〜 5-day intensive training to relearn yoga 〜
We are delighted to announce that in 2025 Andrei Ram will be offering a five-day intensive training on the benefits of yoga practice at Koyasan, a sacred Buddhist site in Japan.
Andrei comes to Japan each year with a different intention and theme, but this year in particular he wants the tour to encourage a better flow of yoga culture in Japan.
To this end, this year he will be conducting workshops throughout Japan, culminating in Koyasan, where he will lead an intensive training for deep immersion in the practice of yoga and relearning yoga.
In recent years, half of the participants in our trainings in Japan have been from overseas, but this year we are expecting more local Japanese participants.
This intensive training focuses on the basic principles of yoga and explores yoga for inner growth through five days of practice and lectures.
・How can we deepen our yoga?
・How can we practice yoga in a deeper dimension, beyond the physical aspect?
Over five days you will experience Andrei’s breath-based yoga, deepening your body, your awareness and your way of life.
It will be a valuable opportunity to relearn and learn more about yoga in a comprehensive way.
Andrei has been coming to Japan for the past few years because he feels the potential of yoga in Japan. In the West, people tend to think of the body and mind as separate and tend to look for difficult poses, whereas the Japanese seem to have the idea of valuing connection rooted in their original culture and have a high sensitivity to ‘chi’ and nature. Andrei says that the Japanese people are full of potential to spread yogic sensibilities to the rest of the world.
We believe that every word Andrei speaks will give you the motivation and courage to deepen your yoga practice.
◆ What you can learn
This intensive training of daily practical and theoretical sessions focused on the fundamental principles of Hatha Yoga, allowing you to explore and master key tools for your inner development.
It will be a programme that will be redesigned so that the principles of yoga practice that Andrei has been teaching in his teacher training and other courses will be conveyed in five days.
Specifically, it covers the following topics:
• What is Yoga – Learn the yoga approach to connecting with the true self, yama and niyama.
• Asana Principles (postural alignment) – Learn to align and adjust your body correctly to enhance the physical and energetic benefits of each posture.
• Vinyasa (movement and conscious breathing) – Discover the connection between movement and breath, creating a fluid and balanced practice that harmonizes body and mind.
• Pranayama Techniques (breathing) – Master ancestral breathing methods to purify, energize, and balance your vitality, based on the tradition of Himalayan and Tibetan Yoga.
• Nidra Techniques (conscious relaxation) – Immerse yourself in practices such as Yoga Nidra and Prana Nidra to restore your energy and achieve a state of deep inner peace.
• Kriya Yoga (mental harmonization and meditation) – Explore meditation techniques that facilitate mental purification and the awakening of a higher consciousness.
Based on these practices, we aim to achieve the following yoga benefits
- Deepen asana naturally in flowing movements
- Develop a strong and flexible body in a playful way
- Awaken inner energy through breathing exercises, bandhas and mudras
- Open the heart and return to purity and gentleness
- Experience oneness with nature and all beings
- Deepen meditation, bringing deep concentration and expanded awareness
- Develop a sense of embodying yoga as a way of life
※ Content subject to change depending on the situation.
※ Classes are held in English with Japanese interpretation.
◆ Who is eligible for the training
Anyone who practices or teaches yoga, as well as those who would like to explore yoga or seriously practice yoga in the future, is welcome.
It is preferable that those who have had some level of yoga practice are prepared to participate, not only in terms of physical yoga (asana), but also in terms of continuing the practice to improve their mind and learn more about yoga as a path to self-realization.
There may be some difficult meditations, breathing techniques and various yoga terms.
However, if you are serious about deepening your yoga practice, you will be able to take the course at your own level and challenge yourself regardless of your yoga background. It will be a valuable opportunity to connect and grow together.
We ask that participants be considerate of those around them and proactively help each other so that they can focus on their yoga exploration.
◆ Dates
Thursday 25 – Monday 29 September 2025, 5 days and 4 nights
First day: 25 Sep (Thu) 12:30pm
Please arrive at Yochi-in, Koyasan by 12:30pm. You will be requested to have lunch independently before the meeting. The first class is scheduled to begin at around 1:30pm.
Final day: 29 (Mon) September
1:00pm Dismissal
◆ Daily Schedule
7:15-7:20 Temple Morning Offering
7:20- Breakfast
9:00-12:00 Morning Practice
12:00-14:30 Lunch break
14:30-17:30 Lecture, Satsanga, etc
17:30- Dinner
19:00-20:00 Evening Lecture and Kriya Meditation
As this year’s training will be intensive, there will be longer lectures and practical sessions and fewer breaks than in previous years.
We hope you will make the most of the early morning and lunch breaks to enjoy exploring Koyasan.
