Ashtanga Yoga Retreats

Ashtanga Yoga Retreats #1 K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute

I can’t write a page about Ashtanga Yoga Retreats and not put this on it. This is the grandaddy of them all! The KPJAYI is where serious yogis come to deepen their knowledge and practice. This is the place where certification to teach Ashtanga Yoga is granted. Note I said granted, not given because you don’t just take a 200, 300 or 500 hour course and get a certificate. Do not go here expecting to complete teacher training as certificates are only granted when they feel you are ready. You stay at the institute for a one month minimum, maximum 3 months, practicing yoga in the morning at the time slot you are given (can be very very early!!!) six days a week and resting on Saturdays and the day of the full moon. The teacher is R Sarath Jois, the grandson of the late K Pattabhi Jois. On Friday’s and Sunday’s you will do a led practice the other days are Mysore (at your own pace) with Sarath on looking. If you’re looking for alot of personal attention and hand holding the KPJAYI is probably not the best place for you. Mainly people are there to absorb the energy of their fellow yogis and practice with the best. Sarath will give you the next pose when he feels you are ready. After you have completed your time at the institute you are allowed to return no less than 6 months later.

Costs and prices are not listed on their website and can only be obtained by contacting them. If you’re really serious about getting a pure traditional Ashtanga experience check this one out, but be ready to work hard at your practice.

Their Website

Ashtanga Yoga Retreats #2. Purple Valley Ashtanga Yoga Retreat, Goa, India

Purple Valley Ashtanga Yoga Retreat is situated in Goa, a state on India's west coast which is lined by the Arabian Sea. You can choose from one or two week stays. The accommodations aren’t a five star resort but for an Indian Yoga Retreat they are considered a bit higher standard. If you’re serious about your ashtanga practice this retreat needs to be on your list. There are 6 morning classes and 4 afternoon classes per week. Students should aim to arrive on Saturday between 2pm and 5pm, the first class of the yoga course is Sunday morning and the last class is on a Friday morning, with departures on the last Saturday by 10.00am .

"Set in a lush tropical garden with monkeys in the trees and hammocks strewn about, this retreat is pretty close to nirvana." Elle Magazine (USA)"

Food: 3 Vegetarian meals included in cost, Ayurvedic treatments available at extra cost.

Cost: varies according to which retreat you take but generally be looking to pay 450-700 pounds for one week, either shared or private accommodations and for two weeks it would be 750-1200 pounds shared/private. The cost seems to increase with the instructors who come from Sir K Pattabhi Jois Yoga Institute.

Their website

Ashtanga Yoga Retreats #3 Samahita Yoga retreat Center, Koh Samui Suratthani, Thailand

Not the typical Ashram, but not a resort either, it’s a perfect blend of both. This company offers on going retreats without any date restrictions and they also offer special retreats with guest teachers, including yoga teacher training. Another one of their offerings is their health and wellness programs. With their wellness and treatment center onsite they offer more than just yoga- including thai massage, swedish massage and much much more. With the daily yoga retreat schedule morning tea begins at 7am followed by a morning Ashtanga including pranayama. Then off to a buffet style brunch and a little free time. In the afternoons you’re treated to a restorative yoga class. Accommodations are just steps away from the beach making it a peaceful and wonderful place to find inner balance. One quick tip though, if arranging transportation it’s best to get a taxi on your own as the center’s van is a little pricey.

Child minding available: yes

Other Activities (other than yoga):wellness treatments at their treatment center, lounging on the beautiful beaches

Cost:

for the ongoing daily yoga retreat

share two bedroom loft $133 USD per person per night

semi private room $156 USD per person per night

single superior room $172 per person per night

Deluxe suite add $65 per night, $420 for one week, $806 for two weeks, $1170 for three weeks and $1430 for four weeks

includes:

• Fully equipped accommodation with AC
• Full brunch and dinner buffets
• Mineral drinking water
• Herbal steam room
• Salt water swimming pool
• Wi Fi internet
• Service charge
• VAT government tax

Non Yogi partners welcome: yes

food: full brunch and dinner buffets

dates: ongoing for these rates, also host specific retreats throughout the year

Their Website



Ashtanga Yoga Retreats #4 Sugar Ridge Retreat Center, Wyebridge, Ontario, Canada

A huge well forested peaceful property just on the edge of 3000 acres of provincial land this retreat center is a wonderful place to let go of worries. This particular retreat is lead by Emma O’Neill. She is authorized Level 1 by her principle teacher R. Sharath Jois of the KPJAYI in Mysore, India, one of only eight people in Ontario to hold this credential. This weekend retreat will consist of 6 yoga classes over the few days including one meditation class and one workshop. Accommodations can be shared between 4 people, 2 people or private. They even have a few cute cabins tucked just into the quiet forest for a little more peace. Please note bathrooms are in the main lodge, a few steps away from the cabins.



