Elemental Body Mind & Breath
with James Cassidy
22 Feb - 1 Mar 2025
A chance to dive deep into the elemental body and the chakras – honouring the traditions of hatha yoga with meditations, pranayama, mantra and asana. Discover the stories of the deities and how they can inform our practice and understanding of yoga.
English
I’m so excited to invite you to my week-long Elemental Retreat at beautiful Ashiyana – from all of my travels it is my favourite retreat centre in the world. A true home away from home, where the philosophies of yoga as a way of living are truly embodied and applied, from the natural environment, nourishing food and peaceful, friendly atmosphere. It is a true retreat in every sense of the word.
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 a cup of tea before a 2hr elemental flow through for the body, mind and breath. I will teach you traditional pranayama meditations and mantras and guide you through intelligent and healing asana sequences.
Each day will build from the 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 for 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, pranayama, meditation, poetry, and deep rest. After this there will be time to catch the amazing Goan sunset before a delicious 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. There wil be one afternoon off mid week to give you the option for a day trip in the surrounding countryside or markets or a full afternoon of free time.
For any questions about the retreat please contact me by email and we can have a chat.
For more information or to book, please fill out the form on the right
Sample of daily schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 10:00 AM | Morning Practice |
| 10:00 AM | Brunch |
| 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (flexibel) | Free Time |
| 4:00 – 5:30 PM | Afternoon Yin / Restorative Practice |
| 6:00 PM | Golden Hour & Optional Sunset Swim |
| 7:00 – 8:30 PM | Dinner |
| 8:30 PM | Optional Evening Activity |
INSTRUCTORS
James Cassidy
James discovered living life through yoga almost 20 years ago and has been teaching for 11 years. 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, compassionate and non dogmatic. He draws on a variety of styles, including traditional hatha, ashtanga, vinyasa flow and yin, incorporating the body, mind and breath into a meditative sadhana. James’s teaching begins on the mat but it is his aim that students will incorporate what they experience and learn into 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, Restorative TTC with Alchemy School of Yoga 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 and Tibetan Mahayana (including a month long study at Kopan Monastery in Nepal) as well as Zen Buddhism in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh,. He has taught on several teacher trainings and co lead the 200hr YTTC for East of Eden in London. He leads popular retreats in India and Europe and holds regular community kirtans in London and at festivals including the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh.
As well as being a guide for others he also remembers that he is a lifelong student of yoga; like any instrument requires regular tuning to provide a harmonious sound.
www.theyogij.com
Insta: @theyogij
Pricing & Accommodation
One week retreat includes
- Full retreat program
- Accommodation at the beautiful Ashiyana retreat centre
- 2 meals a day (brunch & dinner) plus unlimited tea and water
Retreat doesn’t include
- Transfers to and from the airport
- Flights or travel insurance
- Excursions or day trips
- Extra treats and activities
- Taxis to and from places locally
Pricing
???? £100 Early Bird Discount available until end of July!
Sole occupancy rooms are extremely limited and assigned on a first come, first served basis.
| Accommodation | Shared (pp) | Single | Early Bird Shared / Single |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eco Lodge | £1030 | £1320 | £930 / £1220 |
| Adobe (couple only) | £1030 | £1320 | £930 / £1220 |
| Palm Grove Riverview Down | £1120 | £1420 | £1020 / £1320 |
| Villa Down (couple only) | £1030 | £1420 | £930 / £1320 |
| Little Dome (couple only) | £1235 | £1555 | £1135 / £1455 |
| Raj Riverview Up | £1235 | £1555 | £1135 / £1455 |
All prices are based on two people sharing a twin or double room. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms.
