Ashram-style living at the Vedic Yoga Centre Rishikesh

For many years now, countless visitors have shared that the Vedic Yoga Centre feels like their “home away from home”. We feel very humbled by these comments, as they reflect the sincerity, respect and warmth that individuals bring on their arrival.

Over the years, our Centre has gradually evolved from being a guesthouse to a dedicated spiritual retreat, as more students seek a place where yoga practice is not only studied but lived every day.

Today, we want to share how ashram-style living supports that purpose — helping you integrate your practice into the way you eat, move, rest, speak and relate to others. It is a way of living that strengthens the very transformation you come here to experience.

What is ashram-style living?

Ashram-style living is a simple, steady and conscious way of life that has supported sincere spiritual seekers in India for centuries. We are not expecting traditional austerities. What we offer is the essence of that lifestyle — a supportive environment that helps you bring awareness into every action.

Ashram-style living encourages you to:

Act mindfully
Treat the Centre as you would your own home
Support others through simple, thoughtful behaviour
Follow a gentle routine that nurtures inner growth
Value silence, cleanliness and harmony
Care for shared spaces with dignity and attention

How ashram-style living helps your mind

One of the reasons ashram-style living is so transformative is that it helps train the mind. The mind does not naturally enjoy discipline. It gets stuck in the past, anxious or stressed about the future, and resists anything that challenges its old habit patterns. The simplicity of ashram living and a steady routine help bring your awareness back into the present moment.

This way of living may be different from what you are used to — and that is precisely why you are here. You have come to plant new seeds: new attitudes, new ways of thinking and a more holistic, conscious way of living. When you follow the rhythm of the Centre, your mind becomes more focused, more peaceful and more receptive to change.

Turning daily actions into practice

When you live in this way, even small actions become part of your sadhana (practice). Turning off a light, closing a door, washing your dishes, keeping your room tidy — these seemingly simple acts strengthen presence, grounding and inner discipline. They prepare you for deeper practice in the yoga hall, in meditation and in silence.

Many guests also naturally offer small acts of service (seva). These simple acts — wiping a table, sweeping a corner, or helping someone in need — are never expected, but they help you experience the joy of giving without expectation. This strengthens humility and creates a sense of belonging.

**A few words about seva (service)**

Seva is a natural part of ashram-style living. It is entirely voluntary and never connected to discounted prices or negotiations. It is simply something offered from the heart, as spiritual communities have done for centuries.

Guests are welcome to offer seva according to their abilities, time and sincerity. Even the smallest gesture enriches the community — and enriches you in return.

Why this shift will support your stay

As we embrace this transition into ashram-style living, we ask all guests to honour the Centre as they would their own home. These small actions create a sense of belonging and mutual support among everyone here.

Please be mindful of:

Turning off lights, fans and AC when not needed
Closing doors and windows to prevent monkeys from entering rooms
Washing dishes carefully and leaving shared spaces clean
Keeping the yoga shala continuously ready for practice
Handling facilities gently and returning all items used to their place

These actions may appear simple, yet each one builds the habit of awareness. These practices create an environment where everyone can relax, focus, and move inward with minimal disturbance.

If you are bringing a group

Teachers and group organisers play an essential role in maintaining harmony. Make sure that your participants understand these guidelines before they arrive. When groups come prepared, their transition into this environment is smooth and peaceful, making the experience richer for everyone involved.

Well-prepared often report that they experience deeper harmony and more meaningful transformation during their stay.

Living as a conscious community

As more groups and individuals visit the Vedic Yoga Centre in Rishikesh throughout the year, it becomes increasingly important for all guests to uphold the same intention: to create a peaceful and uplifting environment for everyone, where our spiritual teachings are actively practised in daily living here.

The Vedic Yoga Centre is home to many students from around the world, with diverse traditions and cultural backgrounds. This diversity is one of the strengths of our community. We encourage everyone to practise patience, tolerance and understanding towards each other.

Sometimes translators are needed, and sometimes people communicate in unfamiliar ways. This is natural in an international spiritual environment, but rather than creating division, it is an opportunity to cultivate openness and compassion. When we embrace these differences, the Centre becomes a place where everyone feels safe, respected and able to grow.

To maintain all aspects of this shared harmony, we ask everyone to:

Keep voices low in rooms corridors and on the stairs
Refrain from using mobile phones during meals and inside the yoga hall
Chant mentally before eating so your meal becomes a part of your meditative practice
Observe silence during all meals
Be punctual for classes and programs
Respect the silence around meditation and satsang spaces

These practices are subtle reminders of how you can create space for your inner world to deepen. Many times, when guests have experienced the benefits of these small disciplines, they later tell us that it has helped them carry peace back into their daily lives.

Dressing with respect for tradition

We also ask that you dress modestly and be respectful of Indian tradition. This is not about dressing like the locals; it is about creating an environment where everyone can practise and live comfortably without distraction.

Simple guidelines include:

Cover shoulders, chest and midriff
Ensure shorts and skirts cover the knees
Avoid see-through or tight clothing in both the yoga hall and shared spaces
Replace spaghetti-strap singlets with a light T-shirt or other covering garment

These minor adjustments help maintain dignity — both for yourself and for others.

Practical reminders

To keep our environment focused on spiritual practice, please remember:

No alcohol, smoking or recreational drugs on the premises
Always ask permission before taking photos of other students or staff
If an issue arises, speak respectfully with the office or a senior teacher to rectify any issues immediately
If you are unsure about anything, please ask — it is better to clarify issues early to maintain harmony

By following these guidelines, we create an environment where sincere seekers can deepen their awareness and advance their spiritual development.

How ashram-style living enriches your journey

Today’s world is filled with noise, distraction and constant movement. Silence is rare. A retreat centre offers something different — a way of living that clears the mind and strengthens your inner world.

By adopting ashram-style living:

Your mind becomes calmer
Your practice will naturally deepen
You more easily align with the rhythm of the Centre
You feel more peaceful much sooner
You experience your purpose for coming
You leave with a routine that continues to help you long after you return home

These benefits are why so many people call the Centre their home away from home — because the atmosphere supports the transformation they came for.

Ashram-style living helps you live yoga every day, not just practise it for one hour on the mat. This is the greatest gift the Centre can offer.

Conclusion

We thank you for your understanding, co-operation, respect and awareness. Together, we can continue to build a space where discipline, simplicity, kindness and awareness are lived every day.

Ashram-style living is an expansion of your life, not a restriction. It strengthens your practice, deepens your experience and supports the entire community. Through these shared efforts, the Vedic Yoga Centre remains what it has always wished to be: a place for genuine transformation through discipline, inner freedom and spiritual understanding.

If you are considering joining a program at the Vedic Yoga Centre Rishikesh, here are a few suggestions:

We look forward to welcoming you to any of our programs, all of which can be found on our website. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about your stay.