Karma Yoga - Selfless Service A Retreat to India 14 - 22 Feb 2019
“The person who gives with a smile is the best giver because God loves a cheerful giver.” – Mother Teresa
Selfless service carries within its folds an oxymoron for every service brings with it joy to both the giver and receiver. Awakening the heart comes from feeling no separation to others. Giving is one way to feel that oneness. This retreat will present within in countless opportunities to give those who can only give us back the joy of receiving from us. We will not only be doing volunteer work with charities, we will also experience the joy of giving without expecting recognition or thanks.
We will also learn to give ourselves what we need most. We will explore how giving ourselves and others are one and the same thing. No one can give anything that they lack. We be giving ourselves through a daily practice of Yoga, meditation, breathing, reflection, doing all we love and self care (think afternoon naps and ayurvedic massages!).
Location
Named one of the best Yoga retreat Centres in India, the Centre is run family-style by husband and wife owners Olaf and Emma who, with yogic dedication, provide true Seva (service) not only to their guests but also the greater community around Satsanga.
The Centre employs 27 staff, all of whom are from the local village. They are always ready to help and are a major part of the Satsanga community. They all strive to create an environment that supports your inward journey, so that you may find that you do not want to leave!
All rooms are offered on a twin share basis but please do not worry as there are plenty of chill-out areas for you to escape to during the day. That is, when you’re not practicing yoga, eating in the courtyard, or enjoying a dip in the vibrantly painted central pool! Everything about Satsanga shows how much care has gone into creating an atmosphere of tranquillity and integrity. The Centre even offers in-house massages by the resident therapists and Ayurvedic cookery lessons. Outside the Centre however, the world does continue; there are beaches to explore, restaurants to try out and markets to visit.
Recommended Flights Oman Air Outbound (14 Feb) WY5562 9:00Bahrain to 11:30Muscat - Oman WY207 14:45Muscat - Oman 19:10Goa - India Inbound (22 Feb) WY208 20:20Goa - India to 22:00Muscat - Oman WY5067 23:25Muscat - Oman to 23:59Bahrain - Bahrain
Price BD450 per person (shared room) Upgrade to private room available subject to availability for additional fee of BD150 BD810 for two weeks combined with Silent Retreat
What your package includes* - Daily morning practice of breathing, meditation and Yoga poses (2.5 hour practice) - Three vegetarian meals daily - Your accommodation (7 nights) - Transport to all the charity sites as described below - Afternoon reflection sessions or restorative evening practices as described below
The Itinerary**
14 Feb Arrivals 15 Feb 7-9am Yoga Practice 9:10:30 am Breathing and meditation 10:30 Breakfast 2pm Lunch 3pm volunteering with children at Mango Tree 5:30-6:30pm fire ceremony 7pm Dinner
16 Feb 7-9am Yoga Practice 9:10:30 am Breathing and meditation 10:30 Breakfast 2:30pm Lunch 5:30-6:30pm fire ceremony 7pm Dinner 8pm sleep preperation practice
17 Feb 7-9am Yoga Practice 9:10:30 am Breathing and meditation 10:30 Breakfast 11am volunteering with animals at WAG 2:30pm Lunch 5:30-6:30pm fire ceremony 7pm Dinner
18 Feb 8 am Yoga 9:30am Breathing and Meditation 10:30 Breakfast 2:30pm Lunch 3:30pm volunteering at WVS Hicks 5:30-6:30pm fire ceremony 7pm Dinner
19 Feb 7-9am Yoga Practice 9:10:30 am Breathing and meditation 10:30 Breakfast 11:30am volunteering with children at El Shaddai 2:30pm Lunch 5:30-6:30pm fire ceremony 7pm Dinner
20 Feb 7-9am Yoga Practice 9:10:30 am Breathing and meditation 10:30 Breakfast 2:30pm Lunch 7pm Dinner 8pm yogic sleep
21 Feb 7-9am Yoga Practice 9:10:30 am Breathing and meditation 2:30pm lunch 5:30-6:30pm fire ceremony 7pm closing circle
22 Feb Goodbyes (checkout before 12pm)
About the charities
WAGS Atul Sarin and Stephanie Panayiotou, with the support of a small group of dedicated animal lovers, having many years of animal welfare experience, decided to set up WAG with an emphasis on adoptions and sterilisations. They also realised that many cows in Goa are abandoned by their owners and are strays too; they face similar difficulties to stray dogs and cats. More details on http://wagoa.com/
Mango Tree Founded in 2012 Mango Tree Goa is a UK registered charity which supports disadvantaged children from slums and similar conditions in Goa regardless of their religion, caste or gender. The charity is administered entirely voluntarily which means that more of your money is available to fund projects on the ground in Goa. More details on http://www.mangotreegoa.org/
El Shaddai The El Shaddai Charitable Trust (ESCT) is a registered, non-profit Charity working in Goa and other States in India, implementing the Child Rights Act 2003/05 for orphans, street children and children coming from economically desperate conditions; cared and provided with food, clothing, shelter and education, for a better future. More details on http://childrescue.net
*Please note that your package does not include Air Fares, donations, massages, tickets/tour, visa charges, transport to and from the airport (can be arranged) ** The itinerary is subject to small changes based on the groups' needs IMPORTANT NOTE: Please note that a Visa is required for all Bahraini passport holders