Our family spent a fantastic Yoga & Meditation week at Agnihotra Yoga Retreat in Varkala.
Eight days out of time in a place filled with energy and compassion, learning authentic & holistic Yoga, that is to connect the body and mind through Asanas (physical exercises) and Mindfulness Meditations, 6 hours a day.
We were fortunate to be tought by a wonderful person, our Yoga Master, Syam Ji (Rakesh Kumar is his civil name), fully dedicated to the teaching of is art and lifestyle, a Yoga practice that is rooted in ancient Veda’s wisdom with Hata Yoga Asanas coupled with Homa Meditations, a practice that is using fire to purify the atmosphere… and the soul!
The Yoga Asanas teaching was very progressive, from the classic poses to more advanced one, working on strength, flexibility, and of course equilibrium. The Yoga Meditation part was also very well guided with breathing techniques, body scanning, and the fire and mantra chantings as wonderful ways to fix attention and totally be present to the moment.
Food was also adapted to the retreat with a specific Ayurvedic regime to cleanse the body.
Syam Ji is truly incarnating the values he his teaching, and his chanting of the compassion mantras were pure positive vibrations. He also was very generous with his time to engage in passionate conversations about Indian culture, the Vedas, the commonalities across religions and laic spirituality nowadays.
For those who seek to go beyond the western view of Yoga (that is a “Gym” practice), I highly recommend Agnihotra Yoga Retreat: it can be a life transforming experience! Kids are also welcome!
Namaste
Vincent, France
We spent a whole week Yoga vacation with Rakesh. It was a luck to found this amazing place. To do daily fire ritual in 
the morning together with Yoga sessions and homa therapy was a great experience. It was a cleaning process, heart opening, sharped the sense and we learned a lot about meditation. Based on the continued fire ritual from Rakesh we could feel the special atmosphere in this room, very powerful, full of energy and peace. A perfect place for meditation, relaxation and healing. It was amazing to observe the progress in different Yoga postures. Rakesh has an open focus, willing to share his knowledge in patience, love and humbleness. I learned a lot of the original ideology of Yoga, which get lost in a lot of western Yoga styles. It was an enrichment to met Rakesh and it was a great time.
Marion und Dieter, Austria
At the beginning of March I made my way in South Kerala for two weeks in a spiritual journey but also looking for relax and a bit of sun and sea, when in the middle of it, I found Rakesh and Agni Yoga Meditation.
After the first session I kept coming back every evening for yoga and meditation because there I found peace and connection inside and outside me. It was kind of magic how my thoughts shifted into the positive while inhaling the sweet smoke that was coming out of the fire which acted as a mean of purification.
I know… two weeks are not much for a spiritual journey but we have to take what we got and make the best of it. I felt and still feel very lucky to have found someone so calm and sweet like Rakesh performing Agnihotra Yoga and meditation. Still now I carry with me the benefit of those afternoons of yoga and meditation: when I am tired and stressed and overwhelmed I think about it and I feel calm, content and grateful again, linked with the energy of the Universe
Thank you Rakesh Namaste
Daniela Costantini
I went to Varkala with the idea of staying three days, at the end I stayed 10!!! Not just because of the magic and imponent varkala sea during the monsoon but also because I found a peace oasis at Rakesh retreat center. He is such a genuine and authentic spiritual person, he performed the fire ritual everyday twice a day and invited me and my friends to join it, he even taught me the mantra and how to perfom it, it was an amazing experience!!, I could feel the powerfull energy of the fire and the meditation after the ritual was easier.
I also took some yoga lessons, which I fully recommend because they are not just a normal (western) yoga class, but a spiritual session which also involves a few meditations, relaxation and breathing exercices (pranayama). When I go back to Varkala I wouldnt doubt for a second to stay at his place and to share time with such a nice and lovely person.
