Heart & Soul Retreats

It’s beautiful place with lovely people there. This was my second time been Heart and Soul still want to go back some time.

Highly recommend Heart & Soul Retreats.
All the teachers and staff were welcoming, friendly and professional. They went extra mile to prepare the room - setting up the mats and props, and even candles for the evening classes. It was nice to experience various teaching styles and different classes - yoga, Qi Gong, guided meditation, mantra meditation, journaling.
We love beautiful view of the greenery wherever we look. The property is well-maintained, and the food is so delicious!

Wonderful yogic community surrounded by the beautiful Australian bush.
Everything from the booking, to the hospitality, the daily schedules was uncomplicated and comfortable.
Was an easy flat 10 min walk from the Otford train station.

The rooms are clean and super comfortable and so are the shared bathrooms.
Food is slow, clean, simple, warm and nurturing besides being delicious.

The yoga sessions were all from different schools. I got to practise vinyasa, yin and Hatha yoga during my 3 day stay along with a wonderful introduction to qi gong and meditation.
The deeply relaxing yoga nidra on the first night is the perfect wind down and harbinger of sweet sleep.

The communal eating hall had a bookshelf and an art space for some reading or mindful colouring and 24 hr non caffeinated drink station. The hot chai was a particularly noteworthy.

There is a range of healing modalities available for booking.
I booked in a Ayurvedic massage and it was very relaxing.

But the best part were the people. I didn't speak to many besides greetings and yet the joy and simplicity that emanates from them permeates your mind and body.

Overall:
Great people, great property and just the perfect reset and grounding you need.
Will definitely visit again.

Comfortable, clean and simple accomodation in a beautiful setting. Perfect place to relax and recharge.

A rejuvenating experience in a peaceful setting. High quality workshops and yoga classes. Delicious meals.

Don’t worry about my 3-star rating on the rooms, the rest of the experience made up for it in spades. What a beautiful setting and surroundings, you could feel the positive energy as soon as you pulled into the driveway. The yoga classes, food, guests and workers all contributed to a 6-star experience…it’s been 2 days and I still have a positive, calm and loving outlook…a great place for a rest and reset.

This was such an amazing experience! I enjoyed all classes and workshops. The teachers are great and make every session one to remember. And the food… amazing! I would like to thank all the people of the Heart and Soul retreat for your energy and your kindness!

This is a beautiful place to relax. Yoga and meditation for all levels of experience and such caring and knowledgeable teachers. The food is amazing and everyone made me feel very welcome. There are beautiful gardens and walking trails, and I especially lived that the whole place runs as sustainably as possible with little impact on the surrounding environment. I will be back x

I had a wonderful time at the Heart and Soul Retreat. The yoga and meditation classes were of very high quality. The vegan food was diverse and delicious and better than most vegan cafes. Friendly staff. Accomodation was nice. Thank you.

My first retreat and I was so pleasantly surprised. It can be as busy or as calm as you make it; activities are optional but so valuable if you do attend. So many great practitioners and a lot of friendliness throughout. Not many bugs for an outdoorsy retreat, kept clean and tidy. Food is amazing and varied; all home-cooked every day; can be easy to over-eat! Highly recommend if you're just thinking about it, you won't regret it.

I loved my stay at Heart & Soul! It was the perfect spot for a getaway from the busy pace of Sydney. The energy of the space is warm and peaceful and the location is lush. I enjoyed pottering around the grounds and getting out for bush walks between some of the fantastic activities (loved the qi gong, kirtan and poetry writing workshop). The room was very spacious with a comfy bed. I'm already planning my next visit!

My three-night stay at ‘Heart and Soul Yoga and Wellness Retreat’ was exactly what I was hoping for. The all inclusive food was delicious- so healthy, tasty and a great variety. The location was very serene and secluded and the vibe was relaxed with an ‘informal’ feel, which was perfect for me. The variety of yoga classes was great. I really enjoyed each one that I attended and felt very relaxed after the meditations at the end. The air-con in the room was much appreciated as the weather was quite warm.
Thank you so much. I felt very refreshed after my stay. I hope to return sometime this year.

Solo experience:
I had a great time at heart and soul retreats and met wonderful people/volunteers/teachers who shared their life and experiences. Classes and workshops were great, teachers were skillful and the yoga room was filled with light and serenity, perfect for morning yoga with sunshine coming through I learnt a lot about myself and others. The food was fantastic and being surrounded by just trees and nature was so peaceful and stunning.

Unfortunately the place wasn’t very good. The food was bland, the rooms weren’t very clean and the yoga was very amateur. I think I could have dealt with the room and food if the yoga was of a high quality, but I unfortunately was bored and very underwhelmed by the yoga and ended up leaving the retreat a day early. If you are comfortable with a cabin like facility, average food and very beginner yoga, this place is a good option for a good price or if you have very low expectations then enjoy.

My first visit was earlier this year, and I was very excited to come back. The building and setting are beautiful and the folk running the retreat are incredibly welcoming. Rates are very well priced, considering everyday there are three meals provided, two yoga sessions and two workshops. The food is amazing and very balanced. If there ever is any down time, the surrounding national park has numerous walking trails (bald hills, figure 8 pools) and the train station is close by for easy access to nearby coastal towns and more walking trails.

This was the second occasion I’ve been fortunate enough to stay and experience all on offer at Heart & Soul yoga retreat ashram and again it did not disappoint. The soulful atmosphere, the incredible cuisine and numerous programs on offer to feed the body and soul was pure bliss. Not to mention the dedication from all the residents, that I now call friends, to the best possible experience I could have. I came away with a new invigorated purpose that I will carry with me until I once more have the privilege to return to Govinda Valley Heart & Soul retreat.
Andrew)

I love this place! The people are the best and the experience they provide is complete with love and joy.

A perfect place to recharge - I’ve been loving my stay in this cozy community surrounded by nature. Govinda Valley offers both nourishing meals and practices that have truly helped me reconnect with my soul?

Heart & Soul retreats is such a relief. Such a breath of fresh air. Such great food. Such good yoga and workshops. And the staff or shall I say yoga residents execute their service with a strong sense of dignity, compassion and care. Six stars!

If you need to get back in touch with what drives you, with what grounds you, with what's important, this place if for you. Come away feeling happier, healthier and at peace.