Yoga Meditation Tour In Rishikesh India

About Yoga

What is Yoga?
Yoga is the science of living properly and hence it should be included in daily life. It works on all aspects of our life, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and spiritual. Yoga means unity or bind. The root of the word is the Sanskrit word yuj, which means to join. At the spiritual level this joining means the unification of individual consciousness with universal consciousness. On a practical level, yoga is a means of balancing and harmonizing the body, mind and emotions. This yoga or unity is attained through the practice of asana, pranayama, mudra, bandhan, hetkarma and meditation. So yoga is also a way of living and the ultimate purpose in itself.
Yoga first benefits the external body, which is a practical and familiar starting place for most people. When an imbalance is experienced at this level, the organs, muscles, and nerves do not work in harmony, rather they act against each other.
Yoga works on mental and emotional levels after the external body. As a result of the stress and interactions of everyday life, many people suffer from many mental troubles. Yoga may not provide them immediately, but it is a proven method to combat them.
In the last century, hatha yoga (which is just one type of yoga) became very famous and popular. But awareness of the true meaning of yoga and total knowledge is now continuously increasing.

Benefits of Yoga
Physical and mental healing is one of the most known benefits of yoga. It is so powerful and effective because it works on the principles of harmony and integration.
Yoga is a successful treatment option in asthma, diabetes, blood pressure, arthritis, digestive disorders and other diseases, especially where modern science has not been successful in giving treatment till date. Research on the effects of yoga on HIV is currently underway with promising results. According to medical scientists, yoga therapy succeeds due to the balance created in the nervous and endocrine systems which directly affects all other systems and organs of the body.
For most people, however, yoga is only the main means of maintaining health in a stressful society. Yoga reverses the effects of bad habits, such as sitting in a chair all day, overeating mobile phones, not exercising, wrong eating, etc.
Apart from these, yoga also has many spiritual benefits. It is not easy to describe them, because you will have to achieve and then realize it by practicing yoga yourself. Yoga benefits each person differently. So must adopt yoga and improve your mental, physical, spiritual and spiritual health.

Meditation is an integral and essential aspect of Yoga and Yoga has great relevance in all our lives. Yoga is a way of life that brings about the following benefits when it is practiced regularly and consistently:

Physical wellbeing - in the present-day context, the physical aspect of Yoga is extremely popular. Asana practiced in the right way with breath coordination and under the guidance of a qualified, experienced teacher will help in easing out any physical discomfort and pain. Asana practice built intelligently based on the individual capability and needs, will over a period of time , open up blockages at the physical level and lead to a sense of physical wellbeing.

Mental wellbeing - Yoga is all about the mind. Our mind is by nature extremely restless, fickle and fast. Yoga is a very effective tool to calm and steady the mind. And this happens with the practice of Asana, Pranayama and, Dhyana along with the other limbs of Astanga Yoga. Yoga helps in reducing the continuous flow of numerous thoughts and brings one to a stable, tranquil state of mind.

Flexibility and Strength - we all seek to be flexible and strong enough to do all our activities without any aches and pains at each stage in our life. The practice of asana limb is definitely very effective in doing this. Dynamic asana practice helps in improving the flexibility of all the parts of the body and the static asana practice helps in building strength. In order to see a positive impact, the asana practice should be completely breath based so that breath compliments the movement enabling one to go deeper into each posture.

Stress buster - Yoga is an effective tool to reduce stress. Stress is the number one gateway disease and disorder in the modern world. Stress is the cause for so many idiopathic diseases and can also lead to anxiety and depression. Every other situation is perceived as stress in today’s times resulting in the body being in the fight or flight mode permanently. This adversely impacts the immunity system resulting in a hoard of diseases. Yoga practice helps in switching and slowly moving from the flight or fight mode to rest and growth mode.

Clear perception - Yoga is an extremely essential tool to bring a positive change in the way we perceive situations. Yoga practice helps in removing stubborn conditioning or habits in us which are deep rooted and dictate the way we think, feel and act. We are able to view each situation without any preconceived notions and thus Yoga aids in preventing every other situation from being viewed as a threat or stress.

