Guide to Learning Yoga and Yoga Institutes
In this article we cover the most respected person or institutes for Yoga in India. If you are coming to India on Indian Tourist Visa then you can avail of Yoga services in India.
Yoga is an ancient practice associated with Hinduism in India and is a part of that school of Hindu traditional philosophy that believes in the existence of a Soul or Self. Far from just a set of exercises or asanas the practice of Yoga is comprised of elements that are physical, mental, and also spiritual in nature. For quite a while now Yoga has been famous in the West mostly as exercises that help with physical fitness and help one deal with stress and relax. Whether you are interested in Yoga in only this limited form and are eager to learn how to get better at it or you are also interested in the mental, meditative, and spiritual aspect of it, in both cases you couldn’t possibly get a better learning experience than at some of the best Yoga retreats in India. And coming to India to learn Yoga is very easy now with the availability of Indian e-Visa which allows you to apply for the same online. For a short term Yoga course or Yoga retreat you would need to apply for a Indian Tourist e-Visa and apart from the other requirements of the same provide details about your course and the institute where you will be taking it. But before you do that you would have to decide which Yoga retreat or course to join and we can help you with that. Here are some of the best Yoga retreats and individual in India that you can choose from.
Yoga Teaacher Deepak Jhamb, New Delhi
If you are planning to learn about Hatha Yoga or deeper Yogic philosophy in the North India, then you should get in touch with Deepak Jhamb who resides in New Delhi. An institute is only as good as the Yoga teacher and Deepak Jhamb is the best as per our research. He conducts workshops with World Health Organisation of the United Nations, Aurobindo Ashram and other top corporates. He also conducts classes for select individuals.
Deepak Jhamb, a leading independent Yoga leader can be reached on [email protected] and blogs at Bliss Through Yoga
Sharath Yoga Centre in Mysore
Also known as the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute, this Yoga retreat was established by K. Pattabhi Jois way back in 1948. Jois practiced and popularized the style of Yoga known as Ashtanga Yoga, which some like to think of as a modern interpretation of classical Indian Yoga. Pattabhi Jois taught Ashtanga Yoga at this institute and now his daughter and grandson continue the tradition by still teaching the same here. You can apply online to join the classes and take a short term Yoga course here.
Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune
One of the most famous Yoga practitioners all over the world and one of the first Yoga teachers too, B.K.S. Iyengar founded the Iyengar style of Yoga, which pays attention to detail and precision in Yoga postures or asanas and also uses props for performing the said asanas that help reduce the risk of straining or injuring. People from all over the world come to this institute to learn Yoga in India and it has also won quite a number of awards. It also has a library filled with books related to Yoga. The design of the building of the Institute is also very interesting because it has three floors, each of which are supposed to represent the mind, body, and soul respectively. You can find its application form online.
International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres
This non-profit organization for Yoga has many centres all over the world but the ones in India are a world apart. Founded by Swami Vishnudevananda, this Yoga centre is open to everyone. Being internationally recognized a course from here would be quite prestigious and the courses offered here focus not only on the practice of Yoga but also the philosophy and psychology that it stems from. The courses here simplify the practice of Yoga by breaking it down into four simple units and the centre’s aim is to truly help people who would like to physically, mentally, and spiritually alter their lives for the better.
Phool Chatti, Rishikesh
Rishikesh is a hub of Yoga ashrams and centers. If you’re not interested specifically in any particular style of Yoga, such as Ashtanga or Iyengar then you can go for Rishikesh. Phool Chatti, which means ‘land of flowers, is a Yoga center that is more than a hundred years old and is one of the best options for learning Yoga in Rishikesh. Its Yoga director, Sadhvi Lalitambay, has been living here since she was 15 and she teaches most of the classes. The course offered here is for 7 days and is very expansive in terms of what it includes such as meditative walks, hiking, and river dips.
Purple Valley, Goa
If you aren’t very much into the idea of a totally traditional Yoga retreat then this modern Yoga retreat is the correct option for you. It has some of the best Yoga instructors of the world who teach the Ashtanga style of Yoga here. It’s a very comfortable place to learn Yoga at and offers a lot of modern amenities such as WiFi. There is also the added benefit of the gorgeous beaches and deep blue waters of Goa to enjoy while you come to India to learn Yoga.
Citizens of over 165 countries are eligible to apply for Indian Visa Online (eVisa India) as covered in the Indian Visa Eligibility. United States, British, Italian, German, Swedish, French, Swiss are amongst the nationalities eligible for Indian Visa Online (eVisa India).
If you are planning on visiting India for a short term course on Yoga, you can apply for the Indian Tourist e-Visa.