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Alignment Yoga India Trip

November 26 - December 11, 2010

India is the source of rich spiritual traditions including Yoga. This tour will focus on exploring specific cultural experiences to augment what we have been studying as yoga practitioners.

Join us for this very special visit to a land rich in diversity and spirituality. Spanning an area of 3,287,263 square kilometers, India is a vast country and includes  dry desert areas, evergreen forests, snowy Himalayas, a long coast, and fertile plains. The years of foreign rule, religious movements, and spiritual discoveries in the ancient land of India have given way to a rich potpourri of social habits, festivals, and customs. Virtually every major religion has a strong connection with India. Buddhism was born in India, so were Sikhism, Jainism and of course Hinduism.  The Zoroastrians, the Jews, the people of Bahai faith, all are found in India in substantial numbers.

Trip Highlights
	Norbulingka Institute in Dharamsala Norbulingka ("The Jewelled Park") is a palace and surrounding park in Tibet which served as the traditional summer residence of the successive Dalai Lamas. We'll visit its Indian counterpart, the Tibetan Children’s Village, Norbulingka Arts Institute and Namgyal Monastery.
	Holy Lake in Tsok Pema/Rewalsar Birthplace of the legendary master Padmasambhava, who brought Buddhism to Tibet. We'll visit Mandarava and Padmasambhava meditation caves and the Rewalsar Temples.
	Taj Mahal in Agra Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, the Taj is considered the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the masterpieces of the world's heritage.
	Red Fort in Delhi A 17th century fort complex constructed by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the Red Fort is the largest monument in the walled city of Old Delhi.
	Amber Palace near Jaipur Amber Fort is known for its unique artistic style, blending both Hindu and Muslim (Mughal) elements, and its ornate and breathtaking artistic mastery. We'll also visit the Pink City.
	Shopping in New Delhi What would a trip to India be without an opportunity to pick up some authentic, taiolor-made Indian and Tibetan clothing and religious and cultural items? Haggling recommended.
	Special instruction Meditation and yoga instruction by Scott Anderson, cultural teachings by Pema and Pam Atkins, and special teachings by local masters

Itinerary
3 Orientation Sessions

• Monday July 26: Covers preparing for the trip including information on passports, visas, visiting your doctor, and reviewing a packing list which has been specially prepared for you.
• Monday August 30: Discussion on the heart opening aspects of India and how to prepare for the spiritual component of the journey.
• Monday September 27: Practical discussion of the environment and culture including how to dress appropriately, how to handle money,  and how to be respectful in temples.
• In addition we have created a travel blog link which you can share with your friends and family before the trip and post to during the trip.

Nov 26 - Depart the US

• International airfares are not included in the program price. If you are traveling to India for the first time, we recommend flying on the same airline and itinerary as other members of the group. There are additional benefits to purchasing a group rate ticket. As a courtesy service, Alignment Yoga has reserved a block of airline seats through Middleton Travel. Please contact Judy Sidran within one week of registering to make arrangements for an international ticket.

Judy Sidran
Middleton Travel
2831 Parmenter St.
Middleton, WI 53562
608 256-4744-direct
608 251-1084-fax
608 831-4664- main office

• We have been fortunate to secure a low-cost private bus that will go directly from Mound Street Yoga Center in Madison to Chicago. The fee for the bus will be the same low price as the Van Galder - $54 round trip - and will be reserved only for Alignment Yoga participants.

Nov 27

• Group arrives late (approximately 10 PM local time). Bus pick-up for the group flight by private chartered bus, transfer to Wongdhen House or similar guesthouse in Majnu ka Tilla, Delhi. If you do not travel with the group, please arrive no later than 6 PM on the 27th.
• You will receive an information packet including brief descriptions of Delhi, local sights and shopping info, and local etiquette.
  

Nov 28 - A day in Delhi

• Early lunch together, orientation to India, and assistance changing money.
• City sightseeing in Delhi. Some of the most beautiful historical monuments are in Delhi, including the Red Fort which was once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire.
• Late departure for overnight trip in private mid-luxury bus to Dharamsala.

