Vedic Wisdom: An authentic Ashram-style retreat in the Garden of England
A rare and unique opportunity to experience an ashram-style retreat outside of India - the highly regarded team from SWAN yoga retreat centre (situated in Assagao, Goa) will visit the UK this September. For those seeking pure and traditional teachings of both Yoga and Ayurveda, this 2 day event offers the chance to be immersed in highly authentic practices, rituals and therapies from these ancient traditions - sharing tools that promote health, peace and a harmonious life.
About the experience:
Hosted at The Quaives, an idyllic country estate situated near Canterbury and nestled in amongst natural surroundings, it will be led by Gyanmitra Saraswati, co-founder of SWAN who visits Europe this summer and will share the teachings and wisdom he’s acquired over 40 years of devotion and dedicated practice.
Through daily morning meditation, asana practice, philosophy classes, breathwork, yoga nidra, mantra chanting, kirtans, sacred fire rituals, and deeply nourishing Ayurvedic meals, you will gain a true understanding of the philosophy that underpins Yoga, which does not start and finish on the mat. An authentic recreation of the SWAN experience, you will not only learn about Yoga and Ayurveda, but also about the Indian way of life.
Every kind of practitioner is welcome: whether a beginner, intermediate students, or those who have been practicing long term. Gyanmitra and SWAN’s philosophy is that we all have something to learn from and teach each other. This learning and teaching is not restricted to the shala or lectures, but will be spread throughout each day, inspired by the age old institution of the Ashram.
Accommodation
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Bumble Bee Cottage
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Songbird Cottage
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Fuschia Cottage
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Kula Dormitory
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Master en Suite in the Country House
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Claire de Lune Room in the Country House
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Chestnut Tree Room in the Country House
Everything You Need To Know:
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Founded in 2012, SWAN is a traditional, ashram-style Yoga and Ayurveda retreat centre, situated in the lush, tropical valleys of Assagao, just outside of the township of Mapusa in Northern Goa. Sitting on the hills of a beautiful Indian jungle, immersed in nature, the retreat centre utilises the healing power of Mother Nature to help guests enhance their yoga practice, and strengthen their connection to the higher consciousness. Both the environment and the unique programme that the team has created sets them apart from other retreat centres in the region.
SWAN was founded and is run by a team of practitioners trained at the traditional Yoga Ashrams of India, who have dedicated their lives to the service of Yoga, by creating a retreat centre true to the central principles provided by those traditions. They share the authentic, scientific, therapeutic, practical and spiritual wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda with the dedicated guests and students who visit them each year. Gyanmitra expands that quest with his visit to the UK in 2025.
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Gyanmitra was introduced to yoga at a very early stage in his life – at that time it was considered a sports activity within the Indian school system. He began reading books of masters such as J Krishnamurti, Shri Aurobindo, Osho, and Swami Shivananda of Rishikesh, which brought to life his interest in understanding the higher purpose of life. This led him to finally meet his Guru, Swami Niranjananda Saraswati (at the esteemed Bihar School of Yoga), where he was initiated into the tradition of Yoga.
Having spent many years learning and experiencing Ashram life in his Guru’s Ashram alongside various other institutions of repute such as The Divine Life Society Rishikesh, Shivananda Ashram Neyyer Dam Kerala, Sand wami Vivekananda Yoga University Bangalore, he eventually decided to bring his Guru’s teachings to the world, by setting up an institution designed to impart this knowledge to others in its purest form. He co-founded SWAN Foundation for Ayurveda and Yoga Research in 2012, and divides his time between Goa & Europe where he conducts teacher training courses and retreats.
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The retreat will take place from September 9-11 at The Quaives, Wickhambreaux, Kent
Run as a non-profit event, the cost of each place will be £370. This includes all elements of the programme, including all meals & refreshments, but does not include accommodation
There are many accommodation options to suit different budgets, both onsite at The Quaives and in the surrounding areas - please contact organisers for more information. Non-residential attendees are also very welcome.
For those who would like to attend, but cannot afford this cost, please contact organisers - we have 2 subsidised places available, which you can apply for.
For more information please contact me@ruthclarke.org / +447814933807
To book your place go to: https://bit.ly/SWANUK2025
Terms & Conditions Apply: Bookings are refundable up to 4 weeks prior to the retreat - after this time, refunds will be dependent on our ability to fill your place
