100 Years.
One Lifetime.
One More Chance.
I am overjoyed to announce that Guruji BNS Iyengar, the world's oldest living Ashtanga Yoga teacher, will appear in person one more time at the beautiful Chitravana Retreats for a one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive Yoga Teacher Training in September 2026.
Join BNS and his longtime student Joey Paz September 14-26, 2026 for a 2-week immersive training in the traditional system of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, including Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, and Philosophy. At 99 years of age, BNS is one of the last remaining students of Krishnamacharya still teaching today, and one of the world's most exceptional scholars and sages of Yoga.
And the best part: We will be celebrating Guruji’s 100th birthday during this retreat, which will take place on September 19th.
Guruji BNS Iyengar, the world’s senior living Ashtanga Yoga teacher and scholar, at age 99 (Soon to be 100!)
We will be celebrating Guruji’s 100th birthday during this retreat. This is the final remaining opportunity to experience the full curriculum training (Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, & philosophy) in person as we celebrate a milestone in his life.
BNS Iyengar is a living mystic from the golden age of yoga. He is the last of his generation and represents a bygone era. There will never be another teacher like him.
What’s more, This retreat will take place during the Dasara festival- the celebration of Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura. This is a very important festival and the most colorful, vibrant, and exciting time of year to be in mysore!
You do not have to be a yoga teacher or advanced practitioner to participate in this YTT. This experience will deepen your understanding and practice of yoga, no matter who you are.
For this once-in-a-lifetime event, we will be joined by senior teachers Andrew Eppler (founder of Mysore Yoga Traditions), Tammy Hervitz of Ashtanga Yoga Sitges, and an array of Mysore’s greatest scholars who will be sharing their knowledge with us throughout the training.
ACCOMMODATION AND TRAINING
You will be staying and practicing at Chitravana Retreats. Just outside the bustling city of Mysore, this resort is a space of pure peace and tranquility, surrounded by 6 acres of tropical forest. A swimming pool, amphitheater, and solitude can be found on the resort grounds for guest use. The property features 20 rooms and 10 cottages of the highest quality modern and comfortable accommodation. Each day, Guruji BNS will come to the resort to conduct his classes and lectures.
Chitravana Resorts is located just outside Mysore in a serene jungle setting. Guests will have full access to the resort’s amenities, including a restaurant, amphitheater, playground, and swimming pool!
This retreat is all-inclusive - comfortable, modern accommodation and daily delicious Ayurvedic meals will be provided on-site for guests. All details, including airport pickup, will be arranged in advance for you. All you have to do is show up, and experience authentic yoga practice and philosophy with a true living legend in the land of its origin.
Food
This retreat will be fully catered by Sahana of Rasayana Mysore Kitchen. Sahana is a world-renowned Ayurvedic chef, and her meals are highly complementary to a daily yoga practice. Each day, guests will be provided with a full brunch and dinner consisting of delicious vegan/vegetarian Ayurvedic meals provided on site. We can say with full confidence that Rasayana Mysore Kitchen is the most amazing and highest quality food they’ve ever had in all of their journeys to Mysore over the years.
All meals will be provided by Sahana Murthy of Ramayana Mysore Kitchen.
Sahana is a world renowned chef and each meal is an exquisite culinary experience!
Dasara Festival
Mysore Dasara is one of the most celebrated and grandiose festivals in India. The city of Mysore has a long tradition of celebrating the Dasara festival. Dasara (Dussehra) is a 10-day festival in India, culminating on Vijayadashami, the tenth day.
The Mysore Dasara is celebrated with great enthusiasm and elaborate decorations. During this period, the entire city of Mysore undergoes a transformation, with beautifully lit streets and decorated trees. It attracts a huge audience from all over India and the world.
Mysore Dasara 2026 will be celebrated from 23rd September to 2nd October. During this time, the brightly illuminated Mysore Palace and the entire city are a sight to behold. Various cultural and religious programs highlighting the dance, music, and culture of Karnataka are performed in front of the illuminated Palace. Dasara celebrations commence with a pooja performed to Goddess Chamundeshwari Temple atop the Chamundi Hill with the presence of the Wadeyar royal couple and state officials. This is the most vibrant and celebratory time of year to be in Mysore!
CLICK HERE to read more about the Dasara Celebration and its significance.
This is a very sacred and special time to be in Mysore!
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9am-12pm : Morning Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, & Philosophy sessions with Guruji BNS Iyengar, the world’s senior living Ashtanga Yoga teacher
12pm-1pm : Lunch provided by Rasayana Mysore Kitchen
1pm - 5pm : Free time to relax, study, explore Mysore, or enjoy the pool!
