Eoin Finn is a yogi, surfer, Blissologist, and ocean worshipper. He founded Blissology in 1999 and has taught and written about this unique alignment based yoga system on a global scale.
MOREJoin Insiya and Eoin Finn in beautiful Goa, India for a retreat that combines yoga with Ayurveda to give you the tools and practices to step into your most joyful and vibrant self.
This 7-night yoga retreat on the shores of serene Morjim beach in Goa, India, will help you find true health, balance, and profound healing. Daily yoga practices with Eoin and Insiya are designed to help you release blockages, and Insiya will share her extensive knowledge of Ayurveda that will help you find more balance in your life—at the retreat and beyond. Each day includes yoga and meditation practices, nourishing vegetarian meals, rest time and optional excursions or activities. We are excited to see you in Goa! READ MORE
Eoin Finn is a yogi, surfer, Blissologist, and ocean worshipper. He founded Blissology in 1999 and has taught and written about this unique alignment based yoga system on a global scale.
MORE
Insiya Rasiwala-Finn is a Bombay-born Vinyasa yoga teacher and wellness and spa writer who helped co-create Blissology, a unique alignment based yoga system, with her husband Eoin Finn.
MORE
Join Eoin and Insiya as they travel to Insiya’s homeland of India for an ocean-side retreat in Goa. Stay on the shores of serene Morjim beach in rooms designed to evoke the energy of the chakras and watch the sun set over the warm waters of the Arabian Sea.
Dive deep into your yoga practice on the soil that birthed it, with intuitive and customized practices designed by Eoin and Insiya to help you to release blockages and open up to your most joyful and vibrant self.
Receive guidance from Insiya, an Ayurveda expert, on how to find more balance, health and healing in your life through the practical wisdom of Ayurveda and gain tangible skills to apply these insights to your life beyond the retreat.
Nourish yourself with delicious, organic meals that offer the vibrant tastes of the subcontinent and the world and rest under the shade of a breezy palm tree.
We are so so excited to share our India with our students and friends. This is going to be a transformative, radiant week – one in which you will feel fully alive. We cannot wait to see you there.
Please note: the first yoga practice of the retreat will take place in the afternoon on January 7th – please arrive by 3pm on the 7th so you have time to settle in before the practice. The final practice on January 14th will be in the morning followed by brunch – you are welcome to leave any time after 12 noon on the 14th for onward flights home.
To see more beautiful photos of our luxury accommodation in Goa, India as well as Blissology classes and more visit the Sacred Earth Journeys Flickr page.
6:30 a.m.: Wake up to the Arabian sea breeze
7:00 a.m.: Early morning tea, coffee
8:00 a.m.: Morning Blissology Flow practice + Meditation (2 hrs)
10:30 a.m.: Healthy & flavourful Buffet Brunch
11:30 a.m.: Optional spice market tour or visit to the Dudhsagar waterfall
2 p.m.: Ayurveda for Yogis with Insiya (certain days)
3:30 p.m.: Evening Blissology yoga (2 hrs)
6:00 p.m.: Sunset/Dinner
7:00 p.m.: Time to journal, relax, Blissology discussions and evening activity including traditional Hindu fire ceremony
9:00 p.m.: Goa Midnight a.k.a. Bliss Out :-)
Our accommodation at Devaryaa Wellness is set in a lush garden on a property spanning 7000 sq metres that seamlessly blends the elements of a Goan Portuguese heritage with the aesthetics of Rajasthani royalty.
We will stay in the Chakra Suites: vibrant, airy and light filled rooms that are tastefully furnished with earthy decor that has been handpicked to reflect the elements of nature and the chakras. Each suite is a unique experience in itself. Here you can enjoy the beauty of traditional design combined with all the contemporary comforts.
All rooms come equipped with an attached bathroom, a private balcony, comfortable beds, spacious cupboards, fresh linen, a ceiling fan, an air conditioner and a mosquito net on request. All you need to do is unpack and make yourself at home.
For more information about Devarya: accommodation at Devarya, Goa
Goa, India’s famous west coast paradise, is less than an hour flight from the country’s financial capital of Mumbai, yet worlds away in both sensibility and pace. Life is slower here, the air clean and it is possible to find pockets of peace − a cherished commodity in one of the world’s most populated countries.
While the origins of the name Goa are disputed, some say it derives from Gautama – the name of the Buddha, who is said to have spent time here; others point out that the region has its first literary mention in India’s famous epic the Mahabharata as Gomantaka and Govapuri. Whatever Goa’s origins, historians do concur that the “Go” in Goa translates as “cow” alluding to the pastoral beauty of the region, which fortunately still remains both by the coast as well as in the vast and luxuriant hinterland.
