Yoga is not just meant to be a physical activity or a lore of spiritual enlightenment. It is an art that brings the mind and body closer, creating a synchrony between every breath you take and every choice you make. A man’s negative thoughts will not vanish magically once he goes on a Yoga retreat. Instead, he works on getting back the reins of his life. You can make conscious decisions when everything about your brain, body, and soul is in your control. With whispered chants and a peaceful ambiance, yoga helps you to communicate with yourself and curb anger, stress, and tension. Eventually, you find the path to serene tranquillity.
And where can you find this ideal yoga retreat? I have the answer for you!
Rishikesh is the land where the ancient sages and yogis once roamed. While you stay nestled between the aloft Himalayan mountains, the cascading flow of Ganga greets you every morning. You wouldn’t want to miss out on the rhythmic chants of the evening aarti and the glorious mantras that fill the air with sacred divinity. One thing Rishikesh is also famous for is ‘Yoga’.
There are several Ashrams and centers that offer you a short-time yoga retreat in Rishikesh. You can enroll for a course of three days or even three months! It all depends on how much time you have on your hands.
If you are planning to visit Rishikesh soon, there are Treebo Hotels available at affordable rates for your convenient stay. You can book a room, go to your much-needed yoga retreat, and come back to ponder upon your progress comfortably.
You can also read the blog THE BEST TIME TO VISIT RISHIKESH IS ALL YEAR ROUND! ENJOY ITS GLORY! To understand how to reach the place and what to expect there.
Here are the 10 best yoga retreat suggestions for you –
Pick Your Best Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh
1) Rishikesh Yogpeeth
This Ashram will teach you that embracing the minimalist lifestyle is not synonymous with sacrificing entertainment. The soothing place will help you draw a fine line between clean fun and destructive habits. Rishikesh Yogpeeth provides the finest lifestyle, closer to mother nature. Along with yoga amidst the Himalayan mountains, you also get to go hiking, river rafting, and sightseeing during the day. There is no stress that a good Ayurvedic massage cannot cure. If you have a free weekend, you can come here for a 3-day yoga session and experience living in natural ecstasy.
Duration: 3, 7, 14, 21 days
Location: Abhayaranya Yoga Ashram, Neelkanth Temple Road, near Patna Waterfall, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249302
2) Rishikul Yogshala
Rishikul Yogshala aims at nurturing the core values of Yoga and how it can help a human detach himself from worldly pleasures. In other words, it helps you channel your thoughts toward what is important and away from the illusions we create in our heads. It is a place where you can obtain certified courses to become a yoga teacher and several people from across the world come here to get the certification. But if you are looking for a shorter session, you must consider going for a mini yoga retreat that offers relaxation and harmony. You get to understand the concepts of ‘Mithya’, ‘Atman’, and ‘Brahman’. The course will help you detach from ‘Maya’ and awaken your inner consciousness.
Duration: 3 days
Location: Narayan Kunj, Jonk Village, Ram Jhula, Swarg Ashram, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249304
3) Rishikesh Yog Niketan
If you are ready to take up the challenge of a stringent lifestyle, then explore what the yoga retreat at Rishikesh Yog Niketan has to offer. It is one of the oldest ashrams in the place, established in 1964 by the renowned Swami Yogeshwarananda Paramahansa. He spent most of his life exploring the hidden wonders in the Himalayas and gained immense knowledge through meditation and ‘dhyana’. The school aims to preach the significance of the eightfold path. The students have to follow a pre-determined schedule of meditation, diet, and lectures. Within a short time, you will be able to see a positive change in your thought process and the way your body is naturally functioning.
Duration: 5 days
Location: Swami Omkarananda Saraswati Rd, Ganga Vatika, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249137
4) Arogya Yoga School
If you plan to learn a lot within a very short time, then Arogya Yoga School is the right place for you. You can choose to stay here for as less as 3 days or extend your stay till a month! The students can learn Ashtanga yoga, Hatha Yoga, Yogic Kriyas, Pranayama, relaxation breathing, and uninterrupted meditation techniques. In a very tranquil atmosphere, surrounded by lush greenery and the pleasing sound of the flowing Ganga, students get an ethereal experience of peace. With like-minded people, you can create a new bond of amity. The lectures include a strategic approach to teaching the Vedas and Upanishads. It is a yoga retreat that will help you detox your mind and embrace healthy living.
Duration: 3, 14, and 21 days
Location: Nirmal Block B, Lane 10, Visthapit Colony, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249204
If you want to know about other activities that you can be a part of in Rishikesh, then you might also want to read 15 TOP THINGS TO DO IN RISHIKESH
5) Osho Ganga Dham Ashram
Osho will teach you that it is always fun to dance your way toward peace, calm, and composure. You can immerse yourself in the ancient practice of yoga and the art of meditation, allowing your conscience to awaken and flourish. Whether you choose a short visit or an extended yoga retreat, your time here promises to be a soul-enriching journey. In Osho Ganga Dham, you get to explore diverse yoga techniques such as Kundalini, Dynamic, and Dance meditations, under the guidance of experienced instructors. For those who are seeking holistic healing, Reiki therapy is also available at this Ashram.