Dates: Oct 18-20, 2013

Location (city, province/state, country): Wyebridge, Ontario, Canada

retreat Center: Sugar Ridge Retreat Centre

Instructor Name and Bio: Emma O’Neill
Emma started practicing yoga over a decade ago in Toronto to compliment her fitness regime (she was a personal trainer). She was soon hooked to the strong sense of calm that yoga brought to her hectic lifestyle. It helped her take a step back from it all to see life in a new and positive light.
For the last 14 years, Emma has travelled all over the world teaching and training, including 5 lengthy stays at the source in Mysore, India to study with her principle teacher, the Director of the KPJAYI, R. Sharath Jois. In March 2011, Emma received her teacher's blessing and is Authorized to teach Ashtanga Yoga. She is 1 of only 7 people in the province to hold this qualification. During her most recent trip (2012) she has had the honour of assisting Sharath in the shala doing hands on adjustments.
Emma practices and teaches the traditional Ashtanga system as taught by Sri K.Pattabhi Jois and R. Sharath Jois. She also has a passion for yoga therapy and healing.

Type of yoga? Ashtanga & Meditation

Child minding available? No

Other Activities (other than yoga)? Which are included in the retreat cost and which ones are extra? All yoga, accommodation, food, workshop materials included in cost. Transportation extra although car pooling is available

Cost? $420 shared, $450 semi, $475 private

Are Non Yogi partners welcome? Yes

Food: Vegetarian, vegan, allergies accommodated

Do they serve or allow alcohol? Yes – allow BYOB

Accommodations? Eco retreat

Size? Minimum 10 maximun 30 participants

Instructions Getting there (which airport and airport transfers):
Travel Directions

From the South (Toronto) Highway 400 north
Take exit 121 (Highway 93) towards Midland/Penetanguishene. Keep right at the fork, heading north towards Midland, and merge onto Highway 93. Continue on Highway 93 for 20 km.  After passing through Waverley (don’t blink or you’ll miss it) you will turn right on Ebenezer Side Road. Take the first left on Old Penetanguishene Road. 

Turn right on Forgets Road. The B&B is located at #5790 and the retreat centre is at #5720.

From the North (Parry Sound)
Take highway 400 south to Highway 12 West – Midland

Continue along Highway 12 to Old Fort Road. Turn left on Old Fort Road (just before the Martyr’s Shrine). Drive approx 2km to the first road and turn right on Elliot Side Road and travel for 2.6 km until the road ends at a stop sign. This is Wood Road (but no street sign). Turn right at Wood Road which ends almost immediately at Forgets Road – you can only turn left.  The retreat centre is on your right at #5720 and the B&B is further on at #5790.

From the East (Orillia)
Take Highway 12 West towards Midland. Continue along Highway 12 to Old Fort Road. Turn left on Old Fort Road (just before the Martyr’s Shrine). Drive approx 2km to the first road and turn right on Elliot Side Road and travel for 2.6 km until the road ends at a stop sign. This is Wood Road (but no street sign).  Turn right at Wood Road which ends almost immediately at Forgets Road – you can only turn left.  The retreat centre is on your right at #5720 and the B&B is further on at #5790.

From Midland
Take Highway 93 through Wyebridge. Turn left on Subway Road.
Subway road turns slightly right and becomes Old Penetanguishene Road. 
Turn left at Forgets Road. The B&B is located at #5790 and the retreat centre is at #5720.

By Plane
The closest international airport to Sugar Ridge is Pearson International Airport, in Toronto. For transportation from the airport please contact Simcoe County Airport Service

By Bus 
Bus travel from Toronto is possible via Greyhound.
Ask for a drop off in Wyebridge or Midland and we will pick you up there.
 

Emma's website 

Ashtanga Yoga Retreat #5. Triopetra Yoga Retreat, Crete, Greece

Instructor Kristina Karitinou is one of the very few people in the world who is fully certified to teach Ashtanga Yoga by Sri. K Pattaabhi Jois, and because of this she is a well known and respected teacher. Triopetra Yoga Retreat center runs an ongoing retreat from Feb 12th- Nov 12th. The daily schedule starts with a morning Ashtanga (Mysore-self paced but with an instructor to help and correct you) class six days a week, and then an optional one at 6pm. There are also face treatments, thai massage, ayurvedic massage, vedic astrology readings are also available for you to book. There are so many activities to do during your free time, too. Accommodations are shared or private and they also have a house available for a larger group of people. Please note the accommodations are not onsite with the shala but rather a short walk. The food is served from their restaurant called the Soul Kitchen with Chris Clark, who I hear is an outstanding vegetarian and vegan chef. Something to note: when booking, if you are wanting to learn from Kristina please ensure she will be present, as she does travel and her husband takes over classes, while she is away.

