Ashtanga Yoga and Swimming Retreat
with Heike Katharina Schmidt
31st August - 6th September 2024
Retreat Programme
The morning Ashtanga sessions will be led by Heike mainly in Mysore Style with a couple of guided
sun salutations and standing postures for beginners. Friday morning we will conclude the week with a
traditional Sanskrit guided Led Primary.
After the morning sessions we will come together to enjoy a delicious brunch, prepared by the
wonderful chefs at the retreat, followed by free time to relax at the pool or explore the area.
In the afternoons Kathrin and Heike are offering swimming sessions in the Art of Swimming Method
founded by Steven Shaw: Preparatory exercises on land, in the swimming pool and guided open
water swimming.
Being hungry after swimming you will enjoy a variety of delicious italian and worldwide dishes for
dinner and finish the day before bed time with the calming practices of Vedic chanting, prāṇāyāma
and meditation.
What's included?
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Six nights accommodation
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Two 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
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6 morning ashtanga yoga practice
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5 afternoon swimming sessions
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6 calming evening practices
What's not included?
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Flights
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Transport to/from the retreat centre ( YogApulia can help organise local taxis, this will be an additional cost paid direct to the taxi driver)
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Travel/medical insurance
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Massages - available upon request at additional cost
More about Heike & Kathrin
Heike has been practicing Hatha Yoga since 1994 and teaching since 2000. The discovery of
Ashtanga Yoga in 2001 deepened her practice immensely and she started to spend the winters in
India to study at the KPJAI in Mysore. She received her authorization to teach Ashtanga Yoga from K.
Pattabhi Jois in 2007 as the third teacher in Germany to receive this honour. After teaching in different
locations and countries like Australia and Cambodia she opened her own studio, the Dvipāda Studio
in Cologne, Germany in 2008 where she teaches a Mysore Morning Programm, Led Classes in
traditional Sanskrit Count, retreats and leads teacher trainings.
Kathrin, a certified life guard and Heike offer swimming lessons based on the Shaw Method, a special
swimming method developed by Steven Shaw. The method offers a holistic approach where the
central focus lies on enjoying the movement in the water. Practicing the movements on land first helps
to internalize the movement patterns needed to swim relaxed. We will be with you in the water for
optimal communication and comprehensible demonstration. The instructions will set impulses directly
on to the body which makes it easy to implement the movement patterns while swimming. We will
focus on front crawl.
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 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.