Locations

ARSHA YOGA GAYATHRI

Arsha Yoga Gayathri You can enjoy the calming sound of the sea waves, the endlessness of the ocean and the glowing red color of the setting sun in combination with yogic lifestyle.

Arsha Yoga Gayathri provides accommodation in two neighboring houses with double rooms and one room with 4 beds all with an attached bathroom. In your free time you can cycle to explore the village surroundings, swim in the sea or simply relax and enjoy the sea view.

The Ashram provides two simple vegetarian meals per day that suit the learning and practicing of yoga. The morning pranayama and meditation class is held on the beach if the weather permits and the yoga classes in the Patanjali hall with a seafront view.

FACILITIES: library and internet access are available during fixed time. 

OPENING TIME:

The Arsha Yoga Gayathri is closed during the monsoon season (June 1st to August 31st)

WEATHER:

Temperature stays steady all year round at around 30 degrees.

THINGS TO BRING:

Flashlight, toiletries, alarm clock, water bottle, yoga mat, thin towel and laundry soap (both can be purchased from the ashram), sun screen, hat, swim suit (for women t-shirt covering the shoulders and shorts down to the knees), mosquito repellent (beach area has less mosquitoes due to wind and mosquito nets are provided for each bed), passport and visa copy needed for police registration.

DAILY SCHEDULE:

05.30 a.m : WAKE-UP
06.00 a.m - 07.00 a.m : PRANAYAMA & MEDITATION
07.00 a.m : TEA
08.00 a.m - 10.00 a.m : ASANA
10.15 a.m : BRUNCH
11.00 a.m : KARMA YOGA
01.00 p.m : TEA
04.00 p.m : ASANA (self-practice)
06.15 p.m : DINNER
07.30 p.m - 09.00 p.m : MEDITATION & SATSANG
10.00 p.m : LIGHTS OUT

Please note that the schedule is subject to change according to the weather and the type of course.

How to get there:

Arsha Yoga Gayathri is 65 km north of the city of Ernakulam (Cochin) in the beautiful state of Kerala with connection to Cochi-Bombay National highway. Nearest Railway stations are Guruvayur (22km) and Thrissur Town (22 km). Nearest airport is Cochin (Nedumbasssery) airport (55 km). From Guruvayur catch the bus to Ernakulam/ Kodungalur. From Thrissur catch the bus to Thriprayar/Vatanapally and get down at Vatanapally. From Ernakulam (Cochin) catch the bus to Guruvayur and get down at Vatanapally stop, which is a 2 hour bus journey. From Vatanapally one can call an autoriksha to Gayathri. Tell the driver to go to Edasheri beach. The ride will cost you approx. 40-50 Rs. If you are interested the ashram can arrange transfer from/to the Cochin airport for approx. 1.600 Rs. 

In respect of the local culture and in consideration of the ashram life please follow the ashram guidelines: 

• Alcohol, drugs, smoking and non-vegetarian diet (meat, fish or eggs) are prohibited during the ashram stay.
• Long pants and t-shirt covering the shoulders are required for the ashram stay. Tight fitting and see-through clothing should be  avoided.
• For swimming, women are requested to wear shorts down to their knees and a t-shirt covering the shoulders.
• In respect of the local culture kindly restrain expressions of affection (like hugging or kissing) in public.
• Help us to keep the ashram neat.
• Please avoid bringing plastic bottles & packaging to the ashram as this pollutes the environment. Mosquito nets, first aid kit, boiled water are provided and eco-friendly detergents can be purchased from the ashram.
• Be punctual in schedule, so that you can keep the rhythm of the ashram.
• Do not leave the ashram premises between 6 pm and 6 am without prior consultation with the staff.
• Observe silence before morning pranayama class, after evening satsang and during food time.  Kindly keep the lights out time which is 10pm.
• Shoes, and to a lesser degree, feet, have unclean associations. Shoes are not allowed in any of the ashram buildings, especially in places of worship and dining. Shoes should be left neatly in the spaces provided. Avoid pointing your feet at the altar or teacher as this is considered disrespectful.
• In India, as the left hand is generally used for personal hygiene, one should avoid using the left hand when interacting with others. In our Indian ashrams, meals are served in the traditional manner by sitting on the floor and eating with the right hand. It is considered rude to offer anything or serve food etc. with the left hand. Eat, give and receive (especially food and prasad) with your right hand.
• All books are symbolically associated with Saraswasti – the goddess of learning and creativity. It is considered disrespectful to place the feet or sit on books.

The guidelines have been set up in order to maintain the pure atmosphere and make the ashram stay a true spiritual experience for its guests.