Created with an intention to begin to unlock your full potential through Yoga and Ayurveda, join Karolina and Dr. Nilesh Korde for three rejuvenating and informative days of Yoga and Ayurveda.

What are you going to experience?

These three days of Yoga and Ayurveda have been designed to help you unwind through the practices of Yoga and introduce you to the philosophy and practice of Ayurveda, both with the intention of igniting a spark to take control of your health and improve your wellbeing.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda, a Sanskrit word which means the Knowledge of life, originated in India more than 5000 years ago and is an ancient medical science, which is founded on the prevention of disease. Ayurveda is one of three medical sciences of India, together with Homeopathy and Western medicine. Just as with our modern western functional medicine, Ayurveda encourages health though the maintenance of a balanced life through right speech, right thinking, yoga, diet, lifestyle, the use of cleansing practices and herbs. The knowledge of Ayurveda helps us to understand how to create equilibrium based on our body constitution by making lifestyle changes adapted to our individual matrix. While aiming for balance, Ayurveda considers our internal as well as external environment, such as stress, emotions, relationships but also the seasons and the weather. We are born with a specific blueprint, but we are strongly affected by the world we live in, which often disturbs our inner balance. Ayurveda aims at helping us to maintain a state of homeostasis with our internal as well as external world. Ayurveda uses observation of the body to diagnose possible imbalances. The Ayurvedic practitioner examines his patient through observation of eyes, mouth, skin, nails hair and by feeling the pulse. While western medicine often treats the symptoms of a disease, Ayurveda when practiced continuously, may prevent the disease from taking hold in the first place.

What is the connection between Yoga and Ayurveda?

Both Yoga and Ayurveda are mentioned in the ancient Vedic scriptures, and it is said that Ayurveda is the field of study and science while Yoga applies the principles and teachings. They both seek to balance our mental and physical health. Ayurveda often uses yog-asanas (postures) in a therapeutic way to balance the Doshas. A strong Pitta Dosha will be best approached through a gentle flow. A strong Vata will be best balanced through slow practice which incorporates breathing exercises while a strong Kapha needs a strong flow. Yoga postures are also used in a therapeutic manner to help with various health conditions such as digestive issues, blood pressure, migraines and much more…

Your yoga guide Karolina

Karolina has lived and worked in India for 20 years. During these years she has dived deep into the practices of yoga with her main teacher Rolf Naujokat, and with an amazing number of senior ashtanga teachers, whilst managing the Purple Valley Yoga retreat centre. Having gone through personal healing after a prolonged period of eating disorders and substance use, Karolina has developed a fascination in the ability of our body to heal physically, emotionally, and energetically. Her personal journey led to an interest in exploring the connection between body and mind and understanding tools to strengthen and heal them both. Healing is a continuous and ongoing process. The practices of yoga alongside an understanding of nutrition, have been one of the main tools on the way to regain health, and remains until today the most important grounding anchor in Karolina’s daily life.

Reflecting over the past and looking at the present, Karolina has chosen to live a life of yoga. She is grateful and amazed at our body’s ability to heal and has made it her mission to create awareness, guidance and support for individuals that are interested in taking control over their own health through yoga, yogic lifestyle and lifestyle changes combined with nutrition.

Karolina holds a B(Sc) in Nutritional Therapy and is currently pursuing her B(Sc)Hons in the same topic at University of West London. Karolina also has a special interest in both Functional Medicine and eating disorders/ disordered eating and is currently completing a Master practitioner diploma with the National Centre of Eating Disorders in UK.

Karolina is also very passionate about astrology and during this retreat you will have the opportunity to receive an astrological reading.

Your Ayurveda Guide Dr. Neelesh Korde

Dr Neelesh Pramod Korde, is the 3 rd generation of a family of Ayurvedic practitioners. Dr Korde was introduced to Ayurveda at a very young age and as the seed of Ayurveda was sown, his passion for Ayurveda continued to evolve and grow as he trained in Ayurveda at the Ayurvedic Medical University in Bangalore Karnataka.

Though initially choosing to follow an academic route, Dr. Korde was always keen to learn more about the clinical application of Ayurveda and how best he could apply his knowledge in a practical way to assist in relieving pain and suffering of patients.

After graduating, Dr Korde had the opportunity to specialise in Shareera Rachana from the University of Pune. Shareera Rachana is the science which deals with the study of the living human body and mind in relation to its structural norms, and is essential in the understanding of treatment of the individual (Chikitsa). Dr Korde had been associated with Gomantak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya and Research Centre in Shiroda Goa for the last 30 years. During his time as the Professor and head of the department of Rachana Shareera, he has guided many young and passionate aspirants in achieving excellence in Ayurveda. Dr Korde has travelled the world as an ambassador of Ayurveda not only in India but also in UK and USA, where he has been practicing and teaching for the 20 years.

Presently he also holds the office as Director of Doman India International, USA, an organisation which works with children with special needs.

Dr Korde is the founder of ASHWAS India, which promotes music therapy. He is an advisor for ALVEDA , a company in Switzerland, which is an International professional network platform for Ayurveda doctors, which aims to assist in spreading the knowledge of Ayurveda. He is also the chairman at Shri Sai Swadhaya Samiti, a spiritual Trust in Goa India, which is closely connected to Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi.

As dedicated academician, loved by his students and a skilled clinician revered by his patients, Dr Korde continues to learn every day, currently pursuing his PHD in Sharerera, at the University of Punjab.

Together

Dr Neelesh and Karolina met 12 years ago in Goa, India, at the hospital of Dr Korde when one of Karolina’s closest friends was critically ill. Since then, dr Korde has been Karolina’s inspiration in Ayurveda and her Ayurvedic health practitioner. They have worked closely together at the Purple Valley Yoga centre. Together they hope to inspire and inform practitioners to take control of their health and that change is always possible.

The Yoga we will practice.

Morning Yoga will be a gentle guided dynamic yoga class inspired by ashtanga, followed by meditation and gentle breathing exercises. The aim of these sessions is to energise and ground.

Evening yoga will focus on calming down our nervous system through gentle yin yoga, restorative yoga, and yoga nidra sessions.

Our Ayurveda sessions

Our informative Ayurveda sessions will focus on the following topics with an aim of understanding the concepts on a practical level.

Introduction to Ayurveda – in this session you will get introduced to the basics of ayurveda.
Introduction to the body composition and Ayurveda – in this session you will be introduced to the concept of doshas and gunas
Daily regime and ayurveda – in this session we will discuss how to best adapt the knowledge we have about ayurveda to your daily regime to support your health.
Seasonal adjustments in Ayurveda – in this session we will discuss how to live according to the seasons and our biological clock.

Each session will be approximately 2.5 hour with a small break for refreshments. There will be dedicated time for Q&A. Included in the retreat price is an Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Korde.