Balanced approach to life - we all are so caught up in our familiar, all pervading and strong views that we tend to have lop sided view about whatever happens. Yoga helps in tempering our attitude to life and slowly rewires our thinking process resulting in a balanced approach to life.

Evenness of mind - Bhagavad Geeta, a great Indian scripture, says that Yoga is attaining the evenness of mind. We all are continuously on a roller coaster ride of ups and downs in the form of happiness and sadness, success and failure, pain and pleasure. Consistent Yoga practice helps one to rise above these momentary reactions and feelings and brings in an evenness of mind resulting in being unaffected by these momentary pleasure and pain.

Energising and calming effect - Yoga practice can result in both Brahmana (energising) and Langhana (calming) effect. An appropriate course plan comprising of exhale-based postures will help in calming our minds at the end of a long day. Similarly an appropriate course plan comprising of inhale-based postures will energise our system whenever we are feeling dull and sluggish.

Increase in focus and attention span - Yoga is all about mindfulness. Yoga is about being present in the moment and being completely attentive and focussed in whatever we are doing. Yoga works at keeping unwanted, negative thoughts at bay and aids in the single point focus in all our actions resulting in a high level of performance.

Longevity and better quality of life - consistent, regular, focussed Yoga practice done with complete faith will result in Prana Chalanam (movement) and Prana Shuddhi (purification). Prana or life force is the essence of life. And for most of us, Prana is completely dissipated outside the body due to so much of impurities in us in the form of physical ailments and negative emotions. Yoga practice is the most effective tool to remove these impurities leading to purification and concentration of this life-giving Prana in our body. And as long as Prana is there in us, we must ensure we have a healthy, long life.

Better relationships - regular and devoted Yoga practice of Yama, Niyama, Asana and Pranayama helps in letting go off negative emotions and one is much more acceptable and magnanimous in our behavior towards others. At the same time, our expectations from others also reduce resulting in healthy relationships.

Peace and contentment - we all seek to be happy. True happiness is not momentary and lasts always. Yoga practice, as it deepens, makes us question what we are seeking in life, what is the source of true contentment and how to reach there. We rise above worldly pleasure and move towards lasting bliss.

Inward spiritual journey - Yoga as defined in the ancient Indian scriptures is a spiritual journey which involves withdrawing from the ephemeral, continuously changing material world and moving inward to seek one’s true eternal Self. The ultimate goal of Yoga is Self Realisation which will free us from the endless cycle of death and rebirth.

Release from suffering - every action of ours is to insulate ourselves from suffering and move towards contentment. Yoga is the tool which makes us understand the difference between pain and suffering. Pain is inevitable. But Yoga practice brings in the clarity that suffering is optional. We can seek to delink from the pain with the deep practice of Yoga.

Surrender and humility - a basic tenet of Yoga is Iswarapranidhana. Yoga practice is all about giving our best in whatever we are doing and then stepping back and surrendering to the bigger picture and accepting that we are not in control of everything. Yoga practice ushers in humility and reduces the agitation in our minds which results from our desire to control everything in our life.

Discipline - Yoga is synonymous with discipline. And many a times people take this in a wrong way and dismiss Yoga as an extreme form of discipline resulting in physical torture or extreme deprivation. Yoga is about continuously examining our habits and behaviour and then consciously eradicating negative habits and replacing them with positive habits which leads to a harmonious lifestyle. It is in this sense that Yoga is a discipline.

Better understanding of ourselves - an essential component of Yoga of Svadhyaya. Svadhyaya means seeking knowledge of one’s true self. Svadhyaya acts as a mirror which not only reflects what we are today but also shows what our true self is. Yoga practice over a period of time eliminates misapprehension and incorrect knowledge which is cause endless suffering.

Yoga is an extremely effective tool for a happy, healthy life and must be practiced with consistently, and regularity, with complete faith and devotion to reap all its many benefits.

