Its no new story that yoga was first introduced in India. People from all over the world visit this spiritual country to learn the holistic teachings of Yoga. The traditional art of Yoga has been kept alive for many centuries for the mental and physical well-being of people. So, long before people even had the idea of gym or fitness, Yoga was doing its part to maintain the wellness of people.

All the sages and yogis started residing in Rishikesh over the years. A major reason for this was the holy river Ganges. In Hindu mythology, the river Ganges is considered prestigious and sacred, which is why Hindus worship the river. Taking a dip in the water is known to wash away the sins of people. So, this became a major attraction for people. Other than that, the lush-green mountains add more beauty and divinity to this location. It is considered a mystical place with a serene aroma attached to it. Rishikesh became a home for the seekers of enlightenment. As Rishikesh was already a holy point for the locals of India, slowly the activities started to seep in. Yoga started gaining its popularity in this land. So, many yoga programs were getting introduced in yoga schools and ashrams because of the increasing demand. Yoga gurus started getting attention from the West too.

Now, the main credit of Rishikesh being discovered goes to the English rock and pop band- The Beatles. It was after their visit in 1968 to learn transcendental meditation from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi that Rishikesh gained the attention of the masses in the West. That was the turning point. Tourists and wanderers came in to look for a rejuvenating experience, and they werent disappointed. The place is very peaceful, and people are always curious to visit The Beatles ashram, where they visited and started their spiritual journey.

Rishikesh is known to be the birthplace of Yoga, and the city of saints. It is one of the oldest pilgrimage places of India. It is a gateway to your spiritual world. It is known as Tapobhumi, a place for Yoga and Meditation. The place is filled with spiritual energy in between the emerald Himalayas. It is believed that during the ancient times, a rishi, Raibhya was sitting on the banks of river Ganges and performed various yoga asanas and intense practices. According to ancient mythology it is believed that Lord Vishnu appeared and gave him blessings. Since then, the traffic of spiritual seekers, yogis increased threefold when saints started meditating and doing sadhanas near the holy river.

There are innumerable yoga centers in Rishikesh and it became a common point for the saints, yogis, and seekers to connect and elevate their potential through Yoga and sadhanas. Many yoga teacher training and yoga retreats were starting to take over the market of Rishikesh more rapidly than ever. Before we knew it, Rishikesh became the world capital of yoga teacher training in India. Many yoga programs like 200-hour yoga teacher training (YTT), 300-hour YTT, and 500-hour YTT started became popular. These programs ensured that aspiring yogis, who can complete the 1 month to 3 months courses, gain the eligibility to be a global-level yoga teacher.

From that point on Rishikesh became the hub for yogic studies. People from different corners of the world were drawn to this ancient city to immerse in the authentic teachings of yoga. The spiritual aura of the town served as the perfect abode to learn the ancient science from its roots. Till date, Rishikesh continues to draw millions from across the world to its lap to discover the secrets of this timeless practice.

Why is Rishikesh the Yoga Capital of the World?

Mental and Physical health

The practices of Yoga include both mental and physical exercises. The most famous and oldest yoga style was Hatha Yoga which eventually gave birth to many other modern forms like Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga which exist today. With the growing tensions in the world, chaos has nestled in our competitive and busy lives. The lifestyles and eating habits have become insanely poor, and therefore the illnesses and diseases have conquered the bodies and minds of people. To protect you from damage, a little bit of effort and patience is needed. Yoga is a natural way of healing; so the practices of Hatha yoga, Meditation, Pranayama, Ashtanga yoga got the recognition it deserved by showcasing the required results. This way of balancing and harmonizing ones mind, body, and soul got popularized in the West rather quickly.

Cleansing and detoxifying purposes

Living like a yogi isnt easy especially if you are used to city life. Here, you will be cutting out your obsessions with the materialistic world, so that you can look within and internalize your thoughts. Getting to know your body is a part of the yoga practice through Yoga anatomy. Whatever we are consuming affects the body in some way or the other, therefore combining the practices of Yoga with Ayurveda is the best advice you can get from any esteemed yogi. This is an herbal way to detoxify your body, cleanse the body of all the toxins, and it purifies your soul.

A natural way of healing

We cannot be more thankful to the yogis who incorporated yoga in the Vedic scriptures and the following books like Hatha Yoga pradipika, etc. Throwing light on this natural way of healing has saved the lives of people long before the hospitals ever existed. This therapeutic way of living keeps you away from illnesses and diseases which attack the system. In the foothills of the Himalayas, you can nurture yourself and others around you with self-awareness, and connecting with nature.

The community of yoga gurus and spiritual seekers

Rishikesh was the hub of yogis for many years, even before the Beatles stepped in. This community of yogis has only increased over time, by attracting many spiritual seekers to the city. The yoga gurus of Rishikesh are considered as the most astounded yogis in the entire world for their dedication, years of experience, and learning. The main essence of spirituality is sparked by your teacher or yoga guru who becomes the guide to help you walk on the path of enlightenment. Here, all the like-minded people grow and transform themselves with the life-changing practices of yoga under established gurus of yoga ashrams/schools.

The divine spiritual energy

Leave your city and just visit Rishikesh to check the difference in the vibrational energy of Rishikesh. The place is covered in lush-green scenery, pristine waters, and tranquil air. It is not a polluted city and is rather refreshing. The tourists have noticed the peaceful vibe amidst nature in Rishikesh, which makes this spiritual journey even more interesting. It is a perfect place to unwind your thoughts, and fill yourself up with positive energies and natural force.

All of these reasons make Rishikesh the most-preferred destination in the whole world for the teachings of yoga. Come and unlock your internal power through Yoga to live a more rejuvenating, fulfilling, and healthy life.

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How Rishikesh Became the Capital of Yoga Worldwide - Communal News