Ade-stressing holiday isn’t only about high-end spas and picturesque resorts.
Try these simple, immaculately maintained retreats to clear your body and mind
Isha Yoga Centre, Coimbatore Tucked away in a nondescript village, 30 km from Coimbatore, Poondi, Isha Yoga Centre is placed at the backdrop of Dakshin Kailash. Founded by spiritual guru, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, it reflects the stillness of the surrounding majestic mountains.
The Centre houses the Isha Foundation, which is devoted to advancing physical, mental and spiritual health through yogic science. Architecturally well-planned, the Isha Yoga Centre is a triangular block, housing the brahmacharis and brahmacharinis or the nuns, who come from varied backgrounds, including the corporate world. The thatched meditation hall, where residential programmes are organised, stands next to a large open ground. The Centre aims to help seekers transcend illusions of physical reality to reach ultimate awareness or enlightenment.
Programmes vary but Sahaja Sthithi Yoga (attaining yoga through one’s natural self) is the centerpiece. Presented as a 13-day, three-hours a day workshop, it combines dynamic raja yoga practices and breathing techniques. It is said to stimulate the release of physical, mental and emotional blocks and activate the expression of energy.
They charge Rs 1200-1500 for a 7-day English programme for the metro audience and a special 2 1/2 day programme for top notch executives and foreigners that cost around Rs 9750.Incidentally, the Silent Revolution has also spread to parts of the US. Details: 24842424, 9442515557 or log on to www. ishafoundation.
org
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram, Neyyar Dam Lush lawns, flowerbeds and lakes, hills and forests add to the serenity here. Their facilities are comfortable but spartan and somehow live up to the image of an ashram. Don’t expect luxe suites or A/C rooms. Instead, choose from shared rooms or better still, carry a tent. The daily routine is filled with meditation, yoga, chanting and lectures.
They serve no breakfast but you get an early lunch at 10.30 am. Guests must spend an hour each day doing karma yoga — an hour of selfless service that is meant to help you get over your ego. This includes cleaning lavatories, but you can choose other chores such as serving food or cleaning the campus.
People usually sign up for their highly-reputed yoga sessions.
Classes are held by the lake in a studio that overlooks a dam and mountains. There is a dawn walk up a sacred hill and a night moonlit walk around the dam.
The ashram follows Ayurvedic principles — hence the diet and routine. Expect to find a lot of locals and karma-seeking westerners.
It is a strictly vegan diet without alchohol, meat, dairy, coffee, sugar, garlic or onions.
The ashram in Kerala charges from Rs 470 per night, all food and tuition included (low season), for a minimum stay of three nights. Details : 00 91 471 227 3093; www.sivananda.org/ ndam)
Kailasam Yoga Centre, Kovalam Located in Kerala’s seaside village of Kovalam, it is a private haven set amid coconut trees and accommodates a maximum of 10 guests at any given time.
Owners Diana and Mohan offer twoweek yoga and Ayurvedic holidays at Kailasam, together with treatments to relax the stressed or worrying mind, cleanse the body of toxins, strengthen the immune system and revitalise the body. The eight guest-bedrooms here are all en-suite, with western-style toilets and showers, hot water, ceiling fans and mosquito nets.
You are welcome to use the kitchen to make hot drinks.
The couple also has UK-based guest teachers at the centre.
And each week, there is space for two non-yoga participants, provided they are accompanying participating yoga friends.
The centre charges Rs 465 onwards per day for a 13-daycourse.
Details: 00 91 (0) 471 2484018
Yog-Ganga Centre, Dehra Dun Located in the Himalayan foothills in the leafy Rajpur suburb of Dehra Dun. The Centre promotes the study of yoga in the tradition of Sage Patanjali, under the guidance of Yogacharya BKS Iyengar of the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Pune. With a yoga hall, library and well-maintained lawns, the Centre’s architecture conforms to the principles of Vaastu. Yog-Ganga holds several intensive three-week courses each year, focusing on Asanas, Pranayam and basic yoga philosophy (meant for out-station students with some experience in Iyengar Yoga). They also conduct general classes twice a week for people staying in Dehra Dun. Most students stay as paying guests (Rs 400 per day) Application forms for the course are available on the Yog Ganga website. Indians are charged Rs 3,500 for the three-week course, and a little more for foreigners.
For the general twice-a-week classes, the cost is Rs 700 per month. Details: 0135-2733653 or visit their website www.yogganga.
com.