As the yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh is home to numerous yoga schools, ashrams, and retreats. A mindful stay at one of the yoga retreats in Rishikesh can help you keep anxiety and negativity at bay. Take a break from the daily city grind and nourish your mind, body, and soul. By Karan Kaushik
And, what better time that the International Yoga day to take a trip down these retreats? Every year, June 21 is celebrated as International Yoga Day. This year, the theme is ‘Yoga For Humanity’ and the official United Nations Organisation website explained why this particular theme was chosen. The statement read, “The essence of yoga is balance – not just balance within the body or that between the mind and the body, but also balance in the human relationship with the world. Yoga emphasises the values of mindfulness, moderation, discipline and perseverance. When applied to communities and societies, Yoga offers a path for sustainable living.”
The statement also said, “Yoga can be an important instrument in the collective quest of humanity for promoting sustainable lifestyle in harmony with planet Earth. In keeping with this spirit, the theme for this year’s Yoga Day celebrations is ‘Yoga for Humanity.'”
Refresh your senses at these 9 yoga retreats in Rishikesh
Nestled amidst a 100-acre Sal forest overlooking an ancient river valley, Ananda is one of the best luxury wellness resorts in the country. Their wellness experiences are a mix of traditional Ayurveda, yoga, and Vedanta. They curate personalised yoga and meditation sessions for every individual. They teach Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga. The specially curated menus at Ananda are tailor-made for every individual based on their specific wellness program and needs.
Image courtesy: Ananda Spa
Perhaps the most iconic of all ashrams in Rishikesh, Parmarth Niketan offers yoga programs from beginner to Teacher Training Courses throughout the year. Their week-long Beginner Intensive Yoga program is for individuals with little yoga experience. The retreat includes prayers, pranayama, Surya namaskar, basic asanas of traditional Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga. Each day concludes with Ganga Havan and Aarti at sunset.
Image courtesy: Parmarth Niketan/Instagram
Rishikesh Yogpeeth offers yoga retreats for three, seven, 14, and 21 days. Attending a yoga retreat here may well be your first step towards committing to your mental and physical wellbeing. The yoga retreats offered by Rishikesh Yogpeeth at Abhayaranya Yoga Ashram are designed to help attendees gain clarity and reignite their passion for life. The retreat includes a private room with an attached bathroom, one Ayurveda massage every week, and three vegetarian meals per day.
Image courtesy: Rishikesh Yogpeeth
Sivananda Ashram was established by Swami Sivananda and is currently being managed by the Divine Life Society. Their teachings are based on the five elements of yoga. These include breathing, posture, meditation, relaxation, and diet. Their Yoga Vacation programme is available throughout the year and offers the chance to immerse in the yogic lifestyle and get acquainted with the teachings of ancient India. Theor yoga retreat will help you in increasing your vitality, positivity, and ease of being as a result of daily yoga practice, a healthy vegetarian diet, silent meditation sessions, and uplifting teachings.
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At Yog Niketan by Sanskriti, they offer yoga retreats as well as daily drop-in classes. During the retreat, you will get personalised Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga lessons along with detox and de-stress therapies. The retreat will help you integrate the manifold facets and benefits of yoga with asanas, meditation, pranayama, and deep relaxation. The retreat includes two yoga sessions every day and you can also indulge in fun activities during your leisure time.
Image courtesy: Yog Niketan by Sanskriti
Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram offers retreats at their ashram as well as a Jungle Yoga retreat. You can stay for a weekend, a month or even longer. They can also customise your retreat that includes Ayurvedic treatments by recommended and experienced practitioners in Rishikesh. If you don’t wish to stay at the ashram, you may purchase day passes, class passes, and meal passes for short-term and long-term use. Their affordable retreats include Weekend Wellness Break, Six-Day Detox, and a two-week Retreat, Realign, Recharge programme.
Image courtesy: Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram
Himalayan Yog Ashram offers retreats for six, 113, 20, and 27 nights. These include their Yoga and Ayurvedic detoxification retreat and Yoga and Anti-stress retreat. Their Ayurvedic detoxification program offers a blend of physical and mental detoxification sessions. They implement Ayurvedic therapies with yogic practices such as meditation, yoga nidra, pranayama, and self-contemplation. The retreat features comfortable accommodation in twin or private rooms with air conditioning, heating, and attached bathrooms.
Image courtesy: Himalayan Yog Ashram
Modi Yoga Retreat offers yoga retreats to suit your specific requirements. Their programme begins by setting objectives for your immediate and long-term health and wellness goals. Some of their focus areas include sleep care, immunity pump, stress management, Ayurveda detox, digestive health care, gut healing, and emotional detox. While some of their programmes are aimed at helping you achieve improved sleep cycles and boosting your immunity, others are focussed on managing chronic pain and weight loss. Apart from yoga and meditation sessions, they also conduct nature healing walks and consultations with doctors.
Image courtesy: Modi Yoga Retreat
Arogya Yoga School offers an opportunity to emotionally stranded souls seeking an escape from the shackles of everyday life and grow into beings who have found peace internally. Snuggled among the Himalayas, the school teaches you to pursue a holistic life despite the daily grind. They offer yoga retreats in two formats: one week and two weeks. The retreats include yoga practise, local sight-seeing tours, and myriad gratifying activities that will help your mental and physical wellbeing.
Image courtesy: Arogya Yoga School
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