"Accept the truth that right now, you are free,

free to change your thinking,

free to change your outlook on life,

free to be all that you want to be."

– Swami Satyananda Saraswati

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend a residential yoga program at the Bihar School of Yoga, Munger – a dream I had nurtured for years.

Munger, often referred to as the city of Yoga, is where the Ganga River takes a serene loop, and the ashram, known as Ganga Darshan, sits atop the riverbank.

What Does a Yoga Course Teach?

Is it only about asanas, touching your head to your feet, or standing on your head? Or does it teach you pranayama, breathing methods, and meditation?

In reality, taking a residential course and experiencing ashram life offers a holistic environment where simplicity fosters personal growth on multiple levels.The daily routines—such as waking at 4 a.m., having dinner at 5:30 p.m., participating in seva (selfless service), and attending kirtans—impart profound lessons meant at various levels of personality.

Daily Yoga, Ashram Life Routine and Applied Yoga Lessons

In the ashram, every activity has a lesson hidden within.

• Simple yoga asanas, practiced with mindfulness, test both physical and mental endurance.

• Offering seva in the kitchen and cleaning spaces cultivates humility and discipline.

• Observing the river Ganga and attending kirtans encourages mindfulness and inner calm.

  
  

Ashram life softens the rough edges of our personality, teaching us how to glide through life with grace. This is what applied yoga means—it’s yoga that extends beyond the mat into everyday life.

The teachings of the ashram are abundant... it depends on how much one is ready to receive. The ashram is generous.

"In the ashram, you will discover something new. You will find a new idea, a new approach to the experiences arising from interactions."

– Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Bringing Ashram Life Teachings Back Home

The teachings of the ashram are boundless; you take away as much as you are willing to receive. As our group of 14 learners returns home, we carry a part of the ashram with us, determined to apply its teachings in our daily routines. We aspire to retain simplicity and awareness until the next call—whether it’s a call to learn yoga or to revisit the simplicity within.

As Sri Swamiji beautifully states:

"An ashram is not anyone’s home. It belongs to everybody and yet to nobody. People come and go like flowing rivers, finding new paths and terrain."

Hari Om 🙏🏼

Final Thought:

If you are seeking a break from the fast-paced world and want to reconnect with yourself, the Bihar School of Yoga offers the perfect environment. Embrace simplicity, practice mindfulness, and embark on a journey of self-discovery.