Yoga Immersion & Detox in Transylvania

Peștera, Romania

AR
Akasha Retreat
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Duration: 7 days
Group size: 1 - 999
Yoga Immersion & Detox in Transylvania
Peștera, Romania

Akasha Retreat
  • Email address verified
  • Facebook verified

Duration: 7 days
Group size: 1 - 999

About this trip

 

A guide to your own private idyll

Here every guest finds their own source of physical and spiritual relaxation. Some on the yoga mat, others on the massage table and for most on the south facing terrace gazing at the vast spread of nature below. 

DIGITAL DETOX & SILENCE

Disconnect from your digital world to listen more deeply to life, connect with others on the retreat and live in the present moment. Access to wifi is possible in guest rooms. On Day 5 we practice 1/2 day silence.

YOGA STUDIO & OUTDOOR PRACTICE

Practice in our studio or outdoors. During summer season, we practice on our south facing terraces basking in the glow of the sunset or by the creek absorbing the sounds & motion of nature.

COMMON SPACE

Warm & friendly space for relaxing & connecting to use how you like. Ambient music soothes the soul and gentle aromatherapy inspires special moments, for sharing, relaxing & making new friendships. 

NATURE & VILLAGE LIFE

The village in the clouds, Pestera is like stepping back in time. Here people still live the way they have for generations, in symbiosis with nature. The changing of seasons is like a visual symphony of colours. 

LIBRARY & CREATIVE CORNER

A large collection of books for every walk of life, from yoga, philosophy, medicine, nutrition, cooking, biographies or fiction. We also have a creative corner for mandala paintings, artwork & drawings. 

LOCAL FRIENDS 

From horses available to take you on country rides, to spotting some free range cows, playing with sheep, spotting a wild fox & deer or playing with our puppies, there's no shortage of animal love. 

OUTDOOR RELAXATION

From every corner you have uninterrupted views of Piatra Craiului Natonal Park and it's "OM" Peak. Our terraces are the perfect setting to absorb the view & oxygenate in the mountain fresh air.

VISIT BRAN & BRASOV

Just a short 15 min ride away is one of the most debated Transylvanian icon, Dracula's castle.  Within a 45 min drive you'll find the beautiful town of Brasov, set in Hungarian style architecture. 

Highlights

  • Twice daily yoga and meditation classes
  • Massage, therapy, and pranayama sessions
  • Yoga philosophy, health coaching, and group activities
  • Chakra balancing nutrition, superfood, juice, and smoothies
  • Unlimited use of the Jacuzzi and infrared sauna
  • 3 daily healthy vegan and vegetarian meals
  • Round-trip Brasov City transfers
  • 5 nights accommodation

Skill level

  • Beginner
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced

Accommodation

During this retreat, you will stay at Akasha Retreat. Its large open lounge and diner allows all guests, teachers, and friends to come together and socialize, laugh, play, and explore creative pursuits together. The gorgeous mountain views, garden, and terraces are the kindest gift nature has given them, and they in return offer them to you. Each of the guest bedrooms is special and each has handmade decorative items, a blend of modern romantic with natural elements from the environment.

Room facilities

  • Orthopaedic mattresses
  • Quality linen and towels
  • Organic toiletries
  • Seating area
  • Hairdryer
  • Cotton bathrobe and slippers
  • In-room safe

Shared twin rooms

These bedrooms are for 2 guests sharing one room. If you are booking on your own and you are happy to share a room with another guest this is the room available for guests sharing. Some of our twin bedrooms have private balconies and all enjoy beautiful mountain views.

Private double rooms

The private rooms can be booked for single use if you prefer to have your own bedroom or for double occupancy if you decide to bring a partner or a friend along.

Private queen rooms

The queen bedrooms are our most spacious & decadent bedrooms. The private rooms can be booked for single use if you prefer to have your own bedroom or for double occupancy if you decide to bring a partner or a friend along.

The rooms are tastefully decorated and feature floor to ceiling windows & glorious mountain views. Also, there is plenty of room for your own yoga practice should you still have the energy!

