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YOGA IN RISHIKESH

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Yoga and Meditation
Described by the ancient Indian scriptures as the communion of the individual soul (Jivatma) the Universal soul or God (Parmatma) Yoga the ancient Indian discipline is highly relevant to the modern day context.
Today, as we enter the 21st Century, the outside world is becoming more restless and life is full of strive and tensions. Yoga provides the perfect panacea.
The secrets of the ancient science of Yoga were passed down from the Rishis, saints and sages who came to these very Himalayas for divine inspiration. Through their meditation, austerities and prayers, a treasure-chest of wisdom was bestowed upon them for the benefit of humanity.
Yoga literally means Union, it is a union of breath to the body, of the mind to the muscles, and most importantly of the self to the divine.
Yoga is not a religion. It does not require you to believe in a certain God or to chant certain hymns. It is an ancient science, which leads to health in the body, peace in the mind, joy in the heart and liberation of the soul. It is the most secular and universal system for human salvation.
Different forms of yoga :- Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Mantra Yoga and Laya Yoga provide a complete system of self transformation and self realization which are the ultimate goals of human existence. Yoga has been proven as a scientific method for curing and preventing common as well as rare, acute diseases.Your Journey to India, to mystical, majestic & timeless - the Himalayas & to Rishikesh – a small spiritual town on the banks of the holy Ganga. A perfect venue to start your journey to encounter time tested traditional Indian science of Yoga, Mediation & Ayurveda.
Ayurveda- Himalayas, the birth place of Ayurveda , a scientific process identifying and correcting the imbalances in the body to achieve complete health and harmony harmonizing the functions of the body and strengthening the individual’s general resistance by stimulating the immune system .
Yoga –The science of practical mind and the art of living, exploring your inner self to attain the perfect body and mind.
Combination of Yoga & Ayurveda is the most effective integrated treatment of all the problems. Performing Asnas & Pranayama (breathing asana) properly and systematically gives subtle pressure on various glands, restores the proper secretion of hormones and gives emotional balances, will power, confidence, peace of mind and good physical health.
One week course with a perfect combination of Yoga, Ayurveda & above all spiritual aspect of life, a vital issue in the ultimate analysis of health & disease

Best Time to Visit: January to April & 15th September to Dec

Where to Learn Yoga in Rishikesh

The Yoga Study Centre, Ganga Vihar, Haridwar Road,
Bramacharya Rudra Dev, a senior Iyengar teacher, conducts lessons in a rather militaristic style and students need to move quickly to keep up. Many western students appreciate his style and are able to feel the warmth behind his challenging adjustments. While Br. Dev's English is fluent, it might take a few days to get used to his accent, which is so strong that it is sometimes hard to tell whether he is speaking English or Hindi. His students are a mix of locals and Westerners. Donated mats and blankets are provided though if you are concerned about cleanliness you might want to bring your own. As with most Indian yoga schools, women should dress modestly. There are classes daily at the centre. Twenty day intensives are held three times a year during February, April and September. The centre is closed from mid-December to mid-January and for March, May and June. The Yoga Study Centre is on the other side of town from the other ashrams, and from where most people stay. A constant stream of Rs3 shared rickshaws move up and down the main road, and many go as far as the centre.

Yoga Niketan Ashram
Located near the footbridge, just south of the Sivananda Ashram, classes are taught in a traditional Indian teaching style. Asanas taught are the classical postures with few variations or adjustments. Class instructors often use the sing-song voice sometimes found in India as they gently urge you to 'Relaaaax'. The green ashram grounds full of monkeys are a short, steep walk up from the main road, taking you towards river views and away from the bustle. To stay on 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 on the ashram are welcome to attend classes and can also use the library.

Sri Ved Niketan Ashram
Across the river on the Eastern side of the Ganges, turn right after the footbridge and it's a five minute walk. The classes offer gentle yoga style similar to the Bihar School of Yoga and classes cover gentle warm ups for the joints, a few asanas and some pranayama. Meditation classes are offered too. Classes are held morning and evening in the big central hall. One month courses held seven times a year, and cover asana, pranayama and yoga and Hindu philosophy. It is not obligatory to participate in the classes, bhajans or satsangs in order to stay on the grounds.

