga Kendra yoga center. Iyengar yoga classes
are the specialty there. The center is located at the Muni-ki-Reti
area of Rishikesh, on the banks of the Ganges river.
It
has its own ghat, and a daily aarti is performed. Daily (except
Sundays) yoga classes are open to everyone but reservations need to
be made months in advance for the intensive yoga courses.
Lectures
on the Bhagavad Gita are also offered. Accommodations are reasonably
priced and clean, and many rooms have river views.
4.
Sadhana Mandir and Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama Ashram
Sadhana
Mandir
Sadhana
Mandir
was founded in 1966 by Swami Rama, author of Living
with the Himalayan Masters,
and many other renowned spiritual books. Meditation, in the Himalayan
Tradition, is the focus of the teachings at this ashram.
It has a serene
garden setting on the banks of the Ganges river, but away from the
hustle and bustle of Rishikesh. Various residential programs are
offered and require reservations at least two weeks in advance.
Swami
Rama Sadhaka Grama
was founded by Swami Veda Bharati, a disciple of Swami Rama. In
addition to offering meditation instruction in the Himalayan
Tradition, the ashram is a highly regarded center for scientific
research into yogic meditation.
Accommodations,
limited to 100 guests at a time, are provided in very comfortable
self contained bungalows. There's a daily schedule of activities, as
well as personalized instruction and individualized spiritual
retreats. Accommodation rates vary according to nationality, and
include meals and daily classes.
Sanskriti
Yogpeeth
Sanskriti
Yogpeeth is relatively new and modern -- it was founded in 2010 --
and is located in the happening Swarg Ashram area. Rather than being
a typical ashram, it markets itself as a "yoga hotel".
There
are 21 rooms with attached bathrooms, hot water, and even room
service! Expect to pay $400 per person for one week, single
occupancy, with all meals provided. On offer are daily Hatha yoga
classes (morning and evening), seven or 15 day yoga retreats, Indian
dance and classical music, philosophy of Yoga, and Ayurvedic massage.
Yoga
Niketen
Yoga
Niketan was foundecd by Swami Yogeshwaranand Paramahans. The
teachings of this ashram, which is located in the Muni-Ki-Reti area
of Rishikesh, are based solely on eight fold path as per the
Patanjali yoga shastra. The ashram requires a minimum stay of 15 days
for any of its courses.
However,
it also has a commercially run guesthouse that's available for
shorter stays, and guests can attend daily classes at the ashram.
Room rates start from 500 rupees a day, per person, for Indians and
900 rupees a day for foreigners.
Swami
Dayananda Ashram
This
ashram was established during the 1960s by Swami Dayananda Saraswati,
an internationally recognized teacher of Vedanta and scholar of
Sanskrit. It's located in picturesque surroundings, around 10 minutes
walk from the Ram Jhula area. Regular residential courses are
conduced there, with focus on Bhagavad Gita and the ten principal
Upanishads. Vedic chanting is also taught during the courses. In
addition, visiting teachers conduct Iyengar yoga retreats (suitable
for beginners and intermediate students) at the ashram. The ashram
has more than 150 rooms with attached bathrooms. However,
accommodations are provided for course students only. The ashram
doesn't run a guesthouse.
Phool
Chatti
Meaning
"Land of Flowers", Phool Chatti ashram was founded in the
late 1800s (yes, it's more than 120 years old) and is located a
peaceful 5 kilometers upriver from Laxman Jhula. The ashram is
renowned for its frequent seven day yoga and meditation program.
The
teachings are different from many others as they focus on the full
spectrum of the yogic path and ashram life, not just asanas
(postures). Students will get to experience meditation, breathing
(pranayama), cleansing, chanting, mauna (silence), pooja (worship),
kirtan (sacred singing), and other important aspects of the yogic
path. There are opportunities for meditative walks amongst nature as
well.
Anand
Prakash Ashram
Anand
Prakash Ashram was founded in 2007 by husband and wife team Chetana
Panwar (a Canadian woman) and Yogirishi Vishvketu (who's studied
Hatha and Raja yoga, and the Vedic healing arts, in northern India
since childhood).
They
offer their own style of yoga called Akhanda Yoga, which has
holistic, non-sectarian teachings. Emphasis is on balanced sequencing
of asana, pranayama, relaxation, mantra and meditation, as well as
discussions and readings on the yogic lifestyle and yoga philosophy.
Stays at the ashram including yoga, accommodations, and meals are
from 700 rupees ($15) per person, per night.
There
are 18 rooms, and a minimum three nights stay is required. Yoga
classes for non-residents are 150 rupees for afternoon classes and
200 rupees for morning classes. The ashram also runs 200 hour and 500
hour Yoga Teacher Training programs. It's located in the Tapovan
area.
