Ayurveda, perhaps the world's oldest form of health care, and its sister tradition, yoga, have evolved side by side over millennia, emerging in India as early as 5,000 years ago. Ayurvedic wellness programs are becoming increasingly popular in India as people seek more holistic approaches to health.
Ayurveda and yoga work in tandem to teach that harmonizing your body and mind with the environment will prevent disease - the result of disharmony - while also elevating the follower to a higher state of consciousness. From spiritual mountain towns in the north to the rustic, interconnected waterways of India's Malabar Coast in the south, here's where to learn about these practices in the country where they first appeared centuries ago.
Mysuru, Karnataka
Mysuru has always played a vital role in the spread and popularity of yoga. Today, Mysuru's yoga schools concentrate in and around Gokulam, a primarily residential neighborhood northwest of the city center.
Alleppey, Kerala
With a rich history in the performing arts, spice cultivation, and a diverse geographical landscape, it should be no surprise that Kerala, India's southernmost state, is also the home of Ayurveda. A tropical climate, owing to its strategic location along the Malabar Coast, and an abundance of medicinal plants have resulted in the establishment of numerous Ayurvedic programs and treatment centers throughout the state in recent years.
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh, the self-proclaimed "Yoga Capital of the World," is a popular choice for practitioners looking for Ayurveda yoga and wellness travel in India. Numerous ashrams, including the well-known Parmarth Niketan and Sadhana Mandir, line either side of the holy river, offering everything from intensive YTTs and meditation classes to peaceful hours-long kirtan sessions and even holistic Ayurvedic panchakarma cleanses.
Kottayam, Kerala
The surge in Ayurveda yoga and wellness travel in India, owing to Kerala's thriving wellness industry, should not deceive you; Ayurveda has deep roots in the state. Before the introduction of Western medicine in the nineteenth century, Ayurvedic practitioners' families treated and diagnosed illnesses, passing down their knowledge of this ancient healing system from generation to generation.
Narendra Nagar, Uttarakhand
Ananda in the Himalayas, an upscale Ayurvedic spa on a sprawling forested 100-acre property overlooking Rishikesh and the rest of the Ganges River Valley, offers a one-of-a-kind wellness experience.
Patnem Beach, Goa
For a tranquil experience away from the partygoers, opt for YTTs and Ayurvedic programs offered at retreats along Patnem Beach in the south.
