Sri Lanka
23rd February – 8th March 2019
Lotus Love Yoga Retreats took place in the beautiful south of Sri Lanka. We experienced the bliss of yoga, surrounded by the exquisite beauty, pristine beaches and abundant wildlife from sunrise to sunset.
Our yoga Sanctuary is located on beautiful Rekawa Beach on the south coast of Sri Lanka in a pristine National Park. It is home to a stunning expanse of golden sand and a magnificent turtle nesting site. The soft, golden sand, tropical palms and energetic waves of the Indian Ocean made an unforgettable setting for our retreat experience.
The Sanctuary is surrounded by the power of the ocean and vibrant, green forest, abundant with butterflies and birds. The beautiful buildings blend serenely into the stunning natural surroundings, built on stilts, sensitive to the natural habitat and migration of wildlife. The buildings are designed in the shape of a conch shell to draw the energy from the earth and ocean to the serenity of the Sanctuary. The beautiful, natural cabanas have rustic, elegant design that celebrates the intricate craftsmanship of local artisans.
The Yoga Shala is an expansive space of natural wood overlooking tropical green forest, where a tribe of wild Hanuman monkeys visited to observe our practice.
On waking up in this stunning location, we shared sunrise sadhana each morning. Our retreat was themed around the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana. Set in ancient Sri Lanka, the Ramayana holds the stories of Hanuman’s leaps of faith and leaps of love. Moving through beautiful sequencing and creative namaskars, we explored Hanuman inspired Elemental Vinyasa. In the afternoons, we surrendered to a more restorative sadhana, exploring Buddhist traditions. We practiced yin yoga, lunar flows and experienced guided meditation and a gong bath with a Buddhist monk.
Ayurvedic massage, treatments and consultations were experienced at the Sanctuary Spa. Yogis left our retreat with a sense of blissful well-being.
The delicious vegetarian and fish cuisine offered authentic Ayurvedic Sri Lankan specialities, tropical fresh fruit and daily king coconuts. Our last yoga meal was shared in the garden with colourful lanterns, fairy lights, flower crowns and passion fruit mocktails.
Midweek, there was the opportunity to experience Sri Lanka’s abundant wildlife and elephant population at Uda Walawe National Park and Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary. Others immersed in local culture at a colourful local market.
Yoga friendships and community were formed and we had a truly magical time together!
Satisfied Yogis
I have had the most inspirational, enlightening time and memories I will never forget.
Anna Anderson
Thank you for organising such a lovely Sri Lankan retreat. What a beautiful country and you certainly found an untouched corner for us to retreat to! The yoga was fantastic. I was pleased to find it both challenging and enjoyable and what an amazing space too! I’m bringing home lots of special memories, particularly the visit from the monkeys on the day you told the stories of Hanuman.
Charlotte Monks
Just returned from magical Sri Lanka! Thank you Heidi Pascual so so much!
Gabrielle Zeter
What wonderful memories ~ thank you beautiful Heidi for bringing us all together in such a magical place.
Lou Hart
Thank you for the amazing yoga on this retreat!
Nicola Mason
My first yoga retreat and I’m looking forward to the next. Heidi’s commitment to a beautiful experience for all is overwhelming and a true blessing.
Belinda White
An authentic, inspiring retreat experience with yoga taught from the heart – always superbly organised and well researched. A real journey of transformation.
Siobhan Doyle
Our first retreat with Heidi and so glad I took the leap of faith with her. She brings great energy to her classes and one of the teachers we’ll be coming back to again and again.
Sophie and Pav
This retreat in Sri Lanka has been a magical experience and one I will always treasure.
Claire Barham
Heidi is an incredible yoga teacher. The planning, care and attention to detail that Heidi dedicates to these retreats is second to none. You will learn and develop your yoga technique, make some magical memories and meet some wonderful new friends.
Jacinta O’Halloran
Heidi is a transformational yoga teacher, truly exceptional.
Lou Hart
Heidi manages to weave her alchemical gift yet again, creating a wonderful yoga experience. She caring and inspiring in equal measure. Her heart-centred teaching and mythical story telling gift is the most perfect combination.
Emma Jane Gurhy
Truly blessed to have the opportunity to enjoy such an amazing experience. Thank you Heidi!
Terri Simpkin
Heidi excelled herself in her teaching, The yoga classes were amazing – the best yet! So much work and attention to detail created a truly inspiring experience. The yoga shala offered wonderful views, the food was delicious and the company was uplifting. I have some wonderful retreat memories!
Rayner Mackenzie
The Sanctuary is such a beautiful place. We saw the sun rise over Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary. I could spend the whole day there; it was stunning. We went to the elephant safari and had a fantastic guide who spotted all kinds of random wild life in the tiniest of places. We experienced meditation with a Buddhist monk while he played the most powerful gong; bathing us in glorious sound and energy. The cheeky monkeys launched themselves off the roof and into the trees during our meditation. An incredible week with some gorgeous people.
Jo Lenny
Heidi is an inspiration. I have just experienced a fantastic trip to Sri Lanka incorporating wonderful storytelling with dynamic asanas, in a beautiful, unspoilt setting. This was my first Lotus Love yoga retreat, but it definitely won’t be my last.
Melanie Newton
Thank you for your hospitality and abundant energy on our yoga retreat. The experience offered so much more than I expected and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Laina Mannan
