Course Schedule
-
Day 1: Arrival and Welcome
22 September 2024
This is the day to arrive at the Tantra Yoga Level 1 venue in Rishikesh. You may want to arrive in India, or even Rishikesh, a few days earlier in order to have some rest after your travels and before the program begins.General schedule for this first day is as follows:
12:00 onwards: Arrival to the course venue and settling in
19:00 Group welcome dinner at the venue and getting to know everyone -
Days 2 to 21: Teachings and Practice
23 September – 12 October 2024
On the 2nd day the teachings commence. You will be studying and practicing Yoga for approximately seven hours daily. Our teaching day starts at 7:30 and runs until 20:00, with several breaks organized throughout the day.This Yoga retreat includes two Yoga sessions each day, 6 days per week, as well as meditation practices, lectures and other teachings. Sundays are allocated for rest and rejuvenation and are generally free days.
Daily schedule:
07:00 Session I: Morning practice
09:00 Breakfast
10:00 Session II: Teachings
13:30 Break and lunch
16:30 Session III: Afternoon teachings and practice
20:00 Dinner
21:00 Occasional satsang, spiritual movie or special meditations
23:00 Lights out! -
Day 22: Final Ceremony and Conclusion
13 October 2024
We begin with breakfast at 10:00, followed by a spiritual final ceremony conducted in according to the yogic traditions.You will receive an official certificate of completion, as well as prasad, tilak and protective thread. We will explain it all at the final ceremony.
Please do not plan your departure from the venue earlier than 15:00 and please do not plan your flights out of India earlier than 14 October 2024 (the day after the course ends).
Mystical India: Stories of Spiritual Awakening
Your Travel Guidelines
-
Arrival in India
Recommended arrival date to India: 20 September 2024 or earlier
We recommend that you arrive in India at least 2-3 days before the course begins – 20 September 2024 or earlier. This leaves you some time to get acquainted with the culture and have some rest. Earlier arrival offers also a buffer in case of unexpected travel delays or changes.
Best would be to fly to New Delhi or to Dehradun. From either place you can arrange for a taxi transport to Rishikesh either on the day of the course beginning, or earlier if you wish. Please note that you can arrive to the course venue only at the first day of the course, not earlier.
Taxi from New Delhli to Rishikesh takes about 5-8 hours, depending on traffic. Taxi from Dehradun to Rishikesh takes about 1 hour. Alternatively, you are welcome to take a train from New Dehli to Haridwar and a 30 minute taxi ride to Rishikesh from there.
Please note that we will offer an online live group briefing for everyone some weeks before the beginning of the retreat.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please do not make any travel arrangements until you have received a course confirmation email from us. That email will clearly state that you can begin finalizing your travel related bookings.
-
Departure from India
Recommended departure date from India: earliest 14 October 2024 or later
Please do not plan your departure from India earlier than on 14 October 2024 (the day after the course ends). Ideally, we recommend leaving some time after the course for assimilation and integration and possibly stay in Rishikesh or India for some extra days.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please do not make any travel arrangements until you have received a course confirmation email from us. That email will clearly state that you can begin finalizing your travel related bookings.
-
India Is Different!
We would like to draw your attention to something very important related to your time in the Tantra Yoga Level 1. Namely, India and Rishikesh are very different places compared to the West.
If this will be your first time in India, you need to come with an open mind and, especially, with an open heart. Everything will be different than what you may have been used to. India is not the West!
You will encounter:
- Very different culture and way of life
- Different economic level and life standards
- Unique cuisine with limited western choices but abundant Indian ones
- The Tantra Yoga Level 1 venue is up in the mountains of Rishikesh in the midst of nature. You may encounter local flora and fauna and need to be mature about it.
Your usual level of comfort may be challenged during your stay in the Tantra Yoga Level 1. However, through this you will discover a deep sense of peace in the simplicity of life and surrender to the spiritual quests even more.
-
Group Briefing
With the whole Tantra Yoga Level 1 group we will have an online briefing a few weeks before the course to help you plan your local travel within India and to share other valuable information on how to prepare yourself for time in India.
You will also be connecting with the Tantra Yoga group via a Telegram app and you can make joint travel plans together with your peers.
Topics covered in the briefing:
- Travel to and within India and getting to Rishikesh
- What to bring with you for the course and in order to manage well in India
- Clothing to take and what not to take
- How to go about money and local currency (cash or card)
- Cultural aspect of India and Rishikesh to be considered
- Any other questions and topics that you may want to discuss
Important Note on Force Majeure
In case the conditions of force majeure render it impossible to offer the Tantra Yoga Level 1 as an in-person physical course at the scheduled time (e.g. due to pandemic related travel restrictions or other unforeseeable world events), we will make effort to reschedule and offer it at a later time.
Depending on the exact situation, we may also consider changing the course format and offer it either partially or fully as an online course over a duration of multiple months. In case of force majeure no refunds of your paid fees are offered.
Venue
Rishikesh Valley
Rishikesh, IndiaThis retreat unfolds in Rishikesh, India, at the serene Rishikesh Valley — a family-run sanctuary nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas, embraced by lush nature and profound tranquility, where study and transformation flow naturally.
The venue comprises two nearby locations about 400 meters apart, both exclusively ours. The first features twelve charming wooden cottages with en suite bathrooms, a yoga hall, kitchen and dining area, and a mountain stream forming a natural pool. Simple yet graceful, the cottages offer comfort in harmony with nature.
The second site is a newly built four-story residence with twelve apartments, each with two bedrooms and a shared bathroom, and two rooftop yoga spaces overlooking majestic Himalayan views.
Accommodation is shared with two to three participants per room or cottage, with premium spaces reserved for early registrants.
Three nourishing vegetarian meals are served daily, and filtered water is available throughout the day.
Hear It from Our Students
Teachers
Somananda
Founder and Head Teacher
Spiritual yogi, lecturer, teacher and author, Somananda is the founder and head teacher of Somananda Tantra School. Read more
Liisa Maimon
Founder and Senior Teacher
An inspiring tantric yogini, Liisa is a strong driving force of the school – both as a senior teacher and general manager. Read more
Dharmananda
Senior Teacher
Born in Israel in 1977, Dharmananda could be described as a modern-day “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” of Yoga. He is a meditation master. Read more
Shiva
Teacher
Shiva’s initial Christian upbringing prompted him to explore the purpose of life, which ironically led him to Yoga. Read more
Lucila Croce
Teacher
A sense of deep incompleteness and a serious health issue were the forces that propelled Lucila to study spiritual Yoga. Read more
Teachers shown on this page may change due to unforeseen circumstances, and each may teach in various capacities. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility regarding the teaching team dynamics.
Tickets
What Is Included
The course fee includes: Accommodation in shared occupancy and 3 vegetarian meals per day during the full duration of the course (3 weeks); all teachings, course booklets and supportive materials; special group events.
The course fee does not include: Flights to and from India; cost of transport within India; cost of personal supplies that every participant is required to bring with them to the Tantra Yoga Level 1 (e.g. Yoga mat, yoga clothes, ritual outfits and the like – an exact list will be sent prior to the course).
For cancellation and refunds please carefully read our Terms of Service and Liability Waiver before making your booking. By making a booking you confirm that you fully accept all terms presented in these documents. Upon a cancellation from your side, the deposit payment is non-refundable, but additional refund limitations may also apply depending on other factors.
For cancellation and refunds please carefully read our updated Terms of Service and Liability Waiver before making your booking. By making a booking you confirm that you fully accept all terms presented in these documents. Upon a cancellation from your side, the deposit payment is non-refundable but additional refund limitations may also apply depending on other factors.