| Prashanti Kutiram, or the Abode of Peace, is the | | | | leading to the same God in ways the different |
| name of the campus of the most prestigious school | | | | followers can understand and integrate. |
| for aspiring yoga instructors in the world. Its name is | | | | The SVYASA has been dedicated to research and |
| conducive to yoga, but the Westerner needs to | | | | education in this tradition. It takes its guidance from |
| know what he's in for. | | | | documents in the original Sanskrit. It does not cater |
| Arriving in Bangalore, the Western yoga student can | | | | to those of Western citizenry, but makes |
| ease himself into the Indian culture, as everywhere | | | | Westerners bow to Indian culture and tradition while |
| you look here there is a mix of East and West. A | | | | installed as students there. Vegetarian meals only are |
| mix of modern and old time Indian traditions can be | | | | served on the floor with no cutlery. No shoes may |
| enjoyed before the student is immersed in original | | | | be worn in any classroom. Students should expect to |
| Indian ways. The Prashanti Kutiram is located about | | | | stand for large amounts of time. Many classes are |
| 30 kilometers north of Bangalore, but an office in the | | | | held with students sitting on the floor, and only |
| city accommodates international travelers in | | | | sometimes are chairs provided to those who cannot |
| transportation between the city and the campus. | | | | tolerate the floor for the long periods necessary. |
| The Prashanti Kutiram is part of the Swami | | | | Discipline in paramount. Students must report for roll |
| Vivekananda Yoga Anusamdhana Samsthan | | | | call or risk losing their certification. Attendance is |
| (SVYASA), or Yoga Research Institute in India. It's | | | | considered of primary importance. Another |
| not for everybody, though. You must be a dedicated | | | | book-camp-like requirement is the uniform, although |
| student. The rules here are strict and the studies | | | | not very military in appearance! Women must wear |
| intense. | | | | an Indian tunic and pants suit called a salwaar kameez |
| The SVYASA teaches the original meaning and | | | | made of cotton. This can be modified slightly to |
| purposes of yoga. Intensive yoga instruction and | | | | accommodate yoga poses. Men sport loose fitting |
| yoga-inspired therapy techniques are taught. This is | | | | pants and tee shirts. All students are expected to |
| not just a school about the yoga positions, or asanas. | | | | remain on the grounds 100% of the time. They can |
| This school teaches the original idea of yoga, the | | | | be recognized and identified and yoga instructor |
| integration of mind, body and spirit. Here you learn | | | | students by their uniforms. There are very few |
| how to use yoga's teachings in everyday activities. | | | | exceptions to the attendance rules allowed, and only |
| Swami Vivekananda is a scholar and a monk. He is a | | | | for very good, documented reasons. |
| recognized expert in Indian yoga philosophy, and the | | | | With the popularity of yoga in the Western world |
| institute was named for him. He spoke once at the | | | | today, there are many schools closer and easier than |
| Parliament of Religions about the Hindu philosophy of | | | | the SVYASA where you can attain good instruction. |
| religions. Unlike many other organized religions, | | | | But if you want the best yoga instruction, travel to |
| Hinduism holds all religions as sacred paths to God. | | | | Bangalore. |
| There is no "one true path," but many viable paths all | | | | |