Vancouver Island Yoga School

Where: Tropical South India in the spice hills of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India
When: mid-October 2025 (2 weeks +)

VI Yoga School is once again offering an unforgettable Yoga Intensive Retreat to India. Deepen your practice while experiencing the sights, sounds, and fragrances of India. This amazing opportunity lets you experience India’s culture and people while immersing yourself in yoga theory and daily practice. The intensive is transformative for body and mind.

The Retreat

The retreat will be held at the beautiful Chrissie’s Hotel in Thekkady.

Included

• Yoga Intensive classes with VI Yoga School’s Founder, Deborah Carruthers
• All accommodation (double or single occupancy)
• Three meals/day at the Retreat Centre
• Private ground transportation to and from the Retreat Centre
• Airport transfers
• Pre-trip info session and preparation (including packing lists, cultural information, maps)
• Assistance with flights and Indian visa

Not included

• International return flight to India and any overnight accommodations at arrival/departure cities
• Travel health insurance
• Indian tourist visa
• Meals at arrival/departure city
• Free time excursions, tips, souvenirs, personal items

Yoga and energy requirements

• Deborah will meet with those interested students to determine yoga level and experience. This Retreat is an intensive, with 5 hours of daily practice, including meditation, pranayama, chanting, yogic philosophy, and classical asana.
• Daily free time to rest or explore the amazing Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary environs.
• One day is built-in at the start of the journey to acclimatize.

Hotels

• We stay in clean, moderate-standard family-run character hotels (3-4 star) in the centre of activity, with western toilets, showers, ceiling fans, and two single or two double beds.

Transport:

• Flying Vancouver Kuala Lumpur or Singapore with an overnight stay  or Fly through Taipei or Delhi. Meet in Kochi/Cochin.
• We have a private bus all to ourselves for the journey to and from the Retreat Centre. More details will be sent to you.

 Health

• Health insurance for the duration of the trip is mandatory.
• Pre-trip immunizations are optional. For more info, can visit: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/vaccines

Eating

• The Retreat Centre includes three meals/day with a buffet-style Western/Indian fusion with vegetarian selections. The food is mode with love, freshness and is deliciously nutritious.
• There are many restaurants available in Kochi and Kumily/Thekkady.
• Please note there is no alcohol taken during the retreat.
• Those with special dietary needs, allergies, or dietary restrictions can manage well with a little planning and communication with hotel hosts.

Transport

• We have a private bus all to ourselves for the journey to and from the Retreat Center.
• Travel health insurance for the duration of the trip is mandatory.
• Pre-trip immunizations are optional.

Registration

Cost: Fee information will be sent to you with the rest of the details. A $600 deposit is required for registration by July 15th. Space is limited, so send us an email and book a spot today!

What if I need to cancel?

• You can cancel up to 60 days prior to departure without penalty – Return of full cost of Retreat.
• Cancellation less than 60 days prior to departure – Forfeit  deposit, return of balance.
• On or after departure date – Forfeit the entire cost of Retreat.
• VI Yoga School reserves the right to cancel a retreat at our discretion, and we will fully refund monies received by us.

Contact information

Deborah Carruthers 
Phone:250-597-1919
Email: info@viyogaschool.com
Website: viyogaschool.com
Address: 360 Duncan Street, Duncan BC V9L 3W4, Canada

About Deborah Carruthers – Founder of VI Yoga School

Deborah is dedicated to providing skillful and transformative yoga and wellness. She began her yoga journey later in life and has practiced the Ashtanga method ever since. Completing her teacher training at an Ashtanga studio in Victoria approximately a decade ago, she continued with Yin Yoga teacher training with Bernie Clarke in Vancouver.

An avid student, she has travelled to India to study with senior Ashtanga teachers and explore Indian culture. Many wonderful teachers, including Chuck Miller, Kino MacGregor, and David Swenson, influence her teaching style. Daily practice has radically transformed her life, and her wish is to share this journey with her students. Deborah is an international retreat leader having lead many retreats to both India and Greece.