INSTRUCTOR
Swami Govindananda
Swami Nivedananda
WHERE
Arunachala, Tiruvanamalai
South India,
WHEN
17 December 2025 – 3 January 2026
ADVANCED PRANAYAMA, MUDRA, BANDHA RETREAT WITH SW. GOVINDANANDA SADHANA INTENSİVE
We are excited to announce the Advanced Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha Retreat that will take place in Arunachala, South India with Swami Govindananda and Swami Nivedananda. We will be exploring the depths of Hatha Yoga with these valuable teachers who have devoted years to this path. A 15-day retreat known as “Sadhana Intensive” in the Sivananda System includes personal Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha and Meditation practices which are performed for about 8 hours a day. We will explore our personal limits and explore the depths of the Self for 15 days in a very special place where Sri Ramana Maharshi was enlightened, in Tiruvannamalai, Arunachala.
CONTENT
Sadhana Intensive is an intensive “individual” sadhana where students practice advanced pranayama, mudra and bandha practices for nearly 8 hours every day. The Students practices in the manner conveyed by ancient texts such as Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Shiva Samhita. This study, known as Sadhana Intensive or Hatha Yoga Sadhana in the traditional system, is the form of study that classical Hatha Yoga texts advised in ancient times, as its name indicates. It has also been systematized through the personal studies of Swami Vishnudevananda in the Himalayas. It is a rare opportunity to practice and enjoy joy, peace, humility, satisfaction and lightness in one’s being, together with sharpened senses, strengthened memory, a mind that is concentrated with a clear intelligence. The retreat requires intense personal discipline and practice. It is essential not to use mobile phone for 2 weeks, to follow a very strict sattvic diet (completely salt-free, spice-free, no tea, coffee, onion, garlic) and never use any substances such as cigarettes. Damla Gayatri Dönmez has experienced this retreat 3 times before with her teachers. Now, she will be acting as a Turkish translator for the retreat in order to provide this opportunity for her own students. The main instructor of the retreat is Swami Govindananda, while the Ancient Fire Rituals/Pujas of Vedic Culture will be performed under the supervision of Swami Nivedananda.
CURRICULUM
The main focus of the retreat is advanced, intensive Pranayama. The practice is up to 2 hours each session which is held 2-3 times a day. Daily Sessions consist of:
12 Basic Asanas introduced in the Shivananda System (specified time, participants practice individually, no teacher)
Advanced, intensive Pranayama practices, gradually increasing to 2 hours
Introduction and Practice of Advanced Mudras, Bandhas and Mantras
Repetition of ancient Sanskrit texts
Satsang: Morning and Evening Meditation & Kirtan
Practice of 6 Kriyas, Purification Techniques (Kunjar Kriya, Jala Neti, Sutra Neti, Nauli, etc.)
Keeping a Spiritual Journal
Likhita Japa (Repetition of Written Mantra), Mala Japa (Repetition of Japa with Mala), Kara Japa (Repetition of Mantra with Hand)
After each session Sw. One-on-one guidance with Govindananda, feedback
Texts to be studied during the training
Viveka Chudamani by Adi Sankaracarya, “Treasure of Discernment” (Vedanta Text explaining techniques for knowing the Truth, the Ultimate Self)
Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Yogi Swatmarama, version commented by Swami Vishnudevananda. Traditional ancient text on Hatha Yoga dating back to the 1500s, explains the Asana, Pranayama, Mudras, Bandha techniques that should be applied, it also examines the concept of Kundalini Awakening in detail.
Sadhana Intensive Training Booklet, a booklet containing all the techniques will be given to the students at the beginning of the training. The Turkish version will be translated and presented by Damla Dönmez.
DAILY PROGRAM
It is conveyed in general terms and subject to change. 04.30 Wake Up 05.00-07.00 Morning Kriya Practice, Meditation, Discussion on Vivekakudamani, Shanti Mantras in Upanishads, Closing Mantras 07.00-07.30 Break with Almond Milk 07.30-09.30/10.00 First Session Advanced Pranayama Mudra Bandha Practice 10.00-11.30 Lunch Break (Satvik, no salt, no spices) 11.30-13.00 Feedback Session and Theoretical Lesson on Hatha Yoga Pradipika 13.00-14.00 Break/ Natural Fruit Juice like Watermelon Juice etc. (Black Tea will not be consumed) 14.00-16.30/17.00 Second Session
FEE
The fee includes all accommodation, meals, and training for 15 days.
Early Bird discount until August 21
Double Room $1900
Triple Room $1750
Quadruple Room $1600
After August 21
Double Room $2150
Triple Room $2000
Quadruple Room $1850
The number of rooms is limited. The retreat will take place with a maximum of 15 people and a minimum of 8 people. The right to choose rooms will be given based on registration priority.
VENUE
The retreat will take place at the “Shivalaya Retreat Center”, a heaven-like place at the foothills of Arunachala Hill, a very special region in South India. Arunachala is the name of the sacred mountain where the sage Ramana Maharshi was enlightened. It is located in the city of Thiruvannamalai in the state of Tamil Nadu. It can be reached by plane from Chennai, followed by a 3-hour taxi ride. At the end of the retreat, the caves where Ramana Maharshi meditated, the Ramana Maharshi Ashram, and special temples can be visited. Those who wish can also circumambulate the sacred mountain of Arunachala. It is considered a very important, spiritual practice in this region, and is taken to be a pilgrimage.
CONTACT TO REGISTER
damlagayatri@gmail.com
gunesayyoga@gmail.com
- Bileti satın almak için link: https://reservations.airarabia.com/service-app/ibe/reservation.html#/fare/en/TRY/TR/IST/MAA/27-12-2023/11-01-2024/1/0/0/Y//N/N
VİZE
Hindistan Vizesi iki üç gün içerisinde teslim alınabilen bir vize olup 102$’dır. Başvuru kişisel olacaktır ancak sürecin nasıl olacağı konusunda rehberlik edilecektir. Başvuru süreci Aralık ilk haftalarında planlanacaktır.
NOT: Bu turistik bir gezi değil, Yoga’nın keşfine dair bir gezi ve yoğun ileri seviye bir inzivadır. Hem Yoga’ya hem de kişinin kendisine dair samimiyet ve açıklık talep eder. Katılmak isteyenlerin bunun bilincinde ve sorumluluğunda olması beklenmektedir.
İLETİŞİM & KAYIT
