How to Choose a Yoga Retreat in India?

 

A healthy body and mind are the true secrets of life’s happiness. Don’t we all agree? Amidst the regularities of life, it is possible to feel stressed, bored, or even suffer from certain ailments such as hormonal imbalances, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, neck pain, back problems and many more. A yoga retreat can show the way to adopt a holistic lifestyle towards mental and physical wellbeing, all under the tutelage and guidance of certified yoga teachers and vedic experts. This is precisely the crux of reputed Yoga Retreats in India. Travel to India for complete mind, body rejuvenation with a yoga retreat.

What to Expect a Yoga Retreat in India: Major Points

Most yoga retreats in India are conducted as scenic spots amidst green ambiance, natural beauty embedded with tranquility and serenity, places where you feel inspired to reconnect with the inner self through the route of yoga.

You would usually wake up early in the morning for asana classes and meditation followed by organic and vegetarian meals sourced fresh from the farms, customized according to your chosen package and dietary restrictions. There are Ayurvedic doctors and yoga therapists who guide you along the way in addition to various activities and Vedic therapies. a retreat, you are provided with spa or Ayurveda therapies as well.

Duration

First things first, decide on the time you can devote to a yoga retreat. Yoga retreats are usually 7 days, 10 days, 11 days, 15 days, 21 days and can go up to three months. 14-day or 21-day yoga retreats in India are ideal to reset the body and mind, to immerse in yogic habits and to adopt it as a lifestyle which you can continue after the program.

Location

India, being the birthplace of yoga, hosts incredible yoga retreats in various parts. However, certain locations hold the torch to the best yoga immersions. Kerala is the land of Ayurveda and hosts the best Vedic schools and spas that offer ailment-specific retreats in India by combining the power of Ayurveda and Yoga. Another well-versed location for yogic immersions, especially for yoga teacher training in traditional yoga forms

Time

India is a destination that experiences multiple climate changes with harsh, dry, humid summers to cold winters in certain zones. The climate changes according to the location as well. If you are travelling towards the North for the Best Yoga Retreats in Rishikesh or Himachal Pradesh itself then it is ideal to go there during the months of October, November, February, and March. For the retreaters going towards the south of India for yoga retreats in Kerala, Mysore, Pondicherry, and even Goa, it is best to travel between October to March. Avoid going during the summer season and monsoon as well as it would not be conducive to outdoor yoga practices, one of the major elements of the whole yoga retreat experience.

Consider the Style

Define the purpose of the retreat and you would have an answer to this. Are you looking for some lifestyle modification to put yourself on a healthier path and take a more holistic approach to life? Or are you looking to gain first-hand experience of yoga? Do you need help with managing a specific issue (mental or physical) such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, dermatological issue, hormonal imbalance, sexual issue, etc.? Based on the aim, you can pick out a specific yoga retreat in India that would fit your criteria.

Type (contemporary or age old)

India is full of reputed Yoga Schools and spa centers, some based on contemporary concepts while some based on traditions while others are a mix of both. Contemporary yoga resorts and spas are great for those looking destress, reconnect with nature without compromising on the luxuries that they crave and feel good about. Here, you would also get to explore the new-age yoga styles. On the other hand, there are yoga schools and spas in India that are generations old and are being run on the principles of traditional yoga. These schools and centers expect more discipline from the retreaters, however, if you are looking to catch the authentic glimpse of yoga and benefit from its true source, then these are the ideal retreats for you.

Budget

Considering the budget is important as based on that you can filter out the right places and further select the right program for yourself. India has Yoga and Ayurveda retreats to suit all types of budgets. You can pick and choose as per your choice. However, do take notes on online reviews as you do not want to end up at a place that offers nothing meaningful or does not fit your expectations. You would find more economic yoga retreats in Rishikesh and Bodhgaya while you can find true luxury yoga retreats in Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, and Karnataka. Budget is not a constraint in India as long as you research into the school and the program type thoroughly.

Registration Status

To end up in a place that offers authentic and well-structured yoga retreats, you could check the standards of the place you are opting for. If it is a yoga school then it helps if its programs are registered with Yoga Alliance or an equivalent governing body of India. If it is a spa, then look into its license and registration status, the place, accommodation, etc. You would be able to find it on the chosen school’s or spa’s websites. However, it is not necessary that to qualify as a center of quality and standards, it has to be registered with a governing body.

Rest, it helps if you can interact with the staff and people who are going to be your guides during the entire program.

Prepare for one of the most memorable experiences of a lifetime.