Travel Yoga and Meditation

India is rich in culture, ancient wisdom and spiritual traditions and is the home and birthplace of Yoga and Meditation. This makes it the ideal base for your next yoga and meditation holiday. With hundreds of centres and schools located all over the country, there is one to fit every itinerary. 

Whether you're keen to practice yoga and meditation on your travels, looking to gain a yoga teaching certificate or looking for the best wellness retreats for your holiday, you have come to the right place.

I have practiced yoga and meditation in many centres across India and I’ve put together a list of the best places to go. I have included centres with varying facilities to suit a range of budgets. Some I have visited myself, others came highly recommend by friends I met during my travels here. Some on the list have been long established and are recognised worldwide.

Best Yoga and Meditation Centres North India

Ananda Spa in The Himalayas

This luxury 5 star spa is set in The Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand and overlooks the spiritual town of Rishikesh and the Ganges river valley.

The spa integrates traditional Ayurveda, Yoga and Vedanta with international wellness experiences, fitness and healthy organic cuisine to restore balance and harmonize energy. Services include meditation, yoga, detox, weight loss, de stress and anti-ageing. Facilties include a restaurant, fitness centre, sauna, swimming pool and a golf course on site.

Budget - $$$$$

Address: The Palace Estate, Narendra Nagar Tehri - Garhwal, Narendra Nagar, Uttarakhand 249175, India

Phone: +91 1378 227 500

Pushkar Meditation Temple

If you’re visiting Rajasthan, don’t miss a stop to the Holy Town of Pushkar. The cafes, shops and sunset offer a relaxing break away from India's crowded cities.

This yoga and meditation centre offers basic, clean facilities and is suited to the backpacker budget due to the range of courses available. You can choose from a 1-Session Introduction up to a full 21 hour package.

If you’re looking for a place to complete a Yoga Teacher Training (RYT200) course, then this is available here at an affordable price of 60000 INR (900 US dollars) The duration to complete the course is 3 weeks.

Budget $$

Address: Dadhich Ashram, Brahma Chowk, Badi Basti, Pushkar, India 305022

Telephone: 919412093953

Sunset over Pushkar Lake

Vipassana Dhamma Sikhava, Dharamsala

Vipassana teaches the technique of meditation (yoga is not available). Before signing up to this, you need to prepare yourself mentally. The 10 day course is completed in silence and your valuables will be confiscated. This includes mobile phones, laptops or any other device. Alcohol and medication is not permitted and facilities are basic. Vipassana have centres world wide but this one is located near the areas of McLeodganj (Upper Dharamsala) which is known for the Dalai Lama. If you are visiting Himachal Pradesh, it is a beautiful place to visit.

Vipassana relies on donations to fund their worldwide centres. There are no other fees to join the course but a donation is expected. Consider that your meals and accommodation are provided free of charge when making your donation.

Budget $

Address: Worldwide. The address for this particular centre is Himachal Vipassana Centre - Dhamma Sikhara McLeodganj; Dharamsala 176 219 Dist. Kangra; Himachal Pradesh India

Sunrise over Vipassana Centre

Best Yoga and Meditation Centres in the South of India

The South of India offers beautiful beaches, backwaters, safaris and rolling hills of tea plantations. If you are keen to add Yoga and Meditation to your itinerary, here are a few of my recommendations.

Ashiyana Goa

Ashiyana Goa is a mid range – luxury yoga and meditation retreat based on Mandrem beach in North Goa. It offers a range of accommodation from beach huts with shared bathroom facilities (from $50pp) to Luxury private suites (from $115pp). Further costs are added for the retreat package. If your budget allows it, the luxury rooms are beautiful and highly recommended.

They also offer the Yoga Teacher Training Course. The cost for this ranges between $1700 to $3000.

Budget $$$$

Address: Ashiyana Tropical Retreat CentreJunas Waddo, Mandrem, Goa,
403527 India

Ashiyana Goa

Swan Yoga Retreat

This mid-range yoga and meditation centre is also based in Goa, near the popular area of Anjuna (20 minute drive) which its famous for its markets, beach and nightlife. If you’re looking for a yoga and meditation centre which isn’t too far away from everything, but also offers affordable accommodation in a tranquil environment, then this could be for you.

The programme itself is a little unique and includes indoor and outdoor beach yoga, a fire ceremony and cooking classes. The centre teaches Pranayama, mantra, deep relaxation, asana and yoga philosophy. Ayurverdic treatments are also available for additional costs.

Budget $$$

Address 101/4 Bairo Alto, Assagao Bardez, Assagao, Goa 403507
swanyogagoa@gmail.com

Telephone +91 8007 360 677 / +91 832 2268024

Swan Yoga Retreat, Goa

International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Trivandrum 

International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres (ISYVC) is a non-profit organisation run by voluntary staff. It is located approximately 1 hour drive away from the popular Varkala beach in Kerala. Private and group classes are available and suitable for yogis of all levels.

The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre has been teaching yoga in Trivandrum since 1987. Teachings include the 5 basic principles of yoga

• Proper Exercise - Asana
• Proper Breathing - Pranayama
• Proper Relaxation - Savasana
• Proper Diet - Vegetarian
• Positive Thinking and Meditation - Vedanta and Dhyana

Budget $

Address: T.C. 37/1927(5), West Fort Road, Eanchakkal Westfort Rd, Fort, Pazhavangadi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695023, India

Phone: +91 92079 90888

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