India Programs
Yoga & Ayurveda Offerings in South India
Master Schedule
A list of key dates for each program...
Astanga Yoga | New Year's Mini-Astanga Yoga Retreat
"New Beginnings, Strong Foundations: Awaken Your Astanga Practice in the New Year"
Dec 29, 2025 to Jan 2, 2026 (Mon-Fri) | 5 Days
Instructor: Senior Astanga Teacher in the Krishnamacharya Lineage (English & Kannada)
Celebrate the arrival of the New Year with a transformative 5-day Astanga Yoga retreat on the pristine shores of Kovalam Beach, Kerala. Guided by a senior Astanga teacher, this retreat is a unique opportunity to deepen your practice in an intimate and inspiring setting. Begin each morning with the invigorating rhythm of the Astanga Primary Series, focusing on breath, alignment, and the meditative flow of movement. Afternoons are dedicated to exploring key aspects of the practice, including pranayama, philosophy, and personalized guidance from the teacher. Between sessions, unwind on golden beaches, enjoy fresh local cuisine, receive an Ayurvedic Rejuvenation treatment, and take in the beauty and tranquility of Kerala’s coastal paradise. Whether you’re an experienced practitioner or seeking to refine your understanding of Astanga, this retreat offers the perfect way to begin the year with clarity, strength, and intention. More info will be released soon - email us to be added to the registration list.
Astanga & Vinyasa Yoga | Beach Retreats
Breathe, Flow, and Reconnect: A Transformative Yoga Retreat by the Arabian Sea
Co-Instructors: Daren Friesen (English & Sanskrit) & Alexandra Koren (Hebrew & English)
Assistant Instructors: Tom Tishbey (Hebrew & English) & Zarina (Russian, Tajik, English & French)
Choose from two sessions: January 4–14 | January 16–26 | Both Retreats Jan 4-26, 2026
Start the new year with an inspiring yoga retreat on the stunning shores of the Arabian Sea in Kovalam Beach, Kerala. Deepen your practice with daily Astanga and Vinyasa sessions, focusing on breath, movement, and bandhas. Led by experienced teachers, this retreat offers a blend of invigorating yoga, coastal serenity, and time for self-reflection. Between sessions, relax on golden sands, enjoy fresh local cuisine, and explore Kerala’s vibrant culture. Join us for one or both sessions, and return home refreshed, inspired, and connected to your inner being. Suitable for all levels. Add extra days for an additional charge.
Daily Schedule...
Choose your experience—all participate in one of the morning asana practices either Astanga or Vinyasa, then all participants attend the Kriya's session together, meeting up for breakfast & tea after morning yoga. The afternoon is customized with beach time, Ayurvedic treatments or teacher training. Most evenings are open for dinner, beach-time or personal study. Tuesdays are silent days.
Astanga Yoga Mysore Style 6-8am - Primary & Intermediate | pre-requisite Surya Namaskar A/B
Kriyas Bandhas & Mudras 8-8:30am - open to all skill levels and practitioners
Vinyasa Yoga 8:30-10am - open to all skill levels and practitioners
South Indian Breakfast & Tea 10-11am
Freetime 11am-7pm for Ayurvedic Treatments, Beach or Teacher Training
Recommended Dinner Time 5:30-6:30pm - preferably before sunset
Evening Satsang 7:15-8:30pm - on select dates, open to all
Kannyakumari Day Trip
"Day Adventure: Explore the palaces and temples to the southernmost tip"
Jan 15, 2026 | 7am-7pm
Embark on an exploratory journey of palaces and temples with stops at the Padmanabhiswamy Palace of the Royal Family of Travancore, the Suchindram Temple with the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva, the Vivekananda Memorial, and the virgin goddess Kannyakumari Shakti Peetha Temple (right shoulder & spine) at the southernmost tip of continental India. Lunch at the Seashore Hotel with an incredible view of the 3 oceans meeting - Arabian Sea, India Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal. Returning home with a stop at a coastal spice shop on the way. More info here...
Yoga & Ayurveda | Panchakarma Treatments
"Nourish Your Body, Calm Your Mind: A Healing Journey through Yoga & Ayurveda"
Vaidya: Dr. Aparna Raj & Clinicians | Brahma Shiva Ayurveda Center
Ayurvedic Panchakarma Treatments*: 108 min | available 11am-6pm
Individual Yoga (Private) "Yoga for your Dosha": 75 min | available 11am-6pm
Ayurvedic Facials & Pedicures: 60 min | available 11am-8pm
Reclaim your vitality and reconnect with your deepest self at this transformative Yoga and Ayurvedic Panchakarma retreat on the tranquil shores of Kovalam Beach. Rooted in the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, this retreat combines daily yoga and kriya practices with personalized Panchakarma treatments to restore balance and promote deep healing. For thousands of years, Ayurveda has offered holistic therapies to detoxify the body, renew energy, and cultivate lasting wellness.
