In an atmosphere that encourages the encounter with oneself, we invite you to come and learn or deepen Ashtanga Yoga according to the teaching transmitted by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.
This stay is an invitation to live a rare experience: combining a daily practice of Ashtanga Yoga with the discovery of one of the greatest pilgrimages of South India.
Beyond the classes, you will take part in the Thaipūsam festival, a major celebration of the Tamil tradition, where thousands of pilgrims converge on the temple of Palani in a deep act of devotion.
For those who wish to go further in their practice, a teacher training is offered alongside the seminar.
The spirit of the seminar
Deepening your practice to the rhythm of the living tradition
This session is designed to offer a privileged time of study, practice and discovery.
Far from the constraints of daily life, everyone has the time needed to deepen Yoga Mālā, « the garland of postures », according to the teaching of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.
The daily practice allows you to gradually integrate the foundations of the method while discovering an India where spirituality remains intimately linked to everyday life.
The meeting between the practice of yoga and the experience of the Thaipūsam festival gives this stay a particularly deep dimension.
The meaning of the journey
At the heart of the spiritual tradition of South India
A seminar in India is a return to the source of yoga.
The cradle of more than five thousand years of spiritual and philosophical traditions, India remains a place where the sacred still accompanies the gestures of daily life.
It is in this context that Patañjali codified, in the 2nd century BCE, the Yoga Sūtra, the founding text of the philosophy of yoga.
South India, land of the Dravidians, still preserves an exceptional cultural richness.
Its temples, its rituals and the fervour of its inhabitants offer a unique insight into the tradition that gave birth to yoga.
Why discover Thaipūsam?
To take part in Thaipūsam is to discover one of the greatest spiritual events of South India.
Each year, during the Tamil month of Thai (January or February), hundreds of thousands of pilgrims converge on the temple of Palani, dedicated to the god Murugan. Men, women and children sometimes come from very far to fulfil a vow, express their gratitude or undertake an act of devotion.
Their processions, their chants, the richly decorated Kavadi, the Paal Kudam (milk offerings) and the traditional rituals bear witness to a deeply lived faith, transmitted from generation to generation.
According to Hindu tradition, Thaipūsam celebrates the moment when the goddess Pārvatī gives her son Murugan the sacred spear (Vel), so that he may defeat the demon Śūrapadmā. This victory symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, of knowledge over ignorance and of good over evil.
Beyond its religious importance, Thaipūsam is a deeply moving human experience. The intensity of the chants, the fervour of the pilgrims and the atmosphere in the streets of Palani offer a living testimony to the place that spirituality still holds today in the daily life of India.
For many participants, this immersion is one of the most striking moments of the journey, enriching the practice of Ashtanga Yoga with a direct encounter with the culture that gave birth to it.
« One does not visit Thaipūsam like a monument. One lives it as an encounter with a tradition still deeply alive. »
The venue
Mahābalipuram, between ocean and ancient temples
The stay begins in Mahābalipuram, on the coast of Tamil Nadu.
Renowned for its granite temples carved facing the ocean, this town offers an ideal setting to alternate practice, rest and discovery.
The shala
Classes are held at the Yellow House, in the new Yoga Shala Maha Lakshmi.
All the necessary material is available:
- mats;
- straps;
- blocks;
- teaching accessories.
Practitioners can of course use their own material.
The surroundings
Mahābalipuram is a town where heritage, local life and spirituality meet.
Between fishermen, markets, temples and the shores of the Indian Ocean, each day becomes an invitation to slow down and observe.
The practice of Ashtanga Yoga
A practice adapted to each practitioner
Together we will work on Yoga Mālā according to the tradition of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.
Depending on your level, you will practise:
- the First Series;
- the Second Series;
- the Third Series.
Each student benefits from:
- attentive observation;
- detailed instructions;
- individualised adjustments.
Beginners discover the foundations of the method.
Advanced practitioners deepen the Vinyāsa, Mūla Bandha, Uḍḍiyāna Bandha and the Ujjāyī breath.
Teachers and future teachers can also observe the pedagogy and the adjustments offered to students.
The simultaneous presence of practitioners engaged in the teacher training creates a particularly enriching dynamic where everyone also learns through observation and exchange.
The course of the stay
Between daily practice and cultural immersion
Classes take place from Monday to Friday.
Morning
Ashtanga Yoga practice
8:00 – 10:00
Afternoon
Teacher training (option)
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
The rest of the time is devoted to rest, exchange or cultural discovery.
An exceptional immersion: the Thaipūsam festival
The highlight of the stay is participation in the Thaipūsam festival in Palani.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims converge on this high place of devotion dedicated to Murugan.
The processions, the chants, the offerings, the Kavadi, the milk pots, the rituals of devotion and the popular fervour offer a deeply striking experience.
Beyond the spectacle, this celebration bears witness to an intensely lived spirituality, where faith, self-transcendence and gratitude hold a central place.
For many participants, this immersion remains one of the strongest memories of the journey.
Our itinerary
During the stay, we will leave Mahābalipuram to reach Kumbakonam and then Palani, to experience the festival as closely as possible.
The journey will alternate:
- daily practice each morning;
- cultural discoveries;
- participation in the celebrations;
- moments of sharing within the group.
This travelling itinerary lets you discover several facets of South India while keeping the rhythm of the practice.
An experience of sharing and transmission
Beyond the classes and the visits, this stay is above all a human adventure.
Practising, travelling and discovering together naturally creates bonds between the participants.
The meals, the discussions, the journeys and the informal times become opportunities to exchange around the practice and to discover India differently.
What you will develop
During this stay, you will be able to:
- deepen your Ashtanga Yoga practice;
- develop your autonomy;
- better understand Yoga Mālā;
- deepen the Vinyāsa, the Bandha and the breath;
- discover a living spiritual tradition;
- enrich your view of yoga and Indian culture.
Who is this seminar for?
This stay is open to:
- beginners;
- regular practitioners;
- advanced practitioners;
- teachers.
A teacher training is also offered alongside for those wishing to deepen the theoretical and pedagogical dimensions of the method.
Teacher training (option)
Participants who wish to can follow the teacher training teachings each afternoon.
This training can be followed:
- in a spirit of personal development;
- to deepen one’s knowledge;
- within the framework of the Institute’s teacher course.
Already-qualified teachers can obtain a certificate of refresher and deepening.
Practical information
The dates and prices are indicated below.
Travel to India, local transport, accommodation, meals and personal expenses are not included in the seminar price.
We invite you to consult the dedicated pages regarding:
- travel and transfers;
- visas;
- accommodation;
- Indian cuisine;
- clothing advice;
- health information.
If you wish to live this exceptional immersion between the practice of Ashtanga Yoga and the discovery of the Thaipūsam festival, please do not hesitate to contact us.
This journey is much more than a stay in India: it is an encounter with a living tradition, an ancient culture and an experience that lastingly nourishes the practice of yoga.
Practical information
- Start
- 18 January 2027
- End
- 31 January 2027
- Duration
- ⏱ 14 days
The teacher who leads this seminar
Where this seminar takes place
Yellow House – Mahābalipuram, South India
📍 1/1 A. Gandhi Street, Mahābalipuram, Tamil Nadu – South India
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Find all our class and retreat pricing in a single document.
📄 Download pricing (PDF)
