Yoga, Meditation & Kriya Retreat at Arunachala
A 10-day retreat into yoga, breath, meditation, kriya, self-inquiry and inner stillness. 10 to 20 January 2027, Tiruvannamalai, South India.
- Start
- 10 January 2027
- Place
- Arunachala, South India
- Price
- From NOK 4 950 per person
Welcome to a deep and nourishing yoga and meditation retreat in Tiruvannamalai, South India, at the foot of the sacred mountain Arunachala, one of India's most powerful places for meditation, self-inquiry and spiritual practice.
The retreat takes place at Sunshine Guesthouse, a simple, warm and welcoming guesthouse close to Arunachala and the living spiritual atmosphere around the mountain. This retreat is an invitation to step out of everyday life for a while and enter a field of practice, stillness, breath, movement, devotion, inquiry and warm community. For ten days we will live close to Arunachala, close to the spiritual atmosphere of Tiruvannamalai, and close to ourselves.
This is not a luxury retreat. Sunshine Guesthouse is simple, peaceful and authentic, a place that supports inner practice rather than outer distraction. The retreat is for those who feel drawn to depth, simplicity, sincere practice and the living spiritual atmosphere around Arunachala.
Who this retreat is for
You do not need to be advanced in yoga. You do not need to be flexible. You do not need to have long meditation experience. But you should feel sincerely interested in practice, inner exploration and being part of a retreat field with respect, openness and presence.
If you feel drawn to
- yoga as a deeper path, and meditation and inner stillness
- breathwork and nervous system regulation
- Kriya and Kundalini based energy practice
- self-inquiry and the sacred atmosphere of Arunachala
- a warm, honest and grounded community
Experienced or beginning
- experienced practitioners who want a longer, held period of practice
- sincere beginners who feel called to this kind of journey
- Norwegian and international participants, and people already in Tiruvannamalai in this period
The retreat will be taught in English. Norwegian participants are warmly welcome.
The essence of the retreat
The retreat will bring together many of the practices that are most alive in my own path and teaching. The approach is both grounded and alive. Some sessions will be dynamic and energizing, while others will be quiet, meditative and inward. We will work with the body, breath, nervous system, energy, heart and awareness in a balanced and integrated way. The intention is not to perform or achieve, but to listen more deeply, soften old patterns, awaken life force and come closer to what is real.
Yoga and breath
Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga, meditation, pranayama, deep breathwork, Kriya Yoga meditation, Yoga Nidra, mantra, heart song, kirtan, liberating movement and time for rest and integration.
Kriya and Kundalini practice
A special part of this retreat will be Kriya and Kundalini practices from the Himalayan Yoga tradition. This is not Kundalini Yoga in the Yogi Bhajan / 3HO tradition, but a broader Himalayan and Kriya Yoga stream. The active practices may include dynamic breathwork, mantra, movement, yoga postures, inner focus and work with prana and subtle energy. They will always be held within a grounded and respectful framework, with emphasis on safety, self-regulation, individual boundaries, nervous system awareness and integration, and balanced with still meditation, silence, grounding and self-inquiry.
Meditation, silence and self-inquiry
Tiruvannamalai is deeply connected with Ramana Maharshi and the path of self-inquiry. During the retreat, we will allow the atmosphere of Arunachala to support a deeper inner listening. Self-inquiry can begin with simple and honest questions: Who am I beneath my roles and stories? What is here when I stop running? What happens when I rest as awareness itself? Some parts of the retreat may be held in silence, especially mornings, some meals or certain practice periods. Silence is not meant as something rigid or heavy, but as a supportive container for presence, rest, clarity and integration.
Devotion and community
Mantra, heart song and kirtan, shared vegetarian meals, and possible visits to some of the sacred places connected with Arunachala, such as Ramana Ashram, caves, temples or other places of practice and pilgrimage.
Arunachala and Tiruvannamalai
Arunachala is regarded by many as one of the most sacred mountains in India. For centuries seekers, yogis, saints and ordinary people have come here for meditation, pilgrimage, prayer, silence and transformation.