Nov 29 - A day in Dharamsala

• Early morning arrival in Dharamsala. Picturesque Dharamsala in Kangra Valley is also famous by the name of “Second Tibet”. This little hill station in the state of Himachal Pradesh is the perfect abode for yoga, meditation and solitude. Positioned in the lap of nature, Dharamsala is renowned for its scenic beauty. You will enjoy its lush green terraces, manicured tea gardens, wooded hills and sparkling streams. Lower Dharamsala (1,250 m) plays home to the hectic commercial area with the bazaar, government buildings and the bus stand. However, Upper Dharamsala (1,982 m) boasts of suburbs like Macleodganj and Forsythganj, which are fascinating places to visit.
• Check in at Pema Thang Guest House or similar location http://www.pemathang.net/. Morning will include group breakfast and free time for rest. While in Dharamsala, there may be teachings on Buddhism by local masters.  This may be from a master with whom few have the opportunity to visit, so the schedule may be changed accommodate the teacher.  You will also receive an information packet including brief descriptions of Dharamsala and Rewalsar, local sights and shopping info, and local etiquette.
• Afternoon visit to the temple of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
• Visit to the tea plantation and tea shopping.
• Visit to the Tibetan Tailors.
• Breakfast as a group, included in trip fees. Lunch and dinner on your own.

Nov 30 - A day in Dharamsala

• Morning Group Yoga, Meditation or Buddhist teaching
• Morning visit to Norbulinka Institute.
• Afternoon free to enjoy on your own.
• Meals on your own, there will be an opportunity to breakfast at Norbulinka.
• Overnight at Pema Thang Guest House or similar.

Dec 1 - A day in Dharamsala

• Morning Group Yoga, Meditation or Buddhist teaching
• Morning visit to the Tibetan Children’s Village.
• Afternoon free time to enjoy on your own
• Tibetan tailors deliver your purchases
• Meals on your own.
• Overnight at Pema Thang Guest House or similar.

Dec 2 - Morning in Dharamsala and transfer to Rewalsar

• Morning Group Yoga, Meditation or Buddhist teaching
• Depart in the morning for Rewalsar on private bus, approximately 6 hours drive. Stop in Mandi for lunch.
• Arrive Rewalsar. Located on a mountain spur, an hour's drive from Mandi brings one to this dark jewel- like lakeplace called Rewalsar. With water, woodland and high hills, it presents a variety of natural beauties and the spot is sacred for Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs. It was from here that the great Indian teacher Admass left for Tibet. The Tibetans knew him as 'Guru Rimpoche', the Precious Master. It was under Padmasambahava's influence that Mahayana Buddhism spread over Tibet. There are islands of floating reed on Rewalsar Lake and the spirit of Padmasabhava is said to reside in them. It is here that the sage Lomas did penance in development to Lord Shiva, and the Sikh Guru Gobind Singh also resided here for one month.
• Check in to Hotel Lotus Lake or similar guest house. In Rewalsar we will receive a teaching from one of the local hermits or from a Buddhist master. To receive such a teaching is rare, therefore our schedule may change based on the teacher’s availability.
• Free time in Rewalsar.
• Lunch in Mandi included in trip, other meals on your own.
• Overnight at Hotel Lotus Lake or similar guest house.

Dec 3 - A day in Rewalsar

• Circumambulation, a style of walking meditation combined with mantra recitation.
• Up to half-day trekking and visit to Naina Devi temple. Participants can hike one-way and take a taxi or hike both ways.
• Visit to upper hermit caves and breathtaking views of the surrounding area.  Possible visit for tea with the nun.
• Meals on your own.
• Overnight at Hotel Lotus Lake or similar guest house.

Dec 4 - Morning in Rewalsar and transfer to Jaipur

• Yoga, sitting meditation, or circumambulation.
• Departure from Rewalsar.  private mid-luxury bus to Chandigarh, approximately 6 hours through the beautiful mountain ranges of India.  Then overnight bus or flight from Chandigarh to Jaipur.
• Meals on your own.
• Overnight on bus, or hotel location as appropriate.

Dec 5 - Arrival in Jaipur

• Arrival in Jaipur and free time. The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history - Beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. It is popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.
• You will receive an information packet including brief descriptions of Jaipur, local sights and shopping info, and local etiquette.
• Depending on traffic and schedule, there may be Yoga teaching on this day.
• Meals on your own.
• Hotel Jaipur Inn or similar accommodation.

