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Prashanti Kutiram, or the Abode of Peace, is the name of the campus of the most prestigious school for aspiring yoga instructors in the world. Its name is conducive to yoga, but the Westerner needs to know what he's in for.

Arriving in Bangalore, the Western yoga student can ease himself into the Indian culture, as everywhere you look here there is a mix of East and West. A mix of modern and old time Indian traditions can be enjoyed before the student is immersed in original Indian ways. The Prashanti Kutiram is located about 30 kilometers north of Bangalore, but an office in the city accommodates international travelers in transportation between the city and the campus.

The Prashanti Kutiram is part of the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusamdhana Samsthan (SVYASA), or Yoga Research Institute in India. It's not for everybody, though. You must be a dedicated student. The rules here are strict and the studies intense.

The SVYASA teaches the original meaning and purposes of yoga. Intensive yoga instruction and yoga-inspired therapy techniques are taught. This is not just a school about the yoga positions, or asanas. This school teaches the original idea of yoga, the integration of mind, body and spirit. Here you learn how to use yoga's teachings in everyday activities.

Swami Vivekananda is a scholar and a monk. He is a recognized expert in Indian yoga philosophy, and the institute was named for him. He spoke once at the Parliament of Religions about the Hindu philosophy of religions. Unlike many other organized religions, Hinduism holds all religions as sacred paths to God. There is no "one true path," but many viable paths all leading to the same God in ways the different followers can understand and integrate.

The SVYASA has been dedicated to research and education in this tradition. It takes its guidance from documents in the original Sanskrit. It does not cater to those of Western citizenry, but makes Westerners bow to Indian culture and tradition while installed as students there. Vegetarian meals only are served on the floor with no cutlery. No shoes may be worn in any classroom. Students should expect to stand for large amounts of time. Many classes are held with students sitting on the floor, and only sometimes are chairs provided to those who cannot tolerate the floor for the long periods necessary.

Discipline in paramount. Students must report for roll call or risk losing their certification. Attendance is considered of primary importance. Another book-camp-like requirement is the uniform, although not very military in appearance! Women must wear an Indian tunic and pants suit called a salwaar kameez made of cotton. This can be modified slightly to accommodate yoga poses. Men sport loose fitting pants and tee shirts. All students are expected to remain on the grounds 100% of the time. They can be recognized and identified and yoga instructor students by their uniforms. There are very few exceptions to the attendance rules allowed, and only for very good, documented reasons.

With the popularity of yoga in the Western world today, there are many schools closer and easier than the SVYASA where you can attain good instruction. But if you want the best yoga instruction, travel to Bangalore.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Yoga