Tiruvannamalai is not a polished tourist destination. It is intense, alive, dusty, devotional, beautiful, chaotic and deeply spiritual. There are temples, ashrams, cows, pilgrims, chai stalls, sadhus, monkeys, traffic, incense, chanting, silence, and the constant presence of Arunachala.
Some days may include excursions, walks, time near the mountain or a more spacious rhythm, depending on the group, timing and energy.
Dates and structure
Arrival day, 10 January 2027
Participants arrive at Sunshine Guesthouse, settle into their rooms, rest and land. This will be a gentle arrival day, with a simple evening gathering.
Retreat programme, 11 to 20 January
The main retreat programme includes yoga, meditation, breathwork, Kriya practice, silence, inquiry, mantra, meals, rest, community and possible excursions.
Closing day, 20 January
We will close the retreat with morning practice, breakfast and a closing circle. Participants may travel onward after the retreat or choose to stay longer in Tiruvannamalai. The full moon will be around the night of 21 to 22 January, traditionally a powerful time for Girivalam, the pilgrimage walk around Arunachala. It can be a beautiful and unforgettable experience, but also intense and crowded. It is not included as a formal part of the retreat, but participants who feel drawn to it may choose to stay a few extra days.
Example of a day
The exact schedule may vary depending on the group, excursions, rest needs and the natural flow of the retreat. The morning meditation, the morning yoga, breath and kriya practice and the evening session will usually happen most days, while some midday periods may be adjusted for excursions, temple visits, pilgrimage or integration time.
A typical day
- 07.00 to 07.30 Meditation
- 07.30 to 08.00 Light snack or drink
- 08.00 to 09.30 Yoga, breath and kriya practice
- 09.30 to 10.30 Breakfast
- 11.30 to 13.00 Philosophy and inquiry
- 13.30 to 14.00 Lunch
- 14.00 to 16.30 Free time, rest, nature
- 16.30 to 17.30 Yoga Nidra, relaxation and breath
- 18.00 to 19.15 Yoga, kriya, free dance, mantra or heart song
- 19.15 to 20.00 Dinner
Retreat options and prices
- Full retreat package, shared room
- NOK 10 000 (approx. USD 1 090)
- Full retreat package, single room
- NOK 12 000 (approx. USD 1 300), single rooms are limited
- Retreat programme only, own accommodation
- NOK 4 950 (approx. USD 540)
- Retreat programme and meals, own accommodation
- NOK 6 000 (approx. USD 650)
Experiences from previous participants
«Parabhakti teaches with warmth, simplicity and humor. The retreat was beautiful, a wonderful place, nourishing food and a deeply meaningful atmosphere. I went home with more joy, inner peace and calm that stayed with me long after the retreat ended.»
«If you are looking for something that brings more depth, meaning and life energy into your life, I wholeheartedly recommend Ragnar’s retreats and trainings. There is a rare combination of presence, wisdom, humanity and genuine care.»
«Ragnar shares from real experience. His teaching carries both depth and simplicity, and the atmosphere in the group felt heartfelt, honest and transformative.»
What is included
From NOK 4 950
per person
Deposit at registration, the rest before departure. The amount is confirmed at registration.
Online registration and deposit payment are processed in NOK. International participants can pay the deposit by card, and their bank or card provider will convert the amount to their local currency. The remaining balance can be paid later by invoice for Norwegian participants, or by Wise or international transfer for international participants. USD prices for the remaining balance are fixed international payment amounts.
The price includes
- Accommodation at Sunshine Guesthouse, 10 to 20 January (full retreat packages)
- The full retreat programme, 11 to 20 January: daily yoga, meditation, breathwork and kriya sessions
- Use of the yoga and meditation hall
- Vegetarian meals during the retreat period (full retreat packages and the programme-and-meals option)
- Guidance and group support, and possible visits or excursions to sacred places around Arunachala
- Taxi transport from Chennai airport to Tiruvannamalai at arrival, when coordinated with the group travel plan
Not included
- International flights, travel insurance and visa for India
- Return transport to the airport after the retreat
- Extra nights before or after the retreat period
- Personal expenses, optional extra excursions, and meals or transport outside the retreat plan
How to reserve your place
Your place is confirmed when the deposit has been received. More detailed payment information, including the payment deadline for the remaining balance, will be sent after registration.
