Yoga and Ayurveda in India
An ayurvedic treatment.
Photo: Ananda in the Himalayas.
Question from reader Maryann_Robinson:
"Could you tell me what places in India you recommend for instruction in meditation, introductory yoga, and Ayurvedic medicine? Do you have any recommendations on same in the US?"
I asked travel planner Sanjay Saxena of Destinationa Himalaya to answer your question, since I didn't have time to take a single yoga class while I was on assignment in India a few years ago. Sanjay is recommended for travel to India, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and Tibet on Conde Nast Traveler's annual list of the world's best travel specialists. Here's what he told me:
"Yoga is intrinsically wound into Indian life and a traveler can expect to see (and partake in) basic yoga in almost any city. All you have to do is ask at your hotel where the local yoga group is meeting and just show up. If you are serious about learning the daily yogic life or training to become an instructor, then your best options are in Kerala or Rishikesh.
"Rishikesh, which translates as 'Land of Rishis or Yogis,' could be considered the capital of yoga and meditation in India. There are many ashrams along the banks of the holy river Ganga. Most are low-budget, offering no-frills accommodations and a fairly strict daily vegetarian diet (complete avoidance of eggs, meat, garlic, onions, intoxicants, cigarettes, etc.). All have wonderful tranquil locations -- quite and peaceful, perfect for contemplation and meditation. These are excellent places to learn and practice yoga from skilled exponents of the art.
Sanjay continues: "Some of the Ashrams offering yoga and meditation classes in the Rishikesh area are the Yoga Study Centre (91-1364-243-1196), Yoga Niketan Ashram (91-1364-243-0227), Parmarth Niketan Ashram, and Sri Ved Niketan Ashram (91-1364-243-3537). Courses range from a week to a month and include daily yoga and meditation classes, satsangs (devotional gatherings), and bhajans (hymns). There is limited space so you must book in advance. There is an annual event (International Yoga Week) held at Parmarth Niketan Ashram every February/March, which would be an excellent introduction to the various yoga styles.
"Traditionally, Kerala has been the stronghold of ayurvedic treatments and cures, and now most of the ayurvedic centers in Kerala have started offering courses in yoga too. These centers are especially good for people who are interested in learning the basics of yoga, as they offer a number of short-term courses. Some of the main ayurvedic and yoga centers in Kerala are the Sivananda Yoga Center and the Vaidya Ratnam Oushadhasala.
"If you wish to have more luxurious surroundings, a number of resorts offer yoga classes and ayurvedic treatments (not classes): Ananda in the Himalayas in Rishikesh, Kumarakom Lake Resort in Kerala, Marari Beach Resort in Kerala, the Sereno Spa at the Park Hyatt Resort & Spa Goa, and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry."
As for your U.S. options, I conferred with spa expert Angela Turen of Churchill & Turen, also on Conde Nast Traveler's list of the world's best travel specialists. Angela recommends the Chopra Center and Spa at the Dream Hotel in New York; the Raj ayurvedic health spa in Fairfield, Iowa; and Canyon Ranch, with locations in both Tucson and the Berkshires.
Namaste, Maryann!
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Kerala is famous for Ayurveda. There are so many resorts that offers Ayurvedic treatments in Kerala. Some of them are Kumarakom Lake Resort which is a beautiful resort in kerala and another Kerala Resort that offer Ayurveda Treatment is Marari Beach Resort
Posted by: Ammu | February 24, 2009 at 12:22 AM