Please click here to visit our Dedicated Ayurveda India Retreat Website
Our 7th Annual
Ayurveda India Retreat
ONE ROOM LEFT!!
February 16 ~ March 8, 2024
Relax, Unwind, Revitalize & Heal Retreat
Winter 2024
with John de Kadt & Katie O’Connell
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda means “Science of Life.” The focus of Ayurveda is on long-lasting holistic health, not just a short-term cure. It offers a unique blend of science and philosophy that balances the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual components necessary for long term wellness. A time-tested, ancient system of disease prevention and healthcare, Ayurveda is a complete system of natural medicine and has been a way of life for millions of people across the planet. In Ayurveda, specific therapies are developed for each individual as opposed to a generic cure commonly prescribed by modern medicine. Ayurveda addresses disease from the root cause and provides a permanent cure instead of a quick fix.
Panchakarma: An Ayurvedic Healing Retreat
Video of our 2017 Trip!
Pancha means “five” and Karma means “to cleanse,” and so Panchakarma is the ultimate healing experience for detoxifying the body and mind, strengthening the immune system, and restoring balance and well being. It is a deeply powerful yet gentle cleansing process that utilizes deep rest, herbs, body treatments, enemas, steam baths, diet, and specific treatments catered to an individual’s unique constitution and health concerns. This extended retreat allows each participant adequate time to release deeply held toxins and blocks that adverse affect the mind and body, allowing the opportunity to reorganize and heal on a profound level.
“PK” is effective for treating a variety of health concerns and imbalances, including but not limited to: stress, anxiety, depression, migraines, arthritis, digestive issues, hypertension, chronic fatigue, joint pain, obesity, diabetes, back pain, ulcers, IBS, muscle and tendon disorders, skin disorders, respiratory diseases, urinary and bowel diseases, chronic constipation, sinusitis, insomnia, addictions, infertility, reversed hearing loss, eating disorders, and more.
This is a life-changing retreat for your body, mind, and spirit!
In our very chaotic and busy world full of what feels like unstoppable stress, this retreat is a true blessing. Taking three weeks for yourself is a true act of self love and nurturance. Here you can unwind and jumpstart into a whole new level of health and well being. Ayurvedic consultations with the retreat’s on-site Ayurvedic doctor and pharmacist, meals to support your treatment plan, and cleansing practices specific to your needs are all facets of this retreat, which will leave you feeling clear, vibrant, and deeply healed. Your group leaders have designed a retreat experience that includes daily yoga classes with Katie, storytelling and drumming with John, presentations on Ayurveda, and lots of free time to walk into the Indian countryside that borders the retreat, investigate the town, or visit local attractions.
Location: Tamil Nadu Mountains, South Central India
This idyllic Ayurvedic retreat is located in the mountains of western Tamil Nadu, close to Kerala in one of the prettiest parts of India. Nestled at 6,000 feet elevation amidst a lush green tea plantation, healing eucalyptus forests, nearby waterfalls, and surrounded by the pure Nilgiri Mountain air, the retreat is in the perfect environment for rejuvenation. Away from the hustle of the city and surrounded in natural beauty, expect a profound transformation to take place! Every meal is made fresh with the retreat’s own source of pure mineral water and organic vegetables and herbs. With world-class Ayurvedic physicians and Panchakarma therapists, and an amazing staff of chefs and gardeners, this peaceful retreat center combines modern comforts with the best of ancient medicine and a beautiful setting you will come to call home. There are weekly nature walks with the resident Ayurvedic doctor, as well as optional excursions to personalize your once in a lifetime experience in India, including the markets of Coonoor City, a train ride through the mountains to the town of Ooty, and even a day trip to an elephant reservation, not to mention walking in the beautiful Nilgiri mountains, surrounding the retreat!
The beautiful thing about retreating in this part of India is that it offers an opportunity to be intimate with the Indian villages nearby where we might even find opportunities to give of ourselves in karma yoga and receive the warmth and brightness of the native Indian spirit. It’s a living, breathing reminder of our interconnectedness on this planet. To get a flavor of these villages, watch John de Kadt’s music video “The Village” on YouTube.
