Rishikesh is considered as unofficial yoga capital of the world. Combination of Mystical Himalayas & Holy River Ganga provides unique feeling for Yoga and Meditation. Compare to other places here you will have lot of variety different ways of learning yoga. Every year thousands of students are trained here. Yoga is mostly practiced with meditation. In Rishikesh many ashrams are providing yoga and meditation facilities. Ashrams are completely diffrent from normal yoga training centers. Ashrams have basic facilities and strict rules and regulations but here the important is spirituality. Here yoga training is provided along with teachings on spirituality based on teachings from ancient hindu scripts such as Vedas and Upnishads. Spiritual learning does not means to convert a person from one religion to another. Here spirituality is used to improve mental health and stress removal. Below are some famous yoga ashrams in Rishikesh.
Sivananda Ashram: Sivananda is one of the famous ashrams in Rishikesh. Sivananda Ashram is also known as Divine Life Society. Sivananda Ashram was established by Swami Sivananda in 1936. Accommodation, Yoga & Meditation classes are provided free of cost but the sivananda ashram prefers serious spiritual seekers only. Sivananda Ashram is located near the Ram Jhula. You can learn Hath Yoga and Iyengar Yoga. Apart from yoga they also teach vedanta philosophy. Ashram is good option for experiance of Ashram life with yoga. They have one more yoga ashram at Uttarkashi (175 kms far from Rishikesh) which is more focused on Yoga Teacher training (this training is on chargeble basis).
Parmarth Niketan Ashram: Parmarth Niketan Ashra is located in Swargasrham area near Ram Jhula. Parmarth Niketan Ashram is popular ashram. Rooms, yoga, food is available on a donations basis. Ashram is always busy so in case you are looking for some peaceful yoga ashram this will be not a ideal choice. This ashram also organize the International Yoga Festival each year. Swami Chidananda Saraswati is president of this ashram. Daily drop in classes, beginers yoga course and yoga teacher training is available here. At this ashram you can stay like a guest house also.
Dayanand Ashram: This ashram is located in Sisham Jhari area of Rishikesh on the bank of the Ganga. Dayanand Ashram organize classes on mainly Vedanta and Saskrit. Both vedanta and Sanskirt they teach here in english language. Ashram provides its facilities to Yoga teachers and yoga retreat organizers. Ashram does not have thier own yoga classses. Dayanand Ashram was started by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1960s. Dayanand Saraswati Ji is well known teacher of Vedanta and Sanskrit. Ashram also has big library which contains more than 5000 books. Yoga, world religions, sanskrit, vedanta related books are available. Ashram is open to people who are interested in vedanta and sanskrit or people who want to take part in courses organized here.
Aurovalley Ashram: Ashram is located in between Rishikesh and Haridwar on the bank of the River Ganga. Ashram has yoga hall, library and Word temple complex. It is good option for people want to stay at peaceful place. Swami Brahmdev is founder of this ashram. Swami Brahmdev is follower of Sri Aurbindo.The ashram provides teaching on Integral Yoga. Ashram is widely spreaded in large area.
Swami Ram Sadhak Grama: This ashram was founded by Swami Rama in 1966. Meditation and Hath Yoga is regularly organized. Silence programs are also organized here. Ashram has Meditation Research Institute is also here for reaserch on Meditation in scientific way. Swami Rama also founded “Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy” & “Himalayan institute Hospital Trust”. Yoga Teacher Training courses are also available here. Ashram is located on Virbhadra Road.
Omkarananda Ashram: This ashram was fouded by Omkarnanda Saraswati. Omkarnanda Ashram has mulitple buildings dedicated to diffrent purpose such as educational, yoga and cultural activities. Ashram has own primary schools, Managment school, Temples & guest house. Omkarnanda Ganga Sadan is thier guest house with yoga facilities. The guest house has Patanjala Yoga Kendra which is specialized for Iyengar Yoga. Classes are organized from Monday to Saturday. Ashram is located in Muni Ki Reti.
Yoga Niketan Ashram: Yog Niketan Ashram is located near Ram Jhula. This ashram was founded by Swami Yogeswaranand Paramhans. Swami Yogeswaranand was master of Raj Yoga. Hath Yoga, lectures and meditation classses are regularly organized here. At Yoga Niketan thier teachings are based on Patanjali Yog Shastra (eight folded path). Shorter stay can be provided at their guest house on donation basis.
Phool Chatti Ashram: This ashram is 5 kms far from main town. Thier 7 days yoga meditation program is popular. Ashram was fouded by Sri Devi Dayal Ji Maharaj in 1890s. Ashram is not just for yoga & meditation but also includes ashram experience, chanting, kirtan, silence and other spiritual experiences. Ashram is located on the bank of the River Ganga.
Anand Prakash Ashram: This ashram was founded by Yog Rishi Vishwaketu and his wife chetna in 2007. Anand Prakash Ashram has its own way of teaching Yoga which is known as Akhanda Yoga. Minimum 3 nights stay is suggested. Drop in classes are also offered. Ashram is located in Tapovan area of Rishikesh. Yoga Teacher Training is also available. Total 21 rooms are available.