Yoga Retreat
Christmas Retreat
Dr. Paul, Gill, Daniel and the Samahita Team
December 21 – 28, 2022
The Samahita team will guide guests across the range of yoga and meditation practices, core strength work and cycle classes. Yoga and its techniques include sitting meditation forms, focused breath work that develops into a pranayama practice, and the physical yoga practice of asana. As in our YogaCoreCycle program we also incorporate core strength sessions and cycle work outs. The aim is for you to experience and practice yoga across its spectrum, taking care of the mental and emotional side to the different aspects of the physical.
Every morning involves sitting and breath work practices. Yoga asana practice will be offered on a number of levels that includes experienced self-practice, guided vinyasa classes, explorative asana classes, and restorative afternoon sessions. Woven into this schedule are different core classes, and alternate cycle classes between silent-sunrise classes to mid-afternoon fun-cycle classes. You are free to attend all sessions or choose those that are working for you on a particular day. Our intention is for you to feel uplifted and clear in what to practice by the time you end the retreat.
There will be a Christmas Eve celebration. The rest of your time will be a nice break from all the crazy holiday happenings and commercial onslaught. Come and really enjoy a genuine holiday break.
Dr. Paul has been immersed in the practice and study of yoga, the breath, and meditative techniques for over 30 years, has gained a reputation as a yogi, scientist and teacher, while being a happy father to two sons. He has witnessed his own growth through many techniques and years of practice, watching how practices evolve over time as a student develops over time. His dedication to the path of yoga has come from a combination of intense practices, meditative experiences, silent retreats and numerous pilgrimages in India, Tibet and Thailand. He has had the good fortune to spend many rich years with his main teacher in pranayama and the meditative process, Sri O.P. Tiwari, and is now placed to carry forth these teachings and the tradition of Kuvalayananda. He was one of the dedicated few to spend many years living in Mysore with Pattabhi Jois in the old days of ashtanga vinyasa, certified by him, with an expertise in asana. Living in Thailand for many years Dr. Paul has also been involved in Buddhist culture and practices, many retreats in forest monasteries which are curiously appropriate for all these yogic practices. Learn more about our Teachers
Gill was born in South Africa, and has lived abroad in the UK, Ireland and Asia. She began her international teaching career, working in Inner city London schools, supporting children from challenging backgrounds, then on to Dublin and Yangon. Koh Samui is now her home where she combines her love of yoga and music in this unique transformational place. She began her daily practice of yoga in 2004, training with Dr. Paul Dallaghan and Richard Freeman, and is Yoga Alliance (500RYT) and 1100 hour Centered Yoga Certified teacher. Samahita has always been a welcoming, transformative space for her and in early 2016 she was grateful to fully embrace this magical place and call it home.
Daniel began practicing Yoga in his home town Bristol, U.K. in 2003. After traveling to Mysore, India in 2006 to learn Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga he was led to Samahita in Koh Samui where he found his primary teacher Dr. Paul Dallaghan, an inspiring man with whom Daniel felt a deeper connection. He spent 10 years teaching in the vibrant yoga scene of Hong Kong at numerous studios including Pure Yoga and remains connected to the community. This was also a time of cross-discipline learning and experimentation with yoga practice and teaching.
Daniel teaches breathwork and an in-depth vinyasa yoga system that includes strong and well aligned form with intelligent and practical sequencing. This allows students to express their full potential safely but also takes into account individual differences. He supports ongoing development of yoga students and teachers as part of the Centered Yoga Teacher Training.
Daniel is registered with Yoga Alliance at the ERYT 500 Level and as a Continuing Education Provider.
The program begins at 5pm on the first day of the retreat with a group welcome and departure is at 12pm on the last day. The schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the teacher.
| 7.00 – 7.25am: | Silent Sunrise Cycle on alternate days |
| 7.30am: | Sitting practice with inner energetic focus, breath awareness, dynamic sound, contemplation of forgiveness and thanks, into Breathwork-Pranayama and Meditation |
| 9.00 – 10.30am: | Asana practice – either a Centered Contemplative Energy approach or Engaged Dynamic Vinyasa. |
| 10.00am – 1.00pm: | Brunch Buffet |
| 3.00 – 3.30pm: | Snack and Refreshments |
| 4.00/4.30pm: | Restorative yoga class with breath and sitting practice |
| 5.00pm: | Restorative Yoga |
| 6.00 – 8.00pm: | Dinner Buffet |
| 6.00 – 8.00pm: | Steam Room Available |
| 7.30pm: | Evening program on certain days: meditation, music, dance |
Rates are in US Dollars, are per person, and are fully inclusive of room, buffets, and practices for the duration of the program dates
| Private Room | 1,582 USD |
| Semi-Private Room | 1,442 USD |
| Shared Two-Bedroom Loft | 1,302 USD |
Subject to availability, we have Friends & Family rates for any registered Samahita Retreat guest’s partner, family member or friend, who is not interested in participating in any of the programs but will stay in a room and board capacity. Shared accommodation, food, and the facilities are open to them. If they prefer to engage in the selection of yoga, breath, meditation, and fitness classes every day then a separate booking under YogaCoreCycle is advised.