Duration: 3-7 days
Location: Jaanaki Cottage, Lease No-52, Badrinath Road, Brahmpuri, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249201
6) Himalayan Yog Ashram
Himalayan Yog Ashram offers a holistic approach to healing your mind and body with the help of yoga. You must note that the place only accepts a limited number of people at once to ensure that they pay keen attention to everyone. Also, this will help in creating a sense of isolation and privacy for the students. The focus will be mainly on teaching you the right postures of the body, proper breathing techniques, introducing an ayurvedic diet, and spiritual lectures. You can understand everything about the Yogic life, and how making some changes to your daily routine can prove to be a step toward peace and calm. Sit down, gaze at the soul-satisfying Himalayan mountains, take a deep breath, and close your eyes. Within no time, you will be transformed into a trance where no stress, tension, or burden can weigh you down. That is the power of those majestic hills and the expert training provided at the yoga retreat.
Duration: 7 days
Location: 256, Tapovan, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249192
7) Sattva Yoga Retreat Rishikesh
Sattva Yoga Retreat is meant for people who want to get a taste of yoga and meditation without compromising on the luxuries of their everyday life. So far, we have discussed ashrams that will introduce you to the minimalist life. But Sattva brings you luxury coupled with physical-mental well-being. The place has 25 rooms with amenities like 24-hour room service, laundry, electricity backup, a travel desk, additional furniture, and a breathtaking view of the Rishikesh environment. There is a dedicated garden for meditation and relaxation. The Ayurvedic spa will help you to regather that lost energy. The food they serve in the in-house setup is organic and highly nutritious.
Duration: 2 days
Location: Mohan Chatti, Jogiyana, Uttarakhand 249304
8) Sivananda Ashram
Sivananda Ashram aims to promote the goodness and importance of Yoga in our everyday life. That is why they conduct several free yoga sessions daily, and people from across the world signup for their offline and online lessons. Swami Sivananda founded the ashram, and currently, the Divine Life Society takes care of the place. The focus is on rectifying the five elements of life which include – meditation, breathing patterns, posture, diet, and the art of instant relaxation. They teach you how to mold your mind to do things at your bidding without getting influenced by external factors.
Duration: Minimum 7 nights
Location: Badrinath Rd, near Ram Jhula, P.O, Shivanandanagar, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249192
9) Parmarth Niketan
Parmarth Niketan is a place that is home to over 200 underprivileged children who need a home and proper education. The team ensures that they receive knowledge and a healthy lifestyle, and learn things that will help them lead a just and dignified life. People from across the world come here to volunteer for humanitarian projects. However, the place is known as one of the most-reputed stops for a worthwhile yoga retreat. The experienced teachers come from India and foreign lands. Though they try to accommodate as many students as possible, the teachers have their eye on everyone. They help you to attain the right postures and learn breathing techniques for relaxation and unwavering concentration. This is a modern gurukul that offers several courses in the field of yoga. Some would help you learn the art, while others are focused on individual goals like weight loss or emotion management.
Duration: 5 days
Location: Near, Main Market Road, Ram Jhula, Swarg Ashram, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249304
10) Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram and Retreat
Anand Prakash Yoga Retreat invites curious minds from across the world and the class consists of people coming from different backgrounds, countries, races, and even religions! It is a satisfying sight to see a crowd gather for Vedic healing in the heart of Tapovan. Compared to the other ashrams and centers we have discussed so far, Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram and Retreat were established recently in 2007. The place is famous for single-day yoga sessions but if you are interested, you can also signup for 200 and 500-hour yoga coaching schedules. The food is prominently Ayurvedic and requires you to give up on all other kinds of food until you are staying with the Ashram. People also see this as a detox vacation, away from the hustle and bustle of corporate life. The ashram will teach you to be humble and down to earth. They make sure that all resident students are taking an active part in daily chores and volunteer activities
Duration: 1 day
Location: Tapovan, Shivananda Nagar, Badrinath Rd, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249192
Rishikesh is a land of diversity that offers so much to the people planning to visit the glorious land. If you are planning on an extended stay in the holy grounds, consider going through the different Rishikesh itineraries and pick the best one that will sit well with your yoga retreat plan.
For people who cannot stay for a longer time, you can always come back to revisit the place. Trust me, every time you come to Rishikesh, there is always something new to explore. And the palpable spiritual energy is so compelling that once you are here, you will always want to be here.
Rishikesh Yoga Retreat provides an opportunity to detach from daily distractions and cultivate self-awareness, leading to improved overall well-being. A proper ashram or center is just a propelling force that will help you reach your destination through a stable and healthy path. These 10 yoga retreats in Rishikesh have earned praise from yoga enthusiasts and serve to educate the masses. Choose the one you like the most and set out on a soul-satisfying journey.
