Yoga

Yoga originated in India, and while it's practiced worldwide now, a large number of travelers still come specifically to study it here - whether that means a single drop-in class or a multi-week teacher training.

Where people actually go

• Rishikesh (Uttarakhand) - widely called the "yoga capital of the world," on the Ganges at the foot of the Himalayas. Home to a huge range of ashrams and schools, from serious long-term training centers to short tourist-oriented courses. Also where the Beatles famously studied with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1968.
• Mysore (Karnataka) - the center of Ashtanga yoga, built around the lineage of K. Pattabhi Jois. Draws practitioners for intensive, disciplined practice rather than a casual retreat vibe.
• Pune (Maharashtra) - home to the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, the center of Iyengar yoga, known for its precise, alignment-focused style.
• Kerala - less a single yoga hub than a combination of yoga with Ayurveda (India's traditional medicine system) - many resorts and retreat centers here pair yoga practice with Ayurvedic treatments and diet.

Picking a legitimate school

The range runs from serious, decades-old institutions to short-lived operations aimed purely at tourists. A few practical checks: how long has the school actually operated, are the teachers' certifications traceable to a real lineage or institution, do reviews mention substance (specific teachers, specific practice) rather than just generic praise, and is the daily schedule realistic (structured practice times, not just "yoga whenever"). Prices vary hugely - a proper multi-week teacher training is a real financial and time commitment, while a single class or short course is a low-risk way to try it first.

What a retreat day typically looks like

Most residential programs follow a similar rhythm: early wake-up (often before sunrise), a morning practice session, breakfast, a break or lecture/philosophy session, an afternoon session (sometimes meditation or pranayama/breathing practice rather than physical asana), dinner, and an early night. Many ashrams keep a vegetarian kitchen and some restrict outside food.

Etiquette

Punctuality matters more than it might elsewhere - arriving late to a session is generally considered disruptive. Many ashrams have quiet hours or full silence periods (especially in the early morning); phones are often discouraged or banned in practice spaces. Modest dress is expected even during practice - form-fitting yoga wear that would be unremarkable in a Western studio can be considered inappropriate at a traditional ashram.

International Yoga Day

June 21 is celebrated globally as International Yoga Day, established by the United Nations in 2015 following a proposal from India. Expect large public group-practice events in major Indian cities and yoga hubs like Rishikesh around this date - worth checking local event listings if you're visiting in June.