Pilgrimage of Sound — The Viniyoga International Conference

Overview

7-Day Journey Through Mantra, Meditation, and Lineage

In January 2027, join us at the biannual International Viniyoga Conference, Pilgrimage of Sound, a gathering of practice, presence, and living tradition. Rooted in lineage, carried through sound, and shared in community. This special conference coincides with the 80th birthday of Mrs. Menaka Desikachar, the seniormost Viniyoga teacher today. A direct student of Yogācārya Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, she embodies a lineage transmitted through sound, relationship, and lived experience. This gathering is offered in honour of her life’s work and unwavering dedication to Viniyoga.

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About Your Teachers

Experts Leading Your Journey

Pilgrimage of Sound — The Viniyoga International Conference

This gathering invites you into a living tradition, carried through sound, mantra and presence.
To listen more deeply, and return to yourself through the ancient pathways of Viniyoga.

Sound as a path of transformation.

Pilgrimage of Sound explores chanting and mantra as sacred pathways of transformation. Through vibration, rhythm, and attentive listening, participants are invited to experience sound as a bridge between body, breath, mind, and heart. The conference highlights the application of chanting and mantra within Yoga, Yoga Therapy, and spiritual inquiry, offering a deeply experiential journey rooted in the living Viniyoga lineage.

A conference in two movements.

The gathering unfolds in two complementary parts. The Pre-Conference Immersion (18–20 January) is a three-day programme for advanced and long-term practitioners, led by Mrs. Menaka Desikachar and Dr. Kausthub Desikachar. The Main Conference (21–24 January) brings together faculty from nine countries for plenary sessions, chanting classes, and early-morning small-group practices focused on refined applications of mantra.

A gathering in honour of a life’s work.

This conference coincides with the 80th birthday of Mrs. Menaka Desikachar, the seniormost Viniyoga teacher today. A direct student of Yogācārya Tirumalai Krishnamacharya and a long-term student of her husband, Śrī TKV Desikachar, she embodies a lineage transmitted through sound, relationship, and lived experience. Pilgrimage of Sound is offered in honour of her extraordinary contribution to this tradition.

Registration and tuition fees

Attendance requires two separate payments: accommodation (listed in Pricing) and a conference tuition fee paid directly to the organisers. The tuition fee covers access to all conference sessions and teaching.

Pre-Conference + Main Conference: Early bird €525 before 30 November 2026. Normal price €625 from 1 December 2026.

Main Conference only: Early bird €340 before 30 November 2026. Normal price €445 from 1 December 2026.

Alternative currencies: S$510–940, NZ$675–1,240, A$580–1,065, £300–545.

The early bird deadline is 30 November 2026, book now to save.

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Program

The conference unfolds across seven days, with an optional pre-conference immersion for advanced practitioners followed by the main conference open to all registered participants. The detailed timetable will be provided to registered participants in advance.

Arrival Day: Arrive and settle in at your own pace. Enjoy an included group dinner, with complimentary airport transfers available between 08:00 and 22:00.

Pre-Conference Immersion: A three-day advanced immersion led by Mrs. Menaka Desikachar and Dr. Kausthub Desikachar. Designed specifically for long-term practitioners, this program explores deeper themes and teachings rarely covered in mainstream yoga study. Please note: Registration for the main conference is required to participate.

Additional Arrival Day (Main Conference only): Participants joining for the Main Conference only should plan to arrive on 20 January. Dinner is included on arrival. Complimentary airport transfers available between 08:00 and 22:00.

Closing Day & Departure: Join us for our final sessions and the closing of the conference. Today's program includes two meals and two coffee breaks (please note that dinner is not included on the final day). Complimentary airport transfers are available throughout the day.

Included In Retreat

7 nights accommodation (Pre-Conference + Main) or 4 nights (Main only)
Daily breakfast throughout stay
Three meals and two coffee breaks per conference day (18–23 Jan)
Two meals and two coffee breaks on closing day (24 Jan)
Dinner on arrival night

Not Included In Retreat

International flights
Travel insurance
Conference tuition fee, paid separately to the organisers. Early bird deadline 30 November 2026
Dinner on closing day (24 Jan)
Airport transfers outside 08:00–22:00

Here Is Where You Stay

Horizon Village & Resort, Chiang Mai

Horizon Village & Resort sits within the serene Tweechol Botanical Garden in Chiang Mai, offering a calming environment ideal for reflection, connection, and growth. Guests choose from eight distinct room and villa styles that blend traditional Thai Lanna design with modern comforts. All accommodation includes air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, widescreen TV, and daily breakfast. With over 3,600 sqm of flexible indoor and outdoor event space, the resort hosts all conference sessions across its grand ballrooms and 15 meeting rooms. Beyond the conference, guests can explore the botanical gardens, cycle along scenic trails, enjoy paddle boat rides on the lake, and visit the Lanna Museum and a 100-year-old traditional Lanna House. Thai cooking classes and traditional massage are also available on site.

Pricing Package

Discover Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the cultural capital of northern Thailand, sitting in a valley surrounded by forested mountains and ancient temple trails. Known for its deeply rooted spiritual heritage, its thriving arts and craft traditions, and a pace of life that moves more gently than the south, it has long been one of Asia’s most beloved destinations for yoga, meditation, and inner work.

The city blends old and new with ease: a moated old city whose lanes are lined with over 300 temples sits alongside lively night markets, wellness centres, and quiet garden cafes. The surrounding mountains offer trekking trails, waterfall walks, and visits to hill tribe villages. It is a place where the sacred is woven into everyday life, making it a natural home for a gathering of this nature.

Discover Chiang Mai