Group Pilgrimage  ·  February 2027

A Journey into India
Yoga & Ayurveda

Chennai & Aluva  ·  18 Days  ·  Immersive Study

Feb 12-22 Chennai - KYM
Feb 22 – Mar 1 · Aluva · Ayurveda Health Village
Mar 1, 2027 Program End
View Dates

The Journey

Two Sacred Destinations.
One Transformative Trip.

This journey is designed for yoga therapists and long-term students rooted in the Viniyoga lineage. You'll travel with practitioners who have devoted years to this path and visit two of India's most revered settings, each offering something distinct and essential.

The program begins in Chennai at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, where senior teachers will guide an immersive study of yoga. From there, the group moves West to Aluva's Ayurvedic Health Village in Aluva, a place of genuine beauty and healing, where you will have space to integrate what you've received, receive personalized care, and be held in community with fellow practitioners. This is not an introductory retreat. It is an invitation for those already walking the path to go deeper, and in the land where it began.

Your Guides

Aimee Forsberg Ottosen, E-RYT 500, YACEP, C-IAYT, AP, is a Chicago-based Yoga Therapist, Yoga Teacher, and Ayurvedic Practitioner devoted to individualized therapeutic work within a traditional lineage. She has studied extensively with Indian teachers and in India, including at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram and with the Aluva Ayurveda Academy, where she completed her internship at the Health Village in Aluva.

Aimee continues her studies in chanting with Ms. Suhasini (KYM) and is completing her International Healing Chanting Teacher Training through the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram. Her work integrates Yoga Therapy, Ayurveda, and chanting to support meaningful, sustainable transformation. She can’t wait to share her travel experiences in Chennai and at The Health Village with others

Amanda Green: RYT 500, YACEP, C-IAYT is a Viniyoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist based in Austin, Texas, whose work is rooted in adapting practice to the individual — with precision, compassion, and a deep understanding of how body and breath work together. With thousands of hours of teaching, extensive experience training yoga professionals in this work, and a rich grounding in yoga philosophy, she brings both technical expertise and genuine presence to every student she guides. Amanda was a student of Chase Bossart for over 15 years and now studies with Paul Harvey. She is a seasoned international traveler, though this will be her first trip to India. She is grateful to be sharing it with a group of trusted colleagues in the land where the practice she loves was born.

01

First Destination

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Feb 12–22 · Arrive, Welcome Dinner & Intensive Study

Immerse yourself in the teachings of the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM), the institution founded by T.K.V. Desikachar.

Feb 12 - Arrive in Chennai
Feb 12-14 - Acclimate, Enjoy Cultural Excursions and a Welcome Dinner
Feb 15-20 - Advanced Yoga Studies at the KYM
Feb 20-21 - Integrate, Temple Visit, Closing Dinner
Feb 22 - Flight to Kochi, Kerala
02

Second Destination

Aluva, Kerala

Feb 22 – Mar 1 · Residential Ayurveda Immersion

Continue West to Kerala, India's Ayurveda heartland, for a residential stay at the Ayurveda Health Village. Experience classical Ayurvedic consultations and treatments in a lush natural setting. Enjoy a leisurely pace allowing for for town visits, conversations with sangha and time for yourself.

Residential stay at the Ayurveda Health Village
Personal Ayurvedic consultation & treatments
Integration of Ayurveda and Yoga therapy

Who Is This
Trip For?

This journey is designed for practitioners who bring a serious commitment to the Viniyoga/Krishnamacharya lineage and its therapeutic applications. Space is intentionally limited to ensure depth of experience and cohesion of the group.

Questions about eligibility? Contact Aimee or Amanda to discuss your background and intentions before registering.

Primary Pathway

Yoga Therapists in the Viniyoga / Krishnamacharya Tradition

This trip is primarily for yoga therapists who have trained within a Viniyoga or Krishnamacharya tradition. The specific program is less important than the lineage. What matters is a genuine grounding in this teaching tradition and its therapeutic approach.

By Approval

Dedicated Viniyoga Students

Dedicated long-term students of Viniyoga who have not completed formal yoga therapy training may apply for approval. Admission is at the discretion of the trip organizer and is based on depth of practice and personal recommendation.

Timeline

Important Dates &
Registration Flow

Plan ahead. Early registration secures your spot at a reduced deposit and locks in priority access to rooming preferences.

EB

May 15, 2026

Early Bird Registration Opens

Registration opens with a $250 savings for early committers. Apply to join and upon acceptance, you will receive a registration form with deposit link and your package and payment options.

✦ Discounted Deposit
R

June 1, 2026

Early Bird Registration Closes

June 1st is the final day to receive the $250 savings!

P1

June 2, 2026

Regular Registration Begins

Upon acceptance, you will receive a registration form. At the time of registration, a standard deposit will be due and you will choose your package a payment plan.

P2

October 1, 2026

Final Payment Due

Remaining balance due. All payments must be complete before departure documentation is issued.

