India-A Journey of Gratitude and Discovery

Come to the Motherland…India. Hear her song for yourself.

Join us for a Journey of Gratitude and Discovery in India, the birthplace of Yoga.

Cost $2399 plus airfare 

Reserve your spot now…Space is Limited!

Register Here

From the exciting and vibrant city of Delhi to the tranquil village of Rishikesh at the foot of the Himalayas, you will experience the beauty and vibrancy of what Northern India has to offer. We’ll spend a day at an Elephant Sanctuary, a day at the Taj Mahal, and take a visit to The Temple of the Divine Mother.  The Sattva Retreat Center will be our home for three days, where we will practice yoga and meditation and participate in a puja (fire ceremony) on the banks of the Sacred Ganges River.

Our days will include daily yoga and meditation sessions, sightseeing, journaling, discussions, and Ayurveda treatments. You will walk away feeling grateful, energized and refreshed.

Itinerary (subject to minor changes)

Thursday November 23 (Thanksgiving) 

• Depart from your home town
• Journey begins on the flight
• Gratitude Journaling, Podcasts, Self-Care
• Wherever you fly from, you will be provided with these tools for your flight

Saturday November 25

• Late Friday night or early Saturday morning arrive in Delhi check into Hilton (transportation provided)
• Explore city (bring a mask for air quality protection)
• 5pm Restorative Asana Practice and Group Activity
• 8pm Group Dinner in Delhi
• 10pm Bedtime

Sunday November 26

• 7am 30 minute Meditation and Movement
• 7:45am Breakfast
• 8:30am Meet in lobby-travel by coach to Elephant Sanctuary (2.5 Hours)
  • Bring clothes that can get dirty, including closed toed shoes
• “Driving Discussion” Ganesha and the Dieties
• Elephant Sanctuary   (11am to 4pm)
• Travel by coach to Mathura and check in to hotel
• 7pm Dinner at resort
• Shri Radha Brij Vasundhara Resort in Mathura (The birthplace of Lord Krishna)

Monday November 27

• 7am Asana and Meditation
• 9am Breakfast
• 10am depart for Hike (Govardhan Holy-Hill)
• Afternoon explore Mathura/Personal Time
• 7pm Dinner
• Stay in Mathura
• Early bedtime, coach leaves at 4:30am for Taj Mahal!

Tuesday November 28

• Depart 4:30am-90 minute travel to Taj Mahal/Agra
• 6:30am Sunrise at Taj Mahal
• Explore Taj Mahal/Agra
• 7pm Evening Movement and Meditation
• 8pm Group Dinner
• Stay at Doubletree by Hilton Agra

Wednesday November 29

• 6am Breakfast and check out
• 7am Travel to Rishikesh (7-9 hour drive, bring a book!)
• Box lunch on bus
• 2-4pm-Arrive at Sattva Center/Explore Grounds
• Ayurvedic Wellness Consult upon arrival
• Customized wellness plan for each person to balance and restore the body
• Free time for Ayurvedic treatments
• 6:30 pm Dinner
• Evening gentle yoga and meditation

Thursday November 30

• 7am Yoga and Meditation Class
• 9 Breakfast
• Free time for Ayurvedic treatments
• 12 Lunch
• 3pm Session with Vaidhya on mixing herb potions for body type
• Evening Puja/Fire Ceremony on the banks of the sacred Ganges River
• 6pm Dinner and Deities Conversation
• Wisdom and Gratitude Activity
• Ayurvedic treatments

Friday December 1

• 5:30am depart for hike to Divine Mother Temple(1 hour drive) and Mindful Meditation.
• 10 AM Breakfast
• Free time for Ayurvedic treatments
• 12 Lunch
• Mini Hike/Cave Exploration
• 5pm Yoga & meditation class
• 6pm Dinner
• Ayurvedic treatments

Saturday December 2

• 7am Yoga and Meditation Class
• 8am Breakfast
• Ayurvedic treatments or Explore Rishikesh
• Lunch
• 12 noon Travel to Delhi 2 rooms at HG Inn for showers, luggage storage, etc.
• Final Dinner and time in Delhi
• Meet at Midnight to depart for airport

Sunday December 3

• 3am flight home
• Arrive home 12:45pm

You will be flying into Delhi, arriving late on Friday November 24th or early on Saturday November 25th

Immunization for Travel to India

We do need to get immunizations for travel to India. Here is the CDC website with all of the recommendations.

