come and stay for a while!

13th-14th July 2012

£250/£150 non-res

Masterclass Retreat

confirmed visa!

Universal Yoga is very proud to announce that Swami Govindananda will be visiting us this summer as part of a short UK tour over from India.This will be his first visit here. Swami G was pivotal to many people’s spiritual awakening and deepening of the understanding of yoga in all its form. He is a Master Hatha Yoga teacher and a passionate Vedantin, who talks clearly and succinctly about Yoga Philosophy. He has been studying yoga and teaching it for the past 20 years, and has been part of the Sivananda organisation in India for that time. Growing up in INdia, he is intimately connected with the traditions and understanding of the basis of yoga.

He will be running meditation, hatha yoga classes, and workshops on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There are 10 bed spaces available in the house and some tent space as well as further B and B spaces in the area.

please read his blog here http://swamigovindananda.wordpress.com/

Please contact us immediately for a booking form – phone us now on 01761 470 658
or book by paying by paypal below.

You can also pay £150 for a non-residential place or if you are only able to come to one or more event, you can pay by event, as follows:
Hatha Yoga class with local teacher (8-10am) – £15
Hatha Yoga class with Swamiji (4-6pm) – £20 – held at the British Legion in Timsbury (a short walk)
Lecture – (12-2pm) £15
Meal – 10am and 6pm £7 each
Satsang (6am and 8pm) are free and subject to space.

There will be tent space and the bedrooms are as follows;
6 bed dorm
3 bed dorm x 2 (one ensuite)
4 bed dorm
twin bed alcove
twin bed room

There will also be rooms in local homes available.
rooms are allocated at a first pay, first serve basis.

Autumn Yoga retreat with Jnanadev

There have been two cancellations for this, please contact us now to book

5th – 7th October 2012

Jnanadev and his host Chandrika lead this classic yoga retreat with delicious organic vegetarian meals, sauna, massages, and lots and lots of yoga!
We take stunning walks every day across the Somerset valleys and there are talks on philosophy and yoga psychology as well as meditation and free time.
click here fofr photos from the last retreat http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillworks/7209907224/in/set-72157629756809012/

So come, chill, reTreat and live yoga!

Yoga for Recovery with Durga Leela

8th – 10th June

Yoga of Recovery integrates the wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda with the tools of Recovery. It is open to all who are looking to overcome self-destructive or addictive tendencies.

Integrate the wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda with the tools of Recovery – open to all who are looking to overcome self-destructive or addictive tendencies.

For those familiar with any 12-Step Program, the most remarkable aspect of these is the fact that only the first of the twelve steps makes any mention of the addictive substance or act. Sobriety/abstinence is described as a “daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition”. Our opportunity for genuine spiritual fulfillment is strengthened when we weave together the ancient wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda with the practical tools of recovery programs. Together they offer us a truly empowering personal program of recovery. 12-Step Programs also recommend an “occasional retreat from the outside world where we can quiet down for an undisturbed day or so of self-overhaul and meditation”. Yoga of Recovery offers retreats in beautiful, peaceful locations where you can relax, recover, and rejuvenate.

12-Step programs propose a spiritual remedy and do not offer much advice for the physical dimension of healing from addiction. One very important aspect of this is Hatha yoga – the asanas and breathing exercises. During the retreat you will practice yogic physical exercises – asanas (suitable for all levels) along with Pranayama (breathing exercises) and conscious relaxation. All this helps to develop not only the body, but also to broaden the mental faculties and spiritual capacities. Yoga exercises improve the health of the spine and aid the proper function of the internal organs. They also work on the nervous system and the endocrine system (glands and hormones) therefore restoring health and balance to the entire system.

This retreat deepens that still further with Ayurveda, the medical/holistic healing, sister science of yoga. Ayurveda works at healing and purifying the body and mind; giving practical advice on diet and lifestyle adjustments needed to live in harmony with your environment (both internal and external). In this retreat you can learn your Ayurvedic Constitution. This knowledge can be of great benefit in recognizing your addictive behaviors and the needs and vulnerabilities that underlie them. The Ayurvedic Consultation alongside the Ayurveda workshops allows you to determine what kinds of activities and changes in your lifestyle can best help you restore balance in mind and body. Simple, practical methods are taught such as proper daily and seasonal routines. You’ll learn ways to revitalize your body’s systems and boost your immune system giving you a strong foundation in health to face the challenges and stresses of daily life without resorting/relapsing into old addictive behaviors.

During the retreat you can also participate in daily open/non-specific 12-Step Meetings, where we talk about our experience, strength and hope in regard to any addictive habit we are recovering from. It is refreshing to be in a group that has the opportunity to discuss a cross-range of addictions like this – it allows us to share in a broader way and helps us develop more openness and compassion around both our own lingering compulsions and the struggles of people with different ‘drug of choice’ than ours. Please note that we require our alcohol/chemically-dependent guests to have at least 3 months of continuous sobriety.

The Yoga of Recovery retreat brings together three powerful healing modalities – Yoga, Ayurveda and 12-Step Recovery. This is the first and only retreat that offers this powerful combination. It is “the evolution of the solution“.

Typical Daily Schedule includes…

Meditation;
Yoga Asana & Pranayama Class for all levels, ending with Conscious Relaxation session;
Ayurveda workshops;
Open 12-Step Meetings;
Vegetarian Meals;

Ayurvedic Consultations and Ayurvedic body treatments are also available. Book early to ensure availability of therapists.
PRICE; £350 all inclusive, £300 early bird discount applicable until 30th April.

Please contact us for more information. Thanks.

Opening to Grace with Padma Priya

11th – 18th August

This is a week’s relaxing retreat with Padma, opening to Grace all around us. You can stay for the week or the night. Padma’s gentle loving energy will envelop you and soothe you. You will be able to partake in the classes next door at a rebated price of £6 per class.
We will cook and laugh together in this beautiful location.

Please join us!

£150 for the full week
£25 for the night.

Rooms are either dorms (up to 5) or triple or twins.

Retreats