Truth & Myths
The Real Question Behind the Fear
Before joining a yoga retreat in India, almost everyone asks:
“Is the food clean? Or will I end up sick?”
Between street-food horror stories and glossy resorts, confusion is real. At Akshara Yoga School, the modern ashram in rural North India, we hear this often. So let us uncover the truth.
Myth #1: Ashram Food = Fire on the Tongue
Most people confuse restaurant curries with yogic food.
Traditional ashram meals are sattvic: pure, balanced, and calm for the body and mind.
That means:
- Very little chilli or oil
- Fresh local vegetables
- Not to much onion or garlic.
At Akshara, we cook with mild spices, just enough to support digestion. If you are sensitive, we adjust, because food here is meant to stabilize energy, not shock your system. Your needs are audible.
Myth #2: “India Is Dirty, So Ashram Food Must Be Too”
The truth? A serious ashram can not function without hygiene.
No one can meditate or study yoga with stomach pain.
Our kitchen uses filtered water, fresh farm produce, and serves small groups, so food never sits around. Nearly 90% of our meals come from our own organic produce, and 100% of all dairy is sourced from the sustainable Chaudhary Farms dairy, right here on our land. It is not a fancy hotel buffet. It is human, fresh, and cared for.
Generalizing “India = dirty” is like saying “All Western restaurants are spotless.”
Every place has both, the difference is intention.
Myth #3: “If It is Not Instagrammable, It is Bad”
Social media trained us to think pretty = healthy.
But your nervous system prefers warm dal and rice over smoothie bowls and filters.
Ashram meals are simple, repetitive, and designed for mental clarity not for likes.
At Akshara, your plate might look humble, but it is the kind that helps you sleep deeply and wake up light.
What We Actually Eat Here
A day of eating at Akshara Yoga School looks like this:
Morning: herbal tea, fruit, porridge or chapati
Lunch: dal, rice, seasonal vegetables, salad, curd
Dinner: dal or khichdi, light vegetables,
Everything is farm-to-table, vegetarian, and cooked with intention.
Sensitive Stomach? You are Not Alone
Many visitors arrive anxious about Indian food.
Here is how to prepare your body gently:
Before you come:
- Lighten your diet
- Reduce processed food and alcohol
- Start taking a mild probiotic to strengthen your gut flora
When you are here:
- Communicate with us. We adapt spice and oil levels
- Eat slowly, breathe, trust your body
- Consume plenty of fresh curd (yogurt). It is produced on our farm and curd itself is a natural probiotic. It helps maintain healthy gut bacteria and supports smooth digestion while your body adjusts to India’s food and climate.
We don’t promise perfection, but we promise care.
Ashram vs. Resort Food: What Do You Want?
If you want buffets, desserts, and cocktails — go to a resort.
If you want a turning point, not a holiday — come to our modern ashram.
Here, food is not entertainment. It is a tool for balance, an act of mindfulness, a moment to reconnect with nature and simplicity.
So… Is It Spicy or Dirty?
No. Real ashram food is clean, gentle, and deeply healing.
What is “dirty” is often the misunderstanding not the food.
At Akshara Yoga School, our meals are:
- Farm-fresh
- Cooked with care
- Served in small groups
- Designed to help you breathe easier, not burn your tongue
Final Thought
You don’t have to choose between dirty and spicy or fake and fancy.
There is a third path: real, rural India, where food becomes part of your transformation.
If you are ready to experience authentic yoga ,from what you practice to what you eat, join us at Akshara Yoga School.
Explore our:
- 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Courses
- 80-hour Yoga Foundation
- 7-day Yoga Vacations
- Tailor-made Retreats in rural India
Come not for a holiday but for a turning point.
