Between the Ganges and the foot of the Himalayas, the Ananda Spa is the ideal place to recharge your batteries and take care of yourself.

In India, in the region of Uttar Pradesh, north of Delhi, the Ananda is a former Maharajah palace, perched in the heights of the Himalayas. Today converted into a sumptuous hotel with 75 rooms and suites, the Ananda overlooks the Ganges Valley, offered as a spectacle to its guests, in an exceptional natural setting. A true temple of Well-being, the Ananda is a hotel-Spa. Extremely luxurious and comprehensive, the Spa stretches over 2100 m2 and offers more than 80 types of treatments based on ancient sciences including Ayuverda. The decoration combines inspiration from Royal India with contemporary touches. A serene setting. Divine treatments. Exquisite organic cuisine. Excursions in the heart of nature and discovery of Rishikesh, the cradle of yoga and Ayurveda.

July and August: Euro 350 per night with taxes and breakfast

The Ananda Spa offers an exceptional deal, starting at 3875 euros for 7 nights, with a complete slimming program, including:

• A consultation with a doctor and a sports coach (60 minutes),
• A fitness exercise session with a specialist (45 minutes),
• 6 fitness sessions of 60 minutes each,
• 3 personalized yoga sessions, 60 minutes each,
• 12 Detoxifying Spa Treatments, including 2 90-minute massages, one Aromatherapy and one Swedish,
• An Ayurvedic Abhyanga,
• Debriefing with the doctor and sports coach, with advice on how to prolong the benefits of treatment at home (45 minutes).

YOGA IN INDIA
Yoga is a living tradition, which has its roots in India, and is represented by many institutions throughout the world. The Sivananda International Yoga Vedanta Centres is one such institution and is highly respected throughout the world, including in India. The standards of Yoga teaching developed there are of a high standard and are recognized worldwide and adopted as a model by many other organizations and teachers.

Yoga is a vast tradition comprising different paths, teaching methods and approaches. The four paths of Yoga as practiced in India according to tradition are Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga. (The practice of Yoga postures (asanas) is considered one of the stages of the Raja Yoga path and is therefore an integral part of it.)

In Rishikesh there is an endless choice of activities. One can visit one of the ashrams, each with its own specific teachings and special atmosphere. One can listen to the fascinating lectures of Swami Brahmananda at Shivananda Ashram, sit quietly by the Ganges, or talk to the many characters that this wonderful sacred place attracts. Or perhaps make the pilgrimage to Neel Kantha, a temple dedicated to Shiva: a difficult twelve-kilometer climb into the mountains with an army of monkeys as your escort.

The world capital of yoga, Rishikesh attracts many more tourists than the nearby city of Haridwar. Surrounded by high forested hills, Rishikesh is also for many the starting point for the four sacred places where the Ganges has its source: Yamnotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. There are many temples and even more ashrams or meditation centers, devoted to Western tourists.