Question 1

Do I need a Visa? How do I obtain a travel visa?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you need a visa to enter India. Please refer to the List of Countries  for who can get an e-visa. If your country is listed, select the box titles “For eVisa by Bureau of Immigration, Apply Here.” All other countries need to select “For Regular/Paper Visa by Indian Mission/Post, Apply Here.”

***All eVisa’s from Tourist to Medical require your passport to be valid for six months from the arrival date***

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
**Choose TOURIST visa.** Very important you do NOT choose yoga or short-term yoga program. These are specific programs that we are not registered with. 
When asked where you intend to visit, write: Kovalam, Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram and anywhere else you plan to travel on your own.
Contact Information and Indian address for Visa:
Sajesh P Sadanandan, Little Cottage, Westhill Po, Kozhikode, Kerala, India 673005
Phone number: +91 96562 24784
When taking a photo of yourself and your passport, clearly follow instructions. The photo of yourself should be taken against a plain background. If the passport page is glossy, be sure all information can be read clearly without glare.

Question 2

When should I arrive and depart?

Accepted Answer

Arrive at least one day before the start date of your program. This is included in the price of your program. You can also come earlier as long as there is space available.
Plan to stay at least until the day after your program ends.

If you want to arrive earlier or later than one day there will be an additional fee, the fees can be discussed with us directly before arrival or during yhe time you are here.

Let us know what days you would like to arrive and depart, so we can reserve your room.

Question 3

Which airport do I fly into?

Accepted Answer

We can arrange taxi pick up from Thiruvananthapuram airport TRV.

Be aware that baggage allowances are usually less for Domestic flights than International flights so make sure you are not over the allowance for a domestic flight if you choose to book separate flights.

If you have a transfer in Mumbai book flights on the airlines below. These airlines fly out of the International Terminal, Terminal 2. The domestic terminal, Terminal 1, is a separate airport and requires a taxi ride to reach from the international terminal. 
Vistara
Air India
Indigo
Spice Jet

Question 4

How do I get from Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) airport to SKaSTA Tantra Yoga Ashram?

Accepted Answer

Flight Information: After you booked your flight, send us your flight information; airline, flight number, date and time.

We will use this information to book your taxi. Your taxi driver will have a white paper with your full name on it unless you specify otherwise.

Taxi: We can arrange taxi service from the TRV airport and from local train stations. The prices are $15* from TRV.

Train: You can arrive by train to the (TVC)TRIVANDRUM CNTL and (KCVL)KOCHUVELI train stations. The cost for taxi from these stations will be from approximately $15-20.

* Prices for taxis are approximate. Accurate pricing can be given closer to your arrival date.

Question 5

What kind of clothing can I wear?

Accepted Answer

In Kovalam Beach area it is appropriate to wear typical western beach clothing. Tank tops, shorts, yoga leggings, bikinis (on the beach), etc. are all okay.

When you go into town or the city and for visiting temples, dress more conservatively. Be sure to wear clothes which cover your legs past your knees and shoulders.

Question 6

What should I bring?

Accepted Answer

Up to date passport, visa
Credit/debit cards (notify bank of your travel plans if necessary)
Phone (check roaming prices or suspend coverage)
India plugs are compatible with EU plugs. If coming from outside EU bring Converter/plug adapter
Ear plugs (if you’re sensitive to noise while sleeping)
Water bottle
Comfortable yoga clothes
Swim suit
Sunglasses/sun hat
Yoga mat (We have mats if you do not want to travel with one, but they are likely lower quality than your personal mat)
Shawl/blanket/sweater/something to cover for cool evening and morning yoga Dec-Feb
Clothing that covers legs and shoulders for visiting temples or leaving Kovalam beach area
Flip flops or sandals that are easy to take on and off
Comfortable shoes for traveling
Toiletries can be purchased here if you don’t want to travel with them. Please bring anything specific or unique you need. 
Notebook and pen for journaling and taking notes, also available here if you do not want to bring

Question 7

Consider leaving these items at home

Accepted Answer

Makeup- come as you are. Embrace au naturel!
Strong perfume/aftershave- embrace your smell! Many are sensitive to strong scents
Uncomfortable, tight, heavy clothing/jeans

Question 8

Wifi/Sim card

Accepted Answer

Accommodations and Ashram locations have Wifi. Sim cards with data are also available to purchase here.

Question 9

What about water?

Accepted Answer

We will supply filtered water  for filling a water bottle. We will not supply the bottle so please bring one with you.

We do not advise drinking other water that is not from a bottle.

You can purchase bottled water at all restaurants and at many shops.

Question 10

What food options are available?

