What Will You Learn at Atharv Yogshala - Traditional Yoga School

Kriya Yoga

A Powerful Way to Walk The Spiritual Path

Kriya yoga, Shat Karma, or Shat Kriya are often known as the six yogic cleansing processes used by yoga practitioners to help purify the physical body. During our retreats, we will explain some of these methods to you and you can apply these methods during and after your stay.

The body has an incredible natural tendency towards homeostasis. That means our body has a natural tendency to maintain stability in the circumstances given to us. The Shat Kriyas come to our aid to help us remove built-up toxins from our body, with particular emphasis on the respiratory and digestive systems.

Jal Neti (nasal cleansing with water)
Sutra Neti (nasal cleansing)
Tratka (concentrated gazing)
Kapalbhati
Kunjal Kriya (the practice of vomiting water)

Rishikesh: Shiva Statue

Sightseeing

Rishikesh: Ganga Aarti

Pranayama : Breathing Exercises

Pranayama is the control, regulation, and letting go of the breath. There are many different pranayama methods with different effects on the body. Practicing pranayama gives the practitioner more awareness of the breath, the breathing pattern, and the respiratory system.

The easiest way to start with pranayama is to observe your own breathing pattern. Sit in a comfortable position or lie down in Shavasana. Close your eyes and observe your breathing and try not to interfere. Focus on the rhythm of your breathing, and feel the breath flowing in and out of your nose.

You can bring your awareness to different parts of your body where you feel your breath. In your throat, chest, lower ribs, and belly. Then focus on your whole body and the whole breathing process.
Open your eyes again and notice if anything changes in your breathing pattern. Maybe your breath became slower, calmer, or deeper. On our retreats, we will teach you different pranayama techniques. There are many ways to become more aware of your breath and even more ways to control it.

What you’ll learn

Nadi shodhana (cleansing energy channel)
Bhramari pranayama (humming bee breath)
Sheetkari pranayama (hissing breath)
Kapalbhati pranayama (breath of fire)
Ujjayi pranayama (the psychic breath)

Asana : Dynamic and Static Asana Practices

Known as the World’s Capital of Yoga, Rishikesh is the small city of Uttarakhand. Tourists from all over the world have been visiting in the lap of - Rishikesh to deepen their spiritual practice with the sole motive to step towards building a healthy life. The abundance of natural beauty on this land creates a calm environment giving tourists reasons to visit this place and practice yoga. Rishikesh is considered one of the best destinations when it comes to learning as well as practicing yoga. There are countless reasons why Rishikesh is the favored hub for yoga practice, let us have a look at some of them.

Yoga is meant to be performed at a place that is filled with quietness and serenity like Rishikesh. Imagine being surrounded by the great Himalayas, sitting on the banks of the river, and performing yoga. This place can give you an ideal ambiance for a profound yoga program. It is known as the homeland of yoga. The registered yoga school in Rishikesh offers you a classical, traditional & authentic style of yoga without including any impurity. Rishikesh's friendly atmosphere gives reason to travelers, tourists as well as yoga aspirants to come and explore this place. Experience our life-changing yoga retreats which are designed for every aspirant of yoga practitioner.

Since Rishikesh is considered a place of rich yoga and spiritual heritage, it is home to the most reputed yoga schools as well as ashrams all over the world. People around the world visit this city to experience spirituality, yoga, and nature. You can easily find the most acclaimed and eminent yoga teachers as well as practitioners in Rishikesh as it is home to the most authentic yoga in the world.

Meditation

Less stress, more present

Although most people meditate with closed eyes, many beginners find it useful to have a point of focus, such as a candle. Concentrating on the flame can make it easier to clear your mind.

When learning how to meditate, beginners tend to get frustrated by the persistence of outside thoughts — all the anxieties, to-do lists and random memories that parade constantly through the brain. Instead of fighting them off, simply observe them as they enter your mind and let them pass. Repeating a mantra to yourself is another good way to maintain your focus.

During our retreat we will teach you different meditation techniques. After the retreat you will have the knowledge to meditate by yourself and find the calmness you felt during the retreat.

Types of Meditation

Spiritual Meditation
Mindfulness Meditation
Movement Meditation
Focused Meditation
Visualization Meditation
Chanting Meditation
Guided Meditation

Sattvic food : Keeps Soul Clean & Body Healthy

Yoga and Ayurveda have gained increasing importance in the last couple of years. Although these practices and disciplines originated in India, they have gained a lot of popularity outside the country, specifically due to the amazing benefits they offer.

Specialists from these disciplines have always believed that the approach to health should not only be physical but also mental, emotional, and spiritual. Their methods of practice also support this approach. And the same holistic approach comes into play in their diets as well.

Yoga and Ayurveda emphasize the Satvik diet for healthy eating. The Satvik diet is found to be abundant in Prana, a universal force that gives life to the plant and animal kingdoms. A Satvik diet is based on foods that are high in ‘sattva guna’ (goodness), according to Yoga and Ayurvedic sciences.

These systems believe that the diet leads to a clear mind and calm demeanor, while simultaneously benefiting the body. Experts say that a Satvik diet has all the 5 natural elements and this helps maintain overall balance.

What exactly is a Sattvic diet?

A Sattvic diet, simply, means light and healthy food. It does not go to any extremes of taste – neither too sweet, nor too salty or spicy – just moderate. Plainly put, Sattvic food is that which purifies the body and calms the mind. A Sattvic diet consists of pure food (not processed) that is light in potency, and rich in prana (life force). It energizes the body and mind.
Cooked food, consumed within three to four hours of preparation, can be considered Sattvic.

Elements of a Sattvic diet

A Sattvic diet includes water, fruits (all varieties), vegetables, cereals, pieces of bread, pulses, nuts, oilseeds, dairy foods, and honey. Cow’s milk is considered the most Sattvic of all foods in this category. Goat’s milk is treated as a good substitute for cow’s milk but buffalo milk doesn’t come under the Sattvic food group.

The Sattvic diet does not include onions, garlic, red chilies, black pepper, and other pungent spices because they are believed to be stimulants. On the contrary, spices like turmeric, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, and anise are recommended because these spices help the digestive system.

Sattvic foods are simple and easy to digest. They also require minimal cooking. Since there’s not much processing before these foods come to the dining table, they are closer to nature than other foods. Ideally, Sattvic foods are to be eaten fresh and immediately after cooking. Barring fruits, not many raw foods come under the Sattvic diet because raw foods are considered to be carriers of infectious agents.

Experts believe that a person who eats Sattvic food can achieve a great combination of physical, mental, and emotional harmony. It goes without saying that such a person would be well-focused in life and work as well.

Additionally, the Sattvic diet improves immunity that allows its follower to remain disease-free, or even if he/she falls ill, the recovery would be quick.

Positive pranic foods uplift and enhance your energy levels, fulfil your health needs and actually help your body to retain positive energy, which can help heal so many problems and issues. They are also usually high in nutritional value and can also help cure ailments and fulfil goals.

What will you Learn with us!