India, with its rich spiritual heritage and diverse landscapes, has long been a magnet for seekers of inner peace and self-discovery. For those looking to deepen their yoga practice and connect with ancient wisdom, embarking on a yoga retreat to sacred places in India offers a transformative journey like no other.

What Is Yoga Retreat:

Immersive yoga retreat in sacred place

A yoga retreat is a peaceful getaway where people escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life to immerse themselves in yoga, meditation, and relaxation. Held in tranquil locations like retreat centers or eco-resorts, it’s a chance to recharge mind, body, and spirit. Attendees participate in yoga classes, workshops, and guided meditations led by skilled instructors. They enjoy healthy meals, detox programs, and time for self-reflection. It’s an opportunity to disconnect from stress, deepen yoga practice, and explore mindfulness. Ultimately, it’s about finding inner peace, rejuvenation, and personal growth in a serene environment away from the distractions of daily life.

The Spiritual Essence of India: India is a land steeped in spirituality, where the echoes of ancient sages and yogis still resonate. Its sacred sites are imbued with a profound spiritual energy that draws pilgrims and practitioners from around the world. From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the serene banks of the Ganges River, India offers a wealth of sacred places where one can immerse oneself in the practice of yoga and meditation.

Yoga Philosophy and Practice: 

How many of you have watched the MATRIX movie? Do you remember the scene when the boy hands over the spoon to Neo and says, 

“Do not try to bend the spoon, that’s impossible. Instead… only try to realize the Truth.” “What truth?” asks Neo.

“The truth, that the spoon doesn’t exist.” As Neo tries to bend the spoon, the boy says,

“Then, you will see that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself.”

These few lines sum up the nature of the matter and the potential of the mind to capture the essence of Yoga.

To delve deeper into the essence of yoga, it’s essential to understand its underlying philosophy. Yoga explains reality as an observable movement that can be used to evolve and permanently overcome time stamps of karma that manifest as pain and sorrow. It lays out an experiential path that helps differentiate the nature of the mind and body. is also meant to cleanse the mind of illusions, ignorance, and idiosyncrasies. The eight-limb path is transformative, however, it needs zeal, resolve, and dedication. The path is a knowledge tradition that teaches a subject to turn inward not just for happiness, but to gain clarity on making the right choices upon reaching a crossroad.

     According to Patanjali, the father of Yoga, the body is merely a vehicle for consciousness, dependent on the body for experiencing knowledge. However, the powerful mind often casts a veil of illusion over our perceptions, limiting our understanding of reality. To free ourselves, it is required to remove the myopia in how the mind functions. Hence, the practice of yoga focuses on how the body can be kept clean and the mind rested; so that life experiences will evolve the consciousness.

Why yoga retreat at Sacred places  

 India is home to numerous sacred places that are ideal for yoga retreats. Sacred spaces such as Chidambaram, and Thiruvannamalai in south India offer a serene setting for spiritual practice. Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, is revered as a place of pilgrimage and spiritual awakening.

What happens in Yoga Retreat: Immersion in Yoga and Meditation, A yoga retreat in India offers participants the opportunity to immerse themselves in the practice of yoga and meditation in the tranquil surroundings of sacred sites. Experienced teachers guide practitioners through asanas, pranayama, and meditation, allowing them to deepen their practice and connect with their inner selves. The serene natural surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for spiritual exploration and self-discovery.

What is Asana: Difference between ‘form’ and ‘fitness’: 

Asana means ‘a place’, ‘a seat’; it also means ‘sitting’, implying rest. Since the quality of the body is its rigidity, and that of the mind is to wander, yoga asana, the third limb of ashtanga, is performed to unsettle the body and discipline the mind so that the consciousness moves closer to the ideal. The realistic objective for asana is also the primary focus of yoga, i.e. to seat the mind near an ideal, so that the subject learns to focus on an imperishable object like Reality or Truth. But…, sitting in a crossed-legged position with eyes closed, Truth being an abstract object to focus, the mind will wander. Hence, practitioners are first initiated to anchor their focus on something more concrete like breath that is all-encompassing or introduced properly by defining God, as an idea with attributes thus shaping an ideal as ‘ form’.

