Two-Week Yoga Therapy & Ayurveda Healing Retreat in North Goa

Shanti MIZU sits in Mandrem, a village about 15km from the busier backpacker hub of Arambol. The area is quieter than South Goa's beach resorts and more residential than the Anjuna party scene — a good fit for a retreat where mornings start at 6:30am with shat-kriyas (traditional yogic cleansing practices like nasal rinsing and tongue scraping) before moving into an hour of pranayama breathwork.

The yoga here is framed as therapy rather than exercise. Sessions are led by Ms. Ayushi, a Rishikesh-trained instructor with 12 years of experience and a 500-hour Yoga Alliance certification. She specialises in Hatha, Vinyasa, and Ashtanga, but the retreat focuses on working with the body and breath with awareness rather than chasing difficult poses. The philosophy sessions are taught by Shrikant, who treats yoga philosophy as inquiry rather than dogma — exploring questions about identity, suffering, and the nature of self through Yoga, Vedanta, and mindfulness traditions.

The Ayurveda component isn't just lectures. You'll have a private consultation where the doctor assesses your dosha (constitutional type) and discusses practical adjustments to diet, sleep, and daily routine. The massage treatments use warm herbal oils and techniques tailored to what came up in your consultation. These aren't spa massages — they're traditional Abhyanga-style treatments designed to move lymph and release tension.

Days follow a consistent rhythm: cleansing and breathwork in the early morning, yoga asana, a slow breakfast, then midday sessions rotating between philosophy lectures, Ayurveda talks, and massage appointments. Afternoons are quiet — journaling, reading, resting. Late afternoon brings meditation practice, then evening sessions alternate between Tratak (candle-gazing meditation), Yoga Nidra (guided relaxation), and the cooking class. Dinner is at 8pm, and lights-out is encouraged by 10pm.

The retreat includes excursions to explore Goa's natural surroundings — temple visits, nature walks, and time at less-crowded beaches. These aren't packed tourist itineraries; they're gentle half-day outings that fit the overall pace. Nearby activities available independently include cycling, hiking, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and surfing if you want more physical activity on your free afternoons.

What's included

- 13 nights accommodation (private, shared, or dormitory) - 3 daily vegan meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Water and tea throughout the day - Welcome drink on arrival - Daily yoga asana classes - Daily pranayama breathwork sessions - Daily meditation classes - Shat-kriyas (yogic cleansing rituals) - Yoga philosophy sessions - Ayurveda lectures - One-on-one Ayurveda consultation - Ayurvedic oil massage treatments - Yoga Nidra relaxation sessions - Tratak meditation sessions - Indian cooking class - Group excursions (temple visits, nature walks, beach trips) - Wifi connection - Use of yoga shala and retreat facilities

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Airport transfers (available at extra cost) - Additional spa treatments beyond included massages - Optional activities not in the itinerary - Personal expenses