Laura, columbia
Я посещала медитации и йогу у Ракеша в течение месяца и этот месяц в начале весны изменил меня незаметно и неумолимо) он был наполнен молчанием, осознанием, созерцанием, работой над телом и разумом. Ракеш говорит, что дело в огне Агнихотры и в пространстве, которое пропитано энергией Агнихотры. Я убеждена, что роль его самого как учителя – огромна. И да, это был мой первый опыт медитации в жизни, и могу смело сказать, что даже если во время медитации вы не чувствуете третьего глаза или Сахасрары, то время проведенное в тишине, наблюдении за своим телом и эмоциями, вблизи прекрасного, наполненного любовью человека, это время исцелит вас и наполнит смыслом. С благодарностью, Анастасия
Anastasia, Russia
Очень понравились практики с учителем Ракеш. Йога и огненная медитация проходят в зелёной растительной 
местности, где вибрации спокойствия пронизывают тело и дух. Потрясающие ощущения умиротворения и слияния с природой дарят ценные учения жизни в моменте.
Anastasya, Russia
Jag har besökt Indien tre år i rad i några månader varje omgång. Jag har testat på både yoga och meditation lite överallt
men det är svårt att hitta någon som Rakeesh. Varje morgon och kväll har han även agnihotra som är väldigt speciellt. Om ni har vägarna förbi Varkala borde ni utan tvekan besöka han!
Cornelia Andersson, Sweden
I visited the fire ceremony whilst in India and had an incredible experience. I also received a healing from Rakesh. It was a personal experience but assisted me with some internal issues I was dealing with. Such a genuine man with a motivation to help people. Thank you
My flatmate and I only stayed one night at the guesthouse in Varkala and also attended a morning class with Rakesh. It was a very intense Yoga class for me, I really enjoyed his way of teaching. Also the place where the classes are held is very special.
Sabine,
Syam Ji is the best yoga teacher I’ve ever met! Yoga classes and fire meditation were amazing, and the place is just stunning in the middle of the banana trees!
I’ll definitely advise it to everyone!
Cloee Lecomte-Charrier, France
A magical and beautiful space! The fire meditation was wonderfully relaxing and I’d highly recommend it for everyone.
Thank you Siyam Ji for sharing your magic and allowing me to come and use the space whenever I needed. An integral part to my miraculous stay in Varkala!
Raechel, Australia
My sister and I spent a few weeks going to syams fire meditation’s and yoga classes. They were lovely ways to start and end the day and Syam is a genuine, kind and thoughtful man. It was great just to be in his company. I will be visiting the next time I head to Varkala. I also stayed at his guesthouse in the cottage, which was great and well priced. Totally recommend. Just as an FYI Syam had his fb page hacked and previously had loads of positive reviews spanning many years.
Kate, UK
I had a really great time with Syam Ji. He really takes care of you with a lot of respect. He’s very dedicated to your 
well-being with great professionalism. The place is very powerful, good vibes and relaxing. I Felt very good there. I fully recommend him to everybody.
Mathilde Chomé,
Great place, very good energy. I loved Agnihotra fire ceremonies, felt very good after them. Feel very lucky to had an opportunity to learn Agnihotra fire ceremony. Now I brought a bit of that beautiful energy to my home too. Thank you Rakesh my dear Yogi friend.
Maya Tauzer, UK
I really enjoyed the morning Yoga session! Beautiful place, wonderful atmosphere! I really liked Syam Jis´way of 
teaching Yoga and especially the smoothness in his way of doing Asanas 🙂
Also the guesthouse is beautiful with very nice people around it! My friend and I really enjoyed our time there! Hope to be back someday
Daniela Fries
I can only recommend Syam Ji who is the undisputed master of ceremonies of fire, Agni hotra and a very good Yoga teacher. His knowledge and intuition will send you a wealth of knowledge and quality.
You can only grows in after this, it’s a great experience of cosmic energy.
Jocya Longaretti
Beautiful experience, I went trough lots of emotions during Homas. Lot’s of purification. The atmosphere is pure and 
sacred, full of good energy. Memorable experience ♡
Sanna Hiltunen, Finland
Syam’s fire ceremonies are something special, I always left feeling relaxed and peaceful. Will definitely be coming back 
Alex David Crocker, UK
