Yoga in Uttarakhand and the Himalayan Foothills

Uttarakhand is often called Devbhumi, “the land of the gods”. Its rivers, temples and mountain pilgrimage routes have made it a place of retreat and spiritual practice for centuries.

A landscape of practice

The sources of the Ganga and Yamuna rise in the Uttarakhand Himalaya, and the Char Dham pilgrimage links four of its most revered shrines. Long before yoga became an international practice, these foothills were associated with sadhus, ashrams and seasons of withdrawal for study and meditation.

Rishikesh as a gateway

For most practitioners, Rishikesh is where Uttarakhand begins. It combines access to teachers and structured practice with the atmosphere of the mountains, and it is the starting point for many journeys further into the hills.

Practicing in the mountains

• Give yourself time to adjust if you travel to higher altitudes.
• Mountain roads can close during the monsoon — check conditions before you go.
• Keep your practice simple while traveling: breath, short sittings and gentle movement.