The 7 days Yoga and Meditation Retreat at Yoga Vidya Mandiram in Rishikesh, India centre is held over a duration of 7 days and 6 nights. This retreat explores the practices of meditation with relaxation techniques introduced as an essential part of preparing and moving into meditation. While meditation is the highlight of the retreat, the curriculum also integrates yoga asana, pranayama and relaxation practices on a daily basis to bring balance into the practice and to make way for the body and mind to be ready for meditation sessions. For asana practices, our school focus on Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga styles of asana.
Students will go through 6 days of training with 1 rest day per week. On this rest day, our school organizes a half-day excursion for students that may involve visits to one of the sacred sites in Rishikesh. The rest day usually falls on a Sunday, but may be shifted to a weekday to avoid tourists and traffic during high season in Rishikesh. The excursion would be a visit to either Vashishtha Cave, or Kunjapuri Temple. Excursion may shift to a different destination in specific circumstances. Excursion organized by school is inclusive in the course fee and the destination would be selected by school.
05:00 – 6:00 : Wake Up!
06:15 – 06:30 : Mantra chanting
06:30 – 07:30 : Shat-kriyas & Pranayama practices
07:30 – 09:00 : Hatha-Yoga (Classical)
09:00 – 10:00 : Breakfast and free time
10:00 – 12:00 : Session I – Meditation Theory & Practice
12:30 – 13:00 : Karma Yoga (Seva)
13:00 – 14:30 : Lunch
14:30 – 16:00 : Self-Study / Self-Practice
16:00 – 16:15 : Tea break
16:30 – 18:00 : Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
18:00 – 19:00 : Session II – Relaxation & Meditation Practice
19:00 – 20:00 : Dinner
20:00 – 21:00 : Self-Study / Free Time
21:00 – 22:00 : Go to Sleep!
Mantra Chanting
Hatha Yoga Asanas
Breathing & Pranayama Practices
Satkarma or Cleansing Exercises
Practice Relaxation & Preparation for Yogic Sleep
Meditation
Yoga philosophy, Life-style, & Yoga Ethics