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Buddhism and Hinduism share shelter under the care of the mystic town of Dharamsala. Nestled in the Kangra Valley, among the Himalayan mountains, this spiritual pilgrimage spot holds enormous importance for devotees and seekers.
Dharamsala is the residence of the Dalai Lama, which makes a home for Tibetans in exile and Buddhists from all over the globe.
Hindu temples and Buddhist stupas can be seen surrounding the area, merging together in a unanimous pray for peace. Probably one of the most serene and pristine areas of India, as lushy green tea plantations, pine forests and snowy peaks are the usual landscape. There is a feeling of spirituality in every corner, in the streets, in the houses; brewing in the air.
Situated at high altitude (between 1,250m and 1,980m), the temperatures in Dharamsala are chilly and pleasant in summer. The best time to visit is March to June. The monsoon season is July to September and from November to February the weather is rather cold.
Mcleod Ganj is the twin sister of Dharamsala and they are almost considered one, while Bhagsu and Dharamkot are located 2km away from them. This four little hamlets are mostly what we generally know as Dharamsala. The quiet atmosphere of the area and the opportunity to find a meditation spot with a short walk up the mountain are very conducive for the practice of austerities. No wonder why students of Yoga and meditation come here during their spiritual journey.
BHAGSU YOGA INSTITUTE
A true master from Dharamsala, born and raised in the Himalayas leads the programs at Bhagsu. Om ji started his Yoga journey at the age of 11, and has been visiting ashrams and studying with Masters from all over India. The center has a strong focus into therapeutics through traditional Hatha, combining Sivananda and Vivekananda’s teachings.
The training at Bhagsu gives special attention to understand Vinyasa Krama, the progressive sequence that leads to specific and more challenging postures in Ashtanga Yoga, synchronizing the breath with the movement with a certain counting as a crucial point to evolve ones practice.
Accommodations are all private with attached western bathroom. Simplicity and minimalism prevails, but each room is equipped with hot water and Wi-Fi.
Food: Traditional
Accommodation: Pleasant
Teachings: Hatha and Ashtanga
Perfect for: Yoga therapy, meditation
MAHI YOGA
Mahi Yoga is located in the Tibetan settlement of Mcleod Ganj, where his holiness the Dalai Lama lives. Walking the streets of Mcleod Ganj can be very humbling. The Tsuglagkhang temple is very close to the school and is common to see many tibetan people sitting on the floor of the roads praying with mala necklaces and prayer wheels.
The team and curriculum of Mahi encourages students to immerse themselves among the abundance of natural beauty and cultural diversity by including sightseeing tours around temples and monasteries.
The shala where the trainings are conducted is in the small village of Bhagsu. Bhagsu is quite a multicultural center and the streets are filled up with bakeries, restaurants and craft shops. The studio is equipped with all kind of yoga appliances and Iyengar props.
Rooms are simple and with all the amenities to keep your body warm and cozy during wintertime, including hot shower. All rooms are within a 5 min walk from the main studio in Bhagsu, which is a great way to start the day.
At the cafeteria they serve clean and safe food, cooked with love to satisfy all the needs of the students through a vegetarian yogic diet.
Food: Good, traditional
Accommodation: Simple
Teachings: Hatha
Perfect for: 200, 300 hours
SARVAGUNA YOGA @sarvaguna.yoga
Known for the mind-blowing (quite literally) meditation teacher training courses and its affordable rates, Sarvaguna is a hidden spot that cannot be reached by car or bike, proving to be a serene sanctuary for mind and soul. The center, located in Upper Bhagsu, – 2,5km from Mcleodganj- has one of the most breathtaking views of the area.
Besides the regular yoga training courses, Sarvaguna has continuing education programs in meditation and reiki. Understand the meditation roots, preparatory practices to attain it, the science behind it and how to achieve transcendental experiences with practice. The courses at Sarvaguna are a philosophical, more of a mystical experience, where one can connect directly with the subtle body and better understand the pathways of prana.
With only 12 rooms specially designed for yogis, the residence – Oasis Guest House- remains peaceful all year long. All the essentials for a memorable stay are covered.
Oasis has its own restaurant that runs exclusively for the course participants. Indian Yogic meals and some other international dishes are served daily. However, there are many restaurants few minutes on foot from the center offering Tibetan cuisine worth trying, shops selling fruits, healthy snacks and Ayurvedic stores.
Food: Sattvik
Accommodation: Simple, comfortable
Teachings: Meditation, Reiki, Traditional Hatha
Perfect for: Meditation certificate
SHREE HARI YOGA
The courses at Shree Hari are held every month. Hari Pawali, the founder, is a well spoken teacher with a lot of wisdom to share through traditional techniques and a good sense of humor. Hari Ji began walking the path of Yoga at the young age of 16, and he’s been passionate about improving and sharing all the skills acquired in his journey with the students.
During the stay at Shree Hari, the team encourages the participants to be part of the voluntary selfless service (karma yoga), helping the staff and performing different tasks for the school and fellow yogis.
The accommodation is offered in base of the package chosen (shared or private) but all options are comfortable and clean.
The diet at Shree Hari will be energizing, vegetarian, prepared with fresh, seasonal and local vegetables.
Food: Traditional
Accommodation: Cozy, simple
Teachings: Ashtanga, Hatha, Yin, Vinyasa,
Perfect for: 200 Hours
KAILASH TRIBAL SCHOOL
The founder of Kailash Tribal, Yogi Sivadas, is a popular senior teacher in India with over 25 years of experience sharing his knowledge all over the world. Yogi Sivadas has the desire to bring the wonders of Yoga to everyone interested in discovering more about ancient traditions.
His healing skills and experience with different modalities of the discipline such as children, pregnancy and therapeutic yoga makes him the ideal teacher to learn Yoga from many different dimensions, emphasising a therapeutic approach.
Anyone looking to explore Yoga as a holistic science far beyond asana, will appreciate Yogi Sivadas frame of reference.
The courses at Kailash include a variety of healing sciences like Ayurveda, Sound healing or Reiki.
Accommodation and food must be sorted by the participant, but the school is happy to help finding a simple, comfortable lodge to ensure minimal distractions while training.
Food: –
Accommodation: –
Teachings: Hatha, Vinyasa
Perfect for: 200 Hours
HIMALAYAN IYENGAR YOGA CENTER @hiyogacentre
The Himalayan Iyengar Center is hosting trainings and intensive courses at their Shanti Ashram, offering the true yogic experience in the Himalayan hills. There is as much love and care given to the natural landscapes outside of the Ashram as to the building structure itself. Trees, flowers and bushes are part of a magnificent gardens surrounding the property.
The Ashram is concerned about the environment and the symbiosis nature and every creature has, and is committed to working with those passionate about protecting that magic. The center is engaged with environmental projects, like permaculture and organic farming as part of the spiritual ashram lifestyle.
Sharat Arora, the master, was inspired by the teachings of Jiddhu Krishnamurti and Ramana Maharishi, to carry out a more holistic life on the path of Yoga, approaching a therapeutic perspective for the mind and body. The courses at the ashram incorporate pranic healing techniques and a great deal of chakras, meridians and consciousness topics. Sharat ji has a strict but unique teaching style, using accurate instructions and perfectioned modifications of the asanas. He can teach in French, German and English.
Food: Sattvik
Accommodation: Comfortable
Teachings: Hatha, Iyengar
Perfect for: Therapeutic approach
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