2024 Sri lanka
return home retreat
FEEL. AWAKEN. BREATHE. BELIEVE
feel. awaken. breathe. believe
feel. awaken. breathe. believe
Sri Lanka yoga retreat
retreat with me in the mountains
March 9-16th 2024 || RUKGALA RETREAT
I invite you to come away with me to Sri Lanka - covered in jungle, misty mountains, lakes and small villages.
This yoga retreat is a chance to hit pause. To create intentional space, to rest, restore and realign. In this space, you will be able to reconnect to yourself & to what’s truly important. This space allows a deep exploration and self study of YOU.
Come away with me, to Rest & Restore, to get clear in your mind, cut through the noise and RETURN HOME to you.
7 nights, 3 nourishing meals a day, 2 x yoga classes a day, 3 beautiful hikes, a Sri Lankan cooking class and MORE.
Starting from AU$2750PP for twin room .
EARLY BIRD price (full payment due by 17th Nov 2023) is $200 off the FULL price of your room.
I’m also offering 3 accessibilty places with $300 off to those might need it with regards to financial support. Please mention this in the Registration form.
The Yoga
TWICE DAILY PRACTICES
The FOOD
Sri Lankan Vegetarian Fusion
a day on retreat
example only. May differ on retreat due to sunrise or sunset times,
included activities
your destination -Sri Lanka, rukgala retreat
Far from the sometimes hectic south coast beaches, high in the hills of Sri Lanka, is Rukgala retreat.
At the end of an unassuming village road, Rukgala Retreat is low key luxury. Rukgala was once an abandoned house on the side of the hill, and its been lovingly restored to its former glory. The local village is small and quiet. Cricket gets played on the oval in the afternoons. There’s a general store at the end of the road, where the old men sit and gossip. Village life happens around you, but the locals are more than happy to walk and talk with you (well mostly walk unless you speak Sinhala) You can explore the village roads, but my favourite thing to do, was sit on the balcony and watch clouds over the mountains in the distance.
your teacher
Mid has been teaching since 2015 and has travelled around the world to study from her teacher Tiffany Cruikshank. Continually training, learning and with a consistent home practice and having taught over 1000 hours of public classes, workshops and retreats, Mid is well known for he ability to create a welcoming, inclusive and fun space for all students.
For Mid, this retreat will be like a homecoming. Having travelled extensively through Sri Lanka, over the course of 3 visits, its like a second home. The food, the environment and the people have all inspired Mid to want to bring back people here for a second retreat. To Return Home to themselves.
Mid teaches a unique fusion of yoga styles that have come about from her own 20 years of practice and study. Blending the traditional eastern practices of Yoga with more modern science based approaches, her style is accessible, trauma informed, blending vinyasa flow style classes, with Chinese medicine, somatics, nervous system knowledge, myofascial release, and also teaching the slower more yin and restorative based classes.
With a twice daily practice, you can expect a full spectrum of practice encompassing asana, pranayama, mediation, mantra and mudra. With some workshop style classes, room for questions and Mids playful, accessible nature, you will feel held and comfortable to explore the practice in your own body.
AM classes - AWAKEN Flow - expect an energising flow style class, with emphasis on pranayama and meditation. You will leave feeling calm, clear and focussed. Expect different classes each day themed with the retreat.
PM classes - Restore - expect restful yin/restorative based class in the evenings, including Yoga Nidra and some myofascial release.
If it’s one thing I am looking forward to its the food at Rukgala - well all of Sri Lanka. Mostly vegetation, lightly or fully cooked, fresh from the garden, you will leave feeling incredible healthy and glowing. The food at Rukgala is lovingly prepared by the staff ( who all live in the local village)
There will be the familiar favourites, in a Sri Lankan style plus the more traditional Sri Lankan fare of rice and curry in all its glory.
Breakfast will be a coconut after class, followed by your choice of eggs, Sri Lankan curry and rice, homemade breads/spreads, buffalo curd, muesli and fruits. Lunch with will lighter salads and curries, with dinner, a 2-3 course affair, with pre dinner elixir and always desert!
6.45am - Pre Yoga Coffee/Tea and fruit or smoothie.
7-9am - Pranayama and Mediation with the Sunrise, followed by Awaken Slow Flow
9am-10am - Fresh coconut post class, followed by breakfast on the Deck watching the mountains and Lake in distance.
10am - Free Time/Massage or Schedule Activity such as Buddhist Temple Guided walk.
12.30-1.30pm - Lunch on the deck
1.30-4.30pm - Free time, massage, read a book, swim in the pool.
4.30-5.30pm - Evening Restore Class and Yoga Nidra.
6pm - Dinner on the Deck
Evening is your free time
A guided Hike to the local Buddhist Hill temple and caves, a bit of a scramble and some stairs, about 1-2 hours worth.
An evening hike to Coconut Ridge, through local plantations - where we will watch sunset, have a sundowner drink. Guide included.
A day Hike to Ashbourne Tea Estate, we will ride in Tuk Tuks, then hike old tea trails, to a waterfall for lunch and then back to Rukgala in Tuk Tuk, or you can hike back with the guide.
A cooking Class with Kumari - with one of the local young men to translate for us. We will learn how to make a Sri Lankan feast.
We have EXCLUSIVE use of Rukgala so the pool, the house is all ours. You also can use the paddle boards on Lake Victoria or if the bikes are in working order, a bike to cycle through the local village.
ADDITIONAL/ EXTRA CHARGE
a day hike to the Knuckle range can be arranged if there’s enough interest.
Massages at the onsite spa
Extra food or drinks not included .
