Best Meditation and Yoga Retreats in India: Connect With Your Inner Soul

Yoga is an ancient practice that brings together mind, body and soul for a healthy lifestyle. The enchanting history, philosophical tradition, scriptures and aesthetic energy make India one of the world’s best yoga destinations. Yoga in India is a wonderful combination of spiritual, mental and physical exercises that dates back from the Vedic period. International Yoga Day is celebrated on 21st June. Yoga has been embraced and respected worldwide. The Rishikesh yoga festival also known as the International Yoga Festival evolves every year attracting population from countries around the world.

If you also want to connect with your inner soul and stay healthy; come and try yoga in India. India is rich in various yoga retreats and centers for different styles of yoga asanas and yoga courses popular worldwide. Explore incredible India with offbeat places to enjoy for peace and some gruesome locations which will amaze you. The yoga ashram and centre can be far from your place, so get ready for a fun-loving journey by train to reach these yoga retreats along with ordering delicious food in train via RailRestro. You don’t need to look for the best yoga tourism destinations in India anywhere else as we’ve listed the top 10 yoga retreats in India for you.

Enrich your life with a perfect yoga retreat

1. 1. Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamshala
      Dharamshala is located in the mid of the mountains in the direction of North India and was the refuge place for the spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama. Every year, thousands flock here to visit life-changing meditation centers like the Tushita Meditation Center to research the history of Buddhism and Tibet. Also, you will find many Buddhist spiritual centers that provide several budgeted learning options. Dharamshala is one of the cheapest and most beautiful choices for anyone wanting to spend time in nature and immerse themselves in meditation and yoga. Dharamshala is an incredible place for learning and gaining all the knowledge about yoga. Whether you want to know how to become a yoga teacher, learn any unique yoga asanas or you want to take classes to learn different types of yoga, here at Dharamshala you will find answers to almost all your questions. Tushita Meditation Centre is a great spiritual and meditation retreat in India. It is a core of Buddhist meditation allowing you to surrender to the domain of salvation. Popular among western tourists, the center specializes in various processes of meditation which can transcend into a state of peace.

• Ananda in the Himalayas, Uttaranchal
  Yoga is one of the best things to indulge in the cool and clear breeze of this north Indian state nestled in the Himalayas. Rishikesh, situated in Uttarakhand, is not only home to many ancient and historic religious sites and temples but is also widely known as India’s yoga capital. Rishikesh is referred to as one of the holiest locations in India. One can book yoga retreat in Rishikesh and practice yoga. Rishikesh is a home to many yoga asanas institutions and Rishikesh ashrams draw the attention of thousands of yoga lovers, after all who wouldn’t like to practice yoga in Rishikesh with such a beautiful and calm atmosphere. Relax and achieve serenity at India’s best yoga retreats Rishikesh in Ananda in the Himalayas. Ananda in the Himalayas is a luxurious yoga retreat situated in the Himalayan domicile in India. It is one of the world’s highest rated spas, which boasts its ancient yoga asanas and types of yoga skills. Inspired by Yoga’s Bihar School, Yoga school in Rishikesh has a luxury spa that provides its guests with various types of meditation and well-tried’ Shuddhi Kriyas’ or ancient yogic practices designed to purify one’s entire body and mind with the motive. Swarg ashram rishikesh is also one of the best yoga retreats in Rishikesh apart from Ananda in the Himalayas.

1. 1. Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram, Kerala
      This Sivananda yoga ashram, located in the Western Ghats foothills is one of India’s best places for yoga. Here you can immerse yourself completely in yogic activities such as alcohol-free vegetarian diet and silent meditation, different types of yoga asanas etc. You will be given yoga lectures and you will have to participate in karma yoga which involves helping with tasks around the facility for an hour a day in this Sivananda yoga ashram.

1. 1. Art of Living Ashram, Bangalore
      The Art of Living Ashram is more than just an Indian yoga retreat. It is headquarters of the world-famous yogi society, founded in Bangalore by the spiritual leader, Guru Ravi Shankar, Art of Living. It is a 65-acre campus situated in the outskirts of the city on top of panchagiri hills. Organic farms, a pool, mountain trails and gardens surrounding the facility ensure total relaxation and peace of mind for all guests of Art of Living Ashram. Besides enjoying meditative walks and exploring the ashram, one can attend various residential courses for learning types of yoga and basic course of yoga asanas to the world-renowned Sudarshan Kriya to an Advanced Course that offers one a chance to go deeper inside oneself. One cannot skip the wired Satsang evening that revolutionized the essence of satsang for most young people singing, dancing, and meditating on songs in honor of different Gods and Goddesses.

1. 1. Osho Meditation International Resort, Pune
      Pune is situated near the capital city of Mumbai in Maharashtra, and is a central hub for learning many different yoga types. Pune is exceptional because it is home to two highly well-known figures in the yoga world, BKS Iyengar and Osho Ashram. The daily meditation schedule involves 12 active and passive meditations a day from 6 am to 10.30pm and you can take part in a full OSHO Multiversity curriculum of classes, individual sessions and morning lessons. It is among India’s most offbeat meditation retreats. You’ll ease into a relaxing paradise at the Osho Meditation Resort with the spectacular combination of traditional yoga ashram and a luxurious spa. The methods you’re taught here are different from those you’re normally using.

