International Yoga Day: Where to roll out your yoga mats?

There is no denying the fact that fitness is the new cool, and there is no denying another fact that yoga is ruling the fitness world and will continue to do so. More so, as the International Yoga Day is around. Yoga is the wave sweeping over one and all, from David Beckham and Jennifer Aniston to celebrities back home. Actors, authors, painters, restaurateurs, and the guy who sits next to you at work—they all swear by it.

If you too have been bitten by the yoga bug and are wondering about the best places to learn and practice yoga in India, we have you covered. A yogi’s fantasy, a traveller’s delight, these places are where you get close to the basics, to nature, and to a fitter version of you. Choose one, choose all, these are perfect to take your yoga mat for a day out. Have a blissful International Yoga Day.
Dharamsala
Dharamsala/Mcleodganj are perhaps the most ideal setting for a yogi. Home to some of the best yoga and meditation institutes in India, this is where yogis from all over the world converge. Settled comfortably in the Dhauladhar mountain range, this place has it all, including the best sattvik and vegan food, yoga retreats, certified yoga teachers and a community that is more than just supportive. For the uninitiated, the fact that Dharamsala is home to some of the most happening yogis of this age is, of course, the ultimate fan moment.
Old Manali
Unlike Dharamsala, Manali does not have an impressive list of yoga schools to boast of. Yet, it pretty much makes up for it with its calmer surroundings. You need to dig a little deeper and escape the hippie lanes of Old Manali for the villages around, and you will have the perfect yoga places. Dense pine forests and deodar jungles cover the region, making it a dream escape for the yogis. You can stay in Nasogi, Naggar, Vashisht to stay away from the crowd yet breathe in the clean Himalayan air.

Varkala
If you are a yogi, who is seeking an escape from the hills, Varkala is a perfect hideaway. At the far end of Kerala, Varkala will woo you with its seaside settings and a community that is surprisingly well-versed in yoga. It is also just the right destination if you wish to have a luxurious retreat, as it is home to some of the most luxurious names of Indian hospitality. Most of these places follow the tenets of sustainable living, and are completely in sync with ethical trade practices. They can also put you in touch with yoga gurus on prior request.

Rishikesh
Think of yoga and you cannot not think of Rishikesh. India’s yoga capital, this little town in nestled in the Shivalik range of the Himalayas. It stays abuzz with yoga workshops, conferences and retreats all year round and has some of the best yoga teachers in the world. Choose Rishikesh if getting a yoga teacher’s certification is high on your mind, and you want nobody but the best in the trade to teach you. A good number of ashrams and restaurants serving special yoga food makes Rishikesh a sweet deal.

Mysuru
Well, there is no skipping Mysuru (Mysore) when it comes to yoga. For a fact, the city is famed for having its own style of yoga asana practice. It is deemed as one of the toughest schools of yoga, yet has avid takers all around the world. Mysuru’s weather remains pleasant all through the year, making it a favourite with the yogis out there. A great pick if you are more interested in learning the nuances of Ashtanga yoga.

If you know of more places that deserve a mention in this International Yoga Day exclusive story, do not forget to drop a comment below. We are reading.