Bhagavad Gita- 10-day Intensive Course with Mataji at the Santosh Puri Ashram in India
Experience the essence of the Bhagavad Gita, the central text of Hinduism, in a 10-day intensive course from September 30, to October 10, 2010 at the Santosh Puri ashram, located in the famous pilgrimage city of Haridwar in India.
This course is a journey to the roots of yoga, providing insight into traditional spiritual life. Our path will be enriched by many intensive impulses and lead to absorption. Previous yoga knowledge is not required for participation in the course.

The course will take place at the Santosh Puri Ashram, located directly on the Ganges River in the pilgrimage city of Haridwar, one of the holiest places of the Hindus. The daily routine at the ashram follows a calm, meditative rhythm: it is a place of stillness, where impressions can be processed and power can be renewed. More information about the ashram can be found under www.yoganga.org

Course Content
The Bhagavad Gita, the “Lord’s Song” is regarded as the central text of Hinduism. It is a spiritual prose that is recognized in the West as an important philosophical work. Due to its multiple interpretations, the text is the focus of many different religious paths. Mataji accompanies us in understanding and absorbing the content of the Bhagavad Gita. This is a unique opportunity to integrate the essence of the Bhagavad Gita directly into our practice and into our lives.

Daily Program at the Ashram
Variations to the daily program may be instituted as needed

5:00 to 6:00 a.m.: Aarti (Ceremony)
7:00 to 8:30 a.m.: Yoga class with Mataji
8:30 a.m.: light breakfast
1:00 p.m.: Lunch and Karma Yoga
4:00 p.m.: Tea break
4:30 to 6:00 p.m.: Bhagavad Gita course with Mataji
6:15 to 7:00 p.m.: Aarti (Ceremony)
7:30 p.m.: Dinner
8:30 p.m.: Meditation, Chanting or free time

The yoga exercises and the Bhagavad Gita course will be taught by Mataji in English. Course participants can communicate in their preferred language.

Mataji arrived in India from Germany in the 1970s with the intention of never leaving again. After seeing Babaji doing his tapasya (renunciation) on an island in Haridwar, it was clear to her that he would be her teacher. Since this time Mattaji never left his side until his death. Babaji gave her the name “Narmada”, two yellow cloths to cover her body, and a mantra, which she will repeat until the end of her life. It was then that Mataji began the long and difficult path of purification. Today Mataji runs the Santosh Puri Ashram together with her three children, where she offers a heartfelt welcome to all visitors.
More information about Mataji can be found here...

The cost for the 10-day intensive course is CHF 460.-

The following are included in the course cost
• Accommodations in double and dormitory-style rooms for 10 nights. Warm water showers and toilets are available in the adjacent building. The rooms will be allocated according to availability at the time of arrival.
• Full board with a light breakfast and two simple, vegetarian meals per day.
• Daily Bhagavad Gita course and yoga classes, meditation, Karma yoga, morning and evening Aarti, and an evening program.

Service not included
• Flight to Delhi, India
• Transfer from Dehli airport to Haridwar

The flights to and from India must be planned and booked individually. Arrival a few days before the course begins is recommended.

All participants will meet for the course opening on September 30, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. at the Santosh Puri Ashram in Haridwar. The detailed daily program and other important information will be communicated at this time. The evening Aarti and dinner will follow. The first yoga class will take place the following morning.

It is possible to attend other courses at the ashram either before and/or after the intensive course. Course dates can be found under www.yoganga.org
Additional accommodation and courses must be paid locally in rupees.

Flights, Transfers, Visas
For an inexpensive flight (around CHF 1,000.-) it is best to book early.
SWISS offers direct flights to Delhi from Zurich. Good connections with stops can be found under Emirates, British Airways, Qatar, and Lufthansa.
Experienced Indian travelers can take the Shatabti Express from Delhi to Haridwar. This train journey takes about 4 hours.
For all other we recommend an auto transfer from Delhi (hotel or airport) to Haridwar.
Swiss citizens need a tourist visa. Further information can be found under http://in.vfsglobal.ch
We are happy to help with journey planning, the visa process, and organization of the transfers to the ashram.

For information and booking please send an Email to tanja@airyoga.com.
At time of booking a deposit in the amount of CHF 100.- per person is required. Once the deposit has been received the booking will be confirmed and binding.

The deposit is non-refundable in any and all cases and cannot be transferred to another person.

The remaining balance of CHF 360.- must be received by September 1, 2010 at the latest.

Cancellations made after September 1, 2010 will be required to pay the entire cost of the course.