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Yoga
Tourism |
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For the uninitiated, the image of yoga commonly consists
of contorting yourself into a human pretzel and sitting
on the pointy bit of some distant mountain.
Initially developed/discovered in the India-Nepal region
thousands of years ago, yoga has evolved to include postures
that really do fit that sort of description. Through much
persistence, patience and careful study, many people today
have achieved and even surpassed those |
images in strength
and flexibility. Even so, this should be considered an
extremity of yoga. Just as all martial arts (Kung Fu,
Karate, Ju Jitsu etc.) have evolved from yoga, anything
can be taken to the point of distraction when on the road
to enlightenment. These complex and sometimes dangerous
yoga poses should only be considered after years of experience
and never seen as an end-goal.
The oldest formal documentation of yoga comes from around
200 B.C. (Patanjali's Yoga Sutra) but there are many references
that point way back to the Vedic times (2000-3000 B.C.)
where, it is said, the yoga path was initiated. In any
case, yoga has been around in one form or another for
a very long time. Long enough to have been the precursor
to every form of martial arts and every type of exercise
system. Translating from the ancient Sanskrit, the word
yoga is derived from the verbal root, yuj, meaning to
yoke, harness. From the language, yoga is the process
of uniting ourselves in order to express the energy of
our true nature. In other words, yoga is the methodical
steps of aligning and converging our body, mind and spirit
for the purpose of enlightenment. |
Philosophical thinking in India has long been concerned
with the root crisis of the human spirit - the separation
from the central consciousness and the only reality (Atman
or Brahman). It is because of this separation, which begins
with the ignorance of our birth, that we suffer the traumas
of physical, emotional and psychological conflicts. As
an unfortunate consequence of this disconnection and the
loss of that awareness, we erroneously look externally
for our happiness. The material and sensory pleasures
of life, the approval and value judgments of others, the
more is better philosophy, anything to allow us to forget
that the cause of all our suffering lies within. Yoga
calls our attention back to this and aims to reunite us
with the innermost centre of our being.
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The Yamas tell us what we should not do in terms of the
external world. The Niyamas tell us what we should do
in terms of our inner world. The Asanas align and integrate
our body and mind while releasing vital energies and preparing
us for the physical and mental challenges of the remaining
limbs. Pranayama brings particular emphasis onto the breath
to lift our awareness of the universal life-force that
sustains and energizes us.The last four limbs are the
methodical steps towards enlightened meditation. Pratyahara
relieves us from the constant bombardment of stimuli by
blocking our senses and turning our minds inward. Dharana
holds the mind on a single point to the exclusion of all
other existence. Dhyana is the connection and communication
between the subject and object where you, the subject,
are no longer separated from the object of your meditation.
Finally, if such a word is relevant anymore, we arrive
at Samadhi, an indistinguishable part of the universal
consciousness.
The most popular elements of yoga in the western world
fall under the Hatha (physical) yoga. This generally includes
the Asana and, to a lesser extent, Pranayama. This can
be an excellent place to start as long as it is understood
that the eight limbs are not a sequential path, but one
where all limbs are unavoidably concurrent. Many of the
physical poses (Asanas) require such concentration to
hold a balance (or maintain the strength and flexibility,
or apply complex anatomical adjustments, etc) that you
can't help but be in a Dharana state. Similarly, it is
essential for the body to be able to sit still for long
periods to achieve meaningful meditation. Here the Asanas
are essential; through the countless variations of hundreds
of postures, we begin opening our hips, strengthen our
lower and upper back, flexing our legs for sitting and
simultaneously learning to relax the mind to be open to
the possibility of meditation.
Yoga is now being utilized in modern society in many ways.
However, these applications tend to be superficial. To
obtain a more comprehensive view of yoga and its potential
utility within society, we need to go much deeper. Bihar
Yoga Bharati was established to help provide this insight.
Here scholars, scientists, artists, medical practitioners,
administrators and yogic aspirants of a high caliber can
study, research and develop a complete perspective on
yoga and its potential uses within society. This is our
contribution to creating a better future and a better
world for coming generations. |
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| Rishikesh |
The Garhwal region of north India is speckled with some
of the holiest of Hindu pilgrimage sites and Rishikesh
is one such major attractions. Crowded with sadhus with
long matted hair and pilgrims from all over the globe,
Rishikesh is the birthplace of yoga. It attracts thousands
of tourists every year, who come to seek mental peace
in the midst of the humdrum of modern life. The various
ghats and temples assist the human spirit in its endeavor
to be one with the ultimate source of all creations. It
is also an attraction for the ones in search of adventure
and passion. |
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| Meditation
& Yoga Centers |
Rishikesh is called the yoga capital of the world and
there are many ashrams in Rishikesh offering 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 is located opposite
the Shivananda Jhula and is flocked by tourists. It is
also possible to stay in the ashram by intimating the
authorities a month earlier. Other ashrams include the
Yoga Niketan Ashram, Omkarananda Ashram, Vanmali Gita
Yogashram, Dayananda Vedanta Ashram, Brahma Niwas and
the Yoga Study Center. The International Yoga Festival
is organized every year from February 2 to 7 by UP Tourism.
How to plan your holidays:
We are pioneer travel agents and tour operators for
Yoga and Meditation tourism in Kerala - India, Yoga
tour packages, travel tour itineraries for Indian Yoga
tours, Yoga tourist destinations guide, Yoga retreat
courses, treatment, classes, guide in Kerala, North
India and South India. To explore other special interest
tours in India, please visit at our itineraries:
http://www.india-tourism.net/itineraries.htm
to chalk out your tour plan or you may write us… your
choice of destinations to design a tour for you, mail
us at:
sales@india-tourism.net |
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