"SanskrItaly" Retreat 2025

In early August, we held a Sanskrit retreat at the gorgeous Mandali retreat center in the foothills of the Italian Alps, which we playfully dubbed the "SanskrItaly" retreat. Daily Sanskrit classes were held with Dr. Seth Powell, the founder and director of Yogic Studies, and Dr. Antonia Ruppel, Yogic Studies' Sanskrit, Greek, and Latin teacher and author of the Cambridge Introduction to Sanskrit. We also enjoyed daily morning āsana practice and wonderful evening kīrtan chanting sessions led by Moritz Ulrich, founder of the Jivamukti Yoga studio "Peace Yoga" in Berlin. Sixteen students traveled from across Europe, North America, and Asia to join us for this special program. 

The Sanskrit classes were accessible to students coming from different Sanskrit backgrounds. Antonia led us through her reader of subhāṣitas ("well-said-things"). She also gave daily lessons on Sanskrit compounds, poetical meters, and pronunciation. Seth led us through a selection of verses from the Yogaśāstras, such as the Pātañjalayogaśāstra, the Haṭharatnāvalī, and the Dattātreyayogaśāstra. 

When we weren't studying Sanskrit, we had time to explore the amazing facilities offered at Mandali including a sauna, hot tub, and pool with breathtaking views overlooking Lake Orta. Students booked massages, went for walks and hikes in the hills, and attended a sunrise concert organized by the surrounding village. We ate incredible vegetarian food and enjoyed breakfasts in silence and lunches and dinners in conversation with classmates and teachers. 

It was yet again a wonderful opportunity to step out of the Zoom classroom, to meet YS students and faculty in person, and build community, while studying and deepening our knowledge of the Sanskrit language and tradition.