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Days One + Two
Chennai / Mahabalipuram
Guests are advised that the best airline schedule to reach Chennai is with Singapore Airlines.
(SQ218 MEL 00:50 SIN 05:25 SQ526 SIN 08:30 MAA 10:00).
On arrival you will be met at the airport in the morning.
We will arrange a special group visit to Desikachar Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandir in Chennai (KYM Institute) where a private class has been arranged for our group.
Subsequently you will enjoy a private consultation with a trained teacher who will asses your needs, so that you may have an individualised yoga program designed for you, according to the Deikachar’s teachings.
The Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram was founded by T K V Desikachar, son and student of T Krishnamacharya (who also taught BKS Iyengar and Pattabhi Jois) in 1976. Starting his career as an engineer, TKV Desikachar was inspired by his father's teachings and became his student in the 1960's. He studied with Krishnamacharya for over thirty years. Today, TKV Desikachar is known and respected the world over as an authority on yoga.
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Later this afternoon after an Ayurvedic thali meal drive 1hour south to Mahabalipuram and the Ideal Resort where you will be for two nights.
The next day return to KYM for further classes/private consultations or take the opportunity to visit the nearby UNESCO sites remaining from the Pallava dynasty.
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Days Three to Five
Pondicherry
The Dune Eco Resort, your home for three nights, is located on the Bay of Bengal, 15 kms north of Pondicherry. Spread over 30 acres with 700 metres of sea front, the Resort has a range of aesthetically pleasing and unique villas that fuse recycled building materials from traditional Kerala houses and old colonial mansions into a funky contemporary architecture with solar heating. There is a swimming pool, tennis court, and an organic farm that provides the produce for the health-inspired cuisine.
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The Resort also boasts an ‘Artist in Residence’ programme and shelters the ‘Children of the World India’ activities, a charitable trust with an organic farm model and catering school for Tsunami affected youngsters. Since long ago, Swamis from the nearby temples of Mahabalipuram have used this scenic beach reserve as a place of pilgrimage and meditation.
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We provide daily early morning and late afternoon yoga and meditation sessions.
The cuisine here is a delectable highlight focusing on Ayurvedic principles of nutrition and there will be the opportunity to learn some dishes from the executive chef.
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Their Veda Spa is under the guidance of Dr Krishna Varma aka Dr Bobby. He has been associated with Apollo hospitals for the past 6 years and graduated in the Ayurveda System of medicine and surgery from Dr. M.G.R. Medical University. With intensive training both in the theory and practice of Ayurveda Medicine for the past 12 years, he specializes in the "Varma Healing Process", a unique technique in Ayurvedic healing for Arthritis, Disc prolapse and many chronic diseases. Veda SPA provides more than 5O external and internal therapies from a simple relaxing experience to complete cures for serious medical problems.
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During the days you will be offered a wonderful variety of cultural excursions that could include visits to:
Sri Ramana Maharishi Ashram, Tiruvannamalai
(Ramana Maharishi was born as Venkataraman in Tiruchuli village of Tamil Nadu, on 30th December 1879. and became one of the greatest and revered sages of India, Sri Ramana Maharishi.
It is possible to visit the ashram, walk up to the caves of the holy Arunachala Mountain where Sri Ramana lived for many years before the ashram was established, and long considered an important pilgrimage route.
Kanchipuram, the holy Hindu temple town renowned for its exceptional hand loomed weaving industry in silk and cotton.
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Pondicherry, a French colony since the 17th C that was returned to the Central Indian Government in 1954. Today it retains much of its early colonial charm with well preserved mellow grey and white mansions, tropical gardens, ornate Hindu temples, and French cafés.
At the heart of the old town is Sri Aurobindo Ashram, established by the guru whose life as a Nationalist political activist in the early 20thC transmuted into a philosophy espousing the birth of a new spirit and race of people living with peace and purpose.
His protégé, a Parisienne, Mira Alfassa , “the Mother” continued his work until 1973 and inaugurated the renowned “intentional Community” of Auroville (the “City of Dawn”) in 1968, some kilometres out of town. Based on a utopian concept of human unity and social integration, Auroville’s 8000 hectares houses over 2000 people from some 30+ nationalities, exploring new urban concepts, organic gardens, water conservation, eco-enterprise projects and innovative architecture, conserving a large dry evergreen tropical forest, and developing unique educational and spiritual programs as an extension of the Aurobindo.
