Rishikesh
It is placed on the banks of the holiest of holy river Ganga and here one truly feels like he/she is in the cradle of spirituality. This town has such panoramic and ethereal environment charged with absolute positive yoga and meditative energy that it has been dubbed as 'yoga capital of the world'. The town is an ideal place to learn various types of yoga as it is decked various yoga centers which include humble yoga ashrams to luxurious, high-end spas. Some of the best places to learn genuine techniques of yoga are:
Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh
Address: P.O. Swargashram, Rishikesh (Himalayas), Uttarakhand
Ph: +91-135-2440088
Swargashram Yoga Centers
Swargashram, Rishikesh Uttranchal, Rishikesh - 249409
Call: +91-135-2430082
Sanskriti Vedic Retreat Spa
NR Shivanand Hospital, Ramjhulla Shivanand Yatri Niwas, Rishikesh Uttranchal, Rishikesh - 249409
Call: +91-1334-2442444
Varanasi
The sacred and historic town of Varanasi is also placed on the banks of pious river Ganga in the state of Uttar Pradesh. This city is not just highly revered in Hinduism but in Buddhists and by Jains as well. It is believed Gautama Buddha himself proclaimed this city as one of the four holy pilgrimage sites. The aura of mythology and tranquility that envelopes the city makes it an ideal place to learn yoga and meditation. The local state government organizes the annual Yoga Festival in the months of February and March. However some of the places to learn yoga here are:
Shiva Nand Yoga Sansthan
Satyam Ashram S 8/45 Yb 1, Khajuri, Pendeypur, Varanasi - 221002
Call: +91-542-2503555
Arogyam SukhvardhanamRate
B-1/180, Assighat, Assi, Varanasi - 221005
Call: +91-9450248227
Satyalesary Cosmic Energy Centre
Behind Way To Bread of Life, Shivala, Vns, shivala, Varanasi - 221001
Call: +91-9415269605
Pondicherry
The union territory of Pondy has been a great seat of yoga since ancient times. Its rich culture is a spectacular amalgamation of French, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam sensibilities. Yoga sports competitions are organized here annually, where yoga professionals from different south Indian states compete with each other. An annual yoga festival is held at the city every year in early January. During this yoga festival a visitor gets an opportunity to learn various forms of yoga and also participate in various discourses on the subject. Some of the well renowned places to learn yoga as well as meditation here are:
Bureau Central
Information Centre of Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Cottage Complex
3, Rangapillai Street
Pondicherry 605001
Call: +91-413-2233633
Pondy Yoga Centre
No. 42, ND Cross, 2ND Floor, Renkata Nagar, Venkata Nagar,
Pondicherry - 605011
Call: +91-413-2212166
Thirumular Yoga Jeevakudil
No 3 F Lane, Vvp Nagar Arch
Thattanchavadi
Pondicherry - 605009
Call: +91-413-2271092, 7780273088
Thiruvananthapuram
In Kerala, there are various cities which are known for their Ayurvedic Healing centers and state of the art yoga and meditation centers as well. Thiruvananthapuram being its capital is certainly hub of various yoga schools that have world renowned teachers proficient in many forms of Yoga. The naturopathy and various forms of yoga taught here definitely are no less than magical in rejuvenating one's body as well as mind.
Pathanjali Pranayama Yoga and Arogya Kendra
C 6/515-5, Anra - 117, Saraswathy Vidayala, Vattiyur Kavu Po
Arappura Elippodu Road, Vattiyoorkavu
Thiruvananthapuram - 695013
Call: +91-471-2362021, 9447697045
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwanthari Ashram
Kallikadu, Neyyardam, Thiruvananthapuram - 695572
Call: +91-471-2690493
International Sivanandha Yoga Vedanda Center
West Fort, Thiruvananthapuram Fort
Thiruvananthapuram - 695023
Call: +91-471-2450942
Munger
The state of Bihar which is known for its Buddhist traditions since it was home of the great Saint Lord Gautam Buddha who was a staunch believer in the power of meditation and self contemplation. Places like Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Gaya, Nalanda, etc, where he spent most of his life attract many tourists from round the globe. However main school of yoga and meditation open for tourists in Bihar is placed at Munger.
Bihar School of Yoga, Munger
Bihar Yoga Bharati, Ganga Darshan, Fort, Munger, Bihar
Call: +91-6344-222430
Chennai
The capital city of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is another popular tourist destination for yoga enthusiasts from around the world. The city houses and nurtures a rich tradition of yoga and meditation. Many of the forms of yoga taught here are indigenous to the region and it is believed that this is place of origin of the modern yoga, which was revolutionized by T. Krishnamacharya. He had illustrious students like BKS Iyengar and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Some of the most famous yoga and meditation centers here are:
Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram
New No.31 (Old #13) Fourth Cross Street
R K Nagar, Chennai
Call: +91-44-24937998
Swasthaman Yogalaya
No. 2A, Hotel Brown Star, Vedamal Avenue, DR Subburayan Nagar
Kodambakkam, Chennai - 600024
Call: +91-44-66078560
Atma Gaana Yoga
B-1 Lalitha Terrace, Backside Gate to Nageshwara Rao Park
7 East Abiramapuram 1ST Street, Mylapore, Chennai - 600004
Call: +91-44-66428358
