February 25th to March 3rd 2024
Journey to the home of Yoga
A spectacular 8 day yoga & meditation retreat in a little slice of paradise of North Goa, India.
We have exciting news... Finally a retreat is on the horizon. We are heading home to the motherland of Yoga, India. This little pocket of Goa is dear to our hearts as it is where we met, lived for many years and immersed ourselves in the practice of Yoga. It was a very transformational time and Ashiyana had a lot to do with it. Ashiyana, is a devoted Yoga Retreat Center built between a serene river and the Indian Ocean. We saw 100s of students come through their doors as we worked there and everyone left deeply replenished. Whether it is the dedicated practice, community, incredible beach walks, nourishing food or the combination there is something magical there. It is the perfect place to travel to in India in particular for a first trip. This retreat will be open to all levels but you should have an eagerness to learn and discover. Our theme for the week will be to ‘return home’ to the self through the practice of Yoga. The environment, classes, guest teachers and much more will facilitate the theme. India is a land of adventure, deep reflection and transformation. Having a solid connection and many years under our belt living there we are honored to guide you to this beautiful place. If you are interested in joining us read through this page and reach out to us with any questions. Much love. We can’t wait!
Your Retreat Leaders
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Retreat LeaderIntroduced to yoga by her mother, an Iyengar teacher, she started practicing yoga at an early age, getting certified to teach by the French Federation of Hatha Yoga in 2007. Chloe taught all through her studies and after completing her BSc in Biomedical Sciences and Master in Nutrition for Global Health, Chloé moved to India to work, teach and study Yoga & meditation in more depth. Although Chloe has studied many styles of Yoga it was her trip to the Pune Institute in 2014 and meeting Yogacharya BKS Iyengar that sparked her dedication to Iyengar Yoga. Throughout the years Chloe has remained a dedicated student of Yoga and is deeply grateful to have studied in depth with many senior Iyengar teachers including Abhijata Iyengar, Faeq Biria, Corine Biria and most notably her mentor teacher Carolyn Belko who she continues to train with. Chloe has worked as a Yoga Teacher and Nutritionist in many reputable Yoga Retreat centers and studios and has over 1000 hours of education and 10000+ hours of teaching experience. Her classes bring all of this experience together and more allowing you to develop a deeper understanding of the self, improving your energy, balance, health, and happiness.
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Retreat LeaderInitially trained in massage, Christian began practicing Yoga as a way to cultivate and preserve energy for his clients.In 2007, he trained in Thai Yoga Massage with Pichest Bounthumme in Thailand, where he learned not only powerful massage techniques, but also the importance of devotion and meditation. To be in peace with himself and others is key to his personal health and that of the clients he treats. Since Thailand, Thai massage has become his main massage practice. India called in 2008, the motherland of yoga, and Christian went meeting many inspiring people in the yoga world. He met his teacher Akilesh Brhamachari from the Swamy Dayananda ashram in Rishiekesh, where he completed his 200 hour Hatha Yoga training. Akilesh's teaching from the Iyengar lineage and purist ashram life gave Christian an authentic experience and knowledge to begin his journey into yoga as a teacher. In 2011, Christian completed a 200 hour Yoga therapy certification with Jai C Salt in India, founder of Elemental Yoga, which deeply influenced his style of teaching. Christian combines his massage experience, yoga, meditation and yoga therapy to teach safe classes for everybody and bring a deep balancing effect to contribute towards a happier, more balanced life.
Guest Teachers
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Tapashi's call is to re-introduce ancestral wisdom to the contemporary world. Born in a Hindu Brahmin family in Northeast India, Tapashi was introduced to asanas very early by her father, and the wisdom of ancient Hindu philosophies by her mother. Such ancestral wisdom has brought her a deep understanding of the subtleties of oriental philosophy and the connections between body, mind and spirit. Fascinated by ancient healing techniques, she is passionate about re-introducing this wisdom to the contemporary world.
Tapashi teaches meditation, mantra chanting and asanas. Her style of teaching is a blend of traditional hatha yoga with tai-chi influences. She believes that 'Yoga' cannot be taught, it can only be experienced, and her classes aim to make this experience accessible to the modern body-mind.
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Prashant was initiated into Yoga at an early age, watching his grandpa in a headstand every morning, being taught Hatha Yoga at high school in Delhi and also teaching to his fellow University students in Ireland. Ten years later, he still finds himself hungry to share, learn and engage in the bliss of Yoga.
Prashant’s professional practice has been informed by his experience in India of Vinyasa flow in Rishikesh and Goa, Shivananda Yoga in Kerala, Art of Living (Sri Sri Yoga) in Bangalore and Restorative Yoga in Belgum (India).
However his most extensive and most recent training has been as a follower of the B.K.S Iyengar methodology, under senior Iyengar teachers Usha Devi, Lothar Hofler, Raghuvendra Shenoy and Dr. Abhay Kesti, his guru with whom he has developed a passion for Yoga Therapy.
Details
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The retreat will run between February 25th and March 3rd 2024. India is a very special country and we do suggest giving yourself the time to visit other places if you feel the call.
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Opening circle with traditional Puja
Daily morning & evening yoga sessions with Chloe & Christian - all required props available
Workshops with other incredible teachers (info to be released).
