Sri Lanka · 9 days
Villa My Way sits in lush greenery outside Ahangama, close enough to the beach and the village to walk in, far enough that you hear the jungle rather than traffic. The property is mostly single bungalows, with two additional rooms inside the main house. There is a tropical garden pool, a yoga shala/deck, a terrace, a g…
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Sri Lanka · 9 days · From EUR 1282 (indicative)
Villa My Way sits in lush greenery outside Ahangama, close enough to the beach and the village to walk in, far enough that you hear the jungle rather than traffic. The property is mostly single bungalows, with two additional rooms inside the main house. There is a tropical garden pool, a yoga shala/deck, a terrace, a garden, laundry, bicycle rental and free Wi-Fi throughout. Rooms have mosquito nets and hot water; the showers are solar-heated and, per the property, warm whenever the sun is out.
The daily rhythm is fixed but light. Herbal tea at 7:20, then a 7:30 morning session that mixes pranayama, yoga, qigong, stretching and meditation. Breakfast at 9:00. A short grounding session follows for anyone who wants it. Lunchtime brings a smoothie or fruit plate for guests staying at the villa. Afternoons hold individual psychotherapy appointments, a massage, or a cultural excursion, and are otherwise free. Herbal tea at 5:20, an evening session at 5:30 blending pranayama, yoga, qigong, stretching, sound healing and meditation, then dinner at 7.
What separates this from a standard yoga week is the clinical side. Dr. Michelle Mars is a psychotherapist, educator and academic with over 30 years of professional experience, and also an experienced yoga teacher. Three one-hour psychotherapy sessions are part of the package, and the programme is described as trauma-informed. Igor, the host, is a former professional sportsman, a yogi and an exercise science major, and handles the practical side — guests repeatedly mention him sorting out problems and answering questions.
Classes are not all led by one person. Reviews mention Michelle teaching Ashtanga and Gillian teaching Vinyasa and Yin, with a fascia yoga session arranged one evening on request. Guests describe the classes as challenging and well instructed.
Food is breakfast and dinner daily, cooked from fresh, organic ingredients and alternating between vegan, vegetarian and dishes with freshly caught local fish. The menu mixes Sri Lankan and Western cooking. Water, tea and coffee are available all day.
Ahangama itself is a surf town on the south coast. Nearby you can surf, stand-up paddleboard, cycle, swim, take a safari or watch wildlife, and there are cafés and restaurants with sea views close by. Airport pickup from Colombo can be arranged for around €62 per person, or a driver for roughly $70; the drive from Bandaranaike International Airport is about 166 km and takes 2 to 2½ hours.
- 8 nights accommodation - Welcome drink - Breakfast and dinner daily - Smoothie or fruit plate at lunchtime for guests staying at the villa - Water, tea and coffee served throughout the day - Daily yoga classes - Daily meditation classes - Daily pranayama classes - 3 one-hour psychotherapy sessions - 1 therapeutic massage or Tibetan bowl vibrational massage - Trauma-informed sound healing - Free excursions to sites of interest - Course manual - Pre- and post-retreat support from the team - Luggage storage - Wi-Fi connection
- Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Additional massage and psychotherapy sessions - Airport pickup (available for €62 per person) - Extra nights before or after the retreat - Lunch (a smoothie or fruit plate is provided instead)