Choose your option and register
Registration and the deposit are handled in our booking system. You choose between the full retreat packages (shared or single room) and the programme-only options.
Receive practical information
More practical information will be sent after registration, including travel suggestions, packing list, visa information, airport transfer details and preparation for the retreat.
Pay the remaining balance
By invoice (Norway) or Wise / international transfer, within the deadline stated in your confirmation.
Cancellation terms, in plain words
The registration deposit reserves your place, is deducted from the total price, and is not refunded if you cancel. Up to 30 days before the start you can cancel and receive a refund of the amount paid beyond the deposit, minus a NOK 500 administration fee. Up to 14 days before the start, the cancellation fee is 20 percent of the total booking, minimum NOK 500. Within the last 14 days there is no refund unless you have a medical certificate. If we cancel the retreat, everything you have paid to us is refunded, including the deposit. Flights, visa, insurance and other personal costs are always your own responsibility, so we strongly recommend flexible tickets and valid travel insurance.
You reserve your place with a deposit.
The rest before departure. The registration deposit reserves your place and is deducted from the total. It is not refunded if you cancel. Up to 30 days before the start, other amounts paid are refunded minus a NOK 500 administration fee; up to 14 days before, minus 20 percent (minimum NOK 500). Read the cancellation terms.
About the teacher
Parabhakti Ragnar Grøn
Founder and main teacher
Parabhakti Ragnar Grøn is the founder and main teacher of Nordisk Yoga og Meditasjonsskole in Norway. He has more than 20 years of teaching experience, and has been teaching yoga, meditation, retreats and teacher trainings full time since 2013.
- Classical yoga, Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga, Kriya Yoga, meditation, mindfulness, breathwork, trauma-informed perspectives, self-inquiry and embodied spiritual practice
- Master Level and 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Sattva Yoga Academy in the Himalayas
- Kriya Yoga practice in the lineage of Paramahansa Yogananda, long-term meditation practice and retreat experience
- Training in family constellations and multigenerational trauma work
His teaching is warm, grounded, clear and inclusive, with emphasis on safety, presence, depth, embodiment and integration. Rather than teaching yoga as performance or spiritual idealism, he invites students into direct experience, where practice can become real, human, transformative and deeply alive.
A retreat of simplicity, depth and living practice
This retreat is not about escaping life. It is about listening more deeply.
It is about letting the body soften, the breath open, the heart become more available, and the mind become quieter. It is about meeting the sacred not as an idea, but as something that can be felt in the body, in the breath, in silence, in community, and in the presence of Arunachala.
It is about remembering what is already here.
Questions and answers
Do I need to be experienced in yoga or meditation?
No. You do not need to be advanced, flexible or have long meditation experience. A sincere interest in practice and inner exploration is what matters. Experienced practitioners and sincere beginners both find their place.
What language is the retreat taught in?
English. Norwegian participants are warmly welcome, and the retreat is open to international participants.
Is this Kundalini Yoga as in the 3HO tradition?
No. The Kriya and Kundalini practices come from the broader Himalayan and Kriya Yoga stream connected with Mahavatar Babaji, Kriya Yoga and modern integrated yoga lineages, held within a grounded and respectful frame.
Can I join without staying at the guesthouse?
Yes. There is a programme-only option and a programme-and-meals option for participants who arrange their own accommodation in Tiruvannamalai.
What about flights, visa and insurance?
These are your own responsibility and are not included. We recommend flexible or refundable tickets and valid travel insurance. Practical guidance on travel, visa and airport transfer is sent after registration.
Can I stay longer for the full moon walk?
Yes. The full moon around 21 to 22 January is a traditional time for Girivalam, the pilgrimage walk around Arunachala. It is not a formal part of the retreat, but you may choose to stay a few extra days.
Questions and contact
If you feel called to join, you are warmly welcome to get in touch. You may send a message to express interest, ask questions or request a conversation before registering: post@yogameditasjon.no. Warmly welcome to a deep and nourishing retreat journey at Arunachala.