Yoga and Spiritual Journey, Himalaya
LADAKH YOGA AND SPIRITUAL JOURNEY with Sonam and Rinpoche
Duration: 13 Days
Destination: Ladakh; Himalaya
Period: June to september
Your Journey to Little Tibet
Breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, the legacy of sacred Buddhist practices and pilgrimage sites, the nomadic lifestyle, ancient traditions of divine feminine energy, and the warmness Himalayan women have inspired us to create this spiritual and wellness adventure to Ladakh, also known as “Little Tibet.” A journey in the footsteps of enlightened yogis and yoginis in a “pure land,” this is a journey to delve deeper into yoga, to understand Bodhisattva deities, and to forge a deeper connection to yourself and your spiritual practice.
A spiritual journey to fill the heart and soul, it is also a journey filled with authentic local experiences. You will meet and interact with traditional healers, learned monks and nuns, local Ladakhi women, nomads and a female Shaman (Lhamo) oracle. You will witness the living tradition of the Buddha’s teaching at a 15th century monastery, as monks chant ancient scriptures in deep resonant tones. You will receive an initiation in mantra recitation from a learned Buddhist lama who have been meditating and practicing Buddhism for more than half a century, and spend a day with delightful senior nuns in a nunnery. In nomadic land, try to understand nomads’ life and enjoy a Yoga session overlooking the turquoise Tsomoriri lake. You will also discover 11th century treasures at a UNESCO World Heritage monastery, interact with Tibetan children at a refugee school, and learn pashmina yarn spinning, natural dyeing, and traditional textile weaving with Ladakhi women. You will visit remote villages, a little moment of contemplation, gaze in wonder at the brightness of the Milky Way in the high altitude night sky, and cross Himalayan mountain passes on one of the highest roads in the world.
All of this will seem even better after a yoga class with our very loving Sonam, the founder of Loving Tara. Daily yoga sessions will heighten your awareness and mindfulness, enhancing the quality of your experience and wellness each day. As you chat with travel mates while savoring locally grown food and the smell of local incense, you will make genuine friendships that last for life.
Created and led by local women with loving care, your experience will also directly support and help empower the women healers, artisans, entrepreneurs, and home makers we work with.
Experiences:
- Initiated and curated by local Himalayan women
- Meetings and interactions with living traditional healers, buddhist nuns and monks
- Buddhist teaching and empowerment from Rinpoche
- Mantra initiation at a 15th century monastery
- Meditation beside a turquoise lake Tsomoriri
- Daily yoga sessions to heighten your awareness and enhance your experience, led by an experienced Tibetan yoga instructor
- Walks and interactions
- The story of Nomads and their child
- Creative or mindful workshops
- offbeat sacred sites
- Spectacular Himalayan views from mountain passes over 5,000m
- Directly support local women, healers, artisans, entrepreneurs, monasteries Loving Tara works with
ITINÉRAIRE
Let’s relax to acclimatize
Early morning flight from Delhi to Leh, the capital of Ladakh or “Little Tibet,” with spectacular mountain views. Here at the Western edge of the Tibetan plateau, the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Ladakh is nestled between the world’s two highest mountain ranges – the Himalaya and Karakoram. After landing we will drive straight to Thiksey (3,600m/11,800ft), one of the most sacred monasteries of the east Indus valley, where we will spend a few days. Built on a small hill in the 15th century, Thiksey Monastery resembles the Potala, the Dalai Lama’s palace in Tibet. Take the rest of the day to acclimatize to the altitude, rest and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayan landscape in the surroundings of monks and Buddhist pilgrims. In the afternoon take an easy walk in the vicinity of the monastery, followed by an introduction to the journey at the Thiksey library. Light respiration pranayam yoga early evening to help with acclimatization.
Yoga: Pranayama respiration to help with acclimatization
Accommodation: Thiksey Monastery Guest House
Introduction to buddhism (Chanting, Visualization and teaching)
Today you will visit the chapels, prayer halls and narrow alleys of Thiksey Monastery. In a chapel dedicated to the deity Tara, Loving Tara’s founder Sonam will give you an introduction to the feminine aspects of Tibetan Buddhism and followed by Tara mantra chanting. A visual meditation on the statue of Maitreya Buddha “symbolizing the Buddha’s hope for the future of the world”, where you can try to connect with his calmness and wisdom. Buddhist teaching and interactive sessions with a learned Buddhist lama will be a great occasion to get the droplets of wisdom. Evening Yin yoga to get rid of blockages to prepare the mind for spiritual practice.
Yoga: Visual meditation on Future Buddha and evening yin yoga session.
Accommodation: Thiksey Monastery Guest House
Tara empowerment from Rinpoche and Learning the art of Creativity with a traditional artist
Wake up early to attend Thiksey Puja, where you will experience the living tradition of the historical Buddha Sakyamuni’s teachings, passed down to the present day by an unbroken lineage of masters to their students. The monks chant the ancient scriptures of this sacred heritage in deep resonant tones, with occasional hushed giggles of young novices, and a delightful surprise comes when everyone gets served steaming hot butter tea with tsampa (roasted barley powder).
Today’s breakfast will be at the monastery’s kitchen. Today we will receive Tara empowerment from Rinpoche. Later if time permits: you will either Learn buddhist way of mindful meditation through Thangka painting workshop with a traditional artist or a creative hands-on workshop with the last pottery family from Ladakh.