A variety of evening activities throughout your stay, including Indian Kirtan, chanting, meditations, Indian music, beach fire, and movie night
7 nights accommodation at the beautiful Ashiyana Retreat Center - bed linen, bath towels, hand soap & housekeeping services
Two delicious buffet meals daily - brunch and dinner (Ashiyana is well know for their food)
Filtered drinking water and hot drinks including lemon ginger and chai available all day long
Warm and caring support from retreat staff throughout your stay
Full use of resort amenities including swimming pools, relaxation areas, gardens, and private beach access with sun loungers
Pool towels (beach towels not included)
Transport from the airport to the retreat center.
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Travel and transport from the retreat center. We are here to help every step of the way and will loop you in with other participants so you can travel together if needed.
Spa treatments - Ashiyana has a well respected Spa with incredible Ayurvedic treatments and panchakarmas (ayurvedic cleanse). We can help you book any treatments in advance if you want some.
Tourist Visa
Traveler’s insurance
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7 AM Wake up tea
7.30-9.30 AM Morning Practice (including mediation, pranayama and asana)
10 AM Brunch
Free time to enjoy the beach, sunbathe, read a book, go to a market, get a treatment, sleep and enjoy life.
5-6.30/7 PM Evening practice including meditation, pranayama and/or asana
7 PM Dinner
8.15 PM Optional evening activities (meditations, kirtan, Indian dance ect…)
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This retreat is open to all levels. The most important thing is that you have an eagerness to learn and discover. Although classes are longer that you may be used to they include more. Opening meditation and breathing practice, a long warm up, practice peak, a long cool down and savasana followed by closing meditation. Practicing this way allows the student to really integrate the practice and work to their level. There will be ample modifications and props available as well as space to deeply grow in your practice physically, mentally and spiritually. Please talk to us if you are unsure of your practice level.
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Goa has been called "India's little sunshine state" with beautiful sandy beaches, vibrant markets and coconut groves. The general hustle and bustle of Indian life slows down here to make way for long walks along the ocean, peaceful meditation sessions and plenty of sun time.
We will be staying in North Goa in a beautiful little fishing village called Mandrem Beach. Our home for the week will be Ashiyana Yoga Retreat a very special place where we used to live. This is a dedicated retreat center with several Yoga Shalas, evening activities, gorgeous Ayurvedic food, a spa with amazing treatments and very tranquil setting.
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Ashiyana is well know for their food in the area and mentioned by almost everyone who walks through their door. It is simply delicious.
Sourced from local producers and created by celebrated chefs, the Ashiyana Goa restaurant offers two mouth-wateringly, delicious meals per day; post-Yoga brunch and evening dinner. Inspired by the finest home-grown ingredients, the two chefs, Rathi and Tek, prepare unique, flavour-filled creations that fuse Indian, Nepalese and Thai recipes with western cuisine.
We will begin our nightly ‘fast’ by not eating late in the evening (7 pm), and ‘break’ it around 14 hrs later, at 10am. Consuming food whilst our prana levels are high (avoiding late night or early morning), and eating a wholesome, balanced diet that is rich in nutrients, whilst feeling calm and happy, nurtures us physically, emotionally and mentally.
You will leave feeling amazing.
What People Are Saying
“I attended Yoga Healing Nature in Goa, India in March 2019 - I have had the pleasure of practicing with Chloe Porter & Christian Gentile in the South of France and Nicaragua - I have sort of been following them :) I love the way they teach: incorporating their extensive educations into a real life practice. I left the week with a stronger and attainable home practice, full heart with so many great connections from the group and a satisfied belly of delicious Indian faire. The teaching styles serve all levels and they are truly experts in their practice but also a couple of the most beautiful, full of life and heart humans I know.”
— Margot
“Recently I decided to make prints of some of my favorite, most transformative moments of my adult life, and some of those moments were in Positano, Italy, and most recently in Goa, India, both during Yoga Healing Nature retreats. [FULL REVIEW ON FACEBOOK…] It's really hard to explain in just words the experiences lived during Yoga Healing Nature retreats, you truly have to live them to understand, but one thing I can tell you is that the memories and the people I have met during these retreats, are truly ones to treasure for life. If you’re reading this and pondering about going to one of their retreats, don’t think about it more… this is your sign. Go for it!”
— Alicia
“You will have a great experience with Yoga Healing Nature retreats. I have been to 2 retreats and each one is a different experience with not only the location but the yoga classes. Christian and Chloe are amazing! They continue to grow in their practice and you feel it each time. Each have their own particular style and when combined together it is the best of both worlds. You will learn something new each class. They not only teach but guide you through a weeklong element infused yoga retreat. In addition, the people you meet at the retreats are also amazing people who are on all the same vibe as you. I would love to go to all their retreats and hopefully will get to soon. I highly recommend them!!!!!!”
— Lisette
FAQs
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Goa has two operational airports. The first being Dabolim Airport at Dabolim (1.5-2 hrs from Ashiyana), and the new Manohar International Airport (30-45 mins from Ashiyana) built at Mopa, North Goa.
Goa is easily accessible by flight from most major Indian cities such as Delhi and Mumbai. In turn Mumbai and Delhi fly to many major cities throughout the world.
Direct Flights to Goa can be found also from Doha, Dubai and London amongst a few others.
Airport transfer can be organized with Ashiyana.
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A visa is required to enter the country of India. We suggest you look into the visa application process along with your flights when you make the decision to come. All information can be found here. Please let us know if you have any questions.
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Yes you will need travelers insurance for this trip that includes medical coverage. We also highly suggest you include “cancel for any reason” in your policy just in case you must cancel your trip.
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In theory no but we know that life happens and we want to be as accommodating as possible while still being able to honor our small business. Please read our terms and conditions in more details here.
