While India is a dream destination for many yogis, with its many ashrams and courses, how can you choose wisely? We select 10 of the simplest places to practice yoga, from hardcore to boutique.
Despite the fact that this list includes a number of the simplest ashrams, retreats and shalas that India has to offer, there are three notable omissions: Spa & Wellness Tour India with Namaskar India Tour. There is the BKS Iyengar school in Pune, the Pattabhi Jois school in Mysore, and thus the pan-Indian Sivananda centre, excluded because of their existing popularity and fame. Nevertheless, they are highly recommended. A number of other places have been vetoed due to various scandals and disputes, and that I have also excluded luxurious and obscenely priced retreats.
There are many things in India today that are not necessarily cheap, but all of them are very good value for money given the level of teaching offered. Remember that customer service in India is not always the easiest, and some of the more traditional places can be difficult to contact. However, if you twiddle your thumbs, persevere, move on to “Indian time” and, if you want, see it through the initiative of letting go of your ego.
One more thing: while yoga in the West focuses almost exclusively on physical positions and sequences (asanas), in India, especially in traditional ashrams, the asana is only one aspect of a larger whole. You can expect a greater emphasis on meditation, breathing and purification techniques, in addition to devotional practices such as mantra chanting, learning philosophy and karma yoga (social work).