ARUNACHALA ~ Jaya Ma ARUNACHALA

S.E.L.F. Retreat – Arunachala 2026

You yourself are the Self. You yourself are Consciousness. You yourself are Brahman.

WHO AM I? (Nan Yar?)

S.E.L.F. – Arunachala

This retreat is meant to be one of few words. When the mind begins to return to the Self, fear often appears.

My role in this retreat is to be a bridge, so that this passage can unfold more gently and with ease.

With knowledge rooted in psychology, yoga, shamanism, ceremony, alternative medicine, and five months of living on this mountain, the foundation has been prepared for me to even touch the keyboard and guide you through this process.

Years ago, on several occasions, I was guided to come to this mountain – Arunachala.

According to legend, this is the place where Shiva resides.

I cannot speak in the name of the Indians, for I am not one, but as someone who has walked this path for a long time, I can truly say that this place holds immense power.

It burns – deeply and truly. In my own process, it has burned intensely, and that is why I was guided to make it gentler for, if you are meant to be there.

Mornings and evenings will be times of practice and integration. Afternoons will bring silence, visits to teachers and ashrams, the walk around the mountain – Girivalam – and free time.

If there is one place I would point everyone to, it is this one. Arunachala – “You root out the ego of those who meditate on You in the heart, Oh Arunachala.” (The Marital Garland of Letters, verse 1 – Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi*)

Do you feel the calling? http://www.arunachala-live.com/window.html

S.E.L.F. – Self-Inquiry

Within the Enquiry phase we place special emphasis on trauma-aware practices and direct Self-inquiry. These sessions blend somatic trauma integration with the classical question “Who am I?” — holding both deep healing and the search for the source of the ‘I’ thought.

Practices include trauma-informed breathwork, guided somatic processing, gentle movement, and facilitated inquiry circles. The aim is to create safety, reveal habitual patterns, and support lasting integration.

S – Silence (Days 1–3)

Theme: Grounding, inner quiet, settling the nervous system.

We begin with practices that cultivate deep silence: guided meditations, gentle yoga, morning and evening shamanic breathwork, and time for solitary reflection. These three days create the interior space necessary for the deeper enquiry that follows.

Day 3 evening: Cacao ceremony — an integrative ritual to close the Silence phase and open the Enquiry phase.

Overview:

14 days structured in 4 phases (Silence, Enquiry, Love, Freedom) — each phase spans three days and culminates with a cacao ceremony on the third day of the phase. The final two days (13–14) are reserved for deep integration, Arunachala Girivalam (sacred circumambulation), visits to Sri Ramana Ashram and local teachers, and preparation for the optional 2-day extension journey.

Daily rhythm (example):

Morning — yoga / shamanic practice / meditation
Midday — community lunch / rest / optional one-on-one sessions
Afternoon — workshops (trauma integration, Self-inquiry, embodied practices)
Evening — integration circles / evening shamanic breathwork / cacao ceremony (on phase days)

Teacher & Team Qualifications

Yoga qualifications:

200-Hours & 300-Hours Yoga Teacher Training
Yoga for Mental Health Awareness
Kids Yoga Teacher Training

Alternative & therapeutic qualifications:

Trauma & Recovery Practitioner
SHH (Shamanic Heart Healing®)
Therapeutic Holistic Practitioner
Wisdom of Trauma (Gabor Maté)

FAQ

Food

All meals during the retreat are provided: daily breakfast and lunch, prepared with local, fresh ingredients. Vegetarian and pescatarian options are available. Please inform us about allergies or special dietary needs during registration.

Accommodation

Accommodation is shared apartments or rooms near the base of Arunachala. Each apartment typically includes bedrooms (shared or private), a living area, kitchen and bathroom. Specific room allocation is on a first-come basis.

Do I need yoga experience?

No. All levels are welcome. Practices are adapted to participants’ needs and the program is trauma-informed.

Price & Payment

Shared room (2 beds): €1555 per person (includes accommodation, meals, all scheduled practices and ceremonies, local visits listed in the itinerary).
Optional single/private upgrades or single-apartment options available on request (subject to availability).

What’s included?

• 14 days of program (2–16 Jan 2026).
• Accommodation & daily breakfast & lunch.
• All guided practices, workshops, and ceremonies (4 cacao ceremonies — every third day).
• Arunachala Girivalam, visits to Sri Ramana Ashram & local teachers.
• Trauma-informed integration sessions.

What’s not included?

• International travel to India and travel insurance.
• Personal expenses and optional one-on-one sessions (these can be booked separately).

Children

Children are welcome but there is currently no dedicated children’s program. They remain in parental care during the retreat. If a significant number of families register, we will arrange childcare and a small program for kids and update participants accordingly.