With over 100 kilometres of sandy beaches and an interior dotted with fields, old Portuguese churches in varying states of repair, ancient Hindu temples, mangroves, busy towns, the cobblestoned historic quarter of Old Goa – a UNESCO heritage site, palatial colonial homes and vibrant markets, not to mention some of the world’s oldest fusion cooking, there is something here for every traveller. A recent spate of high-end luxury hotels, small boutique properties, yoga and wellness centres have edged Goa’s evolution from its hippie party roots of the 60s and are transforming it into a coveted spa and wellness destination.
How long should I wait before booking the flight? Are the dates in stone? And is there a chance that flights will go down in price at all?
The retreat dates are set in stone, so you should start booking flights at your
earliest convenience. January is not the peak season for flying to India from North America or Europe, so you are more likely to find some good deals; however, I would not wait too long.
Should I be flying into the Goa Airport?
While Goa does have an international airport, chances are that you are arriving
from an international destination, you will get a better fare to fly to Mumbai
(229 km away) and then transfer to the domestic terminal and fly the 45 minutes
to Goa. If you need to stay overnight in Mumbai, there are various airport hotels
that are comfortable and close by. The Mumbai airport code is BOM and Goa is GOI.
How should I plan on getting from the airport to the retreat centre? Will taxis be available to make this trip?
Arrival and departure transfers are not included in the retreat cost but there are plenty of taxis waiting at the airport.
If the session runs from January 7th – 14th, what time should I plan my departing flight on the 14th? I just don’t want to miss anything!
We will begin our retreat with an afternoon yoga practice on January 7th and end with our brunch/lunch after morning yoga on January 14th. You are welcome to leave anytime after noon on the 14th and we recommend arriving latest by 3 p.m. on the 7th so you have some time to settle in before evening yoga on the first night. If you require extra nights at the retreat centre, we can help you to arrange that for an additional cost.
How much money should I bring for the trip, and should I have it converted to rupees before I get there?
India is a shopping mecca for handicrafts and things like that. If you love to shop, I would recommend bringing some funds for this. While at the retreat centre, you will not have much need of money, except for other incidentals such as additional food, laundry etc. You could budget say $30-$50 a day for such things. There are ATMs a short auto rickshaw ride away as well as banks. Bring a mixture of cash (U.S. or Canadian), debit card(s) and credit cards. You may wish to get some rupees before you depart, but money can be readily changed on arrival as well.
Should I be concerned with bringing valuables? (Like my nice camera… should I leave that home and bring a less expensive one with me?)
The retreat centre we are staying at, Devarya, has informed us that they have never had any problems with theft, everyone has always left their stuff in their rooms which they can lock. If you are worried about some item in particular, you can keep it locked in the site manager’s apartment. In general, our rule of thumb with travel is to always know where your items are when you are out and about and to not make valuables too conspicuous.
Are there any vaccinations I should get before I travel (the CDC recommended malaria)?
You can take a vaccination for malaria; however, since we are not going to be in Goa during the monsoon, this would be quite a low risk. If you bring some good eco bug spray and stay indoors during the witching hour i.e. right at dusk, you should be well protected from mosquitoes. The beds also have mosquito nets.
We do recommend checking with your local travel health clinic and/or doctor about shots or vaccinations that they might recommend. Nothing is mandatory, but we would suggest that you check with your doctor.
If I’ve only paid the deposit, when is final payment due?You have paid a deposit of USD $500 and final payment is due 70 days prior to the retreat (November 29th). Please note that all payments are non-refundable and we strongly recommend purchasing cancellation & medical insurance. For Canadians, we offer a Tour Package Insurance (cancellation & medical) through Allianz Global Assistance. Please call Sacred Earth Journeys for details. For Americans, we offer a package insurance through USI Affinity/Travel Insurance Services at this link - https://select.travelinsure.com/?pcode=32963
Are there any phrases or words I should familiarize myself with?
In Goa, there is a high level of English spoken; however, there are some simple Hindi phrases that could be useful.
How are You? ~ Aaap Kaise Ho?
Hello ~ Hallo
Yes ~ Ha (like ha ha)
No ~ Nahi
I don’want this ~ Nahi Chahiye
Thank You ~ Shukriya or Thank You
Tea ~ Chai
Sugar ~ Shakar
Tea without Sugar ~ Shakar bina chai
Day ~ Sabéré
Night ~ Raat
Milk ~ Dudh (like dude, but with the dh at the end)
Water ~ Pani (ph. paaaneee)
Food/Meal ~ Khana (khaaanaa)
Do I need a Tourist Visa for India?
Yes, citizens of most countries do. For more information, visit the Indian Consulate website for your country and city. Here is a list of consulates across the world: http://www.immihelp.com/directory/indianconsulates.html. Your passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of departure from India and you will obtain the Tourist Visa from the consulate closest to you.