Discover India’s astonishing cultural and spiritual richness on this wonder-filled 15-day journey through South India. Traveling in India can be a magical and transformational life event. Combine that magic with yoga and the creative arts and you have the ingredients for a mind-blowing experience.
On this ‘Heart of Presence’ journey commencing 1st February 2020, you will learn yoga practices to open up the energy channels in the body as well as specific poses to support your vitality as you travel.
The days will be filled with exploring India through her temples and ancient monuments, lively markets and rural landscapes as well as walking through her crazy, chaotic streets. In the late afternoons or evenings, Diane, your facilitator, will lead you through a creative process to help integrate and express the day’s experiences. You’ll learn new journaling, writing and visual arts exercises designed to bring you into greater presence.
No experience in these modalities is necessary
Itinerary
Day One
Arrive in Chennai and transfer to a lovely beach resort in Mamallapuram, a vibrant fishing town. Overnight Mamallapuram.
Day Two
Take it easy today with a group meeting & introductory class. We then check out the little town and enjoy lunch in one of the lovely cafes.
There is some free time to browse the fabulous shops, relax by the resort’s beachside pool, enjoy a massage or perhaps go for a stroll on the beach. In the late afternoon, we take part in a guided tour of seventh century world heritage monuments. Overnight Mamallapuram.
Day Three
This morning we have a scenic drive to Tiruvanannamalai, the spiritual heart of South India. Overnight Tiruvannamalai
Day Four To Six
Over the next few days you will visit Sri Ramana’s ashram for vedic chanting and meditation, the ancient temple, the caves where Ramana lived for many years and the holy mountain Arunachula.
We will take an early morning meditative walk around the holy mountain, Arunachula and see ‘India waking’ and also enjoy satsang with an insightful local resident. Overnight Tiruvannamalai
Day Seven To Ten
Transfer to Pondicherry for a relaxing stay at one of Auroville’s lovely guest houses. Enjoy one or more of the amazing healing therapies available as well as the delicious organic food.
Visit the Matri Mandir Visitor’s Centre and meditation centre and enjoy a short tour of the charming town of Pondicherry. Overnight Auroville
Day Eleven
Transfer to Chennai for a short flight to the captivating, historic town of Cochin. The afternoon is free and in the early evening, you will witness an exotic Kathakali dance performance. Overnight Cochin.
Day Twelve
Go on a guided tour of the town where you will see India’s oldest church and synagogue and other great sites. In the afternoon, there is free time to enjoy Cochin’s wonderful shops, art galleries, stroll along the waterways or enjoy a massage. Overnight Cochin
Day Thirteen
Today we have a short drive to Alleppey to board our lovely houseboat for a relaxing cruise around Kerala’s backwaters.
Enjoy a fascinating view of life as it is lived along the southern waterways. We will have a mandala class and lots of relaxation as we gently drift along. Overnight Houseboat
Day Fourteen
After breakfast we return to Cochin for some last minute shopping or sightseeing, a final class with sharing and a farewell group dinner. Overnight Cochin
Day Fifteen
Depart any time today, concluding our magical journey.
Additional Information
This wonderful 15-day experience includes air-conditioned travel, all accommodation, all excursions and entrance fees, internal flight, many meals, guides, guide tips, yoga and creative process classes.
Price $4280US
(Single supplement $1090US)
Dates – 1st to 15th February 2020
About Diane Sherman, MA
Diane, a teacher of Arts & Consciousness, will be your facilitator during the Heart of Presence tour. Diane has been guiding people into deeper presence as a yoga & creative process teacher for nearly 20 years. She is a passionate teacher, committed to exploring new ways to bring us into the moment we are experiencing right now.
Diane believes traveling is one of the quickest and most fun ways to wake up out of the trance of habitual living.
The itinerary may be subject to change depending on altered circumstances.
Testimonials
“This is a life changing journey. India forces you to be in the present moment like no other place I’ve been. I feel permanently changed in a very good way. I wanted to work on being present and that was accomplished. I had a lot of fears prior to going – fears about safety, driving, being so far from home, etc. I felt totally safe and well cared for, and we got to experience another way of life in a way that felt organized (even in a chaotic land).
Before I left, I felt work obsessed. I knew it wasn’t healthy but couldn’t seem to stop it. Since coming back, I still have to work long hours, but I feel less emotionally invested in it and more present and attentive to my own personal needs. I’ve also learned to care less about what other people think – which has been a lifelong struggle for me and in some way, I feel I’ve been mostly freed of that.
I would also add that I really enjoyed the dynamic that both Mela and Diane brought (together) to the trip. They each brought something different, and important, and worked well together. Mela’s attention to detail and ability to advocate for us, helped me to just relax and let someone else be in charge. I knew that I didn’t need to worry about anything because Mela would take care of us – which put me in the right frame of mind to be undistracted for the work with Diane.
Diane’s classes reawakened my creative side and encouraged my vulnerability. I came home with a new perspective on life and a sense of inner peace. I would highly recommend Touch of Spirit tours!
Nicole,
Spokane, Washington
“This trip to incredible India met my needs in so many ways! Mela handled all the logistics and provided us beautiful places to stay with excellent food. From the moment I landed, transportation and support was provided. If I wanted time to explore on my own, I could take it.
Diane offered morning or sometimes early evening yoga in the most beautiful of settings, tailored to our needs in the moment. She led us in the creative process with knowledge, humor and appreciation that flowed into every day. I was looking for a personal shift and found it.
I was afraid to come to India and you gave me a safe and loving space to really feel my own experience with the group. The journey supported me in more ways than I could have imagined. It was a pleasure and a privilege to be traveling and experiencing this beautiful journey with every member of our little group.”
