TO BE HAPPY YOGA RETREAT Sri lanka WITH SAMMY VEALL & TAYLOR HUNTER YOGA, SURFING & HAPPINESS APRIL 27th - MAY 4th 2019 SOUL & SURF, SRI LANKA
TO BE HAPPY YOGA RETREAT COME ON AN ADVENTURE WITH US! Join us in Sri Lanka for seven nights of yoga, meditation, sunshine food, surfing and happiness. THE RETREAT Over seven nights Sammy and Taylor will share their knowledge on yoga, meditation, pranayama, and happiness. The retreat will feature a morning Hip Hop or Chill Yoga class and an evening Yin Yoga class along with a relaxed schedule of Happy Meditation and pranayama. Sri Lanka is famous for its surfing beaches and there will be daily opportunities to take long boards out into the crystal blue waters! A WISE MAN TRAVELS TO DISCOVER HIMSELF JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL
yoga styles THE YOGA SCHEDULE ON THIS RETREAT WILL FEATURE THE FOLLOWING CLASS STYLES. WE WELCOME ALL LEVELS OF YOGI S FROM BEGINNERS TO THE MORE EXPERIENCED. HIP HOP YOGA MAKE YOUR MOVE. FIND YOUR GROOVE This class works with a fluid collection of yoga poses, paired with loud Hip Hop and RnB beats to allow for freedom during your practice! With music from Biggie, Jay Z, Snoop Dogg for the standing and abs series, into acoustic, electronic, and reggae as we wind down. Tune in while you tune out. Flow. Breathe. Find happiness. Let go. CHILL YOGA DON T SWEAT WHAT YOU DON T KNOW A vinyasa flow class with interesting variations and extensions. Learn just how far you can take your practice as we work on arm balances, headstands, forearm stands and more! Reggae, acoustic, folk, old school RnB music create a relaxed backdrop. Breathe. Align. Learn the basics and have a go at the advanced. Find your practice. YIN YOGA SLOW DOWN AND TURN INWARDS Long, deep poses practiced down low on the mat using seated or lying positions; opening the hips, lower back, spine, chest and shoulders, boosting flexibility and improving the mind. Soothing tunes will guide you through with music from Jon Hopkins, Bon Iver, Helios and more. Relax. Unwind. Move your body. Still your mind. HAPPY MEDITATION CLOSE YOUR EYES TO OPEN YOUR MIND Learn how to meditate by practicing various techniques from different lineages; yoga, buddhism, mindfulness, breath work and Qigong. Gently observe the inner self and the outside world to reveal your true, happy nature and a feeling of calmness and clarity. Our meditation classes are for all levels and we encourage you to be as comfortable as possible. Sit still. Deepen your awareness. Find peace.
Image from our 2018 Sri Lanka Retreat.
SAMMY VEALL the teachers YOGA 213 FOUNDER When Sammy was just 21, a fire exploded on her leaving her with 3rd degree burns to 35% of her body. After spending a month in hospital and teaching herself to walk again Sammy moved to LA where she was introduced to Hip Hop Yoga by LA yoga guru Steve Ross. Instantly falling in love with the freedom and joy of the practice, Sammy signed up to be a yoga teacher with Steve after only taking one of his classes! Sammy s life experiences and her time spent learning from Steve has opened her mind to the realization that life is all about having fun and being happy! Basing her Melbourne studio around her To be Happy philosophy and easy going nature, Sammy opened Yoga 213 in March 2013 and has been hosting happy yoga retreats ever since. In Sri Lanka Sammy will be teaching Hip Hop Yoga, Chill Yoga and Happy Meditation and looks forward to connecting with new and old friends over the seven nights. In Sammy s Hip Hop Yoga classes expect to have fun, let go and enjoy the pumping beats. In her Chill Yoga classes, Sammy becomes a teacher creating dynamic sequences with interesting variations matched with relaxed tunes.
TAYLOR HUNTER the teachers YOGA 213 STUDIO MANAGER Taylor has been a part of the 213 Family for nearly five years. After suffering with anxiety as a teenager, Taylor found a new sense of peace and calmness through yoga and strongly believes in the mental benefits of the practice. It was the combination of music and movement at Yoga 213 that really made Taylor fall in love with the practice. She joined us on our Hawaii retreat in 2015 and later completed our 200hr teacher training! She is now our studio manager and teaches weekly Hip Hop, Chill and Yin Yoga classes. Through her journey from student to teacher, Taylor has developed a great level of compassion and an ability to connect with people on a deeper level. Her soft and caring nature quickly puts students at ease in her open level classes. A gentle soul with a strong practice, Taylor loves nothing more than to travel and explore the world sharing her love of yoga. Taylor will be teaching Yin Yoga and Happy Meditation in Sri Lanka and hopes to help her students feel calmer and happier through the soothing mindful movements.