Your Accommodation & RATES
CLICK the Room to check Price - ALL Queen rooms are SOLD OUT.
If you still want a private ROOM email me.
Choose from the Garden Cottage OR the TOP House. Low key luxe, crisp cotton sheets, fluffy towels, writing desk, welcome drink, all opening out to see the jungle, views of lake and mountains.
All rooms have ensuite, air conditioning, ceiling fan or pedestal fan ( in garden cottage) and stunning views.
Garden Cottage rooms are separate from the main house in their own building and have Claw Foot baths, and a cute mezzanine level, plus a private lounge with tea/coffee facilities.
TOP House rooms are slightly larger, shower for ensuite, private balcony, and are located in the main house.
All room have access to main house, deck area inside chill out space, dining table, all day tea and coffee, the pool, access to paddle boards and Rukgala grounds.
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COST : $3250pp
SOLD OUT
These rooms are fully enclosed, have air-conditioning, ceiling fans and showers or bath for the ensuite. Opening out onto a private balcony or private lawns.
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COST: $2750pp
3 available
2 twin Beds in large room in top house or garden cottage. Ensuite, Air-conditioning and fully enclosed.
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COST $2650pp
1 available
A large room in the TOP house, Can be a four Single beds or 1 Queen and 2 singles. Fully enclose, ensuite, opening out to small lawn area.
FAQ
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I recommend getting into Colombo at least a day before retreat starts to recover from the long flight.
You can com to Rukgala earlier but you will need to arrange that with Rukgala separately.
I have recommendations for accommodation in Colombo and the sth coast. Please contact me .
Rukgala is approximately 4 hours from Colombo by Van/Car. Its a long drive up windy roads - not recommended If you get car sick, but if you can sleep in the car, then great!
From Kandy, about an hours drive east.
My recommendation?
2.5 hours by the train. A beautiful experience, I highly recommend.
For many people the train is the best way to do it. It’s quicker and can be fun. The best Colombo to Kandy trains leave first thing in the morning (6.30am) or in the afternoon (3.35pm). You need to book a ticket in advance and collect it (showing your passport) from the station - this can take some time so leave an extra 20 minutes to be sure.
I usually book a first class ticket, its air-conditioned, and you get a guaranteed seat.
If there’s a few of you wanting to catch the train I recommend all arriving together to the train station .
You'll’’ need to catch the early train to arrive in time on the 9th March.
Tickets can be booked here
From Kandy train Station, we can arrange pick up via car or Open air fun experience is tuk tuk.
Transfers from Colombo is included via car if you wish.
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INCLUDED:
Welcome gift pack, twice daily yoga, 7 nights accommodation at Rukgala Retreat ( including all props) Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner, plus pre yoga smoothie and fruit and post yoga coconut in the morning, Cooking class with Kumari fro local village, guided Hike to Ashbourne Tea Estate including lunch and transport, Guided hike to Buddhist caves, Coconut Ridge Hike one sunset with Sundowner drink, Tea/coffee and herbal tea all day, daily turn down service, Welcome drink on arrival and use of paddle boards for the Lake.
EXCLUDED:
Flights to Sri Lanka, transfers to Rukgala retreat, Travel & medical insurance, additional food/drink, massage, optional activity Day Hike to Knuckles Range, other day trip you might want to do ( ie to Kandy)
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I strive to teach accessible yoga, having said that, this isn’t a beginners yoga retreat, so some knowledge or at least a few classes of yoga is recommended. Please contact me I you have specific injury and want to discuss with me.
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Sri Lanka is warm and tropical ( albeit a little cooler in the mountains) so loose, comfy clothes, Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country and locals wear long skirts or sarongs/pants, and tops. Always good to bring long sleeve tops/skirt/pants for temple visiting and socks for hot stone as you don’t wear shoes.
I’d recommend visiting your GP about 3 months in advance and getting vaccinations as recommended. ( if that’s your thing)
I also carry a small medical kit that has antihistamines, pain relief, sting lotion, antibacterial gel, PLUS also gut health Tabs such as SB ( sacharomyces boulardii) useful to take during trip to protect against upset belly and to also treat it Ifyou get it, also hydrolyse tablets and any other meds you might need yourself.
iption
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Yes you do , and ensure you Passport has 6 months validation on it. Its also a condition of this retreat that you have travel insurance.
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There Terms and Conditions are located in the registration form.
But here are the main ones below:
Due to the amount of work that I put into this retreat, the planning and organisation and my obligations to the retreat centre, your $550 deposit is non-refundable and will not be returned in any circumstances
If you cancel your booking 3 months before retreat (before 9th January 2024), a refund of any payments made will be made minus a 15% admin fee.
If you cancel within 3 months of the retreat (after January 9th 2024), NO REFUND given. If I (Melissa Merry, Mid Merry Yoga) can fill your spot, you will offered a refund (minus your deposit and a 15% admin fee)
If your spot cannot be filled, no refund will be given.
If you cancel within three months of the retreat and have only paid your non-refundable deposit, you will need to pay the FULL remaining amount owed
BOOKING PROCESS
registration
You fill out the registration form, nominating your preferred room type and accepting and agreeing to the terms and conditions.
ACceptance on retreat
Once your form is received and accepted, you will receive confirmation via email and BANK details for transfer of your deposit.
ALL PAYMENTS are due by February 9th 2024.
Early Bird Payments are due by November 17th 2023.
Book your travel insurance
Ensure you book your travel insurance and read their full t & c’s and are happy with them. Southern Cross and OneCover have always proven good value to me!
AND YOU’RE OFF TO Sri Lanka!!!!