Unlike a bodybuilder, where ‘form’ is too physical which develops only the muscles, in sports which is based on performance, ‘form’ is the ability of the athlete to showcase kinaesthetic using a skill. Here, the exploration of ‘form’ is the potential to grow an awareness of an ideal, using the intelligence of the body. The key element to be noted here is, that although ‘form’ leads to fitness, vice versa may not always hold. Besides, principles of ‘form’ in art again differ and the nuances of ‘form’ in the art are important for realizing the true nature of the mind.

Mastering asanas is essential for preparing the body and mind for meditation. Asanas unsettle the body and discipline the mind, allowing practitioners to focus their awareness inward. By elevating the senses, practitioners can cultivate a deeper awareness of their inner landscape and prepare themselves for deeper states of meditation.

Role of Sacred Places (Tirthas):  

Sacred places, or tirthas, play a crucial role in the practice of yoga and spiritual evolution. These locations are imbued with a unique energy that can facilitate profound experiences of healing and transformation. By visiting sacred places and engaging in spiritual practices, practitioners can access deeper layers of consciousness and release karmic imprints that may be holding them back.

Practices at tirtha-s, or sacred fords have been recommended. Ancient seers and sages, through their mind’s eye, have identified some geographic locations in India where the elements of nature in an ecosystem are resting. In these locations, upon invoking the elements of nature with nuanced practices, a practitioner can access and alter the collected memories of the consciousness. Besides, since Nature is resting in these locations, it acts as a positive catalyst for the cloud to burst, pour down, and cleanse not only the surface but also the deeper layers hidden in the body and mind. 

Jvala’s Approach to Yoga Retreats: 

At Jvala, we offer yoga retreats that are designed to provide participants with a transformative experience. Our programs are rooted in tantric philosophy and are designed to be experiential rather than technology-driven. We carefully select sacred spaces for our retreats, ensuring that participants have access to the energy and wisdom of these ancient sites.

What to Expect in Yoga Retreat: 

Yoga retreat at beach

Participants can expect to experience profound healing and transformation during our yoga retreats. Through the practice of yoga, meditation, and spiritual exploration, they will deepen their connection to themselves and the world around them. Our retreats offer a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the rich spiritual heritage of India and connect with the ancient wisdom of yoga.

  • Liberating experiences as a result of practicing in the open spaces
  • Healing and transformative feeling when practiced with chants
  • Increased zen-like state of the inner landscape as it interacts with the outer landscape
  • Levitation due to the collective energies of the peers merging

Embarking on a yoga retreat to sacred places in India is a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening. By delving deep into the practice of yoga and meditation in the tranquil surroundings of sacred sites, participants can connect with their inner selves and experience profound healing and transformation. Join us at Jvala for a transformative journey of self-discovery and growth.

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      Itinerary

      Sacred Spaces Retreat: Stillness of a Lake

      “O! Please come! Dance in my heart; hurt not your feet on the rocky slopes of Himalayas.” ~Adi Shankara
       
      Jvala is an organisation that curates experiences of sublime. It is built around Indic knowledge systems like yoga, Indian arts, heritage and history to promote the intangible cultural heritage of India. Jvala will be collaborating with the yoga studio: Tattva to conduct Yoga retreats for adults at various sacred destinations within India.
       
      Details of the Chidambaram yoga retreat
       
        Duration: 4 days 3 nights    Start/End Point : Chennai
        Participants - Yoga practitioners  Age - Between 18-45 years
        Date - Jan 25-28 2024   Destination: Tharangambadi
       
      Accommodation and Destination for retreat
       
      Tharangambadi is one of the rare attractions in Tamil Nadu. Located on the Coromandel coast, Tharangambadi is one of the finest private beaches and a perfect weekend getaway for unwinding. ‘Tharangambadi’, which literally means “the land of swinging waves”, whispers stories of the land and sweet lullabies of the ocean. It poses as the perfect place with breathtaking views of the horizon during Sun rise. The historical significance and temple heritage in and around Tharangambadi make it a perfect slow travel destination.

