Yoga at the Ashram with Mini Tour

You will participate in the daily life of a rural small Ashram in the middle of the Rajasthan desert - A diverse offering of Yoga, workshops, meditation, relaxation exercises, massages, and healthy meals, plenty of relaxation, and evening fire ceremonies in the temple complex. At the end of the trip, you will take a mini tour through the Indian state of Rajasthan. The itinerary includes the blue city of Jodhpur with a cooking class by Rekha, the holy city of Pushkar with a ceremony at the lake, the pink city of Jaipur with a bicycle sightseeing tour, and a trip to the Taj Mahal.

The Yoga journey is accompanied by Yoga teacher Sarah, who has lived in India for many years and always enjoys returning to the small Ashram to recharge and deepen her Yoga practice. There will also be other Yoga teachers taking individual sessions. Participation in the retreat can be for one week only (on request) or a subsequent Rajasthan or Kerala tour with or without Yoga sessions can be organized.

Day 1: Independent Arrival from Germany to Delhi

Participants will be picked up at the airport and taken to a nearby hotel. If you arrive early, you can take a short organised tour of Delhi (at an additional cost). Overnight stay at the Grand Godwin Hotel in Delhi (Meals: -/-/-).

Day 2: Journey to the Ashram

Together, you will take a 1 1/2 hour flight to Jodhpur. From there, a two-hour transfer will take you deep into the Rajasthan desert to the Ashram, where you will be welcomed by the few residents. You will settle into your accommodation and have your first meal at the Ashram before attending the evening fire ceremony at the temple (Meals: B/-/D).

Day 3 to 10: Yoga at the Ashram

Over the next few days, you will gradually get used to the regulated daily routine of the Ashram, starting with a morning yoga session. In addition to the two yoga sessions, you will enjoy an Ayurvedic treatment daily and have the opportunity to participate in a variety of Yoga and Ayurveda workshops. You can also visit the surrounding families in the village, engage in Karma Yoga, and help with cooking in the kitchen, etc. (Meals: B/L/D).

Day 11: Drive to Jodhpur

After the last yoga session and breakfast at the Ashram, you will head to the blue city of Jodhpur (approx. 2 hrs). You will tour the fort, take a city walk, and enjoy an evening cooking class with Rekha. Overnight stay at the KP Heritage Ashram in Jodhpur (Meals: B/-/D).

Day 12: Drive to Pushkar

A four-hour drive to Pushkar. This quaint town by the sacred Pushkar Lake is home to over 400 temples, and it is said that a Hindu must pilgrimage to Pushkar at least once in their lifetime to visit the sacred Brahma Temple and take a purifying bath in the lake. You will also visit the temple and participate in a ceremony at Pushkar Lake. Overnight stay at the Heli Pushkar in Pushkar (Meals: B/-/-).

Day 13: Drive to Jaipur

The journey continues for three hours to Jaipur. You will explore the pink city, take a walk to Tiger Fort, visit Amber Fort, and marvel at the Water Palace and the Wind Palace. Overnight stay at Arya Niwas in Jaipur (Meals: B/-/-).

Day 14: Bicycle Sightseeing Tour and Agra

After a morning bicycle sightseeing tour through Jaipur, you will proceed to Agra. In the evening, you will admire the Taj Mahal at sunset and enjoy culinary delights from your hostess. Overnight stay at Kanha Homestay or Clarks Shiraz Hotel Agra (Meals: B/-/D).

Day 15: Taj Mahal Visit and Departure from Delhi

You will visit the Taj Mahal in the morning. By afternoon, you will reach Delhi. Depending on your travel plans, a transfer to the airport will be organised, a hotel stay in Delhi booked, or a connecting journey planned for you.

Please note: If departing on the last day of the program, the flight should not be earlier than 7 p.m. to accommodate the day's activities.

Subject to changes.

Example Daily Schedule

06:00 a.m. Rise
06:30-08:00 a.m. Yoga class on the yoga terrace or in the garden
08:00 a.m. Breakfast
09:00 -12:30 p.m. Ayurvedic treatments or massages, rest time and Karma Yoga, cooking classes, workshops
12:30 p.m. Lunch
01:00-03:00 p.m. Rest and time for additional Ayurveda treatments, Yoga workshops
03:30 p.m. Tea
04:30-06:00 p.m. Yoga Asanas/Pranayama/Meditation in the yoga hall or in the garden
06:30 p.m. Fire ceremony
07:00 p.m. Dinner
08:00 p.m. Satsang or special program, free time

Full board is provided during your stay at the Ashram. Meals and drinks outside the Ashram, except for breakfast, are not included (see itinerary).

Yoga instructor Sarah Appelt (RYT 800), who lives and learned yoga in its birthplace, India, holds an 800-hour certification from the Yoga Alliance in Hatha, traditional yoga, and yoga therapy. She has also pursued courses in Shivananda, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Kundalini Yoga and continually enhances her expertise. For several years, she has led yoga retreats in Indian yoga ashrams, conducted yoga tours in India, and offered workshops in children's yoga. Her classes are tailored to the needs of her students, blending strengthening asanas with calming pranayama and deep meditation.

Yogeshwar Surajnath Siddh (RYT 500), head of the Shri Jasnath Ashram and President of the Shridev Trust, hosts the yoga program. With a Master's in Yoga Psychology from the Bihar School of Yoga in India, he specializes in traditional Hatha and Tantra Yoga.

Sherry Minnard (Shree) (RYT 500), Director of the Ashram's Yoga Programs, specializes in Yoga Flow Hybrid Techniques and Teaching Techniques. She is the author of "Leadership Essentials for the Wellness Business".

Ashtanga, Hatha, Kundalini, Nidra, Vinyasa, Traditional

German, English (some sessions) with German translation