The experience of India is the great teacher through direct, personal experience, observation of devotion woven into the fabric of daily life. She’s a complex place, filled with heart-wrenching textures, love, and awakening in equal parts. Her lessons are not of asana alignment—or of bodily postures at all—but a deep well of aligning with my inner wisdom and digging deep into a resource that sees beyond the wild external inequalities. I have a lifelong relationship with India and each time I return she humbles me, strips away excess and expectation.
My many journeys to India over the past twenty five years have been invaluable in offering an opportunity to fully immerse in the practices of yoga. All of the concepts, theories, and practices come into context in the light of yoga's birthplace.
We'll travel to locations that support my connection to the deep roots of this practice, including temples that are part of my personal pilgrimage. I will bring those who are longing to explore an internal state of health that carries them through the trials, tribulations, joys, and beauty of this wild life ride, toward integration and wholeness.
On our journey through Southern India we immerse in pujas (ceremonies), perform abhisheka (enacted prayer) in ashrams, chant the sacred sounds, and humble ourselves amidst the ancient expressions of humans longing for meaning.
October 12-14: Chennai
October 14-17: Thiruvannamalai
October 17-19: Chidambaram
October 19: back to Chennai in time for late evening flights
In each location, we'll explore local temples, participate in pujas (ceremonies), and explore the rich origins of this practice. Early in our journey, we will shop for Saris and Dhotis for the temples, and this will be necessary to respectfully enter some of the temple spaces.
We will begin an end our journey in 5-star hotels. While touring through Tamil Nadu, most lodgings will be in 3-star boutique/resort style lodging. In some of the remote areas, we are staying in the most modern and clean options available, but the lodging is simple and humble.
Shared rooms • Shared rooms are set up as double rooms for two people. If you are traveling solo, we will match you with a roommate. For the two nights in Chidambaram, some rooms may be triples.
Private rooms • We have a limited number of private rooms available in Chennai and Thiruvannamalai. In Chidambaram, the number of rooms is more limited, and everyone will likely need to share.
We begin in Chennai on October 12, and end in Chennai late on October 19.
We recommend arriving by 2 pm on October 12 if possible. If you arrive on October 11, or in the wee hours of October 12, we can book an additional night for you in Chennai at the nightly hotel rate.
The pilgrimage will end the evening of October 19 in Chennai.
Janet is also offering a training immersion in Rishikesh from September 28-October 8. If you join the Path of Devotion Immersion in Rishikesh, you will have 4 days between our wrap-up in Rishikesh and our gathering in Chennai.
Our tour guide, Ganesh, is available to support any additional travel for your time in India. He can support flights within India and book a short tour for you from October 8-12, if you plan to attend both the immersion and the pilgrimage.
He can also support pre- or post- pilgrimage travel.
See the FAQ for more details about booking both the immersion and pilgrimage and about booking additional travel through Ganesh.
Enrollment is open for the pilgrimage to Tamil Nadu. Super early rates are in effect through December 12, 2024. Tuition rates will increase by $100 on December 13, 2024.
Due to the nature of this event, deposits are non-refundable unless we can fill your spot. Otherwise, our regular cancellation policies apply.
All rates are listed in USD.
Janet’s studentship began at 17 under the meditation teachings of Prem Rawat. His reverence for simplicity and finding joy in the rise and fall of life live on in her practice and teaching today. In 1996, she traveled to India, the birthplace of her grandfather, and became dedicated to the path of yoga. Janet blends the alchemy of her own practice with decades of studentship. She aspires not to teach but to allow the practice to emanate from her, letting awareness blend with movement and breath. Based in Bali and San Francisco, she leads immersions, retreats, workshops and more.
Shiva Kumar is a re-knowned astrologer and pujari from South India. He has been under the guiding light of several spiritual masters and has himself spent over 15 years as an ascetic. He has been awarded the special distinction title of Jotish Ratna in the field of Astrology and holds a master degree in Philosophy and Religion.
As a traditional pujari he has been performing mass poojas across India where over 5000 people would attend each ceremony. He has travelled to many places across the world including Japan and America for Satsangs (group discussions, questions and answers about Knowledge), Astrology consultations and poojas (individual and mass poojas) helping people of all religions find remedies to their problems.
The training will begin with dinner on October 12 and end with breakfast and our return drive to Chennai on October 19. We will have some recommended activities in Chennai for October 12, before we gather.
The deposit is $1108, and it is non-refundable and non-transferable. Read our cancellation policy.
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance, because we do hold to our cancellation policies.
You can book a round trip flight into and out of Chennai.
see below for travel if you plan to join both the Path of Devotion Immersion and the Pilgrimage.
The best airline will depend on your departure city. We highly highly recommend booking directly with the airlines, and choosing an airline that is offering refunds or flexible changes.
From the US, it takes one full day of travel, and with the time change, you will likely need to depart on October 10 to land on the 12th.
We will work with our team in India to coordinate transportation to and from the airport.
Yes. Visitors from many countries will qualify for an e-visa, which is a relatively easy and affordable process.
Currency exchange services are available at the airports and in the cities.
Amazing! We're delighted you'll spend nearly 3 weeks with us in India. You'll get $500 off the second India event.
If you are joining both events, it may make the most sense to fly into and out of Delhi or Mumbai, for your international flights. (There are non-stop flights to both cities from several US and European cities).
From there, you can book domestic India flights from Delhi to Rishikesh, Rishikesh to Chennai and Chennai back to Delhi (You can hire Ganesh, our tour guide, to help with the local India flights—because booking flights within India is much lower cost, this may save you money, even including his fees).
You can also hire Ganesh to create a custom itinerary for your between the immersion and the Pilgrimage. You'll have space from the afternoon of October 8 until dinner October 12.
You can reach out to Ganesh via email or Whatsapp.
Ganesh would be delighted to coordinate a custom itinerary for you. You can reach out to hire him via email or Whatsapp.
