By Rohit, India
Table of Contents
Sometimes, life leads you exactly where you need to be. For me, that place was the 21-Day Pancha Kosha Meditation & Detoxification Retreat at Yoga Gita in Mysore.
Before I dive into my experience of the retreat and how it changed my perspective on life and spirituality, I want to share how I came across Yoga Gita and what made me decide to take that step.
Why I decided to join the Pancha Kosha meditation & detoxification retreat
A shared moment of connection, learning, and gratitude during the 21-Day Pancha Kosha Meditation & Detoxification Retreat at Yoga Gita
About a month before the retreat, I left my job. On paper, everything looked great, my career was growing, I had a good position in the corporate world, and things were supposed to be going well. But inside, I was constantly stressed, anxious, and honestly, quite depressed. I felt stuck in a way I couldn’t explain.
It felt like my life had turned into an endless loop – go to work, earn money, retire someday, and then that’s it. I simply couldn’t accept that this was all life had to offer.
I tried to break out of that feeling. I travelled, attended meditation programmes, and explored different ways to find peace, but nothing really shifted anything inside me. From the outside, everything seemed fine, but internally I was struggling to find any real sense of meaning or purpose.
Deep down, I always felt that life had to be more than this. I believed there was a deeper truth waiting to be discovered, and unless I found it, I would spend my entire life caught up in the material world without ever understanding what life was truly about.
Searching for the truth
I spent a lot of time reading and listening to spiritual teachers like Osho, J. Krishnamurti, and other awakened masters. Yet I still felt that something was missing. Strangely, spirituality itself started making me anxious.
Many teachings emphasized that the body is an illusion, the mind is an illusion, and everything we experience outside is an illusion. Honestly, these ideas disturbed me deeply.
I kept asking myself: if everything is an illusion and the only goal is spiritual awakening, then does anything in this world even matter?
At that point in my life, I felt completely lost. The more I tried to meditate, the more disconnected I felt – not only from the world around me but even from my friends and family.
Discovering Yoga Gita and ViGo
One day, while casually scrolling through Instagram, I came across a video. A man was explaining the true purpose of meditation. He said that meditation is about becoming one with nature and existence.
And something just clicked.
For the first time, I felt that meditation is not about escaping life or disconnecting from it. It is about becoming deeply connected to it. It is about recognising that the same life force exists within us, within other people, within animals, and throughout nature itself.
That idea touched me in a way nothing else had before.
The person in the video was ViGo, the founder of Yoga Gita.
As I started exploring more of his teachings and learning about Yoga Gita Ashram, I felt an immediate connection. There was a simplicity and clarity in the way he spoke that deeply resonated with me.
Very quickly, I felt a strong desire to visit the ashram, meet him in person, and finally get answers to the questions that had been troubling me for years.
While going through Yoga Gita’s social media pages, I discovered that the 21 Day Pancha Kosha Meditation & Detoxification Retreat was starting the following month.
I didn’t want to miss the opportunity.
And before I knew it, I was on my way to Yoga Gita Ashram in Mysore.
Walking into Yoga Gita Ashram for the first time
A serene view of Yoga Gita Ashram, surrounded by lush greenery, flowing water, and a calming atmosphere
I arrived at the ashram around 9 pm. The first person I met was Remco, who is originally from the Netherlands. His height genuinely surprised me he was so tall that I had to look up while talking to him.
That same evening, I also met his wife, Martine. Both Remco and Martine immediately made me feel comfortable and welcomed. It felt really nice talking to both of them.
The next day, I met the other volunteers and participants of the retreat. What touched me most was how kind, loving, and supportive everyone was. Within a very short time, the ashram started feeling like home.
Learning to slow down
Rohit practising meditation during the 21-Day Pancha Kosha Meditation & Detoxification Retreat at Yoga Gita, Mysore
The programme itself was quite intense. The day started at 5:15 am and usually ended around 9 pm. The entire day was filled with Kriyas, meditation practices, asanas, and various activities.
Initially, it was challenging for me to adapt to the routine, but after a few days, I settled into the rhythm naturally.
One of the most beautiful parts of the day was that every morning began with music and dancing. It instantly lifted everyone’s energy and created a joyful atmosphere that stayed with us throughout the day.
Experiencing the power of sun meditation
Participants practising sun meditation during the 21-Day Pancha Kosha Meditation & Detoxification Retreat at the rooftop
The early morning sun meditations were especially powerful for me.
One morning after sun meditation, I found myself looking at the trees nearby. Suddenly, I became completely absorbed in what I was seeing. There were no thoughts, no worries, no stress – just the trees, the birds, and pure awareness.
It felt as though I was seeing nature for the very first time.
For those few moments, I experienced a level of presence that I had only read about before. It was simple, yet incredibly profound.
Naadi Kriya Pranayamas and the detoxification process
The Naadi Kriya Pranayamas were practiced six times a day, followed by a ten-minute meditation after each session.
