ISHTA Yoga Retreat at Son SPA in Norway
July 22-28, 2020
ISHTA Yoga deep dive in hatha, tantra & Ayurveda
We welcome you to a week filled with the ISHTA Yoga teachings led by its Founder, Alan Finger and Co-Owners Sarah Platt-Finger and Mona Anand. Our retreat is located at the Son spa in beautiful Norway, just outside of Oslo.
You have the option to participate in the whole week or just a portion of it if you wish to deepen your understanding in one particular area.
More information to come soon but until then please save the dates. If you are interested in the full agenda and more information please send an e-mail to Helén at info@ayyoapp.com who is coordinating this retreat.
Welcome to a week of abundance!
Past Retreat
2019 Retreat to India with Yogirajas Mona Anand and Tamara Graham
• Pre-Retreat Sightseeing Trip to the Taj Mahal: March 10–12th
• 7 Day / 6 Night Palace Retreat – Delhi / Jaipur: March 15-21st
• 10 Day Yoga Retreat to Rajasthan, India: March 12–March 21st
• Post-Retreat New Delhi Sightseeing Trip: March 21–March 23
Join ISHTA Yogiraj’s Mona Anand and Tamara Graham in India, March 2019. The retreat will be held in Rajasthan, often referred to as the jewel in India's crown. We have picked Jaisalmer, on the edge of the Thar Desert, and Samode, outside of Jaipur "The Pink City". In Jaisalmer we will be staying at Suryagarh, a 5-star boutique fort hotel, which is a destination in itself. We will then be visiting Jaipur, famous for it's forts, palaces, and old temples - every part of this walled-city is worth exploring. Our stay will be at the Samode Palace, a 475-year-old palace that is a celebration of the senses, underlined by contemporary luxury and magical hospitality. There are several options you can choose from to experience your retreat and India! You can come for the full retreat to Suryagarh and Samode, or join us for a shorter stay at the Samode Palace retreat. There is also a pre-retreat to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal (one of the seven wonders of the world), or stay after the retreat to tour New Delhi! Or do them all! There’s pricing for each leg of the journey and three different choices of rooms.
Why go to India?
Here are some of the some of the experiences of people who have been on my retreats:
“I was always intrigued by India but overwhelmed at the thought of traveling there.
When Mona announced her retreat one day in class I knew that was the only way to go. And I went, not once ...but 3 times!
Having grown up in Mumbai, Mona offers first hand insight into this kaleidoscopic country while helping us deepen our practice in the place where it all started.
The travel was expertly organized, the accommodations luxuriously authentic, and the schedule beautifully balanced between yoga sessions, cultural excursions and leisure.
I highly recommend any of Mona's retreat.
Just be prepared to fall in love with India.”
Elaine Caswell
"Mona's India retreat was pure magic. Warm sunshine, delicious food (a LOT!), fresh daily afternoon chai, and gorgeous views while yoga'ing. This was such an incredible way to reconnect back to myself but also to my husband because this was our belated honeymoon. Mona went out of her way to make it extra special and I could not recommend this retreat more. It's worth every penny and the sense of peace you come home with will make you return, again and again."
Cyndie Spiegel
“ISHTA yoga retreat was everything that I didn’t know I needed. It was my first retreat and as a beginner I was little nervous about being together with people who practiced for years, but Mona, her teachers and even other participants were incredibly supportive and encouraged me every day as I learned new poses, and really yoga in general. Yes, every day was a challenge but also the perfect balance of beautiful surroundings, personal growth, deep conversations with newly found friends, Ayurvedic massages, meditation and Mona’s endless wisdom. It was also “me” time that we all need once in a while. I already signed up for the next retreat!”
Monika Larson
“On our retreat to India, Mona provided a luxurious yet down-to-earth experience both on the mat and throughout the country.
We harmoniously settled into a daily yoga practice with plenty of time to leisurely explore breathtaking retreat grounds, take an Ayurvedic massage, and rest well.
