YOGA is the union of the individual consciousness with the cosmic consciousness, and is achieved with the regular practice of asanas, pranayamas, mantras and meditation. With a regular practice, you feel more connected with yourself and closer to your true nature, all of which helps to find balance and peace.
The Foundation Yoga course focuses on the rudiments of Hatha Yoga – particularly the Surya Namaskar and basic asana practice – as well as Indian culture and festivals, including pujas such as the Havan that is practiced at the world-famous Ganga Aarti along the banks of holy Maa Ganga. It also delves into the philosophies and practices of Vedic chanting and introduces students to both Karma and Bhakti Yoga from their origins in the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
Recently, students from the United Kingdom and across India joined this program, a beginner course offering students the first steps on this path of well-being and self-realization. We offer you their comments, and invite you to join us for our Beginner Intensive and Intensive Yoga courses, coming up next month (August) at our ashram in Rishikesh.
“The Foundation Yoga course at Parmarth Niketan Ashram gave me a perfect mix of physical and mental calm. The teachers were the best part of the course; they taught us yoga with abundant love and passion. I will cherish the memories spent here and the great friends that I made with all other participants. Looking forward to coming back for more peace and flexibility!”
“This summer I decided to step out of my comfort zone and put my feet into something many people around me had spoken about. The 11 days spent I spent at Parmath, learning about the philosophies and lifestyle that yoga is, was truly a remarkable experience. It did not completely alter me but it pushed me to think of new perspectives.”
“The foundation yoga course provides you with a great platform upon which you can further build and develop your own yoga practice. It perfectly combines the fundamentals of yoga practice and the philosophy behind it, and hence provides a great understanding of not only how to practice yoga but also the reasons as to why one should.”
“The Foundation Yoga course at Parmarth Niketan introduced me to a beautiful way of life! The course was a blend of meditation, prayers, pranayama and yoga asanas and is perfect for anyone who is looking to get some calm and peace in a very short time. The yoga teachers, Ganga Aarti in the evenings and the general atmosphere of the ashram were the key highlights for me during the course.”
“As a sixty-year-old woman I was very scared to join (the) yoga foundation course as I didn’t know anything about yoga other than whatever I read here and there. But here the teachers are so helpful and encouraging…all my fears are gone and I’m able to understand the meaning of yoga. It was a wonderful experience interacting with them, they taught me not only the correct way of doing Asanas but also this science. It’s a way of life, science of well-being, of integrating body, mind and soul. It’s a science which brings closer to consciousness and peace within. Swamiji’s ‘garbage hatao’ and plant more trees message is also very inspiring. Thank you to all for being so kind and helpful.”
