My experience at Swami Samarpan Ashram began with a 100 hour Kundalini Tantra Course which then became a full 200 hour Teacher Training Course (TTC). Following this, I went on to study a 300 hour Advanced TTC with Swami Ji. During my research for where to study in Rishikesh, I was adamant I wanted to find an authentic experience that was rooted in tradition. The study of Tantra - which is one of the oldest systems of yoga, weaving together many different techniques - was exactly what I was looking for. Swami Ji has been on the yogic path for 30 years and runs what I would call a "proper ashram". While staying there, the student is expected to listen, learn & help with the day-to-day running of the ashram. There is a strong focus on karma yoga - whether it's washing up, gardening or selling the ashram's organic bananas to passers by (which was pretty fun!)
The fantastic teaching, the food, the karma yoga, the pujas (ceremonies), the beautiful natural location - everything about this place is authentic, real yoga. It's not a holiday camp, it's not a hotel, it's a place to study and receive yogic wisdom passed down over centuries. As a Westerner, your ego and intellectual mind will be consistently challenged on a number of levels - but that's the reason I personally came to India. To grow in a way that only results from exposing yourself to such challenge. If this sounds of interest to you, I'd highly recommend the range of Tantra Yoga courses on offer at Samarpan Ashram.