 

***Yoga Teachers Earn 30 Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Credits

***Cost is based on double occupancy. All rooms have two beds, unless otherwise requested. For single occupancy cost is $2799

Contact Denise at denise@yogaassets.com with questions

 

Experiencing India for the First Time

“India can be overwhelming to the senses. Our western senses are not accustomed to the sights, smells, and sounds of this land. India has been beaten on for thousands of years and shows the wear of those years. If you look at India through physical (and often critical) eyes, with western expectations, you will be disappointed. But if you look though spiritual eyes, you will receive the gifts she has to offer, and you will be enlightened.” ~Sree Devi Bringi

Things to bring:

• Passport and Entry Visa valid through June 2018 (https://www.indiavisaapplication.com)
• Yoga Mat
• Loose fitting, light airy clothing
• Several Scarves
• An individual water purifier (optional but recommended)

Advice for charging cell phones in India:

When travelling with more than your mobile phone the best travel power adapter for India is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger ^[9]. Indians use three different standards of power outlets (D, C and M) and using a power adapter like this ensures that you are covered for type C.

As these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world just by changing the included plugs over. If your mobile phone supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you’ll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these travel adapters and additional support for certain power hungry devices like tablets. Unlike other adapters this means you can power more than one device simultaneously without needing to pack individual travel chargers. Only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage. Because of their flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones and tablets without using up an additional plug socket.

More About India (courtesy of the Chopra Center)

Ma Ganga

India’s holiest river, the Ganges, descends from the snow-capped Himalayas turning westward to wind her way across India’s great northern plain. Ma Ganga, as she is known, is worshipped throughout India as the compassionate Goddess who flows from heaven bringing life, sustenance, and purification to all who are touched by her waters. The devout believe that bathing in the Ganges washes away the sins of hundreds of lifetimes.

Cows

You will see many animals working or roaming the streets in India, but none as prevalent as the cow. Cows are worshiped in India as the Divine Mother and, as such, are loved and respected by every Hindu. You will often see them colorfully painted and decorated. It is auspicious to see a cow first thing in the morning and killing a cow is considered a great sin. The cow represents Lakshmi, the goddess of abundance, and lives a life of selfless giving. Its milk, dung, and urine all have a usefulness. Bulls are put to work pulling carts and ploughs. It’s even said that breathing the air that passes over a cow generates energy and vitality—try it!

Cows very much set the pace of India as everything and everybody gives way to them. Except in the center of major cities, you’ll find cows wandering the streets, lying down at intersections, and helping themselves to anything that looks tasty.

Space

Unlike westerners, most Indians do not need “their space.” Indians enjoy being close to each other and often, close to you. In India, heterosexual men holding hands with each other is a common expression of friendship.

So don’t be surprised if, after carefully mapping out “your space” on a train seat, park bench, or temple floor, two or three Indians manage to happily insert themselves alongside you. Children will crowd around you wanting to know your name, which country you’re from, and to shake your hand. Men will often stand uncomfortably close and just stare at you—you should just smile and know that this is the norm in India.

You will also see the space issue with traffic, where drivers love to squeeze themselves into impossible spaces when passing another vehicle. Every Indian driver knows the thickness of paint on his/her vehicle.

 Noise

India is a land where many of us go to experience deep silence, such as the inner silence during your meditation, viewing majestic mountains, sitting by a sacred river, or watching the sun set over the ocean. And truly there are many wonderful and peaceful places; however, your first experience of India will be filled with noise. Indians love everything at full volume. Whether it’s the Bollywood hit blaring through a shop door, the chants being broadcast from an ashram roof, or the wedding procession band, it has to be loud and the more distorted and crackly the better!

