Mind, Body & Soul Beach Retreat - Polem, Southern Goa

‘Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you’ Anne Lamott (TED Talk)

Take a deep breath, close your eyes and imagine feeling the warmth of the Goa sun on your face as you lie in your hammock right outside your cabana on the beach and listen to the sound of the Arabian Sea.  This place isn’t just in your imagination, it exists – it’s called Bamboo Retreat which lies at the southern end of beautiful Polem Beach in Canacona, South Goa.  Polem beach is a serene and secluded 700-metre stretch of pristine golden sand fringed with coconut palms and native casuarina trees offering peace and tranquillity.

This is what I call a no-shoes, no-news retreat – which will take us mentally and physically away from it all for just a short while.  Using local organic materials, the bungalow-style beach huts are simple, stylish, comfortable, private and eco-friendly too, helping us to reconnect with nature. Whether we’re dolphin-spotting or watching the eagles soar overhead from the hammock on our balcony, or falling asleep to the sound of the waves, the normal stresses of life melt away allowing us to feel open to a more profound yoga practice and enjoy the slower pace of life out here in Goa.

This retreat is also for curious souls who would like to learn something new either about themselves or India, try something new maybe during the authentic Goa-inspired cooking class or traditional ayurvedic treatments, or perhaps physically feel something new while enjoying yoga in the ocean-facing Shala, or perhaps enjoying a SUP session on the ocean.  Whatever it may be, time won’t be rushed here, WIFI may be a little erratic giving you the perfect excuse to properly unplug.

‘Goa is an escape, Jivi sighs, pouring another glass of Licor Armada, a place where there is time to remember what is important in life’  www.cntraveller.com

Proposed Itinerary

(Please note this may be subject to some minor changes as we near the retreat date, however, this gives you a taste of what we’ll get up to)

Dept Saturday 4th March

Tui (Overnight flight) departing on Saturday 4th March 18.20 from London Gatwick – landing in Goa 08.55 (9 hours direct flight).  Returning Sunday 12th March at 10.55 landing back into Gatwick at 16.00.  The current price is £809 with TUI.  Virgin and Qatar Airlines have cheaper options, however, they don’t offer any direct flights - if you’re not pushed for time, these are worth exploring.

Sunday 5th March

Group transfers from the airport to match the flights above, or within the hour (transfer time approx. 90 mins – the road from the airport is amazing, it reminds me of being in the New Forest!) … until we arrive at Bamboo .. then it’s all beach.

Unpack and take in your new home for the week - no rush to do anything today other than relax

11.00am: Welcome introductions; orientation & a hearty brunch

Afternoon at your leisure - book a treatment; stretch out on your hammock; swim in the ocean; relax and unplug

5 pm – 6.30 pm: Soulful sunset yoga session

7.30 pm: Welcome G&T’s (I will be introducing you to a couple of local gins on this trip) wine and soft drinks are also available, followed by supper at Bamboo

Monday 6th March

8 am: Power juices; fruit salad & teas

8.30 am – 10 am: Morning flow yoga session – a wonderful way to start the day

11.30 am - Brunch followed by a soulful well-being session part 1

Afternoon at your leisure to do whatever your heart desires; read your book; write your journal, sunbathe and sleep or treat yourself to an Ayurvedic treatment.

5 pm – 6.30 pm - Sunset yoga session

7 pm - Supper at Bamboo

Tuesday 7th March

8 am: Power juices; fruit salad & teas

8.30 am – 10 am: Morning flow yoga session

11 am – Brunch

Mindful walk: Bring your barefoot self as we go on an earthing and grounding walk in nature.  Earthing helps to reduce inflammation in the body and there is nowhere like Southern Goa for the flat beautiful long beaches to take a long stroll and explore the local area, followed by a sunset drink.

