5-Day Hatha Yoga and Aatm Yog Weekend Retreat in a West Bengal Mango Garden

Each day at this retreat follows a clear, traditional structure. Mornings start early—around 5 am—with the first of two full practice sessions. This includes Shat-kriyas (cleansing practices), joint mobility work, warm-ups, Surya Namaskar, asanas, pranayama, and meditation. After breakfast, you'll dive into theory classes that cover a range of topics, including the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Ashtanga Yoga, the Yamas and Niyamas, and philosophies from the Bhagavad Gita like Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Sankhya Yoga. There's another practice session in the late afternoon, followed by dinner and an evening lecture, satsanga, or meditation before lights out at 9 pm.

The teaching style is grounded and instructional. Mukesh Kumar Soni holds a degree in Yoga from Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University and is a NET-qualified professor, so you're learning from someone with formal academic training, not just personal practice. His approach combines the physical aspects of Hatha Yoga with the meditative and philosophical depth of Raja Yoga—what he calls Aatm Yog. He's clearly passionate about the material, and his intention is to help you gain insight into yogic practices that you can integrate into your life.

One of the standout features of this retreat is the setting. While photos and descriptions mention a mango garden and marigolds, the exact location is described as being by a village in West Bengal. If you're looking for a full-on luxury wellness experience, this isn't it—the retreat is about focused practice, not amenities. But if you want to experience a more authentic, village-based Indian yogic lifestyle, complete with free time for self-study, this is a great fit. The retreat also includes a free excursion to sites of interest, which could be anything from a local temple to a nearby town, and there's an option to add an extra night.

It's worth noting that this retreat is part of a larger offering from Atutaastha, and there is a shorter 2-day version of the same retreat available. This 5-day version gives you more time to settle into the rhythm and absorb the teachings. Just be aware that the location is described as 'by the Village' and getting there involves a flight to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) in Kolkata, followed by a pickup and a journey to the retreat site, which is referred to as a 'Beach Resort' in the travel info—though that term might refer to a resort in a coastal area or simply a name for the property. Best to double-check the exact location before booking if that's important to you.

What's included

- 4 nights accommodation in shared A/C room (per person price) - Daily pranayama classes - Daily meditation classes - Daily yoga classes - 5 daily delicious and nutritious vegetarian meals - Welcome drink - Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day - Free excursions to sites of interest - Course manual - Luggage storage

What's not included

- Flights cost - Visa fee - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Additional activities not included in the itinerary