Dec 6 - A day in Jaipur

• Morning yoga class.
• Visit to the Pink City and a day of shopping opportunities including gem stores, and a visit to the Indian tailors. 
• Opportunity to visit an Indian seer who in the past has been surprisingly accurate.
• Free time to visit places on your own.
• Meals on your own.
• Hotel Jaipur Inn or similar accommodation.

Dec 7 - A day in Jaipur

• Morning yoga class
• Visit to Amber palace. Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Man Singh I in 1592 started the construction. It was completed by his descendent - Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
• Opportunity to ride an elephant at Amber Palace.
• Afternoon free time on your own.
• Meals on your own.
• Hotel Jaipur Inn or similar accommodation.

Dec 8 - A day in Jaipur

• Morning yoga class
• Temple tour including visit to Ajmer temple. 
• Depending on our timing, temple tour will also include a visit to local Hanuman and Shiva temples or to the Birla temple. The marble Birla temple, built as recently as 1985, houses ornate statues including one of Lakshmi (goddess of Wealth and Beauty) and Narayan dressed in gaudy robes, representing a Hindu vision of heavenly luxury. Carvings in the temple and on pillars supporting the covered walkways include images of the Hindu pantheon, as well as Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis of Assisi.
• Meals on your own.
• Hotel Jaipur Inn or similar accommodation.

Dec 9 - A day in Jaipur, Agra and Delhi

• Early morning departure by private mid-luxury bus for Agra. Drive-time approximately 4 hours.
• Taj Mahal tour. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.
• Depart early evening for Delhi by private mid-luxury bus. Or option to purchase your own train tickets and return to Delhi via train (bus pick-up at the train station).
• Meals on your own. There will be an opportunity for the group to eat together in Agra.
• Arrive Delhi late, stay at Wongdhen House or similar guesthouse in Majnu ka Tilla.

Dec 10 - A day in Delhi

• Shopping in Chandi Chowk Bazaar.
• Group dinner before departure. Tour complete.
• Depart via private bus at approximately 8 PM for airport .  If traveling on your own you can also take the bus at that time. 

Dec 11

• Flights typically depart at 12:55 AM on Dec 11th.
• Arrive US in morning of Dec 11 if on group flight.
• Private bus to Mound Street Yoga Center.

Jan 24, 2011 - Post-trip gathering from 6-7pm

Retreat Staff
Scott Anderson, Retreat Leader
Pema Antoniotti, Retreat Coordinator
Nagindas Sanghavi, Cultural Liaison
Pamela Atkins, Cultural Liaison

Travel & Accommodations
All domestic travel is included in the package. We will stay at clean backpacker style guesthouses in double rooms. Meals will be on your own at your expense. Alignment Yoga will provide one vegetarian meal on each of our two major travel days. Entry fees for Red Fort, Norbulinka, Amber Palace and Agra are included in the price of the trip.

Passports & VISAs
Travel to India requires both a passport and VISA. The new government regulation is that passports must be current for up to 6 months beyond the completion of your return trip with enough blank pages (2) to accommodate a visa. For passport information and applications, visit http://travel.state.gov/passport and for information on VISAs, visit https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com.

Fees & Registration
The total cost is $1,800 for registrations received by July 21. Afterwards, the cost is $2,100. This does not include international airfare. To reserve your space, please submit a $500 deposit, by either registering online or sending a check to:
Alignment Yoga
PO Box 144
Blue Mounds, WI 53517

Testimonials

Scott approaches his classes with intelligence, discipline and knowledge. His knowledge of anatomy provides a language with which to communicate the body alignment desired, and his knowledge of biomechanics provides a basis for understanding the many challenging postures. His intelligence and intuition facilitate his perception and response to individual difficulties with the postures, that might result from previous injury or misalignment. His problem solving skills and his genuine desire to see each of his students overcome obstacles is impressive. He always attends to his students' needs, which is why there is such a great rate of improvement in his classes.

-Ellen B, Tucson

Alignment Yoga - Box 144, Blue Mounds, WI 53517 - (608) 437-5931 -