BEGINNERS and EXPERIENCED YOGIS WELCOME

1 WEEK: JUNE 2nd-8th, 2014

COST: (excluding airfares): $1800 (share), or $2300 (single)

INCLUDES: 6 nights seaside accommodation, twice daily yoga & meditation, healthy cuisine (6 breakfasts & 6 dinners), a massage, tours, a 10 class pass to Sydney's Yoga by the Sea. Everything optional, including the yoga, no pressure.

HOST: Yoga by the Sea founder, Sasha Hawley

BOOKINGS: sasha@yogabythesea.com.au

GALLERY: http://www.yogabythesea.com.au/#!portfolio/c2lt

Nestled on the quiet shores of the Lombok Strait, the village of Seraya is an unspoiled, hidden gem. Home to the royal family, the mountainous area is surrounded by palaces, temples, water gardens, jungles and the peaks of nearby volcanoes. East Bali also boasts the best snorkelling on the island, so aside from daily yoga, we’ve arranged a traditional boat trip to White Sandy beach, a sunrise yoga session overlooking the volcanos, and a day relaxing in Ubud, the magical mountain village and home to the Monkey Forest.

Exclusively ours for the week, Seraya Shores accommodates 10-15 people in Balinese-style seaside villas made from carved timbers, alang-alang pitched roofs and roomy decks surrounded by tropical gardens. Villas boast queen or king sized beds and daybeds, mosquito nets, water purifiers, spacious rooms, east-meets-west open bathrooms, luxe bath tubs and sea views overlooking the infinity pool. Be lulled to sleep by breaking waves: http://www.serayashores.com/

The Yoga... More of a yoga holiday than a bootcamp, Yoga by the Sea retreats take a relaxed approach, where everything is OPTIONAL (including yoga), so you do as much as you like, no pressure. Students can expect to deepen their practice in paradise while learning about yogic philosophy, east-meets-west nutrition, health, meditation and wellness/detox/destress techniques. It's also a great way to find balance and meet new friends from all walks of life. Between classes and activities there is ample leisure time to relax or explore the region. Last year's retreaters managed to find 'Charlie's Chocolate Factory' hidden on a deserted beach nearby... 

The Yoga Barn is positioned on the water's edge under the shade of an alang-alang grass roof with no walls, open to the sea at the front and the gardens at the back. The large space offers superior ocean views, sea breezes and blissful privacy. Visited by many international yoga students, the location is blessed with serenity and ion rich salt air which revitalizes body, mind and soul.

The Host: Sasha Hawley has taught and trained for a decade in gentle hatha (traditional practice), ashtanga vinyasa (power flow) and satyananda (restorative) styles of yoga, tai chi, pilates and meditation throughout Europe, Turkey and Asia. Inspired by oceanic settings, she established Yoga by the Sea classes in Sydney and began hosting her international retreats in 2010 throughout Bali, Thailand, Fiji and the Barrier Reef. Certified by the Australasian Yoga Institute, she completed her advanced teacher training in India and likes to keep abreast of yogic trends while staying true to the traditional practice. 

Seraya Shores are sponsors of the Seraya English Club which holds free language lessons for children in the village. They also sponsor the Seraya Genjek Gamelan and dance group who will be providing special entertainment and dance performances during our stay in exchange for a donation from Yoga by the Sea.