The Master Class is a well rounded yoga class touching on kirtan, bandhas, mudras, pranayama, intermediate to advanced asanas and meditation. The mind, emotions and body will be challenged in a positive way so that they become harmonius with your spiritual self!

Yogi Charu teaches facets of yoga unexplored by most yoga instructors. Introduced to the yogi lifestyle at age thirteen, he later wandered to the Himalayan ashrams of traditional yoga adepts to deepen his studies of the physical, energetic and spiritual aspects of yoga. Along with a vigorous asana practice, Yogi Charu introduces different types of classical meditation, providing you an opportunity to experience aspects of yoga beyond the physical exercise.

Raghunath, born Ray Cappo, was a Lower-East-Side, New York hardcore-punk music icon, touring the globe in his teens. In a decadent music scene infested with hard drugs, negativity & intoxication, he was an anomaly and a light, inspiring tens of thousands of fans internationally by propounding clean living, a positive attitude and a vegetarian lifestyle. Today, 23 years later, he is an accomplished yogi in many styles, leading retreats, workshops and yoga teacher trainings, especially in Los Angeles and New York City. He is an inspirational force in the community by living yoga and taking the esoterica of yoga philosophy and making it practical and understandable in contemporary life.

Kaustubha Das serves as Program Director at The Bhakti Center . He teaches bhakti and yoga philosophy which he has practiced for over twenty-five years in the Chaitanya Vaishnava tradition.

Without a guide it’s easy to get lost in the craziness of modern India. To decipher the mystery Raghunath and Kaustubha will be that guides to introduce you to spiritual India. They have been visiting the holy places of India for 25 years and they regularly lead pilgrimages to some of their favorite places. They lead not as tour guides, but as yogis with decades of experience and many connections and they will introduce you to Spiritual India through the holy places and people. Through their example they will show how to approach the holy places of Bhakti.

September 28-29 – Arrive in Delhi International Airport (picked up personally by us and taken to your hotel) and spend a day in Delhi…..

September 30 – Travel to Rishikesh, the center of yoga culture. An ancient village in the Himalayan range. The ancients say Rama, Vishnu  and Shiva all were here. In the modern age, Vivekanda,  Swami Rama Tirtha, Swami Sivananda, and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi all lived, studied or have had ashrams here. The Beatles came here in the 60′s. It’s been a place of pilgrimage before recorded time and the sacred Ganga (Ganges) flows through it’s center. It is a regular pilgrimage for millions of spiritualists, a home to yogis, saints, gurus, ashrams and always has been. Here Kaustubha and Raghunath will teach,  and set the intention of the trip and show how to travel as a pilgrim. Raghunath will teach mantras and songs for kirtan so be prepared to spend a good portion of this trip singing. For those of you who want to learn how to lead kirtan, or learn harmonium Raghunath volunteers his services and will assist you in picking out a harmonium for purchase and how to play it. Besides bathing in the Ganga, weather permitting (and the weather is pretty wonderful at this time) we will white water raft down the Ganga singing and chanting the entire way. It’s quite spectacular.

October 2 – Day trip to Devaprayag. North of Rishikesh is a prayag or sacred confluence of two rivers descending from the Himalayan glaciers. Some consider the Ganga to officially start here.  After crossing a foot bridge to enter this small village we will bathe at the confluence of the rivers in this ancient holy town. This area is pranically surcharged and you can tangibly feel it!  On our return to Rishikesh we will stop off at the ancient Cave Ashram of Vashistha where his descendants and followers reside at the river ashram and have darshan of Vashistha’s Shiva diety.

October 3 – Travel to Haridwar. This is another holy pilgrimage spot on the Ganga which literally means the Dvara or gateway to Hari (the Lord) as it is lower than Rishikesh and considered entrance into celestial regions. We will witness and take part in the majestic Ganga Puja (offering of flowers and lamps to the sacred river during sunset). It’s quite awe inspiring as pilgrims from all over India and the world offer their love to this flowing deity who’s waters fulfill desires and cleanse the consciousness. Ashrams and temples are everywhere for exploring, as well as incredible bazaars for transcendental consuming. We will be staying right on the Ganga and after our morning yoga class on the hotel terrace over-looking Ganga Ma (amazing!), we have the option to bathe right there, while brahmanas are doing their morning puja (worship). Please be prepared for fantastic vegetarian food along the way. Ayurvedic massage is also available while we are there for an extra charge.

October 6-9 – Travel to Vrindavan – Depart for a 8 hour ride by train to Vrindavana.

The holy town of Vrindavana is the stronghold of Krishna Bhakti. Here we will have a chance to deeply immerse ourselves in the culture and practice of Bhakti following in the footsteps of the great saints who have come here for many centuries. Those who have been here before know of the mystic nature of this special holy place where Bhakti comes naturally.

We will settle into a beautifully designed hotel with peaceful gardens, just near the exquisite Krsna Balarama Temple with its gorgeous deities, intimate courtyard and ecstatic kirtans.

The entire time in Vrindavana will be spent absorbed in all the limbs of Bhakti-yoga including kirtan, hearing from sacred texts, associating with very saintly people, and visiting special holy spots and temples. There are always auspicious surprises and unique opportunities arising in Vrindavana. Some of the things we plan to do are…

Take a nature walk along the old banks of the Yamuna River with its rich soil nourishing various trees and flowers, exotic birds such as parrots and peacocks and genuine simple villagers living simple devoted lives.

Visit some of the main temples of Vrindavana and experience the amazing atmosphere that goes with each one.

Experience incredible kirtans at dusk at the intimate courtyard of the Krsna Balarama Temple.

Taxi ride out to the holy pilgrimage site of Govardhana. Hear the history and significance of this holy place and visit Kusum Sarorava, a bathing kund with its beautiful sandstone buildings and ghats. Visit the Bhaktivedanta Ashram which was previously a maharaja’s private palace and be guests for lunch there.
Visit the holy Yamuna river and the impressive Kesi ghat, giving us a chance to walk the narrow streets of Vrindavana and experience the atmosphere of this holy city.

Visit two charities that melt your heart. Firstly, the Sandipani Muni School, a place where children from the surrounding villages can freely attend coming from the poorest of the poor. Attend their assembly in the morning and get a chance to meet them and dance with them with such love and affection. Visit their classrooms and experience their environment. Meet the wonderful man behind this vision and see all the work he has done and continues to do.

Secondly, visit Care for Cows. Abandoned and injured cows are brought to this sanctuary to be taken care of for the rest of their lives with love. Caring for cows is part of the Vrindavana culture. These cows are full of affection and here you will have a chance to make friends with the cows, feed them and give lots of hugs!

October 10 – Vrindavana – Our last day in Vrindavan will be left free for people to do their last minute things as we check out of the hotel by 11.00 am. There is the opportunity to shop, revisit temples etc. Taxi’s will be arranged to take you (if you are leaving India then) in the afternoon to Delhi International Airport (takes around 4 hrs) for your flights.