Yoga tourism is an act in which people travel to different destinations around the world to learn and experience the art of yoga. The reasons, however, can be different depending on the type of vacation the traveler is taking. It could be for a spiritual journey, where the person spends a considerable amount of time staying in an ashram and spending time in meditation, yoga, and prayer. Then there is beauty tied up with yoga, where packages include beauty and spa treatments along with yoga exercises. Finally, there is a mix of travel for pleasure and yoga. This means travelling to wonderful destinations to practice yoga and at the same time combine other activities and cultural visits. The mornings are dedicated to classes while the rest of the day is intended for socializing and other holiday activities.
Take the opportunity to join a class
“Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are.” Jason Crandell
In India, our environment and way of life differs from the western world, and adopting western values is creating an internal conflict within us. To bring balance and harmony in one’s life, adopting yoga is a very good step.
There are various premier institutions offering basic to intermediate to advance courses throughout India. An offer to jump at is one offered by TourGenie, which has put together a well-thought out meditation and rejuvenation retreat in Sikkim this November. The yoga center it has tied up with teaches yoga sequences based on traditional hatha yoga, which focuses on 5 principles of yoga: proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet, positive thinking, and meditation.
The 8-day package has been created for those who want to combine fun with physical and mental fitness. Mornings are dedicated to meditation and yoga sessions, whereas the rest of the day comprises of short excursions to some interesting places around Gangtok.
Participants in the yoga sessions will follow 12 basic asanas (complete yoga workout), which is holding the postures with the awareness of breath control and the mind with asana variations to the intermediates and advancing practitioners. These 12 basic asanas are combined with 12 steps: sun salutation, basic kriya, pranayama, relaxations, in between the postures, and the final relaxation followed by auto suggestion (yog nidra).
Yoga is for everybody
“The yoga pose is not the goal. Becoming flexible is not the goal. Standing on your hands is not the goal. The goal is serenity. Balance. Truly finding peace in your own skin.” Rachel Brathen, Yoga Girl
Whether you are young or old, overweight or fit, the benefits of yoga can be reaped by anyone. The benefits of yoga provide instant gratification and lasting transformation such as improve posture, build muscle strength, improve flexibility, increase blood flow, boost immunity, lower blood sugar, and reduce stress. Overall, practicing yoga helps improve the quality of life. It is a low-cost, self-help approach to well-being.
