As a passionate yoga teacher who thrives on bringing people together to practice yoga and cultivate mindfulness, I am excited to invite you all to join me on a transformative journey to the lush green region of Kerala in the South of India. I have had an opportunity to visit the Green Garden Ayurvedic Resort in Varkala in October 2023 and that even more encouraged me to come back and share this experience with you.
India holds a special place in my heart, its profound honesty and innate power never cease to amaze me. Whenever I'm there, I find my mind and body aligning harmoniously with all energies in balance. It has long been my dream to return to this land with a group of people who are eager to explore, practice yoga with me, and experience Ayurveda. India, in its unfiltered honesty and authenticity, welcomes you with open arms, inviting you to rediscover yourself with its beautiful landscapes and cultural richness. This retreat is a testament to the belief that true luxury resides in the heart of the experience and the people you share it with.
I invite you to journey with me in March 2024, where we will altogether embrace the beauty, culture, and rejuvenation that Kerala has to offer.
Why Yoga and Ayurveda?
Both the practice of YOGA and AYURVEDA go hand in hand as they both stem from the same Vedic system of wellness that has been originated thousands of years. The philosophy and methods behind yoga and Ayurveda are both similar, with the two systems both relying on natural means to achieve their aims. I personally believe that combining a regular yoga practice and meditation is extremely powerful and beneficial for us. To top that up with daily treatments coming from medicine with hundreds of years of tradition is the best you can offer yourself.
Plus, to be very honest, when do we find time to dive into daily self-care on such a high level?
Few words about Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine, originated in India thousands of years ago. The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). Thus, Ayurveda translates to knowledge of life. Based on the idea that disease is due to an imbalance or stress in a person’s consciousness, Ayurveda encourages certain lifestyle interventions and natural therapies to regain a balance between the body, mind, spirit, and the environment. Ayurveda treatment can start with an internal purification process, followed by a special diet, herbal remedies, massage therapy, yoga, and meditation.
Every participant will start the stay at the Green Ayurvedic Resort with a consultation with an Ayurveda doctor. This will determine your Ayurvedic treatments throughout the stay.
About Varkala
Varkala is a coastal town nestled by the ocean, located about 50 km north of Thiruvananthapuram city. Varkala is famous for the 2,000-year-old Janardana Swami Temple which is an important Vaishnavaite shrine in India and is often referred to as Dakshin Kashi (Benares of the South). The temple is located close to the Papanasam beach, which is considered to have holy waters which wash away sins, and is also an important Ayurveda treatment centre. Another major landmark in Varkala is the Sivagiri Mutt, established by the social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. The hill-top mausoleum of Sree Narayana Guru is one of the most famous monuments in Kerala state. And an accent on the unique nature sites… Not many may be aware of the fact that in Kerala, Varkala is the only place where Cenozoic sedimentary formation cliffs are found near the Arabian Sea. These cliffs are unique and are also known as Varkala Formation. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has declared these a national geological monument or a geo-heritage site. These are protected and maintained by the organisation.
Green Garden Ayurvedic Resort - our home in Varkala
During our retreat, we will stay at the Green Garden Ayurvedic Resort in Varkala (Kerala region, India). It has been my dream for many years to include both yoga and Ayurveda in one retreat. I truly believe that there is no more powerful and healing combination. Thankfully, I have been connected with Basia (thank you Magda!) who is living in Varkala and working with the most caring team of Ayurvedic healers. They run this resort close to the ocean in the south of India. All of them have years of experience and are the most good-hearted people, they all make this place so special.
Greengarden Ayurvedic Resort, established in 2009, is located in the heart of Varkala, with the beach only few minutes from our doorstep. It is very quiet place for yogis and Ayurveda lovers or beginners. The resort has two buildings with treatment rooms, dining space and beautiful yoga shala on the rooftop. We will have 11 rooms available for us, you can choose between a single or double/shared room.
Our meals will be natural, Ayurvedic and prepared at the Green Garden Resort.
Program of the Retreat
This retreat will give you plenty opportunities to practice yoga with me, but while creating the program - I really wanted to give you a chance to experience the culture, have access to Ayurveda at its source and origins. Together with a Green Garden Resort team, we have tailored a program for you that combines a variety of activities, as well as free time so you can rest and discover Varkala on your own.
