EKATA: UNITY | A FAMILY RETREAT in GOA
with HOLY MAMA, PAULA ANDREEWITCH + LUCY HILL
'Ekata' meaning 'unity' and 'oneness' in Sanskrit, is our theme for this very special community and family retreat. Our intention is to come in to union. With our families and within ourselves.
We are very excited to announce a new retreat collaboration in Goa, India, with 'Holy Mama'.
Join us in the home of yoga, where through yogic practices, ritual, healing treatments, community, sharing and nourishment on all levels... We will practice embodying the true meaning of yoga; ‘union’ and ‘connection’.
We will invite in the integration of all parts of being; both in our outer world relationships and our inner world selves.
We will also call in the beautiful union of the divine masculine and feminine and the alignment and connection of our bodies, hearts and souls.
Join us and co-create a beautiful family community, either attending with one child or many, or other parents and siblings, where we will joyfully raise ourselves, our families and each other to our highest vibrations.
We can't wait to share our incredible Indian home, one of Goa's most exclusive properties, 'Kaju Varo' with our Holy Mama and Chaya yogis. Alongside the epic pool-side yoga with Paula, expect delicious, healthy menus, award-winning, luxurious and peaceful accommodation, deeply healing therapies, inspiring workshops and a whole lot of R&R. This all-inclusive retreat is quite literally, a game-changer.
And, if you're new to India, how absolutely wonderful! Using our 12 years of Indian travel experience, we at Chaya dearly love to look after our guests. We can help with all your travel needs and will do our best to ensure you have a most relaxing, joyful and magical time.
You just need to book your flight and let us take care of everything else.
YOGA | PAULA ANDREEWITCH
Paula shares her joyful approach to the yoga practice through explorative, soulful, slow flow. Classes generally begin on the ground and unravel into full spectrum practices that include story, philosophy and chanting woven into a physical practice that is both challenging and relaxing. She encourages listening deeply, responding mindfully, and exploring the mind - body with curiosity and open awareness. Her background in the Brazilian dance/play/martial art, Capoeira Angola, of which she is also a teacher, brings a playful and experimental element to her classes.
She’s been a student and mentee of Nicole Aarons (Soma Yoga) for 14 years and completed a classical teacher training in the Himalayas with Ganga Devi (Himalayan Yoga Institute). Since 2014 she has practiced under the guidance of Jean Hall, and is currently deepening her studies on Triyoga’s advanced teacher training lead by Jean and Anna Ashby. Her practice is also influenced by Stephanie Snyder, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen and the Scaravelli inspired approach to practice as taught by Giovanni Felicioni.
Paula's Website Paula's Instagram
THE PRACTICE
During our UNITY retreat, Paula will guide you through a powerful and healing combination of a dynamic practice in the morning and a more introspective, somatic, restorative practice in the evening. Our intention on this retreat is to help you align and connect to all things. Integrating every aspect of being, the light and the shadow, the male and the female, the internal and external. Through asana (physical practice), meditation and pranayama (breathing exercises), we will make space to allow for deeper listening... Gently airing out cluttered minds and bodies in order to allow release of what isn't serving. And re-connect to truth and One-ness.
LOCATION | KAJU VARO
Set amongst cashew and mango groves and only minutes from the magnificent Ashwem beach, is one of Goa’s most luxurious eco retreats; Kaju Varo. Winning Conde Naste Traveler's award for best luxury boutique stay in Goa, this is a truly awe-inspiring home for Chaya. Each individually designed eco-lux villa demonstrates contemporary elegance and minimalist design, creating a perfectly private, serene and peaceful environment for our guests to unwind. The team, our dear friends at Kaju Varo, truly are amazing and will look after your every need.
TREATMENTS & THERAPIES
We are incredibly blessed in Goa to work with an outstanding selection of personally curated healers, therapists and practitioners across a broad spectrum of treatments. Covering the following areas: All massage disciplines, (examples include holistic, aromatherapy, Swedish, intuitive, deep tissue, sports and remedial, stomach and internal) Reflexology, Breathwork, Kinesiology, Ayurveda, Voice coaching, Reiki and energy work, plus many more.
Included in the retreat will be a 1 hour treatment of choice, plus a 1-2-1 consultation with esteemed local Ayurvedic doctor, Dr Rohit. Ayurveda is the ancient, Indian holistic medical science and Dr Rohit's work is profound. Within his sessions he assesses and evaluates medical, emotional and physical issues and offers treatment plans and support where necessary. He'll also outline your 'dosha' - your Ayurvedic constitution, giving insight and recommendations on how to best support you in reaching your highest happiness and wellbeing.