Program

Day 1 Arrival day

  • 16:00 Arrival and registration
  • 18:00 Evening yoga and meditation practice
  • 19:30 Candlelit dinner
  • 20:30 Opening circle and retreat presentation

Day 2 - 5 Full retreat days

  • 07:30 Wake up
  • 08:00 Morning yoga, pranayama and meditation practice + chakra juice
  • 09:30 Breakfast
  • 10:30 Free time and spa therapies*
  • 14:00 Lunch
  • 15:00 Free time and spa therapies*
  • 18:00 Evening yoga and meditation practice
  • 19:30 Dinner
  • 21:00 Optional group activity*

Day 6 Departure day

  • 07:30 Wake up
  • 08:00 Morning yoga, pranayama and meditation practice + chakra juice
  • 09:30 Breakfast
  • 10:30 Closing circle and departure

Akasha Wellness Retreat also practices a digital detox retreat, this is to allow your mind to disconnect from the overload of digital communications and listen more deeply to life, connect with others on the retreat and live in the present moment.

Retreat location

This retreat will be held in Pestera Village. The village is called Pestera and it means "the cave" in Romanian, named after a beautiful bat cave located approximately 100 meters from the center. The village is part of the National Park of Piatra Craiului, a majestic chain of mountains and forest valleys that still harbor an abundance of wildlife from bears to mountain goats and more. Seven kilometers away is one of the most debated Transylvanian icon, Dracula's Castle in Bran. It is an impressive fortified castle with a large heritage and stories to match.

Nearby places

  • Bat Cave, 100 meters
  • Dracula's Castle, 7 kilometers

Food

During this retreat, you will be served three organic vegan and vegetarian daily meals. Upon booking your retreat, you will be asked about your diet preferences and Akasha Wellness Retreat can cater for special diets such as lacto or gluten intolerant. All meals are at set times in the dining area and are shared among all guests and teachers. The menu consists of a combination of Romanian vegan dishes and western.

A typical breakfast and lunch are buffet style consisting of organic produce such as porridge, chia seed smoothie bowl, fruits, brown rice, quinoa, sweet potato, salads, homemade wholegrain bread, and many more mouthwatering dishes made by their chef. For dinner, they offer a sit-down family style meal with hot soups, lentils, stuffed peppers, vegan sarmale, polenta, and many more.

Their delicious plant-based menu is designed to fortify your overall health and wellbeing using organic unprocessed seasonal produce with the highest nutrient content possible. A combination of ingredients that not only work in a delicious mouthful but act as anti-inflammatory and alkaline foods that balance hormones, blood sugar, and blood pressure.

Forming good habits about food

The application of chakra balancing foods and integrative medicine principles creates a colorful and complete menu balanced in carbohydrates, good fats, and proteins full of minerals, vitamins, and bioflavonoids (the color pigment of fruits and vegetables that have an important role for strengthening the immune system). Food that is not only delicious and easily digested but deeply nourishing, sustaining, healing, and energy-boosting.

Their aim is that you will pick up good habits from being on the retreat and that you will continue to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle back home using essential principles about food and nutrition that are easily applicable in your daily lives.

Organic and locally sourced food

Eating organic is about avoiding chemical additives and genetically modified organisms, eliminating an unnatural, potentially harmful component from your health equation. Organic produce grows slowly because that is how nature intended it, unaltered by pesticides and chemicals designed to prolong shelf life. Organic is also about supporting and encouraging your local farmer and fruit and vegetable supplier.

When you eat organic, you also eat seasonally, you become aware and appreciative of what is available now, rather than all the varieties you could have instead. You appreciate the food by what it is, when you have it and how much more nutrient and flavor it has when it is eaten and cooked fresh. They visit the farms they work with, they look at how farmers produce their food and they only choose sustainable and certified organic produce.

