Life in an ashram, week 1

Your true nature is fearless, blissful, joyful, and playful - Yogrishi Vishvketu

I have completed my second week in India. And I’m one week down at the ashram.

India took some time to adjust to, and New Delhi is probably just a little too much for me in general. I’m glad I got to see the Golden Triangle and all the beautiful monuments, but I was a bit frazzled. However, when I arrived in Rishikesh, everything shifted. It’s a mountain town set in the foothills of the Himalayas. Immediately, I saw backpackers, river rafting, hiking excursions, and elephant safaris. This is my kind of town.

You can feel the energy change here. It’s still a crowded (and dirty) city with cows walking around everywhere (and pooping everywhere). There are still nice monkeys and scary monkeys and cow poop in the streets, but there is a calmness and serenity that was missing for me in Delhi.

It’s no wonder the energy is so peaceful here; it’s a society built around yoga. For years, Rishikesh has been a hotbed for yogis and Ayurvedic medicine.

It’s exploded over the past 20 years. Westerners have begun to embrace yoga and come here in droves to learn more.

Today, there are over 100 ashrams here, and you must be careful which one you choose. There are many just trying to profit from this Western interest. I was fortunate to be guided by a woman who had lived in Rishikesh and knew this ashram well.

Unlike many I’ve heard from, Anand Prakash Ashram is clean, has western toilets (a big bonus in my book), and very good meals. The people are wonderful, and I’ve immersed myself in a supportive, loving environment for my 200-hour yoga teacher training. There are 22 of us in this program from all over the world: India, South Africa, Vietnam, Hong Kong, England, Scotland, Ireland, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Peru, Columbia, Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, Alaska, Los Angeles, Austin, Tulsa, Chicago, and of course, KC. Everyone is curious, interesting, and compassionate. I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity not just to live in the ashram for a month but to make friends with this group of people.

The time here has me reflecting on my Camino walk. The vibe is much the same: many people are at a crossroads in life or searching for their dharma. Everyone is kind and genuinely engaged.

For those who are interested in what living in an ashram is like, our schedule is jam-packed, because we’ve chosen the 200-hour teacher training that started on Oct 1 and ends on Oct 24.

I have a lovely roommate from Scotland (funny since that is the country I stayed for quite a while). Most people have one roommate, and a few are in 3-people rooms.

5:00 bell rings for wake-up

5:20 -5:50 guided meditation

6-7:30 yoga

7:45-8:30 fire puja (chanting)

8:45 breakfast

Mornings are silent until breakfast is over

9:45 -11:30 class session 1

11:45-12:30 class session 2

12:45 Lunch

We take turns helping serve the meals. They are vegetarian.

Free time after lunch

2:30 - 4:15 class session 3

4:30 - 6:15 class session 4

6:30 Dinner (Mon, Wed, Fri are silent) We sit on the floor. We have a spoon but mainly eat with our hands.

7:30 Kirtan or sound bath

9:00 silence and lights out

Sometimes, instead of staying in class, we go on an excursion and have class by the Ganga River and swim (for the women, this has to be fully clothed, but it’s very hot, so the wet clothes feel good on the walk back).

The hardest part for me so far has been sitting on the floor all the time, but my posture is improving, my hips are opening up, and my knees are slowly getting more flexible. It’s also a lot of learning in a short amount of time, with no time for review, so keeping up has been challenging, but I’m up for it!

There are people who check into the ashram for shorter stays, and they are free to come and go, unlike my YTT group.

The YTT group has to wear all-white yoga clothing that is appropriate for India, basically baggy cotton pants and a dress or shirt with long tails.

It took me a minute to adjust, but it’s been a worthwhile experience and gets better daily.

I have very limited time with technology, but I wanted to check in and write about my experience so far.

XOXO,

Bon