Each day begins with morning yoga & kriya's to awaken and harmonize your energy body. Following a traditional south indian breakfast (dosa/idly), guided Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatments and therapies are tailored to your unique condition (vrakriti) and constitution (prakriti). Personalized Ayurvedic consultations, nourishing Ayurvedic meals, and time for rest and self-reflection complete the experience. Add on a personalized "yoga for your dosha" session to individualize your approach to your yoga practice according to your constitution and condition using ayurvedic principles.
Each morning session of Yoga Asana, Kriyas along with daily Ayurvedic treatments will support your healing journey—grounding your body, clearing your mind, and awakening your inner radiance. Between sessions, unwind by the beach, explore Kerala’s lush natural beauty, and return home feeling refreshed, balanced, and deeply nourished. Ayurvedic offerings are suitable for both rejuvenation and alternative healing for any ailment or injury.
*Treatments must be scheduled 30 to 60 days in advanced due to high seasonal demand.
Ayurveda Studies Course
Unlock the Ancient Wisdom of Holistic Healing
Vaidya: Dr. Aparna Raj (Theory & Practice) & Daren Friesen (Ahara & Vihara)
Choose from two sessions: Jan 8-12 | Jan 17–21 | 6-8pm | 5 Days Each
Embark on a transformative journey through the timeless science of Ayurveda with our comprehensive Ayurvedic Study Course. Rooted in ancient wisdom, this course offers an in-depth exploration of Ayurveda’s holistic approach to health and well-being, covering topics such as dosha theory, Ayurvedic nutrition, herbal medicine, Panchakarma treatments, and lifestyle practices.
Guided by experienced instructors, you’ll gain a deep understanding of how to balance the mind, body, and spirit using Ayurveda’s natural and intuitive principles. Learn to assess individual constitutions (doshas), identify imbalances, and develop personalized healing plans that promote long-term vitality and wellness.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your personal practice or expand your knowledge as a holistic practitioner, this course provides a solid foundation in Ayurveda, empowering you to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature. Explore the art of Ayurvedic healing and unlock a wealth of knowledge that can transform your life and the lives of others. Suitable for beginners and experienced students alike.
Ashram Pilgrimage | Spiritual Journey
Awaken to Spiritual Clarity: A Multi-Day Journey of Inner Transformation
Jan 29 to Feb 7, 10, or 13, 2026
Embark on a profound spiritual journey through South India as you visit two of the most revered ashrams—Sadhguru's Isha Foundation in Coimbatore and the Ramakrishna Ashram in Tiruvannamalai. Each offers a unique opportunity to deepen your connection with the divine, explore ancient wisdom, and experience the transformative power of self-awareness.
Sadhguru’s Isha Foundation – Coimbatore
At the Isha Foundation, nestled in the serene foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains, you will find a space that invites inner stillness and reflection. Known for its breathtaking architecture, including the iconic Adiyogi statue, the center offers yoga and meditation practices that guide you toward deep inner peace and clarity. Sadhguru’s teachings, rooted in the ancient yogic tradition, provide practical tools for living a balanced, mindful life.
Ramakrishna Ashram – Tiruvannamalai
Next, travel to Tiruvannamalai, a sacred town revered for its spiritual energy, where the Ramakrishna Ashram offers a peaceful and contemplative environment. Situated at the foot of the holy Arunachala mountain, this ashram is dedicated to the teachings of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and his disciple, Swami Vivekananda. Experience the stillness and serenity that permeate the Ashram as you immerse yourself in meditation, prayer, and spiritual teachings. You can also visit the nearby Arunachaleswarar Temple and meditate on the sacred mountain, believed to be the embodiment of Lord Shiva.
This spiritual journey through South India will leave you deeply inspired, with the opportunity to connect with the sacredness of both these transformative spaces and integrate timeless teachings into your own life.
Teacher Training Course
"Ancient Wisdom for Modern Teachers: Empower Your Teaching with Timeless Yoga Principles"
January 3 - 26, 2026
Instructor: Daren Friesen
Moksha Yoga's 200/300 hour Yoga Teacher Training is a transformative journey that will deepen your understanding of yoga and empower you to share its wisdom with others. Whether you are looking to become a yoga teacher or simply deepen your own practice, this training will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and inspiration to embark on a fulfilling yoga journey. Our program is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of asana, pranayama and meditation. Discover how to use bandhas, mudras, kriyas and mantras to enhance your teaching. Explore the interior landscape of marma nadi chakra to go deeper into the energy body. Learn anatomy, ayurveda, and the ancient philosophy of yoga, sankhya and tantra, while also honing your teaching skills and deepening your personal practice. By the end of the training, you will not only be equipped to teach yoga classes with confidence and skill but also have a deeper understanding of yourself and the profound teachings of yoga. We invite you to join us on this transformative journey and discover the true essence of yoga.
Daily Schedule...
Morning Yoga & Kriya Practice 6-10am - see above retreat schedule
South Indian Breakfast & Tea 10-11am
Afternoon Teacher Course 11am-2:30pm (Jan 15 - holiday)
Freetime 2:30-7pm for Beach, Ayurvedic Treatments or TTC studies/homework
Optional Ayurveda Course 6-8pm (5 day course - choose dates - extra fee)
Evening Satsang 7:15-8:30pm - on select dates