Testimonials

From the Participants

Pardeep (Delhi, India)
"Really fabulous, Real picture of Spiritual belief"
Mario
Thank you, to Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, the talented students, volunteers, spiritual leaders, dignitaries, yoga masters, sacred music masters, and all the participants from all over the world. The International Yoga Festival creates a beautiful spiritual space to be, discover, and feel the power of universe.
Erica
“I am very happy and grateful for the time I shared with you. I am very happy in each festival. Thanks to all the organization for making these days a beautiful shared present. Great companions, great organizers and great teachers. Many thanks. My heart is again full of happiness.
Anika (India)
“It was indeed a life-changing experience with all the beautiful souls. I made some extraordinary friends for life and also met some guiding angels. I will see you all again next year for sure! Tat twam asi!! Aham brahmasmi!!”
Michelle (Belize)
"Thank you so much for all your hard work for this year's IYF...See you next year, hopefully with more people from Belize!"
Mina (Nakuru, Kenya)
"Excitement increased as we reached the gate of Parmarth Ashram. It was definitely coming home...As always yoga sessions were out of world. Lectures were world class. Can't miss the happy hours of Ganga Aarti. I still do not understand what is attracting me, is it yoga, Ganga, or the ten-star hospitality of Parmarth Ashram...Noticing in ten years lots of Indian nationals are coming to teach and learn yoga. What an awareness in the country!...As ambassador to Kenya, I was treated like one indeed. Especially when Prime Minister Modiji gave live speech, we were asked to sit in front, all photographers flashing on us. It was a proud moment to be one. Really enjoyed."
Diti (India)
"Thank you and the full organising committee so much for the best time I have ever had ever in a long time. The festival was so beautiful and spiritual. I and Karen couldn't thank you enough for providing such a pure platform to practice and understand our yoga better."
Karen (USA)
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for another wonderful festival. I am still on such a high, even though I left yesterday in the afternoon. My friends and I had a wonderful time. We met so many people from all over the world and it was great to exchange stories and laugh around the same table at mealtimes...I cannot wait to be back next year. Till then I wish you all the very best and much love."
Hiro (India)
"A big thank you for such fabulous event. We learnt a lot and this will give us a lot to take home, value to improve our lives and put in practice."
Karen (India)
"If you're looking to learn and experience different forms of yoga and other holistic practices, this festival is the event for you. The sheer variety of classes, workshops and lectures on offer will be hard to come by anywhere else. The ashram's location by the Ganga, its verdant premises and friendly organisers add to the overall experience. I'll definitely head back in 2018 for the third time."
Francesca (Italy)
Stunning, magic, worlds best life transformative experience.
Rohan (Bangalore, India)
"This is one great festival to feel alive once again..."
Neeraj (Karnal, India)
"Unforgettable, Truely International, Salute to Swamiji and Mataji"
Arun (Noida, India)
"Best day of the life. It was so joyous to attend it. You feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Specially spending time near Ganga beach and in meditation you are lost and become timeless."
Namita (Karnal, India)
"Had a delightful stay at the ashram during the IYF. Very well planned and extremely helpful staff. An experience that must not be missed."
Anup (Mumbai, India)
"Confluence of Global Teachers of Yoga and Renowned Spiritual Leaders at the banks of Ganga at Rishikesh is the essence. Free flowing LOVE, KNOWLEDGE, SCINECE OF LIFE / HAPPINESS is in the air."
Varun (India)
"It was really superb...Thanks all the team of Parmarth Niketan & IYF."
Mary (Kolkata, India)
"Came for the first time & was very apprehensive....but now it feels like this is where I belong...truly a home coming experience...coming back again."
Sandi (Vancouver, British Columbia)
"One of the best Yoga Festivals in the world - what better place than on the Ganga."
Neeta (Australia)
I came back because of the amazing friends that I met last year. It is the yoga festival itself that brings all these amazing people here that I know I’m going to meet and form new friendships.
Wei Yu (China)
We came last year and liked it so much that we came back to learn more!
Jessica (Australia)
I'm a yoga teacher from Australia, it's my first time in India. I'm at the festival to deepen my knowledge and further my career.
