7 Day Yoga Retreat at Varkala Beach, Kerala, India
Yoga Retreat in India
Discover the Incredible Impact of Yoga Asanas on Mental Well-being at this retreat. Uncover the incredible impact of yoga asanas on mental well-being during this retreat. Witness firsthand the transformative potential as specific asanas influence energy levels, thought patterns, and habits. Gain insight into the pivotal role of breath in enhancing life quality - an improved breath quality leads to a more enriched and fulfilling life. Achieve the harmony between body, mind, and breath, fostering holistic wellness and personal growth through the empowering practices of yoga and meditation.
Meet the instructors
Highlights
- Yoga, meditation, and specialized breathwork
- Meridian system and yogic anatomy
- Workshops for conducting yoga sessions
- Guided sightseeing excursion
- Comprehensive supply kit
- Visit to temples and beach
- 6 nights of comfortable accommodation
- Vegetarian meals three times a day
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
Yoga styles
6 days with instruction in English
Accommodation
Facilities
- Café
- Garden
- Lobby
- Lounge
- Luggage room / storage
- Meditation garden
- Multilingual staff
- Smoke-free property
- Terrace
- Yoga shala
- Free Wi-Fi
- Internet access
- Tour assistance
- Wireless internet
BAVA Beach Resort & Retreat Center
A combination of spiritual modesty and contemporary luxury, BAVA VARKALA offers an ashram-like atmosphere in its central house with 10 beautiful rooms and yoga shala, in addition to the modern "Miami Beach-style" building with 8 deluxe rooms.
The property is set within a beautiful green courtyard and garden with giant bamboo, palms, and other trees, featuring LOVE ALL SERVE ALL CAFË in the bamboo hut.
Just several steps from the Varkala Cliff promenade with the most spectacular views of the Arabian Sea and the sunset, and 5 minutes from Varkala main beach and Black Beach, BAVA Resort is still an oasis of tranquility and peace giving a feeling of seclusion and privacy.
The ashram resort offers healthy sattvic food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to the participants of the retreats.
Rooms
There is a variety of accommodation options in the retreat center:
- Budget rooms for low-cost participation
- Standard balcony rooms and Superior terrace rooms for a comfortable stay
- Luxury balcony rooms in the brand new Casa de Adi building for the most special stay
Program
Yin Yoga Asanas
Everyone has different bodies and enters poses in different ways. Therefore, the use of props like blogs, bolsters, cushions and blankets is one key element of a safe and effective Yin yoga practice.
Asana alignment
In the asana alignment lab, the postural alignment of the postures will be broken down and you will be taught verbal and hands-on adjustment to guide your students safely through your classes.
Fundamental of Yin Yoga
You will be taught the fundamentals of yoga, its origin, development, and benefits. To help you to understand the differences between Yang and Yin yoga as well as Yin and Yang tissues.
Meridian System
This yoga training introduces you to the meridian system and how certain poses can improve the function of different organs in your body. The meridian system according to traditional Chinese Medicine
- Lungs
- Large intestine
- Stomach
- Spleen
- Heart
- Small intestine
- Urinary bladder
- Kidney
- Pericardium
- Triple warmer
- Gall bladder
- Liver
Yogic anatomy
Learn the concepts of nadis, prana koshas, pancha koshas, and the sariras.
Anatomy and physiology
You will learn what the difference between stress and stretch is! Why yoga is so important for the spinal health, and the importance of fascia and the connective tissues.