7 pm: Supper back at Bamboo

Wednesday 8th March

Sunrise boat trip to spot dolphins

8 am: Juices; fruit salad & teas

8.30 am - 10 am: Guided meditation & yoga

11 am - Brunch

Afternoon at your leisure – why not try a SUP session on the ocean

5 pm – 6.30 pm: Sunset yoga session

7 pm – Supper at Bamboo

Thursday 9th March

8 am: Juices; Fruit salad & Teas

8.30 am -10 am: Morning flow yoga session

11.00 am: Brunch – followed by a soulful well-being session part 2

Mid-Afternoon – Optional mindful walk

6 pm – Supper this evening will be cooked by us on an authentic Goa-inspired cooking workshop in someone’s home kitchen.  This is truly a wonderful experience not to be missed.

Friday 10th March

8 am: Juices; fruit salad & teas

8.30 am – 10 am: Morning flow yoga session

11.00 am: Brunch

Afternoon – this afternoon we’ll go on a cultural adventure, either on bikes or tuk-tuks – full details to be shared nearer the time

5 pm – 6.30 pm: Sunset yoga session

7 pm – Supper at Bamboo

Saturday 11th March

8 am: Juices; fruit salad & teas

8.30 am – 10 am: Final morning flow yoga session

11.00 am: Brunch followed by a final followed by a soulful well-being session part 3

Afternoon at your leisure to enjoy that final treatment, pop back to buy that little Indian bracelet, or just relax and finish your book/journal.

5 pm – 6.30 pm – Sunset yoga followed by a special farewell beach supper on the sand and sundowners

Sunday 12th March

7 am: Group transfers back to the airport to catch the 10.55 TUI plane home, hopefully feeling a little more relaxed and balanced.

If you'd like to stay longer or arrive earlier, that's also an option too - just let me know and I'll help organise this for you.

What’s the Price?

SORRY - This option is now  SOLD OUT - Ocean Sunset Cabana (front line on the beach, full glass front and sea views)

Single Occupancy - Double Bed:  £1,400 pp

Shared Occupancy – Twin Beds:  £1,150 pp

1 left  - Ocean Sunset Hut (front line on the beach, wooden front with window and full sea views)

Single Occupancy - Double Bed:  £1,250

Shared Occupancy – Twin Beds: £1,000

1 left  - Seascape Cabana (Second line on the beach, partial sea views)

Single Occupancy - Double Bed:  £1,150

Shared Occupancy – Twin Beds:  £950

All options have European-style mattresses and good linens, set in a spacious airy room with plenty of space to hang your clothes and store your belongings, plus ensuite bathrooms with western-style toilets. Constructed to make use of the natural ventilation from the cooling breeze, they also have a/c and ceiling fans for more tropical times of the year, along with their own spacious balcony with a hammock for you to relax in.  The cabanas can also be locked when you go out.

What’s included:

Complimentary group transfers from the airport to match the flight times listed.  7 nights’ accommodation in the beach bungalow you selected.  Unlimited juices, teas and water, plus healthy, wholesome vegetarian brunches and suppers at Bamboo which is organic and locally sourced wherever possible.  All meals are prepared and cooked with love by a great team of Nepalese chefs. We will also enjoy a local Goa-inspired cooking workshop (may include meat and fish), plus welcome drinks at Bamboo and sunset sundowners after the mindful walk.

What’s not included:

Your return flight to Goa. An Indian e-Visa (approx. £60) – once you have booked, I will explain how to get an e-Visa it’s straightforward.  Any treatments taken at Bamboo, or water activities you chose to do, along with any meals taken outside Bamboo.  Please please also ensure you also have your own travel insurance and if you’re still worried about Covid, please ensure you check to see what you’re covered for.

How do I book?

To secure your place, I require a deposit of £300.00 pp, which is non-refundable – Please book via the website at: www.ginandyinretreats.com - click on the 'Retreats' tab. Once payment has been received, I will email to confirm your place, along with send confirmation of when the balance is due. Also, if you’d like to send payments to me in instalments to keep this Retreat viable for you, this is also an option. Just drop me an email and we’ll work something out: hello@ginandyinretreats.com