In the world of yoga and fitness in general, Rishikesh has established its mettle for decades. Considered as the yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains, alongside the banks of the river Ganges, invites yoga enthusiasts and fitness lovers from all around the globe and find themselves through Yoga Meditation (Dhyaan) and spirituality. People of all age groups, backgrounds and from all walks of life come to Rishikesh to find themselves. But today, the scenario has slightly changed, and it is Goa which is becoming the new Rishikesh.

The Millennial and Gen Z crowd not only want fitness tailored to their specifications, but also want spirituality in general to meet them halfway in their modern, contemporary lifestyles. This is where Goa has emerged as one of the most loved yoga destinations in the world through the Spiritual Yoga retreats in Goa. Goa seems to effortlessly bring the traditional yogic wisdom of India with the modern-day approach and contemporary values such as Sustainability and globalism. In this guide, we will explore why Goa is becoming the new Rishikesh and how it brings together modernity and spirituality, offering a wholesome package.

People are Prioritising Purpose Over Parties

Initially Goa and the general perception of people regarding enjoyment favour vibrant parties, colourful nightlife, loud gatherings and chaotic music, but there has been a noticeable shift wherein people are moving from loud parties to prioritising purpose. Goa has come up as a wellness identity where yoga travellers and people interested in the wellness realm seek healing self discovery, transformation, spirituality and a unique connection with themselves, which is only possible through healing and mindfulness.

Change in Natural Settings (Mountain to Beach)

Goa not only offers a refreshing alternative in terms of the experience, people get to have there. But there is also a change in the natural settings which invite people to the city. Rishikesh is placed in the foothills of the Himalayas and therefore offers a mountain landscape with a calming presence of the Ganges, which helps one energise the soul. On the other hand, Goa is located on a serene beachside setup which invites visitors to practise Sun Meditations, wake up with the rising sun on the beach, practise yoga in the serene backdrop of the Oceans and sand, and beaches. Goa symbolises healing, stillness, and liberation. This invites people in. Beaches in addition to being nature’s mighty presence, also remind one to go with the flow and surrender completely in order to seek healing.

Goa Offers a Cocktail of Tradition and Contemporary Relevance

One of the major reasons Goa is becoming the new Rishikesh is because Goa offers a tasteful cocktail of tradition and contemporary relevance. It fuses modernity, tradition bringing you the ancient yogic wisdom of India in the form of traditional style such as Hatha and Ashtanga and pair them with modern day requirements and practices like Aerial yoga. Goa along with offering authentic yoga styles and Spiritual yoga retreats in Goa also offers a package of other experiences such as Ayurveda and detox therapies like Panchkarma along with sound healing, mudgar strength training, and various kinds of wellness spas. From earthly cafes to Restaurants that offer serve locally sourced nutritious meals, Goa not only blends the east and the West, it also blends tradition and modernity bringing wellness without compromising on modern comforts.

Goa is a Favoured Yoga Destination

Goa is one of the favourite yoga destinations in the world. With its cosmopolitan vibe, global Yoga Festivals and international-level wellness spas and traditional yoga ashrams, Goa not only offers you an authentic yoga experience, but it also gives you a chance to experience tradition with a modern vibe and setup. In addition to offering authenticity in yoga, Goa also makes sure that the city is absolutely tourist-friendly and safe. With its app infrastructure, warm local communities, and tourist-friendly modifications, Goa becomes one of the most favoured yoga destinations.

Yoga teacher training courses

There are various yoga schools and traditional ashrams in Goa which offer unique yoga styles and Yoga teacher training courses, which are certified by the Yoga Alliance, making Goa one of the top places to come for Yoga vacations, Wellness weekends or professional skill development in the form of Yoga teacher training courses.

A range of options to choose from

Goa offers a plethora of options for tourists to choose from. Goa has offerings in terms of various yoga styles. From traditional to modern day, from Hatha to Aerial, there are various types of wellness retreats focusing on different areas such as spirituality, physical movement, meditation etc. The yoga ashrams are based in different locations and setups, driving the vibe that you are looking for. For instance, if you are in the mood for a calm yoga experience,  you could visit N Goa but if you want more community vibe and you want to explore other local things in addition to Yoga, South Goa could be a better option. Then there are other items such as drop-in classes which allow you to experience yoga without having the commitment to enrol in a full-time course. And most importantly, you get authentic yoga instructors who are the traditional Indian yoga masters who have grown up in India and learnt yoga in the traditional yogic way.

Goa is growing as a wellness tourism Hub

One of the other reasons that Goa has surpassed Rishikesh in terms of being the yoga capital is that wellness tourism has seen an incredible rise, especially in Goa. As per a report shared by the Ministry of tourism in India, the wellness tourism in Goa is predicted to grow annually 20%. This is not just a huge figure in terms of growth rate but also an indication of future developments and in terms of infrastructure connectivity, airport development, and other hospitality arrangements, making yoga tourism a prime attraction. Another reason that Goa is becoming a favourite spot for yoga tourists is its accessibility and affordability, as compared to the Himalayan resorts of Rishikesh

Conclusion

It’s true that Goa and Rishikesh are both beautiful cities and excellent in terms of celebrating and preserving yoga, but it is the uniqueness of the modern-day requirements and amenities met with classical, authentic yoga offerings and sessions that encourage spirituality and make Goa one of the most preferred destinations for yoga around the globe. If you want to experience Yoga teacher training in Goa, enrolling in AdiYogam in North Goa Arambol can be a good idea.