4:30-6pm : Afternoon Philosophy Sessions and guest workshops with Joey Paz and Mysore scholars
6-7pm : Dinner provided by Rasayana Mysore Kitchen -
(All afternoon lectures and workshops take place 4:30-6pm)
Tues. Sept. 15: The 8 Limbs of Ashtanga with Dr. Nagaraj Rao
Thur. Sept. 17: The Art of Ashtanga Adjustments with Andrew Eppler
Fri. Sept. 18: A Visit to Maharaja Sanskrit College and guest lecture with Sri M.A. Alwar - The origin of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
Sat. Sept. 19: Guruji BNS Iyengar 100th birthday ceremony and celebration at Chitravana resort - guest speaker schedule lineup TBA
Sun. Sept. 20: Sanskrit Chanting 101 with Dr. M.A. Jayashree
Tues. Sept. 22: The Legacy of Sri Krishnamacharya with TRS Sharma
Wed. Sept. 23: The Art of Ashtanga Adjustments pt. 2 with Tammy Hervitz
More To be announced! -
All yoga classes, material, and curriculum held during the retreat
2 full meals a day of delicious, Ayurvedic vegan/vegetarian cuisine provided on-site at theresort by Rasayana Mysore Kitchen
13 days / 12 nights of accommodation at Chitravana Jungle Resort, from Monday, September 14 to Saturday, September 26
A 100 hour online course consisting of philosophy lectures with Mysore’s senior scholars, with recordings available for continued study
A certificate of completion that you have studied directly with Guruji BNS Iyengar, the world’s elder living Ashtanga Yoga teacher, in person. This certification will be valid for 100 hours of Continuing Education (CE) credits with Yoga Alliance.
Guest workshops and lectures with Dr. Nagaraj Rao, Sri M.A. Alwar, Andrew Eppler, Tammy Hervitz and Dr. M.A. Jayashree
A full PDF training guide of all material covered during the YTT for continued study
Weekly excursions and adventures to important historical sites in Mysore
Unlimited use of the resort grounds, including the swimming pool
Guest lectures from some of Mysore’s most revered scholars
A brand new crew of global friends and acquaintances
Memories to last a lifetime!
If you have always wanted to go to India to study yoga, but didn’t want to go alone, this is your perfect chance to make the journey with a friendly crew of seasoned Mysore veterans. Your host, Joey Paz, has made the journey to India over 10 times and has spent a considerable amount of time there, and knows the ropes very well. He will be there to assist you every step of the way and make sure you have everything you need at all times. With food, accommodation, and every other detail arranged in advance for you, this retreat has the potential to be a truly transformational life experience.
Arriving to Mysore:
Taxis from Bangalore airport directly to Chitravana Retreats can be arranged for 4,500 Rupees. Our driver will be waiting for you when you arrive. There are also daily buses from Bangalore airport to Mysore that are cheaper, but take longer. Joey will be happy to assist with this information after you have registered.
When you are not studying and practicing yoga in its fullest depth, you will have plenty of time to relax poolside at the tropical resort in the legendary city of Mysore, India - The birthplace of modern yoga.
Upon completion of this training, guests will receive a certification stating they have learned the complete system of asana, mudra, and pranayama in the traditional of the world’s senior living teacher, Sri BNS Iyengar.
Guests will have a chance to meet and study with Mysore’s most revered elders and scholars, including Dr. M.A. Jayashree, Dr. Nagaraj Rao, TRS Sharma, and more!
One of the field trips we will take together during the YTT - a trip to the top of the iconic Jaganmohan Palace Hill, the birthplace of modern Yoga.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
Sri BNS Iyengar
Sri BNS Iyengar has many titles. Lovingly referred to as “Guruji” by his students, he is one of the world’s most revered Yogis, a renowned Sanskrit scholar, and a direct student of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, “the father of modern yoga,” whose knowledge of Yoga philosophy is unparalleled. As part of the peer group that developed in Mysore in the formative years of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, he is an important figure in the parampara, or lineage, of Mysore’s rich yoga heritage. Today, at age 99, he is the world’s elder living master and philosopher of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga who is still teaching Ashtanga Yoga today.
Joey Paz
Click here to read Joey’s bio
Andrew Eppler
Click here to learn more about Andrew
TRAINING FEES-
Shared Regular Room - (4 spots remaining)
$1,599 Early Bird price until April 30
$1,699 Regular price from May 1 - September 1
$1,799 Procrastinator price after September 1
Private Regular Room - (1 room remaining)
$2,599 Early Bird price until April 30
$2,699 Regular price from May 1 - September 1
$2,799 Procrastinator price after September 1
Shared Premium Room - (SOLD OUT)
$1,699 Early Bird price until April 30
$1,899 Regular price from May 1- September 1
$1,999 Procrastinator price after September 1
(Please note that Premium rooms only contain 1 bed. The shared Premium Room option is only for partners or close friends attending the retreat together.)
Private Premium Room - (SOLD OUT)
$2,599 Early Bird price until April 30
$2,799 Regular price from May 1 - September 1
$2,899 Procrastinator price after September 1
Shared Cottage - (2 spots available)
$1,899 Early Bird price until April 30
$1,999 Regular price from May 1 - September 1
$2,099 Procrastinator price after September 1
(Cottages are stand-alone structures surrounded by trees with slightly more peace, quiet, and privacy, away from the main building where the other rooms are located. Please note that cottages only contain 1 bed. The shared cottage option is only for partners or close friends attending the retreat together.)
Private Cottage - (5 available)
$2,799 Early Bird Price until April 30
$2,899 Regular price until May 1-September 1
$2,999 Procrastinator Price after September 1
You may register with a $100 deposit to secure your spot. Once you register, we will get in touch to set up a payment plan that works for you. The earlier you register, the lower your monthly payments will be.
Please feel free to contact Joey on WhatsApp at +1 4058239919 with any questions.
THIS TRAINING IS LIMITED TO 30 STUDENTS ONLY. Register as far in advance as possible to ensure your spot, and to get the lowest monthly payment plan.
