Kerala: Ayurveda, Ananda Yoga and Meditation
Twelve days in a tropical paradise with Ananda
DATES TO BE DEFINED
A holiday of deep relaxation, yoga and meditation, combined with Ayurvedic treatments at one of Kerala’s finest seaside Ayurvedic resorts, with instruction and guided sessions of yoga and meditation practices provided by Ananda teachers.
We have chosen Somatheeram Ayurvedic Health and Beach Resort, one of the best-known Ayurvedic resorts and a certified Gold Leaf facility, as the ideal location for the yoga and meditation retreat. The Ayurvedic clinic includes 12 experienced doctors, 70 therapists, and excellent ayurvedically-prepared food.
Accommodations are in traditional Keralan cottages and bungalows within a beautiful coconut palm grove overlooking the ocean.
This programme is designed to profoundly relax and rejuvenate your body, mind, and soul benefitting from these four main components:
Ayurvedic Massages, Treatments and Diet
Ayurveda is a complete approach to the art of living which teaches how to establish a harmonious and balanced life. It includes diet, yoga and meditation, and advises the use of herbal preparations and therapeutic massage with medicinal oils.
In addition to the Aryurvedic treatments and classes, your experience during this programme includes lessons and workshops guided by our Ananda teachers based on Yogananda’s rejuvenating techniques of energisation, meditation and pranic healing.
The food preparation is one of the most remarkable things about Somatheram. The restaurant prepares delicious meals which are suitable for all body types (doshas). In addition, meals are specially prepared as suggested by the doctors for each person.
Ananda Yoga
The practice of yoga postures (asanas) stimulates and enhances the purification and rejuvenation process by creating a harmonious flow of vital energy (prana) throughout the body.
Ananda Yoga adds new dimensions to the classic practice of hatha yoga; it not only deals with the physiological processes but also reaches the psychological, emotional and spiritual levels through the use of healing affirmations and energetically-revitalising exercises which help to uplift your consciousness.
Meditation
Meditation touches us at our deepest level, bringing to our soul the peace and joy it so much desires. It is one of the three basic ingredients in the Ayurvedic formula for healthy life: diet; yoga postures; meditation. Our Ananda teachers will give instruction in meditation techniques as well as help experienced meditators go deeper in their practice.
Excursions and Keralean Culture
During our 12-days’ stay we have four excursions planned to different sights including a back-water boat trip, a visit to Trivandrum (the capital of Kerala) and visits to holy places such as a temple island dedicated to Swami Vivekananda and local temples and shrines. Every other evening there are live evening performances of classic dance, music and theatre right at the Resort.
- Ayurvedic massages and treatments in one of India’s best Ayurvedic centres
- instruction and practice of Ananda Yoga, meditation, Ayurveda and Yogananda’s healing techniques
- Indian music and dance performances
- guided excursions to cultural and spiritual sights
- the sea, sun and fun.
Your Day in Kerala
We begin our day in the magic of white sands, palm trees and soft ocean breezes.
Morning Spiritual Practices
You can choose between two different programmes, depending on your level of familiarity with the practices (or simply according to the mood of the day!)
a) For those already familiar with the practices of Self-Realisation and who prefer to have a longer meditation, there are guided Energisation Exercises followed by chanting and longer meditation, with guidance on the deeper aspects of these techniques.
b) The second option includes a more detailed instruction in the Energisation Exercises (which were developed by Yogananda to recharge all body cells with vitality) followed by a short Ananda Yoga practice, chant and guided meditation. Beginners are guided step-by-step in all the practices.
Breakfast
We then have breakfast in the open-air restaurant overlooking the ocean. The buffet includes fresh juices (pineapple, papaya, watermelon, orange), a variety of local tropical fruits and delicious Ayurvedically-prepared dishes.
Ayurveda, Yogananda’s Healing Techniques and Ananda Yoga Classes
At about 11:30 we meet either on the lawn under the coconut palms or in the thatched-roof circular yoga hall. An Indian doctor will teach the basic principles of Ayurveda, helping you to understand and work with your ‘doshas’ and giving you helpful advice on how to get the most benefit from the treatments and the Ayurvedic meals. There will also be classes on Yogananda’s healing techniques and guided Ananda Yoga sessions, which will usually be combined with the Ayurveda lesson.
Self-healing with Prana
Energy recharging and self-healing practices based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda
In addition to the Ananda Yoga and meditation sessions Triveni and Shivani will guide a cycle of workshops on pranic self-healing, based on the ‘Life Therapy’ system of Yogananda. These are the foundation practices for the School of Ananda Life Therapy.
‘The method which can directly and quickly rouse the life energy to effect healing is termed ‘Life Therapy,’ or direct healing by the rays of the inner Life Force.’ — Paramhansa Yogananda
We will explore together in these workshops this simple but profound truth: when the Vital Energy (prana) is stimulated and properly directed, it becomes the instrument for all forms of healing.
Ayurvedic Treatments
The lesson will finish around 13:00, following which everyone is free to enjoy their Ayurvedic treatments.
