Why Travel and Study Yoga in India?

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It is hard to ignore the power of the Internet and social media these days. The visuals and content presented online are so convincing that we fall for it instantly. The images and video content you see and the words you read can misguide you. Hence, it becomes important for us as consumers to ensure that we choose the right products and services. Yoga was born in India centuries ago, but it has become a worldwide phenomenon now. Millions of people around the globe want to study yoga in India.

There is already so much said and written about yoga on the internet that it would overwhelm and confuse you. There are practitioners around the world in more than 100 countries that practice yoga and have made it a part of their lifestyle. Yoga schools are mushrooming all over the places internationally and in India as well. Apparel brands are focusing on fashionable yoga pants and clothing to attract the Instagram audience. Many people are making a career by becoming yoga instructors and teachers to help people study yoga in India.

Globally, there are many types of yoga options in the market like the hot yoga. However, there are many differences that you come across when you dive further into this topic. Of course, I’m no yoga guru or expert, but I travel and I research, observe and write. That’s what I have been doing for almost a decade now.

Being a history person, I would certainly love to dig deeper into the history of yoga. However, I would skip it because there are plenty of sites already that can provide you with better information. Instead, I would focus on why you should travel and study yoga in India.

Yoga is a Lifestyle, Not a Fitness Regime

One of the biggest differences visible between the yoga in the East and the West is the perception of yoga. In India, yoga is all about making it a part of your lifestyle. It isn’t about placing your mat, doing your postures and exercises and get back to your routine life.

It is about achieving balance and harmony between your body, mind and soul. You adopt healthy practices and attitudes and apply yoga principles to your daily life. When you study yoga in India you focus on your food, behaviour, thinking pattern, attitude and your actions.

What You Eat is What You Are

Minimalistic is not just a hashtag trend, it’s a lifestyle. When you focus on yoga you also have to focus on your diet. When you study yoga in India your guru or teacher will also emphasize on the food you eat. We are what we eat and that is because the food we eat can impact our emotions. Do you go back and eat your regular burger after a yoga session?

Yoga schools in India focus on what you eat, how you eat and when you eat. This gradually becomes a part of your lifestyle. The food must be simple and should be easy to digest. It is important that we pay attention to the subtle changes in our body.

Transform Internally, Not Externally

When you swipe through the sea of images on the Internet you see slim fit individuals making insane yoga poses. If you are obese or out of shape, it is likely that these images will tempt you to take action. In a world of selfies and social media, we all want to look fit and slim. Did you choose yoga because you want your Instagram profile look better?

However, yoga is not about doing poses with those scenic landscapes in the backdrop. When you study yoga in India the focus is on transforming internally. It is about being more aware, to cleanse your body and mind of mental and physical blockages. Hence, yoga is not about how you look in the mirror. It is about looking inside of you.

You’re Always a Student in Yoga

Getting a yoga certification from your local yoga school may allow you to open your own yoga school. However, a few months of training cannot cover everything you want to know about yoga. Unlike the crash course in the West, things are different when you study yoga in India.

You are taught to be patient and to be a student for a lifetime. You learn from nature, from people around you and the things you feel and experience. The emphasis shifts from learning postures to embracing things we learn from our own life. Many yoga gurus here have been practising yoga for decades and yet they are open to new findings.

Travel and Discover More

When you visit India to study yoga in India you travel and discover more things than you can imagine. There are yoga schools in many parts of India and therefore you can find out more about the region. Most yoga schools usually have residential and food options so that should resolve your accommodation and food issues.

Yoga is not about posing in air-conditioned classrooms, but about being one with nature. Many yoga schools in Rishikesh allow you to practice yoga in open natural environment. This allows you to feel like a part of the universe and focus on your meditation. Also, since you are not at home, you don’t have to go back to your daily routine. Hence, when you study yoga in India you can immerse yourself completely and be at peace.

Meet Like-minded Individuals

A real and personal interaction works better than any social media acquaintances. When you study yoga in India you meet like-minded individuals that come from different walks of life. You meet individuals that come to study yoga and even interact with experienced yoga teachers that share their experiences. You also interact with locals in India that would allow you to gain a broader view of yoga.

This allows you to be on a spiritual and philosophical journey whether you intend to or not. You become a part of the entire yogic experience. Hence, you return home as a new individual that has a deeper understanding of what yoga is. This is certainly missing when you practice and learn yoga in your home country.

Do you practice yoga? If yes, share your experiences and stories with the audience. If no, share reasons on why you think you can’t do yoga or what’s stopping you.