Swami's Yoga Retreat

All I can say is woah! What an incredible experience it was to stay at Swami’s yoga retreat for the weekend! Having never previously been to a yoga class I was a bit nervous with how extreme this was going to be, but I was relieved to find that just how welcoming and supportive the instructors and the people we met while staying. The food was delicious. And I was obsessed with the tent mostly because it rained and sounded wonderful, except when it heated up when the sun came out. I recommend not having a midday nap when the sun is heating up the tent.you’ve been warned.

Also, we got a massage while there, which was a perfect way to wrap up the entire experience.

I’d highly recommend.

And if you’re ready for a laugh, just talk to Dean.he’s got a brain full of jokes!

Enlightened, renewed and detoxed – the perfect words that would describe our whole experience for our 2-day/2-night stay at Swami's Yoga Retreat. Our much needed retreat that we have only done for the first time. The drive from Canberra is about 3 hours and the experience we've had is just worth the drive. Once you're there, it feels like you went somewhere else outside Australia.

Location: Swami's Yoga Retreat is at Kenthurst, about an hour drive from Sydney CBD. It is in the middle of the bushlands so you will definitely say you are one with nature and away from the metro. The entry is from Pitt Town Road–there will be a one-way narrow road that will lead you to the place itself and there will be another path designated for the exit.

Glamping Experience: It is our first time to do such a thing for a holiday accommodation. At first there is a question about convenience but it actually went well. The tent is clean and spacious. Apart from the fact that it is a tent, there is electricity available– a powerboard to plug in your devices for charging, two table lamps and two light bulbs, an electric fan and a heater. The bed are 2 single beds attached together, equipped with an electric blanket. The bed is soft and thus the 4 pillows included. It also has a shelf where you can place your stuff. There's also a fancy accent chair for your reading/sitting convenience inside the tent. Outside the tent are benches that you can move around and a bonfire area with wooden benches. The shared bathrooms are kept clean. There are 4 bathrooms: each has a shower, a toilet and vanity (with paper towels and handwash) inside.

Activities: A regular day in Swami's starts with a wake-up bell at 7: 30am. First activity will be a morning walk at 8am where we've experienced a silent meditation while appreciating the beauty of nature. There were 2 different morning walks that we did: on our first day, we went to Swami's rock in the middle of the woods and do a meditation, on the second day, Sanjay (Swami's son who manages the place) led us to a one-by-one meditation while doing a body scan followed by an active meditation by doing group ball passing. There are 2 yoga sessions in a day, one 90-minute session at 10: 30am and another 1-hour session at 4pm. (Trust us, we are only beginners when it comes to yoga but the teachers made sure everyone can follow the routine.) There is a workshop scheduled at 2: 30pm that varies daily (the one we've had is a Laughter Yoga). To close the day off, we've had a very calming 1-hour meditation session at 7: 30pm then people are free to do their own activities or hit the sack after that.

Meals: All meals served are vegan– from breakfast, lunch and up to dinner. We must say, all meals were exceptional! Never we've imagined eating vegan for two consecutive days and enjoying them! They were prepared well, really tasty and even the presentation is very enticing. For the drinks, there is a water, coffee and tea stations that are accessible 24/7.

Facilities: Before we left the place, we allotted some time to enjoy the pool, their jacuzzi and sauna. All the facilities are clean and well-kept and you are free to use those ones until 10pm. There is a reading room, a gym, basketball and tennis courts but we opt not to use them during our stay (although we brought our own books and sat around as there are good spots for reading, like the benches in front of the yoga room or the outdoor furnitures under the trees in the courtyard and the hammocks near the glamping tents).

People: Everyone at Swami's are the kindest and the nicest people. They are very accommodating and are very approachable as well.

Special Mentions: Check-in is at 4pm but they allow guests to come in early and join the activities from 2: 30pm and also for the check-out, it is at 10: 30am to allow them to prepare the rooms/tents for the next guests but they welcome the guests to stay up and join them until dinner if they opt to.

We can't wait to come back to Swami's for our next yoga retreat. Truly recommended and worth visiting.