Group Meditation at Sunset
For those who wish to participate, guided yoga and meditation will always be offered from 17:30 until 19:00 in the evening.
Evening Entertainment
Next to the restaurant is an outdoor stage where there are performances which include classical Indian music and dance as well as the extraordinary Keralan tradition of ‘Katha Kali’, which is a theatrical representation of Indian mythology. The actors wear elaborate costumes and masks and tell the stories through dance, music and mime.
One of them is a back-water boat trip in a traditional Keralan boat. Kerala is famous for its canals and lakes which interconnect most of the country. Our boat ride will take us through lush vegetation and past some of the local villages.
Another trip will take us to the southern most point of the Indian subcontinent. We will visit the holy shrine of Kanyakumari on the southern tip of Cape Comorin, as well as visit a shrine dedicated to Gandhi and take a short boat ride to a temple island dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, one of the most revered saints of modern India. Afterwards we’ll visit a huge famous ancient temple dedicated to Hanuman and see and participate in the various rituals observed in this holy temple.
We will also take a short trip to the famous Kovalam Beach, only eight kilometeres from our hotel, which is a good place to shop for local handicrafts.
We will visit Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala, where we will explore a beautiful palace, two Hindu temples (one dedicated to the deity Vishnu, one to Ganesha) and have time for shopping. For those who are interested we offer also a tour of the Ayurvedic herb farm of Somatheeram.
Somatheeram is a certified Gold Leaf Ayurvedic facility, which is the highest classification. It has also been recognised as the best Ayurvedic resort in Kerala for the past ten years. The staff are trained to a level of excellene and are very serviceful. The doctors and therapists have extensive experience.
The beach is in part private and shared with three other resorts, one of which is also owned and managed by Somatheeram. The beach is never crowded. Chairs, umbrellas and towels are provided. The ocean water is warm and clean, but not always ideal for bathing due to strong currents. Lifeguards are on duty from 7:00 until 18:00 every day.
The food preparation is one of the most remarkable things about Somatheram. The fruits and vegetables are fresh, of high quality and expertly prepared. Keralan cuisine is very tasty, with fresh coconut and coconut milk being notably present. The tour package includes two meals per day, breakfast and dinner, with dishes which are suitably balanced for all three body types.
In addition, special meals recommended by your doctor to enhance the therapeutic effects of your treatments can be ordered. You’ll find excellent Indian food (lightly spiced) and also Western cuisine.
In addition to the clinic and restaurant, other services include an Internet Cottage, with several computers and reasonable rates for usage; a very nice gift store, a clothing store with excellent tailors and yoga halls.
4 members and teachers of our big Ananda family will accompany you during your stay in Kerala: Shivani, Arjuna, Triveni and Bhajana.
These fabulous teachers will assist you and guide you during the daily meditation and yoga classes based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. They will be present for you in any situation of need.
Fees for Programme
The following fees are a close approximation, based on the information we have on hand. Due to possible fluctuations in the exchange rate and in the cost of oil, which affect costs of flights and other transportation as well as hotel accommodations, these fees might change slightly. Based on current exchange rate of E1 = Rs80
Standard Cottage: is a nice room (approx. 4x4m), with indoor modern bathroom and shower, without a sea view.
Double occupancy: €1925; Single €2450.
Garden Cottage: very similar to the Standard Cottage, with a beautiful garden outside, featuring terrace, hammock or beach chair.
Double occupancy: €2195 per person; single €2795.
(Based on current currency exchange. If there is any significant change, the cost will be reflected in the final payment.) Optional cancellation insurance available (5% of total travel cost). Please contact us for further details.
Payments: deposit of 50% by 2022 November 20th and balance by 2022 December 20th. For bank information and other travel conditions, please contact us.
Please note: If you do not have a roommate we will try to connect you with another single person. However, we cannot guarantee a double occupancy fee. If a roommate cannot be found, your fee will be for single occupancy.
The Retreat package includes:
- accommodation in single or double-occupancy room
- Ayurveda, yoga and meditation classes and activities
- translation: English-Italian; Italian-English
- six-day Rejuvenation package with massages and ayurvedic treatments
- two meals per day (breakfast and dinner)
- Excursions as detailed; internal trasportation within India
- Ananda and local guides
- Basic medical insurance
The package does NOT include::
- flight to and from Kerala
- visa costs
- lunch
- donations at temples and shrines; tips to massage therapists and others
- additional Ayurvedic treatments
- personal expenses such as laundry, internet, etc.
- everything else not mentioned under ‘The Retreat Package Includes’
Registration
Here you can download the sign-up form, you can fill it out and send it back to arjunalucki.ananda@gmail.com.
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EXTRA INFORMATIONS
In Kerala with Ananda
Ayurveda, Ananda Yoga and Meditation
Ayurveda Resort – Somatheeram
Ayurveda massage and other ayurveda treatments with Yoga in Somatheeram Group Resorts
“The Spirit of Ayurveda”
Travel with Ananda
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