Coastal Yoga & Ayurveda Wellness Retreat in North Goa

The daily rhythm here starts at 6:30am with shat-kriyas — traditional yogic cleansing practices like nasal irrigation and eye exercises — which most Western studios skip but which are standard in India. After that comes an hour of pranayama (breathing exercises) and then Hatha yoga asanas. Breakfast isn't until 9:30am, so you've already done quite a bit before eating.

Mid-morning sessions cover yoga philosophy or Ayurveda basics — not academic lectures, but practical introductions to concepts like the doshas (body types in Ayurveda) or the ethical guidelines in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. These are led by Shrikant, who approaches philosophy as inquiry rather than doctrine. Afternoons are largely free until meditation at 4pm, and evenings rotate between Yoga Nidra (a guided relaxation practice), Tratak (candle-gazing meditation), and a cooking class where you learn to make Indian dishes from scratch.

The teaching team includes Ayushi, who has 12 years of experience and a 500-hour certification from Rishikesh. She teaches Hatha, Vinyasa, and Ashtanga styles and has a background in corporate yoga. Nandini, who manages the yoga school, adds fitness coaching and brings a structured approach to movement. Ashwin runs the kitchen — he's a lifelong vegetarian who prepares all the vegan meals himself.

What sets this apart from similar short retreats is the combination of elements: cleansing practices most places don't teach, actual Ayurveda content rather than just the word, and an excursion day to explore temples and beaches around Goa. The scale is intimate — this isn't a 50-person yoga factory. Reviews consistently mention the warm, personal atmosphere and the teachers' willingness to answer questions and adapt to different levels.

What's included

- 2 nights accommodation (private, shared, or dormitory) - 3 daily vegan meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Water and tea throughout the day - Welcome drink on arrival - Daily Hatha yoga classes - Daily pranayama sessions - Daily meditation sessions - Shat-kriyas (yogic cleansing practices) - Yoga philosophy lecture - Ayurveda lecture - Yoga Nidra session - Indian cooking class - Group excursion (temple visit, nature walk, beach time) - WiFi access - Use of garden, library, and yoga shala

What's not included

- Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Airport transfers (available at additional cost) - Additional spa or Ayurvedic treatments - Activities not listed in the itinerary - Personal expenses