The purpose of the Naadi Kriya Pranayamas was to cleanse and purify the body while increasing awareness. After every session, we were given a small piece of herb as part of the detoxification process.
There were five levels of Naadi Kriyas, which were gradually introduced throughout the retreat, one level at a time.
We also had a one-hour Asana class every day.
Rediscovering Yoga through Asanas
In the beginning, some of the Asana postures felt physically demanding, but as the days passed, my body became more flexible and comfortable.
Our Asana instructor was one of the best I have ever learnt from. The way she taught, explained, and guided each posture was remarkable.
What impressed me most was her constant joy and positivity. She always had a smile on her face and genuinely cared about making sure every participant felt comfortable and supported.
I feel deeply grateful to have learnt from her.
One of the most valuable lessons I learnt during the retreat was that asanas are not merely physical exercises.
They are not meant to be performed through constant analysis, calculation, or mental effort. When practiced with awareness and presence, they become a form of meditation in themselves.
This understanding completely changed the way I look at yoga practice.
A conversation I’ll never forget
One of the highlights of my stay was my life alignment session with ViGo.
It was a beautiful experience.
He patiently listened to my questions and cleared many of my doubts regarding meditation, spirituality, my beliefs, and life itself.
Meeting and speaking with a Self-realised person in this lifetime felt like a dream come true.
Nourishing the body with sattvic food
The Sattvic food at the ashram was another wonderful aspect of the retreat.
Prepared with fresh vegetables, fruits, and ingredients grown within the ashram itself, every meal felt nourishing, pure, and full of care.
Finding presence through Pancha Kosha
Rohit practising Pancha Kosha Meditation amidst the peaceful natural surroundings of Yoga Gita, reconnecting with nature, silence, and inner awareness
As the days passed, I developed a much deeper understanding of the Pancha Kosha (five layers of the Self) and the importance of keeping them aligned. The 5 Koshas are Body, Mind, Prana (Breath), Wisdom and Soul.
I learnt that all five Koshas are interconnected and influence one another. When they are in harmony, life flows with greater awareness, balance, and presence.
The Pancha Kosha meditation practices were particularly powerful because they helped me experience and become aware of each layer of my being.
With the daily practice of Naadi Kriyas, Asanas, Pranayama and meditation, I gradually found myself entering a calmer and more mindful state.
Living in awareness every day
Rohit taking a peaceful pause in a tree, feeling deeply connected with nature and the present moment
Throughout the day, the ashram would ring the Witness Bell and the Celebration Bell. These simple reminders helped us return to awareness, stay connected with the present moment, and fully enjoy the retreat experience.
Three days a week, we also had celebration sessions where we danced, painted, listened to Kabir songs, and simply enjoyed being together.
These moments reminded me that spirituality is not only about silence and meditation. It is also about celebration, creativity, joy, and fully embracing life.
A place that feels like paradise
A peaceful sunset at Yoga Gita Ashram, where every evening felt calm, beautiful, and deeply nourishing
The ashram itself is a paradise.
The Kaveri River flows beside the property, creating a peaceful and beautiful atmosphere. Birds of countless varieties sing throughout the day, and nature is present everywhere you look.
By the end of my second week, I had already decided to extend my stay by another week because I wanted more time to continue practicing, learning, and simply being in such a beautiful environment surrounded by wonderful people.
My biggest realisation
Rohit resting on a rock in the Kaveri River, where moments of stillness brought some of the deepest realizations of the entire retreat
Looking back, the greatest gift I received from this retreat was not a new belief system or a collection of techniques.
It was the realisation that spirituality is not about escaping life.
It is about becoming fully present in it.
I arrived at Yoga Gita feeling lost, anxious, and disconnected. I left with a greater sense of clarity, gratitude, and connection – not only with myself, but also with nature and the people around me.
This retreat helped me understand that life is not something to escape from or endlessly analyze. It is something to experience fully, consciously, and wholeheartedly.
A heart full of gratitude
A group photo with all the participants and ViGo at Yoga Gita Ashram, capturing a beautiful moment of togetherness and reflecting gratitude, towards the 21-day Pancha Kosha Meditation & Detoxification Retreat
Yoga Gita will always hold a special place in my heart, and I know that I will return again.
I am deeply grateful for the experience, the teachings, the people I met, and the transformation that began during those 21 days.
About the author
Rohit
Rohit is a digital marketing professional, SEO strategist, and passionate seeker on the path of yoga and Self-discovery. His journey into spirituality began through meditation and a deep desire to understand the true purpose of life beyond the demands of the modern world.
Through his writing, he shares authentic experiences, practical insights, and reflections to inspire others who are seeking greater clarity, inner peace, and a deeper connection with themselves.
When he’s not writing or working on digital marketing projects, Rohit enjoys travelling, exploring spirituality, and continuing his learning through yoga and meditation.