A very pleasant friendly helpful team, clean linnen, well kept rooms, delicious food that alone would score five stars.
Just a blissful weekend! Super nourished with yoga, meditation, quiet walks, vegetarian food and fulfilled yet calm retreat! Enjoyed it!

Lovely place to reset, learn and relax. In my view, the staff and guests were wonderful people, polite discreet and agreeable. The food was perfect to me and the yoga class excellent as well as the guided bush walk in the morning
Thanks Swami!

Beautiful place! Attended a kundalini and hatha workshop there. Dinner was amazing.
The place is located in the middle of nature and great to relax and feel the peace. Fresh air

Loved it! Beautiful place in a leafy area, great vibe and very kind team! Went to spend the day and enjoyed a lot! Very recommendable!

Beautiful and clean accommodation located in a very peaceful and natural setting. The food was sensational! - Fresh, generous, lots of colours and great flavours. The staff were all very lovely, friendly and knowledgeable. Classes were informative and suitable for all levels. Would highly recommend!

Wonderful experience. A great team of volunteers looking after a lovely place. Sanjay has been an incredibly kind host and the vibe in the whole place is just so peaceful. Nice daily schedule, morning walks, followed by breakfast, yoga, lunch, workshop, yoga, dinner and mediation. Nothing is mandatory and you could just relax by the pool or read a book while swinging in an hammock or get an amazing massage. Well done you guys! Namaste

I stayed 4-days here and had the absolute most wonderful, calming time. The food was exceptional and the staff wonderful, there are so many interesting activities to do and the environment is serene and quiet. Highly recommend for anyone who needs to get away and just recentre themselves.

It’s one of the most serene places which took me on my yoga journey. Everything here I beautiful and now it’s is as close to being called home.

A beautiful place to meet yourself at a deeper level - and like-minded souls who want to do the same. Swami's is a conscious space which nourishes and replenishes your weary tired self in a gentle caring way. No pressure - you are invited to do only what you want to in your own time - and when you choose to participate you feel totally welcomed and included. Beautiful staff, delicious meals, great yoga classes, wonderful meditations - it's all good so just do it!

If you can’t go to India but looking for an Ashram yoga experience, this is the closest you can get to it near Sydney.
Beautiful site and amazing friendly people.

Leaving today after a wonderful 2 night stay.
Everything was magic the classes, really yummy food and all the lovely people who made us feel so welcome in blissful surroundings.
Peace. I will return thank you.

We had am amazing time and the staff treated us very well.food is so delicious.and everything was perfect.we will definitely come back.and we highly recommend Swamis retreat.

A relaxing and friendly visit, incredible food and stunning setting. Kind and accomodating staff and volunteers. Sanjay was a generous and gracious host, welcoming me when I arrived early and extending the offer to stay and enjoy the whole day and dinner before leaving for home.

I loved my stay at Swami Sarasvati.
I could not fault the place, the yoga teachers were amazing, the food was delicious and wholesome, the accomodation was spotless, comfortable and decorated in accordance to a true Indian yogic lifestyle. The 60 acres of bush land was serene.
Sanjay, Swami son went over and above all expectations. I would highly recommend this retreat
Sharen Turner -Aromatherapist and Feng Shui consultant

Great place. Perfect location to take yoga classes. Free Spa, pool, tennis, basketball opportunities incl.in the stay in this beautiful resort. Highly recommendable. Lovely staff

I had a wonderful weekend of yoga and relaxation in the beautiful bush setting. I wanted authentic and wholsome and that is exactly what we got. Food was amazing - they should do a cookbook as EVERYONE wanted the recipes.and all the yogis/helpers were so lovely. I will defintely be back!

Relaxing and beautiful place. The rooms are very clean and spacious. The outdoor has a large area to walk around and explore. We really enjoyed the variety of activities and meditative practices to try. The staff are helpful and patient. And we adored the food! The very delicious and wholesome food!

Great weekend, very relaxing, very chilled, great wholesome food, friendly people. Only about an hour drive from the city