Accepted Answer

We will provide light breakfast the mornings we have class.

We have an optional food program available. There will always be non-spicy, vegetarian options with spicy, non-veg options also available periodically.

There are many options for lunch and dinner very near to our accommodations.

If you have any special food needs or/and allergies please let us know in your online application form.

Question 11

What if I get sick?

Accepted Answer

There are many clinics, (Ayurvedic and western) and pharmacies in Kovalam.

In the nearby city of Thiruvananthapuram there are many super specialty hospitals with the latest medical technology accessible within 30 min drive.

Question 12

What happens if I don’t complete enough Training hours?

Accepted Answer

We encourage you to come for the experience and self integration. For us, the certificate is of secondary importance. Tantra is not about external validation so being recognised by Yoga Alliance or others is not a valid measure of value.

However, we do recognise the importance of your livelihood and physical well being and we know income can depend on this certification so we are comfortable to be a part of Yoga Alliance.

*If, for any reason, you do not complete the necessary hours to fulfill the course requirements we cannot issue a certificate for Yoga Alliance registration. We can give you a certificate with the amount of hours you did complete.

Question 13

How Many Students will be in the Training?

Accepted Answer

Each group will have different number of members.

In the early and late seasons (October/November and March/April respectively) we usually have smaller groups, 5-10 people.

In the high season (December/January/February) we have larger groups, 20-25.

We have found that personal connection and smaller community allows for us to experience the full depth of the kaula tantra system. For this reason we have decided to limit our courses to a maximum of 25 practitioners.

Question 14

Are your courses certified by Yoga Alliance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, our 200hr, 300hr, and 500hr courses are Yoga Alliance certified.
 
Our 200 hr certificate will be issued by Sva-Tantra. 300 hr and 500 hr certificates will be issues by Shri Kali Ashram. We are now one school so we are combining the licences we have previously registered separately.

Question 15

Why do we do the same set of asanas daily?

Accepted Answer

Kaula Tantra Yoga is done in this sequence because it focuses on balancing the prana system. Like acupuncture, we a have systematic approach to balancing your prana, or chi. Your Nādi system, the channels in which your prana or chi flows, has the same structure everyday so to optimize your health we follow this series. This approach also cultures the conscious mind to shut down which allows the superconscious to bring us back to pranic balance and physical homeostasis. By balancing the prana system all other systems in the body will regulate and optimize.

The Kaula system brings a deep sense of calm we call the “zero state” which is an essential experience when exploring the divine. Without this timeless, sense-less, body-less, experience, discussion of Kaula philosophy is only theoretical and integration is impossible. The asana system is a necessary precursor to integrating the Kaula teachings of the divine as everything. You must experience yourself as the blissful divine to truly know this system.

The asanas in this system are like mantras. They are repeated over and over to transcend the measuring, linear mind/experience. The sensation of relaxation into your deepest self transcends the concept of space and time. Linearity is no longer a possibility and you can experience your dynamic, non-linear, absolute self.

Question 16

Will the Teacher Trainings include sexuality?

Accepted Answer

No. There is no sexuality taught as a part of any of the teacher trainings. While the Kaula Tantra system celebrates sexuality, it is practiced as a form of celebrating and exploring bliss. This is only possible after one has integrated the experience of bliss, self-love and play.

We see that it is valuable for practitioners to have time and space to themselves to integrate the experiences and knowledge they are receiving during the trainings. For this reason we encourage participants to abstain from involving themselves romantically or sexually (emotionally/physically) during their time in the trainings.

If after completing a training, a graduate stays on as a long term community member or returns to SKaSTA and he/she feels she/he has a sound foundation of selfhood and wants to engage romantically or sexually with other non-trainees in the community, that is between those consenting adults. We support the honest, self aware expression of your innate bliss and encourage you to practice sincere honesty (with your self and your partner/s) and awareness in any sexual engagement.

There may be supplementary offerings that are outside the scope of the teacher trainings and participation is in no way required or expected. These offerings have not yet been finalised but may include teachings on psycho-sexual health (i.e. what underlies our desires/urges), awareness and education on female and male orgasm/ejaculation (ability to and regulation of), using non-violent communication around our sexual needs and desires, etc.

*We, the staff/space holders here at SKaSTA, have all agreed not to engage with trainees in any romantic/sexual exchanges, emotional or physical. If you, as a member of the SKaSTA community, interpret any action from one of us as romantic, sexually intimate or in any other way uncomfortable or inappropriate for you please share your concerns with that person or any other member of the administration team. This information is very important to us so please know that we want to hear your experience to create a supportive environment in which to celebrate life.

Frequently Asked Questions