1. 1. Ashiyana Yoga Retreat, Goa
      Goa is a popular beach town, tourist hub and the destination for yoga. Along with yoga, you’ll find the ancient science of herbal medicine and healing from South India, known as Ayurveda. For yoga in Goa, it has many retreats and schools that concentrate on Ayurvedic practices. Renowned for its serene, scenic and balmy beaches, these beach resorts will be your next visit to Goa ditch and try the incredible wellness resorts, yoga ashrams or Ayurvedic centers that offer a variety of detoxification courses, yoga asanas and wellness programs that balance and heal your body amid fascinating landscapes and magnificent weather. Goa may be the last place you would imagine a yoga retreat to be but there are quite a few amazing places here due to the influx of foreign tourists coming in for yoga holidays in India. Ashiyana Yoga retreat from them is a notable one with its detoxification techniques.

1. 1. Ayurveda Yoga Meditation Resort, Coonoor
      Just as yoga has been practiced in India since ages, ayurveda is also the country’s ancient science we take great pride in. You will indulge in both the practices in this retreat amid the lush greens of picturesque Coonoor Nilgiri Mountains. Rejuvenate at this peaceful abode Ayurveda Yoga Meditation Resort. It offers different procedures of massages, types of yoga asanas, meditation, correctly selected diet, excursions and lectures about ayurveda.

1. 1. Kalari Kovailakom,Kerala
      Kerala, in South India, is a land of gods, yoga and ayurveda. Kerala offers many types of beautiful beaches, forest lands, backwaters, and hills landscapes. There are many Hindu temples in Kerala which hold Temple Festivals with unique traditions worth witnessing on the trip. If you explore, you’ll find a tantric form of yoga incorporating Hatha yoga in kerala with an ancient martial art form known as kalaripayattu. Kalari is also known as “warrior yoga,” and has been practiced to strengthen traditional warrior physical and spiritual powers. People usually have the impression that all of India’s yoga and meditation retreats are located in the south and it’s not entirely wrong, at least we might say they are the best ones. And Kerala is certainly notable out of them because of his Ayurvedic roots. Kalari Kovailakom is an excellent retreat providing you with various types of yoga asanas and its courses to get close to your inner self.

1. 1. Isha Yoga Centre, Tamil Nadu
      Tamil Nadu is a beautiful state, a hub for many centers of rejuvenation that offers many classes of yoga and meditation. If you want to clean your soul and try positivity, well-being and harmony, then make sure you visit Tamil Nadu’s Isha Foundation India. Isha Foundation offers a variety of programs for physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. It aims to enable people to deepen their experience of life and reach their ultimate potential. Isha Yoga Center is one of India’s best yoga retreats situated in Tamil Nadu, at the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains. The best part about Isha foundation is that in India, it is a non-profit and non-religious yoga centre. The rigorous program of yoga retreats helps people reconnect with their mind, body and soul.

1. 1. Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh
      The town in Uttarakhand is known as the “Yoga Capital of the World”. It is obviously the first choice for yoga lovers. Tap into your soul and experience many different schools and Rishikesh ashram of yoga. Rishikesh Ashram is home to many gurus, wise men and saints, giving you the opportunity to connect and learn from them. The Rishikesh climate is a perfect location for learning yoga asanas, meditating, performing spiritual practices and seeking adventure in yoga school of Rishikesh like Parmarth Niketan ashram. Parmarth Niketan ashram is the most prominent and largest ashram in Rishikesh which provides pure and sacred atmosphere. The most remarkable thing about Parmarth Niketan ashram is the International Yoga Festival held annually at the ashram for a long week. Some of the daily activities held at Parmarth Niketan are morning prayers, daily yoga and meditation classes, daily Satsang, popular kirtans, Ganga Aarati at the time of Sunset and Ayurvedic treatment. Yoga school in Rishikesh is great for beginners who want to know not only the types of yoga asanas but also the whole yogic lifestyle curriculum which involves lessons on meditation, pranayama and other. There are also different styles taught here including hatha, vinyasa, ashtanga and even nidra yoga. Parmarth Niketan Ashram has simple but comfortable rooms and balanced vegetarian nutritious meals. There are other Rishikesh ashrams like sivananda ashram rishikesh, vanprastha ashram rishikesh, swarg ashram rishikesh, parmarth ashram rishikesh. Rishikesh yoga retreats offers comprehensive yoga and holistic health programs.

If you are also looking for a quiet, relaxed and wellness holiday to practice yoga; feel free to choose any of the above destinations irrespective of language problems. Despite languages spoken, these places are sure to speak the language of yoga which is the ultimate language of a healthy and fit traveler. Yoga helps in settling the mind and emotions for a feeling of contentment. If you’re booking your ticket for these locations, don’t forget to check train schedule before you confirm your ticket.