YOGA & SURF IN KERALA, SOUTH INDIA
march 21st to 30th 2025 (10 days / 9 nights)
RECONNECT, BREATH ☾ OCEAN THERAPY ☾ TRADITIONNAL YOGA
Welcome to Kerala, also called the “land of coconut trees”. A yoga and surf retreat awaits us in the lush of South India. The perfect break to rest the body and mind, enjoy incredible waves & vitamin sea in a coastal town.
10 days /9 nights in Kerala, South India
Live by the sea, flow with yoga, and ride wild waves
The shala is located 8-minutes walk from the Arabian Sea, a street from one of the most incredible views of Varkala. It allows us to enjoy sea bathing, yoga classes with Indian masters an lessons with top nutch surfing coaches. It is a very special place, where you feel at peace, at home. By the nature, the palm trees, and the kind people of South India.
It is a land that exudes powerful energy. You can stroll at any time on its majestic cliff which overlooks the sea and see dolphins offshore if you are lucky. Depending on days and waves, the team will take us to the most magical beaches, so you can discover not only one, but many different wild spots. Like a dream, for ocean lovers and sunset lovers.
There will be surf, but also yoga. The point of traveling so far is indeed to practice with the best masters of the world – as you may know, the science of yoga has its origin thousands of years ago in mother India. The sessions are organized in an open shala on a rooftop, enjoying an open view on the green trees, the birds’ nests, you can also hear the temple delicate melodies early in the morning.
When you arrive here, you can surrender to the program and the calmness : rest in the open rest-room by the garden, take a swim in the tropical pool, let the sun kiss your cheeks on a warm beach day, and practice yoga to unwind. Everything you need is 1 to 15 minutes walk away : many restaurants, cute cafés all facing the ocean and nesteled on an wild cliff, little local stores, traditionnal ayurvedic spas, but also few temples. Here, we live at the “cool” Indian pace (shanti shanti, as they say), we reconnect with nature, and eat delicious homemade food. Everything is easy, peaceful and secure even for solo traveling women.
It is a place that fills us with emotions, which connects us to ourselves but also to others. In this neighborhood, everyone knows each other, and again, it feels like home. It’s a microcosm, a little perched paradise, an address that you keep in your heart all your life.
*yoga shala = house, home
The weather in March ≈ 30ºC
March is ideal for traveling to South of India. It is during the beautiful warm season. A treat for your mind but also your muscles and joints, you feel more flexible and powerful with the heat. Once your trip is confirmed, I will send you all the information to prepare your suitcase and travel light. Get your summer outfits ready 🙂
The program : yoga, surf and spirituality
― ARRIVAL :
✧ Arrival on March 21st, we will welcome you anytime on this day
✧ Welcoming drinks and free time to unwind, discover the town after your flight
✧ 6.00 pm opening fire ceremony : hindu traditional rituals, sankalpa (intentions) & presentation of the philosophy of the retreat. Followed by our first dinner all together.
― EVERYDAY (EXCEPT ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE DAYS) :
✧ 7.00 Ayurvedic teas and golden silence every morning to start the day
✧ 7.30 Departure for surfing (class duration : 2 hours)
✧ 11.00 Back home for a home made veg brunch
✧ Free time to relax
✧ 4.30 yoga philosophy & pranayama
✧ 6.00 yoga & meditation (duration : 2 hours)
✧ 8.00 dinner together
― PERKS :
✧ The surf sessions include all the essentials you will need (transportation, surfboard, leash, fin, wax, medical kit etc.)
✧ Mineral water to refill your bottle all day long at the shala
✧ 100% homemade vegetarian brunchs and dinners, with indian flavors made by our chef. Meals will be prepared with the greatest care. All the ingredients are fresh, healthy and from the village market to delight our soul. Contact me if you have any intolerances, we will be happy to adapt the menu to your diet.
✧ Wi-fi connection in common places and rooms
✧ Air conditioning and/or fan depending on the room choice
✧ A lovely english-speaking team to help you out with anything you need during your stay (laundry, tuktuk, best adresses in town etc.)
― THE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES :
✧ Free time in the afternoon: discover the wild Varkala beach, its perched shops on the teracotta cliff, stroll through the bohemian cafes, meet yogis from all over the world, visit temples, swim, surf. Travel is easy on foot or by tuktuk. We can also book for you some other activities (extra fees, per person) : organic cooking at the local chef’s house, ayurvedic massages, fischermen visit early in the morning, visit of the backwaters, hindu rituals with a priest etc.
