Most Yoga practitioners and teachers have heard of “Yoga Ashram”. Many of us have wondered and got curious about Ashram.
Some of us have already been to “many Yoga Ashrams” everywhere in the world now. What is the meaning and concept of Yoga Ashram?
How typically does a Yoga Ashram look like? Is there any symbolic meaning behind the creation of Yoga Ashrams? What are the main goals of Yoga Ashrams in India?
Yoga Ashram – Sanskrit Meaning
Ashram or Ashrama comes from Shrama and means “making a meaningful effort in the path of Self-realization”.
Often it is the place or group of people together making inner research towards liberation that is considered as “Ashram”.
What typically does an Ashram look like?
Ashram generally is set up away from the crowd, from worldly affairs so that the research inward will be easier.
Generally headed by a Guru, a tradition of Gurus Ashram will have a community of people working together in the path of spirituality.
Does a Yoga Ashram have a symbolic spiritual meaning?
Yes! Yoga Ashram is a space wherein the inner research takes place, which is the heart.
Every aspirant in the path of spirituality has to create and reside in a Yoga Ashram, which is inside.
Your physical body should be considered a Yoga Ashram and the Heart is the core, the center, the Guru of the Ashram. The Heart has to be kept pure, serene, and holy so that it can lead the entire Ashram (Body) on the right path of spirituality.
What is the goal of Yoga Ashrams in India?
Though every Ashram can have its own way of lifestyle, customs, and goals, the foundation was to help each aspirant to find the light within, the Guru within.
The Guru in the Ashram won’t ask the disciples to follow him but to follow their hearts. He won’t ask them to keep himself as the Guru but will guide them to find their Guru inside.
You need spiritual, eastern, or mystical insight to understand the concept of the Master. A Master does not teach but a guide.
He does not even create disciples but shows the master inside you. He clears the way for you to become a master!
Yoga Ashram is a place or should be a place wherein the seekers are guided, not asked to follow to seek the master inside and find the union with that Guru who is nothing but the “Light”.
It does not necessarily be a physical place too.
A place, space wherein you find unity with your own Light, the real master. You can also create a Yoga Ashram in your heart.
A serene place, undisturbed, calm, and a lab for inner research with a balance in all actions.
Samyak Yoga Ashram in this perspective is an effort to find the union with light, guide the seekers to find their own masters, and be the Guru.
Let all Yoga Ashrams, Yoga Ashrams with physical existence find the union with the master in the hearts and minds of seekers, the light inside, and spread the message of union, Light, and awareness through actions.
Some Popular Yoga Ashrams in India can be as follow:
Courses offered: Collective Meditations are held. But there are no mandatory meditation practices.
Courses offered: Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique, Meditation and Prayer Sessions, and Karma Yoga.
Courses offered: Art of Living technique, Meditation techniques, Vedic Maths, etc.
Courses offered: Vedic Chanting and Puja (worship) in the temple.
Courses offered: Spiritual development, Music and advance Yoga Courses
Courses offered: Professional Yoga Teacher Training Courses in Ashtanga Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, and Hatha Yoga
Courses offered: Yoga Teacher Training Courses in Shivananda Yoga
Courses offered: Yoga Teacher Training Courses, Meditation techniques
Courses offered: Tours to pilgrimage centres and trekking to places of Yogic Significance, Meditation classes
Courses Offered: Vipassana Meditation Courses are 10 days and held for general practitioners, children, Executives, and old students of Vipassana Practice.