Retreats – Doula Anasuya

I – What to Expect on this Retreat

Our Vegan Yoga Retreat & Food Experience is set in a family home for an intimate group of maximum four women. Allowing for each individual to receive the required attention and a tailored experience. This retreat is hosted by mother Anasuya and daughter Natacha, who have been living this vegan yoga lifestyle authentically for 12 years.

The retreat has four practical aspects to develop. First, throughout the 3 days you will follow Sila, a code of conduct, whereby you refrain from actions that are harmful to yourself and others. Second, you will practice daily Meditation, the observation of the breath, to help calm down and concentrate the mind. Third, you will conclude your knowledge of Sivananda Yoga. And finally, you will have an integral understanding of the vegan lifestyle.

You will be given instructions regularly every day. Additionally, the teachers will be able to see that you are practicing correctly, the advantage to having such a small group. There will be other opportunities to meet with them on your own if you wish. Every evening you will be immersed under the Sound Bathing of the Crystal Bowls before lights are out.

At about 6:40 am on the last day, after the final meditation, the retreat is officially over. Breakfast is offered and students take the time to be ready to leave the Shala. Most of you will have left by 11:00 AM.

This retreat is a very serious one. If you feel you are really ready to take this life experience, to work diligently on the process and to follow the instructions carefully, you will gain a great gift of compassion and wisdom. If you maintain your practice of meditation and vegan lifestyle through Ahimsa, it will be a jewel and a refuge to you for the rest of your life.

Now for the food experience: A gourmet vegan menu developed by chef Anasuya, is offered at all of our immersion retreats. For example: each morning, Sweet Breakfast Porridge, Fluffy Vegan Banana Pancakes, Avocado Toast, and Mango & Pineapple Smoothies are served along with fresh fruit.

Lunch consists of :

Vegan Meat Tacos,
Vegan Poke Bowl,
Vegan Buddha Bowl,
Orange Rice with Black Beans (Brazilian Feijoada).

Dinner consists of :

Lentil Sweet Potato Curry,
Vegan Chickpea Curry,
Vegetable Soup,
Sweet Potato Pizza.

Also a complimentary snacks, a diversity of natural teas and infused water are at your disposal for the entire retreat.

The menu already offers gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free, and GMO-free options. We regret we are unable to accommodate special food requests beyond the menu offered. However, if you have food requirements because of a medically diagnosed condition such as allergies, diabetes, or pregnancy, please fully disclose your situation on your application form so we can see if we can meet your needs. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Please do not bring any food to the center.

What Vegan Yoga Retreat is not:

It is not a diet.
It is not a rite or ritual based on blindfaith.
It is neither an intellectual nor a philosophical entertainment.
It is not a holiday, or an opportunity for socializing.
It is not an escape from the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

What Vegan Yoga Retreat is:

It teaches a technique that will help you to minimize or even eradicate suffering.
It is a method of mental purification which allows one to face life’s tensions and problems in a calm, balanced way.
It is an art of living that one can use to make positive contributions to society.
It is a break from the constant doings of life that lack intention.
It teaches how to be ethically consistent towards all living beings.

With continued practice, meditation alone releases the tensions developed in everyday life, opening the knots tied by the old habit of reacting in an unbalanced way to pleasant and unpleasant situations.

FAQs

WHAT IF I’M NOT EXPERIENCED IN YOGA, IS THIS RETREAT STILL FOR ME?

Vegan Yoga Retreat & Food Experience are for all levels of yogis. We’ve had many yoga beginners come to the retreats, and many who found a new love (or renewed love) of the practice. One of the reasons we like to keep the number of guests so small is to better personalize the classes and yoga attention placed on each person. After seeing where each guest is in their yoga practice and level, the classes can be given on what best suits the group. Plus, there is a range of styles and levels taught throughout the week so you can choose the classes which best suit you. The most “advanced” yogi are those who are honest and true with where they are physically and mentally – which can mean holding back and taking it easy when you need rather than over pushing yourself to twist into that advanced pose.

IS THIS A RELIGIOUS RETREAT?

Meditation is part of the yoga practice. We are in no way a religious organization.

WHAT IF I’M A SINGLE TRAVELER?

Many of our guests come alone and we match up based on the guest profile which has always worked out really well. We have two rooms and two bathrooms. Two bunk beds in each room. The total capacity is for 8 people. We have selected one room for four women, and the other for four men. All the rooms are spacious, the women’s room is inside the Shala and the male’s room is outside with an independent entrance. Both rooms have access to the lake and pool area.

Plus, most guests find that they are mainly only in the rooms to sleep as most tend to relax in the common areas (lake-view deck, terraces, pool, etc) when we’re not in class, on day trips, or having meals.

There is another option to rent an Airbnb connected to the Shala. Feel free to book it if you want a private home. The Shala accomodation and the Airbnb villa differ on policy. A couple of our locations would be separated. Therefore, the Airbnb villa may be the best option. With just enough rooms for the number of guests in the retreat, so supplements tend to be higher as it’s mainly covering the cost of another guest. All details can be given upon request.

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