DAY 01: DELHI - HARIDWAR - RISHIKESH BY TRAIN (ASHRAM)
Morning transfer to station to catch Shatabdi Express to Haridwar. On arrival and meeting after transfer to hotel. Afternoon city tour followed by grand viewing of Ashrams, some of which are internationally recognized as Centre of Philosophical studies, Yoga and Meditation. An international yoga week is being organized here every year by Uttarakhand Tourism between 01nd and 07th march. A few of the ashrams in and around Rishikesh are. Arrive and check in into one of the Ashram. Afternoon is to be spent on briefing of day routine.

DAY 02: YOGA IN RISHIKESH (ASHRAM)
A Typical day at Ashram
05.30 A.M. to 06.30 A.M. Meditation classes
07.00 A.M. to 08.00 A.M. Yoga class
08.15 A.M. Breakfast
12.00 Noon. Lunch
15.00 A.M. to 15.45 A.M. Lecture
16.00 P.M. Tea
16.30 P.M. to 19.00 P.M. Yoga & Meditation Classes
19.30 P.M. Dinner

DAY 03: YOGA IN RISHIKESH (ASHRAM)
A Typical day At Ashram
05.30 A.M. to 06.30 A.M. Meditation classes
07.00 A.M. to 08.00 A.M. Yoga class
08.15 A.M. Breakfast
12.00 Noon. Lunch
15.00 A.M. to 15.45 A.M. Lecture
16.00 P.M. Tea
16.30 P.M. to 19.00 P.M. Yoga & Meditation Classes
19.30 P.M. Dinner

DAY 04: YOGA IN RISHIKESH (ASHRAM)
A Typical day at Ashram
05.30 A.M. to 06.30 A.M. Meditation classes
07.00 A.M. to 08.00 A.M. Yoga class
08.15 A.M. Breakfast
12.00 Noon. Lunch
15.00 A.M. to 15.45 A.M. Lecture
16.00 P.M. Tea
16.30 P.M. to 19.00 P.M. Yoga & Meditation Classes 19.30 P.M. Dinner

DAY 05: YOGA IN RISHIKESH (ASHRAM)
A Typical day at Ashram
05.30 A.M. to 06.30 A.M. Meditation classes
07.00 A.M. to 08.00 A.M. Yoga class
08.15 A.M. Breakfast
12.00 Noon. Lunch
15.00 A.M. to 15.45 A.M. Lecture
16.00 P.M. Tea
16.30 P.M. to 19.00 P.M. Yoga & Meditation Classes
19.30 P.M. Dinner

DAY 06: RISHIKESH - NATURE CAMP
Morning after breakfast transfer to Nature Camp, arrive & check in Nature camp resort. After a welcome drink & acclimatization briefing about the whole schedule. Later in afternoon jungle walk in the reserve forest around the Nature Camp Resort. Campfire followed by dinner & overnight stay.

DAY 07: NATURE CAMP - MARIN DRIVE - NATURE CAMP / RAFTING DAY ON THE GANGES
Early morning wake up for a Yoga class followed by relaxation of body & mind. After yogic breakfast drive to Marin Drive start the rafting up to Shivpuri. Arrive Marian Drive briefing on safety, raft maneuvering, team spirit development etc. Today we exercise teamwork and hit the most exciting rapids on Ganges. Lunch at nature camp resort. Free time for own activities. Evening meditation and relaxation followed by campfire & dinner at camp.

DAY 08: NATURE CAMP - KUNJAPURI TREK ON THE LAP OF HIMALAYAS - NATURE CAMP
Early morning wake up for one and half hour drive to Hindolakhal, arrive and start trek to Kunjapuri. The one hour trek goes through thick forest till we reach the top i.e Kunjapuri. After exploring the area for some time join the class for Asanas, relaxation & meditation. Witness the sunrise on Greater Himalayan peaks and afterwards trace your steps back to Nature camp resort. Free time for own activities.

Safari Only From 15th November to 15th June: After lunch drive to Chilla for a wildlife Safari. Arrive Chilla, briefing on jungle discipline, animal behavior & low impact eco friendly outdoors. Drive back to Nature camp resort for Dinner & night halt

DAY 09: NATURE CAMP - DELHI BY CAR {230 KMS - 7 HRS}
Early morning advance yoga class with question answer session helping in assessment of change in personality during the course. After breakfast we raft down from the Shivpuri to Rishikesh assessing leadership qualities, team spirit and training for rescue. Lunch at Brahampuri. In the evening you will be transferred to station to connect train to Delhi. Tour & service ends.

