Retreat for Yoga Teachers and Trainees

 

A warm welcome to Viveka Gardens’ retreat for Yoga Teachers and Trainee Teachers.

See LOADS of pictures to visualise yourself here; also on the VG facebook feed and some nice comments to read what others have said

This retreat offers an opportunity to practice the ashram day, take a turn at teaching or leading a workshop, share good practice, relax with your peers, gain spiritual nourishment and recharge. If you’re a beginner teacher, rusty or for some reason have lost confidence, then this stay will support you. If you’re experienced you’ll get fresh input and the chance to try out a new offering perhaps.

The retreat takes place at Viveka Gardens Retreat Place in rural Mid Devon, a peaceful place away from it all on 8.5 acres with space to roam and rest in fields and hammocks, and walks in quiet lanes.

Teachers from all schools and approaches are more than welcome in a spirit of sharing.  Be prepared to teach a class or lead a workshop and do a little karma yoga.

Details

Arrival from 2pm on the first day and departure 1.00-ish on the last. The retreat finishes in time for a visit to the beach, walk on Dartmoor or in good time to return home. It is possible to stay an extra night: B&B, £65, 11am departure. The accommodation is shared in two lofty converted barn spaces.

I’m looking for the least amount of faffing, dear yogis. You can secure your place with £200 non-returnable deposit and pay the balance four weeks before the retreat; £40 for extra night.

Go to the accommodation pages and instagram page to see what it’s like here at Viveka Gardens, or friend Fiona on fb, or go to the Viveka Gardens fb page

More info on the about page too, and you can see a ton of 5* feedback by looking for Viveka Gardens on googlemaps. Be in touch with any questions.

Getting here

I was very fortunate to spend a much needed sunny and deeply relaxing retreat for Yoga teachers, hosted by Fiona  in her beautiful converted barn in Devon.  The accommodation was spacious, bright and clean. Fiona cooks the most sumptuous, vegan meals with ingredients from her garden. She is a most talented gardener and has the most beautiful garden, field and forest area to walk in. We followed,  for the few days we were there, an ‘Ashram day’ with meditation, Yoga twice a day, meditation walks and a deeply relaxing Yoga Nidra session.  I highly recommend this retreat not just for  Yoga teachers but anyone wanting to benefit from a Yoga retreat. Claire Wood, gentle and special needs yoga teacher, West London – Claire loved it so much she came back twice and for a bespoke retreat with her family
Here on a 3-night yoga teachers retreat. It’s a beautiful place, well off the beaten track, and a haven of peace. Fiona is a warm and inspiring host, and we were very comfortable and well fed with delicious vegan meals made using produce Fiona had grown. The yoga space is clean, comfortable and well equipped. It was wonderful to feel so supported together in sharing teaching, practice and laughter. I felt thoroughly nourished and rested by the end. My only gripe was that the retreat wasn’t for 4 nights. Hoping to return very soon…Rich, Yoga with Rich, Hackney

Shared a fabulous teachers retreat with Fiona and other teachers this year. Practicing karma yoga, whilst scything the orchard, listening to the rain fall in a cosy yoga Nidra and sharing inspiration and knowledge with other teachers was a wonderful and heartfelt experience. Thank you Fiona for holding the space for us! ❤️ Jasmine, BreathMovementRelaxation, Bridport

‘I was very much in need of a recharge, on a multitude of levels and coming on this Yoga teachers retreat has been a real joy and pleasure, I feel like I have got some bounce back. Its been needed time for “being” after too much busyness doing! Peaceful, lovely simple space; nourishing, supportive, comfortable surroundings, nice beds, nice nutrient-dense vegan food made with love and care. I thoroughly enjoyed that we all got to offer a class workshop to the group and learnt and shared in a non-judgement and supportive environment. Nice being in a small but varied group of teachers, from Newbies to highly experienced and long-standing teachers. Thank YOU Fiona, huge hugs with much gratitude X’ Susannah Nelson, Body Mind Unwind in the Midlands

It’s my third retreat here now I think! I love Viveka Gardens and whether it’s a yoga teachers’ retreat, or a general retreat, it’s just what I need to recharge my batteries, connect with people, and immerse myself in my yoga practice. Beautiful space, great food and atmosphere. Camilla, Buckfastleigh

Please bring:

  • sun hat and cream if you use it
  • wellies and water proofs
  • slippers
  • layers
  • meditation cushion, shawl, eye pillow (mats, blocks, more cushions and bolsters are here)
  • if you have a sweet tooth, or are a snacker, bring extras for yourself or to share
  • you may like to bring flowers and/or fruit for the altars

Fiona is a good vegan home cook and you can look forward to wholesome and tasty food. Please respect the vegan yogi diet here (no alliums, milk, eggs etc). The suggestion is we practise mouna from end of evening meditation til after morning meditation.

May 3-6 2024

4-day-3-night stay

£395

comfortable, calm and cosy accommodation, vegan meals, fruit bowl, teas

Ts & Cs

Viveka Gardens is keen to make yoga available to all – bursaries for those on benefit/low income and if you have a high household income do consider donating to help a sister/brother. Please contact to discuss

BOOKING FORM

schedule

day 1
Arrival from 2pm
4.00 yoga class
6.00 Supper
7.00 intro/tour Viveka Gardens
8.00 intention-setting nidra (Fiona)
10pm lights out

day 2
6.30 optional indepenent pranyama practice (outside maybe)
7.15 group meditation
8.00 yoga class 
10.00 brunch
11.30 karma yoga 
12.30 personal study/walk/work in the garden
4.00 yoga class
6.00 supper
7.30 meditation walk

day 3 as day 2 with maybe a Dartmoor walk or seaside trip after brunch

day 4
6.30 optional indepenent pranyama practice
7.15 group meditation
8.00 yoga class or self-practice
10.00 brunch
11.30 karma yoga 
12.30 closing circle and departure

Please read Terms & Conditions