Auroville – The City of Dawn, is an international experimental community in South India founded by the spiritual partner of Sri Aurobindo – Mira Alfassa in the year 1968 with an aim to build a place where people from across the globe could live in peace and harmony. With its beautiful concept, this place is reckoned to be one of the top tourist attractions in Pondicherry. At present, it is home to around 3000 people from over 75 nationalities.
This yoga & wellness retreat is especially close to my heart. Having taken a break from my life back in Canada in 2011, I was struggling with the pivotal question of what to do next. Should I go back to a corporate job where I traded my time for money or is there another model, another way of life that could bring me greater joy? It was then that I visited Auroville in 2013 and what was supposed to be a brief visit, turned into a 1.5 year long stay. I volunteered at Buddha Garden and headed the Auroville Retreats program among other projects. And ultimately, I was propelled on to a spiritual path.
Each day will begin with a class devoted to yoga asana practice where we utilise our breath to focus our attention inwards. These classes are intended to go beyond the general group classes you may experience back home. Throughout the week, we’ll build progressively on different flows focusing on various aspects of the mind and body and turning your practice into an Active Meditation.
During the day time we will fully explore Auroville and the nearby areas on our bicycles (included in the package). Auroville offers many activities suited for people with different interest- cafes, bakeries, art gallery, gardens, shopping, wellness centres, multimedia centre, performing arts theatre among many others. Three beaches close to Auroville provide opportunities for a beach stroll, swimming, surfing or sun-bathing. You are free to explore much more in your free time as you please.
During the Evenings we will explore very unique practices such as Shamanic Breathwork Journey, Cacao Ceremony with Ecstatic Dance, Yin & Restorative Yoga & Sunset Beach Yoga. At the end of the day if you still have some energy left, then hang out with fellow retreat participants/ other travellers in Auroville or you may choose to unwind & relax by yourself.
In short, this retreat is for those seeking tranquility and a balance of practice, adventure, culture, and relaxation.
What are the Benefits?
As 2021 comes to an end, it will be a time of reflection and introspection for many of us. I have deliberately chosen this time and the “City of Dawn” (Pondicherry, South India) as the venue for this yoga retreat as it will be symbolic of the new chapter that I hope will begin for some of you post this yoga & wellness retreat.
My intention for you will be to take this opportunity to take stock of things and remember what is important to you. I will help you in identifying the barriers in your path that are holding you back from realising your inner most desires. For it is this disparity between our desire and reality which leads to pain and unhappiness. The key to changing the story of our lives then lies in learning how to bring down those barriers.
Start 2022 with a renewed commitment to your well-being. You will leave:
- Feeling rested and energised to take on 2022 with full vigour and enthusiasm
- Remembering what is meaningful and important in your life
- With a deeper understanding of your constitutional makeup and how to cultivate healthier habits and routines
- With a deeper sense of your yoga and meditation practice as well as how to practice at home
- With tools for working with the mind- breaking negative patterns and being able to work towards achieving intended results within personal and professional life
- Having connected with fellow spiritual travellers and making new friendships
- With memories that will last a lifetime
Your Experience Includes
- Daily 75 min Iyengar based Hatha Yoga flow class
- One dynamic meditation session everyday like- Shamanic Breathwork, Ecstatic Dance and Cacao Ceremony, Active meditation and Yog Nidra
- Private tour of Auroville and Ask Me Anything sessions with long term Aurovilleans who have been an active part of the community and have dedicated their life to the collective cause and vision of Auroville
- Special tour of world renowned and one its kind Centre for the Craft, Art and Science of Sound- SVARAM
- Tour & a Meditation session inside the heart of Auroville- the breathtaking and iconic Matrimandir
- Guided tour to Buddha Garden– a 10-acre vegetable and fruit farm paving the way for sustainable farming practices
- Visit to Botanical Garden– spread over 50 acres, truly one of the most spectacular sights within Auroville having several thematic gardens
- Full Day trip to the famed French Quarters in Pondicherry (South India)
- Five-night accommodation at Vérité
- Breakfast and dinners- nourishing, organic and locally sourced vegetarian meals.
- Facilitator’s fee
- Cycle for exploring Auroville
All activities have been chosen to ensure the best experience for participants.
Schedule
This is an example of how each day might unfold:
- 7:30am | Iyengar Based Hatha Flow
- 9 am | Breakfast
- 11:00am |Exploring Auroville
- 1:30pm | Delicious Lunch at a different and amazing café everyday
- 3:30pm | Exploration of Auroville continued
- 6:30pm | Dynamic Meditation session
- 8:00pm | Dinner
All the sessions during the retreat are completely optional. Remember, this is your time to rejuvenate and relax. So choose what you want to take and what you would like to opt out of.
On 25th evening, we will have a special Christmas celebratory dinner. If you sing/play any instruments, feel free to bring them along.
