Yoga Retreat in RISHIKESh, India

JANUARY 19-26, 2027

with Saraswati Clere, Carlos Pomeda & Stephanie Lopez

Join us for an extraordinary week of study, practice, and renewal in Rishikesh, India, one of the world's most revered centers for yoga and spiritual learning. Set along the banks of the sacred Ganges River and nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas, Rishikesh has drawn seekers, yogis, and wisdom teachers for thousands of years. The natural beauty, vibrant temples, evening river ceremonies, and contemplative atmosphere create an ideal setting for immersing yourself in the living tradition of yoga.

Designed for committed students, yoga teachers, and anyone interested in deepening their understanding of yoga, the retreat combines daily movement, breathwork, meditation, philosophy, and meaningful conversation in a supportive and inspiring environment.

This retreat offers a rare opportunity to explore the profound teachings of the Tantric Tradition with internationally respected scholar Carlos Pomeda, together with daily yoga, meditation, pranayama, and embodied practice led by Saraswati Clere and Stephanie Lopez. Throughout the week, philosophy and practice are woven together so that ancient teachings become practical tools for living with greater clarity, resilience, compassion, and joy.

Rather than viewing spirituality as a path of withdrawal from life, the Tantric Tradition invites us to recognize the sacred within every aspect of our experience. It teaches that our bodies, relationships, emotions, thoughts, and the natural world are all expressions of one indivisible consciousness. Through study, contemplation, movement, breath, meditation, and community, we begin to discover that awakening is not something distant to attain, but something to recognize within the richness of everyday life.

Each day combines inspiring lectures, interactive discussions, meditation, yoga practice, pranayama, chanting, and opportunities for quiet reflection. Time is also set aside to enjoy the beauty of Rishikesh, visit temples and sacred sites, participate in the renowned evening Ganga Aarti, and experience the peaceful rhythm of life beside the sacred river.

During the Week You'll Enjoy

• Daily yoga classes emphasizing healthy alignment, strength, mobility, and ease

• Pranayama and meditation practices to support focus, relaxation, and well-being

• Yoga philosophy sessions that provide practical insight into the wisdom teachings of yoga

• Group discussions and opportunities for questions and reflection

• Restorative practices to encourage recovery and integration

• Free time to relax, explore Rishikesh, enjoy nature, or simply rest

• Visits to local temples, ashrams, and cultural sites

Why Practice in Rishikesh?

Rishikesh has been a center for yoga study for generations and continues to attract students and teachers from around the world. While its natural beauty provides a peaceful setting for retreat, it is also a place where yoga remains part of daily life. Practicing here offers an opportunity to experience the traditions of yoga within their cultural context while enjoying the simplicity of a week devoted to learning and self-care.

The Retreat Center

Our retreat center in Rishikesh is in a peaceful setting overlooking the Ganges River and the Himalayan foothills. Comfortable accommodations, nourishing meals, beautiful practice spaces, and easy access to nature create an ideal environment for focused study and genuine relaxation.

Whether you are looking to deepen your practice, expand your understanding of yoga philosophy, refine your teaching skills, or simply enjoy a meaningful week of learning with experienced teachers, this retreat offers an enriching and memorable experience in one of yoga's most inspiring locations.

Schedule Overview

Arrival day: Arrival, check-in, gentle yoga practice, dinner

Retreat days
• Daily hatha yoga & pranayama
• Daily study sessions
• Afternoon practice, meditation, hikes and excursions to sacred sites

Final day: Early practice, breakfast, departure

Pricing

All prices include lodging, vegetarian meals, and all retreat sessions.

Double room:
• $1850 per person before September 1
• $2050 after September 1

Private room:
• $2050 before September 1 (per person)
• $2150 after September 1 (per person)

Meet Your Teachers

Saraswati Clere, ERYT-500

Saraswati is a San Francisco Bay Area–based yoga teacher, award-winning filmmaker, and founder of Yoga Kula. With more than two decades of teaching experience, she offers an approach to hatha yoga that is both deeply embodied and refreshingly accessible. Her teaching integrates functional alignment, mindful movement, and breath-centered awareness, supporting students in cultivating vitality, clarity, and inner steadiness. Saraswati’s dedication to the yogic path, her years of training, and her commitment to authentic practice infuse her classes with warmth, intelligence, and heart. www.yogakula.com

Carlos Pomeda

Carlos brings more than 40 years of devoted study, practice, and teaching in the yoga tradition. Trained as a monk in the Saraswati order for 18 years, he immersed himself in the deep study of Indian philosophy and yogic practice. He holds master’s degrees in Sanskrit from the University of California, Berkeley, and in Religious Studies from UC Santa Barbara. Known for his ability to make profound teachings clear, engaging, and immediately applicable, Carlos draws on both his scholarly mastery and his lived experience of the tradition. His teachings illuminate the heart of yoga with precision, humor, and a rare depth of understanding.
Website: www.pomeda.com

Stephanie Lopez

Stephanie Lopez, LISW, C-IAYT, is the Senior Advisor of Philosophy & Learning and Senior iRest Trainer for iRest Institute. With a deeply embodied understanding of meditation informed by 30 years of immersion in the nondual teachings of yoga, Stephanie is sought after to bring the principles of living an authentic and awakened life into corporate and wellness settings, leading retreats and training internationally. Stephanie is a Gestalt psychotherapist, certified yoga therapist, and world-leading meditation teacher who has presented meditation at Google, Spotify, and UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. She also serves as Chair on the Certification Committee for the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) helping to promote standards and credentialing for the field of yoga therapy. She is a contributing author of “Yoga Nidra Meditations.”