Yoga & Meditation Retreat in North India, March 2015

Join me on a transformative yoga and meditation retreat in North India next March 2015. This spiritual adventure will focus on learning the foundations of both yoga and meditation while exploring one of the most exquisite the parts of the world where these practices began. This will be a life-changing journey that is carefully crafted to help develop the best version of you, immersing you in the culture and traditions of an ancient land — even celebrating India’s most colorful festival – Holi!

The trip will both start and finish in Delhi, India’s capital as well as a home to 25 million inhabitants. Spiced with rich history and over salted with modernity, New Delhi is a curry to sample but not indulge in and an exciting start to our adventure. From Delhi we will head to Agra for two nights to see the Taj Mahal and experience the Holi festival in nearby Baldeo.

I will never forget my first visit to the Taj Mahal—it was a breath-taking experience beyond words. Having visited it a few times now I feel sunrise is the best time to see the Taj Mahal. So, we’ve planned for us to be there just as the sun rises and casts its first rays on this magnificent symbol of love.

Holi is without a doubt the most colorful festival in a land renowned for its color. Celebrated at the start of spring each year on the full moon Holi marks the transition from winter into spring. Like New Years in other parts of the world, Holi is also considered a time to make a fresh start on things before embarking on a new season. On Holi, the streets come alive with people throwing colored powders, colored water and water balloons at each other. Drums and music ring through the streets and the atmosphere is of barely controlled chaos.

We will recover from Holi in the lush green forests of Ranthambore National Park. One of the largest national parks in northern India, it is one of the best places to see Bengal tigers. We will enjoy a beautiful and exciting safari through this gorgeous park seeing, not only tigers, but leopards, wild boar, hyenas, and sloth bears to name a few.

Next on the yoga and meditation retreat is on of the most charming destinations in Rajasthan: Bundi. It’s a quaint town composed of narrow pathways, lakes, hills, temples and bazaars around every corner. Bundi hosts a variety of flora and fauna, which has inspired great painters and authors alike: from Rabindranath Tagore to Rudyard Kipling. In March, the lush green surrounding fields will be in full bloom with delightful pink poppies—a perfect setting to learn and practice meditation.

From delightful Bundi we travel to Udaipur; the ‘Venice of the East.’ Perched on the banks of shimmering Lake Pichola, Udaipur and is thought to be the most romantic city in Rajasthan.  Boasting fantastical palaces, temples, and havelis, this ‘City of Lakes’ is quite magical. If you head east, away from the lake, you can wander through the colorful streets of the inner city, which are lined with a multitude of shops, temples, and restaurants to please even the most discerning traveler. From Udaipur we return to the hustle and bustle of Delhi and the conclusion of our adventure.

Each of these locations have been chosen specifically because they will enhance your understanding of yoga and meditation. I will lead guided meditation classes where you will learn what meditation is. These classes will outline a clear system of practice and teach you how to develop the qualities needed within yourself to begin and sustain the process of meditation. There will also be yoga asana classes nearly every day. These classes will cater to students at any level; from beginner to advanced yogis. As we traverse the majestic and colorful land of Rajasthan, I will also share insights into Hinduism, the major religion of India, and its traditions and customs helping you to get a deeper understanding of this enigmatic country. For more information click here or email info@dandapani.org.

Taj Mahal, Agra