If you are someone who is pondering over a yoga teacher training course in India, then you must choose the best yoga ashram in Kerala. So, the first question that crosses your mind, is why an ashram and not school? Well! There are yoga schools everywhere, in the cities and also in the countryside. And of course, you will learn about yoga at both places. However, there are subtle differences between both. With people from all nations and walks of life travelling to India for yoga teacher training, yoga schools and ashrams are gaining attention.
If you happen to go to the best yoga schools in India, particularly in places like Kerala, you will find an ashram-like ambience. Apart from the infrastructure which is typical of most prominent yoga schools, ashrams will carry vibes that cannot be found elsewhere.
So, let us dive into the details, why you should choose an ashram for your 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Kerala.
Why Should You Choose The Best Yoga Ashram In Kerala?
When you visit an ashram, the spiritual vibes speak almost instantly. It is like a retreat. You will definitely lose yourself to the surroundings, and forget all your past woes. Ashrams are places, which provide solace to tired souls of travellers and spiritual seekers. As a yoga practitioner, you may already know that yoga is not just limited to physical postures. It is much more than that. It combines meditation and Pranayama as well.
Choosing the perfect ambience for the training is essential, as you are able to practice yoga in a distraction-free environment. You must choose the school or ashram with care, as the right ambience can either make it or break it. Many of you may be searching for courses online, and you do get them. However, such courses will never have the same effect as the course that is undertaken at an ashram.
You should choose the ashram in a location, which aligns with your spiritual goals. Most ashrams will offer basic accommodation with beds and a bathroom facility. There are ones that offer single or double sharing rooms along with dorms as well. So, it all depends on your budget. But one thing is for sure, you must check if the surroundings are full of greenery or not. The rooms should be spacious and well-ventilated, so that you get fresh air early in the morning.
Another reason to choose ashrams over all else, is the availability of an immersive course. You will also get to spend time with the teachers, throughout the course. So, that’s constant learning. Moreover, you will read as a part of the yoga course material, that food has a huge effect on the yogi’s psyche. This aspect is well-taken care of, as there is provision of sattvic food at the ashram. Joining the 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Kerala will be a life-changing moment for anyone.
What Happens On Any Given Day At The Ashram?
When you join the best yoga ashram in Kerala, you will have to follow a set of guidelines. It is important, as the same shapes your character as a yoga practitioner or a professional yoga teacher.
Most mornings at the ashram start with devotion to the nature around. As the sun rises and birds call out, you take an early bath and prepare for the day ahead. So, the day starts in the wee hours of the morning, around 6 am. You can feel the purity in the air, as the pollution is not there. You may practice Pranayama, to inhale the fresh air, to give a jolt to the ‘Prana’ inside you. Thereafter, everyone is made to gather in the yoga hall, and your yoga asana practice starts. Now, some schools will also include meditation beforehand. By 8 or 8.30 am, most yoga programs break for the morning meals, which is again Sattvic.
When you return to the class, apart from Hatha Yoga practice, you may also be guided towards theoretical lessons. No matter which subject you are studying, learning about the background helps a great deal. The environment takes a scientific turn, as you imbibe the anatomy and physiology. It is followed by the philosophical studies and background of yoga. In the late afternoon, after you have had lunch, most schools or ashrams teach diverse yoga styles.
Relaxing asana practice comes later, as the day moves towards rest. You will find most ashrams holding satsang sessions. Meditation precedes such sessions, with the sun slowly going into a resting phase in the horizon. You also get some time for self-reflection. Ashram life is simple and without controversies. You will be asked to sleep early, as you are expected to rise early next morning.
Why Should You Choose Kerala?
You must choose the 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Kerala, as it is one of the most authentic places in India for yoga lessons. The tradition is strong and people have made yoga a lifestyle there. So, as you walk past villages and towns, you can see people practicing yoga in the morning, just like you go about other habitual activities. Kerala has a spatial structure which is conducive to yoga practice as well. From the serene backwater to the calm beaches, and cool hill stations to tropical forests, the natural topography changes from one location to another.
Joining an ashram of yoga will open your mind to the simplicities of life, which yoga preaches. That is the difference between yoga schools and ashrams. Life at the ashram will make you fall in love with holistic practice. It is true that you cannot imbibe all the learnings in one month, but you actually get into the practice mode. When yoga becomes a part of your life, you start seeing everything in a new way. And this is one of the lessons which you learn in the yoga course. Immersive training, involving 8-10 hours of study and practice, takes you from ordinary to extraordinary.
