I have wanted to attend a yoga retreat, especially since coming out of Sydney’s lockdown. It was the next step in my newfound journey, but I wasn’t sure where to go or what to expect. So when Swami’s Yoga Retreat popped up on my feed one night, well, I thought maybe it was a sign! So I threw the idea out to a friend, and we both agreed it would be worth trying at least once. 

A little bit about Swami’s Yoga Retreat

Swami’s Yoga Retreat is at 183-185 Pitt Town Road Kenthurst, NSW, Australia, approximately a 50-minute drive from Sydney; the retreat is the perfect location for our three-day, two-night retreat.  

History of Swami Yoga Retreat

Swami Sarasvati arrived in Australia from India in 1967; Swami was known for being the first yoga expert in Australia and landed a show five mornings a week called Swami.

The show brought yoga to the lives of many homemakers at the time, who introduced these practices into their own day-to-day lives. The yoga retreat was then established in 1983, offering yoga classes, meditation classes and spa facilities, but nothing has changed. 

Why attend Swami’s Yoga Retreat?

There are several reasons to book yourself into the yoga retreat. First, you may want to try one of the many workshops they offer. These include Naturopress Juice Cleanse Retreat, Yoga teacher training, and beautiful minds mother-daughter retreat, to name a few.

There are several events and retreats to choose from during the year, but if you are there to dip your toe into this new journey as I have done, well, booking yourself in for a few days to discover what the classes are all about, then this is perfect for that too. 

What to expect at Swami’s Yoga Retreat

I was very hesitant about what to expect from my first yoga retreat; why? Because when I was doing my research, most other retreats were charging twice as much and, in some instances, even five times more for the experience. So I felt a little sceptical about what I would get for such a small price. 

Accommodation 

Accommodation is clean but basic, rooms have ensuites, and the tents are close enough to the amenities that walking to the bathroom at night is not a problem. Just remember not to bring valuables as the doors do not lock. Although, in saying that, we had our door not just unlocked the entire time but also opened, and we felt safe.

There are no wardrobes, but they offer a clothes rack, extra blankets, bath towels and a comfortable bed to sleep in for the night. However, if you like complete privacy, this is not the place for you as you can hear your next-door neighbour pretty clearly. 

Single, twin and double rooms are available at the retreat at varying prices. Lights are out at 10 pm, which means the facilities are closed by this time, you can stay up and read (or chat as we did), but with so much yoga and meditation, you will probably want to have your eyes closed by this time anyway. 

Daily Schedule 

Swami’s yoga retreat offers a full-day itinerary, but what you choose to do is up to you. There is no judgement or pressure in attending, which makes the experience all your own to enjoy.

Although three days and two nights sound like a lot, I probably would’ve stayed an extra night if I were to do it again. The retreat offers morning bush walks, yoga, nightly meditation and workshops. 

Bushwalking 

Sure, bring your trainers because, for those of us who love to hike, in particular, bushwalk, you would think this is the perfect opportunity to get those much-needed daily steps in for the day. But do not be fooled; this is not that type of bushwalk.

We are encouraged to take off our shoes most of the time as the walk is not very far and is pretty easy to do barefoot. Although I enjoy walking barefoot in the park, I wasn’t sure how my feet would love the rugged Australian bush, and I am pleased to say I enjoyed it. However, I chose to wear shoes on day two, and I am glad I did; the path to the creek was a little more rugged than the day before. 

With 60 acres of land, you can choose many paths if you walk during the day. It is a great way to clear the mind and enjoy this retreat’s peace. The view during these walks is pretty unique to this part of town, especially if you take the time to enjoy your surroundings and the wildlife’s sounds. 

Yoga

Honestly, I haven’t taken a yoga class in years. Sure, I enjoy Yoga with Adriene, often online in the sanctuary of my home with only myself to judge how I progress.

But to take a class makes you a little vulnerable to those around you. I was worried that the yoga would be advanced and that everyone in the room would be more flexible than most gymnasts. 

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed every class. Each yoga instructor was different, but each instructor took it slow and gave those more advanced options, so you never felt like you were missing out on a pose or a move.

Each instructor gave careful instructions to all in the room, and it felt like they observed the room without rushing the class. 

Meditation

I have been meditating for a while now; it keeps me calm and grounded, so I was looking forward to this part of the retreat. However, I had never been part of a walking meditation, so this one took me by surprise.

I was also surprised that the hour of meditation in the evening didn’t have my mind wandering and that it would take all of my concentration not to feel like I wanted to get up and scream a little. 

What surprised me the most was that it took everything I had to stay awake, even in Shavasana, and I had no problem with my mind wandering. The entire time I was there, I felt more relaxed than I have in a long time. 

Workshops

You can choose to attend these or not. I went with an open mind and had no idea what I was walking into except for the knowledge that the whiteboard (which has a different meaning each day) was the topic of discussion.

I found this workshop interesting, not that I have ever done group counselling before, but if I had, this is what I imagined it would be like to some degree. Everyone is in a circle, everyone discussing personal topics etc. 

I may not have walked out of that workshop with a resolved issue, but I did with a new podcast to listen to on my walks! 

Other things worth mentioning on the retreat

Amenities

There is a pool for you, a hot tub, steam room, weights room, tennis court, volleyball net and a library. There are also many places to grab, book, sit, and read, including two relatively comfortable hammocks – I tried and tested them myself!

Massage

You can book a massage online before or when you arrive (they fill up fast, so it’s probably worth organising it before you arrive). Swami’s Yoga retreat offers a few different massages, which you can discuss with the masseuse on the day. The duration of massages is 60 or 90 minutes, which needs to be specified before your appointment.

Meals

So all meals are included breakfast, lunch and dinner. All meals are vegan, and I found them to be delicious. If one serving is not enough, they have a bell to ring if you want seconds.

Tea is available at any time of the day as the dining room is open to refill your drink bottles. You can bring snacks or food if you prefer, but I didn’t feel you needed to; there was plenty of food to go around. 

The Bell 

Before anything starts, the bell will ring for a meditation session, yoga, workshop, walk, or mealtime. You can hear it from any of the rooms, tents, and facilities. The bell makes it more relaxing to get the message across to the facility. 

Silent time

If you are there to be one with your thoughts, you can place a sticker on yourself that says you are in silence. The sticker helps those around you to identify that you are not speaking at the moment and allow them to be considerate and understand your needs. 

Digital Detox

There is no obligation to switch off your phone; it feels right to do it. This was a great way to be part of the program for someone who typically has their phone attached to them like super glue. It allows you to take part fully in all of the practices.

This may not be an option for some, and I admit to checking it with the family once the day is over, but overall, the phone was packed away in my room without a worry. 

What is my final view of Swami’s Yoga Retreat?

Would I go back? Very few times in my life, I like to repeat myself. I do not want to eat at the same restaurant unless it has blown me away, stay at the same hotel until I have a good reason to or vacation at the same place unless it has stolen my heart a little.

Swami’s Yoga retreat is a place I can see myself coming back to; I think it’s because it did all of the above, blew me away, I have a good reason to be there, and it stole a little piece of my heart. 

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I hope this post has given you the information you need. If you have any recommendations, tips or advice, I would love for you to share them in the comment section below!

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