Anand Lok, across The Ganga

I am on day four out of a one week yoga spiritual retreat at the heavenly Anand Lok in Rishikesh. I truly cannot say more positive things about the accommodations, the food, the customer service and the staff. I am an American physician traveling all the way from Boston, MA with yoga teachers Elizabeth Guardia-Liberatore and Bristol Maryott of Jala Studio Yoga and Art out of Providence, RI. It is very difficult for me to relax. As soon as I stepped foot on this tranquil property and experienced the kindness of the staff and the phenomenal vegetarian cuisine, I knew I had reached heaven! My lovely room, Yahuma 5, is pristine clean with plenty of fresh towels, hot shower and the most comfortable beds with soft 100 percent cotton sheets and comfortable pillows. Clean rugs throughout my room. The grounds contain ethereal gardens and beautifully painted and maintained buildings. The yoga rooms are truly spectacular. Plenty of cleans mats and props including bolsters and blocks. The air is always fresh up here! Everything is so clean and the staff bends over backwards to make certain that you have everything that you need for a successful, life changing retreat. Today, in Anand Lok’s Ayurvedic Center, I had a phenomenal Ayurvedic head, shoulders and back massage as well as a foot reflexology session by the amazingly talented Abhi. In my 56 years, I have completed 22 marathons all over the world and have had countless numbers of massages. But it is here at Anand Lok where I had the best massage of my entire life by this young man Abhi, talented beyond his years. So, if you are looking to heal your spirit, to become a better human being, to appreciate life and to be close to nature and to the sacred and healing waters of the River Ganga, Anand Lok is where you want to be. The most beautiful birds are here. Anand Lok’s guides will take you safely to and from the River Ganga and they will help organize the best hikes and River rafting tips. Dinesh and his crew have been truly wonderful! Vikas has also been spectacular! Many thanks to this phenomenal staff led by owner Rohit Parihar, and a special thank you to Abhi the gifted Ayurvedic practitioner. I will return and I will bring my children next time!