ByronYoga

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If you’ve ever thought, ‘one day I’d love to go to India,’ or dreamt of returning, our yoga retreat in November offers the perfect opportunity to do just this, sharing the experience with a group of like-minded people on an adventure together.

Byron Yoga Centre invites you to explore your practice of yoga, immerse yourself in Hindu culture, and rest and rejuvenate at Kailash Beach Resort, Pondicherry, a few hours south of Chennai on the east coast of the vast sub-continent, in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Byron Retreat Testimonial

Wow! What a difference 7 days in a nurturing environment can do! I feel like I have found myself, the inspiration that I feel is amazing. I'm so excited I just booked to come to India. Thank you Christine, the way you have organised the retreat was perfect from the minute you arrive to the sound of the ocean, to the curiosity of meeting your room mates, to the inspirational food, to the different yoga classes, to the teachers, to the room mates, to the massage and therapies and especially to the Kirtan...Wow... I just keep smiling, I have fallen in love again with Yoga...

M.Trounson
February 2010 Retreat Participant

Held in conjunction with our 14 day yoga teacher training and graduate program, this retreat provides a perfect opportunity to expand your yoga practice in a relaxed and tranquil environment.

With Byron Yoga Centre's teaching team on site, you can be assured of a rich, varied and holistic experience of yoga while at the same time enjoying the exotic surroundings that Pondicherry has to offer.

A delightful seaside town - infused with the European influence that offers street signs in French and traditional pain au chocolat - this is the authentic India with a difference and a delightful place to explore; Ashrams, Temples, Grand Bazaars and Cafes.

It’s the ideal place to adjust to the very different way of life in India and the perfect launch pad for travelling around the country on your own after the retreat, if your schedule permits.

Without yoga...

Special prices are available for partners, family or friends who would like to join you for the experience, without the yoga. The resort features a large swimming pool with sun loungers, terraces sheltered from the sun and traditional Ayurvedic massage.

Family and friends accompanying yoga participants can enjoy generous discounts on their holiday. There is a $500 discount on the regular price if you choose the option without yoga, see below for more details.

Teachers

Our lead teachers have a combined teaching experience of over 50 years offering a wealth of knowledge and expertise to share with participants. John Ogilvie, the founder and director of Byron Yoga Centre, has been teaching yoga for over twenty years. He encourages a light heartedness in our approach to yoga and to ourselves.

Stephan Kahlert is a trained psychologist with over twenty five years’ experience as a meditation practitioner and teacher in the Soto Zen, Vipassana, Vedanta and yoga traditions. He has taught overseas on many occasions, both in his capacity as a meditation teacher and psychologist. Stephan trained as a yoga teacher with John Ogilvie in 2005. He teaches meditation and Hindu philosophy on retreats and teacher training at the Centre. His style is light-hearted, humorous, engaging and fun. Along with his wife Bettina, Stephan regularly travels to India to deepen his practice.

Other experienced teachers include:
Bettina Kahlert | Michael Nazar |  Alex Hamilton | Kirsty Nugent | Lila Kirtana | Mal Knights

Sample retreat schedule

Our retreats are suitable for people of all levels from beginners right through to experienced practitioners. Variations of poses are offered and there is the option to rest if necessary.

The schedule is flexible and planned to maximise your experience of yoga whilst allowing free time to explore the surrounding area and engage with the local culture.

Students need to arrive by 14 November to settle into their accommodation. A brief introduction to people and the course will be held after dinner at 7:30pm.

The first yoga class starts the following day 15 November. The course finishes 26 November and includes accommodation that night.

Day Trips

Various group day trips can be arranged during the free time (as an optional extra) or you may prefer to explore on your own or with just one or two friends in a local taxi.

If you'd like to join in additional yoga, there may be the option to join in the teacher training intensive mid morning asana class.

Areas of interest around the resort include:

• Visit the different Puducherry (Pondicherry) squares and museum
• Auroville Community
• Bahour rural village temple and its holy tank from 14th century
• Arikameddu, roman site from the 1st century and natural port
• Mamallapuram, the seashore temple and bas-reliefs of the descent of the Ganges and the port where the Indians left for the Asian southeast
• Chidambaram, the temple of Nataraja Siva (the dancer), its holy pond and one of the biggest temples of south India where you can admire the 108 postures of the Nataraja dance engraved
• Tranquebar (Tharangampadi), the Danish fort and its restored church
• Tanjorem, the beautiful temple city of South India
• Gangaikondacholapuram, where you can admire all the figures of the Indian mythology sculpted in the temple walls.
• Darasuram, temple restored by the Ecole Française d’Extreme Orient where you can find bas-reliefs of Indian daily life
• Gingee, in the countryside, the fort city ruins, symbol of the French presence in India
• Ramana Ashram in Tiruvannamalai and the largest Hindu Temple in Southern India

Location

Kailash Beach Resort is located in the ancient fishing hamlet of Pudukkupam, established during the Chola period (IX-XII century), 10 kms south of Pondicherry city, in the Coromandel coast of the Bay of Bengal.

The premier establishment in Pondicherry state, the resort has been carefully chosen by Byron Yoga Centre staff who visited in person last November.

Located in a quiet and secluded area with a private path to the beach, Kailash Beach Resort provides 4-star luxury accommodation. Set in tropical gardens it offers courtyards, gardens, poolside and lounge areas to relax in between yoga and visits to the local sights.

Designed with respect for the environment and sensitivity to the local culture, the resort offers guests a comfortable travel experience and provides a wonderful backdrop for your next step on the yogic path.

It's a peaceful haven and a great base from which to explore the charm of Pondicherry - conveniently located just a thirty-minute drive away and accessible by local taxi.

Accommodation

Stay in a spacious superior room on a share basis, individually decorated with unique furniture, photographs and artefacts.

The comfortable rooms all feature en-suite facilities and double beds can be arranged for couples joining us on retreat.

Single accommodation can also be arranged, at an affordable price. Just add $500 to the shared accommodation price quoted below.

Cuisine

Food at Kailash Beach Resort is Indian flavoured, tasty, not too spicy and based on the sattvic principles of our delicious vegetarian food served on retreat in Australia.

In keeping with the culture, the flavours are primarily Indian however the resort can cater for all dietary requirements.

Please advise of any special requests when you book your place and we’ll arrange suitable alternative meals for you.

The dining area is a beautiful light filled space to enjoy socialising over delicious cuisine.

Massage

Kailash Beach Resort is an oasis of rest and revitalisation offering a range of traditional Ayurvedic massage treatments for soothing your body and healing imbalances such as headaches, insomnia etc. in two equipped rooms, with both male and female masseur/se.

Activities

During your free time venture out and explore the ancient culture of India, step into the grand bazaar and shop with the locals, walk past the elephant into the Ganesha Temple, visit the international community of Auroville or soak up the atmosphere of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

Walk along the seashore, past the statue of Gandhi, explore the streets of Pondicherry with hidden shops offering Indian Antiques and then rest in a café and watch the world go by, the three-wheeled, auto-rickshaws tooting their horns and navigating the streets like nowhere else in the world!

If you'd prefer to stay at the resort, you can enjoy swimming in the 33 metre pool, relaxing in the jacuzzi, walking along the beach or indulging in ayurvedic massage.

A range of activities are available including table tennis and other indoor games or share time with the local women, learning embroidery, tailoring and screen printing from the small businesses located on site.

Price – Per Person
Based on Shared Accommodation

14-Day Yoga Retreat

Superior Room: AU$2350