Saints and Sangha on the Ganga
INDIA RETREAT 2021
POSTPONED!
Join Nancy Nomellini and Sarah Tomlinson for this intimate look at Spiritual Practice In India during one of the most auspicious holy festivals known as the Kumbh Mela. The Mela occurs in this particular spot in Haridwar on the Ganges, once every twelve years.
During the Kumbh Mela, the Saints come down from the Himalayas to bestow their blessings on the devotees. The water itself is energized by their presence under the celestial configuration of stars as they align on this date.
If you are looking to
boost your daily yoga and meditation practice,
visit the local Saints and Ashrams. Discover what the local holy people and the renunciate beings who come down from the Himalayas for this festival emit in the form of teachings and presence,
give back to the community we are visiting; there will be opportunities to work with the cows, work in an alternative hospice, and other possibilities for seva (helping),
introduce Yantra and Mantra practice into your life by creating your own Yantra, a sacred geometric power symbol. Creating and meditating on this personal symbol will give you an energetic boost in an area of your life that requires support and growth.
the mystical experience of bathing in the Ganga with some of the more exotic yogis of the world
…this immersion is for you.
SPECIAL VENUE
During the retreat the majority of your meals and all of the classes will be at the Johari House, this is the residence of Sarah’s late teacher Harish Johari. His family and their traditional rituals, including ayurvedic plant-based food preparation continue to nourish all those who come here. Accommodation will be at this house or the neighboring hotel. These are a stone’s throw from the river Ganges, known as the Ganga in the town of Haridwar.
Haridwar (the Gateway to Lord Vishnu) is the sacred city where the River Ganges leaves the foothills of the Himalayas. The largest ghat, or bathing spot in Haridwar, hosts a nightly ritual known as Aarti where lamps are illuminated and offered to the holy river. This particular spot is called Ha Ki Pauri, The Footstep of God, where Vishnu was said to have dropped some of his amrit, nectar, and left behind a footprint.
Rishikesh, the neighboring town that we will stay at, was brought to fame in the ‘60’s by the Beatles when they found Mahesh Maharishi Yogi and immersed themselves in the teachings of the yogis. Today Rishikesh is considered the yoga capital of India. Rishikesh is 23km from Haridwar.
RETREAT LEADERS
Sarah Tomlinson: is an internationally acclaimed Yantrika (Yantra teacher and practitioner), yoga teacher and artist, with renowned fans across the globe including Elena Brower and Sharon Gannon, co-founder of Jivamukti Yoga. Sarah worked extensively with her mentor Harish Johari in India, he initiated her into the spiritual practice of painting Yantras. Sarah is the creator of the Yantra Bliss Oracle Deck, 2017, author of Coloring Yantras, Shambhala Publishing, 2017 and Nine Designs For Inner Peace, Destiny Publishing, 2008. She leads retreats and Yantra workshops around the world and enjoys lots of time by the ocean with her husband and two young boys.
Nancy Nomellini: is a transformative yoga teacher based in Seattle, Wa. Her classes are empowering, exciting and full of earnestness. She encourages students to engage in Yoga through practices of kindness and compassion towards all living beings. Nancy leads Karma Yoga retreats worldwide for Yogis who feel the call to be of service. Nancy is an animal rights, vegan and environmental activist. She believes a deeper esoteric truth arises when Love is experienced instead of explained. Yoga is for the one who practices love as a living tradition.
Seema Agarwal: is the the daughter of the late great Harish Johari, Sarah’s primary Yantra teacher. She is also the embodiment of the Goddess Sage. She is our local host and works hard behind the scenes to help make your experience in India a great one! Sarah and Seema have taken many trips together in the past decade to prepare you for this retreat.
RETREAT DAY
7am Sunrise Meditation + Chai
8am-9:30am Yoga
9:30-10:30 Breakfast
11am-2pm Excursion/Lunch
2-6pm Yantra Making/Excursion/Free Time
6-7pm Sunset Meditation/Satsang
7-9pm Dinner/Quiet Time
RETREAT OUTLINE
Thursday 11th February: Leave USA
1. Friday 12th February: Land in INDIA (Delhi) - ONE NIGHT
2. Saturday 13th February: Morning - Yoga/Meditation/Shopping = Afternoon - Train to Haridwar
3. Sunday 14th February: Morning - Yoga/ Intro to Haridwar/HarKiPori - Intro to Yantra/India
4. Monday 15th February: Morning - Yoga/Santosh Puri Cow Seva/Kancal /Afternoon Yantra Making.
5. Tuesday 16th February: MELA DAY - Meditation. Story of Churning of the Ocean. Bathing Day.
6. Wednesday 17th February: Morning Yoga - Nani Ma/Cow Seva - Helping Day/laundry/packing for Rishikesh
7. Thursday 18th February: Rishikesh - two nights Green Hotel (Neem Keroli + Arati on the Ganga)
8. Friday 19th February: Rishikesh - second night at Green Hotel (Beatles Ashram)
9. Saturday 20th February: Back from Rishikesh - Sri Anandamayi Ma/Swami-ji
10. Sunday 21st February: Last full day in Haridwar, Siri Jyoti in the night
11. Monday 22nd February: Train from Haridwar to Delhi - festive dinner - airport. *
This retreat is being rescheduled.
DOWNLOAD FORMS FOR THIS RETREAT HERE (soon)
What is covered with your payment:
All transportation in India once the retreat begins (at the airport in Delhi)
All meals
All accommodation
What is NOT covered with your payment:
Your flight to and from Delhi
Your health preparations/vaccinations
Your Visa
Your Travel Health Insurance
Laundry
Massages
Shopping!
Note: this retreat is for sincere spiritual seekers, no intoxicants will be permitted during this time and shopping sprees will be limited. The focus of the trip is to deepen your yoga and meditation practice and be able to reap the benefit of connecting with the experience of these teachings in your daily life upon return.
Lotus Flower Offering at the Venus Temple