Mona took us on a journey through Yoga Nidra to a magical deep place within to adventuring out into Indian culture. She arranged awe-inspiring excursions to museums, ashrams, and local shops. We embraced elephants, took tuk tuk rides, and went on an overnight river boat ride where lotuses bloomed at sunrise. We sat on the beach in silent meditation and watched the sun set.
Our group came from all backgrounds and cultures, and I made new friends as we shared our yoga and life experiences. It had been a long time since I laughed so hard I cried! The takeaway for me: cherished memories and new friends.”
Susan Ingraham
“Mona’s India retreat was extraordinary. In New York I take a class at Ishta most days, often Mona’s class. An hour or so of respite shoehorned into an active life. More than a quick fix for sure, but not suited to deep reflection and insight. In Kerala one was always aware of being freed from one’s typical responsibilities and routines. The unscheduled expanses of time were a true luxury. Everything about the environment — the food, the accommodations, the natural beauty—made it easy to be both unfettered and focused. The long asana sessions, restorative, yoga nidra and sunset quiet time each contributed to a deep relaxation, profound inspiration and active introspection. And the people were amazing — accomplished, confident, varied in age, life situation, temperament, and nationality. The atmosphere created an uncommon openness among heretofore strangers — sparked and nurtured by Mona’s sense of humor and wisdom.”
Kitty Jacobs
“My only mentor Mona has a special gift. She brings together like minded people with similar vibrations and energy, who embrace the positive vibe and bring a lot of laughter. The beautifully chosen (almost surreal) location and of course the ocean helped me peacefully observe and reevaluate the current circumstances of my life.
Grateful for the one on one inspirational talks with Mona! Found it very healing to be in a “safe” place and be guided through my fears and self study.
The food was not just outstanding but chosen with care and love - helped me to develop new wellness habits.
The daily chakra workshop and yoga Nidra helped me stop overthinking and turn down the noise of my inner voice from the past.
Learning about a new culture gave me a new perspective about my life and made me see my own circumstances in a different light.
After the retreat my chronic illness hasn’t bothered me for seven months.
Thinking how lucky I am to creat these unforgettable memories for my soul and body..”
Elena Skovorodko
10 Day Yoga Retreat to Rajasthan, India:
March 12–March 21st
Jaisalmer – The Desert Citadel. A place that perhaps epitomizes the lonely, awesome beauty of Rajasthan is the “Golden City” of Jaisalmer, perched atop a hill and surrounded by miles of soft, fine, gleaming sand. This magical and incomparably romantic desert fortress is straight out of the Tales of the Arabian Nights. Because of its strategic location on the route between India and Central Asia, Jaisalmer was once a very wealthy place. The merchants and townspeople built magnificent houses and mansions all exquisitely carved from wood and sandstone. Jaisalmer is an unmissable stop on any journey to India.
The hotel represents a unique way of life, carefully preserving the traditions of the past yet framing them in a modern idiom. The hotel takes the path less traveled and discovers with you, secrets of a land that have been long shrouded in myth and legend. You will enjoy grand dinners on the dunes, while being serenaded by house musicians and dancers who still practice the music and craft of their ancestors.
The Golden Triangle
The famous Golden Triangle is a traveler’s survey of Indian icons with Rajasthan's capital, Jaipur, at one of the apices. It kicks off at the daunting megametropolis of Delhi, with its majestic Mughal heritage, and then angles to Agra, where one of the world’s most famous tombs, the Taj Mahal, defines the city. The triangle is completed at Jaipur – a city painted pink with some of the most colourful bazaars in India. Moreover, Jaipur is the gateway to Rajasthan, and once you've slept in a palace, entered a medieval fort or swayed on a camel, you'll want to experience more.