Osho
GangaDham Ashram
The
Osho GangaDham ashram is situated on the Ganges river at Brahampuri,
around 10 minutes drive from the Laxman Jhula area on Badrinath Road.
Various types of Osho Active Meditation practices are taught at the
ashram, and meditation camps are offered throughout the year.
Alternatively, you can simply listen to discourses, or do nothing but
relax there.
Art
of Living
Founded in 1982 by
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Art of Living is renowned world-wide for
its stress-elimination and self-development programs based mainly on
breathing techniques, meditation and yoga.
The Art of Living
as a voluntary organization also undertakes various initiatives aimed
at uplifting humanity and enhancing the quality of life. The
foundation course at the ashram is the three day Art of Living Part I
residential workshop. You'll learn revitalizing breathing techniques
to restore the natural rhythms of body and mind.
Where:
In the Panchagiri hills, 36 kilometers southwest of Bangalore, near
Udipalya village.
Courses:
Art of Living I & II, yoga, meditation, Vaastu Shastra, Vedic
math, and youth training courses.
Osho
Ashram
Osho was perhaps
India's most controversial spiritual leaders due to his views about
sex. The Osho ashram no longer holds workshops calling for
undressing, and free love isn't encouraged. Yet, unlike many ashrams,
there's no gender segregation anywhere at the Osho ashram. The
ashram, which is more like a resort, aims to provide a luxurious
environment where people can be at ease with themselves.
Despite the
compulsory wearing of maroon robes, it's commercial and far removed
from Indian culture. Courses are mostly directed at healing from
traumatic experiences, rather than personal development.
Where:
Pune.
Courses:
Active meditations (including jumping and screaming), Tantra
workshops, plus a huge range of multi-diversity
courses.
Isha
Yoga Center
The Isha Foundation
is a non-profit organization, founded by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev in
1992. Its purpose is to foster people's spiritual and physical
wellbeing through yoga and outreach programs, such as environmental
rejuvenation.
The core of the
Foundation's activities is a customized system of yoga called Isha
Yoga. The 3-7 day introductory program, known as Inner Engineering,
introduces guided meditations and a powerful inner energy process for
deep inner transformation.
Where:
Isha Yoga Center, at the base of the Velliangiri Mountains in Tamil
Nadu.
Courses:
Inner Engineering, Hatha yoga, yoga for children, advanced
meditation programs, sacred treks, mind and body rejuvenation
retreats based on Ayurvedic principles.
Satya
Sai Baba
The teachings of
Sathya Sai Baba, widely recognized by his mop of black hair, focus on
belief in God, living a moral life, and helping other people. The
spiritual leader encourages devotees to follow the religion of their
choice and/or upbringing. People are drawn to the ashram by the
desire to see and be healed by an "incarnation of God".
However, the rules are strict, so do be prepared to follow them.
Where:
The main ashram (Prasanthi Nilayam) where Sathya Sai Baba mostly
resides is in Puttaparthi, 125 kilometers northeast of Bangalore.
Courses:
Ashram life consists of pathways to God devotion, including early
morning Vedic chanting, singing of religious songs, spiritual talks,
and discussions.
Amritapuri
Ashram
Fondly known as the
"Hugging Mother" or "Amma, the Mother of All",
Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi envelopes devotees with her love. She
focuses her attention on trying to overcome the lack of love and
compassion in the world, and devotees are particularly attracted to
her for her comforting embraces. Free public darshans
(audiences) are held with Amma at around 10 a.m. on Wednesdays,
Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Where:
The Amritapuri Ashram is in Kollam, Kerala. 110 kilometers north of
Trivandrum.
Courses:
Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique (a 20 minute combination of
yoga, pranayama, and meditation). Morning and evening mediation,
prayers, and service are all part of the ashram life.
Sri
Aurobindo Ashram
Founded in 1926 by
Sri Aurobindo and a French woman known as The Mother, the Sri
Aurobindo Ashram has grown into a diversified community with
thousands of members. The ashram sees itself as working towards the
creation of a new world, a new humanity. If you're looking for a
quiet haven of retreat, this isn't the right ashram for you. It's "a
vibrant center of life in a modern urban setting". There's no
renunciation of the world there. Everyone spends time each day in one
or another of the Ashram's 80 departments.
Where:
Pondicherry,
160 kilometers south of Chennai, in Tamil Nadu.
Courses:
Collective meditations are held, but there are no prescribed
practices, rituals, compulsory meditations, or systematic
instructions.