Teaching and Methodology
The teaching methodology sessions of this yoga retreat training will help you understand:
- How to give the right instructions
- How to keep the right voice and effective communication
- How to give proper alignment of postures
- How to modify the pose
- Where and how to use props to do modifications and prevent injuries
- How to prepare Yin classes
- The art of sequencing and teaching
Daily schedule
- 06:00 - 07:00 Shatkarma/Naturopathy cleansing. Engage in traditional cleansing
- 07:00 - 08:30 Traditional Hatha yoga practice. Embrace foundational Hatha yoga postures and sequences
- 08:30 - 09:30 Pranayama and Mantra chantings. Focus on breathwork techniques and rhythmic chanting for spiritual resonance
- 09:30 - 11:00 Breakfast and rest. Break time for nourishment and relaxation
- 11:00 - 12:00 Yoga philosophy. Explore the philosophical aspects and principles of yoga
- 12:00 - 13:00 Yoga alignment and adjustment. Learn correct postural alignment and adjustments in yoga poses
- 13:00 - 15:00 Lunch break and rest. Extended break for lunch and rejuvenation
- 15:00 - 16:00 Yoga anatomy. Delve into understanding the anatomical aspects related to yoga practice
- 16:00 - 16:30 Herbal tea break. Refresh with herbal tea for revitalization
- 16:30 - 18:00 Ashtanga yoga practice. Engage in dynamic sequences and postures of Ashtanga yoga
- 18:00 - 19:00 Meditation/emotional detoxification. Practice meditation techniques for mental cleansing and clarity
- 19:00 - 20:00 Dinner. Time for a wholesome dinner to conclude the day’s activities
Instructors
Chakali Naresh
Sai Naresh, as he is known by his friends and students, is the founder and principal instructor of Lalitha Yoga Academy (LYA). Born and brought up in Puttaparthi, famous as the birthplace of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and one of the important spiritual places of India, he started his yoga career in 2016 as a meditation teacher and then continued his studies in Hatha yoga, Yin yoga, Ashtanga Vinyasa, Vinyasa flow, and teachers training course certification. He is currently teaching and practicing Multi-style yoga.
Ivan Bava
Ivan Bava is a spiritual teacher, Advaita and life sciences master, writer and therapist who has established his Schools of Awareness and Spiritual Mastery in Croatia, Spain and Slovenia, and the ashram in Varkala, India. Since 2011, Bava has traveled over 700,000 kilometers on 4 continents, held over 8,300 hours of seminars and workshops with tens of thousands of participants. In his work, in addition to spiritual, meditation and metaphysical knowledge, he also uses his own method of ALO Healing (Allow, Let Go, Hand-Over), which serves to release and heal emotional wounds, traumas and blocks.
Govinda Shobit
Known affectionately as Govinda, Shobhit found his passion for yoga in his early twenties. He holds various certifications, including 200-hour YTTC in Hatha yoga from Sivananda Ashram, Kerala, and 300-hour YTTC in Ashtanga Vinyasa from Yogadarshanam, Mysuru. He’s also trained in Yoga Therapy, Acro yoga, and Pre and Post-natal yoga, and he’s an E-RYT 200 and E-RYT 500 certified instructor by Yoga Alliance, USA. With his wealth of experience, Govinda has taught yoga across India and China, inspiring and bringing happiness to countless lives on his journey.
Retreat location
Varkala, Kerala
This program will take place in Varkala which is in the Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala, South India.
About the Location
Lalitha Yoga Academy is set at BAVA Beach Resort & Retreat Center, just a few steps from the Varkala North Cliff with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean and the sunsets, and a 5-minute walk from the famous Varkala and Black Beach.
This ashram and resort is an oasis of tranquility with its garden of bamboo, palms, and large trees, creating a natural shade from the heat.
Varkala is a famous yoga beach town with a surfing and tropical vibe.
Distances
- Varkala and Black Beach - 5-minute walk
This Yoga Retreat is vegetarian-friendly
Click to see more vegetarian-friendly Yoga Retreats
Food
At Lalitha Yoga Academy, all three meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—are thoughtfully crafted following the principles of Ayurvedic cooking. The culinary offerings are strictly vegetarian, aligning with the sattvic food philosophy to promote mind-body balance and inner peace. Each dish is meticulously prepared with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, excluding meat, fish, and eggs. Additionally, we serve daily Ayurvedic tea for detoxification, enhancing your overall well-being. Immerse yourself in the nourishing flavors of traditional South Indian cuisine while experiencing lightness, clarity, and vitality throughout your journey with us.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Detox juices
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Yogic
What's included
- 6 nights of comfortable accommodation
- Three nutritious vegetarian meals daily
- Supply kit including a notebook, pen, neti pot, and basti pot for practice
What's not included
- Flights
- Airport transfers
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Transfer available for additional US$ 26 per person
Trivandrum International Airport
37 km away from your destination
Arrival by plane
Please book your flight to Trivandrum International Airport (TRV). A transfer is available at an extra fee, please contact the organizer.
Arrival by train
If arriving by train to Varkala-Sivagiri train station, you can take an autorickshaw to the property which is just a 12-minute ride away and will generally cost less than 200 INR.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
Reviews
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