Shreyas Yoga Retreat
Shreyas Yoga Retreat, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Experience a synchronization of your body, mind, and soul at the Shreyas Yoga Retreat located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
The Venue
Shreyas Yoga Retreat is situated on the outskirts of bustling Bengaluru, about 35km away from the city. It serves as an antidote to the fast-paced city life by offering a countryside location that is easily accessible yet remote. The retreat is situated next to a village, which sets the tone for a slower pace of life. As soon as you enter the premises, you'll be embraced by lush surroundings and a soothing atmosphere that encourages you to slow down and turn inwards to align your heart, mind, body, and soul. The retreat offers a unique blend of traditional Ayurveda, Yoga, and meditation practices in the backdrop of a village and the comforts of an international retreat. To fully experience the warm personalized service and carefully tailored programs of naturopathy, yoga, Ayurveda, Panchakarma, and rejuvenation treatments, it's recommended to stay at least one night. Guests often describe the experience as one of "stunning simplicity," which is a testament to the smallest attention to detail, such as flipping the direction of your slippers to the side you can wear when you come out of a common area, evoking a smile every time.
Who is hosting?
The team at Shreyas Yoga Retreat is dedicated to helping guests find a personalized spiritual path of self-discovery. They achieve this through various activities, such as yoga sessions, meditation, detailed spa treatments, nourishing organic food, community service, and discussions on yoga and philosophy. The aim is to provide insight into India's philosophical tradition without focusing on its organized religious aspects. To maintain a focus on wellness, the team offers understated luxury in accommodation, food, and surroundings.
Aesthetics & Philosophy
Shreyas Yoga Retreat's rooms are designed to blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings, offering a soothing and relaxing environment. The modern mid-century themed rooms open onto gardens, providing ample facilities and amenities. The tented cottages offer a view of a wide stretch of green and are furnished in modern minimal aesthetics, with large doors and windows that let in plenty of fresh air. The retreat's other areas also embrace nature, with thatched-roof yoga and exercise pavilions designed to keep you close to nature's touch. The bright and spacious pool, surrounded by frangipani trees, provides a visual respite for the eyes. Even the dining experience is crafted to meld with the green environs, with evening setups by the pool.
Accommodation
Shreyas Yoga Retreat offers luxurious yet earthy accommodations, including poolside rooms, garden cottages, and a 3-bedroom cottage, with minimal furnishings and fixtures. The rooms are designed to immerse guests in nature, with open verandas, poolside ambience, and bright green garden views. All rooms are air-conditioned, with overhead fans, tea and coffee making facilities, and ensuite bathrooms with signature bath and toilet amenities. Showers are available, but bathtubs are not provided, and hair dryers and heaters can be requested.
Dining at Shreyas is a communal experience, with guests encouraged to dine together in central dining rooms or outside in the garden or poolside under the stars, surrounded by softly lit candles. The retreat caters to different dietary needs and therapies, with carefully planned menus that align with wellness programs. The cuisine features a mix of north and south Indian, Sri Lankan, and Oriental dishes, using as much local produce from the farm as possible. Alcohol and smoking are strictly prohibited.
Shreyas' organic, vegetarian menu is compiled in a book called Soul Food, which is a popular take-away for guests. The retreat also offers personalized cooking sessions and a 7-day package focused on the history of Indian cuisine and nutrition, including a field trip to a local vegetable market and
Experiences
At Shreyas Retreat, Anaha spa provides guests with a range of rejuvenating massages and beauty treatments that align with holistic healing experiences. The retreat also offers Ayurveda and Naturopathy therapies after consultation with in-house specialists, as well as the option to participate in a silent retreat. The swimming pool lined with frangipani trees is a serene place to relax.
Guests can also take part in community service exercises, serving local schools and villages that have been supported by Shreyas since its establishment in 2001. The retreat also offers short and long temple trails in the surrounding area, including highly revered shrines of Vishnu, Anjaneya and Shani.
While this may not be the ideal retreat for children, they can still benefit from learning about the tenets of yoga and wellness. Shreyas Retreat is open year-round and welcomes anyone looking for a transformational escape for the mind, body, or soul, with therapies available for all ages and fitness levels.
Conscious Travel
Shreyas Retreat, situated in a village, focuses on community and impact by employing local staff and sourcing fruits and vegetables from nearby areas. The drinking water is purified on site and the property follows sustainable solutions such as organic farming, waste water management, and rain water harvesting. Shreyas is an eco-friendly, chemical-free, plastic-free, vegetarian, and alcohol/tobacco-free property. They encourage multi-use of plastic and safe garbage disposal. The Retreat has a high rate of returning guests due to the familiar faces of the staff who have been working there for over 10 years. The staff practice yoga and meditation daily and the property has its own organic vegetable, fruit, herb, and flower gardens. Shreyas also has cows that provide milk. They emphasize living in harmony with nature and have invested in upgrading the soil quality, landscaping, tree plantation, and rain water harvesting. The staff is encouraged to upgrade their knowledge and skills and majority of them are from the local community. Shreyas has also adopted a few villages, schools, and an orphanage to empower the local youth with knowledge and skills.