WELLBEING FOOD + WORKSHOP
Chaya’s Lucy Hill will be bringing her knowledge and understanding of wellbeing food to the retreat; ensuring a completely balanced and nourishing, not to mention tasty menu. The food will refer to the pillars of a therapeutic diet to best support you during retreat. With daily juices and homemade plant-based mylks, two nourishing and delicious alkaline-focussed unlimited meals per day, free-flowing coconuts, fresh fruits and herbal teas; all designed to leave you feeling clearer, lighter and brighter on every level.
Lucy will host a 2 hour workshop, covering wellbeing topics such as nut and seed milks, raw chocolate alongside other healthy and delicious ways to upgrade the way you eat - and the way you feel.
FOOD + MENUS
Food is a really big deal to us at Chaya. It's such a joy to share our passion for incredibly good food - good on all levels - with our guests. And India is no exception. The wonderful chefs at Kaju Varo work alongside Chaya Kitchen and are adept in catering to every desire; using local, seasonal ingredients to create a delicious, varied and healing menu. Which will balance and clear the body whilst stimulating the palate. From typical Goan feasts, to the freshest local seafood through to pure raw vegan, the award-winning kitchen can accommodate all tastes and dietary requirements.
TYPICAL DAILY RETREAT SCHEDULE
07:30 - 08:00 Herbal teas, fresh coconut water, children's breakfast
08:00 - 10:00 Dynamic flow Vinyasa class + meditation (2hrs)
10:00 - 11:00 Buffet brunch
11:00 - 16:00 Treatments, free time
16:00 - 17:30 Optional Restorative class
18:00 - 19:30 Dinner
20:30 - 22:00 Evening ritual or meditation (x 2 during week)
To note, we take off the middle day from evening group practice, as it's important for rest and for assimilation and reflection.
We at Chaya dearly love to share our many years of Indian travel and Goan love with our guests, which we hope makes for a very unique experience. If you have any questions at all about India, Goa, travelling solo, safety, what to expect, where to go afterwards or before... Just drop us a line or give us a call.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
For those that want to get out and about - there are so many fun and inspiring things to do in Goa, with lots of lovely beaches and natural local sights; you can easily hire a moped or a driver for the day and explore. Or maybe take a trip to the local market town and soak up the crazy sights and sounds of a real Indian hub.
We love to visit the magical perfumer Ramakrishna and receive a blessed personalised scent. There’s also the famed, lively night market for the shoppers, one of many shopping opportunities! So many beautiful restaurants for the foodies. And those who need more action, there's great water sports nearby. Come and chant in the local temples with us, buy crystals from our resident crystal expert. And on the therapies and treatments front - there are SO many amazing healers, therapists and body workers!
Let Chaya be your local guide and we'll tailor your experience exactly to your needs and desires.
INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT
7 nights/8 days accommodation at Kaju Varo
Inbound private airport transfer
2 HolyMama workshops (for e.g. HolyMama Women's Circle, Chanting and Candlelit Ceremony with DNA activation
Opening welcome circle for mums and children, closing circle for mums
Creative children's programme every morning for 3.5-4 hours. Multi-lingual, heart-centered carers using Montessori/Waldorf approach
Beautiful welcome gift
Yoga mats, towels, bed-linen, hairdryers, WiFi etc
2 x daily yoga and meditation classes
1 x 1 hr Treatment of choice
2 hr wellbeing food workshop with Lucy Hill
1-2-1 Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Rohit
Sound healing and gong bath
2 x daily multi course gourmet meals for you and your child
Unlimited teas, coconuts, fruit and mineral water
NOT INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT
Flights and onward transfer
FAMILY SUITE | €4000 based on 2 adults and 2 children
PARENT & CHILD SUITE | €2800 with ensuite, for 1 adult and 1 child
PARENT & CHILD ROOM | €2100, for 1 adult and 1 child, sharing a large bathroom with one other room
PAYMENT PLANS
We are open to discussing ways to make our retreats accessible to everyone - please contact us if you would like to discuss how we can make it work for you.
To book a place on this retreat or for any further details, please contact us via the link below, email: info@chayayogaretreats.com or call Lucy: 0044 7866 368798.