| Yoga
& Meditation |
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Having been an intrinsic part of everyday religious
life on the subcontinent for over two thousand years,
India’s highly-refined techniques of yoga and
meditation might reasonably claim to be its most influential
export. Based on the idea of raising awareness of the
self through spiritual, mental and physical discipline,
yoga is taught virtually everywhere in the South, and
Kerala is no exception. Below are a few centres that
we particularly recommend.
Mata Amritananda Mayi Math, between Kollam and
Alappuzha
Hidden away in the depths of backwater Kerala en route
between Kollam and Alappuzha, Amritananda Mayi, famously
known as ‘hugging guru’ (because she ritually
embraces all who come to visit her) and self-proclaimed
reincarnation of Lord Krishna, practices yoga sessions
which draw both locals and foreigners from all over the
world. Travel independently or ask a RedDot representative
to organise transport by kettuvallum (traditional
houseboat) from Alappuzha, Kollam or Kumarkom.
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwanthari Ashram, Thiruvanthapuram
Situated 25km north of Thiruvanthapuram amidst the Agastya
hills and rainforests on the banks of Neyyar Dam, this
centre is one of the leading yoga ashrams in India. As
well as conducting hatha and raja yoga-training
for advanced practitioners, the centre offers some excellent
introductory courses for beginners, consisting of four
hours intensive tuition per day with lectures providing
background theory. The centre was founded by a swami known
as the ‘flying guru’ because he used to pilot
a small aircraft over war-zones dropping flowers and leaflets
calling for peace. Prospective students should be warned
that the regime is pretty strict: you rise at dawn, the
food is vegetarian, and sex, smoking and drinking are
all prohibited.
Yoga and Massage in Varkala
There are two places to practice yoga in Varkala,
and both are situated on the cliff-top area which gives
spectacular views of the Lakshadweep Sea. The Scientific
School of Yoga & Massage is a small centre, offering
‘lifetime’ courses in yoga (Rs800 for an unlimited
number of lessons) as well as Ayurvedic massage (treatment
and training). Alternatively, there is the Progress Yoga
Centre which gives short courses in yoga as well as reiki,
reflexology and massage.
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