Indian Yoga Adventure
March 2012
Jiva Institute and Care for Cows, Vrindavan, India

Please join us on an 8-day (plus travel days) journey to northern India and the location of Sri Krishna's childhood in Vrindavan. Daily activities will include yoga postures and breathing with Nicole (Hatha Yoga, Dharma Yoga based on the teachings of Sri Dharma Mittra), volunteering time at Care for Cows sanctuary (Karma Yoga), and instruction in the Srimad Bhagavatam by Jiva Institute founder Dr. Satya Narayana Dasa Babaji (Bhakti/Jnana Yoga). The tenth canto of the Bhagavatam tells of Krishna's pastimes in India and we will be fortunate to hear these stories in addition to visiting their locations during our stay. Additionally, we will be blessed by working daily in the presence of the formerly abandoned and injured cows who now reside at Care for Cows and require our protection. Our daily Dharma Yoga practice will allow us to renew and internalize the experiences of each day.

Additional activities on this trip will include:
Visiting the many temples in Vrindavan and the surrounding areas
Visits to Radhakunda and Govardhan Hill
A trip to a local Indian village
Road trip to Agra, the home of the Taj Mahal
A boat trip on the Yamuna River
An excursion to Mathura including the Mathura Museum
Visiting the local markets
Assisting with feeding local children in need
Experiencing Indian music and dance
(Full schedule available below)

During our time in Vrindavan, we will be hosted at the beautiful Jiva Institute. Ayruvedic treatments are available.

We will volunteer our time to assist in the continued protection of the cows at Care for Cows.

"Care for Cows Inc. maintains abandoned cows, bulls, retired oxen, and orphaned calves. We are international volunteers who offer our talents and resources to tend to the neglected cows living in Krishna's holy land Vrindavana. We provide stray cows hay, flour, fresh grass, medical attention and a place where they can recuperate from injuries. At present we host a herd of five hundred.

"There are approximately three to four hundred abandoned cows in Vrindavan requiring accommodation. Unless they are protected they are destined to subsist on refuse and become plagued by various debilitating and often terminal diseases or suffer injury from careless motorists. However, the most immediate danger is that they become abducted for slaughter by cattle rustlers who are active in this area today."

We will arrive from our corners of the world in at Delhi International Airport on Wednesday, March 21st and prepare to be picked up and depart by car for Vrindavan on the morning of March 22nd. Upon arrival in Vrindavan we will be introduced to our hosts and the adventure will begin. After 8 days in Vrindavan, we will return to Delhi for travel home on Friday, March 30th.

The total cost for this trip is $1200. This includes double-occupancy hotel in Delhi for the night of the 21st, double-occupancy accommodations in Vrindavan (each room has a private bath), 3 daily (vegetarian/vegan) meals in Vrindavan, and all guided travel within India. Consider reserving your space early before the trip fills up!

A $100 deposit will reserve your space. Full payment is due by January 8, 2012. Costs are non-refundable. Please contact Nicole for registration information or with any questions.

Complete schedule (subject to change):

March 21 - Arrive in Delhi. Transported from Delhi to Vrindavan by car.