
YOGA AND MEDITATION RETREAT PROGRAM
7 DAY COURSE FOR BEGINNERS/INTERMEDIATES
This 7 Days Yoga and Meditation retreat is perfect for those who want to transcend the simplistic Yoga-asana concept. You will study the Yoga philosophy in a rich spiritual environment and have a personal experience of a real ashram life. This retreat for beginners/intermediates is designed to be an overview to the yogic path introducing students to a full Yoga practice at one of the best Yoga centers in Rishikesh, India. The retreat offers practical tools for spiritual growth and wellbeing.
BELOW YOU SEE THE MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE RETREAT

ELEMENTS OF THE RETREAT
Mauna (Silence): Silence begins after the evening meditation and is maintained until after lunch the following day. All meals are taken in silence as this allows students to focus on their own inner journey.
Meditation: The Phool Chatti Yoga and Meditation Retreat presents a wide variety of techniques and styles to help students find one that suits their personal energy and lifestyle. students chant "Om" together until it dissolves and then sit quietly with the vibrations.
Guided nature walks*: Guided walks are done in silence, allowing students to practice breath and body awareness, as well as becoming aware of the sounds, smells and feel of the surrounding nature.
Day 2: Ganga River walk
Day 3: Waterfall walk
Day 4: Ritual bathing in Mother Ganga
Day 5: Walk in the forest to the viewpoint
Day 6: Garden tour
*depending on weather conditions we may change this scheduled walks
Hatha Yoga: The asana practices of Hatha Yoga are primarily done to prepare the body and mind for meditation. By focusing on the breath these movements become movement meditation. An important benefit of asana practice is the function of each pose to heal the body in different ways.
Ashtanga Yoga: It is an active practice, requiring continuous movement flowing with the rhythm of the breath. When taught, a modified, less vigorous approach will be considered. Note that Ashtanga Yoga, on the context of the Patanjali Yoga Sutra, also means the eight limbs of yoga - the steps required to access "liberation".
Yogic Cleansing: Jala Neti (nasal cleansing with warm salt water) helps to relieve allergies, colds, and sinusitis. It removes pollutants thus maintaining good health of the ears, eyes and throat.
Pranayama (Breathing exercises): These practices energize the body and balance the flow of prana (life force energy) throughout the body. This allows us to channelize our energy in a more creative way, allowing for healing and inner peace.
Lecture and Discussion: Introduction to the basics of Yoga philosophy, yogic techniques and practices, group discussions, questions and answers.
Laughter Yoga: Laughter Yoga was created to relief stress and pent up emotions. The aim of Laughter Yoga is to bring good health, joy and world peace.
Grounding Dance: This dance is performed after Laughter Yoga sessions. Usually people feel energized and joyful, but sometimes deep emotions or memories can surface. Dancing to the drum beats from Africa and India a person is able to stabilize and ground him/herself in the present moment.
Mantra chanting: Mantra means a sound, or a combination of sounds uttered in a specific way. There are different types of mantras. Every mantra activates a particular kind of energy in a different part of the body. While chanting Sanskrit mantras, the sound is more important than the meaning.
Rituals & Ceremonies
Days 1 to 6: Temple Pooja each evening followed by Kirtan (devotional chanting)
Day 4: Ritual Bathing in Mother Ganga. Participants join together in a ritual on the banks of the Ganga near the ashram and spend personal time meditating on the banks of the river.
Day 6: Bonfire Celebration. This is a creative time for sharing our diverse cultures in song, dance and much laughter. A joyous evening and a farewell to the course participants.
Day 7: Havan Fire Ceremony. Havan is the term for a sacred purifying ritual in Hinduism that involves a fire ceremony. We make a ritual sacrifice to the fire god, Agni, by offering seven kinds of wood into the sacred fire.