This evening introduction to Hatha yoga Sivananda style to immerse the body into a state of rejuvenation.
Yoga: Meditation in the presence of monks and Introduction to Sivananda Hatha style
Accommodation: Thiksey Monastery Guest House
A day with the buddhist nuns in nunnery
The morning will begin with active yoga asana flow to learn the art of flexibility to go back to your own home. After breakfast, we will walk through ancient herding trails from Thiksey monastery to the humble yet mystical land of nunnery. There we will spend the day interacting with Buddhist nuns and feeling the simplicity and serenity. A day of immersive spiritual experience in the midst of Buddhist nuns. A day of immersive spiritual experience in the midst of Buddhist nuns. A moment of simplicity and serenity
Yoga: Flow yoga for flexibility to go back to home
Accomodation: Nunnery
Shamanic session of divination and healing
Today is a day of energy with Shaman. So let’s start the day with powerful chakra purification yoga towards the path of spiritual awakening with the help of singing bowl vibration
Today is a very special and rare occasion. We will visit and interact with a female Shaman Lhamo – an expert in communicating with spirits beyond the human realm. Highly respected and renowned in their communities, Lhamos are consulted by Tibetans and Ladakhis for divination and healing. They communicate with both benevolent and wrathful spirits by entering into a state of trance. We will have an opportunity to meet a Tibetan Lhamo and ask her questions for guidance and healing.
Yoga: Chakra activation for mental clarification and cosmic energy
Accommodation: Nunnery
Traditional Medicine consultation with an Amchi and discover the merveille of secluded sacred site
In the morning we will consult a traditional Ladakhi doctor or Amchi practitioner of Sowa Rigpa (healing science), one of the world’s oldest medical systems, dating from 200 BC. It is a holistic approach that can restore the balance of one’s physical, mental and emotional states. Treatment includes dietary and lifestyle recommendations, natural remedies and therapies using special herbs and minerals. In the afternoon we will discover the treasures of Holy Sumda Monastery, with its splendid untouched mural paintings and mandalas. A self contemplation time in the surroundings of Buddhas and bodhisattva in the hidden valley.
Yoga: A self contemplation time with bodhisattva
Accommodation: Nimmu House
A day in the lapse of Himalayan paradise
This day is a lazy reading day in the serene beauty of Nimmu house , a house tour revealing the secrets of Nimmu house awaits you here. Today is also a day to delve deeper in the yoga practice in the favorite yogashala of Sonam. A time for question answer sessions will be organized for better understanding of your yoga spiritual practice and to create a space of openness.
Yoga: Q&A session and personalized yoga session according to the student’s path of practice.
Accommodation: Nimmu House
It’s not the destination, it’s the journey and the companion – the adventure heart
A little hike to Himalayan villages in the Indus valley is a great way to witness the contrast this land depicts through its civilization and landscape formation while nourishing your adventure heart. Village life is the center of the heart of travelers and himalaya. An introspection Meditation is a step closer to the bodhicitta – the bodhisattva way of life.
Yoga: An introspection Meditation; as step towards bodhicitta
Accommodation: Acheley guest house
THE COLOR TURQUOISE -Play with the nomadic school kid
Today is a long drive to the land of the nomads through the mighty Himalayan valley and mountains telling stories of Yaks and Pashmina. Along the way we will interact with Tibetan refugee nomad school which holds the heart of Sonam being born In Tibet as a semi nomadic life and studying in one of it’s branches. She says, “without this school, I don’t know what I would have become.” At last we will get the sight of the turquoise Tsomoriri Lake!
Yoga: Free Day
Accommodation: Tsomoriri
Yoga overlooking the turquoise lake
Yoga session overlooking the turquoise lake is a treat for some eyes and many hearts. It is one of the biggest of the High Altitude holy Lakes in the area. The beautiful multi-shades of blue color offered by this lake along with a picturesque landscape around gives this place an extremely romantic feel.
Yoga: Yoga overlooking the turquoise lake
Accommodation: Tsomoriri
The yak and the tent – the story of a nomad
Today’s drive takes you through the roof of the world plateau through the valleys to the wild life. Meet the nomads which still live a simple hard life herding sheeps and yaks and churning milk yet a smile on their faces. Nidra yoga awaits you back home for deep healing.
Yoga: Nidra Yoga
Accomodation: Acheley guest house
The last minute shopping of Local products to support women and refugees
In the morning we will have our last yoga session in the magnificent setting of Himalayan vibe to take inspiration for your spiritual path that starts now. A day to stroll in the Leh market to buy souvenirs before you head back home and enjoy lunch in Leh at Yumyum Cafe, Namza or Bon Appetit, all run by dynamic women entrepreneurs that loving tara works closely with.
Yoga: Visualization of your everyday spiritual practice at your home
Accommodation: Achely guest house
To The colour and modern life of India
This morning your private driver will pick you up towards Leh airport . Admire the snow-capped Himalayan peaks one last time from your window. Arriving in Delhi, your driver will take you to your hotel. You dive into a completely different atmosphere, in the heart of the modern and colorful markets of Delhi.
Price includes:
Price excludes:
Extra information:
- The healers and rinpoche’s are community important people serving the community. So shifts in schedules can happen sometimes.