Viktoria (Sweden)
I came here looking for something and I found out I already have it, now I can just enjoy the moment and the festival...you can always get more!
Carla (Italy)
I've been practicing Iyengar Yoga for about 15 years but it's my first time here. I'm enjoying it very much, it's all very nice.
Karl (Ukraine)
This is my first time to India. I have never tried so many different yogas. I have the yoga and I have the mat and now I have the heart.
Jhumun (Mauritius)
Thanks to the International Yoga Festival 2017, for its organization, that was superb to learn new techniques of asanas and meditations that I will put it into practice, also met with other yogis of other country. Thanks!
Trish (USA)
It’s my very first time abroad and I chose India, but I feel like I’m at home. It feels like a part of me.
Gillen (USA)
I came to the International Yoga Festival because my roots are here, my family is from Rishikesh, and this is a beautiful way to connect. It is my first time in India.
Kshitij (Malaysia)
"Too good...loving it, atmosphere is awesome, teachers are superb."
Emmanuelle (Belgium)
The teachers are amazing, thanks to them, I’m understanding why I do yoga, the reason of why we do asanas. I can feel how my heart and mind are waking up. This is the spirit of the yoga festival at Parmarth Niketan, inspire and go deeper.
Galia (Israel)
I have a spiritual connection with Parmarth Niketan, with Sadhviji, that’s why I came to the IYF 2017.
Georgie (Russia)
Everyone here is so nice. I have never been around this many people practicing yoga! I wish the whole world was like this.
Michelle (Belize)
Arriving at Parmarth Niketan for IYF always feels like coming home to reconnect with family. This year is extra special because I brought a group from Belize and my mom was part of this group. It's an incredible week to connect physically, mentally and spiritually through the myriad of Asana and meditation classes, scientific and spiritual classes and satsang. It's a blessing to be here and I am always grateful for the experience. Thank you and much love to all the organizers!
Carolina (Chile)
As a bottomless trunk and in connection with my whole soul, I feel expanded in love, relaxation and union. Thank you Ganges, thank you Rishikesh, thank you International Yoga Festival for giving us this wonderful stage to remember our true identity.
Jemina
Connected to my heart like never before.
Vikki (India)
Such a beautiful experience being surrounded by such loving souls.
Annemarie (USA)
The iyf is a gathering of union. Individuals from all over the world coming together for a shared experience of connection through yoga. It truly uplifting week.
Jenny (Brighton, United Kingdom)
"I am opening my mind in the foothills of the Himalayas with so many great people, in such a beautiful place. It's wonderful."
Jackie (California, USA)
“I came to the festival with the question and the curosity for knowing ‘What is Yoga.’ Throughout this week I have learned so much about Yoga and with the insights, wisdom and experience of the presenters and the saints I have learned how to balance between spiritual and material world. I am forever grateful. This experience has opened my eyes in so many ways and helped me realize there is so much work to be done and so much that I can offer.”
Alice (Hamburg, Germany)
"I HAVE COME HERE SIX TIMES AND IT'S DIFFERENT EVERY YEAR.
What I really appreciate is the that I can drop into the Indian crowd or the German crowd or any crowd I like."
Shulamit (Tel Aviv, Israel)
"I knew the yoga would be great, but the great satsangs are such a nice bonus."
Elisabeth (Amaliada, Greece)
"The interesting blend of Indian and Western approaches to yoga is so refreshing.
The International Yoga Festival is both serious and fun simultaneously."
Tiia (Helsinki, Finland)
"The teachings are so deep, the atmosphere is beautifully light and the people are so open.
The International Yoga Festival is more than I can ask for from any yoga event."
Amilee (Sydney, Australia)
"I came to the International Yoga Festival to meet the yogis of the world and to validate my life choice to be a yogi by being around others who have made the same decision.
My favorite part so far is the encounters with nameless yogis! Serendipity and anonymity combine at IYF for incredibly authentic experiences."
Chisako (Tokyo, Japan)
"I decided I wanted to be a yoga instructor so I quit my job and came to the International Yoga Festival to dive in to the deep end and learn the best yoga."
Sasch (Bergamo, Italy)
"I come to Parmarth Niketan to International Yoga Festival every year to recharge my batteries and to find my center again."