Fortified Opulence
In Rajasthan, it's the forts and palaces that grab your attention. Massive forts emerge from mountain tops, their battle-scarred ramparts still defying long-dead enemies. Spiked doors that once held war elephants at bay open onto the twisting approaches to the palaces within. Austere and practical gives way to fantasy and opulence once safely inside. Carved marble and stone, fountains and coloured glass decorate the halls of business and rooms of pleasure. All across Rajasthan there are numerous forgotten forts and lovingly restored palaces, including Jaisalmer's fairy-tale desert outpost.
10 Day Yoga Retreat to Rajasthan, India: March 12–March 21st
Includes:
One day at le Meridien Delhi, three days at Suryagarh, Jesalmer, six days at Samode Palace, Jaipur
Three Intra India Flights: Delhi - Jaisalmer / Jaisalmer – Jaipur/ Jaipur - Delhi
Scheduled sight seeing trips on Itinerary
Brunch and dinner every day
Airport transfers to and from airports by coach
Yoga Program (during the retreat)
Yoga Program
Morning and Evening yoga sessions taught by either Mona and Tamara
Specialized workshops taught by teachers on the retreat - include a beginners’ workshop, meditation workshop, inversion workshop and injury management workshop
Scheduled chats / lectures led by Mona and Tamara – topics include yoga nidra, mantra, chakras, yoga philosophy
Book club led by Mona and Tamara
A splendid example of regal Indo-Saracenic architecture, the Palace combines the best of Indian and Mughal styles. The 475-year-old palace is a celebration of the senses, underlined at all times by contemporary luxury and the signature service of Samode hotels – a magical hospitality and rare courtesy.
7 Day /6 Night Palace Yoga Retreat: March 15–March 21st
Package includes:
One day at Le Maridian in Delhi, six days in Samode Palace
Round Trip Flight – Delhi – Jaipur - Delhi
Brunch and dinner every day
Scheduled tour of Jaipur with lunch included
Airport Transfers – bus will meet scheduled retreat flight
Yoga Program
Yoga Program
Morning Session: Asana and Yoga Nidra or Meditation
Brunch
Free Time – optional scheduled activities / pool/ spa treatments/ sightseeing trips / Ayurvedic treatments
Yoga Chats / Lectures led by Mona and Tamara on a variety of topics including chakras, mantra, yoga philosophy
Scheduled specialized workshops with teachers assisting the retreat from New York and Perth: beginner workshop, injury management, meditation and inversion workshop
Evening Session - Restorative / Yoga Nidra Practice or Yin PracticeDinner
Book Club one evening
Pre-Retreat Sightseeing Trip to the Taj Mahal: March 10–12th
Agra – The city that created the most extravagant monument ever built for love.
Welcome to Agra!
Agra city is a virtual gateway to a world of discovery. It has witnessed the rise of the pomp and pageantry of three great Mughal monarchs – Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jehan, all of whom lavished on this fabled city, their love and riches to transform the land into one of the greatest centres of art, culture, learning and commerce. Much of the city’s impressive past lives in evidence even today, in the haunting presence inside the monuments and in the majesty of the buildings.
Jaypee Palace
The regal Jaypee Palace Hotel and Convention Centre, strategically located in the main tourist district of Agra, on Fatehabad is a glorious structural blend of red sandstone and marble spread over an unbounded 25 acres of elegantly landscaped luxuriant greenery. Sprinkled with enormous water bodies and endless walkways, this magical creation impeccably blends Mughal and contemporary architecture with modern amenities.
Post-Retreat New Delhi Sightseeing Trip: March 21–March 23
Delhi
The British created their own Delhi with large well planned avenues and planted 10,000 trees with a 112 kms of hedges that it would be green round the year abundant with flowers a botanical paradise. The seat of the British Empire, Delhi of 1911 was planned to resemble ‘an Englishman dressed for the climate’. Its planners and main architects decided that it would be neither Hindu, nor Muslim, nor Buddhist, nor English nor Roman but IMPERIAL a house for the Viceroy that resembled a “giant Indian bungalow, embattled Rajput fortress and Mughal tomb with shades of Buckingham Palace with English country house comforts”.
