Bellur Retreat
About Event
We invite Iyengar Yoga teachers and students to gather at Bellur — the quiet Karnataka village where Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar was born — for five days of practice, stillness, and community. Set among rolling hills in the Kolar district, the Bellur Iyengar Yoga Center offers a rare chance to study in the exact place that shaped Guruji's life.
Your Teacher: Birjooji Mehta
Study under the guidance of Birjooji Mehta, one of the world's most senior Iyengar Yoga teachers and part of a family deeply steeped in the practice. A direct student of Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar since 1974, Birjooji is one of the vanishingly few still teaching who learned directly from Guruji himself.
An engineer by training (Electrical Engineering, IIT Bombay), his teaching reflects profound structural insight. After assisting Guruji in Mumbai for decades and debuting globally at the seminal 1984 San Francisco Convention, Birjooji has spent a lifetime leading conventions across the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Now serving as the Managing Trustee of the Light on Yoga Research Trust, his classes are revered for their precision—flawlessly weaving the deep philosophy of yoga into the physical practice of asana and pranayama.
The Sanctuary & Accommodation
This is a deeply immersive residential retreat: you stay on the BIYC campus, eat together, and practise together across the five days.
The Yoga Hall
Practice takes place in a light-filled space of around 7,715 square feet, designed by B.K.S. Iyengar himself. The hall is fully equipped with wall ropes, sturdy columns for support, and abundant natural light.
Accommodation
Registration Closes: August 20, 2026
To ensure an intimate and high-quality experience, space at the BIYC is strictly capped. There are only 10 rooms available for each accommodation type. Rooms are allocated on a strict first-come, first-served basis. We highly recommend securing your spot early.
Rest in simple, clean, and comfortable rooms right on the BIYC campus. Campus accommodation is reserved exclusively for participants for the duration of the program — once these rooms are filled, we cannot expand the campus capacity.
A Day at the Retreat
Days follow a steady rhythm of practice, nourishment, and rest. Sessions are conducted in English with optional Chinese translation.
*This is the tentative daily flow. A full, confirmed day-by-day teaching schedule will be published nearer the date.
Beyond the Mat: The Community
Bellur is more than a venue; it is a living community shaped by Guruji's legacy. Between practices, you are invited to immerse yourself in the village culture:
- Meet the Students: An afternoon campus walk through the Trust's activities, interacting with students of the SRSI Institutions.
- Seva: Simple selfless service woven into the retreat, guided by the needs of the center and the village.
- Evening Temple Visit: A short walk to the Bellur temples — the Patanjali Temple and the Rama Temple.
- Village of Sculptors: An optional visit to the nearby village where the iconic Patanjali statues were crafted.
How to Apply
To ensure all practitioners meet the minimum 2-year Iyengar yoga experience requirement, we use a simple application process to secure your booking.
Submit Your Registration
Fill out the application form with your details (and your group's details, if sharing). Select your preferred accommodation, optional tour add-ons, and airport transfer preferences. No payment is required at this stage.
Application Review
Our team will review your application to confirm your eligibility and ensure your requested room category is still available.
Confirmation & Payment
If approved, you will receive an official confirmation email containing a secure payment link with your calculated total. Completing this payment officially secures your mat!
Getting There & Transfers
The nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (Bangalore). From there, the BIYC campus at Bellur is reached by road — approximately 55 km (about 1 hour) via NH75.
Coordinated Airport Transfers
To make your arrival smooth, we coordinate shared airport transfers between Bengaluru airport and the campus. You can request both arrival and departure transfers during your registration based on your group size:
- Sedan (comfortable for 1–2 sharing)
- SUV (suited for up to 4 sharing)
- Van (ideal for small groups of 6-8)
- Bus Coach (for larger groups of 15-25)
*For those joining the post-retreat Mysore tour, your onward travel from Bellur is already included in the tour — no separate departure transfer is needed.
Optional Post-Retreat Tour: Mysuru Extension
For those who wish to see more of South India, we are planning an optional three-day cultural tour after the retreat (26–28 November 2026), centred on the heritage city of Mysuru.
- Day 1 (26 Nov): Depart Bellur late morning. Lunch en route at Kamat Lokaruchi (with a stop at Channapatna, the "toy town"), arriving in Mysuru by evening.
- Day 2 (27 Nov): A full day exploring Chamundi Hills temple, Mysore Zoo (a place of personal significance to Guruji's family), and Mysore Palace, followed by an evening at either Devaraja Market or Brindavan Gardens.
- Day 3 (28 Nov): Visit Srirangapatna (Ranganathaswamy temple and Ranganathittu bird sanctuary), followed by ISKCON Rajajinagar in Bengaluru, with a drop-off at central Bengaluru around 5:30 PM (suits return flights departing after 9 PM).
*Tour accommodation options (twin sharing or single occupancy) can be selected during registration. The fee will be calculated and invoiced securely alongside your retreat booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring?
- Comfortable practice & casual clothing.
- Your personal yoga mat, if you prefer your own (mats & props are available on site).
- Warm layers for cool November mornings and evenings.
- Any personal medication, toiletries, and a reusable water bottle.
- A sense of openness and community.
How many days is the retreat billed as?
The stay from 22nd (arrival) to 26th (departure) is 5 days / 4 nights, and is billed on a 5-day basis.
Do I have to book the shared airport transfer?
No, but it is highly recommended and the most reliable option, especially for the return journey. Independent app-based transport is possible but less dependable from the rural campus.
Is the food vegetarian?
Yes — two wholesome vegetarian meals are served daily, along with chai and filter coffee.
Can I extend my stay at the campus?
Campus rooms are reserved strictly for participants during the program. Early arrival or late departure must be checked with BIYC well in advance.
Is the post-retreat Mysuru tour compulsory?
No, it is an entirely optional add-on for those who wish to explore more of the region's rich culture.
Reserve Your Mat Before It Fills
This retreat is designed for practising students and teachers of Iyengar Yoga travelling from across Asia. Because of the rare nature of this gathering — Birjooji, teaching in the village of Guruji's birth, for five days only — we expect these rooms to fill quickly.
Email: namaste@bksiyengaryogashala.com | WhatsApp: +60 12-416-4115
Venue: Ramamani Nagar, Bellur village, NH4, Kolar District, Karnataka 563133, India