Child minding available: no

Other Activities (other than yoga): mountain hiking, biking and bike rentals, wild orchid photography, optional cooking classes

Cost: 650 euros per week shared or 850 euros for private or $850 USD shared, $1105USD for private

Non Yogi partners welcome: yes

food: 3 vegetarian or vegan meals per day at their Soul Kitchen restaurant

dates: Ongoing Feb 12 to Oct 12, with no yoga classes on Saturday

Ashtanga Yoga Retreats #6. Ashtanga Yoga Berlin, Lindow, Brandenburg, Germany

If you want to dive a little deeper into your Ashtanga yoga and go beyond just the asanas this is a great place to start. The week long retreat in May has a schedule laid out for lots of yoga classes including Mysore, pranayama and meditation, along with discussion on yoga texts. Instructor Grischa studies under many senior Ashtanga teachers and founded Ashtanga Yoga Berlin. The accommodations are located on their farm approximately 75 min drive from Berlin in a small place called Lindow, Brandenburg. A quiet and serene place perfect for going deep.

Child minding available: no

Other Activities (other than yoga): nothing listed- perhaps site seeing in Germany!

Cost: 550 euros plus accommodations-includes food
accommodations:-double room shared attached bathroom 170 euro per week/ $221 USD-

double room shared with dettached shared bathroom 140 euros/$182 USD per week-

triple room with shared bathroom 120 euros/$156 per week-In the yoga hall 60 euros/ $78 USD-your own tent 40 euros/ $52USDNon Yogi partners welcome

food: included but not specified

dates: May 18th to 25th, 2013- I'm awaiting an update for their next one!

Ashtanga Yoga Retreat #7 Ashtanga Yoga retreat in Bali, Campuhan, Ubud With Dena Kingsberg

Den Kingsberg is Sri K Pattabhi Jois most advanced female student. She completed the 4th Series in 1996 and is certified by the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute.

Cost: 

Retreat includes:

6 nights with accommodation Superior room + yoga + breakfast

private room $1400

twin share $1100 per person

yoga only $ 600 Sunday - Friday

Non Yogi partners welcome: yes

food:

dates

Sept 28- Oct 4th, 2013

Arrival : Saturday September 28 after noon

First class : Sunday September 29 @ 7.00 am

Class times : Sunday - Friday 7.00am & Sunday - Wednesday 4.00pm

Last class ends : Friday October 4 @ 10.00am

Check out : by 12.00 noon. Friday October 4



Ashtanga Yoga Retreat #8

Kino Macgregor & Tim Feldmann 4 day Ashtanga Yoga Intensive for students and teachers, Copenhagen Denmark with additional weekend workshop for all

Ashtanga Yoga Retreat #9 Kino MacGregor and Tim Feldmann, Samahita Retreat

This one was a little tough to find believe it or not! Every year Kino and Tim do a two week retreat here and this just became number one on my to do list . The Samahita Retreat is listed above as they offer ongoing Ashtanga Yoga classes and you can check in for a personal retreat. However, the chance to work with Kino and Tim for two straight weeks in a beautiful setting-wow. Now, it’s not officially on their calendar yet but it’s rumoured to be last week of April and first week of May 2014. Stay tuned.

AHHH I can't wait!!!!

(still no date yet- updated July 26th, 2013)

Ashtanga Yoga Retreat #10

Ashtanga Yoga Retreat in Salento Italy

This retreat will be lead by Laruga Glaser and Shannon Rose Chmelar (Sati). Laruga is a certified level 2 instructor who from the KPJAYI in Mysore so it’s legit Ashtanga, so be prepared to challenge yourself and get inspired. Located at the Samadhi organic Resort you’ll be retreating at the heel of the boot that forms Italy! There are 10 acres for you to enjoy and relax with beautiful beaches nearby, but bring a car if you want to explore the area. The rooms have been described as basic but clean, including the pool area.

Reviews: Agricola Samadhi reviews- 2 total reviews and both were rated very good, 4 out of 5 stars

Type of Yoga: Ashtanga

Child minding available: No

Other Activities (other than yoga)? Not alot, you will be immersed in Ashtanga and not just the physical asanas, but meditation and yoga philosophy lectures as well.

Cost: Starts at 700 euros

Non Yogi partners welcome? No

Food: Does not say what is included here....

Dates Aug 31 – Sep 7

For more Yoga Holidays in Italy please click here

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