Atma Vikasa Centre in Mysore

The Atma Vikasa Yoga Centre is a research institute of yoga, philosophy and Indian sculpture that is set up in 1998. The centre is started by Yogacharya V Venkatesha and his wife Acharye Hema. The centre has well trained tutors to teach yogic sciences. Activities at Atma Vikasa centre includes asanas, pranayama, saskrit, yoga sutra, chanting of mantras, mudras, kriyas and meditation. The institute emphasizes on Indian tradition, perfection, alignments, relaxation and scientific understanding.

Courses at Atma Vikasa centre:

The Atma Vikasa institute offers specific courses for the advanced practitioners and teacher training programs. The courses at Atma Vikasa centre are basic yogasana for 4 weeks, pranayam for 8weeks and meditation based on yoga therapies for minimum one month. All treatments at the centre are based on the doctor’s consultation and advice. The regular courses of the institute are intensive. Students study at the institute study for at least eight or more hours a day. The regular course involves classes for asanas, bhajans, philosophy, library, Sanskrit, meditation and many more. The classes at the institute are different as it start and end with a shloka.

Teachers at Atma Vikasa centre:

The founder director of Atma Vikasa centre is Yogacharya V Venkatesha, is quiet famous in the field of yoga and has won many awards in this field. He along with his wife, Achraya Hema is principal teacher here. His wife Achraya Hema is handling philosophy/ Sanskrit classes and administration at the Atma Vikasa centre. Yogacharya V Venkatesha is a self taught yoga practitioner and has been practicing yoga from the age of 13. He is popularly known as Rubber Yogi because of his back bending asanas. He focuses on scientific and traditional yoga and a holistic approach that includes physical, intellectual and philosophical yoga.

The centre also has a team of advanced practitioners that are trained by the duo who teach at the institute. The teachers of the institute do not force or manipulate limbs while teaching asanas. Students at the institute are allowed to find their own comfort level before moving on to the next level.

Accommodation at Atma Vikasa Centre:

Atma Vikasa Centre doesn’t have residential accommodation. People have to make their own staying arrangements. You can stay as paying guests in the area of Atma Vikasa centre. The area has many local residents who have rooms to let, hotels and hostels for students of Atma Vikasa to stay. Some of the hotels that are near the centre are – Hotel Mayura Hoysala, The Green hotel and The Viceroy.

Dining at Atma Vikasa Centre:

The Atma Vikasa centre itself organizes food for students and charge Rs. 20 per meal. The food that is prepared at the centre is boiled, steamed and lightly sautéed. It mostly serves sprouts, greens, dals, vegetables and curd. There are few restaurants at a walking distance of the centre where you can eat if you want a change.