February 12, 2027

Arrive in Chennai

Travel to Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Arrive, settle in, and begin preparation for study at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram. Welcome dinner on February 14; intensive study at the KYM runs February 15–20.

February 22, 2027

Travel to Aluva, Kerala

After the Chennai intensive, the group travels west to Aluva to begin the residential Ayurveda immersion at the Ayurveda Health Village.

March 1, 2027

Return Home

Depart for home, carrying the teachings, treatments, and connections formed over 18 extraordinary days.

Accommodations

All rooms will be assigned in their categories first come first served. Please note: several rooms in Aluva are located on upper levels with stair access only. If you have mobility issues or prefer ground floor access, register early and indicate preference in your registration form.

Deluxe Package

Comfortable, well-appointed rooms at both destinations

Chennai • Raintree Hotel, Deluxe Room
Aluva • Ayurvedic Health Village, Deluxe Room

Double occupancy

$5,123

per person

Single occupancy

$5,441

per person

Availability: 9 rooms available

Premier Superior Package

Enhanced space, premium locations & added comfort in Aluva

Chennal • Raintree Hotel, Deluxe Room
Aluva • Ayurvedic Health Village, Superior Room

Double occupancy

$5,525

per person

Single occupancy

$5,752

per person

Availability: 2 rooms available—very limited

Practical Information

What to Know
Before You Go

Payment Details

DEPOSITS:

EARLY BIRD DEPOSIT : $1,250 (through June 1, 2026 * $250 savings)

REGULAR DEPOSIT: $1,500 (beginning June 2, 2026)

BALANCE DUE AFTER DEPOSIT:

Pay in full (Zelle, Bank ACH or Credit card)

Monthly auto-pays through October (Bank ACH or Credit Card)

or Pay via Zelle in 2 installments (Aug 1, 2026 and Oct 1, 2026)

Please review the Inclusions/Exclusions and the Payments/Cancellations sections before applying.

Please note: To keep our prices as low we've displayed our base price. If you choose to pay with a credit card, our processor charges us a 3.9% fee, which is added to your total. You are always welcome to pay with bank ACH payment or Zelle to avoid this fee.

Refunds & Cancellations

Cancel on or before September 1, 2026 - refund of payments made minus initial deposit.

Cancel September 2 - October 15, 2026 - refund of 50% of payments excluding deposit.

Cancel after October 15, 2026 - see your Trip Insurance Policy.

No refunds issued by Viniyoga International after October 15, 2026.

Purchases are non-transferable unless approved in writing by Organizers.

Required Travel Insurance

We REQUIRE Travel Insurance to be purchased within 14 days following registration. Please review THIS DOCUMENT for our travel insurance information.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

CHENNAI

  • Transportation from Chennai airport to the Raintree Hotel
  • Accommodation at the Raintree Hotel
  • Daily Breakfast buffet at the Raintree Hotel breakfast (European and Indian buffet options)
  • Two Optional walking tours with guides to local cultural and religious sites (all entrance fees and guide)
  • Saturday Welcome Dinner, elevated dining
  • Closing group dinner at upscale restaurant
  • KYM Educational 6-day group study program

ALUVA

  • Scheduled flight to Aluva
  • Transfer from Cochin International Airport to The Health Village in Aluva
  • Accommodation
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (100% vegetarian meals)
  • Two times a day Tea / Coffee
  • 60 minutes yoga session and 30 minutes meditation session available (not viniyoga based) daily/optional AM and PM, except on Sundays & Holidays
  • Doctors’ visits every day
  • All prescribed medicines on campus
  • One major (45 minutes) and one minor (15 - 30 minutes) treatment every day
  • Ayurveda lecture & interactive session once a week
  • Low band width Wi-Fi
  • All inclusive of taxes
  • Optional cultural tour of nearby Aluva

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

  • International flights to / from Chennai International Airport
  • Comprehensive travel insurance is required (and must be purchased within 14-21 days of placing your deposit)
  • India Visa | purchased 30-45 days in advance online
  • Valid US Passport | 6 months valid from date of entry with 3 blank pages
  • Airline Overweight fees for baggage - (suggestions for packing will be provided)
  • Laundry service

CHENNAI

  • Open lunches and dinners in Chennai (budget $20/day)
  • Any additional room charges incurred
  • Any alcohol/spirits
  • Gratuities to hotel staff | suggestion $5 per traveler per day
  • Optional items in Chennai like abhyanga, ayurvedic treatments (can be arranged)

ALUVA

  • Transport to Cochin Airport at close of program
  • Extra treatments (beyond the 2 daily treatments prescribed for you)
  • Extra Food & Beverage (outside of meals and tea time)
  • Optional Laboratory blood work
  • Personal hot spot (faster internet)
  • Taxi for sightseeing/shopping
  • Non-vegetarian restaurant visits away from health village
  • On-discharge herbal formulas (if prescribed)
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