Bangalore
Sai
Baba Ashram
Puttaparthi, near
Bangalore
Prasanthi Nilayam is
the main ashram for the famous saint Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The
main temple (mandir) is called Prasanthi Nilayam, and is the
spiritual center for countless people all over the world.
Accommodations at the ashram are difficult to get so make
reservations well in advance. The rooms are simple, food is plentiful
and inexpensive, and there is a daily program of activity that
includes Vedic chanting, Bhajans (devotional singing) and Arati
(worship).
Sri
Aurobindo Ashram
Pondicherry, south
of Chennai
Sri Aurobindo was a
philosopher, spiritual leader, political activist, mystic, poet and
yogi. His ashram is in Pondicherry, a beach-side city south of
Chennai. Pondicherry is a former French colony and still has many
influences from that time. Buses leave frequently between Chennai and
Pondicherry, along with taxis from the Chennai airport. The guest
accommodations are inexpensive and require prior reservations. The
main activities at the ashram are: meditating in the main Ashram near
the Samadhi and studying at the educational center.
The Samadhi is a
tomb of Aurobindo and The Mother that has now become a shrine.
You can meditate near the Samadhi at any time during the day; group
meditations are offered on several evenings. The educational center
provides many books and films about Sri Aurobindo’s life and
teachings.
Sri
Ramana Ashram
Tiruvannamalai,
south of Chennai
This ashram lies at
the foot of Mt. Arunachala and draws devotees of Sri Ramana Maharshi
who lived most of his life in meditation on the mountain. Though Sri
Maharshi passed away in 1950, his presence is very much alive. Each
day, people gather at the ashram to meditate, pray and chant.
Just up the mountain
are two places where Sri Maharshi spent many years in deep
meditation. These are powerful places to meditate, especially for
those who are able to attune themselves to his silent teachings. He
was not a guru to give lots of teachings or discourses. People came
from all over the world to be transformed by his silent presence. The
ashram is a very relaxed place where visitors can spend the day in
meditation, take part in puja (worship) at the shrine or use the
library and bookshop.
Mt. Arunachala is as
much of a draw as the ashram and it’s recommended to walk around
the mountain at least once during your visit (13 km). The most
popular times to do this circumambulation are during the full moon,
or early morning before the sun becomes too hot. If you wish to stay
at the ashram, book a room at least 3 months in advance. Several
reasonable hotels and guest houses are close to the ashram grounds.
Integral
Yoga Institute (IYI)
Coimbatore, Tamil
Nadu
The IYI offers yoga
and meditation classes year round including a 6-day introductory
course, drop-in yoga classes, and yoga for special groups.
Ongoing ashram activities include Scripture study, a Saturday evening
2-hr meditation, Sunday Satsang with lectures and kirtan, individual
counseling, and a volunteer Community service program.
The
yoga
is in the tradition of the late Sri Swami Satchidananda who founded
Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville, a spiritual community in Virginia,
USA.
Accommodations are
low cost and include attached baths, hot running water and Western
style toilets. Meals are not included, but there are many good
restaurants nearby. Guests also have access to a kitchen if they wish
to cook their own meals. Included in the room cost are two Yoga
classes and three meditation periods every weekday.
Isha
Yoga Center
near Coimbatore,
Tamil Nadu
This ashram is
featured in the film Asha goes to India, and was one of Asha’s
favorite place to visit in India. It’s located on 150 acres of lush
land at the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains. The center offers
a variety of one to two week programs such as Inner Engineering and
Isha Yoga. The center offers comfortable and modern accommodations,
an Ayurvedic Spa, and a multi-religious temple housing the Dhyana
lingam. The guru is Sadhguru who is a visionary, humanitarian and
prominent spiritual leader.
Haridwar is one of
the holiest pilgrimage places in India and is situated approximately
200km north of New Delhi on the banks of the Ganges river. Haridwar
is often chosen as a retreat center for saints and pilgrims who seek
a life of study and meditation. It is a great place to go if you want
to avoid the foreigners who flock to nearby Rishikesh. Haridwar has a
distinctly Indian feel to it, in contrast to Rishikesh which is more
western and New Age.
Prem
Nagar Ashram
Railway Rd in
Haridwar
This very large
ashram was founded by Prem Nagar and provides a tranquil setting for
spiritual practice along with a wealth of resources including:
Satsang Hall, the
largest in Haridwar. 2,000 people can sit in it to listen to
spiritual discourses (“satsang”)
modern hall with
state of the art sound, light that can accommodate 20,000 people,
and has been especially designed for satsang and meditation for
seekers from around the world.
daily meditation
and singing at 5am and 7:30pm
ashram has its own
cows and Ayurvedic medicine factory
huge, pillarless
meeting hall and a ghat facing the Ganges
four large
residential buildings with a total of more than 800 rooms, most of
which have attached bathrooms.
a swimming-pool
sized computerized fountain, which plays a variety of devotional
music synchronized with multi-colored fountains.
