HIMALAYAN YOGA & NATURE RETREAT
Himachal Pradesh, India
postponed to October 2022
exact dates TBA
Join Sydney based KPJAYI authorised Ashtanga Yoga teachers Nadia and Gabriel Stinga Rihani for a 7 or 14 night Yoga Retreat, in the mountains North of Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, India. The location we have chosen is very special, set in 2 square kilometres of cedar, oak and rhododendron forest in the splendid Himalayan foothills (6,808ft / 2,042m), overlooking the Kangra and Kullu Valleys and the temple of the Dalai Lama amidst his community in exile from Tibet.
About The Area
This unusual and beautiful corner of India has the snow capped Dhauladhar mountain range as its spectacular backdrop. McLeod Ganj where His Holiness the Dalai Lama resides is a 45 minutes walk down the mountain. Here you will find several Buddhist Monasteries, regular philosophy teaching and many other Tibetan cultural activities such as arts and music.
The surrounding nature is stunning with several waterfalls, natural rock pools and a river at walking distance. Lots of wildlife and hundreds of birds live in the surroundings as there are no other hotels, shops or roads nearby to disturb the peace. Gabriel claims this area to be his favourite place in the world and if someone would be interested in staying in the area after the retreat there is plenty of things to do or just simply enjoy peace of the mountains.
+ About The Accommodation
Our retreat will be held in a stunning eco-guest house, located a 30 minute walk to Dharmkot a local village or a 45 minute walk to Mcleod Ganj, yet the hotel is secluded and peacefully surrounded by nature. There isn’t a road leading to the hotel so no cars are on site, all staff are from local villages, and they use traditional, locally hand-woven blankets, hand-made soaps and hand-carved wood products. The hotel is sustainably run, All water is harvested from rainfall, and there is a Spring for pure drinking water. Hot water is solar powered. They grow herbs and salad, milk is from staff families’ cows and buffalo and they make curd, cheese, jams, marmalade, relishes, chutneys, and cook local organic produce.
All waste is separated for compost, animal feed, paper & wood for modern fire stoves in the guest rooms, glass, etc., for recycling.
The owners are involved with the Dharamsala Animal Rescue and encourage guests to be involved where possible.
Rooms are tastefully decorated and comfortable. There is the option for a shared room (maximum of two guests in single beds) or limited single rooms. There is a library on site, many stunning walks from the hotel and a waterfall for swimming in.
+ The Retreat Program
We welcome yoga practitioners of all levels, including complete beginners. The places are limited so that we can give every student plenty of individual attention.
Included in the retreat (all inclusive price):
- 7 or 14 (starting October 24 or 31) nights of accommodation in a spacious suite-style room, with ensuite bathroom in an eco-friendly, sustainable Hotel. All rooms have incredible mountain views.
- Three Vegetarian meals per day, with ingredients sourced from local organic produce and snacks in between meals.
- Natural Spring Water
- Ashtanga Yoga classes in a Mysore setting every morning
- Daily meditation classes
- 2 Yoga Workshops
- Ayurvedic massage
- Transfers from the airport
- Also included in the price are other optional activities: Guided hikes, picnics, horse riding, movies
+ Getting There
The closest airport is Dharmsala/ Gagga or alternatively Amritsar. We recommend flying to Dharmsala. If flying from Sydney, Air India flies direct from Sydney with one stop in Delhi. Transfers will be provided from the airport. Guests must arrive in daylight, as the hotel is a 15/20 minute walk from the road (as it is secluded), porters will carry your luggage to the hotel from the road.
Pricing for 2020 Retreat
ONE WEEK OPTION STARTING EITHER 24 OR 31 OCTOBER
- Full Payment, Shared Room: AU$ 2100 (if payment completed in full by May 24, 2020) or AU$ 2300 (if payment completed after May 24, 2020). All Payments need to be completed by July 30, 2020.
- Full Payment, Private Room: AU$ 2700 (before May 24, 2020), AU$ 2900 (after May 24, 2020). All payments must be completed by July 30, 2020.
- Payment Plan: All bookings require a Deposit of AU$ 850 (which is non-refundable) and payment must be completed by July 30, 2020. Early Bird pricing does not apply
- Full Payment, Shared Room: AU$ 3500 (if payment completed in full by May 24, 2020) or AU$ 3900 (if payment completed after May 24, 2020). All Payments need to be completed by July 30, 2020.
- Full Payment, Private Room: AU$ 4500 (before May 24, 2020), AU$ 4900 (after May 24, 2020). All payments must be completed by July 30, 2020.
- Payment Plan: All bookings require a Deposit of AU$ 850 (which is non-refundable) and payment must be completed by July 30, 2020. Early Bird pricing does not apply.
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About the Teachers, Nadia & Gabriel
Nadia Stinga Rihani
KPJAYI Level 2 Authorised
Nadia is honoured to be a Level 2 Authorised Ashtanga teacher, and was given her blessing to teach this method by Sharath Jois in 2014.
Nadia first found the yoga mat whilst studying at university and really felt changed by the practice when she began daily practice in her first job after completing her studies.
After living in the USA, Italy, and Portugal Nadia returned home and discovered the Ashtanga method which she found life-changing. After many years of study, Nadia left her corporate career to focus on teaching and in 2011 founded Yoga Village with the intention of creating an authentic and non-competitive space in which students could practice and teachers could facilitate their learnings.
Since 2010 Nadia has travelled to India each year for intensive self-study and practice, from which she sources inspiration for her teaching and life.
Nadia is extremely grateful to be walking on this path and to be able to share the joy and pain of a sincere yoga practice with her students.
Gabriel Stinga Rihani
KPJAYI Level 2 Authorised
Gabriel began practicing yoga in its various forms in 2003 and in 2008 he began a dedicated Ashtanga Yoga practice. He has a background in Buddhist meditation that together with Ashtanga yoga, forms part of his sadhana.
Since his first trip to India in 2007, Gabriel has spent a large portion of time in India learning directly from his teachers. In 2009 Gabriel began studying under the guidance of Sharath Jois at KPJAYI in Mysore and after four extended study trips, he has been authorised Level 2 to teach the full Intermediate Series. Gabriel also spent extended periods of study over several years learning from certified teachers Rolf Naujokat and Louise Ellis. He was first introduced to the art of adjusting by Anand Zorzo when assisting him in his native Las Palmas, Spain and later assisting under the guidance of Natalia Paisano in Stockholm, Sweden.
Teaching Ashtanga Yoga has previously taken Gabriel to Sweden, Portugal, Spain, France and Germany. He is currently teaching a Morning Mysore program for Woke Yoga in Sydney, Australia
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Conditions of Sale:
Please note that all sales are final – we do not offer refunds
or exchanges on any class passes or workshops.
If you wish to transfer the pass to another person
please advise us 72 hours before the workshop commencement date.
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