Ganga Sadan
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas is a spiritually focused non-political, scientific, cultural, educational, humanitarian, non-profit making charitable trust, which persistently strives to provide untiring selfless service for spiritual enhancement and to create an infinite source of happiness and bliss through God realization in daily life. The Ashram was established by Sage and Philosopher Swami Omkarananda who is an embodiment of highest spirituality, with the prime objective to love, serve and help all equally. The Ashram aims to create a sanctum where spirituality encompasses every action, where truth attains a personality, divine love becomes an all-pervading reality and peace becomes an eternal constant companion. The Ashram has personally volunteered various service projects and activities to serve and uplift the various communities through its 2 registered trusts - Swami Omkarananda Saraswati Charitable Trust and Swami Omkarananda Dharma Samsthan.

Himalayan Retreat
High Bank Himalayan Retreat is situated right on the high banks of the Ganges at Shivpuri. (16 kms from Rishikesh). Facing the roaring Ganga, retreat is surrounded by thick reserve forests at the base Himalayan Hills and is the best accommodation available along the Ganga.
Himalayan Retreat is the ideal destination camp for families and those who are looking for Complete rejuvenation. Yoga, Mediation, Ayurvedic massages, Nature walks are at there best at the retreat. Being the most happening camp, Nature walks, Jungle treks, mountain biking, rock climbing, rafting , Kayaking & wild life trips are few of the many activities one can take. Himalayan Retreat grows its own herbs, bio vegetable and all milk products.
Our centre holds three intensive courses a year and each course is of about three weeks duration. Asana, Pranayama and basic Yoga philosophy are taught. Besides these three-week courses, short workshops and on-going 'general-classes' are also conducted: these are held in Peasant’s Cottage, Himalayan Retreat and other places other locations. As Peasant’s Cottage and Himalayan Retreat have limited accommodation, Yoga students generally rent furnished cottages with kitchens from local families in the surroundings of Peasants Cottage, for about Rs 3000-5000 per bedroom per month. We can help you set something up. To check the availability at Peasant’s Cottage and Himalayan Retreat, or to arrange accommodation with local families, please write us.
For the year 2004-2005, we have introduced one week introductory course for beginers.

Sacha Ddam Ashram
Sacha Dham Ashram is in Rishikesh India and is the Ashram of Hansraj Swami Maharajji. The ashram is small and traditional, charming and welcoming. Maharajji has given a portion of the ashram to ShantiMayi for her work with western students. The ashram is surrounded by the holy Ganges and is situated in the picturesque Himalayan foothills.The year 2004 finds ShantiMayi spending her seventeenth Winter season at Sacha Dham, the ashram of her beloved Guru, Shri Hansraj Swami, Maharajji. From December tenth through mid April, hundreds of her disciples and visitors from all over the globe flock to the tiny village of Laxman Jhula near Rishikesh to be with her. Sacha Dham is the home of Maharajji and his Indian disciples. It is a place which supports deep spiritual transformation. It is also steeped in the Hindu tradition. While Westerners are graciously welcomed as guests to participate in ShantiMayi’s program, the local culture and customs are respected and preserved. Some of the customs observed are: men and women have no physical contact in public, and women must wear loose fitting concealing clothing. Men must also wear clothing proper to entering a sanctuary. The ashram is a place for meditation, gathering with ShantiMayi and Seva- selfless service. Westerners are asked to have social activities elsewhere (such as meetings with friends and so on).
Four days a week dawn is greeted with a 5:00 AM silent meditation with ShantiMayi. The Gayatri Mantra, a universal prayer for the Awakening of all beings, is chanted daily. Pujas, or sacred ceremonies, are also offered daily in the form of the Arati- honoring the Sacha lineage of Gurus and the Guru within, and twice daily to the playful elephant headed- God, Ganesh, the remover of obstacles to spiritual growth. About five days a week ShantiMayi offers Dharma Drum, an opportunity to ask questions about spiritual matters and to drink in the wisdom of her words and the silence between the words. Bhajans, devotional singing, is a usual occurrence here, and a chance to dissolve the thinking mind in the pure joy of singing heartfully, melting with others. The work of the Sacha lineage is to aid in the transformation of consciousness of all beings; that all may come to realize their true nature. On Sundays, ShantiMayi offers a BodhiSacha meditation. Drawing on the Bodhisattva tradition of Buddhism, ShantiMayi leads a guided visualization, focusing on the heart’s ability to have compassion- for oneself, for those we have difficulties with or who are in great suffering, and ultimately encompassing the entire world of sentient beings. Love and compassion are seen as the medicine to heal the world.

