Pose like a star at yoga paradise in Himalayas
IF Brad Pitt comes here for some downward dog, you know you are in for some major-league relaxation.
And little wonder the Ananda wellness retreat in the Himalayas is loved by celebs and royalty. It is a slice of Indian paradise. And the dream break for someone like me – a part-time yoga teacher.
I signed up for some unforgettable yoga at its marble pavilion in the foothills of the Himalayas. The sun was shining and, 3,000ft below, I could see the Ganges glistening as it meandered through the nearby town of Rishikesh.
To my right was a 19th-century maharaja’s palace and the only sounds I could hear were the rustling of the trees and a peacock cooing on a lawn in front of me.
A slight change from my usual yoga haunts – the local gym or a village hall.
And there was not a Lycra legging or crop top in sight.
Instead, the retreat supplied me with traditional white cotton kurta pyjamas to wear for my six days of yoga, meditation and pure relaxation.
Ananda draws in travellers from all over the world – as well as Brad, Oprah Winfrey is a fan and Prince Charles and Camilla have also chilled out here.
What makes it stand head and shoulders above other retreats is its emphasis on ayurveda – a traditional system of medicine that balances the body, focusing on physical and mental wellbeing.
Every package – choose from the likes of yoga, detox, weight loss and stress management – starts with a consultation with an ayurvedic doctor. They work out your body type – known as your dosha – and your stay is tailored around that.
My mornings consisted of a breakfast designed for my dosha, followed by a private yoga class in the pavilion, then meditation or breathing exercises. After lunch, I’d head to the Ananda spa.
Treatments range from classic aromatherapy massages to jal neti, a yoga technique that includes nasal cleansing with a saline solution. Not particularly glamorous, especially when done in front of a stranger. But I loved the rose quartz facial, where crystals were used to massage cleansers into my skin.
My favourite was the shirodhara treatment, where my whole body was massaged with oil that smelled like black treacle.
Strange
Warm oil was then poured on my forehead for 30 minutes. Sounds strange but I was probably the most relaxed I’ve ever been.
In between treatments I’d relax with a book, have a dip in the pool, join a philosophical talk or have high tea at the old palace, home to the reception and luxury rooms.
In the evenings, you can enjoy dinner at your leisure or head into Rishikesh for the Ganga Aarti ceremony, held on the banks of the Ganges. After exploring the ashram religious retreats and bustling shopping streets, I settled on the steps next to the water.
There, I watched the young men from the ashram chanting in sanskrit as the sun went down.
This powerful and uplifting ritual takes place every evening.
I’d recommend signing up to one of the morning treks led by resort staff. A two-hour hike along rocky uphill paths leads you to Kunjapuri Temple, where the Goddess Shakti and Lord Shiva are honoured. I posed for a couple of yoga photos – how could I resist?
After almost a week at Ananda, I felt refreshed, calm and completely used to their slower pace of life. How would I manage back in the UK?
Ananda has that covered too – you are sent away with lifestyle guidelines and a detailed plan of what foods you should and should not eat – no mushrooms for me, which is lucky as I hate them.
Now, if I close my eyes and try hard enough, I can imagine I am back in the tranquil yoga pavilion at Ananda. Which certainly beats the drafty village hall.
FACTFILE: Health and Fitness Travel offers four nights at Ananda in the Himalayas from £ 2,170pp. See healthandfitnesstravel.com. Price is full board, plus wellness programme and transfers. Virgin Atlantic flies daily from Heathrow to Delhi from £438 return. See virginatlantic.com.