Program Description
This is not your average trip to India. This 10-day journey through the sacred sites of Maharashtra (mahārāṣṭra) is unlike any other tour you will encounter. Each day we will visit special historical sites connected with the ancient traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism—all with a special eye towards the history and philosophies of yoga. This "Embodied History" of yoga tour allows participants to uniquely uncover yoga's past by experiencing the rich visual and material culture of India preserved through the millennia in its many sacred temples, caves, mountains, rivers, and shrines. Imagine—Indiana Jones meets spiritual pilgrimage meets academic study abroad program.
Highlights of this program include: UNESCO world heritage sites Elephanta, Ajanta, and Ellora, rare medieval sites connected to the Nāth lineages of Haṭha Yoga, visiting a Sanskrit manuscript archive with extensive works on yoga, and so much more. We hope you can join us for this special educational and cultural journey into the heart of southwest India!
Space will be limited.
REGISTRATION OPTIONSItinerary*
Day 1 — Mumbai, Orientation
Day 2 — Elephanta Caves (UNESCO World Heritage Site), CSMVS Museum
Day 3 — Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute
Day 4 —Karla & Bhaja Caves
Day 5 — Gyāneshwar Samādhi, Pune
Day 6 —Visit Nāth yoga temples
Day 7 — Ajanta (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Days 8-9 — Ellora (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Day 10 — Bibi Ki Maqbara, Aurangabad Airport
*Schedule is subject to slight changes. Complete itinerary, hotels, and detailed travel schedule will be provided prior to trip.
Trip Pricing Includes
- *Morning yoga practice w/ Kory
- Three daily vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Private or shared accommodation options at 4-5 star hotels
- AC bus transportation to all sites
- Entry tickets to all temples, historical sites, museums, etc.
- Guided history + philosophy lectures w/ Seth
- Seth's Custom Trip Guidebook (printout + PDF)
- Recommended Readings (PDF)
- Driver tip
Not included: roundtrip airfare to Mumbai, personal spending, tip for our local guide, return travel from Aurangabad airport.
* Yoga practice will consist of light Āsana, functional movement, breath work, and meditation. Practices will be dependent on travel schedule and available facilities.
Your Guides
Dr. Seth Powell
PhD, Harvard University
Founder & Director, Yogic Studies
Seth Powell is a scholar of Indian religions, Sanskrit, and yoga traditions, who earned his PhD in South Asian Religions at Harvard University. His dissertation comprised a critical edition, translation, and detailed study of a 15th-century Sanskrit yoga text from south India known as the Śivayogapradīpikā—which uniquely combines yoga, ritual, and devotion. He also works extensively on the visual and material culture of yoga in premodern India, uncovering yoga's past through temple sculptures.
As an educator, Seth is passionate about sharing the latest academic research on yoga's vast history and philosophies and is gifted in his ability to present the ancient teachings of yoga clearly in an accessible, light-hearted, and inspiring manner—while maintaining a rigor and sensitivity to traditional Indian knowledge systems. Seth has spent numerous year traveling and conducting field research in India, including at many of the sacred sites we will be visiting in Maharashtra. He will be sharing this research and knowledge with you throughout the trip!
Kory Sheffer
Yoga Instructor
Founder & Director, Alchemy Studio
Kory is the founder and director of Alchemy Studio and Ashtanga Yoga Cleveland Heights. Formerly, Kory was the founder and director of Ashtanga Yoga Napa Valley (Napa, California) which flourished from 2015-2020. Kory has studied with many luminaries but her main teachers and influences include Tim Miller, Sharath Jois, and Mark Robberds.
Kory is a supportive and encouraging teacher. She recognizes that all students are different and will require a unique and individual approach. She will provide supportive and at times alternative suggestions to ensure that each posture is appropriate for students to incorporate into their practice. Kory will be offering gentle daily Āsana practices that will enliven the senses, nourish the body, and awaken the mind—laying the inner groundwork for our days spent traveling and exploring the outer landscape of Maharashtra. She has been leading trips to India with Seth since 2020.
(5 Remaining Shared Room Spots)
Shared Room (FULL PAYMENT)
Assigned roommate • 2 twin beds
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the trip purchase?
What flight(s) should I purchase?
What hotels will we be staying at?
What kind of meals are provided?
I've never been to India before, is this trip right for me?
Are there any scholarships available for this trip?
Is there a reduced price for Indian locals?
How strenuous is this trip?
Am I required to practice daily yoga?
Do I need a Visa to visit India?
Do I need travel insurance?
Questions about the trip?
For all questions or trip inquiries, please contact us at info@yogicstudies.com
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