Yoga, now recognized globally as a highly effective form of alternative medicine, originated in India about 5,000 years ago as a discipline that sought to unite the moral, mental and physical aspects of human life to contribute to the overall wellness of the individual. Yoga is believed to have been propounded by the sage Patanjali (2nd century BC). Patanjali, in his treatise (known as the sutras) of yoga, explained the basics of yoga, its benefits and its steps (padas), without going into the details of what postures to adopt, how to breathe and so on.

Patanjali's sutras consisted of four padas:
Samadhi Pada (on Contemplation and Meditation)
Sadhna Pada (on the Steps to Union)
Vibhuti Pada (on the Achievement of Union and its Benefits)
Kaivalya Pada (on Illumination and Freedom)

These, therefore, are the basics- in chronological order- of the course an initiation into yoga takes. The science of yoga consists of various disciplines, which include Gyanyoga or Dhyanyoga (exercises for the mind and intellect); Hathayoga (physical exercises) and Karmayoga (yogic discipline in daily life). Each of these is a combination of techniques- ranging from meditation to controlled breathing and yogic postures (known as asanas), all of them part of a carefully-developed science which aims at relieving the mind of stress, purging the body of its ills, calming and cleansing the system and maintaining a delicate balance between all that comes together in a human being.

Yoga, if practiced regularly and diligently, will not just relax and rejuvenate the body, mind and soul, but also prolong life. These two aspects of yoga- its ability to promote good health (arogya) and its contribution towards longevity (chirayu)- makes it an all-encompassing way of life.

You may, of course, be a trained and conscientious practitioner of yoga yourself. But if, like most of us, you cannot find the time to fit yoga into a busy office-and-home schedule, then the next best thing is to treat yourself to a rejuvenating holiday at one of the ever-increasing number of yoga retreats and spas across India. Although Rishikesh is generally regarded as the main centre for yoga, spas, health centres and even hotels are mushrooming in Goa, Kerala, Uttaranchal and other areas- all great places that combine naturally beautiful locales with the chance to rejuvenate yourself!

India's top destinations for learning and practicing yoga include:

1.    Rishikesh: The sacred city of Rishikesh, on the banks of the Ganges, is almost universally regarded as the ultimate in yoga destinations in India. Most of the many ashrams that lie scattered across this ancient town are excellent places to learn- and practice- yoga, and that too from skilled exponents of the art. Many of the ashrams at Rishikesh are simply low-budget, no-frills accommodation options, all of them quiet and peaceful and with fairly strict stipulations regarding the avoidance of eggs, meat, garlic, onions, all intoxicants and cigarettes. A few of them, however, also offer yoga and meditation classes. Among these, the best-known include :

Italian-American Kripalu Yoga Ashram (tel: 01364-249192)
Yoga Study Centre (tel: 01364-2431196)
Yoga Niketan Ashram (tel: 01364-2430227)
Parmarth Niketan Ashram (tel: 01364-2440088 / 2434301 / 2434308)
Sri Ved Niketan Ashram (tel: 01364-2433537 / 2430279).

Most of these lie along the riverbank, usually surrounded by quiet gardens,
forested hillsides and an atmosphere of tranquillity.

All of these ashrams conduct courses (which vary in duration, ranging from a week to a month) wherein the basics of yoga are taught. Courses are generally inclusive of accommodation and meals at the ashram; daily yoga and meditation classes, satsangs (devotional gatherings) and bhajans (hymns). In addition to these courses, the Parmarth Niketan Ashram (in conjunction with Uttar Pradesh Tourism) organizes the International Yoga Week as an annual event every February or March.

Please note that in many cases participation in yoga courses at these ashrams must be confirmed well in advance. If you're keen on attending a course, contact the ashram beforehand (for participation in the International Yoga Week, as much as a few months before the event).

For more information on Rishikesh, click here.

2. Kerala:

Aptly described by the Department of Tourism as `God's Own Country', Kerala's made it to the top of the popularity charts with both domestic and foreign travellers in a surprisingly short period. Cruises on cool green backwaters, days of lazing on golden beaches and swimming in crystal-clear seas, coupled with the promise of a hefty dose of a stunningly colourful cultural heritage, draw an increasingly large number of visitors to Kerala every year. And the latest attractions to the list are the yoga centers springing up across Kerala. Although Kerala has traditionally been more famous as a destination for those looking for ayurvedic cures, many of the ayurvedic centers in Kerala have now started offering yogic treatment and short-term courses in yoga as well.