Prem Nagar Ashram
provides accommodation and all amenities so that visitors can devote
themselves to meditation, study and service.
Shanti
Kunj Ashram
Shanti Kunj is a
large ashram set in gardens that offers simple accommodations with
private bathroom, hot water, air coolers and fans. It is for serious
students of sadhana, meditation and mantras. The day begins at 5:15am
with mantras, followed by yagyar (fire ceremony) and meditation.
Sivananda
Yoga Vedanta Center
Meenakshi Ashram
The ashram is
nestled within 12 acres of natural beauty and lies inside a natural
forest approximately 20 km north of the holy city Madurai in the
state of Tamil Nadu. The peaceful forest surroundings, the panoramic
views along with the adjacent lotus pond offer an ideal setting for
yogic practices. Three Ashrams in India are part of The
International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers,
a non-profit organization named after Swami
Sivananda,
one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the 20th century.
Many different courses and trainings are offered, including the ideal
2-week “Yoga Vacation.”
Bihar
Yoga School (Bihar Yoga Bharati)
The Bihar School of
Yoga was founded in 1964 by Paramahamsa Satyananda to impart yogic
training. The Yoga School teaches a full yogic lifestyle and
incorporates traditional postures, breathing, and meditation. Two
main courses are offered: Yogic Studies 4 Months (offered in English
once a year), Yogic Lifestyle & Science 3 Months. The programs
combine academic studies with a lifestyle of discipline and can be
challenging. All aspirants must be prepared for this approach to
yogic studies. In addition to the yogic education, seva (selfless
service), samarpan (dedication) and karuna (compassion) are taught.
Brahma
Kumaris
The Brahma Kumaris
organization consists of 8,500 centres
located in 110 countries.
The headquarters are known as Madhuban, which means “Forest of
Honey” and is located in Mt. Abu. The institution offers the
foundation courses in Rajyoga meditation, without charging any fees.
Every year, a large international family of practicing yogis comes to
this place to do intense meditation and be in a holy place. Courses
in philosophy and practice of Rajyoga Meditation are the primary
offering. Not much emphasis is put on asanas which are the physical
postures of yoga.
Principal
attractions on the grounds of Madhuban are: the Meditation Hut,
Meditation Room and
Tower of Peace. The Universal Peace hall is the main hall, and
seats 3,000.
Kaivalyadhama
Yoga Hospital
Lonavala, near
Mumbai
An excellent choice
for serious students of yoga, ayurveda and naturopathy. A Ph.D. in
Yoga is offered here, along with certifications for yoga teachers,
and naturopathic and Ayurvedic practitioners. Kaivalyadhama is one of
the most traditional schools of yoga in the world offering yoga
practice in its original form. It is also houses a yoga
research institute. Room rates cover full board, yoga sessions,
programs and lectures. Advanced bookings are recommended (see
website). The minimum course is 8 days.
Vipassana
Meditation Centers in India
Vipassana, which
means to see things as they really are, is one of India’s most
ancient techniques of meditation. The technique is taught at ten-day
residential courses during which participants follow a prescribed
Code
of Discipline
and it is serious work. The ten-day format is considered a
minimum time to begin to experience it’s benefits and it is taught
step by step with time to practice. There are no charges for the
courses – and all the teachings are given by donation.
The
Yoga Institute, Mumbai
The Yoga Institute,
Santacruz (East), Mumbai, India was founded in 1918 by Shri
Yogendraji. The Institute offers a range of courses, workshops,
and camps. A good course to start with would be the 21 Days to Better
Living, which gives a good overview to the yoga practice and
lifestyle. The therapeutic health camps are of particular interest
and to overcome specific ailments such as: heart and respiratory
problems, hypertension, diabetes, orthopedic conditions, and stress
related issues. There are also special programs for children and
pregnant women.
Shri K. Pattabhi
Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute – Mysore
The Shri K. Pattabhi
Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute teaches one of the most intense and
physically demanding styles of hatha yoga. Known in the West as
Ashtanga Yoga, it has become a famous school which many celebrities
have attended. A primary component of the practice is vinyasa, which
means breathing and movement, which at times can be quite vigorous to
promote internal cleansing.
To attend the school, a minimum stay
of one month in Mysore is required, and the online application must
be submitted from 2 to 4 months prior to arrival.
