India Yoga Retreat 2024

I would like to invite you to join myself and Swami Pujan on a spiritual journey and adventure into the heart of India.

It will be a transformational experience that will take your yoga practice, and your life, to another level.

By joining myself, John Ogilvie, Byron Yoga Centre’s founder and Swami Pujan on this Spiritual Journey to India it will be an ideal opportunity to immerse yourself in authentic yoga culture. Let us guide and nurture you throughout your journey, supporting your own personal transformation, as well as guiding you to develop a deeper, holistic understanding of yoga.

I will personally meet you at the Bangalore airport and travel with you to our purpose-built luxury guest house in Tiruvanamalai. I will stay on site with you, keeping you safe and guiding you through the different spiritual journeys and adventures, including our overnight stay in our French Colonial town of Pondicherry. We will then travel all the way back to the Bangalore airport at the end of our time together.

An opportunity to truly unwind and take time to nurture yourself and experience the delights of the rich Indian culture. Experienced yogis can explore and enhance their practice, while new students can deepen their understanding of yoga asana (poses) and philosophy in a supportive and nurturing environment. Immerse yourself in the Indian culture and this ancient Indian practice at the heart of yoga itself! Held in a tranquil and supportive environment.

12 Day India Yoga Retreat Dates

• 11 nights accommodation:
  • 10 nights accommodation at the foothill of the sacred Hill of Arunachala.
  • Guided trip plus 1 night accommodation in Pondicherry.
• Airport transfers in India.
• Daily itinerary including yoga, meditation and spiritual enrichment.
• Traditional and nutritious Indian meals – 2 meals each day onsite included in price. The third meal you will be given the opportunity to eat out and taste the local cuisine.
• You will have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of yoga asana (poses), philosophy, meditation, pranayama (breathing exercises) and relaxation techniques.
• Visiting Ashrams and Temples and the famous Matrimandir
• Our flexible schedule is designed for you to explore your yoga practice but also immerse yourself in the local Indian culture with plenty of free time to explore. Create your own yoga retreat, and participate in as many or few activities as you wish.

The following options are available at an additional cost:

• On site massage by local masseuse 
• Local Ayurvedic Doctor with clinic nearby will be offering sessions

1500 year old Arunachalesvara Temple at the base of Arunachala hill. Image credit: Govind Swamy

View from Pondicherry Lighthouse. Image credit: Karthik Easvur

The Holy Hill of Arunachala, in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu has been a focal point of worship, meditation and retreat for centuries.  The scriptures, sages and saints  tell us that this mysterious Hill is, in fact, the form of Shiva himself.  The great saint Ramana Maharshi was ‘irresistibly’ attracted here after his Awakening, coming to Arunachala in search of his Father and remained here for his life.

There are many ashrams, temples and tombs of great saints in the ambit of Arunachala and seekers, practitioners and devotees from many traditions come to partake in the rarefied vibrational atmosphere that is especially tangible at the Samadhi of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi.  It seems the whole hill emanates a strong sense of deep stillness and silence that cannot be talked about but experienced.  It has been a perfect place for ardent seekers to come and retreat into deep meditation and contemplation. Many great beings have attained liberation here.

Interesting reading: 

The Ramana Maharshi Ashram
Arunachala
davidgodman.org

A couple of easily accessible books are:

• ‘Ramana Maharshi and the Path of Self-Knowledge’ by Arthur Osborne
• ‘Be As You Are: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi’ by David Godman

Sangam House

This unique home was crafted with love and has a western aesthetic quality with larger rooms, windows and attention to detail in the finishings and overall feel. The architect for Sangam was Suhasini Ayer, from Auroville, where she designed the well known Visitors Center.   What makes this place exceptional is its extraordinary view of Holy Arunachala from the roof and its proximity to the Ramana Maharshi Ashram, which is just a 10 minute walk from the front door.

Sangam Retreat House has a variety of exquisite shared spaces for group gatherings and for places to escape to, to be alone in contemplation and meditation.

The veranda, roof and areas in the garden around the swimming pool are lovely areas to be alone.

Sangam House has an elevator, filtered water in the taps throughout the house, yoga mats, hair dryers, electrical sockets that will accept UK, US and IN plugs (Voltage is 220 and 110 devices cannot be used without a converter) and 2 washing machines that can be used by participants (clothes can to be sent out for ironing at a low cost).

Sangam Retreat House is an alcohol, smoking and drug-free zone.

Rooms

The rooms have been aesthetically finished with comfort and beauty in mind. The hotel boasts comfortably appointed twin share and triple share rooms with en-suite bathrooms.

Our facilitators have a combined teaching experience of over 100 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 thirty-five years. He encourages a light heartedness in our approach to yoga and to ourselves.
Swami Pujan will be leading Meditation sessions and joining with John to deliver the yoga philosophy.
Bettina Kah joins John in teaching asana classes, breathing sessions and daily Yoga Nidra relaxation sessions.

07:00    Yoga Class

08:00   Breakfast

09:00    Alternate spiritual talks / meditation session / both by Pujan or John

12:30    Lunch (either on site or out)

14:00    Spend the afternoon exploring the town (supervised or independently) or relaxing by the pool

18:00    Dinner (either on site or out)

19:00    Yoga nidra / meditation / spiritual talk