Then there are the horns. The pride of every Indian driver is his horn. An Indian driver without a horn is mute and probably would rather stay at home. There is almost no road rage in India but drivers will take every opportunity to honk their horns. Honk honk! I’m passing you; honk honk! you’re passing me; honk honk! I think the red light is about to change; honk honk! I have a new horn!

Safety on the Roads

On Indian roads, it is the survival of the biggest. With the exception of cows, who always take precedent, the bigger the vehicle, the greater the respect. Indian drivers do not like to give-way or wait and always look for an alternative, which often includes driving on the wrong side of the road, the sidewalk, or even across a roadside field. You, as a pedestrian, are only slightly above dogs, on the highway pecking order. When crossing a road, look both ways at once, pick your moment, pray to your favorite deity, and run.

Chai

Nowadays, a drink called chai tea latte can be ordered in most western coffee shops. However, the Hindi word chai actually means regular black tea. The spicy variety made with milk is called masala chai or mixed tea. The best place to drink it is on the side of the road where the Chai Wallah makes it fresh (not from concentrate) by boiling together water, milk, loose black tea, sugar, and this spice mix, often over an open fire. When ready, the piping hot mixture is strained into small disposable, clay cups. Sit on an upturned milk crate and enjoy, slurping is socially acceptable. Ahhhhhhh!

Tips for Beating Jet Lag

Start Early

The most skilled jet lag dodgers plan their movements a few days ahead. Start with the timing of your flight: long-haul flights that land in the evening gives you a greater chance of minimizing jet lag because you’re more likely to sleep naturally when you arrive in you hotel, giving you a head start on the new routine next day.

 Adjust your internal clock.

A week before your departure, gradually shift your sleeping and eating times to coincide with those at your destination. Once you arrive, adopt the local time for your daily routine. This is easiest way to trick your mind and body.

Sleep During The Flight

Although this not something as easy as it sounds unless you are flying on flat beds of first class, but even if you can manage to close your eyes even for few hours as you pass different time zones, this is most helpful in avoiding the symptoms of jet lag. Try to stay awake as long as possible during those long 10-14 hours flight, and once you are completely out of energy, sleep for the rest of your flight time.

I know it’s difficult to think about the sleep on plane, so on the off-chance that you experience difficulty dozing, don’t curse yourself. Simply make it an objective to simply get in whatever number short rests as could reasonably be expected.

Stay Hydrated

Don’t simply hydrate, over-hydrate. Drink as much water as possible avoid alcohol on long distance flights. Instead go for a fruit juice which will not cause you dehydration unlike alcohol which is a bad combination with pressured air inside the flight.

Vitamin B & C

Certain vitamins can help you in getting good rest. This is something I always do before a long haul flight. Just take a Vitamin B pill on the day of your flight and you will have a good rest during the flight. Vitamin C also boosts your immunity in fighting the various infections present in the pressurized air of plane. Instead of Vitamin C pill, I prefer drinking lots of fresh juices which contains more natural for of the vitamins.

Exercise

I know. When you’re drained and jet lagged this is the exact opposite thing you need to do. The good news is, you don’t have to do a great deal, only 15 to 20 minutes least. Leave your camera behind, go for a stroll around your hotel and stretch your legs little bit. Also, climbing stairs will get more blood flowing into your legs quickly and thus reduce symptoms of jet lag.

Avoid Caffeine

Coffee is a strong stimulant which keeps you more mentally alert. Avoid it after evening in order to get good sleep. If you are an addict, try some tea instead. I personally prefer drinking a cup of aromatic lemon grass tea after 4 pm. This always suits me for a good night-time sleep.

No Short Naps

As nice it may sound to fall on the bed for couple of minutes the moment you arrive in your hotel – don’t. Instead go for brisk walking for few minutes around your hotel to know your new environment. Keep yourself occupied over something or else but avoid the bed for a short quick evening nap.

Keep Your Curtains Open

Once you’re ready to sleep according to your new time zone, open your room’s window blind. If you open the draperies, the light from the morning sun will help you wake up, fresh enough to start your day on a good note.