12 Day Yoga Retreat in Kerala, India
Vibrant Yoga Retreat in India
Embark on an extended journey of self-discovery and holistic well-being with Mathatitu Yoga Ashram's immersive 12-day yoga retreat in the enchanting Varkala, Kerala. This thoughtfully curated experience is designed to help you deepen your practice and truly integrate the principles of yoga into your life, all while surrounded by the serene natural beauty and vibrant culture of God's Own Country.
Meet the instructors
Highlights
- Daily yoga practice
- Asana, meditation, and pranayama sessions
- Introduction to Ayurveda and yoga therapy
- Yoga philosophy, anatomy, and physiology
- 11 nights accommodation
- Daily vegetarian meals
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Yoga styles
12 days with instruction in English
Accommodation
Facilities
- Dining area
- Yoga studio
You will be accommodated in a well-furnished resort with the option of a shared or single room during this program. Luxury sea view rooms are also available on request (subject to availability).
Each of the rooms in the resort is spacious and fresh, and comes with all essential amenities at your disposal. Mathatitu Yoga has lounges and sit-out areas where you can share some quality time and chat with your fellow participants in the program.
Mathatitu Yoga takes good care of the environment and premises so much that they keep them clean and bright. All the places like your yoga studios, dining area, and your rooms will be close to each other and right in front of or near the resort. You have the majestic beaches across India and Nepal, basking in the sun, in all its glory!
Shared accommodation
It includes facilities for two people. Mathatitu Yoga provides two single beds, shower service, European toilets, reading lights, wardrobes, window curtains, clean and fresh bed sheets, pillow covers, 2 pillows, and clean blankets. You will have access to free Wi-Fi and an intercom.
Private accommodation
It includes facilities for a single person. They can choose between a usual yet spacious private room accommodation or a sea-view accommodation that offers a picturesque view of Varkala Beach while sitting on the balcony.
You will be provided with a single bed, shower service, European toilet, reading lights, wardrobe, window curtains, clean and fresh bed sheet, pillow cover, 1 pillow, and a clean blanket. You will have access to free Wi-Fi and an intercom. Please note that the price is extra for a sea-view accommodation.
Program
Course Curriculum
The curriculum covers the most essential topics from basic Asana practices to Hatha Yoga lessons in detail, to philosophical sessions, thus enabling students to learn and understand yoga thoroughly to be the best version of the yoga teacher they can become.
Yoga and Yogic Practices
- Etymology of yoga
- Brief introduction about the origin and development of yoga
- Yoga – aims and objectives
- General introduction to darshanas with special reference to Sankhya and Yoga
- General introduction to the four paths of yoga
- Principles of yoga and yogic practices
- Guiding principles for yogic practices
Introduction to Hatha Yoga
- Introduction to Hatha yoga
- Introduction to important Hatha yoga texts with special reference to Hatha Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita
- Causes of success (sadhaka tattwa) and causes of failure (badhaka tattwa) in Hatha yoga sadhana
- Concept of ghata and ghata shudhhi in Hatha yoga
- Purpose and utility of shat kriyas in Hatha yoga
- Purpose and utility of asanas in Hatha yoga
- Purpose and importance of pranayama in Hatha yoga
Introduction to Patanjali Yoga
- Definition, nature, and aim of yoga according to Patanjali
- Concept of chitta and chitta bhumis; chitta vrittis and chitta vrittinirodhopaya (abhyasa and vairagya)
- Concept of ishwara and ishwara pranidhana
- Chitta vikshepas (antarayas) and their associates (sahabhuvas)
- Concept of chitta prasadana and its relevance in mental well-being
- Kleshas and their significance in yoga
- Ashtanga yoga of patanjali: its purpose, effects, and significance
Introduction to Human Systems, Yoga, and Health
- The nine systems of the human body
- Functions of the different systems of the human body
- Introduction to sensory organs
- Neuromuscular coordination of sensory organs
- Basic understanding of exercise physiology
- Homeostasis
- The benefits of various asanas on different parts of the human body
- Limitations and contraindications of specific yoga practices
Yoga for Wellness
- Health: meaning and definitions
- Concept of pancha koshas
- Yogic conceptions of health and disease
