True Confessions: What It’s Really Like To Be A Yogi In India

My fascination with all things India started in 1967 when John, Paul, George, and Ringo befriended the Maharishi (‘Great Seer’), Mahesh Yogi. He introduced transcendental meditation to the West and gained fame in the 1960s as the spiritual guru to the masses. I was transfixed by his voice, look, and gestures.

While studying at Florida State University, I joined my first yoga class. From there, I dove headfirst into weekly Hatha Yoga sessions on campus, surrounded by fellow “granola flakes,” as we were affectionately called.

A Journey to Reaffirm My Floating Spirit

I traveled to India with a clear purpose: to reaffirm my commitment to living with a floating spirit grounded in adaptable principles. India didn’t just meet that intention—it deepened it.

First Impressions: Arriving in Delhi at 3:40 AM

When my flight descended into Delhi, I gazed out the window and saw what looked like a tangled mess of Christmas lights, freshly pulled from storage. A smoky blanket hung over the city, softening the faded yellow glow of home-lit fires burning for warmth and cooking.

After clearing customs and exchanging dollars for rupees, I stepped out into the early morning air and let India wash over me. The energy, the chaos, the warmth—it all surged through me at once.

Prepare for India with Curiosity, Not Control

Before you go, dig into the history of the city you plan to visit. Delhi overflows with sacred and historical treasures—from Moslem and Hindu temples to Mughal architecture and ancient stairwells. Dust clouds tinged with turmeric swirl through the streets, giving the city a timeless glow.

Don’t leave without tasting a roadside chai and sampling the street food. Try the condiments. Relinquish fear and welcome the unknown! And bring oregano oil capsules, as Yogi Aaron recommends—they’ll help protect your digestive system along the way.

Walk Alone, Stay Curious, Stay Hydrated

Wander alone when you can. Let your feet explore changing terrain. Smell the air. Touch the stones. Notice how the elevation shifts as you journey into the Himalayas.

Drink more water than you think you need. I neglected hydration and suffered severe dehydration until a kind Ayurvedic doctor in Rishikesh helped me recover. Don’t make the same mistake—pack electrolyte tablets and keep your water bottle full.

Let Go of Western Expectations

Drop the comparisons. India isn’t like anywhere else, and it’s not supposed to be. To stay fully present, you must release Western perspectives and create space for something new to take root.

India will teach you unique idioms and spiritual expressions linked to yoga asanas. As I listened and practiced, I discovered a more unified relationship between my body and mind—something I had never fully accessed before.

A Moonlit Meditation in a Sacred Garden

On my last night, our group gathered for a moonlit meditation in a former deer park where Buddha once delivered a sermon. The soft light and quiet surroundings created a powerful container, and Yogi Aaron guided us into a deeply tranquil state.

That moment remains one of my most cherished experiences. In silence, I felt a new clarity emerge.

India Offers Wisdom in Every Step

India doesn’t shout its wisdom—it whispers it in the rhythm of daily life. Every corner, every conversation, every movement reveals another layer of truth. My past two trips reminded me that the most profound teachings often arise from everyday experiences.

In India, I found that devotional life rests on two essential building blocks: compassion and contentment.

When you return home, take the perspective you’ve gained and apply it to your professional, romantic, and personal life. Let the clarity, resilience, and presence you cultivate in India ripple through everything you do.

Travel to India with an open heart. Drop your expectations, embrace uncertainty, and let the experience shape you. India holds the power to change your yoga practice—and your life—forever.

May you have a blissful trip!

 

 

About the Author

Born in Havana, Ramiro A. Fernandez has developed his life’s work around his unrelenting affinity for photography. He was a photo editor by training, working for Time magazine until he retired in 2006. Since then he has continued to work as a volunteer photo editor for the Americas Society in Manhattan, which works to strengthen relationships amongst all the Americas through education, debate, and dialogue. A collector as well as an editor, Fernandez’s archive is quite possibly the largest accumulation of Cuban photography in the world, capturing the island’s history throughout many decades. Fernandez’s two published works showcase his vast collection of over 3,000 vintage Cuban photographs. “I Was Cuba” was published in 2007, and “Cuba Then“, was released in 2014.

Check out these articles for more information on Fernandez’s latest hit:
Cuba on My Mind: Book Spotlights Ramiro A. Fernández Collection
Looking back at Cuba and the Lower East