Sivananda Ashram P.O. Sivanandanagar, Muni-Ki-Retti, Rishikesh
While they share the same guru, this ashram is part of the Divine Life Society, and different to the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams and Centres found around the world. The Sivananda Ashram has three living gurus - Chidananda, Brahmananda and Krishnananda, all direct disciples of the Swami Sivananda. Although no regular yoga classes are conducted here, it is possible to attend the lectures on philosophical subjects, and studies of classical texts like the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads. To stay on the ashram it is necessary to request it in writing ahead of time, and explain your reasons for the stay. The ashram is near the footbridge on the west - city- side of the river.

Programs and activities offered at Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh

• Retreats, Yoga Vacations - The Ashrams are open all-year-round and you can stay for any number of days, weeks, months or longer
• Yoga Teachers Training Course
• Special Weekends
• Artistic Programs
• Symposiums
Sivananda Yoga Centers
• Beginners & all levels Yoga courses - systematic training
• Beginners & all levels meditation & Mantras courses - systematic training
• Vegetarian cooking workshops
• Kriya workshops
• Philosophy courses
Exercise
Proper Exercise is one of the 5 fundamental points of Yoga as taught by Swami Vishnu-devananda founder/Guru of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ayurvedic Centre located by the Niketa Ashram sells ayurvedic health products. It might be possible to organise classes in ayurveda if you can put together a small group.

Sadhana Mandir Ashram
Sadhana Mandir is a flower-filled island of peace, seated on the banks of the Holy River Ganga in Rishikesh-one of the Holy cities of India-surrounded by the Himalayan foothills. The Ashram serves as an international center for the teachings of The Himalayan Tradition of Yoga and Meditation; providing a living experience of the systematic practice, study and lifestyle of yoga and meditation.
It's mission is to re-link yoga to the ancient spiritual lineage through the process of initiation and to re-establish the spiritual context and content of yoga in its original purity. The attendant sciences, texts and philosophies, such as those of the Vedas and Yoga-sutras of Patanjali, are taught in an experiential-meditative context.
The Ashram still vibrates with the peaceful energy created by its founder Swami Rama. Coming to his Ashram even for the first time, one experiences the special energy, inspiration and pull to a mental silence.

Parmarth Niketan

Dayananda Ashram

Yoga Ashram Retreat
The Ashram is a sacred space located in the town of Rishikesh on the banks of the holy Ganga (Ganges) in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Pilgrims are drawn to Rishikesh and its ashrams from all over the world. The awe-inspiring beauty of the ashram, the clear, flowing Ganga, the majestic mountains, and the lush green forests embrace and rejuvenate the entire being. The Ashram offers comfort, inspiration and upliftment for your body, mind and spirit as well as a deeper connection with the Divine.
Accomodation
Ashram rooms aim to retain the simplicity of ashram living yet are equipped with the necessary modern facilities. All rooms have attached bathrooms and many have hot, running water. All linens are provided. The ashram provides a clean, pure and sacred atmosphere to thousands of pilgrims and devotees who visit every year.
Typical Daily Activities
• Sunrise Universal prayer and meditation
• Morning Introduction to basic yogic postures and practice
• Breathing and relaxation techniques
• Breakfast followed by a short talk on yoga and its application in daily life
• Afternoon Introduction to yoga theory and practice and evening Meditation
• Aarti (lighting) ceremony on banks of the Ganga
• Late evening Aarti, lighting ceremony
• Meditation
• Practice of Yogic postures
• Relaxation techniques
• Talk/lecture on yoga and its effects.
Whilst you are in on yoga retreat in Rishikesh you will be staying as a guest of the Ashram. This means that you agree to behave in a manner appropriate to Ashram regulations. These regulations are fairly standard for all Ashrams (no smoking, no sex, drugs etc.) and are intended as a means to upkeep and support the spiritual energies.

NEW:
International Yoga Week in Rishkesh, 1-7th March 2008

Intensive Yoga Meditation Retreat, Rishikesh, India, April 5-26, 2008