Dogma and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
Rishikesh + Gangotri Yatra 2026
12th – 24th September
Ashtanga Yoga Workshop Rishikesh:
Join us for 8 nights at the Himalayan Tree hotel, on the banks of the river Ganges in the vibrant city of Rishikesh. Your Yoga Workshop Rishikesh day will start with a “Mysore Style” session taught by Mike Berghan. Then enjoy your traditional Indian Breakfast at the hotel.
The day is then yours to explore Rishikesh. Dip in the river, indulge yourself with an Ayurvedic massage, do an Indian cooking class, have a coffee in one of the many fabulous cafes, visit a temple or the “Beatles Ashram”, or just chill out on the beach in front of the hotel.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided and the food is a real highlight. All meals are traditional Indian but not at all too spicy. Dietry requirements are catered for. You are also welcome to dine out (at your own expense) as there are many great places to eat close by. Just let the hotel staff know.
Early evening we will have a Stretch and Breathwork session followed by Mike talking Yoga Philosophy and Q&A/Discussion. Bring all those sticky yoga questions that you would like answered. Enjoy dinner and then rest.
Gangotri Yatra:
After 7 days of enjoying the energy of the Ganges River I think it only polite and appropriate to visit Gangotri and pay our respects to the Goddess Ganga. We travel by Luxury Coach the 4 1/2 hour journey to Uttarkashi, where we will stay for 3 nights. The following day wetake the 3 hr trip to Gangotri through spectacular scenery, small villages and beautiful apple orchards.
At Gangotri we can dip in the Bhagirathi river, do puja on the river bank and have darshan in the temple. Mama Ganga is reputed to cleanse the soul of the sins of this life and previous lives.
We’ll lunch at Gangotri and then have a soak in the hot pools on the way back to Uttarkashi. The next day is a rest day in Uttarkashi with the option of temple visits. We then head to Haridwar for the night and can attend Ganga Aarthi is we want to.
Click HERE to book or for enquiries
Ashtanga Yoga Workshop Rishikesh & Gangotri Yatra 2026
Cost: $NZ 2300 Deposit*: $NZ 108
*Deposit to be paid by 27/02/2026 Non-refundable unless we don’t get enough people (14), in which case you will receive a full refund. Click HERE to pay your deposit.
Please note that I have NOT split the Rishikesh part of this trip from the visit to Gangotri as I think it appropriate that we all visit the temple to thank Mama Ganga. Also note that there will be NO trip next year in 2027. After that, I don’t know…..
Transport will be provded from Delhi to Rishikesh on the morning of the 12th Sept. Please try to arrive before 9:30 am. Transport will also be provided from Haridwar to Delhi on the 24th. If flying out of Delhi please book you flight for late afternoon.
More information regarding visa requirements, suggested gear list and what to expect if you have not been to India before will be provided at a later date. Join us if you can.
Namaste Mike. I agree with you – like many things in life, it is useful to understand the rules, so that when you break them, you do so knowingly. This is what produces great literature. Likewise, a great Ashtanga teacher understands the asana system in great detail, but likewise is able to adjust it to the needs of the student (sometimes themself!).
However, a danger with the Ashtanga style I observe, is because we are so focussed on the breath (it is a moving meditation after all), teachers often do not put enough emphasis on the body. I find many students who come to me after years of ashtanga in other places, are habitually locking their knees and locking their shoulders over their ears. It’s really tough on their bodies! And it can take a lot of gentle persuasion on my part that they need to make changes to their practice for the sake of their health. I know from my own experience how hard it is to accept a correction is needed, and then change to habit. (Thank goodness I’ve had some AWESOME teachers.)
🙂
Hi Kim. Thanks for the comment. For me, it is not about breaking the rules but more applying them with the right mix of rigor and lightness and with a good dose of compassion. This mix will be different for every student. I am lucky enough to be in a situation where I work with people over a long period of time and my intention is always that they should come to understand the beauty of the Ashtanaga Vinyasa method and that it has been around for a long time and was developed by people with a much deeper insight into yoga than we will ever have. For some people I may take a round about route, but in the end I want them to realise that if you follow the method, it works. cheers, Mike.
Excellent article Mike, and a good reminder of where Astanga stems from. Thanks.