Ashtanga Yoga Retreat with
Charlie & Oli
4th - 10th May 2024
About the Retreat
Sadhana in the Sun
Join Charlie Grange and Oliver Richard as they guide you through a week of self-practice, workshops and sadhana under the Italian sun. Together, this couple not only share their lives with one another, but also a love and passion for the teachings of yoga, and their transformational power.
More About Charlie & Oli
Charlie is Mysore Programme Director at Love Yoga studio, Aberdeen, Scotland, teaching both Ashtanga and Indea Yoga Hatha sequences with an infectious enthusiasm.
With a background in teaching swimming and science, Charlie has spent over 15 years working with the human body. Her inquisitive nature has led to extensive and continuous study of physiology and biomedical science, including a first class honours degree in Immunology, and accreditation in Swedish Massage, Sports & Remedial Massage and Shiatsu. Fusing this knowledge with an intuitive touch, she seeks deeper understanding and connection with herself and her students.
Charlie’s own yogic journey began in 2013 when she started practicing daily under the tutelage of her teacher Sarah Durney, which eventually led to her travelling the world as she explored different approaches with teachers including Matthew Sweeney and Bharath Shetty.
Charlie encourages playful and experimental approaches to asana, as well as deeper explorations of the subtler elements of the yogic systems. Ultimately, she aims to take yoga off the mat and into peoples' lives, helping them to connect in a more profound way to themselves and others.
Oliver leads the evening Mysore Programme at Love Yoga Studio, Aberdeen. As with Charlie, he encourages students to investigate the traditional sequencing of Jois’ Ashtanga Vinyasa, whilst also making space for alternative forms and Indea Yoga sequencing.
Oliver began his journey in yogic 2014 Mysore style, under the guidance of his teacher Sarah Durney. Three years of self practice later, and he travelled for the first time to India, with Charlie, to learn directly from his second teacher, Bharath Shetty in both Ashtanga Vinyasa and classical Hatha sequencing.
With a teaching style that centres on awareness of postural alignment, and a deep focus on conscious breathing, Oliver has spent the last 5 years teaching yoga around his homeland of Aberdeen, Scotland. Drawing from a first class honours degree in Neuroscience with Psychology, Oliver seeks to explore the link between yogic practices and how they affect the mind and nervous system. This is most evident in his expansive understanding of breathing and how it precipitates change on conscious and unconscious levels, manifesting both physical and energetic balance. Oliver enjoys using his background understanding of the brain and nervous system to help clarify the many intersections between Western Science and Eastern philosophy, attempting a reconciliation of these two systems that are so often seen as separate.
What's included?
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6 nights accommodation
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Morning Mysore practices and worksho
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2 delicious plant based meals daily, to include breakfast/brunch and evening dinner
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Light snacks and refreshments including, a selection of teas, coffee, water & fruit
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Wi fi internet connection
What's not included?
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Flights and transport (Yogapulia can organise local taxis and airport transfers)
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Travel and medical insurance
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Optional extras (can booked on the retreat)
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Massages by experienced local therapists
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Local wine and olive oil tastings
Accommodation and Facilities
Our retreat centre is set in 2.5 acres of grounds in a valley filled with olive and almond groves.
Accommodation consists of six twin rooms and one double room all with private ensuite bathroom. All rooms have been renovated to a high standard using locally sourced materials, to create a luxurious yet simple and understated feel. A large outdoor courtyard provides the main communal eating space, and several outdoor terraces offer a place to relax in the sun or the shade.
Situated at the heart of the complex, the salt water swimming pool acts like a colourful meeting point – with the blue water combining with the green olive trees and the red soil.
Food plays a central role in both our yoga practice and life. We believe food should be varied, unprocessed and nourishing to promote energy and wellbeing. The food we serve is predominantly plant based with some vegetarian options. All produce we source and grow at YogApulia is local, seasonal and organic wherever possible.
Refreshments are also available throughout the day and include tea, coffee, water & fruit.
The international airport at Brindisi is approximately 40 minutes drive away and Bari is further to the north approximately 55 minutes drive. Hiring a car in Puglia is relatively inexpensive and provides a great way to explore the surrounding countryside, local historical towns and beaches. Both Bari and Brindisi airports have a large selection of hire car companies including Avis and Hertz. It is recommended to book a car before your arrival. Alternatively, we can arrange a taxi to collect you on your arrival.