This retreat is built around one central idea: that awareness, when practiced consistently and gently, is itself a form of care.

Much of what we carry from our earlier years shows up not as clear memories, but as habits of feeling. A familiar tightening in the chest before a difficult conversation. A tendency to withdraw when things feel uncertain. A sense of not quite belonging, or of needing to work harder to earn acceptance. These are not character flaws. They are learned responses — and with steady practice, they can be seen more clearly and held more lightly.

The retreat uses yoga and the body as the first entry point. Physical postures done with attention bring us back to present experience. They help regulate the nervous system and create a sense of groundedness before any reflective or emotional work begins.

From that foundation, the retreat moves into guided meditation, breathwork, and structured personal reflection. Journaling is used throughout as a private, pressure-free way to notice thoughts and feelings. There are opportunities for guided group inquiry, though sharing is never required. The emphasis is always on personal observation rather than performance or disclosure.

This is not a therapy retreat. It does not aim to diagnose, treat, or clinically address psychological conditions. It is a supported space for honest self-observation — one that draws on contemplative traditions and grounded body-based practice. Participants leave not with all the answers, but often with a clearer sense of what they are carrying and a slightly steadier relationship with it.

Days on this retreat are unhurried. There is space built into each day for rest, for silence, and for personal reflection. The structure below gives a sense of the rhythm, though the pace adapts naturally to the group.

Ubud, Bali

Ubud is surrounded by a lush, green landscape that has long been associated with reflection and spiritual practice. The atmosphere here is naturally introspective. The sounds of the natural environment, the cooler air of the inland hills, and the general cultural attentiveness to inner life make this a fitting place for the kind of work this retreat invites. Practice spaces benefit from the greenery and quiet that the location offers throughout the day.

This retreat is open to adults from all backgrounds and levels of experience with yoga or meditation. What participants tend to have in common is not a particular history, but a particular kind of question — a sense that some of their reactions or patterns may be worth understanding more clearly.

This retreat may be a good fit if you:

Notice that you respond to certain situations in ways that feel disproportionate or hard to shift. Find that the same relational difficulties seem to repeat across different circumstances. Feel emotionally reactive in ways you would rather not be, without always knowing why. Are drawn to self-understanding but prefer a structured, grounded approach over open-ended exploration. Want to develop a steadier, more compassionate relationship with your own experience. Are a beginner to yoga and meditation, or have an established practice and want to go a little deeper.

No specific experience is required. This retreat does not assume that participants have worked with a therapist, practiced meditation for years, or have any particular understanding of emotional or psychological frameworks. What is helpful is a willingness to be present, to observe honestly, and to move at a gentle pace.

It is worth being clear about how emotional work is understood and held within this retreat, because this is an area where retreat programs can sometimes cause harm through carelessness or overclaiming.

Emotional work here means learning to notice what arises — in the body, in thought, in feeling — with a little more steadiness and a little less reactivity. It does not mean revisiting painful memories, participating in intense group processes, or achieving a particular emotional outcome.

There is no expectation of catharsis. There is no pressure to share personal history. There is no assumption that participants will feel better in a dramatic or sudden way. What is more likely, and more valuable, is a gradual accumulation of small moments of clarity — a slightly greater ability to pause before reacting, a little more ease in sitting with discomfort, a more gentle internal voice.

The teachers who hold this retreat do not act as therapists. They are not there to interpret your experience or direct your process. Their role is to create a consistent, grounded, and safe structure within which each person can do their own work at their own pace.

Practices are chosen for their stabilizing quality. Breath awareness and body-based attention are used throughout as anchoring tools — ways of returning to present experience when reflection becomes too abstract or when emotions become difficult to manage. Participants are always encouraged to work within their own limits and to rest or step back when that is what is needed.

If, during the course of the retreat, a participant feels that they need support that goes beyond what the retreat structure offers, they will be gently encouraged to seek appropriate professional care. The retreat holds space for ordinary human experience. It is not designed to substitute for clinical or therapeutic support.

What's Not Included

The following are not covered by the retreat fee:

International or domestic flights to the retreat location. Airport transfers, unless specified at the time of booking. Travel insurance, which all participants are strongly encouraged to arrange independently. Personal purchases, laundry, or other individual expenses. Optional activities or experiences outside the retreat schedule.

All upcoming retreat dates are listed below. Each retreat follows the same six-day structure, and participants choose their preferred location and dates during the registration process.

Dates are available across all four locations — Koh Samui, Kalpitiya, Mandrem, and Ubud — and are updated regularly. The tab-based booking interface below allows you to view dates by location and check current availability.

The retreat is the same wherever you choose to go. The practice does not change with geography.

A retreat of this nature works best when all participants share a commitment to respectful, mindful engagement — with themselves and with others.

Participants are asked to observe the following throughout the retreat:

Respectful listening during group sessions, without interrupting or offering unsolicited advice to others. Confidentiality regarding anything shared by other participants in a group context. Punctuality for scheduled sessions, out of consideration for teachers and fellow participants. Mindful behavior in shared spaces, including keeping noise to a minimum during quieter periods of the day. Personal responsibility for one's own experience and needs. Abstinence from alcohol and non-prescribed substances during the retreat. The use of mobile phones and digital devices is discouraged during practice periods and encouraged only during designated personal time.

These are not rules imposed from outside. They are conditions that make it possible for each person to feel genuinely safe and supported in their own process.

Reservations can be made through the Advait Yoga Meditation website. During the registration process, participants select their preferred location and available retreat dates.

A deposit is required at the time of booking to confirm a place. The remaining balance is due before the retreat begins, within a timeframe communicated at the point of registration. Full booking details, including payment methods and any location-specific requirements, are provided upon inquiry or through the online registration process.

Spaces are limited by design, as smaller groups allow for a more attentive and personalised experience. Early registration is advisable when a particular date and location is preferred.

We understand that circumstances change, and our cancellation policy is intended to be fair and transparent.

Cancellations made a significant number of weeks before the retreat start date are eligible for a partial or full refund of the deposit, depending on the timing. Cancellations closer to the retreat date may result in the deposit being retained, as preparations and limited spaces make late changes difficult to accommodate. The balance payment, if already made, may be refunded in part depending on the notice given. In some cases, it may be possible to transfer a booking to a later date or a different location, subject to availability. Full details of the cancellation and refund policy are provided at the time of booking. Participants are encouraged to read these carefully before confirming their registration.