I am overjoyed to announce that Guruji BNS Iyengar, the world's oldest living Ashtanga Yoga teacher, will appear in person again at the beautiful Chitravana Retreats for a one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive Yoga Teacher Training in February 2025.
Join BNS and his longtime student Joey Paz in February 2025 for a 2-week training in the traditional system of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, including Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, and Philosophy. At 98 years of age, BNS is one of the last remaining students of Krishnamacharya still teaching today, and one of the world's most truly exceptional scholars and sages of Yoga.
We are extremely grateful that Guruji BNS has agreed to conduct one more full curriculum training at his advanced age of 98 years.
At age 98, this is a precious opportunity to experience the full curriculum training (Asana, pranayama, mudra, & philosophy) in person with Guruji BNS.
You do not have to be a yoga teacher to experience this immersion with one of the world’s living legends of Yoga. This experience will deepen your understanding of yoga, no matter who you are.
ACCOMMODATION AND TRAINING
You will be staying and practicing at Chitravana Retreats. Just outside the bustling city, this resort is a space of pure peace and tranquility, surrounded by 6 acres of tropical forest. A swimming pool, amphitheater, and solitude can be found on the resort grounds for guest use. The property features 20 rooms and 10 cottages of the highest quality modern and comfortable accommodation. Each day, Guruji will come to the resort to conduct his classes and lectures.
Food
This retreat will be fully catered by Sahana of Rasayana Mysore Kitchen. Sahana is a world-renowned Ayurvedic chef, and her meals are highly complementary to a daily yoga practice. Each day, guests will be provided with a full brunch and dinner consisting of delicious vegan/vegetarian Ayurvedic meals provided on site. We can say with full confidence that Rasayana Mysore Kitchen is the most amazing and highest quality food they’ve ever had in all of their journeys to Mysore over the years.
This retreat is associated with the 7th annual Mysore Yoga Traditions Conference. Each evening, you will gather to enjoy pre-recorded online lectures from the conference from Mysore’s most illustrious scholars, including Dr. TRS Sharma, Sri Jayashree and Narasimhan, Dr. M.A. Alwar, Dr. Nagaraj Rao, Sri Yamini Muthanna, and many more.
Schedule and itinerary informatioN
9am-12pm : Morning Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, & Philosophy sessions with Guruji BNS Iyengar
12pm-1pm : Lunch
1pm - 4pm : Free time to relax and enjoy the pool
4:30-5:30pm : Afternoon Philosophy, Mantra Chanting, and Meditation with Joey Paz
5:30-6:30pm : Dinner
6:30-7:30pm : Philosophy Lectures from Yogic scholars
If you have always wanted to go to India to study yoga, but didn’t want to go alone, this is your perfect chance to make the journey with a friendly crew of seasoned Mysore veterans. Your host, Joey Paz, has made the journey to India over 10 times and has spent a considerable amount of time there, and knows the ropes very well. He will be there to assist you every step of the way and make sure you have everything you need at all times. With food, accommodation, and every other detail arranged in advance for you, this retreat has the potential to be a truly transformational life experience.
Arriving to Mysore:
Taxis from Bangalore airport directly to Chitravana Retreats can be arranged for 4,500 Rupees. Our driver will be waiting for you when you arrive. There are also daily buses from Bangalore airport to Mysore that are cheaper, but take longer.
When you are not studying and practicing yoga in its fullest depth, you will have plenty of time to relax poolside at the tropical resort in the legendary city of Mysore, India - The birthplace of modern yoga.
What's included
All yoga classes, material, and curriculum held during the retreat
2 full meals a day of delicious, Ayurvedic vegan/vegetarian cuisine provided on-site at theresort by Rasayana Mysore Kitchen
2 full weeks of accommodation at Chitravana Jungle Resort, from Sunday, February 2 to Sunday, February 16.