Osho
Meditation Retreat
Bhagwan Shree
Rajneesh or “Osho” as he was later called, was one of India’s
most controversial gurus. He disdained organized religion and other
institutions such as marriage. He gained notoriety for his fleet of
Rolls Royces and his advocacy of free and open expression of sex. He
gained a large international following, and is still influential
through his hundreds of books and CDs and other publications.
At the center, you
can learn Osho Active Meditation, or other programs such as Osho
Multiversity Program, The Daily Meditation Program, and Work as
Meditation Program. The prices can be high, but the facilities are
first class and include: a swimming pool, sauna, “Zen” tennis
courts, and various guest houses. If you choose not to stay at the
ashram, you can get a meditation pass that includes all-day access to
the center and the five-hectare Osho Teerth gardens behind the
commune.
Ramamani
Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI)
Ramamani Iyengar
Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) is the heart and soul of Iyengar
Yoga,
which was established in 1975 by B.K.S. Iyengar. Emphasis is given to
precision and alignment in all postures, and the use of props, such
as wooden gadgets, belts, ropes. Classes are generally booked a year
or two in advance. The center is for serious students, and it
is expected that applicants have practiced Iyengar Yoga for at least
8 years, and must have the application endorsed by their Iyengar Yoga
teacher. Note: Students will have to make their own arrangements for
lodging and boarding in Pune.
Parmarth
Niketan
Parmarth Niketan is
a spiritual haven on the holy banks of the Ganges river. It is the
largest ashram in Rishikesh, and provides thousands of pilgrims with
clean, sacred atmosphere as well as abundant, beautiful gardens. The
daily activities at Parmarth Niketan include morning universal
prayers, daily yoga and meditation classes, daily satsang and lecture
programs, kirtan, as well as Nature Cure and Ayurvedic treatment and
training. They are famous for their Ganga aarti at sunset, which is
singing and devotional chanting on the banks of the Ganga. There are
about 1,000 residential rooms that retain the simplicity of ashram
living and yet are equipped with the necessary modern amenities.
Programs run year-round.
Phool
Chatti Ashram
This ashram is well
know for its 7-Day Yoga and Meditation Retreats, which
provide
an excellent, comprehensive introduction to the yogic path and ashram
life. Elements of the course include Yoga Asana (Exercise),
Meditation, Pranayama (Breathing Practice), Sacred Chant, Lectures
and Silence. The daily schedule for the retreat runs from the
5:30am wake up bell to 9:00 pm, and further details of daily Yogic
activities and course dates are listed online. The ashram is situated
away from the hustle and bustle of the main city and many rooms have
a river view.
Yoga
Niketan Ashram
Classes here are
taught in a traditional Indian teaching style. To stay at the ashram
you need to commit to 15 days or more, and attendance at the morning
and evening yoga and meditation classes is compulsory. Those
not staying at the ashram are welcome to attend classes and use the
library.
Amritapuri
Ashram – Amma’s Ashram in India
Built up on the very
property where Amma was born, Amritapuri is now the headquarters of
Amma’s worldwide mission and the spiritual home for Amma’s
disciples and devotees. All the residents have dedicated their lives
for realizing God and serving the world. Amma’s children from
across the globe gather to have Amma’s darshan. She listens to
their worries, consoles, encourages, and provides new direction to
their lives. Everyone is welcome to come and stay at the ashram at
any time, and take part in the daily activities. Please bear in mind
that Amma travels frequently and her schedule sometimes changes on
short notice. International visitors are requested to register in
advance.
Sivananda
Yoga Vedanta Center
Dhanwantari Ashram,
Neyyar Dam
The Sivananda Yoga
Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram is set in 12 acres of tropical splendor in
the foothills of Kerala’s Western Ghats. The natural beauty of
Neyyar Dam, the forested surroundings, the cool green coconut tree
groves and colorful flower-filled views, all offer an ideal
atmosphere for the practice of yoga and meditation. Three Ashrams in
India are part of The
International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers,
a non-profit organization named after Swami
Sivananda,
one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the 20th century.
Many different courses and trainings are offered, including the ideal
2-week “Yoga Vacation.”
Sivananda
Yoga Vedanta Center
Sivananda Kutir,
Uttarkashi
Sivananda Kutir,
nestled among the Himalayan Mountains, welcomes guests from April to
November each year. It is located in the village of Netala,
north of Uttar Kashi. Prior booking is essential as all
programs and courses are limited to a maximum of 30 students. Three
Ashrams in India are part of The
International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers,
a non-profit organization named after Swami
Sivananda,
one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the 20th century.
Many different courses and trainings are offered, including the ideal
2-week “Yoga Vacation”
