Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh, India
An Immersion into the Heart of Yoga
January 19 - 26, 2027
with Saraswati Clere, Carlos Pomeda & Stephanie Lopez
Spend a week immersed in the study and practice of yoga in one of the world's most well-known yoga destinations. Set at the foothills of the Himalayas along the Ganges River, this retreat offers the opportunity to step away from the demands of daily life and dedicate time to your practice, learning, and personal well-being.
Designed for committed students, yoga teachers, and anyone interested in deepening their understanding of yoga, the retreat combines daily movement, breathwork, meditation, philosophy, and meaningful conversation in a supportive and inspiring environment.
What makes this retreat especially valuable is the opportunity to study with three highly respected teachers whose experience spans decades of teaching, scholarship, therapeutic application, and contemplative practice.
Saraswati Clere brings over 25 years of experience teaching alignment-based yoga, teacher trainings, and yoga philosophy. Her teaching emphasizes intelligent movement, sustainable practice, and creating an inclusive environment where students of all levels can grow with confidence.
Carlos Pomeda is one of today's leading scholars of Indian philosophy and the yoga tradition. His engaging and accessible presentations bring ancient texts such as the Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Sutras, Upanishads, and Tantric teachings to life, helping students understand how these teachings remain relevant in modern life.
Stephanie Lopez integrates yoga, meditation, nervous system regulation, and mindful movement to help students cultivate resilience, balance, and greater awareness in both practice and everyday living.
Together they offer a balanced approach that combines physical practice, philosophical study, meditation, and practical application.
During the Week You'll Enjoy
Daily yoga classes emphasizing healthy alignment, strength, mobility, and ease
Pranayama and meditation practices to support focus, relaxation, and well-being
Yoga philosophy sessions that provide practical insight into the wisdom teachings of yoga
Group discussions and opportunities for questions and reflection
Restorative practices to encourage recovery and integration
Free time to relax, explore Rishikesh, enjoy nature, or simply rest
Visits to local temples, ashrams, and cultural sites
Why Practice in Rishikesh?
Rishikesh has been a center for yoga study for generations and continues to attract students and teachers from around the world. While its natural beauty provides a peaceful setting for retreat, it is also a place where yoga remains part of daily life. Practicing here offers an opportunity to experience the traditions of yoga within their cultural context while enjoying the simplicity of a week devoted to learning and self-care.
The Retreat Center
Our retreat center in Rishikesh is in a peaceful setting overlooking the Ganges River and the Himalayan foothills. Comfortable accommodations, nourishing meals, beautiful practice spaces, and easy access to nature create an ideal environment for focused study and genuine relaxation.
Whether you are looking to deepen your practice, expand your understanding of yoga philosophy, refine your teaching skills, or simply enjoy a meaningful week of learning with experienced teachers, this retreat offers an enriching and memorable experience in one of yoga's most inspiring locations.
Pricing
All prices include lodging, vegetarian meals, and all retreat sessions.
Double room:
• $1850 per person before August1
• $2050 after August 1
Private room:
• $2050 before August 1
• $2150 after August 1
Meet Your Teachers
Saraswati Clere, ERYT-500
Saraswati is a San Francisco Bay Area–based yoga teacher, award-winning filmmaker, and founder of Yoga Kula. With more than two decades of teaching experience, she offers an approach to hatha yoga that is both deeply embodied and refreshingly accessible. Her teaching integrates functional alignment, mindful movement, and breath-centered awareness, supporting students in cultivating vitality, clarity, and inner steadiness. Saraswati’s dedication to the yogic path, her years of training, and her commitment to authentic practice infuse her classes with warmth, intelligence, and heart. www.yogakula.com
Carlos Pomeda
Carlos brings more than 40 years of devoted study, practice, and teaching in the yoga tradition. Trained as a monk in the Saraswati order for 18 years, he immersed himself in the deep study of Indian philosophy and yogic practice. He holds master’s degrees in Sanskrit from the University of California, Berkeley, and in Religious Studies from UC Santa Barbara. Known for his ability to make profound teachings clear, engaging, and immediately applicable, Carlos draws on both his scholarly mastery and his lived experience of the tradition. His teachings illuminate the heart of yoga with precision, humor, and a rare depth of understanding.
Website: www.pomeda.com
Stephanie Lopez
Stephanie Lopez, LISW, C-IAYT, is the Senior Advisor of Philosophy & Learning and Senior iRest Trainer for iRest Institute. With a deeply embodied understanding of meditation informed by 30 years of immersion in the nondual teachings of yoga, Stephanie is sought after to bring the principles of living an authentic and awakened life into corporate and wellness settings, leading retreats and training internationally. Stephanie is a Gestalt psychotherapist, certified yoga therapist, and world-leading meditation teacher who has presented meditation at Google, Spotify, and UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. She also serves as Chair on the Certification Committee for the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) helping to promote standards and credentialing for the field of yoga therapy. She is a contributing author of “Yoga Nidra Meditations.”
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Travel:Our recommendations.
We recommend that you arrive in India a few days earlier to rest and recover from jetlag.
You can fly to Delhi. (approx $800 - $1000 from SFO)
We recommend you stay in a hotel in Delhi, (comfortable hotels by the airport).
Then fly to Dehradun. (approx $50 return from Delhi) 45 mins
We will coordinate with everyone to organize similar arrival times so we can help organize transport to the retreat center. Airfare and transport from the airport is not included in the package price. We are happy to talk about other travel ideas if you wish to travel in India before or after the Retreat. During the retreat we will stay together as a group as we immerse ourselves in the practices.
Visa: You will need a valid passport and, depending on your country of origin, a Visa to travel to India. All US citizens do need a Visa to enter India at this time. It is very easy to get an online visa. It takes approximately 7 days. $25 for 30 days or $40 1 year e-visa (ask us for the steps) https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/
Booking, payment options, cancelation policy
Toreserve your spot, please email us info@yogakula.com
Deposit per person: $1000 paid upon registration will secure your space.
Payment options: Paypal, Venmo, or Credit Card
Cancelation policy:
Full refund until September 1, 2026
No refunds of any kind after September 1, 2026
In the unlikely event of us canceling the retreat, we will provide a full refund, including deposit.
We look forward to welcoming you to Rishikesh
