Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore India
The Isha Yoga Center came into being under the sponsorship of Isha Foundation which is essentially a non-profit association of Sadhuguru Jaggi Vasudev. The Isha Yoga Center is located near the city of Coimbatore at the Velliangiri Mountains. The ashram is quite large and boasts of an area of around 150 acres. The Isha Yoga Center consists of a number of things like Dhyanalinga temple, Isha Rejuvenation Center, Spanda Meditation hall, Yogic Hospital, Isha Home School and small cottages meant for visitors. The location of the ashram makes it a popular destination for people wanting to derive knowledge about yoga. The serenity and tranquility around serve as the perfect backdrop for learning about the four major aspects of yoga -- knowledge or gnana, action or karma, energy or kriya and devotion or bhakti.
All Isha yoga programs take place in the Spanda Meditation Hall which has a very different architecture. Equipped with a garden, it has an area of 64,000 square feet and is without any pillars. There is also a beautiful wall mural painting which chronicles the life of Shiva, the first of all yogis. The main intention of keeping such a painting is to inspire and recreate a holistic environment so that it becomes easier for visitors to acquaint themselves with the principles and philosophies of yoga. This painting also enjoys the distinction of being the largest one of its class and measures 140 x 12 feet. Moreover, it is made of earth extracts and vegetable dyes which is an ancient painting style.
Isha Rejuvenation Center endeavors to acquaint an individual with the joy of a fit body and inner peace. It includes a number of programs that help a visitor to achieve proper balance in his life energy. This is important in order to lead a healthy life and prevent oneself from chronic ailments. Their programs are perfectly sequenced and tailored to achieve these ends.
Isha Home School is concerned with providing high quality education. The one distinguishing factor about this yogic school is its home-like atmosphere. It makes adventure and fun a part of the learning process so that education becomes interesting and full of joy. If you have to compare the environment of the school with any other set up, a joint family structure would be the perfect example. As in a joint family, here too, each student or individual, along with possessing his or her own individuality, also becomes a part of the broader set-up.
Different yoga programs are offered by the Isha Yoga Center for different age groups. There is a 10-day program meant for children aged between 7 and 14 years. Again, you have a foundation program of 13 days for adults involving asanas, breathing techniques and meditation. Other programs include a residential program of 4 days called Bhava Spandana consisting of advanced meditation and a similar program of 8 days called Wholeness which constitutes Shoonya meditation and Shakti Chalana Kriya along with asanas. Along with the above mentioned few, there are other programs as well which are meant to give your life a whole new meaning with the power of yoga.