What are not offered

  • Alcohol
  • Soda

What are offered

  • Alkaline spring water
  • Ginger, lemon, and hot water
  • Infused spring water
  • Natural spring water
  • Organic herbal teas

 

Unlimited 24/7

Chakra balancing juices and smoothies, their daily chakra balancing smoothies are made with cold-pressed juices, vegetable milk, organic fruits, vegetables, and essential fatty oils such as flaxseed oil and organic superfood powders. Each juice is dedicated to one specific energy center and they guarantee it will make you radiate energy throughout the day.

The following meals are included:

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Snacks
  • Drinks

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Gluten Free
  • Organic
  • Raw food
  • Lactose Free
  • Whole food
  • Paleo diet

Things to do (optional)

  • Do a nutrition and lifestyle medical screening with the resident medical adviser
  • Go hiking in the mountains and local valleys
  • Go horse riding with local trained horses
  • Go skiing in the winter, they can assist with the transportation to the nearest skiing slope 30 minutes away
  • Make your own mandala paintings, dreamcatcher, and art
  • Visit the Dracula's Castle located nearby in Bran

Spa treatments

The spa and wellness facility at Akasha is not a traditional spa, they do things differently there. You create the ritual you want to have from a variety of home made organic bath and body products. Their massage therapists that are internationally qualified in a range of treatments from deep tissue to shiatsu, ayurveda, and Thai massage, will assist you in your choice of essential oil and body products, so that your treatment complements specific conditions.

They created their own range of products that are lovingly made at Akasha using only organic natural products such as coconut oil, organic herbs, and specialized clays.

Massage and body treatments

These include shiatsu and deep tissue, relaxing coconut oil, hot stone massage, Swedish massage, and Thai massage. These bodywork therapies are designed to complement your yoga practice and are often performed by yoga instructors themselves. Their therapists understand the importance of helping you to connect to your body, releasing tension and improving your posture.

Just a few benefits of regular massage therapy as an active part of your yoga practice are releasing tension in problem areas, loosening the connective tissue in your outer thighs and increasing hip flexibility, improve your body awareness, and highlight imbalances that can then be addressed in your yoga practice. One kind of treatment costs 25 EUR for the package that lasts for 30 minutes and 45 EUR for the package that lasts for 60 minutes.

Bathing ritual treatments

Bathing is actually an ancient therapeutic practice called balneotherapy. Almost all ancient cultures prescribe therapeutic bathing rituals to promote overall wellness and calm the skin, body’s largest organ. Herbs and oils have long been combined with bath therapy to relax the mind, soothe sore muscles, and promote supple skin. Bathing rituals can also complement your meditation and yoga practice in clearing away aura energies, chakra balancing, and healing.

With each bath package costing 20 EUR for a 60-minute session, you can choose from

  • Homemade bath salts packs infused with your choice of organic essential oils
  • Herbal tea bath rituals with your choice of organic herbal tea blends and flowers
  • Milk bath rituals with your choice of vegan milk and essential oil infusions

You can also combine your bathing ritual with an indulgent organic face mask, bentonite clay, seaweed, or activated charcoal facial mask blends which each costs starting from 12 EUR.

Aromatherapy

All of their therapies are complemented by aromatherapy. Each day, as they work on your chakra balancing asanas, your teacher will recommend a blend of organic essential oils, or you can choose your own to be diffused in the therapy room during your treatment and during yoga or meditation practice.

Outdoor Jacuzzi and sauna

Every guest has access to unlimited outdoor Jacuzzi and sauna.

Spa packages

You can choose a spa package that complements your yoga practice. Your body will thank you, they promise.

  • Ritualista, this is a therapeutic treat for your body, a package of a 90-minute body massage therapy and one bath ritual treatment that costs 65 EUR.
  • For/Rest Package: Inspired by the forest, this is a package of a 120-minute body massage therapy and two bath ritual treatments 104 EUR.
  • All in spa-ah dream, this is the ultimate all inclusive treat for your body, a package includes a 240-minute to spend how you want on body massage therapy, two bath ritual treatments, and one detoxifying organic clay facial mask all for 165 EUR

