ByronYoga

Graduate Program
14 - 27 November 2010

If you’ve ever thought, ‘one day I’d love to practice yoga in India,’ or you're keen to further your skills as a yoga teacher, our graduate program offers the perfect opportunity to do just this, sharing the experience with your peers 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.

Held in conjunction with our 14 day yoga retreat and teacher training intensive, this program provides a perfect opportunity to learn through teaching fellow yoga teachers whilst expanding 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; Ashrams, Temples and Grand Bazaars.

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 course.

Experience makes the difference

In the morning there will be a three hour workshop style session, offering the opportunity to take part in a led practice with your fellow graduates to refresh and build on your teaching and leadership skills. A senior teacher will provide you with feedback and support.

In the afternoon there is the option to join in the retreat program for restorative yoga led by a senior teacher, so that you can enjoy being a participant as well as a student.

In the evening you can either join in the intensive to review information previously covered in your course or join the retreat program and enjoy chanting or learning a few words of Tamil.

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.

Judy Krupp, founder and director of The Yoga Room and Life Centre in Sydney, has also been teaching yoga for over twenty years. Her in-depth knowledge of applied anatomy and physiology is shared in an engaging and accessible manner that deepens the experience of yoga for students with different levels of experience, strength and flexibility. Judy inspires a deep appreciation of the movement of the body.

Other experienced teachers include:
Stephan Kahlert | Ana Davis | Davina Kruse | Bettina Kahlert
Michael Nazar |  Alex Hamilton | Kirsty Nugent | Lila Kirtana | Mal Knights

Sample graduate schedule

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

The first yoga class starts at 6.00am the following day 15 November. The program finishes 26 November and includes accommodation that night.

*Please note the schedule below may vary 

Day Trips

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

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 fishermen 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 open spaces and air-conditioned rooms for yoga classes and sessions as well as 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.

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 – Based on Twin Share, Per Person

14-Day Graduate Program

Byron Yoga Centre Graduates
Superior Room: AU$2150

Non Byron Yoga Centre Graduates
Superior Room: AU$2350

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Enquire about our early bird discount