Course leader: Alistair Shearer has taught meditation therapies around Europe for over thirty years. His translations of the key Sanskrit yoga texts such as the Yoga Sutras and the Upanishads have won acclaim from critics as various as Ram Dass, Jacob Needleman, and John Updike. 

Based on the traditional wisdom of Vedic philosophy, this course will teach you an easy and enjoyable way to contact this field and enjoy the benefits. Practical techniques will be combined with an understanding of consciousness and the principles that structure body, mind, and spirit, resulting in an inspiring vision of the purpose and destiny of human existence.

Alistair is the cultural director and co-founder of Neeleshwar Hermitage, and his influence as a spiritual guide to The Hermitage and its people can be felt in its tranquil atmosphere. 

Timings: The course will run for two and a half hours each day. In the morning there will be a workshop and meditation session (1 and a half hrs.) and in the afternoon yoga and pranayama practice (1 hr.). This nicely balanced routine will leave ample time to enjoy the restful environs of The Hermitage.

Ayurveda: Each course participant will begin their course with a personal consultation with Dr Suma, our in-house ayurvedic doctor. This consultation will determine their particular physiological imbalances, and prescribe a personal dietary regime to be followed during the course, and personalised massage treatments, to correct them. A recommended home programme of diet and exercise will also be given to participants at the end of the course. 

Yoga: The yoga component of this course will be under the tutelage of Shri Anil Kumar, The Hermitage’s in-house yoga teacher. Anil has been teaching classical Ashtanga Yoga for many years and is renowned for his gentle and personally-orientated approach to teaching yoga to people of all abilities and experiences. 

Costs: The course price is based on the style and room you take. Just speak with our consultants and we'll find the right package for you.