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Vancouver Island Yoga School

Retreat to India!

A 17 day Integrated Yoga Journey with Deborah Curruthers and Shelley D'Amico

Imagine yourself in a place where boundaries dissolve, obstacles are removed, and the heart blossoms like a lotus flower in the sun...

Where: Tropical South India in the spice hills of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India
When: Fall 2024

VI Yoga School is once again offering an unforgettable Yoga Retreat to India. Deepen your practice while experiencing the sights, sounds, and fragrances of India. This amazing opportunity lets you experience India’s culture and people while immersing yourself in yoga theory and daily practice. The intensive is transformative for body and mind.

The Retreat

The retreat will be held at the beautiful Chrissie’s Hotel in Thekkady.

Included

  • Yoga Intensive classes with VI Yoga School’s Founder, Deborah Carruthers and Namaskar Yoga Founder, Shelly D’Amico
  • All accommodation (double or single occupancy)
  • Three meals/day at the Retreat Centre
  • Private ground transportation to and from the Retreat Centre
  • Airport transfers
  • Pre-trip info session and preparation (including packing lists, cultural information, maps)
  • Assistance with flights and Indian visa


Not included

  • International return flight to India
  • Overnight in Kuala Lumpor
  • Travel health insurance
  • Indian tourist visa
  • Some meals at arrival/departure city
  • Free time excursions, tips, souvenirs, personal items

Yoga and energy requirements

  • Deborah and Shelley will interview students to determine yoga level and experience. This Retreat is an intensive, with 6 hours of daily practice, including meditation, pranayama, yogic philosophy, and classical asana. Classes are voluntary.
  • Daily free time to rest or explore the amazing Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary environs.
  • One day is built-in at the start of the journey to acclimatize.

Hotels

  • We stay in clean, moderate-standard family-run character hotels (3-4 star) in the centre of activity, with western toilets, showers, ceiling fans, and two single or two double beds.

Transport:

  • Flying Vancouver Kuala Lumpur, to Cochin. Spending an overnight in Cochin
  • We have a private bus all to ourselves for the journey to and from the Retreat Centre.

 Health

Eating

  • The Retreat Centre includes three meals/day with a buffet-style Western/Indian fusion with vegetarian selections. There are many restaurants available in Kochi and Kumily/Thekkady. Please note there is no alcohol taken during the retreat.
  • Those with special dietary needs, allergies, or dietary restrictions can manage well with a little planning and communication with hotel hosts.

Transport

  • We have a private bus all to ourselves for the journey to and from the Retreat Centre.
  • Airport transfers are included. For those extending their stay in India, airport departure transfer is not included. 
  • Travel health insurance for the duration of the trip is mandatory.
  • Pre-trip immunizations are optional.

Before and After Retreat

  • The cost of the international return flight to India is not included. Preference is for the group to travel together on a flight chosen for expediency.

Registration

Cost: To be determined. A $500 deposit is required for registration. Space is limited, so send us an email and book a spot today!

If the Retreat is full, you may apply to the waitlist or have your deposit returned. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us (contact information given below).

What if I need to cancel?

  • You can cancel up to 60 days prior to departure without penalty – Return of full cost of Retreat.
  • Cancellation less than 60 days prior to departure – Forfeit $1,000 deposit, return of balance.
  • On or after departure date – Forfeit the entire cost of Retreat.
  • VI Yoga School reserves the right to cancel a retreat at our discretion, and we will fully refund monies received by us.

Contact information

Deborah Carruthers 
Phone:250-597-1919
Email: harmonyyogaduncan@gmail.com
Website: viyogaschool.com
Address: 360 Duncan Street, Duncan BC V9L 3W4, Canada

About Deborah Carruthers – Founder of VI Yoga School

Deborah CarruthersDeborah is dedicated to providing skillful and transformative yoga and wellness. She began her yoga journey later in life and has practiced the Ashtanga method ever since. Completing her teacher training at an Ashtanga studio in Victoria approximately a decade ago, she continued with Yin Yoga teacher training with Bernie Clarke in Vancouver. An avid student, she has travelled to India to study with senior Ashtanga teachers and explore Indian culture. Many wonderful teachers, including Chuck Miller, Kino MacGregor, and David Swenson, influence her teaching style. Daily practice has radically transformed her life, and her wish is to share this journey with her students. This will be Deborah’s fifth journey leading a retreat in Kerala, India.

Shelley D’Amico is a 550 hr. certified Ashtanga-based yoga teacher, as well as a certified Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher. She is intentional in educating students, by teaching the why behind the what and how. Shelley believes that with a little knowledge, students can learn to trust their intuition and safely practice yoga asanas in a way that best supports their unique body.Sept