HRDAYA: INTO THE HEART
A 7 DAY HEART CONNECTION + YOGA RETREAT in GOA
with PAULA ANDREEWITCH + LUCY HILL
From £1111
We are thrilled to welcome you to join us on a seven day yogic exploration of 'hrdaya': the heart.
The sanskrit word 'hrdaya' can be translated to mean 'centre', 'core of something', 'essence', or 'the Self'. A great sage named Abhinava Gupta, beautifully described hrdaya as ‘resting place’.
This retreat offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in a wide range of yogic practices in an exquisitely beautiful natural setting so that you may come home to your deepest resting place, and remember your true essence.
They say that our heart is connected to our hands, and that when we work on connecting to our heart, this manifests through our hands into our actions in everyday life. Through the practice of yoga and taking time away from our daily lives and habits to retreat, we can softly and slowly listen in to our heart's deepest, most quiet yearnings, so that we may then take what we discover and move from that place back out into our lives. To work with the heart we must approach with subtlety and allow time. In this way we quietly start to unfurl and melt away any holding, armour, or protective layers that may have built up over the years, so that we may soften and return to being and living fully in heart. When the heart becomes our compass we can move into our lives with more skill, clarity, discernment, purpose and joy.
We can't wait to share our incredible Indian home, one of Goa's most exclusive properties, 'Kaju Varo' with our 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 solo travelling - how absolutely great! 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.
THE PRACTICE
During our INTO THE HEART retreat, Paula will guide guests 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 connect to your heart space. Through asana (physical practice), meditation, kirtan (chanting) and pranayama (breathing exercises), our twice daily sessions will begin with making space to allow for deeper listening... Gently airing out cluttered minds and bodies in order to allow release of what isn't serving you and make way for you to hear your highest wisdom.
IS THIS RETREAT FOR YOU
YES! Our retreats are suitable for everyone - we welcome all ages and all levels of yogic experience. If you would like to discuss any area of your wellbeing or practice that you are specifically working with, or have any questions about the retreat, please do drop us a line, we're very happy to chat through ideas or concerns.
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, coconut water
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 Restorative class (90 mins)
19:00 - 20:30 Dinner
20:45 - 21:30 Yoga Nidra or Guided Meditation (1 per week)
To note, we take off the middle day from evening group practice, as it's important for rest and for assimilation and reflection. No dinner is served on this day - guests can dine out at any of the beautiful, inexpensive local Goan and international restaurants.
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
- Inbound private airport transfer
- 2 x daily yoga and meditation classes, 1 x Yoga Nidra or guided meditations, 1 x Kirtan
- 1 x 1 hr Treatment of choice
- 2 hr wellbeing food workshop with Lucy Hill
- Sacred heart opening ritual and practices
- 1-2-1 Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Rohit
- Sound healing and gong bath
- 2 x multi course gourmet meals, plus unlimited teas, coconuts, fruit and mineral water
NOT INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT
Flights and onward transfer
COST PER PERSON
- Option 1) £1111 based on 3/4 sharing a suite
- Option 2) £1221 based on 2 sharing a suite
- Option 3) £1331 based on 1 solo room with sharing bathroom
- Solo suite pricing available on request
PAYMENT PLANS
We are always open to discussing ways to make our retreats accessible to everyone - please do be in contact 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 or email: info@chayayogaretreats.com or call Lucy: 0044 7866 368798.