YOGA RETREAT JAPAN
with BEGUM GULDEREN & Govinda Kai,
Myoshinji Temple, Kyoto.
Dates; TBA
7 Nights / 8 Days
Retreat Fees:
Non-Accommodation ; $ 1350
Shared Double Room ; $ 1650
Private Single Room ; $ 2050
Ashtanga Yoga/Meditation Retreat
Revel in the calming energy of Yoga in the peaceful and beautiful cultural city of Kyoto. Offering a chance to experience Yoga practice in Dai Hon Zan Myo Shinji, a temple previously used by Buddhist monks. A place of culture, tradition, lovely zen gardens and enveloped by an aura of stillness. Look forward to morning Ashtanga Yoga sessions, Yoga Meditation Chanting Lecture and Kirtan, Hot Spring Bath, connecting and sharing. The composed ambiance of Kyoto, paired with the knowledge and experience of well known Ashtanga Yoga teacher Govinda Kai, this retreat is an opportunity not be missed.
“EXPERIENCE THE HOSPITALITY, MYSTIQUE, CULTURE, AND SERENITY.”
Imagine staying in a Temple, doing Yoga in a holistic place where entry is not easy. This is a place locates in the heart of Kyoto, in between Temples and Zen Gardens. This Hotel used to be for Buddhist Monks however now it is open for special groups. Now you can also experience to be there in the traditional place where you can meet with a great master, Yoga Teacher Govinda Kai. You would fall in love with this special retreat.
Timed the retreat to coincide with the stunning colors of spring in the countryside.
The best time to enjoy the hot healing waters of a natural hot spring (onsen) as well as you can anytime go for long walks in the Zen Garden of the Temples. This Retreat will change you completely.
ACCOMMODATION:
It is a traditional Japanese temple hotel called Dai Hon Zan Myo Shinji.Within the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. Myoshinji is the head temple of the Myoshinji school with over 3000 affiliated temples and calls itself the largest of all Zen temples. Myoshinji was founded in 1337 when an abdicated emperor had an imperial villa converted into a Zen temple. Daishinin Temple is the smallest of the four sub-temples but has an attractive rock garden and beautiful rooms.
All the rooms are shared rooms. Beds are Japanese style on the floor. The room is large and is equipped with air-conditioning and a kotatsu heater and Bathroom are all shared. The building is made of timber and allows you to feel that you are really staying in a temple.
WHAT`S INCLUDED;
7 Nights accommodation at the old Temple Hotel
Traditional Japanese Breakfast and Dinner (Vegetarian)
6 Morning Yoga Classes at Japanese Style Shala(Yoga Room) by Govinda Kai
5 Afternoon Lecture and Kirtan by Govinda Kai
Japanese Green Tea (Available all day)
Evening Heated/Hot Bath at the Hotel
Some activities and visits as well as all the guidance you need.
NOT INCLUDED:
Travel costs, airfare transport to/from hotel
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED:
Visit Ariyasama Bamboo Forest and Sagano River.
Day trip to Mt. Kurama and Hike to Kurama-dera Mountain Temple. Finishing with a visit to its famous Kurama Onsen to relax tired muscles after climbimg up.
Visit to Geisha District.
OpTIONAL ACTIVITIES (NOT INCLUDED):
Visit to several Temples/Shrines.
Photographers are available! Whether you’d like some yoga poses or a more serene shoot in the gardens, we could arrange for you great deals
Go to Massage Center and have the best Shiatsu Massage ( 5000 Yen - 1 hour )
Temple’s Rules:
Curfew (closing time) 9:30 PM – Temple Main Gates close earlier.
Bath time 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM – Women and Men Bath are separated. Heated Bath is available in the evenings. However, you can take a shower at any time in the shared Bathroom at the Temple
Lights out time 11:00 PM
WiFi/LAN available
“Ashtanga Yoga Retreat in Kyoto was true and authentic. The temple was a unique location, well thought, a very very simple and purist surrounding but in the same way just beautiful. I appreciate the nearness of Govinda who is for me one of the most authentic Ashtanga yoga teachers. I just loved to be there with him and listen to his talks, his chants. Thank you.”
Ashtanga YOGA
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a style of yoga codified and popularized by K. Pattabhi Jois during the 20th century which is often promoted as a modern-day form of classical Indian yoga. Ashtanga means eight limbs or branches, of which asana or physical yoga posture is merely one branch, breath or pranayama is another.
Prepare to sweat as you briskly move through a set sequence. All-Levels are welcome!
GOVINDA KAI
Govinda Kai has been involved in Martial Arts, meditative disciplines, and yoga for over 20 years. He spent two years studying Tibetan Buddhism under the tutelage of Sogyal Rinpoche (Author of ‘The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying’), and also studied Aikido with some of the foremost instructors in the world.