Please note that Andrei may change his schedule depending on circumstances and inspiration.
◆ Where to stay
Yochi-in (Koyasan Shukubo)
293 Koyasan, Koya-cho, Ito-gun Wakayama, 648-0211 JAPAN
Tel: 0736-56-2003
WEB: https://www.yochiin.com/shukubo-e.html
Accommodation is provided on a shared basis, with rooms accommodating three to four people. Please note that private rooms are not available.
◆ Climate
Koyasan is located on a mountain at an elevation of approximately 800 metres above sea level, resulting in temperatures that are about 5°C lower than those experienced in the plains, particularly during the morning and evening hours when the temperature is cooler. To ensure comfort during yoga practice and lectures, it is advisable to bring attire that can be layered, as well as a blanket or other form of coverage.
◆ About the Meals
Breakfast and dinner are Buddhist vegan meals served at the temple, but lunch is not provided, so please eat where you like.There is a café (Temple Cafe Seikei-in) across from the temple that is run by Yochi-in, so you can also eat there.There is also a convenience store within a 2-minute walking distance, and lots of cafés and shops in Koyasan, so you could visit various places. Enjoy your own lunch in Koyasan according to your preference.
Breakfast and dinner are prepared by the monks. As this is part of their practice and out of respect for the Buddhist vegan culture of the monks, please do not bring any animal products into the dining hall unless you have a health reason to do so. Please let us know in advance if you have any allergies or cultural/ religious reasons for not being able to eat certain foods.
◆ Things to bring
・Yoga mat
・Blanket (for use during Nidra)
・Essential items for your stay
Things that are useful to have.
・Earplugs (for use if noise disturbs your sleep)
・Hair dryer (limited supply in the lodgings).
・Favourite tea, water bottle, etc. (refill your own bottles as tap water is available)
・Leisure sheets (to put under your mat during outside yoga)
[Amenities at your accommodation].
・Face towel
・Bath towel
・Toothbrush
・Bathrobe
・Shampoo and soap available in the bathroom.
・Free WIFI available in the entire building.
◆ About recording
Participants are requested to refrain from recording during the practice. The organizers will only record the audio and share it with you after retreat.
We kindly ask for your understanding in the event that the recording fails or the sound quality is not clear.
◆ Participation fee
– US$ 1,180 (Early Bird 1)
– US$ 1,250 (Early Bird 2)
– US$ 1,350 (Normal)
・Early Bird 1: Pay by 30 June 2025.
・Early Bird 2: Pay by 31 July 2025.
Inclusive of:
– All yoga tuition fees
– Accommodation for four nights, taxes and service charges
– Breakfast and dinner during the retreat
NOT Inclusive of:
– Lunch (please have lunch on your own)
– Travel expenses
◆ How to pay
Once we have received your application, we will let you know how to pay the participation fee. You can pay by bank transfer.
We will confirm the bank transfer and then your application will be officially accepted.
◆ Cancellation Policy
Depending on the date on which the cancellation notice is received, cancellation fees will apply as follows.
– Cancellations before 30 April 2025: 10%（90% refundable）
– Cancellations from 1 May to 30 June 2025: 20%（80% refundable）
– Cancellations from 1 June to 31 July 2025: 30%（70% refundable）
– Cancellations from 1 August to 31 August 2025: 40%（60% refundable）
– Cancellations from 1 September to 24 September 2025: 60%（40% refundable）
– Cancellations after 25 September 2025: No refund
※ Please note that no refunds or transfers will be issued for no-shows or cancellations made after the retreat has commenced.
※ Upon refunding, we will pay you back less a transfer fee.
※ If you find yourself unable to attend an event, please let us know as soon as possible.
◆ Application
＜Application Process＞
If you agree to the following terms and conditions, please complete the application form at end of this page.
Step 1:
Please complete the application form at the end of this page and submit it to us. If you do not receive a reply within 2-3 days after filling out the application form, please contact us.
Step 2:
▪️When seats are available
If seats are still available, we will inform you of the “Tentative Application Acceptance” and the bank transfer address for the registration fee within 2 to 3 days.
Please follow the guidance and make your payment to the designated bank account within 2 weeks. If no payment is received within 2 weeks and no contact is made, your application will be cancelled.
Once payment has been made, please ensure that a copy of the receipt is forwarded to andreiramjapan@gmail.com. This will serve as proof of payment. We will confirm receipt of your payment.
Once payment is confirmed, your application will be accepted. Please note that your application is not complete until payment is confirmed.
▪️When there are no seats available
In the event that all seats have been filled, you will be added to the waiting list. As soon as a seat becomes available, we will notify you in the order of earliest application.
＜Application Form＞
Click here to register !!
https://forms.gle/4FqAWJw4F7QSa5L18
