India yoga school first time

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

So, after 3 years of practicing in my lounge, I have finally done it. I have booked 6 months off to make the trip to India to enroll in one or more yoga schools.

I would like, personally to experience a few different schools.

I have 2 questions for those who may have experience.

  1. would you recommend doing a detox / fast at a school before I begin with a formal course?

  2. any recommendations of schools? I am open to styles - I have practised hatha mainly and a bit of ashtanga.

please note: I am not ready for teacher training yet, I just want to taste many different types of yoga and improve my practice.

Thanks in advance,

a nervous and excited newcomer! :slight_smile:

#2

Hi! Congratulations on your decision.

On the detox question - perhaps it’s premature to be considering whether you should do a detox before attending a course if you’ve not yet determined the school or course. This is a question that’s best directed to the school once you’ve decided which it is to be.

On the good school question - everyone wants something different. And good is relative to what you’re looking for. At every stage of my journey, ‘good’ has meant something different. If you can more specific about what makes an ideal school for you, perhaps that will help others help you better.

That said - I think the Heart of Yoga program at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandarim course makes for a good place to start. The tone of the place will appeal or turn you wildly off depending on where you are right now. You can be sure to learn about The Yoga Sutra, get exposure to the various tools of yoga (as opposed to just asana).

Ann Cushman wrote “From Here to Nirvana”. She goes to loads of different schools/ ashrams and documents what they’re basically all about, their approaches, and what you may encounter. Perhaps that will help you on your quest.

Good luck
Y

#3

Dear Y,

Thanks for the reply.
I had not heard of this school and will take a look.

I have been studying BKS Iyengar Hatha yoga, and have had a dabble in Mysore…

I enjoyed the Mysore, but did injury myself, so think it best that I stick to hatha for now perhaps until I get stronger and have less of my ego involved in my practice.

I am keen to just learn more about asanas, remember what it is like to have a clear head whilst practising and hopefully increase my physical abilities during the 6 months.

I will certainly look up anything by Ann Cusham.

Many thanks again

#4

The KYM was established by TKV Desikachar in honour of his father Krishnamacharya. Krishnamacharya was the guru of BKS Iyengar as well as K Pattabhi Jois. This is by way of context.

If you’re really focused on asana and want to build your physical abilities right now, I don’t think you’ll be thrilled. If on the other hand, you want a sense of where yoga in the broader sense comes from, or are wanting to discover the other tools of yoga beyond asana, then I’d say you were in very capable hands there.

If you are really into asana, I’d recommend seeing Usha in Rishikesh in the north of India. She’s a strict but highly experienced Iyengar teacher that has used the system to heal herself through 2 major car accidents.

Louise Ellis, one of the few certified female Ashtanga teachers is also based in Rishikesh. She can teach you the spirit of the practice. She’s hands off and gentle. If you’re after hints about technique however, Louise won’t be for you.

Brahmani Yoga in Goa, and Julie Martin in particular run accessible, fun, classes that are alignment focused. Brahmani yoga serves as a centre for some excellent visiting teachers and they have lots of weekend workshops that attract teachers from all different disciplines. If you’re wanting a starting place, that would be a good place to start.

Good luck.

Y

#5

Dear Y,

Thank you so much for this help. Its really difficult - having no experience of India or the schools there - to try and sit down and decide where I will study. I am pretty sure I may try a few different schools / courses etc to get a feeling for where my yoga is. Your help is really valuable and I appreciate the time you spent remembering all of these names and posting them to me.
If anything else suddenly springs to mind, obviously please feel free to let me know.

Many many thanks

AFJ

#6

I would recommend any school in Rhishikesh, for reasons not generally considered.

If it was only learning Asanas many videos, books and yoga studio next door can take you 70-80% of the way. But, one should look at the bonus one gets by learning yoga in India. Yogic teachings have percolated deep down in the Indian culture and ingrained inseparably in the Indian mindset. This is what one discovers during the ‘off’ time.

Why this is important? Yoga has a potential much beyond asana and the four walls of a studio. In India you this happening. However, there is a riddle. Those whose life is yoga are hard to recognize. They are almost 180 degrees to the impressions of the celebrity yoga experts of the Western world where yoga is a thriving business. For a diamond you will need to mine a heap of messy and poor coal of Indian life, and that is quite a challenge. In the process, you will learn to learn by heart than the head.

Rhishikesh is considered as one of planet Earth’s important chakras. The vibes one gets there are precious.

#7

Hi Suhas,

Thanks for your insights. Really interesting. I think I will be heading to Rishikesh / Northern area of India.

Yes you are right, I obviously want to have thorough instruction in Asanas and pranayama to get rid of my bad habits and learn more in general. Obviously I also want to further my understanding of the other side of yoga too.

If you have any tips or advice for me please do let me know…

e.g. schools, readings, etc.

Many thanks for your help

AFJ

#8

Hi,
Try Sivananda Ashram, Uttarkashi (North India) or Trivandrum (South India). You will enjoy the experience.

#9

The only one I know is Rishikesh Yog Peeth. It is nice and vibrant.

But I teach Yoga Sutra there, and hence, my view may not be objective.

#10

Dear Suhas,

Thanks very much for your reply, it is good to know anyway as its a new school to consider.

Thanks very much again.

AFJyoga