Enjoy a yoga and ayurveda retreat at Mahabalipuram. Share time with the pilgrims at Arunchala mountain and optional week-long yoga, ayurveda and creativity at the secluded Chamundi Hill Palace with François Raoult and Nathalie Alvarez.
As students of yoga and life, going back to the Source and meeting Mother India will be a blessing for our practice and teaching.
ITINERARY
DECEMBER 28, 2022
Depart from US or Europe (Dec 29) to Kochi.
DECEMBER 30
Transfer by minibus from Kochi airport to Chamundi Hill Palace, Kerala.
DECEMBER 30 TO JANUARY 3
Three days of ayurveda, yoga and creativity at Chamundi. One daily ayurvedic treatment and supervision with resident ayurvedic physician Dr Sheela. Guided tour of spice garden with Jibu. Puja at local temple.
JANUARY 3
Depart for the great city of Madurai, stay at Royal Court Hotel, deluxe accommodations with two participants per room. Visit Meenakshi Temple and the famous Bazaar.
JANUARY 4
Depart for Thanjavur.
JANUARY 5-6
Explore Thanjavur. Visit of Temple and Palace and immersion in deep rural India.
JANUARY 7
Depart for Mahabalipuram. Lunch at Ramana Maharshi Ashram. Stay at Ideal Beach resort.
JANUARY 8-10
Explore Mahabalipuram. Visit the Shore Temple and the famous bas-relief, the descent of the Ganges. Visit Auroville near Pondichery. Optional swim in the Bay of Bengal.
JANUARY 11
Depart from Chennai International Airport and arrival in U.S or Europe.
Instructors
François Raoult, M.A., ERYT500, C-IAYT
François is the founder and director of Open Sky Yoga Center in Rochester, NY and has taught yoga since 1975. For a decade, he toured Europe with an avant-garde puppet theater and composed music for the plays. The manipulation of string puppets led him to explore yoga and tai chi. He conducts seminars, international retreats and teacher training worldwide. He also leads international retreats with his wife Nathalie in India, Mexico, Crete and Venice…. A graduate of the Ecole Nationale de Yoga in Paris (with direct disciples of Sri Krishnamacharya) and among the first french yoga instructors to study in Pune,India with Sri B.K.S. Iyengar from whom he received a Junior 3 certification. François also has explored meditation, ayurveda and experiential anatomy. Certified in Gong and Laughing Yoga(!). François completed the international Sound Healer program in Spain and also holds a master’s degree in Ethnomusicology.
Nathalie Alvarez
Nathalie is François’s partner in life and co-creator of the Journey to India. A pioneer in the fields of massage and transpersonal therapy since 1981— Nathalie directed L’Ecole du Corps Conscience, based in Montpellier, France. Nathalie’s work combines expression, symbolism, mandalas and color therapy.
LOGISTICS
COST
$3,950, Kochi to Chamundi Hill Palace (not including airfare)
$800 non-refundable deposit
Balance due June 1, 2022. Payable by check or credit card online. Indicate “Journey to India.”
$3950 fee includes all yoga sessions with François, all journaling sessions with Nathalie, art supplies, transportation on AC bus, all meals, hotels, Ayurvedic massage, Kathakali performance, class excursions in Kerala natural areas, visits to sacred temples of Thanjavur, Madurai, Mahabalipuram and Auroville, transfer from Kochi to Chamundi.
IMMUNIZATIONS
Information on immunizations, visa and travel insurance info will be sent after registration.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
A Visa is needed for India. See Travista Outsourcing, http://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing. com/
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Suggested travel insurance: travelex.com or statravel.com
Download and print flyer: PDF
For more information: yogawave108@gmail.com
| Option | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Non-refundable Deposit, Journey | $800 | |
| The Journey Balance | $3150 | |
| Full fee, The Journey | $3950 |