Tantra Immersion Level 3: 5-Day Retreat at Amrita Integral Yoga Resort

Tantra Immersion Level 3 is a five-day tantra retreat at Amrita Integral Yoga Resort in San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai, Thailand. It is the third module of the Tantra Immersion series and is open only to people who have completed Levels 1 and 2. Taught by Deshna An, Uriel Yariv and Iris Smeets of Mahasiddha Yoga, it goes deeper into the principles of traditional, esoteric tantra, with more advanced practices, daily hatha yoga and meditation, and lectures that reach into new subjects.

What to Expect

Level 3 builds on the first two modules. The lectures take up new subjects, the interactive exercises aim at a deeper opening of the heart, and the yoga and meditation practice becomes more challenging, with more insight and clarity asked of it.

The topics include:

- an advanced presentation on the Tantric texts
- death and the afterlife
- the purpose of life
- deepening into tantric couple relationship
- conscious touch
- pleasure, pain and freedom in tantra
- sacred art and its place in the tradition
- sacred pure eros, with advanced lectures for men and women
- the unfoldment of the entire spiritual journey

There are question-and-answer sessions with time for group discussion, and quiet reflecting moments to observe the steps you are already taking, evaluate your progress and plan future practice.

The teaching is traditional tantra. There are no sexual activities in the retreat; the space is meant to be heartful and soulful.

A usual day runs like this:

- 8:00 to 9:30 AM: hatha yoga and meditation
- 9:30 to 10:45 AM: breakfast break
- 10:45 AM to 1:00 PM: midday program
- 1:00 to 4:00 PM: lunch break
- 4:00 to 6:30 PM: afternoon program
- 6:30 to 8:15 PM: dinner break
- 8:15 to 10:00 PM: evening program

The schedule may change with group size or other factors. The retreat begins at 3:30 PM on the first day and ends at 1:00 PM on the last. A day of optional regeneration and relaxation programs separates Immersion 2 and 3.

About Deshna An

Deshna is a tantra and yoga teacher and sound healing facilitator. Her background includes Tibetan Buddhism, Traditional Chinese medicine and kinesiology, and she has followed the path of yoga for over ten years. Tantra has been at the center of her practice since 2018.

About Uriel Yariv

Uriel has spent more than 20 years on the authentic tantra yoga path, including more than two years in silence deepening his yoga and meditation. He holds a master's degree in clinical psychology and bridges psychology and spirituality in his teaching. Over ten years ago he co-founded Mahasiddha Yoga and Amrita Integral Yoga Centre in Thailand.

About Iris Smeets

Iris is a tantra and yoga teacher, tantric massage therapist, and facilitator of women's circles and empowerment dance courses. She studied philosophy and peacebuilding and worked in conflict resolution and trauma centers around the world before turning fully to yoga and tantra. She has taught for the past seven years.

The Setting

Amrita Integral Yoga Centre is a retreat centre built according to the principles of sacred architecture, in San Kamphaeng near Chiang Mai. It is a 40-minute drive from Chiang Mai Airport. Rooms are shared (several with three beds and one with six), standard or deluxe singles, or standard or deluxe doubles for two people. All are ensuite with air conditioning and hot water in the shower, and deluxe rooms differ from standard ones only in size.

Before You Go

Completion of Levels 1 and 2 is required. The price covers the course, accommodation, three vegetarian meals a day, and transport to and from Chiang Mai city centre on the first and last days. On arrival day the included meal is dinner, and on the last day breakfast and lunch.

The organizers strongly recommend that people with mental health issues, or who are taking antidepressants or other psychiatric medication, not join their retreats. Those who do join take part at their own responsibility.