What's included

  • Twice daily gentle yoga sessions to warm up in the morning and stretch in the evening
  • Vinyasa and Yin yoga by two different teachers, all classes suitable for beginners and intermediates
  • 3 Daily healthy plant-based meals all organic and local produce, nutritionally balanced, varied & delicious!
  • All drinks on retreat, cold-pressed juices and smoothies, filtered water and organic detoxifying teas
  • 5 nights accommodation in boutique rooms with en-suite bathrooms and glorious mountain views
  • Introduction to yoga philosophy and practice through dedicated workshops
  • Enjoy hiking, nature and forest walks, reading and relaxing in our common spaces
  • Group activities, cinema and library, creative arts and crafts
  • Unlimited Jacuzzi hot tub and sauna, traditional and infra-red
  • Optional spa massage therapy and salt herbal bath soak rituals
  • Pick up and drop off to and from Brasov City
  • Integrative medicine and nutrition support from medical doctors

What's not included

  • Airfare
  • Airport transfer
  • Extra excursions
  • Spa treatments

How to get there

Driving directions

  • The full address is: 87 Strada Principala, Sat Pestera, Comuna Moieciu, Brasov 507136, Romania.
  • We are on Google maps here: https://goo.gl/maps/iHMCnD43VSp.
  • Drive towards Bran, pass the castle ( Bran Castle) and continue driving north towards Moieciu de Jos for another 15 min you will see a signpost towards Pestera on the right.
  • Continue driving up the hill until you reach the village, pass Casa Tabacaru on the right and continue another 200m we are on the left and the car park is on the right.
  • Recommended car rental is Avis

Arrival by airplane

Please book your flight to arrive at Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP). You may also book your flight to arrive at Sibiu International Airport (SBZ).

Arrival by train

From the airport, you may take the train that goes straight to Brasov railway station. Akasha facilitates pick up from Brasov city on the day of arrival at the retreat for those that would anticipate arriving early. Akasha can also help you with trains or taxis from the airport to Brasov or to the retreat.

By private transfer

We can organize a private taxi transport from either the Bucharest airport or Sibiu airport to Akasha. The cost is 120 EUR for a small car (up to 3 people) or 170 EUR for a large car (up to 8 people) one way. The journey takes about 2.5 hours and you can pay when you arrive at Akasha. If you would like a private transport please let us know: your flight number, origin of flight, time of landing. The driver will wait for you at arrivals with your name on the board.

In some cases we are able to couple arrivals together so you can share the same car with other participants on the same retreat, this is a case by case only as long as arrivals are all within a short time frame of each other. If this is the case we will let you know once we have everyone's arrival details.

Arrival by bus

Direct Aeroport has a regular shuttle service from the airport to Brasov (Aro Palace station). The cost is 80RON ( approx. 17.50 EUR) one way.

Cancellation Policy

  • A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
  • The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
  • The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.

What’s included

  • Accomodation
    Shared Twin Room, Private Room, Private Double Room
  • Food
    Gluten Free, Sugar Free, Dairy Free
  • Drinks
    Natural Plants Tea, Detox Drinks, Apple Juice, Vegetable Juice, Organic Coffee
  • Yoga Classes
    HATHA | ASHTANGA | VINYASA | YIN | RESTORATIVE ALL CLASSES ARE TAUGHT IN ENGLISH WITH EXPERIENCED INTERNATIONAL TEACHERS CERTIFIED YOGA ALLIANCE. SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS & INTERMEDIATES

What’s not included

  • Flights
  • Airport transfer from Bu
  • travel/health insurance
  • Spa Treatments

Available Packages

Shared Twin Room
€873
Deposit: €262
Single Private Room
€1,373
Deposit: €412

Available options



Your Organizer


AR
Akasha Retreat
Since 2016, Akasha Wellness Retreat has welcomed guests from all over the world offering curated themed retreats to empower and inspire their wellness journeys. The Akasha Teacher Training program blends yoga traditions from the east and west, integrating both into a practical and unique method that combines vinyasa flow alignment and skillful sequencing with the emphasis on being able to curate, lead and teach your own yoga retreat programme. Our mission is to provide each student with the necessary foundation to skillfully teach with