Some journeys in life really impact your soul. My recent trip to the International Yoga Festival in the heart of Rishikesh was one of those. From the moment I stepped in Rishikesh and breathed in the crisp, mountain-kissed air, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be.
My destination? The iconicParmarth Niketan Ashram, a sanctuary nestled on the banks of the sacred Mother Ganga.
A Grand Awakening: Celebrating the Divine Feminine
I arrived just in time for March 8th International Women’s Day. The energy was electric. The festival opened with a magnificent celebration dedicated to Shakti, the primordial feminine power. It wasn’t just a ceremony; it was an acknowledgment of the strength, grace, and resilience that women bring to the world. Starting the journey by honouring the goddess within set a profound tone for the days to follow.
Sunrise, Tai Chi, and the Science of the Soul
The rhythm of the ashram is dictated by the sun. By 6:00 AM the next morning, I was already immersed in a Tai Chi yoga flow, feeling the slow, deliberate movements sync with my breath. As the sun began to peek over the Himalayas, we moved to the Ganga Ghat for sunrise chanting. There is something inexplicably healing about the sound of ancient Sanskrit mantras echoing over the flowing water.
One of the most impactful sessions for me was the deep dive into nervous system stabilization. Through a combination of movement, kriya (cleansing practices), and breathwork, we explored the scientific research behind how yoga physically rewires our stress response. As someone who lives in the hustle and bustle of modern life, learning how to consciously “down-regulate” my nervous system felt like being handed a superpower.
Wisdom Beyond the Mat
The festival was a masterclass in the “Union” that is Yoga. While the physical practice was intense, the Wisdom Talks provided the intellectual and spiritual soul food I didn’t know I was craving. We explored topics like:
- LivingKarma Yoga: How to turn every mundane action into a sacred act of service.
- Ayurveda: The ancient wisdom of wholeness and bio-individuality.
- Bharat – The Eternal Land of Yoga: A moving discussion on protecting the lineage and preserving the legacy of this 5,000-year-old practice.
I realized that yoga isn’t just about touching your toes; it’s about how you live your life when you step off the mat.
The Magic of Sound: Naad and Bhakti Yoga
In the modern fitness world, the more “internal” forms of yoga like Naad Yoga (the yoga of sound) andBhakti Yoga(the yoga of devotion) are often sidelined. At Parmarth, they were the stars of the show. I’ll never forget the Vishuddhi(Throat) Chakrasession with Gurnimit Singh ji. It was an overwhelming experience. We used sound to release emotional blockages, cords of tension we didn’t even know we were carrying. When I finally opened my eyes, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. We weren’t just students in a classroom; we were humans sharing a collective cleansing.
To balance the intensity, our afternoons were filled with “light” sessions:
- Sound Bath Meditations: Floating on waves of Himalayan singing bowls.
- Yoga Nidra: A psychic sleep that felt more restorative than eight hours of traditional rest.
- Yoggarba: Adding a dash of fun and movement to keep our spirits high.
Overcoming the “Disc Bulge” Doubt
Coming into this, I was nervous. I struggle with an L4-L5 disc bulge, and I worried my body wouldn’t keep up with the rigorous schedule. However, the beauty of the festival was its inclusion. The schedule was a perfect pendulum, swinging from hardcore, sweat-inducing asanas (Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Iyengar) to gentle, restorative practices. The teachers were incredibly humble and supportive, showing me how to adapt poses to honour my injury rather than fight it.
The Energy of the Ghats
Every evening ended at the Ganga Ghat for the Aarti. As the lamps were lit and the prayers began, I felt a literal “goosebumps” connection to the divine energy.
Even though I was only sleeping 4 to 5 hours a night, I never felt lethargic. The “vibe” of the place, bolstered by the presence of 80-year-old trees and the constant aroma of lo-ban (frankincense) seemed to feed my spirit directly. One of my favourite moments was a Mantra Jaap session; the collective vibration of hundreds of people chanting in unison under the canopy of ancient trees was life-altering.
A Global Village Under One Umbrella
The word “Yoga” means Union, and I saw that manifest in the diverse faces around me. I met people from every corner of the globe; all gathered under one umbrella for one reason. We shared meals, stories, and a new approach to life. I realized that despite our different languages, our breath sounds the same.
Saying Goodbye to the “Abode of Sages”
After the seven-day festival concluded, I wasn’t ready to leave. I spent a few extra days exploring the energy of local temples like Bhoothnath and Neelkanth and even visited the famous Beatles Ashram.
To end the trip on a high note, I braved the freezing waters for River Rafting, a thrilling, heart-pounding contrast to the stillness of meditation. After some final shopping for family and friends, it was time to head home.
Leaving Parmarth Ashram was emotional. It felt like leaving a piece of myself behind, or perhaps, finally finding a piece I had lost. I travelled back not just with souvenirs, but with “never-fading memories” and a nervous system that finally knows what it feels like to be at peace.
Rishikesh, you have my heart. Until we meet again.
About the Author
This journey was experienced and narrated by a core member of the yoga.in team. At yoga.in, we believe that to truly understand the “Union” of yoga, one must step off the pedestal of an observer and onto the mat of a student. While our platform typically serves as a global bridge connecting thousands of practitioners to institutes, this year we felt it was vital to experience the International Yoga Festival 2026 through a personal lens.
