By Rakhi M
I recently attended a retreat in Jaipur on the Science of Breath and Dhwani under the guidance of Ashwini Guruji and it was nothing short of a profound inner shift. This six-night residential retreat from 13 April to 19 April, 2026 was held in Jaipur and it brought together more than 200 seekers from across the world for rare, practices of yogic sciences.
From the very first day, it was clear that this was not a typical retreat. It delved into dimensions of breath and sound that I had never encountered before—moving beyond theory into direct, lived experience. Each practice seemed to peel back a layer, bringing a deeper awareness of both the self and the environment.
Our mornings began with Surya Sadhana, setting a powerful tone for the day, followed by slow, mindful movements. What stood out was something almost counterintuitive and all of us observed that our pulse either remained stable or even dropped. These subtle yet consistent shifts became quiet indicators of a deeper internal balance and strengthening of overall health.
A core part of the retreat involved specific breathing kriyas that stilled the mind, sharpened awareness, and generated intense heat within the body. These were not just practices—they were experiences that could be felt, observed, and measured.
Many experiments were done which formed part of this journey.
The first focused on Dhwani. Each participant recorded their chanting of "OM," which was then connected to a transducer plate to visualize the patterns created by sound vibrations. Day after day, as we repeated the process, it was incredible to witness how our chants evolved. Under the sanidhya of Ashwini Guruji, the patterns began aligning closer to the ideal pattern-almost as if the sound itself was becoming more ordered, more harmonious.
Each module was designed to build inner awareness, physical strength, and spiritual alignment. The most intriguing moment for me came during an experiment where I experienced a distinct expansion of consciousness. It felt as though the boundaries between individuals dissolved, offering a direct glimpse into what we understand as quantum entanglement—not as a concept, but as a lived reality.
Dr. Maneesha Prabhakar, a leading gynaecologist from Kochi who was also part of the retreat, expressed her astonishment at witnessing phenomena that seem to extend beyond the current scope of medical science.
All the participants had many spiritual experiences being in the Sanidhya of Ashwini Guruji and were awestruck by them as they were unprecedented.
We concluded the retreat with a discussion on food and awareness—understanding not just what we consume, but the source and energy of it, especially in today's environment. It brought the entire experience into a practical, everyday context.
For me, this retreat was not just enriching—it was transformative. What sets it apart is its unwavering focus on learning through direct experience. It's rare to find a space where spirituality is not just spoken about, but experienced, and truly lived.