      Neemrana’s Bungalow on the Beach is a 17th Century Danish structure renovated to be one of the finest boutique resorts in Tamil Nadu. The architecture and its location makes it classy and apt for conducting thematic yoga on ākāśa.
       
      Itinerary
       
      Day 1
      Start from Chennai at 8:00am (brunch on the way); Reach Tharangambadi - Neemrana property Bunglow in the Beach 1pm for lunch; 4pm High Tea followed by Orientation; Enjoy Sunset by the Beach; Games; Dinner 8pm
       
      Day 2
      Yoga (asana meditative practice) 6:30-8am; Breakfast 9:00 am; Talk - Significance of Lotus; 10-12am; High tea 3-4pm; Sightseeing - Sirkazhi temple (Friday special darshan), Tharangambadi; Dinner 8pm
       
      Day 3
      Yoga 6:30-8am; Breakfast 9:00 am; Discussion and Talk - Introduction to Yogic Anatomy: Patanjali’s Mind & Body Science 10-12am; High Tea 4-5pm; Sightseeing - Poompuhar; Dinner 8pm
       
      Day 4
      Yoga 6:30-8am; Breakfast 9:00 am; Discussion and Talk - Topic: Cosmic Dance of Siva, a brief overview 10-12am; High Tea 4-5pm; Sightseeing - Tharangambadi local sight-seeing; Dinner 8pm
       
      Day 5
      Yoga 6:30-8am (Special Meditation for Chidambaram); Brunch 10:00am; Darshan at Chidambaram Temple; Return to Chennai
       

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      Itinerary

      Pallava Passion: Cultural heritage tour

      “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.”
      ~Karunanidhi (Late CM, TN)
       
      Details of the retreat
       
        Duration: 6 (+6) hours   Purpose: South Indian Temple Art appreciation
        Participants: Art enthusiasts & connoisseurs  Destinations: Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram
        Date: Dec 3, 10; Dec 17, 24    Group Size: Min 10- Max 20 registrations only
       
      Itinerary for Mahabalipuram
       
      • Tour starts at Dakshinachitra, Chennai
      • Talk: Significance of Rock-cut art; Contributions of Pallava dynasty to Rock-cut art
      • Break for a classic South Indian Breakfast
      • Proceed to Mahabalipuram
      • 3 hours Heritage Walk of the Dravidian rock-cut cave temples at Mahabalipuram
      • 3 Stages of mature Dravidian rock-cut caves
      • Speciality of Pancha Rathas in Dravidian temple art
      • Tour Ends at Egmore Museum/ Concert hall
       
      Itinerary for Kanchipuram
       
      • Tour starts at OMR, Chennai
      • Talk: Obsessions of pan-Indian artisans: Iconography and Significance of Mahishasura Mardini and Varaha
      • Break for a classic South Indian Breakfast
      • Proceed to Kanchipuram
      • 3 hours Heritage Walk at Kanchipuram heritage sites
      • One early Pallava Rock-cut Cave
      • 2 Must-see structural temples of Pallava-s
      • Interact with Kanchipuram silk weavers
      • Tour Ends at Egmore Museum/ Concert hall
       
      Cost: INR 5500/day trip*
      *Conditions Apply. Price is indicative and calculated for a Group of 10 based on a specific venue
       
      Includes:
      • Breakfast, Refreshments - Tender Coconut Water, Buttermilk
      • Remuneration of Culture host
      • Guided Tour at Heritage sites
      • Entry fee at Heritage sites
      • Logistic from Start and End point of Tour
       
      Does not Include:
      • Lunch
      • Other temples/ structures at the destination
      • Recreational sport at the destination
      • Concert entry fee

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