Why You Should Go To Rishikesh For Yoga
5 and a half years ago I went to Rishikesh in North India for my 200 hour ashtanga vinyasa yoga teacher training. During and after, my life changed and over the last half decade I’ve continued learning and changing. Living a yogic life is about continually educating ourselves, observing our thoughts, and working with healing rituals. Rishikesh breaks down from the Sanskrit words ‘hrishika’ meaning ‘senses’ and ‘isha’ meaning ‘god’. It’s known as ‘god of the senses’ relating to Vishnu. I recently returned to Rishikesh and I’ve had so many questions about the trip that I thought I’d share my favourite places with you to save for your future plans…
🕉Puja at Parmath Niketan ashram - This is an overwhelmingly beautiful aarti at sunrise and sunset, and an amazing cultural learning experience. You MUST go! I cried my eyes out…
🌊Jai Ganga Ma. The Ganges is a goddess in Indian culture, hang out, dip your feet, take a plunge if you want to. Otherwise soak up the beauty of it by sitting and watching.
🛕Maharishi mahesh yogi’s ashram aka the Beatles ashram after they famously visited in the 70s. No longer a running ashram but the ENERGY that lives in this place is insane! Inspirational and you’ll learn more about transcendental meditation and the transformational benefits through the small sort of museum area which shares lots of statistics on the benefits.
🌞Sunrise at Kunjapuri temple - for stunning views of the Himalayas and a spot to close your eyes and meditate (about an hour from Laxman Jhula). You can either get a scooty or hire a taxi to take you.
💦Neer waterfall - take a cold plunge in the freshest and super clean water. Go early to avoid the crowds (30 mins from Kunjapuri temple). The water is fresh, clean and if you’ve been on our UNEARTHED retreats you know how incredible cold plunges are!
💦Garud chatti, Patna, Neergarh if you want more waterfall action
🌉Walk over the Ram Jhula (the Laxman Jhula is closed for construction and will be for the next year or so) but the Ram Jhula is just as special, very crowded, and with beautiful views of the ganges and himalayas.
🏝YES there are golden beaches by the Ganga. Goa beach is closed right now but you’ll find a sandy one on the way from Laxman to Ram Jhula. You can take a plunge or dip your feet here, or simply read a book on the beach.
🍫🍩 CHOCOLATE BALL - ok you MUST get a choc ball, they’re basically reeses pieces smushed into a ball and are INSANE. Loved them 5.5 years ago, still love them now. A classic and cost about 60p.
🥐Bakeries - amazing German bakeries for your post practice sweet fix.
Yoga & Ayurveda recommendations:
Firstly, I hugely recommend bringing your own yoga mat. Most studios don’t have the best grip mats or cleaning facilities so for hygiene I hugely recommend taking your own or buying one there to use.
Veda Yogashala - great for drop in classes because there are lots of diff class options and diff teachers so you can experience a variety of styles (also epic adjustments). They also do teacher trainings.
Tattva Yogashala - this is where I did my ashtanga vinyasa teacher training back in 2018. I didn’t return on this trip because I was staying on the total other side of Rishikesh.
Nada Yoga - we had a private sound bath (think singing bowls placed on top of you and around you…the vibrations are all encompassing in the best way) followed by a sitar playing. It was the dreamiest! They also do teacher trainings and it’s right by some Ayurvedic shops, as well as the Ram Jhula, and close to Parmath Niketan Ashram.
Tatvat for massages and Ayurveda treatments. We had a mix of deep tissue, Ayurvedic oil and herbal scrub. Literally felt NEWLY BORN.
Food recommendations:
Wandering through the streets you’ll find lots of rooftop cafes and steps down to the Ganga for a dip, to hang out and people watch. Faves include:
✨Chatsang (one of the few without a view of the ganga, but the food is really great)
✨Little Buddha cafe
✨Ganga view cafe
✨Cafe royal
✨Pumpernickel bakery (great for the choc ball mentioned earlier!)
Rishikesh will always hold a very special place in my heart. It’s a really spiritual, magical place and a top choice for yoga teacher trainings. I hope you found this useful! If you’d like to explore more and deepen your own yoga practice, start your 7 day free trial to our membership platform.
Love,
Angie