Sivananda Kutir Ashram (Netela).

We came here because it had been recommended to us, and we liked the fact it was going to not be a strict "hippy-type" place.

We were very impressed with the setting, next to the Ganges, and we got beautiful sunshine.  Unfortunately despite booking a double room three months in advance we were made to stay in a guest house up the hill, and were only invited to some of the activities. We didn't feel very welcome.

We got a room a couple of days later after persisting, and this seemed to cause some resentment towards us by some of the teachers. This put a cloud over our stay and we couldn't help noticing the cloud amongst the teachers who we thought were meant to inspire us.

Teachers were arguing over who would take classes and the serene ashram expectations started to fade.

We didn't realise that the course would also include chanting and meditation, but we were keen to learn and enjoy the activities.  Our Asana yoga teacher taught us in this room, and if a little slow, he was very good with lots of positional corrections.

Lots of memorabilia filled the rooms, and worship was made to the founders of this type of yoga.

It was a little too 'cult of personality' at times, and this filtered right down through the hierarchy.

We were regularly chanting " Hare Krishna" for 5 minutes before food which is a little unusual for us.

Of course "Aum" featured a lot in proceedings.

Sonya and Gunter were also booked onto the course and they too had reservations about the atmosphere here, and the religious angle to the yoga retreat. They kept us sane by exchanging healthy skepticism.

On our last day we escaped to the Ganges river where we wandered around enjoying the sun, wondering whether to leave.  (We say escaped because you are not meant to leave the ashram without permission).

Earlier that morning, Jason had been nominated to be the MC of a talent show later that night. We were also distracted by the somewhat bitchines of the teachers who all seemed to be crying or arguing with one another. One teacher left/got sacked whilst we were there, and the whole weird atmosphere combined with the "Butlins holiday camp" environment made us decide to leave. To quote Jason " I am too old to be MCing a talent show at this spiritual Butlins".

On our walk around Netela, we met these cute kids.

... and lots of tough woman carrying far too much grass on their backs... whilst the men seem to sit around and smoke it.

People drying seeds and beans cause they too aren't allowed to eat eggs, meat etc.

This horrid creepy man grabbed Claire on the way down to the ashram and begged for a photo, he pressed himself up against Claire for far too long.  Jason (as husband, as its far easier to say this so they will go away) had his hand nearly shaken off in appreciation for allowing the photo.  YUK.