Plan Your Trip
Yoga, Spas & Spiritual Pursuits
Birthplace of at least three religions, India offers a profound spiritual journey for those so inclined. Even sceptical travellers can enjoy spas, ayurvedic centres and yoga schools.
An Introduction
Ashrams
India has hundreds of ashrams – places of communal living established around the philosophies of a guru (spiritual guide or teacher).
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is the ancient science of Indian herbal medicine and holistic healing, based on natural plant extracts, massage and therapies for body and mind.
Meditation
Many centres in Buddhist areas offer training in vipassana (mindfulness meditation) and Buddhist philosophy; many require vows of silence and abstinence from tobacco, alcohol and sex.
Spa Treatments
South India’s spas offer an enticing mix of international therapies and local ayurveda-based techniques.
Yoga
Yoga’s roots lie firmly in India; you’ll find hundreds of schools to suit all levels.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda – ancient Indian herbal medicine – aims to restore balance in the body.
Karnataka
SwaSwara, Gokarna Therapies and artistic pursuits.
Arya Ayurvedic Panchakarma Centre, Gokarna Beachside ayurveda.
Ayurvedagram, Bengaluru (Bangalore) In a fine garden setting.
Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre, Mysuru (Mysore) Therapies from ancient scriptures.
Swaasthya Ayurveda Retreat Village, Kodagu (Coorg) Retreats and therapies.
Kerala
Ayurdara, Kochi (Cochin) Waterside treatments of one to three weeks.
Neeleshwar Hermitage, Bekal Five-star ayurvedic beachfront hideaway.
Dr Franklin’s Panchakarma Institute, Chowara South of Kovalam.
Harivihar, Kozhikode (Calicut) At a 19th-century royal residence.
AyurSoul, Varkala Treatments, packages and accommodation.
Mumbai
Yogacara Ayurveda and massage.
Tamil Nadu
Sita, Puducherry (Pondicherry) Ayurveda and yoga.
Yoga
You can practise yoga everywhere, from beach resorts and mountain retreats to serious-study schools.
Andaman Islands
Jalakara, Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep; Poolside yoga and massage at an exclusive boutique hotel.
Goa
Bamboo Yoga Retreat, Patnem Beachside yoga.
Himalaya Yoga Valley, Mandrem Popular teacher training.
Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Centre, Arambol (Harmal) Reputable courses.
Swan Yoga Retreat, Assagao Retreat in a soothing jungle location.
Anand Yoga Village, Palolem Drop-in classes plus teacher training.
Karnataka
Mysuru is the birthplace of ashtanga yoga; there are centres across Karnataka.
IndeaYoga, Mysuru Hatha and ashtanga.
Namaste Yoga Farm, Gokarna Yoga in a leafy setting.
Yoga Bharata, Mysuru Ashtanga and hatha.
Soukya, Bengaluru Yoga and ayurveda on an organic farm.
Shankar Prasad, Gokarna In a century-old home.
Kerala
Kovalam, Varkala and Fort Cochin are especially popular for yoga, with lots of drop-in classes. Most hotels and guesthouses offer yoga and ayurveda.
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram Respected hatha courses, at Neyyar Dam near Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum).
Soul & Surf, Varkala Rooftop yoga, retreats and meditation, plus surfing.
Secret Beach Yoga Homestay, Kattoor Personalised yoga and kalarippayat (a martial art).
Maharashtra
Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute & Research Center, Lonavla Yogic healing.
Tamil Nadu
International Centre for Yoga Education & Research, Puducherry Introductory courses and advanced training.
Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Chennai Yoga courses, therapy and training.
Sivananda Vedanta Yoga Centre, Madurai Drop-in yoga and rigorous courses.
Isha Yoga Center, Poondi Established courses near Coimbatore.
Meditation
Whether for introduction or advanced study, there are South India–wide courses and retreats.
Maharashtra
Vipassana International Academy, Igatpuri Renowned 10-day vipassana courses.
Mumbai
Global Vipassana Pagoda, Gorai Island Vipassana courses (10 days).
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
Numerous Burmese-style vipassana courses.
Ashrams
Many ashrams (places of striving) are headed by charismatic gurus. Some tread a fine line between spiritual community and personality cult. Many gurus have amassed fortunes collected from devotees; others have been accused of sexually exploiting followers. Always check the reputation of any ashram you’re considering joining.
Most ashrams offer philosophy, yoga and/or meditation courses. Visitors are usually required to follow strict rules, and a donation to cover your expenses is appropriate.
Kerala
Matha Amrithanandamayi Mission, Amrithapuri Famed for its female guru Amma, ‘The Hugging Mother’.
Maharashtra
Osho International Meditation Resort, Pune Follows the sometimes controversial teachings of Osho.
Sevagram Ashram, Sevagram Founded by Gandhi.
Tamil Nadu
Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry Founded by Sri Aurobindo.
Sri Ramana Ashram, Tiruvannamalai Established by Sri Ramana Maharshi.
Spa Treatments
From solo practitioners to opulent retreats, South India is full of spas. Be wary of dodgy one-on-one massages by private (often unqualified) operators; seek recommendations locally and trust your instincts.
Andaman Islands
Barefoot at Havelock, Havelock Island Ayurvedic and Western-style treatments.
Goa
All five-star hotels and many midrange resorts in Goa have professional spa services.
Kerala
Taj Bekal Resort & Spa, Bekal Secluded luxury spa.
Jiva Spa, Kovalam Treatments, yoga and meditation at luxe Taj Group resort.
Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra, Pulinkudi Top-end ayurvedic spa near Kovalam.
Mumbai
Palms Spa Renowned Colaba spa.
Tamil Nadu
Hyatt Regency, Chennai Glitzy hotel spa.
Palais de Mahé, Puducherry Massage and ayurveda in a colonial-era mansion.