Malabar Magic, Kerala
17 – 24 March 2018
I taught my first international yoga retreat at Neeleshwar Hermitage in Kerala this year and our Indian yoga home will stay in my heart forever. The vibrant beauty of nature, the rolling Arabian Sea and the golden Indian sun welcomed our mandala of community.
The vast golden beach and energetic ocean was the backdrop for our morning yoga sadhana and stunning sunlight walks into the horizon.
We gathered every evening to watch the soft, pink sunset ~ gratitude sadhana.
The traditional Keralan Cottages and outdoor bathrooms were a barefoot, luxury experience.
Our yoga sadhana explored Indian mythology and Hindu archetypal deities in the Patanjali Yoga Shala, overlooking the golden beach and ocean beyond.
One beautiful evening, we shared a stunning classical Indian music performance by the pool under the palm trees and the starry night sky.
Beyond the retreat, yogis fully immersed in the colourful culture and people of Kerala. They enjoyed Ayurvedic massages and treatments, Indian cookery classes and local cultural excursions. The Festival of Lights at a local Hindu temple, a Theyyam performance and visit to a Hindu village were some truly memorable retreat experiences.
Our retreat closed exploring the Keralan backwaters at sunset on the beautiful Lotus House Boat.
Friendships were formed to last a lifetime.
The stars were aligned on this yoga retreat and the new moon met my heart’s deepest intention. This stunning South Indian retreat experience was ‘the stuff that dreams are made of’ and it will stay forever in my heart.
Santosham ~ Namaskar.
Satisfied Yogis
Thank you so much for this magical trip of a lifetime. I will never forget our time here in this most special place with the most special people.
Lucy Macbrayne
So much gratitude and thanks to my dear teacher Heidi Pascual for creating this magical and memorable experience in Kerala. I will be forever grateful for the connections, love, experience, yoga and memories created. Our journey through the Goddesses has been beautiful ~ santosham.
Lara L’Esperance
Thank you for this magical week in Kerala spent with you learning and growing so much; meeting beautiful souls; seeing beautiful things. Words don’t seem to do it justice right now. It’s an experience which will stay with me my whole life.
Gabrielle Zeter
Thank you so much, Heidi. You give so much to your retreats: time, knowledge, love, and music and you always seek out the best venues with special trips and treats added in. We will feel the benefits of this for a long time and the memories are ours forever.
Jo Coldwell
The whole retreat was amazing Heidi. I feel energised pampered relaxed and more knowledgeable. This experience has opened new horizons for me.
Emine Wearie
We loved this South Indian experience with you, Heidi. The retreat was brilliant and your efforts appreciated by both of us.
Mike Sant and Marie Shreeve
Seeing Heidi waiting to greet us the very moment we arrived at the resort I knew this was going to be a truly special experience. The variety of classes, all meticulously planned and prepared were vivified by Heidi’s magical storytelling as she skillfully weaved in ancient myth and meaning to the gorgeous sadhanas. Not only was the yoga sublime but the resort itself, all the fabulous staff and the beautiful group of yogis that shared this special time could not have been more blissfully wonderful if they’d tried.
Emma Jane Gurhy
It is just so beautiful here. I feel amazing and this retreat has been brilliant.
Siobhan Clarke
Our retreat in Kerala was such a beautiful place to connect with yoga, friends, nature and local people. I feel so blessed and fortunate to have the opportunity to take part in this retreat, which would not have been possible without Heidi’s creativity and amazing work. I am truly thankful to you for bringing us all together in your retreats.
Rayner Mackenzie
A week that created amazing memories. Heidi planned the whole experience with great attention to detail. Each yoga sadhana flowed beautifully from the previous ones and really helped my practice progress.
Jacinta O’Halloran
Our yoga retreat was wonderfully ‘warm’ in every possible way. My fellow yogis, the hermitage, the hermitage family and the beautiful swimming pool were all perfect.
Andrea Looker
Every so often in life we have an experience so beautiful that we almost want to pinch ourselves to see if it is true…the yoga retreat in Kerala was one such time for me. The venue was sublime, the staff genuinely caring and warm, the food divine, the treatments pampering, and the yoga classes with Heidi were, like always, absolutely top-notch. I made some wonderful new friendships and strengthened already existing bonds with fellow yogis. The memories will stay with me forever. Thank you, Heidi, for making it all happen!
Jennifer O’Connell
When Heidi told me there was last minute space opened up on her Soul Sanctuary Retreat in Kerala, I knew that I was meant to go. Sometimes saying ‘yes’ to treating yourself is the hardest thing to do. But when your heart sets an intention, the universe does everything it can to make things happen for you! From the beginning of the trip and throughout the retreat, I felt myself growing stronger and more open to letting life flow more freely through me. It was uplifting to share travelling with friends from our UK yoga community and experience Heidi’s unique blend of inspirational storytelling and challenging asana flow in paradise. I have returned home filled with gratitude for all of the kalyanamitras, soul friends, I’ve made on this journey, who I know I will remain connected with always. Namaste!
Lou Hart
I feel so very privileged to have been a part of Heidi’s Soul Sanctuary retreat in Kerala, India. This retreat for me was a wonderful opportunity in the allowing of my mind, body and soul the complete nourishment it so deserves. A deepening into my heart space and my yoga practice was the greatest gift I have returned home with – the gift that keeps giving! Heidi’s very unique essence, talents, intention, and love could be felt rippling throughout this experience. From her choice of venue, yoga practice, to the beautiful location – all were in complete alignment and did not fail to deliver, in fact, it exceeded any expectation I may have had. I would highly recommend to anyone who feels the pull towards one of Heidi’s offerings. This powerful ‘yes’ to yourself will not fail to light up your being and feed your soul.
Cath Bishop
What a warm welcome awaited us at Neeleshwar! And, after a week lapping up the lush beauty of the surroundings, practising yoga to the gentle sounds of the sea, I returned thoroughly refreshed, with a bunch of new friends and feeling at least a couple of centimetres taller.
Paula Chivlers
