13-Day Beachfront Wellness & Yoga Escape in Talalla, Sri Lanka

The retreat is hosted at Talalla Retreat, a beachfront property on the south coast of Sri Lanka, where the land slopes down through palm trees to the beach. The centre itself has several open-air yoga shalas, an on-site restaurant, a bathhouse with a magnesium pool, and a massage centre. A short walk through the gardens takes you straight onto the sand. It's a secluded spot, but not isolated — there are enough services and activities around to make your stay as active or restful as you want.

Each day follows a gentle rhythm. Mornings start with a sun-oriented vinyasa class designed to get you moving and energised. Evenings bring a moon-oriented or restorative class, sometimes swapped entirely for meditation and pranayama. The middle of the day is free, giving you space to hang by the pool, go to the beach, take a yoga or spa treatment, or explore the local area. The retreat centre is a short distance from local villages, which you can explore by bike or on foot, and surf lessons are easy to arrange.

Wendy's teaching style is grounded in Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Hatha traditions, but her classes are fun and accessible. She uses elements of Ashtanga series one and two, but the emphasis is on a vinyasa flow that works for a range of levels. She's trained with Nicky Knoff in Australia and studied in Mysore, India, and she brings a deep understanding of breath (pranayama) and meditation to every session. She's taught complete beginners and advanced practitioners alike.

The retreat includes 12 nights' accommodation, daily yoga and meditation classes, breakfast and dinner on most days, and a free pass to the bathhouse. There's a full day off in the middle of the week, which many guests use to take a day trip or simply catch up on rest. With a capacity of around eight guests, the group stays small and intimate.

What's included

- 12 nights accommodation in your choice of villa - Breakfast and dinner on most days - Daily yoga classes - Daily meditation classes - Daily pranayama classes - 1 free pass to the bathhouse - Wifi connection - Free parking - Use of pool and beach access

What's not included

- Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Meals not indicated in the program - Additional treatments (spa, massage) - Surf lessons - E-bike tours - Optional excursions