Dive straight in with a refreshing wild swim in the river Thames as we wake.

Revived from the waters we will stream into a morning yoga practice. Movement to bring the body and mind into union and equilibrium, with breath and asana to open and warm the digestion, clearing and cleansing the gut to restore balance.

After breakfast we deep dive into the ayurvedic wisdom of the digestive fire, or agni, with Dr Varalakshmi.. Our strength, happiness and immunity are all dependent upon the digestive fire. Ayurveda says low digestive fire is the root cause of all diseases. Learn the key practices and principles required for a healthy digestion. Understand the uniqueness of your Agni with correlation to your doshas. 

Key Topics include....

1.Introduction to the concept of Jataragni/ Digestive fire.

2.Why do you need to prioritise your Digestion. Importance of Agni in the equation of health.

3.Understand and analyse the strength of your Jataragni or Digestive fire.

4.Get to know your Doshic Agni type and how to get started on balancing it.

5. 10 Fundamental rules to balance your Agni for a healthy you. 

6. Let’s take you on a journey of taste and spice experience (optional)

We pause for lunch and some free time to enjoy the stillness of the surrounding nature.

After lunch we will walk into the welcome green of the forest for wild food foraging. Guided by a leading foraging expert we will bring the knowledge of ayurveda, brought to us from a land far away, and root it into our own land, applying the concepts and understanding to the native remedies growing around us.

On our return we sit and study the wisdom around seasonal approaches to eating, learning how to be with nature and be one with nature. Have you ever wondered why you may struggle with allergies whenever a new season is on the horizon? Learn how to work with your circadian rhythm to best support your health. Changing seasons bring new set of challenges for our body. Adapting a routine and self-care by honouring the flow of nature not only tackles any specific seasonal imbalances that you might face, but also strengthens our immunity. 

Key Topics Include....

1.Importance of incorporating a seasonal routine for health and longevity

2.Dos and dont’s for summer per Ayurveda 

3.Summer regimen to tackle the heat & other allergies naturally 

4.Natural Ayurvedic remedies to deal with day today summer woes. 

We rest and share our dinner together after a full day.

Later in the evening we welcome devotional kirtan musicians to lead us in music, mantra and song, holding space for us to integrate and process the energy clearing which has happened during the day, and opening up the voice as prayer and resonant healing.

Another unique opportunity to experience the cleansing water of the Thames, as we wild swim when we wake.

The morning yoga practice will inspire the body to move and awaken through a breath and movement sensory journey, bringing in rebalancing and purifying prana for your whole being.

The group gathers at the kitchens as we start our practical portion of the day in an ayurvedic cookery class. Together we will prepare our lunch, learning the ancient alchemical secrets of combining nourishing sattvic ingredients in a way that delights the palate and refreshes the body.

Key Topics Include...

1. Food combining in Ayurveda and what to eat when

2. Cooking techniques and methodology which best support digestive health

3.  Bringing a modern understanding of an earth-kind, nutritious diet to the ayurvedic approach

4. Cultural contexts of ayurvedic principles and different diets for different climates.

We will share the delectable results of our work together, then gather for our closing circle to bring complete fullness to the retreat weekend.

We expect the closing circle to end around 4pm, and you will be invited to pack down your belongings and begin your journeys back to your homes, resting in the freshness of your new self.

Karen Buckland

 Crafting beautiful, nourishing and heartfelt food is Karen's way of fulfilling her highest purpose. Serving people with joyful, nutritious meals made from earth-kind plant ingredients, is honouring the abundant and sensuous gifts of the planet's divine nature. Karen spent many years at the top of the restaurant industry working as a Head Chef in London running fine-dining kitchens, and successful event catering businesses at large events getting top reviews in Guardian and other media. Using this experience combined with a keen interest in holistic health and environmental sustainability, along with an understanding of Ayurvedic approaches to cookery and diet, Karen weaves the alchemy of food to make your whole self feel more vibrant, more alive, and more healed. 

Karen is a co-founder of Sadhama, running wellbeing retreats throughout the year and teaching online courses and classes.

Dmitry Glazkov 

Dmitry has been teaching yoga, meditation and breathwork for nearly ten years. In his classes he shares a deep and powerful toolkit of techniques, drawing on Slavic, Vedic & Yogic traditions, as well as concepts of meditation and mindfulness taught by Buddhas. Dmitry has undergone teacher training in Hatha and Kundalini yoga and as an Ayurvedic practitioner. He is passionate about studying the original texts to get to the ultimate and authentic sources of knowledge. By highlighting the fundamental and infinite number of characteristics which make each one of us unique, practices taught by Dmitry are tailored, bespoke and deeply transformative for each individual, as they connect with their true nature. 

Dmitry is a co-founder of Sadhama, running wellbeing retreats throughout the year and teaching online courses and classes.

Dr Varalakshmi

Dr.Varalakshmi Yanamandra is a world renewed Ayurveda Practitioner, B.A.M.S, OMT with over a decade of experience. She has worked with hundreds of women and guided them on the path of healthy living based on Ayurvedic principles.

She is an expert in the management of gut-health conditions and hormonal imbalances. She uses an Ayurvedic and holistic approach to educate and empower the art of healthy eating and lifestyle. She strongly believes in the power of self-healing and in the holistic approach of treating the illness from the root rather than symptomatic relief. 

She brings awareness about leading a healthy lifestyle by changing diet through social media campaigns. She is also a public speaker and internationally renowned teacher who teaches Ayurveda across the globe. She currently teaches Ayurveda with internationally acclaimed associations like Shakti School Ayurveda, USA. 

Find out more about her work here: www.drvaralakshmi.com