Ganga Puri
Born and raised at Santosh Puri Ashram on the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar, Yogacharya Ganga Puri is the eldest of the three siblings guiding YogAnga Retreat. He grew up in a traditional yogic environment, in close contact with saints, practitioners, and the discipline of ashram life.
His father, Baba Santosh Puri, was a Juna Akhara naga sanyasi who performed intense austerities along the Ganga, while his mother, Narvada Puri Mataji, came from Europe in search of Truth and devoted her life to the same path. This unique lineage shaped his early life and understanding of yoga.
Ganga Puri initially studied Physics and Mathematics at Garhwal University in Srinagar. Following the mahasamadhi of his father in 2001, his life took a new direction, moving from a scientific orientation toward a deeper commitment to spiritual practice. Meditation and yoga became central to his life, leading him to pursue further studies in Human Consciousness and Yogic Science at Gurukul Kangri University in Haridwar.
Teaching and Practice
After many years of dedicated practice and self-study, Ganga Puri developed his own system of Hatha Yoga, known as Āyāsa Vinyāsa YogAnga Abhyāsa. His teaching integrates traditional elements such as asana, pranayama, mudra, pratyahara, and meditation, with a strong emphasis on discipline, awareness, and consistency in practice.
He teaches daily at the ashram, leads Yoga Teacher Trainings, and guides Himalayan pilgrimage retreats. His approach draws from classical yogic texts while remaining grounded in direct experience and practical application.
Over the years, he has also been invited to share his teachings internationally, offering workshops and courses in India, Europe, and the United States.
Together with his sisters, Mandakini Puri and Alaknanda Puri, he carries forward the spiritual and educational activities of Santosh Puri Ashram. Through YogAnga Retreat, he shares a traditional yet living approach to yoga, rooted in practice, study, and the rhythm of ashram life.
YogAnga Retreat Programs led by Ganga Puri
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Hatha Yoga: Asana & Pranayama
Explore various techniques of traditional Hatha Yoga: Asana & Pranayama by deepening your practice by living a spiritual life within a residential ashram environment. All will benefit from our general guest asana classes, whether you are a beginner or have previous experience.
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Patanjali Yoga Sutras Lecture Courses
Patanjali Yoga Sutras Philosophy lecture course with Ganga Puri gives an introduction to Jñana Yoga in four chapters: Samadhi, Sadhana, Vibhuti, and Kaivalya. Take your yoga practice to the next level by gaining a deeper understanding of the eight limbs of yoga.
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YogAnga Retreat France, at St Izaire
YogAnga Retreat France: Ananda Mataji Hermitage at St Izaire carries the spirit of Santosh Puri Ashram, from the banks of the Ganga River all the way to the banks of the Dourdou de Camares River in the South of France. For our European Friends who can't travel all the way to India, but miss the daily routine of a sadhana retreat.