T HE ACCOMODAT ION soul & surf LOCATION Soul & Surf nestles on a tropical river bank a few minutes inland from the south west coastline and about two hours from Colombo airport. The property is close enough to the surf spots yet far enough away from the busy tourist areas so you feel like you re actually in Sri Lanka. Soul & Surf is just 25 minutes from Galle, the historic colonial fort town, filled with shops, restaurants and cafes and about 15-20 minutes from Weligama and Mirissa; the most popular beaches of the region. It s the perfect location to rest, rejuvenate and soak up some sun.
THE PROPERTY We have booked the entire Soul & Surf property for our retreat to allow for a private and unique yoga experience. You will stay in a bespoke villa set amidst lush jungle foliage brimming with bird-life and over looking a river that has been developed to nurture local river life. There is an indoor/outdoor lounge area featuring a swimming pool at the centre with a sunken lounge. In between swims you can relax in the outdoor covered lounge pavilion. The open-air yoga shala is located upstairs overlooking the jungle. Soul & Surf also has two treatment rooms offering a range of specialised spa treatments to soothe the body and relax mind. The villa is of a high standard and in a stunning location. Attention to detail, considered design, stylish interiors and a focus on a relaxed yet comprehensive service is what drives Soul & Surf and we think you ll dig it.
room options There are three room options available. You can choose to book a private room just for yourself or share a room with a friend/partner or another solo traveller. There are different configurations of rooms available from twin rooms to interconnected suites for families or groups of friends. There are also two floating cots. When you book we will assign you to a room that best suits your needs whether you are a single traveller, a couple or a family. Please add a note to your booking form if you have a particular or special request. Rooms are serviced daily, toiletries refreshed regularly and there s an evening turn down service. PLEASE NOTE: ALL PRICES ARE IN AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS AND ARE PER PERSON. LIFE IS EITHER A DARING ADVENTURE OR NOTHING HELEN KELLER
SPECIAL ROOM Standard room featuring en-suite bathroom and a veranda overlooking the gardens. These rooms include all the things you would expect of a high level room; really comfy beds, crisp bed linen, plush robes, locally and ethically sourced toiletries, and air-conditioning. PRICES SHARED $2,500 per person PRIVATE $3,500 per person
EXTRA SPECIAL ROOM A similar size to the Special Room but with an indoor/outdoor bathroom and big bath tub open to the stars to make the most of the tropical climate. They also have the things you would expect of a high level room; really comfy beds, crisp bed linen, plush robes, locally and ethically sourced toiletries, and air-conditioning. PRIC ES SHARED $2,700 per person PRIVATE $3,700 per person
TOP ROOM Top Rooms are the biggest plus they have their own private balcony overlooking the pool and the river. Tucked away upstairs they offer the most privacy perfect for those with romance on their minds. They also feature the things you would expect of a high level room; really comfy beds, crisp bed linen, plush robes, locally and ethically sourced toiletries, and air-conditioning. P R I CES SHARED $2,900 per person
meals SUNSHINE FOOD Soul & Surf source local and fresh produce to create a menu they like to call Sunshine Food. The whole kitchen team is Sri Lankan and are led by Head Chef, Aruna. The menu features vegetarian, vegan and seafood options with plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and local Sri Lankan specialties. The food is so delicious, fresh and healthy you will leave feeling completely nourished from the inside out. We dine as a group in a covered, yet open-air pavilion overlooking the jungle. All meals, filtered water, tea, coffee and homemade soft drinks come as part of your package.
