Himalayan Yoga & Sound Healing Retreat in Rishikesh

Maa Ganga Yogashala sits in Tapovan, a quieter neighbourhood upstream from central Rishikesh. The school is about a 10-minute walk from the Ganges and surrounded by the kind of greenery you get at the edge of the Himalayas — not remote jungle, but noticeably calmer than the main strip of cafés and scooters in Laxman Jhula.

The daily schedule covers the basics of a traditional yoga routine: morning asana practice (a mix of Hatha and Ashtanga), pranayama breathing techniques, and meditation. Classes are taught by Vinay Khurana, who founded the school after leaving a career in the Mumbai film industry. He's been practicing yoga for over 12 years and has a particular focus on sound healing — singing bowl sessions are a regular part of the programme.

You'll eat three vegetarian meals a day, prepared on-site. The food follows sattvic principles (no garlic, onion, or heavy spices), which is standard for traditional yoga ashrams in this part of India. Think dal, rice, chapati, fresh vegetables, and fruit. Tea and coffee are available throughout the day.

The retreat also includes an evening slot for kirtan (devotional chanting), a movie night, or free time — it varies by day. One evening, you'll have the chance to walk down to the river for Ganga Aarti, the ceremony held at sunset where priests perform a fire ritual on the banks of the Ganges. It's a tourist draw, but it's also genuinely atmospheric if you haven't seen it before.

The school also runs a 5-day version of this retreat for people who want a bit more time, as well as 100-hour and 200-hour teacher training courses for those looking to go deeper.

What's included

- 2 nights accommodation (shared or private room) - 3 daily vegetarian meals - Water, tea, and coffee throughout the day - Daily yoga classes (Hatha and Ashtanga) - Guided meditation sessions - Pranayama breathing practice - Sound healing session - Evening activities (kirtan or movie night) - Wi-Fi access - Parking

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Flights - Visa fees - Travel insurance - Additional spa or healing treatments