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Traditional Ashtanga YTT & Guruji's 99th Birthday Celebration with Sri BNS Iyengar and Joey Paz


Super Early Bird price until February 28. Register now to get the lowest price!

I am overjoyed to announce that Guruji BNS Iyengar, the world's oldest living Ashtanga Yoga teacher, will appear in person again at the beautiful Chitravana Retreats for a one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive Yoga Teacher Training in September 2025.

Join BNS and his longtime student Joey Paz September 14-29, 2025 for a 2-week training in the traditional system of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, including Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, and Philosophy. At 98 years of age, BNS is one of the last remaining students of Krishnamacharya still teaching today, and one of the world's most exceptional scholars and sages of Yoga.

And the best part: We will be celebrating Guruji’s 99th birthday during this retreat, which will take place on Sept. 19th!

Guruji BNS Iyengar, the world’s senior living Ashtanga Yoga teacher and scholar, at age 98 (Soon to be 99!)

We will be celebrating Guruji’s 99th birthday during this retreat. This is a precious opportunity to experience the full CUrriCULUM training (Asana, pranayama, mudra, & philosophy) in person as we celebrate a milestone in his life.

BNs Iyengar is a living mystic from the golden age of yoga. He is the last of his generation and represents a bygone era. THere will never be another teacher like him.

What’s more, This retreat will take place during the Dasara festival- the celebration of Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura. This is a very important festival and the most colorful, vibrant, and exciting time of year to be in mysore!

You do not have to be a yoga teacher or advanced practitioner to participate in this immersion retreat. This experience will deepen your understanding of yoga, no matter who you are.

ACCOMMODATION AND TRAINING

You will be staying and practicing at Chitravana Retreats. Just outside the bustling city of Mysore, this resort is a space of pure peace and tranquility, surrounded by 6 acres of tropical forest. A swimming pool, amphitheater, and solitude can be found on the resort grounds for guest use. The property features 20 rooms and 10 cottages of the highest quality modern and comfortable accommodation. Each day, Guruji BNS will come to the resort to conduct his classes and lectures.

Chitravana Resorts is located just outside Mysore in a serene jungle setting. Guests will have full access to the resort’s amenities, including a restaurant, amphitheater, playground, and swimming pool!

This retreat is all-inclusive - comfortable, modern accommodation and daily delicious Ayurvedic meals will be provided on-site for guests. All details, including airport pickup, will be arranged in advance for you. All you have to do is show up, and experience authentic yoga practice and philosophy with a true living legend in the land of its origin.

Food

This retreat will be fully catered by Sahana of Rasayana Mysore Kitchen. Sahana is a world-renowned Ayurvedic chef, and her meals are highly complementary to a daily yoga practice. Each day, guests will be provided with a full brunch and dinner consisting of delicious vegan/vegetarian Ayurvedic meals provided on site. We can say with full confidence that Rasayana Mysore Kitchen is the most amazing and highest quality food they’ve ever had in all of their journeys to Mysore over the years.

All meals will be provided by Sahana Murthy of Ramayana Mysore Kitchen.

Sahana is a world renowned chef and each meal is an exquisite culinary experience!

This retreat is associated with the 7th annual Mysore Yoga Traditions Conference. Each evening, you will gather to enjoy brand new lectures from the conference from Mysore’s most illustrious scholars, including Dr. TRS Sharma, Sri Jayashree and Narasimhan, Dr. M.A. Alwar, Dr. Nagaraj Rao, Sri Yamini Muthanna, and many more.

Dasara Festival

Mysore Dasara is one of the most celebrated and grandiose festivals in India. The city of Mysore has a long tradition of celebrating the Dasara festival. Dasara (Dussehra) is a 10-day festival in India, culminating on Vijayadashami, the tenth day.

The Mysore Dasara is celebrated with great enthusiasm and elaborate decorations. During this period, the entire city of Mysore undergoes a transformation, with beautifully lit streets and decorated trees. It attracts a huge audience from all over India and the world.

Mysore Dasara 2025 will be celebrated from 23rd September to 2nd October. During this time, the brightly illuminated Mysore Palace and the entire city are a sight to behold. Various cultural and religious programs highlighting the dance, music, and culture of Karnataka are performed in front of the illuminated Palace. Dasara celebrations commence with a pooja performed to Goddess Chamundeshwari Temple atop the Chamundi Hill with the presence of the Wadeyar royal couple and state officials. This is the most vibrant and celebratory time of year to be in Mysore! 
CLICK HERE to read more about the Dasara Celebration and its significance. 
This is a very sacred and special time to be in Mysore! 