Le Meridien
Your stay during the post retreat will at be Le Meridien in New Delhi. Over the last three decades, Le Meridien New Delhi has transformed itself into a masterpiece. The 5-star hotel is an epitome of world-class architecture, cuisine, design and fashion. Located in the heart of the city, the iconic glass building of Le Meridien New Delhi has been recognized as one of the 100 Icons of Delhi. The hotel is readily accessible to city's important facilities and institutions. The glass building is surrounded by ministries, government institutions, Media Centre and historical monuments. The shopping hubs Connaught Place and Janpath Market are within walking distance from the hotel.
Delhi is perhaps the only city in the world that fuses its past present and evokes its future without losing an iota of its identity. 1300 monuments speak of her antiquity, of the ambitions of men who thought they could hold on to her but history proved otherwise. A popular superstition is that it is also known as the ‘graveyard of dynasties’ with every one of its cities built there heralding the death the dynasty that built it.
Thus, Delhi is a Melting Pot of cultures, politics and religions of India’s colorful past in its monuments, its palaces, and in the faces of its people that themselves narrate the story of their glorious past.
Past Retreats
Click here to read more about my past retreats.
Images and Testimonials
“ISHTA yoga retreat was everything that I didn’t know I needed. It was my first retreat and as a beginner I was little nervous about being together with people who practiced for years, but Mona, her teachers and even other participants were incredibly supportive and encouraged me every day as I learned new poses, and really yoga in general. Yes, every day was a challenge but also the perfect balance of beautiful surroundings, personal growth, deep conversations with newly found friends, Ayurvedic massages, meditation and Mona’s endless wisdom. It was also “me” time that we all need once in a while. I already signed up for the next retreat!”
Monika Larson
“Mona’s India retreat was extraordinary. In New York I take a class at Ishta most days, often Mona’s class. An hour or so of respite shoehorned into an active life. More than a quick fix for sure, but not suited to deep reflection and insight. In Kerala one was always aware of being freed from one’s typical responsibilities and routines. The unscheduled expanses of time were a true luxury. Everything about the environment — the food, the accommodations, the natural beauty—made it easy to be both unfettered and focused. The long asana sessions, restorative, yoga nidra and sunset quiet time each contributed to a deep relaxation, profound inspiration and active introspection. And the people were amazing — accomplished, confident, varied in age, life situation, temperament, and nationality. The atmosphere created an uncommon openness among heretofore strangers — sparked and nurtured by Mona’s sense of humor and wisdom.”
Kitty Jacobs
“I was always intrigued by India but overwhelmed at the thought of traveling there.
When Mona announced her retreat one day in class I knew that was the only way to go. And I went, not once ...but 3 times!
Having grown up in Mumbai, Mona offers first hand insight into this kaleidoscopic country while helping us deepen our practice in the place where it all started.
The travel was expertly organized, the accommodations luxuriously authentic, and the schedule beautifully balanced between yoga sessions, cultural excursions and leisure.
I highly recommend any of Mona's retreat.
Just be prepared to fall in love with India.”
Elaine Caswell
“On our retreat to India, Mona provided a luxurious yet down-to-earth experience both on the mat and throughout the country.
We harmoniously settled into a daily yoga practice with plenty of time to leisurely explore breathtaking retreat grounds, take an Ayurvedic massage, and rest well.
Mona took us on a journey through Yoga Nidra to a magical deep place within to adventuring out into Indian culture. She arranged awe-inspiring excursions to museums, ashrams, and local shops. We embraced elephants, took tuk tuk rides, and went on an overnight river boat ride where lotuses bloomed at sunrise. We sat on the beach in silent meditation and watched the sun set.
Our group came from all backgrounds and cultures, and I made new friends as we shared our yoga and life experiences. It had been a long time since I laughed so hard I cried! The takeaway for me: cherished memories and new friends.”
Susan Ingraham
