Empowering Wellness Retreat

Yoga, Nature & More…

duration

16 Apr 21 - 19 Apr 21
3 nights / 4 days

COST

Rs. 36,000

1 person, 3 nights / 4 days

Recommended stay is for full retreat, minimum stay is 2 nights. The nightly rate is Rs 12,000 /adult & Rs 2,500 /child aged 7 - 16 years. Yoga is Rs 2,000 /session (pay onsite to Jacob)
All accommodation is shared on a same gender basis. Single room carries Rs 8,500 surcharge
Children under 15 come free of charge
Refunds given on cancellation (due to Covid or otherwise)
If you would like alternative dates, please contact us

Check-In date:

Check-Out date:

No. of Adults

Jacob Handwerker

and

Jana Wettich

invite you to an

Empowering Wellness Retreat

Yoga, Nature & More...

in the beautiful setting of

Join us for an empowering, healing and transformational weekend in a stunning location. Ulpotha is the perfect place to spend seven nights immersed in nature, focusing on wellness and cultivating good habits to rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit.

We will share a simple yoga practice with you but you do not need any experience and we can adapt the practice to all levels....don't worry.

Ulpotha is a self-sustaining agricultural community spanning 25 acres in the jungle heartland of Sri Lanka. When you arrive you can leave the digital world behind. Ulpotha is a living permaculture village and you will sleep in earthen huts and feel connected to the land. Much of the food is grown on-site and the whole atmosphere at Ulpotha is permeated with metta (loving-kindness).

We recommend you join for the full event to get the most from your stay but we understand that is not possible for everyone. Late arrival is possible and we request a two night minimum stay.

The morning starts with Noble Silence. We invite you to wake up and begin listening to Nature. At 7:30 we will gather for the morning class. This will begin with meditation and pranayama, followed by an asana practice.

You are free to join all the classes or also take time for yourself. This is your retreat and we want to support you to take care of yourself.

Meet Your Team

Jacob Handwerker

Ashtanga Yoga, AcroYoga & Vipassana Meditation

Jacob has always been a mover and explorer. Challenging his physical body and spending time in the wilderness was how he used to find peace of mind and happiness. Eventually he discovered Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and Vipassana meditation which turned his attention inward. He still loves the wild but finds these practices sustainable for the rest of his life – they showed him how to experience the same peace and harmony anytime.

He had been practicing yoga since the age of five when in 2005 he first tried “Mysore” Ashtanga Yoga and it clicked immediately.

Since 2007, his primary Ashtanga teacher is Kathy Cooper (who began practicing in 1976) with whom he has spent many winters at Ashtanga Lanka in Sri Lanka.

He then attended Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor’s one month Teacher Intensive. They are creative, insightful, and their knowledge and explanation of the Ashtanga method and it’s subtle aspects is profound.

Jacob has also studied in Mysore, India multiple times. On one trip he spent an entire month studying “Yoga Mudras” with B.N.S. Iyengar one on one. The Mudras he learned combine a specific asana with a certain pranayama technique.

He's also a certified Level 2 Immersion teacher with AcroYoga International.

Ashtanga Yoga is a moving and breathing meditation while Vipassana meditation is a seated practice. Together they are like two wings of a bird; when both are nourished power, grace and compassion can be developed.

To learn more about Jacob, visit www.ashtangalanka.com and follow @ashtangalanka on Instagram.

Jana Wettich

yoga teacher

Jana discovered yoga and meditation almost 20 years ago, while travelling in Sri Lanka and India. Since 2008, she has practiced, learned, lived and taught in various yoga schools, ashrams and meditation centers. The teachings of Sivananda and Krishnamarcharya lineages have greatly influenced her way of practicing yoga.

After many years of practicing Hatha Yoga, she turned to the Ashtanga Yoga method, having developed a lot of flexibility but not enough strength, which led to constant back pain. Through Ashtanga Yoga she quickly recovered and has been pain free ever since.

Since 2010 she has been practising and teaching Vipassana meditation to gain an even deeper understanding of yoga. Through years of studying yoga and health, she has grasped many aspects of Ayurveda, which recommends yoga as a therapy and prevention method.

Jana integrates all the different aspects of Yoga into her life and teachings. And, being a naturopath, she uses this knowledge to heal holistically. Yoga therapy and sound healing are a big part of it. Her trainings in traditional Hatha-, Yin-, Prenatal-, Ashtanga Yoga and Yoga therapy have helped her to understand herself and others on a deeper level.

She is profoundly grateful to her teachers Farzad Ahmadpour, Lino Miele, Caroline Boulinguez and Annick Gouselain, and is deeply devoted to Anandamayi Ma.

Off the yoga mat, she enjoys being in nature and engaging in all sorts of outdoor activities like hiking, surfing, climbing, acro etc as well as playing the ukulele.

What's Included

Meals Included

3 tasty vegetarian meals per day plus juices, snacks and teas

accessibility

YOGA SESSIONS

Rs 2,000 / session (pay on site to Jacob)

ACCOMMODATION

Our beautifully crafted huts are fitted with very comfortable beds for optimum sleep and recovery

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ACTIVITIES

Use of bicycles and guided walks

Retreat Schedule

Arrival Day

Check-in from 11 am

Opening Ceremony 4:30 pm

Dinner 7 pm

Daily Schedule

7:30 am to 10 am Morning Meditation, Pranayama, and Asana practice

10 am Coconut, fruits, and light breakfast

1 pm Lunch

4 pm on Saturday afternoon we will offer a workshop/clinic to help you deepen your understanding of Yoga.

7 pm Dinner

Departure Day

7:30 am to 10 am Morning Meditation, Pranayama and Asana practice

10 am Coconut, fruits, and light breakfast

1 pm Lunch

Depart Ulpotha by 5 pm

Things To Do

Ayurveda Treatments

Book a traditional Ayurveda detox package in our Ayurveda treatment center (supplementary fee)

Walking & Cycling

Cycle around to the local villages and nearby lakes, and take guided walks to the hilltop temple or Uncle Willie's rock

Swimming & Rafting

Swim in the silky smooth waters of the Ulpotha lake, or take our raft or canoe through the backwaters for the best birdwatching spots

Reading

Relax in a swing bed with a book from our well-stocked library

Cooking

Visit our kitchen and kitchen garden and brush up on your cooking skills with our friendly cooks

Wildlife

Stroll round Ulpotha's large grounds with your camera or binoculars to catch surprising wildlife

Meet the Villagers

Chat with one of our lovely villagers and learn more about their relaxed and unhurried lifestyle

Visit the tailor

Order a custom-made cool cotton shirt or pants from our tailor, or design your own outfits