Programs

The ashram welcomes yoga practitioners who wish to reside at the ashram and take part in the daily yoga sadhana classes. We recommend a minimum stay of two weeks to derive benefit from the yoga lifestyle at the ashram, although we will accept requests for shorter stays. There are two yoga classes daily, three meals and time for journaling, contemplation and walks by the Ganges in the middle of the day.

Stays including yoga, accommodations and meals are 600 rupees (about $14) per person.
Yoga classes for non-residents are 150 rupees.

For charge details of yoga, accommodation and meals please contact in to the office.

Japanese language support and library books are available at the ashram.  For more information please contact Eesha
at akhandayogajapan@livedoor.com and view www.akhandayogajapan.com.

Yoga classes are twice a day – 6-7:30 Am and 4-5:30PM.
We teach a flowing sequence of postures interwoven with pranayama, mantra and concluding with relaxation and a brief meditation. We call our approach to yoga classes Akhanda Yoga meaning holistic or unbroken tradition. For more information on Akhanda Yoga, please visit the About Us page.
We ask that all residents attend the yoga classes when staying at the ashram to preserve the atmosphere of yoga sadhana.

Agni Hotra (fire puja) is held daily at 8:30AM, before breakfast, and you are welcome to attend. The fire puja is an ancient ritual described in the Vedas and performed with Vedic mantras. Ghee and herbs (samagri) are offered into the fire by participants to send out aromatic prana to the surrounding area, and also as a metaphor for our offering to the fire any outmoded habits, emotions or thought patterns that we wish to be transformed by the light of clarity. The vibration of the mantras also purify the energy pathways and vibrate the brain to allow for new neural pathways to be developed. Yoga is a process of removing that which prevents us from seeing things clearly – fire puja is one of the many aspect of this yoga tradition.

Kiirtan is usually three times a week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:30-9PM. Kiirtan is the chanting of names, or archetypes. It is a melodious, uplifting practice which encourages the surrender of the ego, and letting go of constructs which hold us back from free-flowing energy and opening the heart. There is no need to be a good singer, or to know a lot of information about the ‘names’. Whether the kiitran be related to ‘Krisha’ and unconditional love, or Shiva, and welfare or transformation, by chanting kiirtan you will experience on your own what this practice has to reveal to you.

Silent Times: We observe silence (mauna) from 9PM to 9AM. This ensures the maximum peace for spiritual practices and rest in the ashram community. It is also lovely to enjoy one meal (breakfast) together in silence and to observe the energy exchange that occurs even without speaking between people. We ask that you observe the silent times strictly. Thank you!

Anand Prakash Ashram hosts 200-hour and 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training programs taught by Yogi Vishvketu through World Conscious Yoga Family. The programs are registered with the Yoga Alliance. For more information on Yoga Teacher Training programs held at Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram in Rishikesh, please visit www.worldyogafamily.com, or email info@worldyogafamily.com.

For those who would like to deepen their insights into the science of yoga and Ayurveda, as well as pursue teaching certification, this is an ideal opportunity. Imagine delving into an intensive 4-week training at a traditional ashram in Rishikesh, a holy Ganges-side town in the foothills of the Himalayas. Living in the ashram environment is the best way to truly integrate the yogic teachings into your life, and to be able to focus exclusively on yoga and teaching for one month. Teacher trainees will study 5.5 days a week and, on weekends, will visit Haridwar, and have time to explore the local cultural and spiritual sites.

Program of Study

Form, method of instruction, benefits and cautions of 108 asanas (postures), 10 pranayamas (breathing techniques) and 2 kriyas (cleansing techniques)

• Learning to create various class-styles: Gentle, Intermediate and Power Hatha yoga
• Teaching methodology, including yoga for diverse ages and student groups, such as prenatal yoga, yoga for children, and yoga for the elderly
• Anatomy and the physical/mental benefits of yoga
• Subtle yogic anatomy and the Chakras
• Introduction to Ayurveda, nutrition, and the yogic diet
• Ashtanga philosophy (the eight-fold path)
• Study and discussion of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, aphorisms giving insight into profound yogic practices,
  as well as their life-transforming benefits
• Teaching practicum and feedback from the trainers

Agni Hotra Education
The ashram performs Agni Hotra (fire puja) daily at 8:30AM in the Vedic tradition.  We have handbooks with Vedic mantras in Romanized Sanskrit and the English translation.  Residents and others wanting to join can experience and learn this valuable, ancient Indian ritual. 

Yoga Education Scholarships
Every year the ashram offers scholarships to eligible students in need of assistance, and wishing to continue their yoga education.  Some of these scholarships are given for yoga training with World Conscious Yoga Family, and some are given for study at Gurukul Kangri University for study in the Yoga Department. 

To date, seven students have graduated from the WCYF 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training course having received scholarships.  Many have been offered jobs teaching yoga abroad since graduation; others have become full-time yoga teachers in their communities in India.     

Full Moon Bandhara and Distribution
Each full moon the ashram invites 21 sannyasis from Swarg Ashram area to a full moon bandhara at noon.  The bandhara serves nutritious sattvic food in the ashram dining hall.  After the meal, the sannyasis are given wares according to the season, such as blankets, tiffins, slippers, etc.

Children’s Feast
On special occasions the ashram hosts a children’s feast for orphan children.  The feast offers sattvic vegetarian meals, homemade sweets, and gifts of notebooks and pens.

Yoga Camps
The ashram regularly hosts free yoga camps, including specific camps for teen girls, local women and men, and a retirees camp.  Scheduled upcoming camps will be advertised in local newspapers and on posters around the ashram area.

Therapeutics Ayurvedic TreatmentsThe ashram has its own therapy room, and residents can book various Ayurvedic treatments, such as massage and shirodhara.  Lessons in yogic purification techniques, such as jal neti, sutra neti, and shank praxalan are available by appointment with the yoga teacher. Reiki For ashram residents who are interested in Reiki courses, we highly recommend Rishikesh Reiki Master Shanti ji.  She offers Reiki 1, 2 and Master's courses weekly and is a strong, steady channel of the flow of Reiki energy.  For information and dates, please contact shantijee@yahoo.com (allow about a week to receive a reply).