India Yoga Retreat Welcome Packet

Location

Come join us in the sacred motherland of Yoga.. India! We come together in sacred community to study the healing and transformative practices of yoga with this unique and spiritual based Yoga Teacher Training in Goa, India.

Devarya, which translates to Divine Belief, is located in the heart of a serene seaside town in Goa – southern India. Devarya Wellness invites you to breathe, experience, and live the yoga life in this 7,000 square meter sanctuary and green yoga retreat.

Devarya Wellness is specifically designed to celebrate the colorful and mystical essence of India and the rooms and landscape do just that.

When you’re not studying yoga, you can spend your days enjoying the large swimming pools, sunbathing on the sandy Morjim beach, or watching the sunset over the Arabian sea. The serene environment will stimulate your mind, energize your body, and speak to your soul.

Food And Water

Please let us know of any allergies or dietary restrictions. All meals are healthy and prepared by our lovely cook who knows how to make your taste buds smile. 3 Daily vegetarian, healthy Indian meals (breakfast including detox drink, lunch, and dinner) served as a buffet.

Do not drink the water in India. Only drink purified water. During the day there will be purified water available in the yoga shala and at night near your accommodations.

Flying to India

The School Yoga Institute team is here to support you in flying to India. It is your responsibility to book and pay for your flights. Students should fly into Dabolim International Airport (GOI), which is approximately 90 minutes from Devayra by car. We can arrange your transportation from the airport, costs can be shared between a number of students, to be paid in USD. Contact our team today with any questions at info@schoolyogainstitute.com!.

Shuttle

We can arrange a Direct Shuttle for you from the airport, train station, bus station, or anywhere else you might be staying. Please indicate exact flight or pickup location information on the logistics sheet.

The nearest railway station is Pernem Station, which is less than 20 kms away from Devarya. There are also frequent buses from the capital city of Panaji and the city of Mapusa to Morjim.

You can pay your shuttle directly to Devarya upon arrival.

Passport and Visa for India

Please note the information below is applicable to US Citizens only. If you are not from the US, it is your responsibility to refer to the website of the Indian Consulate for your country.

You must have a valid passport with a blank page.

It is important to note that India requires a visa, which must be taken care of ahead of time (the two options for obtaining one are detailed below). It is also important to note that Indian travel regulations change often, and generally with little notice. We will be keeping an eye on relevant changes, but you should also check back to the link below for any updated information.

More information and details on requirements when traveling to India can be found on this page, and on links accessible from this page.

https://www.ivisa.com/india-visa-application?utm_source=drifter_planet

You can apply online here for your standard Indian Visa. It is recommended to apply for your visa at least 15 days in advance. Please note that your visa type & reason for visiting is tourism, and also that this is the only site approved by the Indian Government to process visa applications in the USA.

If you are certain that you will be in the country fewer than 30 days, there is also the option to apply for an electronic travel authorization in lieu of a Visa, at the link below. This is recommended to be done at least 4 days before travel (but not more than 30 days). We advise completing the process with enough time to apply for a traditional visa (in the event they do not approve your electronic travel authorization).

It is important to state your visa type and reason for visiting is tourism.

You can refer to this site for information regarding visa fees.

Important: You will be given a form to fill out on the plane for customs. Please select the option which states that you are there for vacation/holiday (as we are not a permanent India institution).

Currency

Local currency is INR (Indian Rupee). You can check the most current exchange rate directly on google.

Local India Activities

• Dolphin sighting boat trip at sunrise

• Rangoli & Mandala Classes

• Henna Nights

• Indian Cooking Classes
• Friday & Saturday night market visit
• Wednesday Anjuna Flea market visit
• Old Goa, Spice Farm & waterfall day trip
• Paradise Beach visit in the neighboring state of Maharashtra
•  
• Water sports activities like kite surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, surf lessons, & more!

Yoga Teacher Training Manual

 The Manual is included in the price of tuition and we will have it for you at the start of the course.

Required Books

1. Yoga Sutras by Dennis Hill (please bring with you to the training) 
2. Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff

Other Course Related Items

A neti pot and a tongue scraper are items to consider bringing. You can purchase these on your own at any health food store. Please also bring any creative tools that enable you to express your gifts such as musical instruments, painting/drawing materials, etc.

Certification

At the end of the course, you will receive your 200hr Yoga Teacher Certification. This course is approved by Yoga Alliance. As a graduate of this program you will qualify to register as a teacher with the Yoga Alliance organization if you choose to.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by phone or email. Also, we would love to know how you found out about us, so when you send us your flight information, please let us know how you discovered SchoolYoga Institute! We are looking forward to having you here to embark on this life changing journey to shed away layers and become your truest self.

We encourage you to begin the practice now, by reflecting on your intentions for yourself and what brought you on this journey. Together we will create a safe and sacred space within our group that will help to reveal the wisdom within and the nature of the Self. This path will ask for self -reflection, growth, and discipline. Your journey will be greatly guided by what you chose to bring to the experience. Open yourself to what is there, leave all expectations behind and enter the clear, crisp perspective and sacred landscape of India with an open heart.

Welcome to the SYI Family!
Please reach out with any questions along the way.
The School Yoga Family
info@schoolyogainstitute.com
(802) 448-2020
(888) 964-2123 (Toll Free)