The retreat will give you a joyous, hands-on, transformational experience - Whether you are an experienced yogi, or have always wanted to learn, this is an invitation to dive in and explore the many delights that yoga has to offer. Along side the yoga will be the opportunity to discover the rich cultural history of the surrounding area plus indulge in some Ayurvedic treatments to assist you further in finding inner harmony. All in all, this retreat will offer
you time to rest, rejuvenate and discover a deeper connection to the abundant joy within you.
Retreat includes
• 7 Transformational Vinyasa flow yoga sessions each morning with Katy
• 6 Evening Lunar yoga practices with Katy
• 7 nights accommodation on a twin sharing basis
• 3 deliciously healthy meals and snacks available each day
• 1 massage per guest per week from western therapists
• filtered water - water is safe to drink in Ulpotha as it comes from an underground spring (Ulpotha means "spring" in Sinhalese)
• one 1/2 day excursion to a local cultural heritage site
• guided walks in the surrounding hills and to the local temple
Retreat doesn't include
• Flights or travel insurance
• Transfer from the airport - this is approx £70 per van of 5 people max.
• Any Ayurveda treatments (as these go toward funding the free clinic for the surrounding villages)
• Any extras bought from the little shop (there's not much to buy, but one can get baskets and sarongs and local handicrafts). There's also a tailor who comes everyday and makes to order simple cotton outfits and yoga pants.
• any additional excursions or van hire
• additional massages from our western therapists (depending on availability)
Ayurveda
At Ulpotha you will find treatments are based on the ancient Vedic wisdom found in local village medicine. The region around Ulpotha is the oldest continually inhabited area of Sri Lanka, and it retains much of the ancient healing wisdom of the sages. The special herbs used for the traditional steam bath, or infused into warm oil treatments, which mesmerise, sooth and calm, have been valued in this area for thousands of years.
Meals
The food at Ulpotha is simply delicious and very healthy. It is almost entirely vegan, naturally wheat free, with an abundance of fresh vegetables, organic red rice and tropical fruit freshly picked from Ulpotha's gardens. It will be a good opportunity to detoxify your system without fuss. Special diets cannot be catered for but it is fairly easy to pick and choose depending on your taste from the many dishes served at each meal. If there is anything that you feel that you simply can't do without (coffee, a gin & tonic, chocolate and the like) - we suggest you bring it with you.
Sample Daily Schedule:
Mornings: applefusion - lovingly developed through Katy's life experience as a ballet dancer, yoga teacher and pilates instructor.
What to expect: Transformational solar vinyasa flow yoga: a variety of active asana practices for all levels: dynamic prana
vinyasa flow, energetic and alignment-based hatha yoga, liberation creative dance, pilates core-inspiration, body prayer, invocations, heart opening practices to liberate body and mind - are you ready? WOO HOO!
Suitable for all levels - just bring your heart and spirit!
Free Time: Soak up the stillness, sunbathe, swim, paddle around in boats, have blissful massages, read, take time out to completely rest and recharge. There always seems something to do if you want to, yet many people discover that the magic of Ulpotha is about finding enjoyment in simply being. Often guests take loads of books and only read a few pages! Your day can be filled with treatments, excursions or walks to special sites surrounding Ulpotha. There are always many interesting people to chat to. However, if you want to be alone - it's easy to find a peaceful spot, like a hammock or a tree house.
Late Afternoon: Introspective & awaking lunar yoga practices.
These sessions will consist of various techniques such as pranayama, meditation, mantra, yoga nidra, nada yoga to bring you home to YOU.
What to bring:
• Very little! – no need for smart clothes or valuables
• A warm layer for cool evenings
• Light coloured long sleeved top and trousers for visiting temples
• Shoes for walking
• Flip flops
• A good torch and batteries
• Sunscreen
• Swimsuit
• Bathing towel
• Insect repellent
• Binoculars for wildlife watchers
• Appropriate medication if needed
Ulpotha has been a pilgrimage site for thousands of years and remains an oasis of tranquility in the heart of
Sri Lanka. It is set by a lakeside at the foot of the Galgiriyawa mountains completely off the beaten track. About 1 hours drive North from Kurunagala or 2 hours Northwest from Kandy, and 3 hours from the airport. It has a living history over 5,000 years old and is rooted in the oldest continuously inhabited region on the island.
Ulpotha is a traditional working village cradled on the one side by low mountains and a lotus ringed lake, and on the other by tiny emerald green paddy fields. Their focus, at present, is on the restoration of an ageless agricultural way of life including bio-diverse
organic farming and
reforestation of the land and its immediate surroundings.
Guests who visit find a natural sanctuary of exceptional beauty where the main activity is simply relaxing in its remarkable atmosphere of peace and calm
Insurance:
Everyone must have full travel insurance. Appleyoga accepts no responsibility for loss theft or damage to persons or property during their stay. Guests must obtain their insurance independently.
Sri Lanka general:
Foreign Office advice:
There has been a cease-fire between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan Government since February 2002. Whilst the peace talks have stalled over various issues there appear to be no signs of a return to the previous hostilities that affected large parts of the north and east of the country. Ulpotha is a very safe place well away from former trouble hot spots - which were located in the far North and East coast of the island. The great thing is you don't even need to go into Colombo if you don't want to - the transfer from the airport to Ulpotha avoids the city.
As of May 2009, the war in the north is now officially over and the Tamil Tigers have stated they will no longer oppose the government militarily.
Currency and where to get it:
Very little! Once you are in Ulpotha everything is included. Around $100 would be plenty for fees at ancient sites and donations at temples. Bring more if you intend on buying souvenirs etc. Sri Lankan Rupees are best bought at Colombo airport and they are open at all times of the day and night.
Weather/climate:
Normally sunny and not too hot (rainy season is mid-May-June and October-November). But world weather being what it is, it could be different..
Clothing:
Sarongs, shorts and tees and bikinis are the norm. A long sleeved top and trousers are necessary for temple visits.
Communications:
Mobile Phones:
Very little mobile reception … bliss!
Public Phones:
There is a public phone in the nearby village.
Internet:
The only possible connection is via the cosmos!
Vaccinations:
Recommended vaccinations are:
Recommended injections are Tetanus and Polio boosters, Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Your GP or travel centre may also recommend Malaria tablets. However Ulpotha is not a known malarial zone and if you intend to only visit Ulpotha and its surrounding regions then Malaria tablets are not absolutely necessary. Though this is a very personal choice and it is up to the individual to make their own decisions on this matter. Please note that the East Pole Foundation can not be held responsible for medical decisions or conditions.
Please check with your GP for the relevant vaccinations needed.
For those wishing to choose alternative ways Ainsworths Homeopathic Pharmacy are a good quality supplier of Homeopathic remedies inc anti malarial remedy available by mail order, tel 020 7935 5330 or from their London shop.
The accommodation is a real treat. Low pitched spacious huts are nestled in the clearings amongst the lush tropical landscape. The decor is elegantly simple and very comfortable with mosquito nets over each bed, plenty of places to stow clothes and bamboo blinds that take the place of walls to allow for a glorious immersion into nature.
The Yoga Shala is a lovely breezy open-sided building tucked away down another sandy pathway that run in between the deliciously huge tanks of water.
