Yoga Vidya Dham (which means ‘a place to study yoga’) is an ashram located in the state of Maharashtra four hours drive east of Mumbai. The desert setting is picturesque and perfect for the study of yoga, set in the environment one imagines the very Yoga philosophy was developed thousands of years ago. Two weeks here will leave even the most frazzled person feeling centered and, dare I say, at peace.
The first thing the students at the ashram learn is that yoga is not just the postures (asanas) that most westerners think it to be. Yoga is an eight part philosophy whose goal is to lead people closer to the attainment of moksha, or enlightenment. Asanas are merely one part of the eight ideals that one needs to base his or her life upon in order to attain and maintain a balanced state of mind. The Yoga philosophy argues against excesses that will leave one unbalanced, be these excesses in diet, lifestyle or thought processes. It is important to keep in mind that Yoga is a philosophy, not a religion, though it is easily mixed up with Hinduism and in fact shares some of the same ideals.Signing up to spend time at the ashram means agreeing to a whole list of ‘rules’:
- no smoking
- no drinking of alcohol
- no drugs (if prescription drugs are required, discuss with the ashram staff)
- no sex
- no meat
- no chili
- no caffeine
- no chocolate, candy or food from outside the ashram
- remain at ashram except the one day off a week
- attend all courses and follow the timetable
- complete silence is observed during meals
- no girls allowed in boys’ rooms and vice versa
Some of the rules automatically make sense; of course if you are attending an ashram drugs, alcohol and cigarettes should not be allowed. Other things that do not immediately make sense, such as silence during meals or no chili, are explained. Whether or not you agree with these rules, the rational behind them seems sensible. No chili is allowed because chili is a food that excites the senses and therefore threatens balance. Silence during meals is observed for a number of reasons: to prevent over-eating, to appreciate your food and to aid in digestion. This rule is difficult for many westerners to adjust to at first, because in many of their cultures (many eastern cultures as well) meal times are a time for socializing and catching up on the days events. For travelers, it’s a way to get to know your fellow globetrotters. At the ashram however, it is a time for receiving energy from clean, well-prepared food. Chatter distracts one from the important business of eating properly (the ashram suggests chewing each bite 32 times).
Despite the absence of chili, salt and sugar the food is amazing. In Ayurvedic philosophy food can be divided into three categories: sattva (induces clarity, harmony and balance such as fresh fruit and vegetable), rajas (creates over-activity and includes food like paneer, sugar, chili, garlic, onion and salty food) and tamas (evokes darkness, inertia and resistance from foods like meat, fried, frozen or microwaved food and caffeine). The ashram strives to provide food that is sattva and will not lead to imbalance. Once your taste buds have adjusted to the different ingredients and lack of others, the food is beautiful. A meal leaves you feeling satiated and energized, rather than weighed down. Adjusting to ‘normal’ food upon leaving the ashram becomes a challenge! 
The daily schedule generally goes something like this:5:30 am Wakeup Time
6.00 am Herbal Drink
6.30 am Morning Wash & Herbal Wash
7:00 am to 08:30 am Yoga Practice (Asana & Pranayama)
9:00 am Breakfast / Snacks
10:00 am Yoga Nidra (guided meditation)
10:30 am Rest time
11:30 am LUNCH
12:30 pm Rest time
2:30 pm Karma Yoga
3:30 pm Herbal Drink
4:00 pm Yoga Lecture
5:00 pm to 6:30 pm Yoga Practice (Asana & Pranayama)
7:00 pm Dinner
8.00 pm Mantras / Discussions / Lectures
9:30 pm Bed Time
The first few days at the ashram students tend to feel tired and many spend their rest times not engaged in study, but sleeping. This is normal considering the amount of junk people tend to put in their systems, the sort of junk that is not allowed at the ashram. The first few days are when the body is ‘detoxing’ and adjusting to clean living. Once the caffeine headaches, sugar cravings and salt withdrawals subside, people generally feel better than they have in years. Asanas, combined with good food, clean water, meditation and chanting all leave the body healthier and more energetic than before. After detoxing, the days still tend to feel long, and by the time they have ended everyone is ready for bed. That said, while at the ashram most people enjoy some of the best sleep of their lives. Practising asanas for an hour a half a day, engaging in yoga nidra and chanting mantras leaves one’s mind quiet and body relaxed. Things that might normally interrupt sleep are just not there.
Prior to going to the ashram, many people wonder exactly what it is that they will do for the two weeks or month they are there (depending on the course they sign up for). It is amazing how quickly the time goes and how busy you feel. It is a different kind of busy though, it is not the stressed, rushing from place to place, meeting deadlines, attending 
meetings, doing the shopping, cooking, cleaning and washing up that real life entails. The ashram is a chance to break away from the mundane, clear away the toxins that it leaves you riddled with and get back in touch with yourself. It may all sound a bit self-indulgent, but taking good care of yourself and allowing yourself a break, just makes good sense. One emerges from the ashram feeling ready to tackle life with an even-head, full of serenity, clarity and feeling lighter, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Time at the ashram is really an investment in longevity, clearing away the stresses of real life and therefore allowing us to get on with it.By Tabatha Smith