COST INCLUDES AS FOLLOWINGS:
01) All Transportation from Delhi to Delhi Air-condition small vehicles / coach depending on the group size
02) All accommodation on Twain Sharing & Double or single sharing / Rishikesh in Ashram / Nature Camp Resort
03) Yoga Classes Every day 2 Hours Morning & 2 Hours Evening
04) Every day Meditation with Lecturer classes as per above itinerary
05) Spiritual Chant Every evening
06) All meals as per above mention only vegetating
07) All Tourist Taxes
08) All Sightseeing tour as per above itinerary
09) Services of an English speaking local guide
10) Visit to all important temples and places during the entire trip
11) Yoga Master During the trip
12) Yoga mat
13) All Entrance fee
14) Natural walk
15) Every Evening Campfire in Nature Camp
16) White Water Rafting on the Ganges
17) Day Hiking trip to Kunjapuri
18) A/c. Train Tickets from Haridwar to Delhi

COST NOT INCLUDES AS FOLLOWINGS: -
01) Personal expenses such as drinks, postage, laundry and souvenirs
02) International flights and departure taxes
03) Visa and passport fees
04) Travel insurance
05) Emergency evacuation
06) Items not specified in “Cost Includes”.
07) Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
08) Any extra costs incurred due extension / change of the itinerary due to natural calamities, flight delays, road blocks, vehicle breakdown etc. factors beyond the control of our organization.

Accommodation Details:
Accommodation at Rishikesh in Ashrams: 05 Nights include all meals
Accommodation at Nature Camp: 03 Nights include all meals

All our independent itineraries are completely flexible and can be customised to your requirements.
If you would like more information please feel free to contact us

Yoga Rules and Types

Rules of Yoga
• Start a yoga practice under the direction of a guru.
• Yoga is the perfect time for sunrise or sunset.
• Take a bath before doing yoga.
• Do yoga on an empty stomach. Do not eat anything 2 hours before doing yoga.
• Wear comfortable cotton clothes.
• The mind should also be clean like a body - remove all bad thoughts from the mind before doing yoga.
• Practice yoga in a quiet environment and a clean place.
• Focus all your attention on your yoga practice.
• Practice yoga with patience and perseverance.
• Don't force yourself with your body at all.
• Be patient. It takes time to feel the benefits of yoga.
• Continue yoga practice continuously.
• Do not eat anything until 30 minutes after doing yoga. Do not bathe for 1 hour.
• Always do pranayama after practicing asana.
• If there is any medical problem, please consult a doctor first.
• Stop the yoga practice immediately if trouble starts to increase or if there is a new problem.
• Always perform Shavasana at the end of yoga practice.

Types of Yoga
There are 4 major types of yoga or the four paths of yoga:
01) Raj Yoga:
Raj means royal and meditation is the most important part of this branch of yoga. This yoga has eight parts, which is why Patanjali named it Ashtanga Yoga. This is mentioned by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra. These 8 limbs are as follows: Yama (swearing), niyam (rule of conduct or self-discipline), asana, pranayama (breathing control), pratyahara (control of the senses), dharana (concentration), meditation (meditation), and Samadhi (ecstasy or ultimate liberation). Raj Yoga attracts individuals ready to meditate and meditate. Asanas are the most famous part of Raj Yoga, even for most people yoga means asanas. But the asana is only one part of one type of yoga. Yoga is more than practicing asanas.

02) Karma Yoga:
The next branch is the path of Karma Yoga or Seva and none of us can escape this path. The principle of Karma Yoga is that what we experience today is created in the past by our actions. By becoming aware of this, we can make the present a way to make a good future, which frees us from being bound by negativity and selfishness. Karma is the path of self-ascending action. Whenever we do our work and live our life selflessly and serve others, we do Karma Yoga.

03) Bhakti Yoga:
Bhakti Yoga describes the path of devotion. Bhakti yoga is a positive way to control emotions, for all to see the divine in creation. The path of devotion gives us an opportunity to cultivate acceptance and tolerance for all.

