The 4 day Retreat

We offer the 3 – 4 day retreat in 2 formats: Deconditioning and Awakening.

3 -day Deconditioning retreats are designed for beginners and advanced meditators alike. The focus is on rest and repair of the nervous system. We cover awakening topics and meditations, however the emphasis is on healing mind and body systems.

4-day Awakening retreats are designed for experienced meditators. Healing, rest and repair of the nervous system are always a part of retreats. However, in the Awakening retreats, time is spent in longer meditations. You must have completed at least one retreat previously with Ava to join the Awakening retreat.

Deconditioning: More rest and guided meditations

Awakening: More and longer stillness practices

 Awakening retreats:

4- day Awakening retreats have a special emphasis on the awakening techniques and topics from the 3- part Functional Spirituality method.

You can expect advanced non-dual concepts and options for longer meditations. Completion of at least one retreat with Ava is required before attending these retreats.*

*If you are an experienced practitioner, we still strongly recommend attending the Deconditioning retreat first, but if you haven’t please apply for the Awakening retreat anyway.

Why Silence?

Silence gives us space. The nervous system unravels, without any effort, and we connect to our natural state of being.

The silent retreat is a delicious opportunity to take your meditation practice much deeper, in an incredible forest setting. This retreat brings both the gentle and strong parts of the practice together in a way that is simple yet profoundly effective.

Experience your transformation with a group of like-minded individuals in a  nurturing environment.

What to Expect

After your orientation on the first evening, you will not talk for the entire retreat until the end. You can communicate via notes to the facilitators, and everything is organised for you to flow from one rest-stop to the next. The daily sessions are held in a beautiful yoga hall.

You will not need to plan or worry about anything. Read the Guidelines carefully before applying.

The retreat is fully guided with yoga and meditation sessions perfectly spaced throughout the day.

Expect rich philosophy delivered in a meaningful and digestible way, a variety of meditation techniques presented and a deep sense of bliss and rest in your physical body.

You will leave with a fresh perspective on your life, as well as a connection to your Heart and the infinite Reality.

Dates

Arrive: Friday, Apr 14th by 5:30pm latest.
Leave: Tuesday, Apr 18th after 10am.

Retreat Venue

Shambala is nestled 120 acres of serene, quiet, nature filled forest. The property borders right onto the state forest of Bramley river and Canebreak pool. You will be nourished deeply in the venues Meeting House and the Yoga Shala, self-sufficient with rainwater and semi-off grid power, sustainably built on land designed on permaculture principles. See the retreat guidelines for more details about the accommodation options.

Who Can Attend?

This retreat is suitable for beginners and advanced meditators alike. Everyone benefits from yoga, meditation, silence and nature. Please fill out the application form to get a better feel of the retreat and for us to evaluate if its the right time for you.

What Is Included?

All accommodation and food are included. Delicious, healthy and hearty, home cooked vegetarian meals will be served 3 times a day. Morning Hatha, evening Yin practices, silent sitting meditations supported by discourses and training from modern and traditional yoga technologies. Space limited to 18 people.

Who Is Your Teacher?

Ava is the main teacher and founder of Spanda School.

She offers yoga classes at the studio as well as training programs and meditation retreats. She is skilled in a wide range of offerings, having dedicated herself wholly to awakening, service and the pursuit of knowledge.

Ava’s “yoga path” started at the age of 19 with an intense physical asana practice. However, it was only after doing her first series of silent retreats & teacher trainings in 2011, that she and her teachers recognised her connection to the practice was unique.

Her path of service began giving classes in various studios in the South-West, as well as teaching at the Agama Headquarters in Thailand, Rishikesh, Singapore and the Hridaya School in Mexico.

It is Ava’s greatest joy to guide others and herself along the path of Spiritual transformation, aligning with life’s purpose and connecting to the Spanda or the innate enthusiasm of the heart. Besides the meditation, her greatest growths have come from living in Hridaya community itself, Hatha Yoga and conscious relationships.

Ava has a degree in Philosophy from the University of Sydney. Considered as academic with a thirst for spiritual knowledge, she has an innate gift for teaching and a generous attitude that touches each of her students in a loving way. Your time spent with Ava will bring a new inspiration to your life!

Testimonials

“It’s hard to put into words how much the retreat changed my perspective, and how differently I feel now. You had a very profound effect on me, and for that I’m very, very grateful”

~ Matt

“I am so grateful. I don’t know what my life would have been without this retreat and constant wisdom being poured into me. These months have been crazy and this space has been really grounding and nurturing.

So thank you!!!.”

~

“I just returned from a 4 day silent meditation and yoga retreat, what an amazing experience! Words can’t describe the way Ava teaches food for the soul ”

~ Katia