Jaipur: Indian Ancient Meditation and Yoga Center

A day of practice rather than a class

This is a full day at a meditation and yoga centre in Jaipur, with instruction in the traditional forms rather than a studio workout. It suits travellers who want an actual introduction to the practice in the country it comes from, and people halfway through a hard India itinerary who need a day that is not a fort.

What the day covers

Asana — the postures, taught at a beginner's pace with attention to alignment rather than difficulty. Nothing acrobatic is expected and nobody will ask you to do a handstand.

Pranayama — breath control, which is the part most Western yoga leaves out and which the tradition treats as more important than the postures. Expect anulom vilom (alternate nostril breathing), kapalbhati, and bhramari, each with an explanation of what it is meant to do.

Meditation — guided, usually beginning with breath awareness and moving to a mantra or a candle focus. Twenty minutes is longer than it sounds the first time.

And the philosophy, briefly: where the eight limbs of Patanjali's system come from, why asana is only the third of them, and what the practice was originally for — which was not flexibility.

Who it works for

Complete beginners, and experienced practitioners who want to see the tradition taught from inside it rather than adapted.

Tell the instructor about injuries, pregnancy, high blood pressure or recent surgery before you start — several pranayama practices are contraindicated and a good teacher will substitute.

Practical

Wear something you can move and sit cross-legged in. Mats are provided.

Eat lightly beforehand — most of this is done on an empty or near-empty stomach, which is traditional and also practical.

Bring water. Jaipur is hot outside the practice hall for most of the year.