He is one of the few teachers in the world who received Certification to teach the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system directly by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. His quest for truth and purity in the more essential parts of his self and life has taken him all over the world. With over 15 years of experience teaching yoga, Govinda Kai has worked with many students in Asia, America, and Europe, bringing his passion for the spiritual life and for deep transformation into his classes and workshops. Govinda’s teachings will bring real experiences of celebrating the truly profound possibilities of yoga and spiritual practice. www.lunaticmonk.co,
Sample Program
6 am to 8 am - Yoga Asana (Ashtanga Yoga )
9 am to 10 am - Breakfast
4 pm to 6 pm Chanting/Lecture/Kirtan (5 times )
7 pm to 8 pm Dinner
*Some days for sightseeing. Sight-seeing will be arranged and if you are coming to Japan alone, afraid of being a stranger, you won't be….
*Govinda will start to teach from the date of 25th of May. You can check-in the hotel from 24th of May. You will have some time for settling in.
*Begüm will be the assistant of Govinda. She will be there for anything guests need.
Meals:
All meals are Japanese and vegetarian. For the breakfast and dinner mainly eggs, rice cooked in gas rice-cooker, the boil vegetables seasoned with sesame and the bouncy gluten, soups etc.
GETTING THERE
The closest airport is Osaka International Airport where direct flights from many countries.
From Osaka airport, shuttle bus service is available to Kyoto station. (it takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes) (2700 YEN)
From Kyoto station, you can either reach to the temple by train or by taxi. (Taxi to the temple - 3000 YEN)
Myoshinji is a ten-minute walk from JR Hanazano Station (400 YEN) and just 5 minutes from Keifuku train line’s Myoshinji Station.
7 mins walk to Myoshinji Complex from Hanazano St. 3 mins walk to Daishinin Temple. (Total 10 mins walk)
You could also take a Kyoto bus #59 or #10 to Myoshinji-mae bus stop. (FREE FOR TOURIST)
Taxi pick-up service could be arranged for you as well.
Contact us for more info how to get/from.
KYOTO
Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, is a city on the island of Honshu. It’s famous for its numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. It’s also known for formal traditions such as kaiseki dining, consisting of multiple courses of precise dishes, and geisha, female entertainers often found in the Gion district.
Kyoto is world famous for its wonderful temples and shrines. There’s also incredible shopping, bicycling, hiking, museums, galleries and green spaces.
What To Do in Kyoto
Visit Temples/Shrines/Castles/Zen Gardens; There are literally thousands of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Kyoto. It’s great fun to take in the breathtaking scenery for each season and view the beautiful architectural structures. You can take a moment to learn the correct way to pray and also enjoy a casual trip to some of these wonderful places. Like Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines are places of worship. In Shinto, millions of gods which can be found everywhere are worshipped. Most of them contain the traditional gardens of the finest quality.
Walk in Bamboo Forest; The most beautiful forest you will ever see. This is the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Just stunning isn’t it! It’s probably one of the best loved tourist sites in Kyoto, Japan and you can see why! You can stand amongst soaring stalks of bamboo and feel like you’re in a totally different world to the one you live in. It truly is a magical place, especially when the wind picks up and all you hear is the huge sound of the bamboo leaves rustling.
Bath at one of Kyoto`s Onsen; When visiting Japan's former capital city, it's natural to want to experience an amazing Kyoto onsen. An onsen is a natural hot spring bath, which I deem to be one of the most relaxing things to do during a Kyoto itinerary. After a long day of sightseeing, nothing beats soaking in a Japanese onsen.
Have lunch at Geisha District; Gion is one of the most well known Geisha districts in Japan, with beautifully preserved architecture and traditional customs and entertainment. The streets of Gion are characterised by old wooden townhouses (machiya) which contain teahouses (ochaya), shops and restaurants. These buildings give the district a beautiful old world charm and, understandably the area is very popular with tourists. There are several modern streets in the area too which has bars, clubs, restaurants. You can also take picture with Geishas..
WHAT TO BRING
Here are some suggestions that have come up to help you better plan for your stay. For traveling, packing your favourite power bars and dried food is always a good idea however there is a market (10mins walk). A shawl for early mornings and nights.
Yoga mat, yoga props if you use, walking shoes, water bottle…
TO REGISTER
Please email your interest to Begüm ( begumgulderenyoga@gmail.com ). You will then receive a registration form to complete and details regarding the transfer of deposit. A non-refundable deposit of $400 is required to secure your booking. The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival. Upon registration, you will be sent more info about getting to and around Kyoto, taxi pick-up from the airport, what to bring etc.