Schedule and itinerary informatioN


9am-12pm : Morning Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, & Philosophy sessions with Guruji BNS Iyengar, the world’s senior living Ashtanga Yoga teacher
12pm-1pm : Lunch provided by Rasayana Mysore Kitchen
1pm - 5:30pm : Free time to relax, study, explore Mysore, or enjoy the pool!
5:30-6:30pm : Afternoon Philosophy, Mantra Chanting, and Meditation and workshops with Joey Paz and guest teachers
6:30-7:30pm : Dinner provided by Rasayana Mysore Kitchen
7:30-8:30pm : Philosophy Lectures from Yogic scholars

If you have always wanted to go to India to study yoga, but didn’t want to go alone, this is your perfect chance to make the journey with a friendly crew of seasoned Mysore veterans. Your host, Joey Paz, has made the journey to India over 10 times and has spent a considerable amount of time there, and knows the ropes very well. He will be there to assist you every step of the way and make sure you have everything you need at all times. With food, accommodation, and every other detail arranged in advance for you, this retreat has the potential to be a truly transformational life experience.

Arriving to Mysore:
Taxis from Bangalore airport directly to Chitravana Retreats can be arranged for 4,500 Rupees. Our driver will be waiting for you when you arrive. There are also daily buses from Bangalore airport to Mysore that are cheaper, but take longer. Joey will be happy to assist with this information after you have registered.

When you are not studying and practicing yoga in its fullest depth, you will have plenty of time to relax poolside at the tropical resort in the legendary city of Mysore, India - The birthplace of modern yoga.

What's included

  • All yoga classes, material, and curriculum held during the retreat

  • 2 full meals a day of delicious, Ayurvedic vegan/vegetarian cuisine provided on-site at theresort by Rasayana Mysore Kitchen (please note that no dinner will be served on Saturday Sept. 20, or Sunday, Sept. 21 , as we will be out on an excursion in Mysore.)

  • 2 weeks of accommodation at Chitravana Jungle Resort, from Sunday, September 15 to Sunday, September 28

  • A 25 hour online course consisting of philosophy lectures with Mysore’s senior scholars, yours to keep for life

  • A certificate of completion that you have studied directly with Guruji BNS Iyengar, the world’s elder living Ashtanga Yoga teacher, in person. This certification will be valid for 100 hours of Continuing Education (CE) credits with Yoga Alliance.

  • A full PDF training guide of all material covered during the YTT for continued study

  • Weekly excursions and adventures to important historical sites in Mysore

  • Unlimited use of the resort grounds, including the swimming pool

  • Guest lectures from some of Mysore’s most revered scholars

  • A brand new crew of global friends and acquaintances

  • Memories to last a lifetime!

One of the field trips we will take together during the YTT - a trip to the top of the iconic Chamundi Hill overlooking the city of Mysore.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS

Sri BNS Iyengar

Sri BNS Iyengar has many titles. Lovingly referred to as “Guruji” by his students, he is one of the world’s most revered Yogis, a renowned Sanskrit scholar, and a direct student of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, “the father of modern yoga,” whose knowledge of Yoga philosophy is unparalleled. As part of the peer group that developed in Mysore in the formative years of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, he is an important figure in the parampara, or lineage, of Mysore’s rich yoga heritage. Today, at age 98, he is the world’s elder living master and philosopher of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga who is still teaching Ashtanga Yoga today.

Joey Paz

Click here to read Joey’s bio

TRAINING FEES-

Shared Room - $1,499 Super Early Bird price until Feb. 28, 2025
$1,599 Early Bird price from March 1- July 31
$1,699 Regular price starting August 1

Private Room - $2,199 Super Early Bird price until Feb. 28, 2025
$2,299 Early Bird price from March 1- July 31
$2,399 Regular price starting August 1

Private Deluxe Room - $2,299 Super Early Bird price until Feb. 28, 2025

$2,399 Early Bird price from March 1- July 31
$2,499 Regular price starting August 1

Shared Deluxe Room - $1,699 Super Early Bird price until Feb. 28, 2025
$1,799 Early Bird price from March 1- July 31
$1,899 Regular price starting August 1

Shared Cottage - $1,699 Super Early Bird price until Feb. 28, 2025
$1,799 Early Bird price from March 1- July 31
$1,899 Regular price starting August 1
(Cottages are stand-alone structures with slightly more peace, quiet, and privacy
away from the main building. Please note that cottages only contain 1 bed. The
shared cottage option is only for partners or close friends attending the retreat
together.)

Private Cottage - $2,599 Super Early Bird price until March 30, 2025

$2,699 Early Bird price from April 1- July 31
$2,799 Regular price starting August 1


You may register with a $100 deposit to secure your spot. Once you register, Joey will get in touch to set up a payment plan that works for you.
The earlier you register, the lower your monthly payments will be.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY:
We have 1 work trade scholarship spot available at a 50% discount from a shared room rate. To apply for the scholarship, please email joeypazyoga@gmail.com with a short letter explaining why you would be a good candidate to receive this scholarship. Please note that priority will be given to citizens of India, Mexico, Central America, SE Asia, & other countries with developing economies.

Please feel free to contact Joey on WhatsApp at +1 4058239919 with any questions.

THIS TRAINING IS LIMTED TO 25 STUDENTS ONLY. Register as far in advance as possible to ensure your spot.

100-Hour Ashtanga YTT with BNS Iyengar and Joey Paz
from $100.00