- Interdependency of physical (prakriti) and psychological (triguna) components according to Ayurveda
- Concept of panchamahabhutas
- Yogic principles of healthy living
- Introduction to yogic diet and nutrition
Yoga and Stress Management
- Human psyche: yogic and modern concepts, behaviour and consciousness
- Frustration, conflicts, and psychosomatic disorders
- Relationship between mind and body
- Mental hygiene and the role of yoga in mental hygiene
- Mental health: a yogic perspective
- Prayer and meditation for mental health
- Psychosocial environment and its importance for mental health (yama and niyama)
- Concept of stress according to modern science and yoga
- Role of yoga – stress and lifestyle management
Familiarity with Body Joints and Vyayama
- Movement of Key Joints
- Sukshma Vyayama
- Shat Kriyas
Suryanamaskar and Asanas
- Introduction to Suryanamaskar (The Sun Salutation)
- Technique of Suryanamaskar Practice
- Asanas
- Five Spinal Movements in Yoga
Pranayama and Meditation
- Introduction to Pranayama
- Meditation – The Concept
- Practical Techniques of Meditation
Teaching Practice
- Teaching Yoga
- Principles and Skills for Educating Aspirants
- Teaching Yoga in a Group Setting
Schedule
- 06:00 Pranayama and meditation
- 07:30 Asana and alignment
- 08:30 Asana practice
- 10:30 Brunch
- 13:30 Fruits
- Between 14:00 - 18:00 Ayurveda massage and treatment (1.5 hours duration)
- 18:00 Dinner
- 20:00 Meditation/mantra chanting
Instructors
Yogaachaarya Anoopanand
Inspired by the teaching of Swami Vivekananda, a disciple of Sri Rama Krishna Paramahamsa, he gained more knowledge about Raja yoga and practiced the same and at a point when he was in a dilemma of doing nothing in this world, decided to pass the knowledge of yoga to people surrounding him and did the same which ultimately led to the formation of Mathatitu Yoga Ashram. In 2014, he decided to dedicate his life to yoga. Having a master's degree and a two-year diploma in yoga and naturopathy, he has done yoga teacher training in Sivananda Yoga Ashram and S Vyasa University.
Sanathanan
Trained as Yogasiromany for yoga teaching from International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, Neyar Dam, H.Q Canada. Advance teacher training course from Sri Sri School Of Yoga, Bangalore, India. D.N.Y.S from Asana Andiyappan, college of Yoga & Naturopathy Chennai. Completed Yuva Acharya training course And Granted Yuvacharya from Sadhguru Sri. Sri Ravi Shankar, Vyakthi Vikas Kendra, Bangalore for personality development and stress management techniques. Teacher training course of Sri Sri Yoga from Art of Living Foundation.
Retreat location
Key features of its location include:
Proximity to Varkala Beach: The resort is a beachfront property, often cited as being just steps or around 100 meters away from Varkala Beach, allowing guests immediate access to the golden sands and the Arabian Sea.
Near Varkala Cliff: It's located in the Kurakkanni area, very close to the famous Varkala Cliff (often a mere 0.48 kilometers or a few minutes' walk). This provides guests with stunning panoramic views of the sea, especially at sunset, and convenient access to the cliff-top promenade lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants.
This Yoga Retreat is vegetarian-friendly
Click to see more vegetarian-friendly Yoga Retreats
Food
Mathatitu Yoga Ashram provides three Ayurvedic meals (vegetarian) every day, included in the price.
- 10:00 Breakfast
- 13:00 Lunch
- 18:30 Dinner
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Yogic
- Ayurvedic
Things to do (optional)
- Alleppey and Munnar Thekkady excursions each week
- Ayurveda treatments
- Backwater trips
- Cooking course
Spa treatments
An Ayurveda spa is available for an additional payment.
What's included
- Yoga and meditation practices
- Asana and pranayama practices
- Yoga philosophy, anatomy, and physiology
- Introduction to Ayurveda and yoga therapy
- Chanting and self-study
- Teaching practices and preparations
- Certificate of completion
- 11 nights accommodation
- Daily vegetarian meals
- Herbal teas
What's not included
- Flights
- Excursions
- GST
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Transfer available for additional US$ 46 per person
Trivandrum International Airport
37 km away from your destination
Arrival by airplane
Airport transfers are available at 40 EUR (20 EUR for pick-up and 20 EUR for drop-off).
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 20% 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
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookYogaRetreats.com. All major credit cards supported.