THE GODS OF YOGA 

DELVE INTO the ORIGINS OF YOGA

through History & Mythology

For yoga teachers, this training counts for 50 continuing education hours with the Yoga Alliance. But all are welcome to join, whether you’re a yoga teacher or not. 

6 Days of Total Immersion in Yogic Culture

Deepen your yoga practice & teachings by learning the authentic Hindu origins of Yoga, through ceremony, cultural experiences, mantras, and the stories of the gods

Whenever yoga teachers uses the Sanskrit names of asana, they’re speaking the names of the Gods.

By delving deeply into the mythology behind the asana names, we are able to feel the energetic effects intended by the poses. Knowing the “Ramayana” and the story of the monkey-faced god Hanuman, for example, allows us to embody the qualities of trust, sacrifice, and loyalty that Hanuman felt when he took a split-legged leap of faith across the ocean for his Lord. You’ll never call “hanumanasana” simply “monkey pose” again, and if you’re a yoga teacher, your students will be spellbound by your stories.

This retreat is for you if:

• you’re a yoga enthusiast who wants to deepen your understanding of yoga philosophy
• you’re a yoga teacher and feel as though your knowledge of yoga’s origins is lacking
• you’ve heard mantras playing (in kirtan or in “yoga songs”) and wondered about their meanings
• you’re inspired to learn how to play the harmonium and develop a mantra chanting practice
• you want to deeply immerse into Balinese spirituality and ceremony, or
• you know your spiritual connection thrives in nature, and want to spend time in the sacred mountains

Yoga is intended for all, regardless of religious or cultural background, and learning its roots helps us to connect with the practice in a more authentic way, no matter your belief system. During this training, we’ll visit temples, share the stories of the gods, and learn how to play and sing the mantras of the deities for whom the poses are named. We’ll also deeply explore Balinese culture with the priestess Mama Ati, through purification ceremonies, rituals, and Balinese dance.

Discover the Deities : What You’ll Learn

Bali, the “Island of the Gods,” has an inherent spiritual energy so strong that it is considered one of the most powerful places in the world to practice yoga and meditation. Drawn by this energy, thousands of yoga-searchers each year travel to the island, but very few make the connection between the living, breathing spirituality of the local Hindu religion and the roots of our yoga practice. This retreat bridges that gap, so that you can experience the magic of Bali and apply it to your Yoga.

THE STORIES BEHIND THE ASANA

• We’ll have daily lessons about the gods and goddesses that inspired many of the traditional hatha asana, including the trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva), their goddess counterparts (Saraswati, Lakshmi, Parvati) and all their many incarnations, as well as the ancient Vedic deities and the specific Balinese deities.
• We’ll visit a Balinese temple to receive blessings from a Balinese healer and see a kecak fire dance, re-enacting a classic Hindu story.
• We’ll practice yoga, pranayama, and meditation twice daily, weaving the stories of the asana into the practice so you can learn how to share the stories with your own yoga students.

THE MEANING OF MANTRA

• Our hostess, a Balinese holy woman, performs an Agni Hotra fire ceremony every single morning by chanting and making offerings to the gods. We’ll learn the meaning of the mantras, and on the final day, we’ll join her in the ceremony.
• We’ll sing kirtan with Moana, an incredibly talented Indonesian bhakti yogini.
• As we learn about the gods, we will also learn the mantras used to evoke their characteristics. The Sanskrit will feel attainable and understandable to you when we delve more deeply into the meaning, and for those interested, we’ll also teach you know to lead kirtan and play the harmonium.

BALINESE CULTURE & CEREMONY

• Bali is called the Island of the Gods. Legend has it that the first settlers in Bali found the island inhospitable, because the spirit presence was so powerful here. They eventually discovered that making offerings of flowers, fire (incense), water, and grains allowed the spirits to be appeased, and the people to live in peace. These offerings are called canang sari, and we’ll learn how to make them.
• We’ll also participate in a Balinese dance and traditional music class, to better acquaint ourselves with the creative tools that the Balinese people use to connect more closely with the deities at the heart of our Yoga practice.

Arm Balances & Advanced Asana

• Many of the advanced arm balances are named after Hindu rishis, sages, or gods. During the training, we’ll learn these stories, and then have a hand-balancing workshop to build up our strength in the poses.
• We’ll be practicing yoga asana twice a day, exploring how the morals of the mythology stories can be felt within the poses. An intermediate to advanced asana practice is recommended.
• This course counts as 50 continuing education hours with the Yoga Alliance for yoga teachers. However, you do not have to be a yoga teacher to join–all those with an interest in yoga, spirituality, and Balinese culture are welcomed with open arms.

Our Sacred Space : What We Provide

COURSE MATERIALS

• Before the course, you’ll receive a .pdf version of the course manual. Physical copies can also be ordered free of charge.
• We’ll also inform you of optional pre-reading that can be done to prepare you for the experience.

SACRED TEACHINGS

• Your lead teacher, Megan, has taught over 600 yoga-teacher-trainees on their journey to becoming teachers. She has lived in Bali since 2016.
• You will also be guided by a number of Balinese spiritual teachers, kirtan singers, and asana instructors throughout the course to fully integrate the teachings with the local culture.

HOUSING & FOOD OPTIONS

• We offer flexible options for food and accommodation to suit your needs and budget, from the all-inclusive package in luxury private room, to a shared room with one other student, still all-inclusive with 3 daily meals provided. We never want money to be a barrier to this profound experience for those who truly desire it, so if you are in need of extra assistance, please reach out via email to megan@yogatrotter.com to discuss options.

SIDEMEN, Bali : The Location

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Megan Mulrine

Megan, the founder of Yogatrotter, is a yoga instructor at the E-RYT 500+ level who has trained more than 600 yoga teachers in Bali, Hawaii, and the mainland USA in all levels of YTT.

On her yoga journey, Megan spent three years in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, deepening her understanding of Buddhist philosophy and meditation practices while teaching yoga to Japanese locals, expats, and US Marines. During this time, she traveled to Bali, Thailand, and Cambodia to seek greater knowledge of eastern philosophies, and felt a deep past-life connection to Bali, the Island of the Gods, eventually moving there in 2016 to lead trainings for a number of different yoga schools.

While in Bali, Megan has been studying Hindu philosophy and the ancient stories (puranas) as they relate to yoga with the priestess Bunda Parvati (Mama Ati), as well as continuing her studies of Buddhist meditation with the healer Pak Merta Ada. She traveled to India in 2019 to learn kirtan and Vedic mantra chanting at the Krishna School of Music in Rajasthan, and is currently working towards her certification in Yoga Therapy with Dr. Ganesh Mohan, A.G. and Indra Mohan, the leading yoga therapists in the Krishnamacharya lineage in India.

Megan is known for weaving stories and music throughout her teaching to connect students to their highest selves.

Thia Moana

Moana is an E-RYT 500 teacher trainer who has been guiding students through yoga teacher trainings and yoga retreats in Bali for almost 15 years. Originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, Moana spends her time surfing, teaching yoga, and leading kirtan on Nusa Lembongan, a small white-sand island off the coast of Bali. The soul-level connection that she makes with students is often one of the most profound parts of the training.

A multi-instrument musician and singer, Moana’s expertise lies in mantra singing, meditation, movement, and hypnotherapy. Her voice frequently triggers deep spiritual experiences for students during savasana, and her sense of humor and lightness brings joy to every moment of the course.

NOTE: Due to Covid-19, all students must be fully vaccinated in order to enter Indonesia and attend this training.
Check the tourism department’s website for the latest travel requirements.

PRICING OPTIONS

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