✧ An ice-bath session together, to experience the power of the cold on the nervous system
✧ A veg and healthy bbq to fully enjoy our last night and celebrate happiness.
― THE DEPARTURE :
✧ 12.00 pm departure on March 30th : a day off to relax after brunch, do your last shopping and get ready to take off home. The shala can keep your luggages so you can enjoy the last day fully, before your flight.
The level of yoga & surf program :
The yoga sessions take place on site, outdoors (in a shala with a roof). They are led by indian masters of yoga and meditation will be lead by Sepideh, the courses are are traditional hatha flow style and the classes are led in English. The classes are all-level and the yoga masters will always give classical and advanced variations for everyone. Because we are also enjoying surfing lessons in the morning, the yoga class is fully adapted to what the body will need to relax afterwards. It will be both challenging then relaxing.
The surf program is designed to create a special bond between you and the ocean, to meditate through the movement of your body on the wavs. Our surf coach will be guiding us, no matter your level, to ocean awareness and wave-riding, like a blue therapy good for the body and the soul.
If the surf conditions aren’t perfect somedays, we will take you to alternative activities on a SUP paddleboarding adventure, yoga workshop or kayaking in the mangroves, for a new kind of fun.
All classes are perfectly shaped for beginners, intermediate or advanced levels.
What if I don't want to / cannot do surfing ?
If surfing is really not your thing or for last minute reasons you are not able to join the surf classes (because of recent pain, injury or surgery for example), please let us know so we can prepare a rejuvenating ayurvedic cure or massages for you instead. Although we are so excited for you to surf in Kerala because the experience is vibrant and the spots are outstanding, India is full of magical experiences ; let us build your kerala dream for you.
The bedrooms :
You can chose according to your taste and needs :
– A shared standard room (with another yogi) : in the main building, with a view on the garden. With a sleeping zone with two separate beds, and private bathroom. This rooms comes with a fan.
– A shared premium cottage (with another yogi) : a little hut in the garden, between the palm trees. With a sleeping zone with two separate beds and private bathroom. This cottage comes with AC, a fan & private little terrace where you can relax.
– A private room (just for you) : as per request, depending on availability. We will make sure to find you the most suitable option to make you feel good (extra fees).
All rooms are simple & modern, with very confortable bed, linen & quality mattresses.
Flights & taxis :
Paris-Trivandrum (also called Thiruvananthapuram) and Kochi (Chochin) flights serve the town of Varkala :
/ 45 minutes by taxi from Trivandrum to Varkala (~40 euros for a van) > ideal option.
/ 6 hours by taxi from Kochi to Varkala (~ 90 euros for a taxi).
To travel to India for this retreat, you will need a 1 month tourist visa, to be prepared 25 days before departure (not earlier, except if you wish to get a longer-term visa). Here is the official website to make the request on your side. Click on this link
The price :
- I share a standard room : 1690 euros per person.
- I share a premium cottage room : 1890 euros per person.
- I wish a private room : upon request and availability (extra fees).
Take the opportunity to motivate your loved ones to travel to India with you and occupy a room together, or share the room with another yogi at the retreat. It is very common to do so in a yoga and surf retreat.
The number of places is limited to 15 people. The yoga course takes place in small groups to preserve the serenity of our trip.
How to book ? (Deposit)
The steps to follow:
1/ Booking is finalized at the time of payment of the deposit (1000 euros). This amount is non-refundable.
2/ Once the retreat has been validated (minimum number of participants reached), you will receive an email confirming the retreat. This will be the ideal time to buy your plane tickets.
3/ The rest will be due later, on day of arrival in the shala.
For any questions, do not hesitate to write to me a message or consult the T&Cs.
Are included :
✧ Ten days and nine nights staying in the yoga shala.
✧ Yoga classes with experienced masters (lessons in English). All levels, variations are offered for each yogi.
✧ Surf classes with experienced coaches (lessons in English). All levels, we are here for fun & self-discovery. The price includes all the surfing essentials and transportation (nothing needs to be added).
✧ Gourmet board: mineral water and hot drinks, vegetarian brunches and dinners cooked by our chef with healthy regional products.
✧ All activities planned in the program (ice bath, BBQ, surprises..)
Not included: air transport, airport taxis, travel insurance, visa costs, medical costs and vaccines, personal purchases and tips.