Sri Lanka

Your teachers
Nora Coers. After 23 years in stockbroking I left my relatively cushy job in NY to work at an Ayurvedic centre in India. I saw so many miracles here on a daily basis – some small, others huge – that Ayurveda became my passion. I am a partner in Surya: North America’s foremost Ayurvedic centre, located in LA. I hold talks on Ayurveda, which is what I’ll be doing for you in Sri Lanka.

Ingrid Valks. After 20+ years in communication, connecting people with brands and organizations, I now connect people with themselves and their communities. With yoga and meditation I bridge the gap between personal and professional challenges and the importance of developing new human skills such as mindfulness, compassion and creating connection. I am a certified yin and vinyasa teacher based in Amsterdam and I look forward to guide you in your yoga and meditation practices in Sri Lanka. 

Your Ayurvedic treatment
Additionally you can book per week a three day Ayurvedic treatment. There is capacity for 9 women and 3 men per week.

Day 1: consists of a full head, face and body oil application and massage, called Abhyanga (a relaxing oil application that soothes the outer layer of the body) followed by a herbal bath and a warm water rinse (one and a half to two hours)

Day 2: consists of a deeper oil application that is designed to penetrate the second layer of the body, which is called Angamarda Abhyanga (no head or face included) followed by a herbal sauna and a warm water rinse (one to one and a half hours)

Day 3: consists of a full body oil application followed by a herbal paste that is applied to the body; this is followed by a steam bath and a warm water rinse (one to one and a half hours).

Travelling
You fly into Sri Lanka’s primary international airport, Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) (also known as Katunayake International Airport, Negombo International Airport and Colombo International Airport), which is an hour North of the main city of Colombo and three hours to the Southwest of the retreat centre. Direct flights with Sri Lankan Airlines take about 10 hours from Europe. Please be aware that departure from Europe tends to be the day before arrival and start of the retreat due to time difference and journey time.

The retreat center is very much off the beaten track in the heart of Sri Lanka by a lakeside at the foot of the Galgiriyawa mountains. Geographically, it’s literally in the middle of the country on a North-South axis and slightly to the West on an East-West one. In travel time it’s about 1 hour’s drive North from Kurunegala, or 2 hours Northwest from Kandy, and 3 hours Northeast from the airport.

Your accommodation
Guests are accommodated in one of a number of tastefully decorated traditional wattle and daub huts sprinkled through retreat landscape, where living is by design a communal and shared experience in nature’s embrace. All the huts are built using traditional wattle and daub with comfortable beds, excellent mosquito nets, cupboards, fresh water, towels and offer a sarong to wear. The huts are of an open, airy design that facilitates the sense of being one with nature. Twice a year, each hut is hand painted using different coloured clays, where no designs are ever repeated. Much use has been made of clay, stone, wood, pottery and fabrics that reflect traditional village practices and aesthetics.

All the huts are allocated on a twin share basis. Sharing with someone is more welcome than one might usually expect. Though ultimately soothing to the ears, the jungle noises can take some getting used to and its quite reassuring to have a companion sharing one’s space. By design there is no electricity and life is lived by the rhythm of the day. As candles are to a restaurant, flame is to your Ayurveda and yoga retreat. Paths and accommodation are lit by lamps and lanterns with the twinkling firelight creating a captivating and romantic sense of times gone by.

How nature impacts your wellbeing
Nature heals the body as being in nature reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. People who spend time in nature have stronger feelings of unity with their communities whether this are neighbors, colleagues, clients or family. Nature inspires feelings of connection to each other and the larger world. People who spend time in nature experience an improvement of their mood; changing from depressed, stressed, and anxious to more calm and balanced. Time in nature is associated with a positive mood, psychological well being, meaningfulness, and vitality. Time in nature increases your ability to pay attention. This provides a break for your overactive mind, recharging your mental batteries, refreshing you for new tasks. 

You do not need any yoga or meditation experience
Ayurveda’s sister science, yoga – which includes meditation – is a vital part. With yoga we can strengthen the body, create space in mind and body and learn to relax. To join this retreat you can be an experienced yogi and we will guide you on how you can deepen your practice.  If you have little or even no yoga or meditation experience this is OK too. You only need to have an open mind and a will to surrender to what is awaiting you. And we will introduce you to what yoga, meditation and mindfulness can do for you.  

When you arrive, everything is important. Upon leaving, you’ll feel that nothing is. 

One week: 3 – 10 November, 2019 

Two weeks: 27 October – 10 November, 2019 

Reboot with Ayurveda and Yoga. We look forward to welcome you!