Hatha Yoga and Meditation Retreat in Rishikesh - 10 Days

This Yoga and Meditation Retreat at Rishikesh aims to develop an insight into the traditional and authentic system of yogic discipline.

This retreat program will initiate you into the rich tradition of Yogic discipline with exposure to the various theoretical, as well as practical aspects of yogic system.

• Daily Dedicated Theoretical Workshops On Philosophical Tradition Of Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Raja Yoga And Samkhya Yoga
• Daily Morning Traditional Hatha Yoga Session On Postures, Mantra Chanting And Pranayama
• Every Afternoon Dedicated Workshops On Theoretical, As Well As Practical Techniques Of Meditation
• Following Meditation Techniques are taught during the program: Yoga Nidra (Psychic/Trance Sleep), Ajapa Japa , Antar Mouna (Mindfulness Of Thoughts), Antarakasha Dharana (Meditation On Inner Space), Chidakasha Dharana (Technique Of Visualization)

Accommodation Your accommodation will be at our serene and exquisite Ashram. Our retreat venue is one of the most popular venues for travelers perched on the hillside in Rishikesh, India. Our property has 8 acres of land with organic farms, lots of open space, orchards and, most importantly serenity. We believe in providing our guests with a complete yogic experience. And, hence we refrain from hotel like accommodations or corporate looking yoga halls. And, provide our guest with nature oriented ambiance along with comfortable rooms to soak in authentic yogic lifestyle at our Ashram.

Breakfast

Yoga school provide nourishing and balanced breakfast every day. Breakfast prepared in our kitchen is nutritious, tasty, balanced and prepared from fresh nuts, vegetables, fruits and grains. During your stay with us, you would have an opportunity to taste traditional Indian breakfast, such as different kinds of porridges, Idli (savoury cake), Poha (made from beaten rice), Upma (wheat rava (semolina) or coarse rice flour dish), Sprout salads, and many more. In case you are on vegan diet, we can prepare breakfast separately for you upon request.

Lunch

Food served at lunch is pure vegetarian, sattvik, vitalizing, wholesome and nutritious. The food prepared in our kitchen includes most vegetables, ghee (clarified butter), fruits, legumes, and whole grains. These are ingredients that enhance clarity and lightness, keeping the body light and nourished and the mind clear. Time to time during the course we change the nature of the food according to the yoga practices you perform.

Dinner is also served

Paper-1 Techniques, Training and Practice

Paper-1 (Technique, Training and Practice) lays a strong foundation of traditional Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga and Meditation techniques, sourced from authentic and time proven systems of Yoga traditions.

Purpose of these classes is to equip the practitioners with understanding and knowledge of the fundamental techniques of Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha and Hatha Yoga Cleansing Techniques (Shat-kriyas) used in traditional Hatha Yoga system. Classes will incorporate practical demonstrations, understanding of correct positions as well as practices of postures. Practices taught will focus on opening the joints and deepening the experiences of the asanas (postures) with breath consciousness and understanding of correct body-alignment. Purpose of these practical classes is to awaken natural body intuition and awareness in the practitioners.

Practical (Hatha Yoga)

Techniques Taught

Asana (Posture): Pawanmuktasana Series 1, 2, 3 (Preliminary Hatha yoga movements), Standing and Balancing Asana Series, Backward Bending Series, Forward Bending Series, Vajrasana Series, Meditation Asana Series, Introduction to Sun Salutation, Ashtanga-Vinyasa flow

Practical (Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha, Shatkriya)

In Pranayama section, objective is to introduce the concept of breath work in Hatha Yoga System, different patterns of breathing in postures to enhance and deepen the effects of the postures and awareness in the practice. Component-1 incorporates techniques of Pre-Pranayama techniques from Asana and, various Mudras to enhance the awareness, as well as proficiency of the practitioners to breathe correctly.

Objective of the component is to teach effective breathing techniques using Asana, Mudras and Pre-Pranayama practices. Aim is to teach how to enhance the vital capacity of the lungs and vitality of body-mind system for advanced Hatha Yoga practices.

Techniques Taught

• Pranayama (Hatha-Yogic Breath-Work)
• Pre-Pranayama Asanas And Breathing Techniques, Three Stages Of Breathing, Full Yogic Breathing, Nadi Shodhana Pranayama, Bhramari, Kapalbhati, Ujjayi
• Mudra (Energy Channeling Technique)
• Hand Mudras, Head Mudra, Prana Mudra With Full Yogic Breath (Awareness On Physical Level)
• Bandha (Energy Lock)
• Jalandhara Bandha
• Shatkriya (Physical Cleansing)
• Jal Neti (Nasal Cleansing) An Ideal Practice for People Suffering from Sinusitis, Allergies, Hay Fever And Asthma.
• Vaman Dhauti (Kunjal Kriya): A Cleansing Practice for Upper Digestive Tract. Excellent Way to Cleanse the Stomach; Good for People Suffering from Hyperacidity and Asthma.