A 25 hour online course consisting of philosophy lectures with Mysore’s senior scholars, yours to keep for life
A certificate of completion that you have studied directly with Guruji BNS Iyengar, the world’s senior living Ashtanga Yoga teacher, in person. This certification will be valid for 100 hours of Continuing Education (CE) credits with Yoga Alliance.
A full PDF training guide of all material covered during the YTT for continued study
Weekly excursions to important historical sites in Mysore
Unlimited use of the resort grounds, including the swimming pool
A brand new crew of global friends and acquaintances
Memories to last a lifetime!
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
Sri BNS Iyengar
Sri BNS Iyengar has many titles. Lovingly referred to as “Guruji” by his students, he is one of the world’s most revered Yogis, a renowned Sanskrit scholar, and a direct student of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, “the father of modern yoga,” whose knowledge of Yoga philosophy is unparalleled. As part of the peer group that developed in Mysore in the formative years of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, he is an important figure in the parampara, or lineage, of Mysore’s rich yoga heritage. Today, at age 98, he is the world’s elder living master and philosopher of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga who is still teaching Ashtanga Yoga today.
Joey Paz (E-RYT 500, YACEP)
Joey has been a devout practitioner of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga since 2008. Practicing daily for many years with Andrew Eppler, Bryce Delbridge, and Jennifer Engleman at Ashtanga Yoga Studio in Oklahoma, he began to travel regularly to India in 2013 to initiate ongoing in-depth study of Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Mantra, and Yoga philosophy with Sri BNS Iyengar, a direct student of T. Krishnamacharya and the world's elder living master in the Ashtanga lineage.
In addition to his E-RYT 500 certification from Andrew Eppler at AYS and the Himalayan Yoga Association of Rishikesh, India; Joey has studied in-depth with a wide array of old school Ashtangis including David Williams, Nancy Gilgoff, Danny Paradise, David Garrigues, Gilad and Miriam Harouvi, Baptiste Marceau, Dominic & Stephanie Corigliano.
Beyond asana, he has studied Yoga history & Sanskrit phonology/pronunciation with Seth Powell of Yogic Studies; and Yoga Darshana with Dr. M.A. Alwar of Maharaja Sanskrit College and his father Dr. Lakshmi Tatachar, founder of the Samskrti Foundation in Melukote, India. Currently, he is immersed in in-depth studies of Yogic chanting with Dr. M.A. Jayashree and Narasimhan of Ananta Research Foundation; and Yogic texts with Dr. Nagaraj Rao and Dr. M.A. Alwar, 2 of Mysore’s top yogic scholars.
In addition to his devoted practice and study, Joey is co-producer of the film “Mysore Yoga Traditions," a groundbreaking documentary that provides an in-depth look at the fabric of Yoga culture in Mysore; and currently co-hosts the annual Mysore Yoga Traditions Retreat and Conference held every year in Mysore- the birthplace of modern yoga.
Feel free to reach out at joeypazyoga@gmail.com.
TRAINING FEES
Shared Room - $1,499 before Dec. 31, 2024 / $1,699 after Dec. 31 ( 2 spots remaining)
Private Room - $1,999 before Dec. 31, 2024 / $2,199 after Dec. 31 (1 spot remaining)
Private Premium Room - $2,299 before Dec. 31, 2024 / $2,499 after Dec. 31 (1 spot remaining)
Shared Premium Room - $1,699 before Dec. 31, 2024/ $1,899 after Dec. 31 (2 spots remaining)
Shared Cottage - $1,799 before Dec. 31, 2024 / $1,999 after Dec. 31 (8 spots remaining)
Private Cottage - $2,499 until Dec. 31, 2024 / $2,699 after Dec. 31 (8 spots remaining)
Register with a $100 deposit to secure your spot. Once you register, Joey will get in touch to set up a monthly payment plan that works for you.
The earlier you register, the lower your monthly payments will be.
GUESTS OF MYSORE YOGA CONFERENCE 2025 RECEIVE A $200 DISCOUNT OFF THE ABOVE RATES.
Space is very limited in this training. Register as far in advance as possible to ensure your spot.