Elemental Body, Breath & Mind

with James Cassidy

16^th Feb 2025 to 23^rd Feb 2025 in Goa (1 week)

Our day will start together at 8am - if you are an early riser, you could enjoy a swim in the Arabian Sea before your practice or simply enjoy fresh tea and fruit before a 2hr elemental flow through for the body, mind and breath. I will teach you traditional pranayamas meditations and mantras and guide you through intelligent and healing asana sequences.

Each day will build from the healing, grounding qualities of the earth, through the creative, flowing water element, the empowering and energising fire element, the heart opening air element and the liberating element of ether. There will be options for all bodies, from beginners to the more practiced. It's not unusual on my retreats to have all abilities and all ages ranging from those in their twenties to those in their seventies. Yoga, mindfulness and healing is for us all.

After the morning practice will be a delicious, nourishing expansive brunch buffet with everything you could wish for - the Ashiyana buffets are really something to behold.

The rest of the day is your time - to rest, renew, explore, relax, read, walk, swim or sleep! Ashiyana has so many cosy places to nest and of course the incredible Mandrem beach just steps away.

At 4pm we will meet for a cooling, relaxing 90 minute session with either yin yoga, mantra, meditation, poetry, and deep rest. After this there will be time to catch the amazing Goan sunset before another delicious all inclusive buffet for dinner.

The evenings are a special time at Ashiyana where you may relax on your veranda or join in one of the wonderful in house offerings like sound healing, kirtan, yoga nidra and meditation. For any questions about the retreat please contact me by email and we can have a chat.

Sample of daily schedule

About the teacher

James discovered living life through yoga almost 20 years ago and has been teaching for the past decade. He sees yoga less as a ‘work out’ and more of a ‘work in’, utilising the physical practice to journey within and bring balance and harmony to the whole ‘bodymind’. James’s teaching style is focused but compassionate and non dogmatic. He draws on a variety of styles, including traditional hatha, vinyasa flow and yin, incorporating the body, mind and breath into a meditative flow. James's teaching begins on the mat but it is his aim that students will incorporate what they experience and learn in their everyday life; embodying yoga in their thoughts, communications and actions. In addition to his Yoga Alliance EYRT 500+ certification and Yoga Alliance Professional Teacher Trainer Pro Certification James has completed his advanced Yin certification with Norman Blair and his 200 hr certification in kirtan leadership with Nikki Slade. His path of yoga has also been enriched with the study and practice of Buddhism, including Vipassana, Tibetan Mahayana, including a month long study at Kopan Monastery in Nepal and Zen Buddhism in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. He has taught on several teacher trainings and currently co leads the 200hr YTTC for East of Eden.

As well as being a guide for others he also reminds himself that he is a lifelong student of yoga; like an instrument requires regular tuning to provide a harmonious sound.

Pricing and Accommodation

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT OF £100 OFF THE LISTED PRICES TILL END OF JULY!

Eco Lodge: Twin/Double shared at £990 per person

Adobe: Double bed £1255 sole occupancy

Palm Grove Riverview Down: Twin/Double shared at £1060 per person

Villa Down: Double bed shared £1060 per person or £1335 sole occupancy

Raj Riverview Up with a/c: Twin/Double shared at £1170 per person or £1450 sole occupancy

Raj Lake House Down & Raj Lake House Up (3 Double beds per room with a/c): Twin/Triple shared at £1170 per person

Raj Little Dome: Double bed Sole Occupancy £1450

You can secure your preferred room with a £500 deposit per person (paid in two £250 installments if required) with the remainder due by December 8th 2024 - Don't wait too long as this year’s retreat sold out!