04) Gyan Yoga:
If we consider devotion to be the sum of mind, then Jnana yoga is the sum of intelligence, the path of sage or scholar. To walk this path requires the development of intellect through the study of the texts and texts of yoga. Jnana yoga is considered the most difficult as well as the most direct. It involves serious study and attracts those who are intellectually inclined.

Yoga Tips for Beginners
If you are starting yoga for the first time in life or are not very familiar with yoga, then keep these things in mind:
01) Do your yoga practice with patience and perseverance. If your body is low in flexibility then you may have difficulty doing most of the asanas in the beginning. Do not worry if you are not able to do posture properly at first. All will become easy with easy repetition. All the muscles and joints which have less stretch, will gradually become flexible.
02) Do not rush or force yourself with your body at all.
03) In the beginning, you can do only such asanas which you can easily do. Just take care that your breathing is rhythmic.
04) Initially always rest for a few seconds between the two asanas. Decide the period of rest between the two asanas according to your physical need. Reduce this duration over time.

What are the benefits of yoga and meditation?
Incorporation of yoga and meditation in your lifestyle can help improve your physical as well as mental well-being. Practicing yoga and meditation helps in creating mental clarity and calmness; increases body awareness; relieves chronic stress patterns; relaxes the mind, increases flexibility, centers attention and sharpens concentration. Following are some of the biggest advantages of performing yoga and meditation regularly:

• Reduces anxiety - Shallow breathing, poor posture, and tense muscles are results and causes of anxiety. If you have been stuck in an anxiety cycle for a long period of time, it’s likely that your body has almost learned to protect itself by remaining tense, anxious, physically closed off and with very short, sharp breaths. Our mind and body are so closely interlinked with each other, that physically deepening the breath, improving posture and relaxing the muscles in a safe space can all help reduce anxiety.

• It makes you feel better – I know it might sound very simplistic to you but it is indeed one of the biggest advantages of doing yoga. Pick a suitable asana for your level and approach it with an open mind - you’ll feel different, more open, present, relaxed and happier.

• Yoga increases your flexibility – By stretching different joints and muscle groups of our body yoga definitely increases flexibility in our body, poses like Uttanasana, Bhujangasana, Malasana are very helpful in increasing the flexibility of our body.

• Enhances Self-Awareness – Performing yoga and meditation may help you develop a stronger understanding of yourself, helping you grow into your best self. Self-inquiry meditation explicitly aims to help you develop a greater understanding of yourself and how you relate to your thoughts and those around you. It lets you recognize thoughts that may be harmful or self-defeating. As you gain greater awareness of your thought habits, you can steer them toward more constructive works in your life.

What is meditation?
Meditation, like yoga, has become extremely popular in recent years. With an increasing amount of people seeking a healthier and more holistic lifestyle, many have taken up the practice for overall well- being. But it is much more than prayer, or a moment alone with your thoughts. It is a form of training that many accept as a way of life, that frees us from worries and discomfort, helping us to achieve a level of happiness and contentment.

"meditation is a practice that has several benefits for your body, mind, emotions and spirituality. For your body, it releases stress, calms down the nerves, and thus prevents many different types of illness--- as stress is said to be responsible for up to 80% of the visits to your doctor. For your mind, it increases your power of attention. For your emotional life, meditation helps you manage anxiety, depression, fear and other mood disorders: it also increases emotional intelligence and positive moods.”

The benefits of meditation?
Meditation has been extremely popular for thousands of years. More and more people are taking up the practice as an ever increasing number of discover the wide number of benefits to your physical, mental and spiritual self. You might practice the most basic forms of meditation with realising. Have you ever told someone to just take a deep breath or relax? Or been asked to do it yourself? It is a similar process and can really help.

Is meditation reduce stress?
Many of us deal with stress on a daily basic but just accept it, thinking it is just a part of life. However, it can build up to cause serious health problems. Feeling stressed can negatively affect your sleep, increase blood pressure and make you feel anxious and even depressed . but meditation has been known to help.