Course full: An intimate retreat to Nepal’s Himalayas with John & Julia Scott

Join John Scott for an exclusive one-week Ashtanga yoga retreat in Mustang

**This retreat is now full. We have opened a waiting list however, and if you would like to be added to that, please just mail us. We will notify everyone on the mailing list if a place becomes available.**

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Following his stunning retreat with us in 2017, John Scott is returning to Nepal to take an intimate group on retreat into the ancient kingdom of Mustang. 

Having adventured there by motorbike after their Nepal retreat of 2017, John and Julia were captivated by the incredible landscapes and energy of his journey. Let us share this with you through a once-in-a-lifetime yoga and meditation retreat.

This one-week retreat will take place in one of the most beautiful and remote areas of world, in the Himalayan footsteps of great masters who helped to shine a light on the Yoga path. Against the backdrop of the stunning Annapurna mountain range, in an area of high desert, the landscape is dramatic, expansive and awe-inspiring.

It is one of the few remaining places like this in the world. 

Tucked away high in the Himalayas, light filters along the narrow cobbled streets and ancient mud temples of the peacefully haunting medieval village of Kagbeni, our home for this incomparable Ashtanga retreat. Kagbeni is widely considered “more Tibetan than Tibet” thanks to its preservation of traditions and lifestyles which are rapidly disappearing across the border. 

 

There, John and Julia seek to combine the Ashtanga practices and teachings with the extraordinary energy of this remote and inspiring land.

Morning asana and meditation practice will be complemented by optional afternoon hikes into the surrounding terrain: the day trips accessible from this base take you to some of the most extraordinary locations on earth. Within this setting, John and Julia will share some of their deep knowledge of yoga philosophies that originated in these mountains.

Who the retreat is aimed at

All levels are welcome but you must have a regular Ashtanga practice and be comfortable in a self-practice (“Mysore-style”) class setting.

This is not a formulaic retreat: we are looking for those inspired to take an adventure with us. 

The altitude of Kagbeni is 2,800. This is just below the standard altitude-sickness threshold and means that temperatures at night can drop very low. This will affect your breathing and stamina and may limit your practice. This retreat will most suit those students looking to nourish their souls with the teachings and through modified practice in an extraordinary location.

 

This area is remote, wild and unpredictable. Rapidly changing mountain weather systems may affect flights: we will provide you with an extraordinary experience, but we seek those willing to roll with us into the unknown. The village is a step back in time: we seek those who yearn to step away from modern distractions to sit with themselves, with each other, and with the breath-taking landscape. The food and accommodation is outstanding for the location, but is basic and traditional: we seek those who find joy in simplicity.

If this is you, we wholeheartedly welcome you. 

The enchanting mud-walled Red House in the village of Kagbeni has a beautiful shala space that can accommodate just 12 students at a time. Please do get in touch early if you are interested.

 

 

Venue for this Ashtanga retreat in Nepal

We will meet in Pokhara, where we will spend the first night in welcome and orientation before travelling together at dawn the next morning to Jomsom. This short flight offers jaw-dropping views as it passes between some of the world’s highest mountains.

From Jomsom we jeep to Kagbeni in Mustang, one of the last regions where traditional Tibetan life thrives. A quasi-independent Tibetan kingdom until 2008, its timeless culture remains almost intact. Described as a “cauldron of myth”, Mustang has remained on the periphery of modern life, a stark land of ancient cave homes, deep ravines, pilgrims, demonic myth and profound spiritual peacefulness.

Our home in Kagbeni is the Red House Lodge, a beautiful Tibetan guesthouse with comfortable and lovingly-crafted rooms. The guesthouse has a small private Tibetan monastery with a huge clay idol of Maitreya, and you can share, if you wish, in the ancient Tibetan Buddhist traditions of our hosts.

Our life there will be simple: simple organic fresh foods, simple lifestyle, and communion with nature. Feel the demands of daily life shed away and create space for what truly matters to be heard. In this remote mountain landscape give yourself sanctuary and clarity through the peaceful simplicity of Himalayan life.

On the last day, 7th May, we will take a dawn flight back to Pokhara to end the retreat. 

 

John Scott

John Scott is a dedicated and direct student of Shri K Pattabhi Jois since 1989. John was introduced to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga by Derek Island, while traveling through Europe. As a result, John began his studies with Guruji – Shri K Pattabhi Jois of Mysore India, and has since then continued to develop his practice and teaching with many other students on the path of yoga.

In 1995 John was certified to teach Ashtanga Yoga by Shri K Pattabhi Jois.  John incorporates design philosophies with yoga philosophies, adding a very precise, detailed and colourful metaphorical presentation to his teaching.

John will be assisted through the retreat by his wife Julia Scott. To learn more about John, visit his website and enjoy some of his freely available teaching videos. And for John’s full bio, visit:

 

Julia Grant-Scott

Actor, Dancer, and Yogini, at the age of 18 Julia began her yoga journey, first drawn to Iyengar Yoga and Buddhist Meditation. In 2014 however, when Julia was introduced to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, it was apparent to her that this one dynamic practice encompassed all the magic and wonder of a mystical journey of self-expression and discovery.

Julia met John in 2016 their two energies fueled a life together of adventure and discovery. Julia since has balanced two lives, travelling between countries from Yoga Retreat to Acting and between sets immersed in assisting and apprenticing John. In 2017 she completed her 200 hour JSY Teacher Training.

When Julia is teaching and adjusting yoga asana, she draws from her multiple disciplines. She incorporates and integrates relationship skills so that the student feels met, held and supported, allowing for their inner expression to be articulated.

Practicalities

A detailed Information Pack will be sent to you on confirmation of your place (receipt of your deposit). 

The fee for the course is 295,000 Nepali Rupees. For an indication of the rate in your currency, see xe.com. At the time of writing, this equates to approx USD $2,700 or GBP £2,000. Payment details will be sent to you on confirmation of your place.

We have space for a limited number of students’ companions who do not wish to participate in the yoga but who would like to join the adventure. For these guests, the rate is 260,000 Nepali rupees. Please enquire if you would like to attend with a non-yogi companion.

The fee is all-inclusive from when we meet in Pokhara to when we return you there. It includes: return flights from Pokhara to Jomsom*, 6 nights’ accommodation on a twin-share basis (1 x Pokhara, 5 x Kagbeni), the cost and handling of your permits to this protected area, return jeep from Jomsom to Kagbeni plus jeep use for trips, an unforgettable itinerary, 3 delicious meals per day, world class teaching from John and Julia Scott.

*If you would like to stay on in the area for trekking or rest after the retreat, we will be happy to deduct the cost of the returning flight from your fee so you can make your own arrangements.

Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an information brochure to help you plan your trip. But if you have any questions for now, please feel welcome to contact us.

 

Next steps

Simply complete and send us the Registration Form or email us for a copy, and we’ll help you from there.

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