For those who have the time and want to travel before or after the retreat, John and Katie have excellent suggestions for you! Katie has traveled to Mysore, Agra, Varanasi, the Kerala Beaches, Amritsar, and Rishikesh, India, while John knows the Chennai area as well as Goa. Let us know how we can help you decide where and how to extend your travels!
Your Guides: John de Kadt & Katie O’Connell
John de Kadt is a percussionist, poet, and storyteller. He has played ethnic hand percussive instruments for over 30 years and plays drums from across the globe. He has performed around the world, taught drumming on PBS and live nationally on NBC, and has performed with Krishna Das, David Darling, Subash Chandra, Ganesh Kumar, Jai Uttal, Robert Bly, Baba Olantunji, Colman Barks, and many others including his Kirtan band, The Hanumen. John has released five CDs and travels internationally performing his unique and powerful blend of poetry, story, and percussion. Before doing music full time, John spent time as an acupuncturist, herbalist, and Ayurvedic consultant for 15 years. He loves and still practices many aspects of these holistic medicines.
Katie O’Connell has been practicing yoga for over 24 years and is an Ayurvedic Health Practitioner, Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist, and ERYT. Katie owns her own retreat center, Dragonfly Yoga Barn, in the beautiful White Mountains of NH with her husband of 30 years, where they facilitate retreats and events of all kinds. Katie is a singer, poet, mother, gardener, and life-long student of Nature. She has taught over 15,000 hours of yoga classes, has over 1,400 hours of yoga study and certifications, nearly 1,000 hours in the study of Ayurveda with Dr. Paul Dugliss (New World Ayurveda) and Dr. Marc Halpern (California College of Ayurveda) as well as certifications in Thai Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, SUP Yoga, Reiki, and more. Katie is also a certified Heart Based Meditation teacher. She runs international retreats, teaches daily yoga classes, provides education in Ayurveda and yoga, offers Ayurveda consultations, private yoga therapy, Thai bodywork, and yoga & wellness coaching at Dragonfly. Her greatest teachers of all are her students, her children, and her husband and parter in everything, Dhadood.
ACCOMMODATIONS & PRICING:
We are happy to offer our guests INCREDIBLE ALL-INCLUSIVE RATES!!! No matter what room you choose, our exclusive retreat rates include three whole weeks of Ayurvedic massage and body treatments with a wonderful team of Panchakarama therapists, delicious and healthy Ayurvedic meals made by hand from on-site and locally farmed veggies, fruits, herbs, and grains, multiple weekly appointments and check-ins with the resident physician, Dr. Sundara Raman, daily herbs and tinctures, daily yoga and meditation classes, Kirtan, Drumstory, Ayurvedic lectures, cooking classes, Nature walks, and so much more! To compliment your retreat experience, choose from several room types, including standard, deluxe glass, exclusive glass cottages, and even an entire villa, if you wish! Our variety of accommodations and rates offers you the perfect room for your needs and tastes. All accommodations are available on a first registered, first choice basis.
Are you ready to join us in India? Please fill out your application/registration form on our official website (click at the top of this page) Rooms are limited!
2024 Application / Registration: Please visit the link to our official Ayurveda India Website above!
A 50% DEPOSIT is required to hold your space in this very special 3-WEEK retreat!
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: 2024 forms coming soon!
- 2024 Application / Registration Form: VISIT OFFICIAL PAGE www.ayurvedaindiaretreat.com
- Terms & Conditions (REQUIRED SIGNATURE): WILL BE SENT AFTER YOU APPLY
- Current Passport & Indian Visa
- Travel Details Form (to be filled out once travel is determined)
We STRONGLY suggest TRAVEL INSURANCE. Check out World Nomads or your own favorite travel insurance company such as Trip Insurance.
dragonflyoga@gmail.com & johndekadt@gmail.com
Dragonfly Yoga Barn, Studio & Retreat 