Pranayama supports autonomic regulation (see Effects of diaphragmatic breathing on heart rate variability and stress: a narrative review).
VividAshram grounds

Our Story & Mission

VividAshram began as a small, community-rooted space for study and practice. Over two decades it has grown into a sanctuary where classical yoga, meditation and Ayurveda meet structured social outreach. Our mission is simple: to restore balance in body, mind and relationships using time-tested practices, while serving the wider community through free clinics, education and sustainable living initiatives.

We design programs for seekers at every level — from short weekend retreats tailored for urban schedules to residential courses that explore deeper contemplative work. Safety, informed consent and practical benefit are central to everything we teach. Where modern medical or psychological issues arise, we encourage learners to consult licensed practitioners and share their care plans with our team so practices are adapted responsibly.

This page explains our lineage, governance, the people who guide our programs, and the editorial and safety policies that shape our public content. Our aim is to be transparent — both for you and for reviewers who evaluate the site for quality and trust. If you are here seeking support or a program recommendation, start with the Offerings page and use the Contact form to tell us about any medical history or accessibility needs.

Meet the Founder — Debesh Ranjan

Debesh Ranjan

Debesh Ranjan — Founder & Spiritual Researcher

Founder of VividAshram. 25+ years of dedicated study and practice in Vedic traditions, meditation and practical wellbeing. Debesh leads the editorial direction, programs design and community initiatives at VividAshram.

Contact: debesh_r@vividashram.com

About Debesh’s experience: Debesh has been working with students, research groups and community organisations since the early 2000s. His approach blends traditional study of Sanskrit texts and classical lineages with careful adaptation for modern urban life. Over the years he has authored public guides, led retreats attended by hundreds, and trained a cohort of teachers in trauma-aware practice and safe Ayurvedic procedures.

Why we publish what we do: Much of VividAshram’s content is born from real practice — case studies, field notes from retreats, and documentation of clinic outcomes — rather than generic summaries. Where claims are medical in nature, we include citations and encourage readers to consult clinicians. This lived-experience focus is essential to meet modern expectations for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness.

Teachers, Lineage & Ethical Practice

Our teachers come from diverse training backgrounds with decades of practice in classical lineages. We emphasise safe teaching methods, clear guidance, and a culture of respect that places student welfare first. All ashram activities follow ethical guidelines and accessibility principles — details and teacher biographies are shown in the Ashram Team section below and on individual teacher profile pages.

We require instructors to complete internal safety training that covers: trauma-informed teaching, simple first-aid relevant to our retreats, and a code of ethics regarding boundaries, confidentiality and consent. Where clinical interventions are provided (Panchakarma, therapeutic herbs), licensed practitioners supervise treatment plans.

Ayurveda & Herbal Care (Safety First)

Our Ayurveda clinic focuses on personalized consultations and gentle therapies. All consultations are conducted by qualified practitioners and we maintain process transparency: formulation ingredients, suggested dose, and safety notes appear on product pages and consultation handouts. If you are taking prescription medication or have a chronic medical condition, please inform our clinic before trying any herbal product.

We also publish clear contraindications and cite authoritative sources (Ministry of AYUSH guidance, classical texts where relevant, and peer-reviewed research summaries). These references appear at the end of clinical articles so readers and reviewers can verify claims easily.

Community Work & How You Can Help

Donations fund free medical camps, schooling support and sustainable agriculture initiatives. If you would like to contribute please visit Donate for transparent details on fund allocation. We publish an annual community report showing expenditure items so donors can verify where funds are spent.

Volunteers are welcome; we post current opportunities on the News page. Volunteers receive a program brief and a safety checklist before participating. We work with local NGOs and health clinics to coordinate medical camps and educational programs.

Ashram Team — Teachers & Practitioners

Our core teaching team blends lived practice with formal training. Click any profile to read a full biography, including qualifications and contact details for program bookings.

Guru Arun

Guru Arun — Head Teacher

Senior teacher with 25+ years of practice in classical Hatha and Raja yoga. Arun leads residential retreats and trains junior teachers.

Dr. Meera

Dr. Meera — Ayurveda Physician

BAMS-qualified physician focused on dosha assessment, Panchakarma planning and product quality control for our Ayurveda shop.

Priya

Priya — Meditation Coach

Specialises in mindfulness, breathwork and psychotherapy-informed practices. Priya runs guided sessions and trainings.

Rajan

Rajan — Herbologist & Workshop Lead

Curates the herb garden and leads practical workshops on plant identification and safe formulation practices.

Practical Info & Transparency

  • Bookings: Reserve retreats and consultations via Contact or the Offerings page.
  • Privacy & Data: We collect minimal data for bookings and donations — read our Privacy Policy.
  • Editorial & Safety Policy: We maintain an Editorial Policy that explains how we research and verify content, list contributors, and correct errors.
  • Donor Transparency: Annual community report available at Community Report.

Connect With Us

For bookings, volunteer enquiries or teacher-led programs email info@vividashram.com or use the Contact page. We aim to respond to program enquiries within 72 hours on business days.

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