Practical: Meditation

Through discussions and guided instructions, founding principles of Meditation will be shared. In this component, focus areas will be on sitting alignment, maintaining a correct meditation posture and systematic techniques of relaxation, such as Yoga Nidra and Ajapa Japa. Learning objective is to provide knowledge and understanding of appropriate tools to enhance awareness in meditation practices.

Techniques Taught:

• Kaya-Sthairyam (Technique on Body-Awareness and Mental steadiness)
• AntarMouna (A technique on Mindfulness of Thoughts): Stages: 1, 2
• Ajapa Japa: (Awareness of spontaneous repetition of mantra): Stages: 1, 2
• Yoga Nidra (A technique of guided yogic relaxation): Stage: Beginner

Paper-2: Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics for Yoga Teachers

Paper-2 in component-1 introduces one to founding principles of Yoga Philosophy, its branches, various approaches and affiliated metaphysical background. There is in-depth discussion on systems of Indian Philosophical Traditions and Fundamentals of Samkhya Yoga Philosophy with reference to Classical System of Patanjali Raja Yoga.

Topics Taught:

• Philosophical foundation of Yoga
• Fundamentals of yogic philosophy with reference to Samkhya and classical system of Patanjali Yoga, Definition, Historical Sketch, Branches
• Classical System of Raja Yoga of Patanjali: Background of Samkhya philosophy, History and Origin of Raja Yoga, philosophical background of Raja Yoga, structure of text (Patanjali Yoga Sutra), Eight limbs of Raja Yoga, Discussion on important Yoga Sutras in light of yogic practices and processes.

Paper-3: Anatomy and Physiology

The Neuro-Musculoskeletal System –Focus of study will be based on studying different kinds of muscles, bones, joints and nervous system and, their roles in different yogic practices, such as Asana, Pranayama, Mudra and Bandhas.

Objective here will be to give fair understanding of different muscles, bones, joints, nervous system and brain organs and their location, functions and role in yogic practices. Special focus will be on how to enhance the proficiency of these organs with yogic techniques, safeguards in yogic practices to prevent any injuries to these organs and systems.

Topics Taught:

• Muscles; kinds of muscles, functions, effects of yogic practices on muscular system.
• Skeletal system; functions of bones and various kinds of joints in yoga postures, musculoskeletal system in yogic practice.
• The Nervous system: Functions of nervous system and brain (in light of yogic practices)

06:00-06:30 am - Herbal Infusion

06:30-08:00 am - Practical Traditional Hatha session

08:00-09:30 am - Breakfast

09:30-10:30 am - Theory workshops on Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics for yoga Teachers

10:45-11:45 am - Theory workshop on Anatomy and Physiology, Teaching Methodology

12:00-01:00 pm - Lunch

01:00-03:00 pm - Leisure and Self study

03:00-03:15 pm - Herbal Tea

03:15-04:00 pm - Theory and Practical Workshops- Teaching Methodology

04:15-05:45 pm - Practical Hatha Yoga Session on Alignment and Body Adjustment

06:00-07:00 pm - Meditation and Mantra Chanting session

07:00-08:00 pm - Dinner

08:00-10:00 pm - Swadhyaya (Self-Study and Contemplation)

10:00 pm - Lights out

• Walk to the Holy Ganges for Outdoor Meditation. Rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit in blessed water of the river.
• Attending Ganga Aarti (beautiful and uplifting fire ceremony) at the bank of the river.
• Guided excursions to sites of historical and yogic significance in the town (Rishikesh walks!)
• Visiting ancient meditation cave to experience its uplifting vibes!

• Accommodation
• Guided excursions to places of spiritual significance
• Three meals and teaching supplements

• Airfare
• Personal Expenses

By Plane

The nearest International Airport from Rishikesh is the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Upon landing at the airport, you can avail a direct cab to the school. Alternatively, you can also ask the school to arrange a pick-up.

By Train 

The nearest railway station is in Haridwar (Uttrakhand). You can book a direct train to this town. Upon reaching the station, you can either avail a cab for the ashram or, ask the ashram to arrange a pick-up.

By Bus

There are ample numbers of direct bus routes from various cities in the Northern part of India to Rishikesh. Upon reaching the bus stand in Rishikesh, you can take a rickshaw to the school. Alternatively, you can ask the school to arrange a pick-up.

The reservation requires a payment of 20% of the total price.

• If the booking is cancelled one month (31 Days) prior to the start of the retreat/course you will get 90% refund of the booking amount.
• If the booking is cancelled 30 to 15 Days prior to the start of retreat/course, you will get 50% refund of the booking amount.
• No refund will be given if the retreat/course booking is cancelled less than 15 days prior to the start of the course. Although we can adjust the 50% of your paid amount to any other retreat/course you book with us in future.
  
  

The remaining amount shall be paid on arrival to the course/retreat location.