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Days Six to Eight
Chennai / Trivandrum
This Morning fly to Trivandrum, then drive an hour to the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram on Neyyar Dam where you spend the next 3 nights.
The ashram is set in tropical splendor in the quiet foothills of Kerala's Western Ghats. The natural beauty of Neyyar Dam itself, the peaceful forested surroundings, the cool green coconut tree groves and colorful flower-filled views, all offer an ideal atmosphere for the practice of yoga and meditation. Join in the daily routine of the ashram that includes morning and evening sessions of yoga, meditation, satsang and 2 vegetarian meals. Accommodation is in Shared double rooms, with private bathroom attached, fan, lights and shelves. Bathrooms contain a European style toilet, basin, and cold water shower.
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(H.H. Swami Sivananda (1887 - 1963) One of the greatest saints of modern times, he is the spiritual strength behind the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta centers. Swami Sivananda's teachings are a synthesis of all the formal paths of yoga. He trained many exceptional disciples in yoga and vedanta - among them, Swami Vishnudevananda, whom he sent to the West in order to reawaken the spirit of the teachings of yoga.
"Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realize."
Swami Vishnudevananda- Founder (1927 - 1993) Disciple of Swami Sivananda, founder of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres, is a world renowned authority on hatha and raja yoga. By closely observing the lifestyles of the people of the west, he synthesized the ancient wisdom of yoga into five principles that could be easily incorporated into a more modern lifestyle to provide the foundation for healthy living.
"Health is wealth, Peace of mind is happiness, Yoga shows the way."
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Days ten to Thirteen
Triavndrum/Bangalore/Soukya
This afternoon fly to Bangalore, then drive to SOUKYA International Holistic Health Centre - An exceptional and unique Health resort established by Dr. Isaac Mathai M.D.(Hom), M.R.C.H.(Lond) and his wife, Suja Issac M.Sc.,M.Phil.(Foods & Nutrition).
You will spend four nights here.
Based on personal experience, this is highly recommended as an ideal revivifying, cleansing way to finish your South Indian journey and to experience the benefits from this residential integrative medical centre that treats the person with a holistic approach
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During the days at Soukya, there will be twice daily yoga and meditation sessions.
On arrival you will have a personal consultation with Dr Mathai who will conduct an evaluation and recommend a personalised therapeutic and treatment protocol according to your health, ailments and dosha type.
Included at Soukya will be 3 hours per day of specific Ayurvedic treatments and an all vegetarian organic diet specified for you by the doctors.
Additional services can be procured at cost.
We also arrange a teacher from the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore established by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois & Sharath.
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Days Twelve to Fourteen
The last two nights you will spend at Shreyas Retreat located on organic farmlands outisde Bangalore.
Shreyas establishment has been the inspiration of a banker who established its 11 rooms as comparable to most elegant Asian hotels/resorts in ambience, service and comfort, whilst avoiding the typical "five-star" trappings of such hotels. Set in 25 acres of pristine countryside, it offers a luxurious home away from home with an emphasis on sattvic organic vegeterian cuisine, yoga, meditation and Vedanta philosophy.
Daily yoga meditation and chanting sessions will be offered. A Naturopath is available for consultation and therapists are expertly trained in massge and healing treatments.
If you choose to, you can learn to cook, work in the organic agricultural garden and interact with local village school children learning from, and teaching to them. Shreyas offers a wonderful opportunity for guests to get a glimpse into the simple, hardworking lives of the local villagers. And, for those who are interested, exercises in Community Service and ‘Voluntourism initiatives’ are arranged by Shreyas at the local village, schools and orphanages. These exercises include preparing a meal and serving children at a local orphanage, planting saplings in the village, contributing towards the village school's requirements such as uniforms, stationery and infrastructure needs like wells, rain-water harvesting projects etc
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Day Fifteen
Bangalore departure
This evening you will be driven to Bangalore International Airport for your departure or onward travels in India.
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© This Tour remains the Copyright of Marieke’s Art of Living
To Request a Brochure Please go to>
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We reserve the right to change the Itinerary at any time in the best interests of our clients and students.
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