International Yoga Week, 2003

International Yoga Week, 2003

4-10 March 2003
Get your asanas truly sorted during Rishikesh's annual yoga week at the much-loved Parmath Niketan ashram. The so-called "yoga capital of the world" is an appropriate setting for a whirlwind tour of the major types of yoga - and happens to be an awesome place to visit as well.

This annual festival is now being organized by Parmath Niketan with Uttranchal Tourism. It always attracts great yogic masters from all over the world, who arrive by the banks of the Ganges to demonstrate and explore the major traditions of yoga (hatha, raja, karma, bhakti, mantra, laya and jnana). The town boasts numerous yoga schools to view (of varying standards of ethics and expense), as well as plenty of places to visit when your chakras are fully aligned.

Apart from the yoga schools, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the many ashrams in Rishikesh that offer courses on meditation, yoga and Hindu philosophy. The hatha yoga and pranayama meditation classes at Sri Ved Niketan Ashram are well known. The Shivananda Ashram, opposite the Shivananda Jhula, is also a favourite - but needs booking well in advance. Other well-known ashrams include the Yoga Niketan Ashram, the Omkarananda Ashram , the Vanmali Gita Yogashram and the Dayananda Vedanta Ashram.
For more information contact:
sanjaytanya@hotmail.com

for more info check out the following site.

http://www.self-realization.com/yoga/international.htm

during International Yoga Week you will probibly have to book accomodation early, most places have probibly been booked up in advance.

i have never had an interest in yoga, so cant offer any usefull advice.

i have however, always wondered why people go to india (one of the most relaxing places on earth) and then attend yoga classes?

is it not better to attend yoga classes in our home countries where we get stressed-out at work, where we are constantly rushing about in our day-to-day activities, and where we need to relax?

I've been teaching yoga and meditation in America and Europe for many years now. I know the people at Parmath Niketan pretty well, including their Guru Muniji. Good folks. However, I find so many people want to go to India to study ypga, as though it's somehow more authentic. The truth is, the myth we have of yoga as a part of Indian culture is largely a western invention. Most westerners I know who have studied 'traditional' yoga paths in India have been surprised at how little a part postures play in the bigger spiritual experience of yoga as it is practised in India. At first they tend to be disapointed that all Indians aren't out standing on their heads every morning. Over time, they realize just about every Indian does have some sort of altar, shrine, or practice to connect to the divine that is the true path of yoga. Nowadays of course, much of the yoga available in Rishikesh has been set up to appeal to westerners.