Dina (Portugal)
“I feel so blessed that I am in this place, sharing amazing classes and energy with amazing people. The festival is really well organized and beautiful.”
Monica (Palermo, Italy)
"I absolutely love the structure, the setting and the energy.  I feel safe and comfortable. It is exactly what I wanted for my first solo trip to India."
Peter (Ljubania, Slovenia)
"As a new yoga teacher it's amazing to listen and learn from so many great teachers, and especially in such a divine location."
Deborah (San Diego, USA)
"The Yoga Festival has been a perfect reason to finally come home to India."
Jennifer (Shanghai, China)
"I've been studying yoga for 6 years and am so glad to find such a diverse set of teachers and styles, some much more than I could find at home."
Lukas (Copenhagen, Denmark)
"As a total beginner to mindfulness the International Yoga Festival is proving to be a perfect way to sample lots of yoga and meditation styles."
Naima (Fakse, Denmark)
"MY DESIRE FOR SELF-LOVE BROUGHT ME HERE.
I am deeply impressed by the festival, and was truly in awe of Shivamani's performance."
Vik (Bangalore, India)
"Practicing Kundalini with such amazing instructors on the Ganges with this diverse community has been an incredible experience."
Mina (Nakuru, Kenya)
"Initially I came for the yoga, but now I return for the people."
Mira (Nairobi, Kenya)
“I have been coming for 8 years now and I keep having a better experience. I already can’t wait for next year. To experience so many different types of yoga and spiritual practice on the banks of Ganga is such a blessing!”
Anil (India)
“This is the best Yoga Festival I have attended. It unifies and aligns one's mind, intellect and body in Unison."
Elenora (Sao Paolo, Brazil)
“Wow! This experience has been intense, so beautiful, I feel truly blessed to be here. What a wonderful gift."
Leland (Los Angeles, USA)
“I think this festival is wonderful, and will be a transformative experience."
Rashmi (Ranchi, India)
“Yoga is my hobby. I want to learn as much as I can here during the IYF. This is my second time to the festival and it’s wonderful to be here again”
Sue (Pennsylvania, USA)
“It’s a magical experience to be at the Yoga Festival with folks from 55 counties all following the yogic path. My heart swells with love being here”
Paola (Montvale, Uruguay)
“I’m very happy. As a yoga teacher it’s a dream to come to Parmarth Niketan for the International Yoga Festival”
Mary (Melbourne, Australia)
“This is my first time to IYF and so far it has exceeded any expectations..For me it’s a platform to discover myself.”
Erica (New York, USA)
“The Yoga Festival is amazing! It is so much more than I expected”
Ivana (Zagreb, Croatia)
"I AM SO GLAD I HAVE COME.
I am the Croatian ambassador for a yoga initiation program for children. I have to come to here to see all these gifted global teachers and to learn from them."
Palomi (Los Angeles, USA)
“This is my second year back at the festival. I am really enjoying the workshops, they are so powerful. I like that the classes are in both Hindi & English which adds a lot of value to the experience. The vibration is a great spiritual experience.”
Rodrigo (Lisbon, Portugal)
“I attended the festival last year, this is my second time back. It’s confirmed once again how good and intense these classes are.”
Bernd (Munich, Germany)
“This is my first time attending IYF. I really enjoy meeting the beautiful people from all over the world.”
Mathias (Munich, Germany)
“This is my second year attending IYF and I’ve brought a friend with me. The teachers are great, the food is great and I am really enjoying myself”
Annie (Rockland Country, New York)
“They have everything in the world here. I love the classes, lectures and the dance performances.”
Emily (Brisbane, Australia)
“I am here for the first time. I wanted to let go of my mind in mediation. Today I fully experienced meditation for the first time.”
Fergus (Brisbane, Australia)
“I came here because I do yoga. I do yoga because of all the scientific benefits, for my physical and mental well being. Also to gain wisdom and philosophy from people completely opposite backgrounds than me.”
Jean (Marin, California, USA)
“The IYF has raised my consciousness to a new level. I will go back to my community and try and help in any way to improve the environment.”

Click here to read testimonials from IYF presenters. 

Click here to read reviews from IYF’s Facebook.