Nervous System Reset: A 5-Day Wellness Retreat in Goa for Deep Calm and Clarity

Gudiya Patel, who founded the Just Be... retreat series, has spent over fifteen years working in clinical nutrition, transformational coaching, and mindfulness. Her approach is rooted in the idea that the nervous system stores stress, emotional weight, and old patterns, and that true resetting happens when the body feels safe enough to soften. The retreat was born from her own experience of carrying tension without realizing it, and she's designed the program to meet you where you are – no previous retreat experience is needed.

The schedule is organized around four themes: grounding and self-love, connection, letting go, and integration. You'll start with practices to anchor you in your body, move through a tech-free day designed to deepen your connection to yourself and others, and finish with a floating water meditation that helps release what you've been holding onto. Each day includes both group sessions and free time – the retreat is deliberately spacious so you can rest, walk on the beach, swim, or book a spa treatment.

A standout part of the experience is the daily yoga with Sunaina Rekhi, a mind-body yoga therapist and counselor. Her classes are gentle and supportive, designed to work alongside the nervous system rather than push you to your limits. Evenings often feature kirtan, chanting, or a beach fire – a chance to come together with the small group in a low-key, grounding way.

Accommodation is split between heritage rooms near the beach and hillside suites with balconies overlooking the retreat grounds. Both are en-suite with air conditioning and traditional Goan touches. The on-site restaurant, Nalanda Cafe, serves vegetarian meals that are mostly local and often organic, with gluten-free and dairy-free options available.

Location-wise, Nalanda Retreat sits directly on Mandrem Beach in North Goa. The area is known for its quiet, laid-back vibe compared to busier parts of Goa, and the Arabian Sea is right on your doorstep. The retreat includes transfers from both Goa airports, so getting there is straightforward.

What's included

- 4 nights accommodation at Nalanda Retreat (private or shared) - 3 daily vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Snacks and beverages (water, tea, coffee) throughout the day - Daily yoga classes with Sunaina Rekhi - Daily meditation classes - 1:1 session with Gudiya Patel - 1:1 Body Talk session with Saresh Dagur - Complimentary nutrition consultation - Specialized workshops (grounding, connection, letting go) - Sound bath session - Floating water meditation - Group excursions and activities - Airport pickup and drop-off (GOI and GOX) - Pre and post retreat support from the team - Goodie bag worth over £200 - €25 voucher towards spa treatment - Free wifi

What's not included

- International or domestic flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Additional spa treatments - Optional excursions and activities not in the itinerary - Personal expenses