At Crow, we’re often in touch with experienced, international Yoga practitioners and instructors, because apart from being our clients, they also assist us with brainstorming for designing handwoven, organic Yoga wear.
In our recent blog post, we've provided a comprehensive list of the very best yoga retreats in India curated by these experienced Yogis. Here we’ve provided some interesting guidelines for the solo female traveller looking to visit India for a detoxifying luxury holiday.
Reasons to Visit Yoga Retreats in India:
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Traveller friendliness and female friendliness
Most of the reputed Yoga retreats in India have had a long history of hosting international guests. The administration knows what facilities are necessary, most of the staff can communicate in English, and these Yoga centres are deliberately hospitable with very safe premises. Staff members are respectful, polite, and friendly.
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Good fits for amateurs, novices, intermediates, and experts
Because all ancient Yogic traditions were conceived in India, there’s something for every Yogi; for someone who has never tried an asana, or an expert who has transcended the most challenging physical limitations of asana and pranayama practice. During practical sessions, the best Yoga retreats tend to pay individual attention to each guest.
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Attention to the various limbs of Ashtanga Yoga apart from just Asana practice
Traditional (8-limb) Ashtanga Yoga as designed by Patanjali millennia ago pays attention to 7 other limbs of Yoga apart from asana practice. There are several Yogic activities for you even if you’re not fond of physical flexing, twisting, bending, and sweating.
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Adherence to traditional Hatha Yoga systems as prescribed in the Shiva Samhita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, and Gheranda Samhita
As the ancient Indian Yogic tradition spread beyond national boundaries and, became an integral part of western civilisations, many traditional Yogic practices were replaced with alternatives, variants, and versions. While not all of these are wrong, bad, or faulty, very often non-traditional Yogic practices can prove to be dangerous for the practitioner. The subtle science of Yoga is best practised according to traditional guidelines. Good Yoga centres in India put your safety above all else by sticking to age-old Yogic texts.
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Safety of the city/town
The list of luxury Yoga retreats in India that we’ve thoughtfully curated for women's safety. Our consulting Yogis from across the world have visited these places personally over the years; they made sure they only suggested Yoga retreats that are located in safe cities and towns, where it is alright for women to roam around unaccompanied.
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Accessibility to various food options and availability of healthy vegetarian meals on campus
The most reputed Yoga retreats in India cook and serves hygienic, healthy, sattvic meals on campus. Most Yoga centres serve vegetarian meals. Since centuries, Indians have benefited tremendously from eating organic sattvic food is a great way to detox, reduce weight, and increase Ojas and Tejas levels in the body.
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Reputation and goodwill among seasoned Yogis in India
We have recommended Yoga centres based on several factors, including the expertise of teachers conducting the sessions, proximity to nature, quality of services, and attitude of staff members.
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Cleanliness, luxury, and eco-friendliness
Yoga centres and retreats in India follow sustainability in their daily activities. They’re also very conscious of wastage and recycling. At the same time, these Yoga retreats are quite luxurious, offering vacation-like experiences. Much emphasis is also placed on maintaining extremely high levels of cleanliness and safety on the premises.
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Cost-effectiveness
Most Yoga retreats in India are inexpensive and generous with their resources. Travel expenses in India are low; shopping options are plenty and affordable.
When to Visit India for Yoga?
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The best time to visit India is between October-mid and February. These are the winter months across India, and the most pleasant ones.
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Winters in most parts of India don’t get extreme, especially in the South and Central regions. Even the North is quite pleasant; at the most, you’ll need two layers of medium warm clothing to keep yourself comfortable early in the morning.
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We’re deliberately not mentioning temperatures here, because temperatures vary from year to year and location to location. Do check the destination temperatures online while planning your packing.
Women’s Safety, Availability of Various Cuisines, Local Languages, & the Cost of Living
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The number one criterion behind recommending Yoga retreats was women’s safety, for the simple reason that women, including solo female travellers from across the world, visit India for Yoga retreats and wellness retreats. These locales have a reputation for high regard to women’s safety and comfort. Locals are generally friendly and helpful, and most Indians believe in the Sanskrit phrase ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, which translates as ‘Our guests are equivalent to the Gods’.Yoga centres will often go out of their way to make your stay comfortable.
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While ashrams like the Isha Yoga Centre near Coimbatore have nice cafés on campus, most of the other ashrams we have recommended in our previous blog are located close to town centres where there are several cuisines available.
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Goa and Pondicherry are known for their local and international cuisine offerings, while Rishikesh is dotted with eateries of all kinds.
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We encourage you to eat ashram meals during your stay because they are curated to support your Yogic practices and sadhanas. These sattvic vegetarian meals will serve as detox foods for you, and you’ll go back home feeling very good about yourself.
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The most commonly spoken language in and around Rishikesh, Lonavala, and Goa is Hindi, while the southern states stick to their respective local languages. However, most locals understand English and Yoga Centre administrators, teachers, and facilitators are fluent in English across India.
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Programmes at some Yoga Centres such as the Isha Yoga Centre, Coimbatore even provide translation devices for Russian, Chinese, and a few other languages.
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India is an inexpensive place to live in. Apart from the cost of your stay and meals at each of the Yoga retreats, you can get by more than comfortably at ₹1000 per day. Shopping is also relatively cheap in day markets, and street-side stall owners are happy to haggle with customers. So, if you’re a good negotiator, you’ll always find a good bargain.
What to Wear in and around the Yoga Retreat
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Yoga retreats in India tend to follow a certain decorum to ensure that participants remain focused more on Yoga. Simple, clean dressing where your shoulders, torso, and legs are covered is recommended.
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Pants are preferable during asana practice compared to dresses and skirts, for easy movement. Tight fitted, body-hugging outfits are not encouraged; even though most centres won’t bring it to your notice, tight clothing is considered immodest in a traditional Yoga setting, and often looked down upon.
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Because of the weather in India, organic, cotton clothing will keep you cool and comfortable and is ideal for Yoga sadhana. Breathable cotton, linens, and comfortable silhouettes in pastels and earthy tones are recommended.
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You can wear medium length to long dresses and skirts when you’re roaming around town. Observe what kind of clothing the locals are used to, and use your discretion to avoid unnecessary stares.
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Also, know that most locals tend to stare at foreigners out of innocent curiosity; staring isn’t considered rude in small towns in India.
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Your female intuition will always alert you when you’re in a shady locality or around unsafe people — always trust your instinct.
A Few Pointers
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Spicy Indian food can smell and look exciting, but it might be too spicy for an uninitiated palate. If you indulge in spicy foods, make sure you follow it up with cooling drinks such as buttermilk. Increase the spice quotient in your meals gradually to make sure your food is light on your stomach.
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Always choose cafes and restaurants with a 3-5 star rating on popular dining apps such as Zomato.
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In your handbag or backpack, do carry a small Turkish towel to wipe off sweat, a deodorant for warm days and intense asana sessions, sunscreen, a water bottle, cash in INR, a photocopy of your government approved ID, and a spare set of clothes just in case.
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Also, always carry sanitary napkins, because in remote locations you may not be able to get your hands on any.