Spiritual Retreat to India
Himalayan Foothills, 2 - 20 March 2025
Is this retreat for you?
- Are you curious about yourself and feel a desire to grow?
- Do you want to explore your spiritual side in an environment where this is totally natural?
- Are you looking for renewal or change in your personal or professional life?
- Or do you simply feel drawn to this retreat and are open to experience what it will offer to you?
If any of these strike a chord, then follow your heart and join us on this journey.
New discoveries and treasures await – outer and inner!
ABOUT THE RETREAT
We gather in Delhi for some sightseeing and to get ready for our stay in the Himalayan foothills.
7 days of traditional Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatments follow at Chiliyanaula Ayurvedic Hospital, inviting you to relax and rejuvenate. The Hospital is affiliated with the Haidakhan Bababji Temple and Ashram in Ranikhet and almost 2000m above sea level. Daily treatments, yoga and meditation, nourishing food and stunning views of the snow covered Himalayan peaks (weather dependent) optimally prepare us for the second week of the trip, our stay at Haidakhan Ashram.
Haidakhan is located in a remote part of the Himalayan foothills on the bank of the river Gautami Ganga. On the surface, Haidakhan is a very simple place. Much time is spent outdoors as life revolves around the stunning riverbed and steep hills rising from it. The facilities are very basic and invite us to look beyond what our eyes can see and watch more deeply from within our hearts. Like veils lifting, we can then experience the magic of this place: the home of Shri Babaji, in Hindu mythology an incarnation of Sambasadashiva, the aspect of Shiva (Divine Consciousness) which is always in union with the Divine Mother.
The sense of grace and peace in Haidakhan is so tangible you can almost touch them. This energy is a huge accelerator for connecting deeply with who we really are and stepping out of habitual thought, behaviour and physical patterns into more presence, choice and open energy flow.
In Haidakhan we follow the ashram programme which includes bathing in the crystal clear waters of the river, chanting, pujas (ceremonies) and fire rituals, karma yoga, satsang in the chai shops. I have found deep personal growth almost magically taking shape through these activities, presenting me with the situations, people and insights that I need at exactly the right time.
Our stay in Haidakhan includes the celebration of Holi (14/15 March). Holi is the playful, exuberant festival with which Hindus celebrate spring, love and new life, the triumph of good over evil. It is a very colourful festival, with dancing, singing and throwing of powder paint and coloured water.
“Truth, Simplicity and Love”
When Babaji was in a physical body, his teaching was ‘Truth, Simplicity, Love’. He also emphasised ‘Service to humanity’ and encouraged everyone to follow the religion of their heart, but never to place religion (or any dogma) above humanity.
Every part of this trip has been carefully chosen to support our exploration of these teachings and help receive the valuable gifts they can offer to each one of us. For example, during our travels, we will stay in Indian middle class hotels rather than exclusive five star properties for foreigners and wealthy Indians. Growth happens when we leave our comfort zone and while you might feel challenged at times, you will be in very safe hands.
Transformational retreat sessions with vanessa and geert
We will have structured retreat sessions during the entire stay in India while also giving you space to follow your own journey. We will tailor these sessions to the needs of the participants, drawing from a rich repertoire of healing and transformational modalities, including breathwork, constellation, circle work, guided meditations and creative work.
About the Facilitators
Geert and Vanessa share a passion for breathwork and devotion to Babaji. They have been working together for some years on the Executive Team of the International Breathwork Foundation to nurture and grow the global community of breathworkers and lovers of the breath, and are now collaborating to offer this unique retreat in India.
Geert De Vleminck
Geert had his first rebirthing breathwork session in 1999. Since 2017 he is a fulltime breathwork practitioner and trainer and is owner of the Joy of Life Breathwork Center in Belgium, an International Accredited School for Breathwork Training. He visited India 2 times and stayed in the Ashram during Navaratri in 2018. Besides rebirthing breathwork he also practices constellations, energetic healing and he coaches people to live their life with their full potential from the heart, aligned to who they really are. From love, truth, simplicity, service and he likes to add the element joy.
Website: www.joyoflifebreathwork.com
Vanessa Dietzel
My approach to transformational work is deeply informed by my own healing and life journey. Regardless of the specific techniques or modalities I tried or trained in, and the teachers I’ve been graced to learn from, at the core of what I learnt is the importance of the connection to our inner self, the voice in our hearts which guides and speaks with wisdom and unconditional love. The purpose of my work is to support others in finding or deepening the relationship with themselves in order to lead inspired, authentic lives in full knowledge and embodiment of their divine essence.
Initially very reluctant about any spiritual practices, I have been on numerous trips to India and Haidakhan Ashram since 2011 and have served as a Pujarini, taking care of temples and conducting devotional ceremonies of this lineage.
Dates, prices and detailed information
Dates: 2 - 20 MARCH 2025
Price: £2,050 / €2,400 per person (concessions available - get in touch)
- Non-refundable deposit of £200 / €200 to confirm your place on this retreat
- Full amount to be paid by 31 January 2025 – Check with Vanessa or Geert for payments details.
- Places are limited, please book as early as possible to secure your spot and avoid additional costs.
- Booking after 31 January 2025 will incur an additional fee of £250 / €250.
2 March: Arrival in Delhi and gathering of the group, connection, dinner.
3 March: Delhi, sightseeing with visit to Lotus Temple, shopping Indian style.
4 March: Travel Delhi - Chiliyanaula.
4-12 March: Stay at Chiliyanaula Ayurvedic hospital – Panchakarma – cleansing of the body, daily treatments, yoga, breathwork sessions.
12 March: Travel to Haidakhan ashram.
12-19 March: Stay at Haidakhan ashram, experience ashram life, climb of local Mount Kailash (local conditions permitting). Holi festival.
19 March: Travel Haidakhan - Delhi, night in Delhi hotel.
20 March: Departures from Delhi.
Included in retreat price
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All accommodation in India (Delhi and Chiliyanaula based on a shared double room, Haidakhan Ashram might include dormitory style accommodation)
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All travel in India (train, taxis)
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7 day Panchakarma treatments at Chiliyanaula Ayurvedic Hospital (massages, steam, herbal treatments customised for you by an Ayurvedic doctor, 2 x day)
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3 meals per day in Chiliyanaula Ayurvedic Hospital
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Daily yoga and meditation sessions in Chiliyanaula Ayurvedic Hospital (2 x day)
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2 meals per day in Haidakhan Ashram
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Assistance and Breathwork programme by Geert and Vanessa (English, Dutch and German)
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Visit Lotus Temple Delhi
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Zoom call gathering with all participants – January 2025
Not included
- Flights to and from Delhi
- Meals in Delhi
- Breakfast in Haidakhan Ashram (available at Ashram chai shops at very low cost)
- Tourist visa to India (mandatory)
- Travel insurance (mandatory) – disclaimer to be signed
- Personal expenses
- Tips (gratuities)
Chiliyanaula Ayurvedic Hospital: https://babajiayurveda.in/
Babaji Ashram Haidakhan: https://haidakhandisamaj.in/
How to book
If this retreat is calling you - and you will know if it is:
If you have any questions, send me a message!
