DAY 1

MEET & GREET. FOLLOWED BY 'HAVAN' RITUAL

Land at New Delhi. Morning transfers for the group will be provided from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi at 8.00 am. We check into our retreat and after a rest get ready for our first activity. A 'havan' is a sacred fire ceremony that brings high energies into our minds and body. As you start this new and exciting journey with us the ‘havan’ ceremony will help make the body more receptive; filling it with positive and divine energy, almost like a cleansing of the slate. We will then enjoy a scrumptious lunch prepared by our in-house chefs. Post lunch we will practice a restorative yoga session with the focus on pranayam: a yogic discipline where you will be guided through a set of breathing techniques. You will then have some time to unpack/rest and orient yourselves to your new home! After an early dinner we will retire for the night to prepare for the next day. 

DAY 2

LEAVE FOR AGRA TO VISIT TAJ MAHAL & OTHER SIGHTS.

After a restful sleep, we wake up to blessings of the day and lemon water and get ready for a vinyasa flow yoga session at the lake. On our return a smoothie of seasonal fruits and a nutritious breakfast await us!  After a quick shower and prep for the day we drive to Taj Mahal! Situated on the banks of River Yamuna, Agra is an ancient city finds mention in the Hindu epic of 'Mahabharatha' and achieved fame as the capital of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century. We will spend a considerable amount of time walking the gardens and admiring the rhythmic combination of light and shadow, arches and domes that will undoubtedly leave you spell bound. After soaking in spectacular views of the Taj Mahal, we will have a packed lunch enroute the Agra Fort. The fort not unlike Taj Mahal is an architectural marvel. Also known as the “red sandstone fortress,” it is significant of the strength and strategy of the Mughal dynasty during their time in India. This 94 acre UNESCO World Heritage site, is a prime example of Mughal and Persian architecture in India.   We will catch a nap as we drive back to group retreat still mesmerized by the experience of a lifetime. After a delicious meal, we will close this day with healing chanting, aromatherapy and an array of teas to induce a restful sleep. 

DAY 3

INDIAN CLOTHES SHOPPING & ISKCON TEMPLE VISIT

Wake up to blessings of the day and lemon water, and get ready for  a mantra led Surya Namaskar yogathon at the nearby lake. A unique session, where we will practice sun salutations which help to activate our energy centers. What better start to the day than a cold pressed juice, followed by a nutritious breakfast, as we will take some time to prepare for the day. We will then make our way to the local market to buy the most perfect traditional Indian outfit for ourselves. A ‘saree’ for the girls and ‘kurta pyjama’ for the boys! We will then visit the tailor to have our outfits altered and prepped for our last night of the retreat! Back at the house after lunch we will leave for the ISKCON Temple and witness the spectacle of the evening Aarti. Aarti is derived from the Sanskrit word Aratrika, which means something that removes darkness (Ratri). We will partake in the Iskcon temple aarti that takes place at 7PM daily. It is a vibrant environment where throngs of devotees sing and dance in the main temple complex as the Brahamanical priests perform their rituals. We will also have supper in the restaurant run by the ISKCON temple, Govinda’s, which serves wholesome and hearty vegetarian meals. After which we will drive back to group retreat hotel.

DAY 4

VISIT THE BY LANES OF JAMA MASJID & OLD DELHI.

Wake up to blessings of the day and lemon water and prepare for Acroyoga, a partner yoga session combined with acrobatics. Today you will also learn some basic techniques of thai massage that you will practise on your partner. After a cold pressed juice, and a nutritious breakfast, we will prepare to leave for an adventure into Old Delhi.  A visit to Delhi is incomplete without a visit to Old Delhi, where the 17th and the 21st century walk hand in hand as if time is of no consequence. As we take a rickshaw ride through the narrow and busy streets, its chaotic, crumbling and congested charm is sure to captivate you. We will explore the bustling bazaar and narrow lanes as we end our walk at Jama Masjid; India’s largest mosque, with a courtyard that can hold an astounding 25,000 people. We will head back to the retreat and practice Dakini gymnastic meditation, followed by supper. We will have the option of indulging in a typical Indian head and shoulder massage as well as foot reflexology, a perfect end to a memorable but intense day. 

DAY 5

COOKING CLASS & ORGANIC FARM VISIT

Wake up to blessings of the day and lemon water, we prepare for a dynamic shiva & shakti yoga session, to honor the divinity in each one of us. After a cold pressed juice and a nutritious breakfast, we will have an Indian cooking class and learn to make some simple Indian dishes that are not only delicious but also help bring the physical body into a state of equilibrium. We will feast on what we cook! We will then drive to group retreat hotel’s organic farm. We will walk around at leisure, meeting with the caretaker and his family, spotting the resident spotted owlet family and enjoying the rustic farm experience. This is a great place to see first hand the life of the people in a typical Indian village. We will then be guided through a meditation to soak in the peace and energy of this space. The food here is prepared on open clay ovens and has a delicious smoky aroma that will keep you coming back for more! We will help make muddled fruit cocktails while we wait for dinner to be served after which we will drive back to the retreat.

DAY 6

BOLLYWOOD NIGHT!

Wake up to blessings of the day and lemon water, and practice Dakini gymnastic meditation, followed by breakfast, taking time to prepare for the day ahead. We will then have an organic skincare master class where you will learn to make your own face and body scrubs. After which we will do individual consultations for your skin type, basic do’s and don’ts for your skin to be the best it can be!

Bollywood Night!

After lunch and some down time we get dressed in Indian clothes, we pick matching bangles from the bangles basket and put on our dancing shoes. We will have Henna artists create intricate patterns on the hands. As the Henna dries off, prepare to dance your life away as you let go of your inhibitions, with the Bollywood dance teacher who will teach us dance moves till you cant stand anymore!  After dinner, we will end the evening with hordes of laughter and good vibes, that’s a guarantee.

DAY 7

LAST DAY OF YOGA & MEDITATION

As we wake up to the last day of the Retreat, blessings of the day and lemon water, we prepare for a rejuvenating Kundilini yoga session, to bring in the essence of all that we have seen, felt, experienced and honored within and without. After a cold pressed juice, and a nutritious breakfast, we take some time to pack before our final day. After lunch, we will come together in the Sacred Closing Circle to share and express, laugh and cry in celebration as we shed the old and embrace the new. With wildness and depth and joy and abandon. To hold the vision for each other as we stretch and grow. To listen and hold and pray together. Taking time, we will get dressed in our traditional Indian wear that we had picked earlier in the week. We will spend the evening relishing a traditional Indian dinner while seated on the floor and celebrating the essence of the divine in each one of us. Knowing that we will not be the same people who came into this week. 

DAY 8

DEPARTURE DAY

After a nutritious breakfast, we bid adieu and leave for the airport at 10.00 am. Please contact the UFO office if you want to extend your stay in India.