Rishikesh, the magical name itself brings visuals of hazy hills, the soft sound of the Ganges river, and monks dressed in orange robes looking calm and serene. This sleepy town, which is tucked away in the lap of the Himalayas, is not only a hotspot for tourists but is also a place for people who want to search for something. And at the core of it all? The yoga ashrams. Can you really expect to be at peace, and do the yoga ashrams help or is it merely a social media tagline ? So what is daily life like in one of these ashrams?  

Let’s change to the perspective of being under the sun while drinking Herbal Tea instead of our coffee and while being mindful instead of glancing through our newsfeed.  

Towards the Ashram: Calm After The Chaos  

One could say the experience of travelling to a yoga ashram in Rishikesh is comparable to migrating to a distant town bereft of modern conveniences. Starting from the metropolitan lifestyle filled with markets, the incessant noise from scooters and cars to a quiet place, an ashram is an intriguing place especially when it is replete with people of the same faith. Welcome to a new world.

You’re not really handed a warm business handshake nor a smile but a big heartfelt “Namaste”, which feels pretty personal indeed, it’s like you are part of something huge already.  

The first challenge that you will face is shifting to a more minimalist lifestyle; there will be no bulging covers, no binge watching overhyped shows, the basic fragments of life are eliminated. All that you will have is a mat, a simple room, and a promise that you will be reborn.  

A Day in the life of Yoga, Mediation and Stretching  

While accounting the daily routine, it has to be mentioned that yoga aims at waking you early, so no more pushing the snooze button or scrolling through apps. You’re at an ashram now which means you’re getting up at 5 am because it’s time to wake up.  

Meditation is the core part of the day, it usually starts the day. In the beginning sitting still and focusing on one spot level feels like herding a bunch of cats. All of your thoughts are scattered, but eventually there is a change, the storm of thoughts may have quieted.  

Following meditation is a period of Yoga practice. Some people prefer getting yoga classes in the comfort of their own houses which are cooled, but for you now, it’s time to walk barefoot on mats and begin yoga training under a torn sky, learning how humbling and grounding sensations truly feels.

In the beginning, your body might complain a lot yet on the third day, it would not be surprising to find yourself pulling off poses that were unimaginable to you.  

The Ashram Cuisine: Simplicity Never Appeared So Wonderful  

In a yoga ashram, the meals are about practicing moderation. There are no starters, masalas, and tandoor ready to excite the palate. Rather, there are simple vegetarian dishes which are usually made from crops cultivated in the gardens of the ashram.  

A bowl of dal, a handful of rice, a chapati, and a serving of curry, all aim to fill the stomach. And here is the catch: you begin to learn how to selectively eat. People can be quite surprised at the beginning when they are told to eat in silence; you have peace, have no phones, have no conversation, just enjoy the food that is served to you.  

And for all the caffeine lovers adjust yourself — a life at an ashram means no. For an espresso, you have herbal tea. 

The People You Meet 

Ashram life is the best in terms of the people you are surrounded with. They are teachers, artists, editors, accountants but this place believes in a one battle rule: all are the same. There's a unique emotion amongst the participants that is far more meaningful than any group WhatsApp chat.  

For some people, yoga might be tough, so one can expect others to struggle with them. Everybody will laugh, and in that embrace of calmness that meditation sorts, perhaps cry as well.

Is It Possible to Have Inner Peace?  

To give a quick response all I would say is yes, for a more elaborated version I would say it is not a place to be reached but rather a consistent thing to practice. Also, a pretty good place to start practicing is a yoga ashram in Rishikesh.  

So, if you ever feel lost, burnt out, or fed up with life as it is, then I encourage you to try it out. Who knows, you might be able to meet a side of yourself that you didn’t even know existed.  

And even if it somehow does not work out for you, at the very least, you will have a fantastic experience to talk about.