Yoga in india
Do you know the theory of the five handshakes? It states that a person at one end of the planet can be in contact with the other end in five handshakes. Well, chances are you're well within five handshakes of a yoga teacher, as the discipline is so popular!
Between meditation, relaxation, or even physical exercise, yoga is a complete sport, which has many benefits. Eric Neumand, a yoga teacher, talks about stress reduction, thanks to the 4000 to 6000cm3 of air that our lungs exchange in one yoga session, compared to the usual 500cm3.
And it is in India that yoga has its origins. But precisely, how does one practice in the country where yogis were created? A small overview of a culture, halfway between breathing and vitality.
How to choose a yoga retreat in India?
It goes without saying that finding a yoga center in India is simple, very simple, maybe too simple! For yes, the country has many of them, and it can sometimes be difficult to make a choice among yoga classes, breathing techniques and asanas (postures).
So here is a small overview of the retreats that can be found on both sides of the country, so that you can choose a yoga course in India in the best way!
• Little Cove Yoga Retreat: located in the region of Goa, a coastal state in western India, this yoga retreat is offered in eco-friendly cottages, with a responsible approach and adapted yoga classes,
• Shreyas Yoga Retreat: this yoga workshop is based on two pillars (ashtanga, a dynamic yoga, and hatha, the awakening of the mind), all through a simple and complete yoga teaching, in an ashram in Karnataka,
• Kalari Kovilakom: Hosted by "The CGH Earth Group" and certified by the NAHB (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers), this yoga course is actually an ashram, located in South India. With its 19 rooms, it guarantees an ayurvedic yoga, all in a process of restriction and harmony of body and mind,
• Yoga Vana: located on the slopes of the Himalayas, it is a far cry from yoga in Paris here, since it is based on three pillars: Yoga and Meditation, Emotional Intelligence, and Conscious Living. All sublimated by ancestral yogic techniques, enough to enjoy in beauty the benefits of yoga!
• The Parisian amazons : An accessible workshop, in the Goa region, which tries to reconcile pleasure and harmony between body and mind. A week of yoga sessions, spirituality and good vibes, what more could you ask for!
• The yoga tree: Here, the yoga program is based on breathing, mantras, meditation techniques, all led by a French expatriate. The little extra? Ashvem beach, a hollistic place par excellence!
Your favorite may be in this list, who knows!
What are the must-see places to do yoga in India?
India is a land of richness and contrast, in which it is sometimes difficult to find oneself so many interesting places. And when it comes to deepening yogic practice or mindfulness, it is even worse.
Among the essential places to do yoga in India, there are therefore different places to go.
Yoga in Rishikesh
How can we talk about yoga in India without mentioning Rishikesh? This Mecca of Indian yoga is the anchor point of the discipline, where it takes its source, and where each student can come to recharge his batteries.
Traditional yoga is a powerful source of inspiration for all practitioners, which is why it is a place that cannot be ignored.
And among the best known ashrams where yoga can be practiced are :
• Parmarth Niketan Ashram, for all levels,
• The Himalaya Institute, ideal for beginners,
• The yoga center of Vanamalai, with Hindu influences,
• Yoga Niketan, known for its hatha yoga lessons.
Of course, these are not the only ones, but India also has other regions not to be missed for practicing yoga.
Yoga elsewhere in India
Between pranayam and ayruvera, there are other ashrams located in the heart of India, each one more inspiring than the other. Among them are :
• The international Art of Living center, which offers free yoga classes, provided that you participate in the ashram's household chores,
• The Kalari Kovilakom Ashram, whose classes are given by recognized teachers, and whose specialty is Nidra Yoga,
• The Ashiyana Yoga Retreat Village, which combines a strong ecological approach with the ambition of wellness through yoga. All located in Goa,
• Ma Anandamayi Ashram in Almora, a true haven of solitude,
• The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram in Trivandrum, whose watchword is discipline!
It is clear that each region has its own must-see places to practice yoga in India. It's up to you to find your destination!
How to do a yoga retreat in an ashram?
Doing a yoga retreat in an ashram is a practice that more and more people are trying. Unlike "yoga centers", one can sleep in an ashram.
But before staying there, it is advisable to plan small practical operations, such as a visa (a few euros) or to inquire about the Indian region of our choice.
On the spot, everything is thought for Westerners: the water is filtered, and we even sell yoga outfits adapted to the mores of the country (more covered).
While it is often said that October is the best time to do a yogic retreat in India, the ashrams welcome us all year round, and some of them even offer a ride from the airport. Convenient, isn't it?
To do a yoga retreat in India, you don't need to be a professional practitioner, the discipline is open to all levels. However, as good Westerners that we are, the telephone is often forbidden, or at least its use is limited, so as to correspond as much as possible to the energy that develops within the ashram.
Finally, while silence is often practiced during meals (mostly vegetarian), the yogas offered by ashrams can change completely depending on the establishment in question. Whether you are young or older, find out what they offer, you may be surprised by your stay in India!
What types of yoga are practiced in India?
Between power yoga, hatha yoga or yi yoga, which are those found in their country of origin? The types of yoga practiced in India are numerous, and among them are :
• Hatha yoga, the classical discipline, which gives rise to many sub-branches of yoga. Democratized in the West in the 20th century, its name literally means "strength" in Sanskrit, and combines physical postures and breathing exercises,
• Kundalini yoga, created by the Indian master Bhajan, focuses its teaching around the spine, for more experienced practitioners who already know their bodies,
• Sivananda Yoga focuses mainly on breathing, relaxation, and positive thinking. Through regular practice, we will be able to unite body and mind, and harmonize our inner life,
• Bikram yoga is a fairly traditional yoga in the absolute, with one exception: the sequence of postures is done in a room heated to 40 degrees! This is enough to eliminate toxins both inside and out!
• Nidra yoga, nicknamed the "yoga of sleep", is close to sophrology. Practiced lying down or sitting down, it considerably improves the quality of sleep, thanks to a state of consciousness awakened during the sessions,
• Iyengar yoga, created by B.K.S. Iyengar, places the alignment of the body at the heart of its teaching, in particular thanks to concrete supports (bricks, straps, etc.), and a sequence of exercises guided by the yoga teacher,
• Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic yoga created by Pattabhi Jois in South India, which takes six series of postures, themselves guided by the breath, including the Uijai, a traditional sound breathing,
• Vinyasa yoga is a sequence of postures in no particular order, which, in conjunction with the breath, will rebalance the emotions and energies of the body and mind.
If with all this, yoga still has secrets for you... you will have to go to India to discover more! Have a good session!
