Do you know the theory of five handshakes? It establishes that a person at one end of the planet can be in contact with the other end in five handshakes. Well it’s a safe bet that you are well under five handles from 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, yoga teacher, speaks in particular of the reduction of stress, thanks to the 4000 to 6000cm3 of air that our lungs exchange in a yoga session, against 500cm3 usually.
And it is in India that yoga draws its origins . But precisely, how do we practice in the country of creation of yogis? A brief overview of a culture, halfway between breathing and vitality.
Among the various retreats offered to do yoga in India, you can sometimes be a little lost…
It goes without saying that finding a yoga center in India is simple, very simple, perhaps too simple! Because yes, the country has many, and it can sometimes be difficult to choose among yoga classes , breathing techniques and asanas (postures).
Here is a brief overview of the retreats that can be found on both sides of the country, so that you can choose a yoga retreat 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 ecological cottages, with a responsible approach, and adapted yoga classes,
Shreyas Yoga Retreat: this yoga retreat is based on two pillars (ashtanga, a dynamic yoga, and hatha, the awakening of the mind), all thanks to 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 retreat is actually an ashram, located in southern India. With its 19 rooms, it guarantees Ayurvedic yoga , all in a process of restriction and harmony of body and mind,
Yoga Vana: located on the slopes of the Himalayas, we are far from yoga in Paris here, since we are based here on three pillars: Yoga and Meditation, Emotional Intelligence, and Conscious Living. All sublimated by ancestral yogic techniques, enough to enjoy the beauty of the benefits of yoga!
The Parisian amazons: An accessible course , in the Goa region, which tries to reconcile pleasure and harmony still 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 holistic place par excellence!
Your favorite may be on this list, who knows!
What are the must-see places to do yoga in India?
India is a country with many faces, like the practice of yoga!
India is a land of richness and contrast , in which it is sometimes difficult to find one’s way as there are so many interesting places. And when it comes to deepening yogic practice or mindfulness, it’s even worse.
Among the essential places to do yoga in India , there are therefore different points of departure.
Yoga in Rishikesh
How to talk about yoga in India without mentioning Rishikesh? This high place of Indian yoga is the anchor 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 this is a must-visit place.
And among the most famous ashrams where you can practice yoga, we find:
The Parmarth Niketan ashram, for all levels,
The Himalaya Institute, ideal for beginners,
The Vanamalai yoga center, with Hindu influences ,
Yoga Niketan, known for his hatha yoga lessons .
Of course, these are not the only ones , but India also has other regions not to be missed for practicing yoga in Paris .
Yoga elsewhere in India
Between pranayam and ayruvera, there are other ashrams located in the heart of India, in regions all more inspiring than each other. And among them we find:
The Art of Living International Center, which offers free yoga classes , provided you participate in the household chores of the ashram,
The Kalari Kovilakom ashram, whose classes are taught by recognized teachers, and whose specialty is yoga nidra,
The Ashiyana Yoga Retreat Village, which combines a strong ecological approach and the ambition of well-being through yoga. All located in Goa ,
Ma Anandamayi’s ashram in Almora, a true haven of solitude,
The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari ashram in Trivandrum, whose watchword is discipline!
And many others !
It will be understood, each region has its essential places to practice yoga in India. It’s up to you to find your destination!
Are you looking for yoga classes in Toulouse ?
How to do a yoga retreat in an ashram?
Doing a yoga retreat in an ashram is a practice that is tempting more and more people. Unlike “yoga centers”, you can sleep in an ashram.
But before staying there, it is advisable to plan small practical operations, such as the visa (about a hundred euros) or find out about the Indian region of our choice.
On site, everything is designed for Westerners: the water is filtered , and they 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 the trip from the airport. Practical, right?
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 prohibited there , or in any case its limited use, so as to best correspond to the energy which develops within the ashram.
Finally, while silence is often practiced during meals (vegetarian most of the time), the yoga offered by the ashrams can change completely depending on the establishment in question. Whether you are young or old, find out what it has to offer, you may well be surprised by your stay in India!
What types of yoga are practiced in India?
There are a lot of yoga directly inspired by India, but we can sometimes be a little lost!
This is a more interesting question, in the light of the different yogas taught in France. Because yes, between power yoga, hatha yoga or yi yoga, which ones are found in their country of origin? The types of yoga practiced in India are numerous, and among them we find:
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 slightly more experienced practitioners , who already know their body,
Sivananda yoga focuses primarily on breathing, relaxation, and positive thinking. Thanks to regular practice, we will then be able to unite body and mind, and harmonize our inner life,
Bikram yoga is a fairly traditional yoga in absolute terms, with one exception: the sequence of postures is done in a room heated to 40 degrees! Enough to eliminate external and internal toxins!
Yoga Nidra, nicknamed the “yoga of sleep”, is similar to sophrology . Practiced lying down or seated, it considerably improves the quality of sleep, thanks to a state of awakened consciousness during the sessions,
Iyengar yoga, created by BKS Iyengar, places the alignment of the body at the heart of its teaching , in particular thanks to concrete supports (brick, strap, etc.), and to a sequence of exercises guided by the yoga teacher,
Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic yoga created by Pattabhi Jois in southern India, which takes six series of postures, themselves guided by the breath, including Uijai, a traditional sound breathing ,
Vinyasa yoga is a sequence of postures in no specific order , which will, in connection with breathing, rebalance the emotions and energies of body and mind.
If with all this, yoga still has secrets for you… you will have to go to India to find out more! Come on, have a good session!
