ByronYoga

Written by Brook McCarthy

Ah, Indiahhh. No other country evokes such strong emotions, opinions and expectations. Love it or hate it, rarely is a visitor unmoved. This November, the teaching staff of Byron Yoga Centre warmly invites you to Goa to join us for yoga teacher training, the graduate program, a yoga retreat or a relaxing holiday for non yogi family and friends.

Byron Yoga Centre has chosen the ideal venue – a four-star, purpose-built yoga resort in northern Goa as the location for its first India program. Over two weeks, yogis can undertake our level 1 intensive teacher training, or attend our uplifting yoga retreat or, for the less yogically-inclined, can simply relax, unwind, or explore.

The birthplace of yoga
As the birthplace of yoga, many long-time yoga practitioners view a trip to India as a rite of passage where they seek to discover the origins of this ancient philosophy and practice. The yoga tradition began in India approximately 2200 years ago, codified by the sage Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras and Indian teachers are still at the forefront of developments in yoga philosophy and teaching styles and techniques.

Like everywhere in India, Goa is not what you would expect. Although it suffers under the misconception that it’s overflowing with unwashed hippy tourists, Goa has grown up since its golden hippy years in the 1960s and ‘70s, and offers far more cultural and geographical variety than almost anywhere else in India.

Its colonial Portuguese heritage and hippy-haven history make it very accommodating to tourists and culturally unique while still remaining distinctly Indian. Our venue Ashiyana is a short stroll from Mandrem Beach, one of the best beaches in Goa and always warm and safe for swimming.

Our venue
The Ashiyana resort was chosen because of its experience and popularity with, and purpose-built facilities for, international yoga groups and its extensive, committed staff of yogis and natural health therapists.

It offers high-quality Indian and international cuisine, three yoga shalas and accommodation bordering a coconut palm grove overlooking a river, just a stone’s throw from the beach. Guests can take advantage of various sports and cultural activities, and wellness treatments including Ayurvedic massage, Indian head massage, deep tissue, Swedish, Thai and Shiatsu massage, Reiki and reflexology.

Nearby Mandrem is a sleepy fishing village with a few small businesses including places to hire motorbikes or taxis to explore surrounding areas. A 40-minute walk along the beach or 10 minutes by taxi takes you to the hippy hangout of Arambol village, with its freshwater lake, market and beach-front restaurants and bars.

As November is pre-season, beaches and towns are a lot more peaceful and locals more welcoming.

Your launch-pad to the rest of India

There’s plenty to see and do in Goa, from beach-side and rock-side temples, to beautiful Dutsaga Falls, two hours drive away, to Old Goa of grand churches and cathedrals, some among the largest in Asia, where the population exceeded that of Lisbon and London in the 1500s before Goa’s capital shifted to Panaji in 1843.

The main attractions of Goa are the stunning beaches such as Anjuna, home of the famous Wednesday market. However, the lush hinterland area dotted with rice paddies, vanilla fields, village markets, ancient Christian churches and Hindu temples are equally breathtaking.

For those wishing to explore beyond Goa, the large market town of Mapusa is just thirty minutes’ drive from Ashiyana resort and has good coach connections to other Indian towns and cities. You will have the support of a full staff of Byron Yoga Centre teachers to smooth your journey and help with the many small details of overseas travel, both before you depart and once you’ve arrived in India (contact our retreats manager, Christine Lines, for more information).

Whether you are looking to deepen your yoga practice, launch your yoga teaching career, inspire your personal practice or just unwind and relax in one of the friendliest and most beautiful states in India, we welcome you to join us in India-ahhh.

Find out more
Byron Yoga Centre teacher training India intensive
Byron Yoga Centre India yoga retreat
Byron Yoga Centre India graduate program

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