a typical day in paradise 6.15am 6.45am: Happy Meditation (optional) 6.45am 7am: Bananas and water 7am 8.30am: Chill Yoga or Hip Hop Yoga class 8.30am 9.30am: Breakfast 9.30am 11.30am: Surf lesson 1pm 2pm: Lunch 3pm 4.30pm: Optional afternoon surf lesson 5.30pm 7pm: Yin yoga, meditation and pranayama 7.30pm: Dinner
WHAT S INCLUDED 7 nights accommodation at Soul & Surf Sri Lanka All meals Unlimited drinking water Daily surf sessions and coaching Snacks and water during surf sessions 7 day surfboard hire 2 x daily yoga classes Daily meditation and pranayama 1 x guided SUP Session or canoe ride down the river Yoga 213 tote bag WIFI WHAT S NOT INCLUDED Flights Transfers to/from Soul & Surf Food/drink purchased outside of Soul and Surf Spa treatments Snacks and drinks above and beyond the standard 3 daily meals
IMPORTANT INFO PAYMENT OPTIONS Payment is made via bank transfer. The account details are outlined on the registration form here. OPTION 1: REGULAR PAYMENT A 40% non-refundable deposit is due when you submit the registration form. The remaining balance is then due on or before Friday March 22nd, 2019. OPTION 2: PAYMENT PLAN A 40% non-refundable deposit is due when you submit the registration form. The remaining balance is then split up into 4 payments to be paid on the 1st of each month. The final payment is due on or before Friday March 22nd, 2019. Each payment must be clearly named and an email of remittance must be sent to taylor@yoga213.com.au. CANCELLATION POLICY Cancellations made before the final payment date of Friday March 22nd, 2019 will forfeit the 40% non-refundable deposit. Cancellations made inside of the final payment date will incur a 100% cancellation fee. If serious illness or injury occurs outside of the final payment date that prohibits you from participating in the retreat a refund of monies paid outside of the non-refundable deposit will be considered upon assessment of the circumstances.
frequently asked questions HOW DO I SIGN UP? To sign up please fill out the online registration form here. We require a 40% deposit to secure your booking. WHAT TIME IS CHECK IN AND CHECK OUT? Check in is at 3pm on Saturday April 27th and check out is at 11am the following Saturday, May 4th. Soul & Surf are not able to receive guests before 3pm. They can help arrange a taxi for you to Ahangama and recommend some places for you to spend the day, grab a bite & relax by a pool. Or if you d prefer to book a hotel in Colombo, we can arrange for a taxi to pick you up later in the afternoon. ARE FLIGHTS/TRANSFER INCLUDED? No. Flights and transfers are not included in the retreat price. WHAT FLIGHTS SHOULD I BOOK? You will need to book flights to Colombo Airport to arrive on Saturday April 27th and to depart Colombo Airport on Saturday May 4th. Check in time is from 3pm on Saturday April 27th and the retreat will start at 5.30pm. HOW DO I GET TO SOUL & SURF? Soul & Surf can help to arrange a bespoke taxi for you on arrival day from the airport, or wherever you may be. To organise this please send your arrival details to taylor@yoga213.com.au. Soul & Surf can also suggest a taxi share from the airport if a few of you arrive on the same flight. Please note, this is not a service that Soul & Surf operates, they just connect you with a trusted local taxi company. The driver is paid directly.
I HAVE A DIETARY REQUIREMENT/INTOLERANCE. CAN THIS BE CATERED TO? Yes, definitely. Please list your dietary requirements on the registration form and we will notify the chef. I AM A BEGINNER YOGI, CAN I STILL COME? Of course! A yoga retreat is a great place to learn yoga. If you can, we recommend going to a few classes a week in the months leading up to the retreat. I DON T WANT TO SURF, CAN I STILL COME? Yes. All activities on the retreat are optional and it s totally up to you to participate. HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE ON THIS RETREAT? We are expecting 22 guests of all ages from both Australia and around the world. WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN APRIL IN SRI LANKA? April is amongst one of the best months to travel to Sri Lanka. During this month the country enjoys on average eight hours of sunshine and temperature sits at a balmy 29 30 degrees during the day. Expect blue skies, sunshine and the occasional tropical shower. CAN I COME ON MY OWN? Of course! Yoga retreats are perfect for solo travellers. You will make new friends and meet like-minded people. You can choose to share a room with another solo traveller and we will match you up according to your age and gender. WHEN DO I NEED TO BOOK BY? The final payment is due on or before March 22nd 2019. We suggest booking as soon as possible to avoid missing out on your preferred room option. IS THE DEPOSIT REFUNDABLE? Please refer to the cancellation policy on page 19. WHAT IF I GET SICK AND CAN NO LONGER COME? Please read refer to the cancellation policy on page 19.