Three types of retreats are available and run at different times during the year.

All retreats draw upon an ecology of contemplative, spiritual, embodied, and creative practices.

Retreats are designed around a central theme, such as stillness, compassion, discernment, awareness, flow, or gratitude. Themes may emerge from contemplative traditions, the natural world, creativity, education, spirituality or questions arising from contemporary life. The theme provides a thread through the retreat rather than a rigid programme: something we return to through different practices, conversations and experiences.

No two retreats are exactly alike. The practices are carefully selected and woven together in response to the place, attendees, purpose, and themes of each gathering. In the total cost, One-Day Retreats and Residential Retreats include healthy communal mealtimes and refreshments at regular intervals, as well as a small gift bag and retreat booklet for home practice for each attendee. No prior experience is necessary; retreats are inclusive of all cultures, backgrounds and levels of experience.

One-Day Retreats

The retreats consist of an opening integral yoga session, an interactive theme-based workshop, a short contemplative reading, a short contemplative writing practice, and a closing with meditation and a sacred sound bath session. The format and contents are flexible, and Dr. Gabriella F. Buttarazzi (Uma Shakti Devi) is open to bespoke requests for a specific group of attendees, for example, educators or healthcare and social care professionals.

One-Day Retreats usually run between 10 am and 6 pm, providing substantial time for a concentrated period of practice, reflection, and connection with others, without requiring attendees to take extended time away from everyday responsibilities.

Weekend Retreats

These retreats provide a more immersive, focused experience.

All Weekend Retreats form part of the flagship 500-hourTeacher Training Course in Integral Yoga Studies®, where those who are not working towards the formal training may join for the weekend experience. The weekend format provides much dedicated time for students to deepen their practice and experience the important relational and communal dimensions of contemplative practice. This is surprisingly sufficient to keep you motivated and energised for the whole month. All weekends are themed; the approach is slow and deep.

The weekends include meditation, integral yoga, contemplative reading, contemplative writing, reflective journalling, sacred sound, applied philosophy-into-practice interactive workshops, shared inquiry, active listening, and deep listening. While there is rhythm and intention to each day, space is also conserved for rest, integration, and being.

Residential Retreats

Residential Retreats take place for a minimum of 8 days in a peaceful, idyllic overseas destination. The total cost does not include the cost of flights or trains to and from the retreat location.  These retreats are also themed and involve optional activities connecting to the local culture. Programmes allow plenty of time between shared practice sittings for rest and exploration.

FIND OUT MORE

The details of all forthcoming One-Day Retreats, Weekend Retreats, and Residential Retreats will be updated on this website, Eventbrite and other hosting sites, as they are announced and registration opens.

Work With The Art of Integral Being®

If you would like to attend a future retreat, collaborate on a retreat, or invite Dr. Gabriella F. Buttarazzi (Uma Shakti Devi) to facilitate a retreat for your organisation or community, she would be delighted to hear from you.