Thousands of years ago, created and discovered among the higher mountains of India- Nepal region, yoga has evolved via much persistence, patience and careful study.
Yoga will take you deep into the innermost recesses from the mind where the self or the real person resides, camouflaged by the forever flippant mind. Yoga, literally indicates Union. An ancient Indian discipline, yoga seeks to unite the individual soul (Jivatnam) using the Universal soul or God (Paramatam) via rigrous mental and physical efforts.
The intention of Yoga is to enable the Yogi to transcend sense-perceived, short-term appearances, unrealities and attain a vision and an expertise from the super-sensuous divine reality. The challenge lies in transforming the inert (Tamasic) body towards the level of vibrant (Rajasic) mind and then body and mind to be one using the serenity from the Self or Soul. The Himalayas blessed with gushing rivers, majestic snow clad peaks and a rich plethora of flora and fauna, is described as the "Abode of Gods".
Any one can trudge via any from the 6 picturesque districts - Dehradun, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Tehri, Uttarkashi & Chamoli. But what remains common all over is the breathtaking panorama of misty mountainscape, deepgropes, alpine meadows & dense forests with towering deodars - unmatched vistas that come alive especially at dawn or dusk. No wonder, even the Gods were mesmerized by its rugged enchantment. Their divine footprints are now lovely temples & ashrams.
The Garhwal area of north India is speckled with some in the holiest of Hindu pilgrimage sites and Rishikesh is 1 such major attractions. Crowded with sadhus with long matted hair and pilgrims from all over the globe, Rishikesh is the birthplace of yoga. It attracts hundreds of tourists every year, who come to seek psychological peace in the midst in the humdrum of modern life. The various ghats and temples assist the human spirit in its endeavor to become 1 together with the ultimate source of all creations. It is also an attraction for the ones in search of adventure and passion.
Meditation & Yoga Centers
Rishikesh is called the yoga capital in the world and there are many ashrams in Rishikesh offering courses on meditation, yoga and Hindu philosophy. The hatha yoga and pranayama meditation classes at Sri Ved Niketan Ashram are well known. The Shivananda Ashram is located opposite the Shivananda Jhula and is flocked by tourists. It is also possible to stay in the ashram by intimating the authorities a month earlier. Other ashrams include the Yoga Niketan Ashram, Omkarananda Ashram, Vanmali Gita Yogashram, Dayananda Vedanta Ashram, Brahma Niwas and the Yoga Research Center.