- In the beginning of the retreat, each participant will be offered an individual consultation with an Ayurveda doctor (we will share the schedule once we know your arrival time)
- Each one of you has the package of 7 ayurvedic treatments included in the price
- Daily sunrise Hatha Yoga practice with me (except the days when we go on a trip outside of Varkala as the wake up time will be early)
- Daily afternoon Vinyasa Flow class with me (same as above, we might miss a class when we are on a day-long trip)
- Accommodation at Greengarden Ayurvedic Resort (10 nights)
- Vegetarian Meals (fulfilling and nutritional Ayurvedic breakfasts and dinners)
- One day trip to Backwaters Munroe Island (have a look where are we going to welcome the sun that day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTyiVxJA62M)
- Puja (traditional evening prayer ritual in Hinduism)
- Kerala food tasting (Sadhya), a traditional multi-course regional dish served on a banana leaf
- 1 extra yoga class with a teacher from Varkala
TRAVEL
As we will have participants joining us from different locations, travel arrangements and bookings will be on your side. However, please feel free to reach out and we can discuss best options for you. Also, I will set up a WhatsApp Group for this retreat so we can all stay connected and see - who travels how and when.
The closest airport to Verkala is Thiruvananthapuram (aka Trivandrum). Once you have your flights booked, please send me your reservation details so we can arrange the airport transfers for you. While booking your travels, please be mindful of the program dates and times.
We will start the retreat on Wednesday - 20 March 2024.
NEW! The team of Green Garden Ayurvedic Resort has kindly offered an extra acommodation if you arrive a day or two before the retreat starts. Please reach out if you would like that to be arranged for you. Extra fee will be added to the overall cost but at least you have more flexibility while selecting the flights.
Below my flights details as an example for you:
March 18, 2024 | Zurich - Doha - Thiruvananthapuram with Qatar Airways
March 31, 2024 | Thiruvananthapuram - Doha - Zurich with Qatar Airways
I also encourage you to check the visa requirements of the country you are the passport holder of.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN ME IN VARKALA?
If you would like to make a reservation, please contact me so we can arrange that together. Once you select the room option (single or double), I will create an individual payment link for you. Deposit of 390 CHF is required to guarantee the booking.
890 CHF + 500 USD /// per person in a double room
1190 CHF + 500 USD /// per person in a single room
Click here to complete the payment of the deposit
To make it as smooth as possible for you, I prepared a payment plan that allows completing the whole contribution in several instalments. Please contact me, if you would like to discuss other options.
Example of the payment plan for one person booking a place in a double-room:
Deposit of 390 CHF will be needed to put you on participants list
Next payment: 200 CHF by the end of January 2024
Next payment: 300 CHF by the end of February 2024
Last payment: 500 USD (in cash) paid on-site in Varkala upon arrival
Price includes:
- Accommodation (10 nights)
- Meals (Ayurvedic vegetarian breakfasts and dinners)
- Daily yoga practice with Guka
- Trip to Backwaters
- Kerala food tasting
- Traditional ceremony Puja
- Airport transfers
- Consultation with an ayurvedic doctor
- Package of 7 Ayurvedic treatments!
Additional costs, not included in the booking fee:
- Flights
- Visa
- Insurance, vaccines
Cancellation policy: the “Just so you knows” and “just in cases”
Please note that because Yoga in Varkala retreat with me is limited to a certain number of attendees, this cancellation policy is in place to help you and me alike work together sharing expenses that may arise from unexpected cancellations.
1. Deposit (390 CHF) is non-refundable.
2. Full balance due following the agreed payment plan and completed latest by the end of February 2024 unless otherwise noted (last payment in cash on-site).
3. Cancellation requests submitted within 30 days of retreat date, sorry but no refunds given.
Contact me
If there is anything more you would like to discuss before proceeding to online booking, please get in touch.
Send me an e-mail!
I would love to hear from you!
Here you can find some impressions from the Green Garden Ayurveda Resort and its neighbourhood.
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