My experience at Kaivalyadhama - One of the oldest Yoga institute in the World

We decided at the spur of a moment that we need to leave behind my house that holds many memories of the past. A past I have been trying to get away from, since the last 10 years. It was a very busy trip on the way in the car. My head was throbbing with thoughts, like if I’ll be accepted by the people there or not. The availability of rooms were scarce. But in the end we managed to secure one, rest is history.

The nature, the people and the generosity of teachers sharing their knowledge is amazing. It started to be clear to me in the beginning that I won’t be able to keep the pace up after quitting marijuana. But I was moved after seeing the intensity of people yearning for a healthy lifestyle here. Yes there are plenty of places to go to travel, as you know I have Sagittarius blood. But this place forces you to travel inside of you. There is no better feeling knowing this.

There are thought channels that have opened up, I never knew I had the capacity to venture on like so. My mind is a bit more clear now as to its purpose. It’s not fogged like the outside of Kaivalyadhama. It contributes to a great upliftment of people. It is here that I began to learn about instruction and interaction. They rationalised my mind to follow consistency.

They pointed me to my prime goal, yoga, the answer to all our questions. Experiential yoga was the answer to my depression. I made here many friends and sympathisers. Many skeptic ideas had failed before me with this practice. I made up my mind that I had to complete my journey. Founded by Swami Kuvalayananda he wanted to challenge science with pure yoga. He manifested it by teaching yoga formally.

They are strictly vegetarian here and the dining area is also segregated for people who are in different focus groups.

What Is Kaivalyadhama
- Founded in 1924 by Swami Kuvalayananda in Lonavla, Maharashtra, India.
- It’s a spiritual, therapeutic, and research center that blends traditional yogic practices with modern science.
- Recognized as the oldest scientific yoga research institute globally.
- Offers certification, diploma, and degree programs in Yogashastra and Yoga Therapy.
- Recognized by India’s Ministry of Education as an All India Institute of Higher Education.
- Hosts international students and collaborates with institutions like HSNC University.
- The Health Care Centre integrates Yoga, Ayurveda, and Naturopathy for detox, healing, and rejuvenation.
- Programs include pain management, hormone revival, anti-aging, and cancer care.
- Daily schedule includes pranayama, meditation, sattvic meals, and expert health talks.
- Has branches in France, the U.S., and other parts of India.
- Publishes the Yoga Mimamsa journal, the world’s first scientific yoga journal.
- Hosts international conferences on yoga and wellness since 1984.
It’s not just a yoga institute—it’s a living legacy of holistic healing and scientific inquiry.