Traces of yoga transport us to ancient India, yoga is practiced for physical, mental and spiritual benefits. In the religion of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, yoga has been in practice for centuries. Hatha yoga, Raja yoga, Kundalini yoga, and Ashtanga yoga are some of the well-known types of yoga that are prevalent in India. Yoga in India is mentioned in the Rigveda, but Patanjali’s yoga sutras gained prominence in the West in the 20th century.
In the 1980s, yoga was popular with the Western community as a physical exercise. It was the success of Swami Vivekananda that encouraged yoga gurus from India to introduce yoga to the Western world in the early 20th century. Unlike in the West, yoga means much more than physical exercise for Indian traditions. Yoga has a meditative and spiritual core. Many studies have shown the power of yoga to cure cancer, asthma, schizophrenia, and other heart conditions.
Over time, yoga has fallen into oblivion but in recent years it has gained prominence. India is often referred to as the “Yoga Capital of the World”. Much of the credit goes to the yoga gurus who take the yoga teachings and spread them in different countries. Foreign students flew to India to study and practice yoga and meditation.
Rishikesh – Yoga Capital of the World
If India is known as the yoga capital of the world, then Rishikesh, which is the gateway to the Himalayas, is also known as the yoga capital or the best yoga city in the world. Rishikesh is nothing less than a paradise for yoga enthusiasts from all over the world.
In Sanskrit, Rishikesh, named after Lord Vishu, means ‘Lord of the senses’. There are many mythological stories associated with this holy city. A famous saint Raibhya Rishi used to reside in Rishikesh and do penance on the banks of the Ganges river. Lord Vishnu appeared in front of Rishi as ‘Hrishikesh’. Rishi asked Vishnu to inhabit the place and Vishu agreed and thus the city came to be known as Rishikesh.
Another mythological story says that Rishikesh is part of the legendary ‘Kedarkhand’ where Lord Rama came to do penance after killing Ravana. Lakshman Jhoola, a famous bridge named after Rama’s brother who crossed the Ganges River at a particular point. A famous religious leader, Adi Shankaracharya, visited Rishikesh in the 9th century and the city has been declared a holy Hindu city after independence.
Today, the city of Rishikesh is located in the ‘Land of Gods’ state of Uttarakhand, India. Now, it has established itself as the city of pilgrimage and among the holiest Hindu places. Since ancient times, Hindu saints and sages have come here for further knowledge and meditation. The city is an important religious place, so non-vegetarian food and alcohol are prohibited here. The Ganga River also flows through the land of Rishikesh, flowing into the plains of North India.
Why you should join yoga school in Rishikesh
Yoga is taught in many cities in India like Goa, Mysuru, etc. But doing yoga in Rishikesh is unlike anywhere else in the world. The following are some things that explain why the yoga experience in Rishikesh is superior.
1. Spiritual environment
Rishikesh is situated on the banks of the Ganges, and there are many ghats and temples here. When the city cools down after the scorching heat of the sun, Aarti (prayer) is performed in the temples at night every day. The atmosphere is magnificent as the sound of chanting fills the air and candles light up the area. Tera Manzil Temple, located next to Lakshman Jhula, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the most prominent temples in this religious city. It is a great experience to learn about Hindu culture and also for spiritual awareness. One of the favorite places that tourists love to witness is the Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat. It is said that if you bathe in the holy Ganga water, you will be freed from your sins.
2. Professional teachers and yoga schools
Yoga has existed in India for thousands of years, the great yogis passing the knowledge of yoga from one to another. Rishikesh is home to the world’s most famous yogis; there are also yogis who invented some forms of yoga. There are some who are no longer alive but their disciples have taken yoga to another level and are providing yoga classes in Rishikesh. In the capital of yoga it is not easy to find a professional and certified yoga school. While looking for yoga school, research if it is affiliated with any institution or not.
3. Adventure and other activities
If you enter a Rishikesh yoga school, you will have the opportunity to experience the wonderful activities outside of the yoga school. One of the popular adventures is rafting. People from different parts of India come here to have this unforgettable experience. The water flow of the Ganges River is not like any other river and since the city is close to its source, the water flow is high. And flow into the Ganga water and enjoy the magnificent energy and flow.
Rishikesh is surrounded by the mighty Himalayas. And it is paradise for nature lovers; the air is pure, the vegetation and the environment in general are magnificent. You can carve out time from your schedule to visit the holy places, spirit caves and waterfalls. Adventure sports like paragliding and bungee jumping are also present, but you have to travel outside of Rishikesh for that.