21-Day Multi-Style Yoga Teacher Training Retreat in Varkala, Kerala

Each day at the Lalitha Yoga Academy follows a rhythm that balances effort and rest. Mornings start with a traditional Hatha yoga practice, moving into pranayama and mantra chanting, which sets a focused tone for the morning lectures on philosophy and alignment. After a long lunch break—time to rest, read, or walk to the beach—afternoons bring anatomy and an Ashtanga practice, followed by meditation or emotional detoxification kriyas. The schedule is designed to build both physical strength and a deep understanding of the yoga tradition, with over 50 Hatha poses and 20 Ashtanga poses covered over the 21 days.

What sets this training apart is its emphasis on the less common, more inward aspects of yoga. You'll learn about shatkarma (yogic cleansing), mudras (hand gestures), the chakra and nadi systems, and the philosophy of the four paths of yoga. There's a strong focus on pranayama—ten different breathing techniques, from Nadi Shodhana to Bhastrika—and on mantra meditation, which uses sound to focus the mind. You'll also practice Yoga Nidra and Trataka, and learn how to guide these practices yourself, which is valuable whether or not you plan to teach.

The teaching team brings real depth. Founder Sai Naresh trained at the Shivananda Ashram in Madurai and later in Mysore and Kerala, and has taught across Europe. His style is calm but rigorous, and he's known for his dedication to authentic practice. Ivan Bava, a guest teacher, has spent years developing his ALO Healing method and teaching on four continents. Mayank Goswami holds a Master's in Yoga from Uttarakhand University and a 500-hour YTT certification, and Jyoti blends classical yoga with Reiki and sound healing. Together, they cover the physical, energetic, and philosophical sides of yoga in a way that few trainings do.

The setting is simple but beautiful. The academy is set in a lush green garden on the North Cliff, with a dedicated yoga shala and terrace. Rooms are clean and comfortable—some with AC, some with fans—and the sea is just a few minutes' walk away. The village of Varkala is about a 30-minute walk along the cliff, or a short tuk-tuk ride, and is full of cafés and restaurants. It's the kind of place where you can step out of the training bubble and into a daily life that's still grounded in nature and community, which helps you integrate what you're learning on the mat into your everyday experience.

What's included

- 20 nights accommodation - 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day - Welcome drink - Certificate upon successful completion - Registration with Yoga Alliance/Professionals/International/etc. - Weekend/day off excursions - Evening activities/kirtan/movie night - Course Manual - Yoga mats, blocks, straps, and bolsters - School t-shirt/tote bag - WiFi connection

What's not included

- Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Additional treatments - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Airport transfer (optional, €40 per person)