Kerala's yoga centers are scattered across the state, most of them being in and around the state's large cities, including Thrissur, Ernakulam, Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam.

Some of the main centers include:

Thiruvananthapuram: the Institute of Yoga Culture (tel: 0471-2318990) and the Sivananda Yoga Center (tel: 0471-2450942)

Kollam: the Yoga Kendra

Ernakulam: the Kardinal Padiyara Nature Cure and Yoga Ashram (tel: 0484-2422276) and the Nagarjuna Ayurvedic Resort (tel: 0484-2462231 / 2463350)

Palakkad: the Raja Healthy Acres and Health Farms Resorts (tel: 0491-2656215 / 2656305)

Thrissur: the Vaidya Ratnam Oushadhasala (tel: 0487-2872338).

Many of these centers offer special short-term courses for people who are interested in learning the basics of yoga. Besides these, there are other centers too, many of them also ofefring a range of traditional health treatments, mostly related to ayurveda and its many forms.

For more information on Kerala, click here.

3.    Goa: One of India's hottest tourist destinations, Goa has been, for a long time now, virtually synonymous with palm-fringed beaches and blue seas; with loads of delectable seafood, gallons of heady feni, a colourful carnival and a sense of joie de vivre which pervades the atmosphere like nothing else. Goa's popularity, especially with foreign tourists, has moulded its image to a great extent- and in recent years, that image has expanded to include the more spiritual side of life. For those overseas travellers who come to Goa for its beaches and its fun but don't want to miss out on yoga and ayurveda, there are now yoga centers where it's possible to learn the basics of yoga. Some offer facilities for accommodation on the premises, while others just offer daily classes for participants who stay elsewhere. Some of the main yoga centers in Goa are:

Rama Yoga and Meditation Centre
Thomson Villa, Near English Rose
Candolim Beach Road, Bardez

Purple Valley Yoga Resort
Hotel Bougainvillea
North Goa
Tel: 0832-2269 643

Ayurvedic Natural Health Centre
Next to Mae de Deus Church
Saligao
Tel: 0832-2409275, 2409036

Swami Vivekanand Society
Junta House
Panaji
Tel: 0832-224098

For more information on Goa, click here.

These are some of the places where you'll find a number of yoga ashrams and yoga centers scattered across town. There are, however, a range of other spas, health resorts and even hotels across India where excellent courses are offered in yoga, or where skilled practitioners in yoga teach even 2-day guests the basics of yoga. These are the sort of places where you can come for a relaxed weekend, allow yourself to bask in luxurious surroundings, commune with nature, learn a bit of yoga (enough to get addicted to this form of living!) and spend the entire vacation just getting the kinks out of your system. The facilities you can expect at these centers range from ultra-high brow to barebones, but of one thing you can be assured: you'll definitely come back home feeling like a new person!

Some of the many places that offer wonderfully rejuvenating yoga holidays include:

Ananda in the Himalayas
The Palace Estate, Narendranagar
Tehri Garhwal (Uttaranchal)
Tel: 01378-227500
Fax: 01378-227550

Sereno Spa
Park Hyatt Goa Resort & Spa
Arrossim Beach, Cansaulim
South Goa
Tel: 0832-2721324
Fax: 0832-2721325

Aayurgram Ayurvedic Health Resort
Bangalore
Tel: 080-795428-33
Fax: 080-795427

Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Auroville Co-operative
Pondicherry
Tel: 0413-272332
Fax: 0413-262274

Ayurveda & Yoga Retreat   
286, Sanatorium Kambisholai Road,
Via Staff College
Coonoor (Tamilnadu)
Tel: 0423-2231912
Fax: 0423-2233161

Sivananda Kutir
P.O. Netala, Uttarkashi District (Near Siror Bridge)
Uttaranchal
Tel: 01374-22624

Span Resorts
Kullu-Manali Highway
P.O. Katrain
District Kullu (Himachal Pradesh)
Tel: 01902-240138 / 240538
Fax: 01902-240140

Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Centre
Village Dharamkot
Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh)
Tel / Fax: 01892-21312

Manaltheeram Ayurveda Beach Village
Chowara (Kerala)
Tel: 0471-2268611
Fax: 0471-2267611