warmth beyond the sun
Join Johnny for an enriching 9-day yoga immersion by the Indian Ocean in vibrant, tropical Varkala in India, the birthplace of yoga.
We’ll blend movement and mindfulness into playful, conscious practices that focus on the process, not just the poses. Energising, balancing, and awakening the body and mind.
Alongside Johnny, we’ll learn from energetic, knowledgeable local teachers and friends, and enjoy freshly cooked, wholesome South Indian food that’s delicious and nourishing. With plenty of free time to relax, swim, sip coconuts, hit the beach, get a massage, try Ayurvedic treatments, or explore Varkala’s spiritual side, India offers a sensory adventure that invites you to go beyond the surface.
This immersion is an opportunity to dive in both on and off the mat, tune into the energy around you, and explore the magic of living.
Leave feeling grounded, inspired, energised, and connected to something greater.
Sounds good?
What to expect
Yogasana
Flow, stretch, strengthen your body
Meditation
Explore presence and awareness
Philosophy
Share, discover, enquire
Pranayama
Shape breath to shape the mind
Mantra
Sound as a tool for transformation
Relaxation
Gently restore and recharge
the venue
the venue
Tamarind Villa, Odayam Beach, Varkala, Kerala
Our venue is homely, simple, and comfortable, shaped by the warmth of the Indo-French family who run it. Set in a tropical garden, with a small pool for cooling off, it’s a 4-minute walk from the beach, and offers a peaceful and welcoming space to settle in with nowhere else to be, nothing else to do.
We’ll practice in the large, open-sided rooftop shala, offering shade from the sun and a peaceful scene among the trees, with glimpses of the Indian Ocean and the setting sun to the West.
The bedrooms are clean, spacious and air-conditioned, each with a small terrace. Our meals will be freshly prepared in the kitchen and we’ll eat together in the covered garden dining area. Think laid-back and real, with everything you need for a deep, immersive experience.
We’re a 15-minute amble from Varkala’s famous north cliff, where backpackers, tourists, and locals mix in a colourful and semi-hectic strip of bazaars, cafes, restaurants, hotels, yoga shalas and Ayurvedic centres. With everything from crystals to coconuts, tattoos to tiger prawns, the north cliff is a vibrant blend of people and culture where there’s something for most.
the schedule
Yoga is an ancient and multifaceted approach to living, of which making shapes with the body on a mat is just a tiny (and relatively new) part. That said, much of the yoga we see in UK studios (and much of the yoga I teach) uses physical practice as a gateway to calming the mind, and to new ways of seeing and understanding. Our yogasana practices therefore take centre stage in the schedule, though this is a broad term. This immersion isn’t about mastering postures (though there will be opportunities) as much as experiencing yoga as a way of being, through movement, breath, stillness, and reflection. Our practice will take different forms, shaped by the energy of the group and the moment. Some sessions will be dynamic and energetic, others will be slow and introspective.
Sometimes the real work will happen in silence, in rest, or in the questions that arise.
No particular yoga experience is required or preferred – just curiosity, a willingness to be present, and an openness to seeing things differently.
The following schedule is indicative of where we will aim, and is an offering, not a prescription. We take what we need, without giving ourselves a hard time. No expectations, no requirements, no rights, no wrongs.
Day 1 | Friday 8th January 2027
Arrival, orientation, food, and an opening circle in the evening.
Days 2 – 8
0630 | Sunrise meditation
0730 | Tea, coffee, juice
0800 | Morning yogasana
1000 | Big Breakfast
1100 | Workshop (ie philosophy, kirtan, bhajan, ayurveda)
1200 | Lunch and free time
1530 | Chai time
1600 | Evening yogasana
1800 | Sunset swim
1900 | Dinner
2030 | Night time practice
Day 9 | Saturday 16th January
On the final day, we’ll have our morning practice, take a celebration Keralan Sadhya banana leaf lunch and meet for a closing circle in the evening before dinner.
Day 10 | Sunday 17th January
Check-out and transfers.
the cost
Single occupancy with bathroom | £950
Double or twin sharing with bathroom | £790 pp
Secure a place with a £300 deposit, and pay in full or in installments.
If an immersion like this feels meaningful to you but cost is a concern or barrier, please get in touch to discuss.
Your payment includes everything on the schedule, 10 nights’ accommodation, 3 meals daily, and airport transfers between Trivandrum Airport (TRV) and the venue.
It doesn’t include flights (London to TRV return tickets are typically £500–700), Indian tourist visa ($25), airport transfers in the UK, or personal expenses in Varkala.
The chart below gives a rough breakdown of how your payment is allocated.
testimonials
Some thoughts from 2026 participants:
“My body feels like it’s had an MOT and oil change!”
“As a beginner, I was a bit worried about fitting in and finding it hard. But I was so wrong! Everyone was there to support and encourage me during my time at immersion. Tamarind Villa is in a lovely spot with a beautiful view from where most of the activities happened. The staff were so welcoming and always ready to help. It was a wonderful experience, and I still remember a positive, relaxing and engaging time with great people and a fantastic teacher.”
“Imagine waking up in a tropical paradise, meditating while overlooking the ocean and sunrise, eating glorious home cooked food, practicing yoga each day as you please, no stress or obligation and finishing the day on the beach watching the glorious sunset as you swim in the ocean. Varkala was a dream and Johnny and Kyla made this dream a reality. I couldn’t recommend this immersion more highly and would go again in a heartbeat.”
“What was most surprising to me was my experience of stillness and being able to journey into a much more settled state to the point of almost falling asleep at times. I think this is a testament to the conditions you provided that enabled me to hand myself over, to trust the space and just let go. To have this experience of myself is definitely the gift I will want to take home.”
“Your commitment to yoga practice and your ability to disseminate that relationship, your knowledge and encouragement was enriching and really helped me to understand yoga with greater breadth and appreciation.”
“The accomodation was absolutely perfect. Clean and a great space for the group where it was easy to disappear when you felt like it. The food was ridiculous in a good way! It was very generous, one might call it unlimited! And super healthy and tasty. Adesh and the team were always willing and nothing was a problem to them if we needed anything at all.”
“A magical time in tropical paradise! Look forward to morning birdsong, butterflies, and flowers galore; huge, clean beaches, endless sunshine, and fresh fruit that makes anything you’ve tasted before seem like the diet version. A super-peaceful place with amazing vibes curated by amazing hosts. If you’re travelling alone, you’ll soon be among friends.”
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