For itinerary of all 6 days and comprehensive information about the retreat, please download the PDF brochure, given at the bottom of this page.
Additional Activities one can avail
- Ayurvedic Massage at our Retreat Centre Vérité
- Sound bath experience at SVARAM
- Surfing lessons at Auroville beach
- Vedic Astrology Reading by Vikram
Accomodation
This Yoga & Wellness Retreat in South India will be held at Vérité (French for “truth”), one of the main yoga retreat centers within Auroville serving homegrown delicious organic food and powered by green technology. Vérité boasts of 2 Yoga halls, is spread over 10 acres and also has a fishpond where one can dip their feet at the end of a long day and let the fish nibble away.
There are 7 Single and 6 Double occupancy rooms (with separate beds), which will be allocated on first come first serve basis. Facilities include:
- wifi
- laundry service
- guest lounge to connect and meet with fellow travelers
- a library and
- an organic kitchen serving buffet style sumptuous food.
Since we’ll be staying at a retreat center with indoor/outdoor elements, expect to be somewhat exposed to nature (including winds, cute geckos, and jungle bugs), as well as the sounds of tropical birds when the jungle wakes up 🙂.
Meals
ORGANIC Breakfast, dinners and select lunches will be hosted at Verité which has a farm to table concept, meaning they grow their own vegetables and fruits over 2 acres of land within the Verite campus ensuring the freshest meals are available to its habitants. Their cuisine is Western-Indian fusion, with an Ayurvedic influence; flavorful but not too spicy, with healthy oils and nutritional balance. During the day, we will be out and about exploring Auroville where we will be eating at their most notable cafés and trattorias everyday- like Naturallement, Solar Kitchen, Bread & Chocolate and Tanto’s Italian Restaurant.
On day 3, we will be spending the day in Pondicherry where we will have lunch and dinner at one of the many cool and picturesque cafes and restaurants in the French Quarters.
How to get there
Auroville (South India) is easily reached by road from Chennai where people can fly into and take a cab from there to Auroville. Participants are requested to reach and check in by lunch on the Dec 25th.
Other things to expect
December in Auroville means cool sunny days and nippy nights.
Please carry comfortable clothing and walking shoes to enjoy the experience. You may also bring a headlight/torch to make it easy to make your way around at night.
New Year Celebration & Extension of Stay
The Retreat ends on Morning of Dec 30th. However if one wishes to extend their stay and celebrate & welcome the New Year 2022 in Auroville: upon Request we will arrange for an extension of your stay at the Retreat Center Verite. This will be a great way to spend & celebrate Christmas New Year holidays being in a Yoga & Wellness Retreat in South India where the weather is just perfect.
I personally will be in Aurvoille to welcome the new year 2022 with open arms & heart. If you are extending your stay for New Years and keen, then all interested people could plan something together for New Year Eve (Optional).
Usually at Dawn of Jan 1st at the Matrimandir Amphitheatre a Mystical Big Bonfire is prepared and burnt down with special flower arrangements and inspiring recordings create an intense atmosphere of collective spirituality. The attendance is huge and everyone gathers together to experience in silence and concentration the rising of the New Year day’s Sun. It’s quite a spectacular happening to witness and be a part of.
How to Book
To Book your spot Please get in touch with us first, either via a whats app msg or a phone call (9AM – 8PM). We look forward to a brief introduction with you and answer any questions you may have for us. Then we will guide you through a Simple Registration Process.
To Register you will need to make a contribution of INR 10,000 deposit, which secures your space in the retreat.
Registration closes Dec 15th.
Full price for the retreat is INR 36,000/- inclusive of tax per person for 6 days/ 5 nights which needs to be paid in full by Dec 19th.
This retreat will sell out quickly. It is encouraged to place your deposit soon so that you can secure your place and begin planning your remarkable retreat to paradise.
Available Payment Options:
Google Pay / PayTM on our Business Account Number (+91-9815472323) or NEFT (Details Available on Request).
Please note the following are not included in the cost:
- Airfare
- Airport Transfers
- Lunch during daily explorations of Auroville/ during day trip to Pondicherry
- Any personal/medical requirements
- Personal expenses during the tour
Refund Policy:
If cancellation request is made before 20 days to the start of the retreat (Dec 5th), 50 % will be refunded. Requests made after 20 days, is completely non-refundable. However transfer of your seat to another person of your choice is allowed.
Full Refund in case of unforeseen COVID related travel ban25
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yogamoreshala@gmail.com
+91 98154 72323
YogAmoreShala, Kansal Enclave
Sector 1 Chandigarh
India 160001
STAY IN THE KNOW
Don’t miss out on New Retreat Announcements and Early Bird Discounts! No spam ever.
Also receive ‘The Definitive Ayurvedic Guide to Managing Doshas’ for FREE by joining the tribe now