6-night 7-day Meditation, Yoga, & Irish Culture Retreat
2027 dates tba
2027 6-day 7-night Retreat Options & Information
Join us on a unique and wonderful spiritual retreat that includes both quiet time and communal activities, in house gatherings and cultural excursions, time to settle in deep with your inner self through meditation, mantra, satsang, & yoga, and to explore the beauty of the sacred world around you by way of direct experience. The possibilities are endless.
This 6 night retreat offers yoga, meditation, mantra, and homa (fire ceremony), and an experience of cuisine and culture in Western Ireland.
This 6 night retreat offers yoga, meditation, mantra, and homa (fire ceremony), and an experience of cuisine and culture in Western Ireland.
Where we will stay?
Sarasvatī Ashram & Devi Mandir, Headford, County Galway, Ireland. The Sarasvatī Ashram & Devi Mandir offers a beautiful sanctuary for spiritual contemplation. Located in Headford, Northern Galway, near the shore of the Lough Corrib, the site is surrounded by the natural and cultural beauty of Ireland and hosts the peaceful energy necessary to dive deep into our spiritual essence.
The ashram is a devotion to the Mother Saraswatī and to the teaching tradition (Daśanāmi Saṃpradāya) that SwaminiJi has taken her Sanyasi vows with. Goddess Saraswatī is the mother of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. She is one of the Tridevi, the three Goddesses, who represent many things, including creation, maintenance, and destruction; creativity/wisdom, abundance, and change/manifestation; faith, love, and courage. You will encounter and receive the darshan of all three goddesses during your stay. This Irish sanctuary is a sacred space where those seeking knowledge of Self can explore and experience exactly that.
The ashram is a devotion to the Mother Saraswatī and to the teaching tradition (Daśanāmi Saṃpradāya) that SwaminiJi has taken her Sanyasi vows with. Goddess Saraswatī is the mother of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. She is one of the Tridevi, the three Goddesses, who represent many things, including creation, maintenance, and destruction; creativity/wisdom, abundance, and change/manifestation; faith, love, and courage. You will encounter and receive the darshan of all three goddesses during your stay. This Irish sanctuary is a sacred space where those seeking knowledge of Self can explore and experience exactly that.
Accommodations
All beds are comfortable single beds. All rooms are shared dormitory style.
Dry Retreat
PLEASE NOTE: This is an alcohol, vape, smoke, drug & cannabis free retreat. This is an alcohol/substance free retreat. Please do not consume any alcohol during the retreat. Please also note there is no vaping or smoking permitted during this retreat. CBD containing any amount of THC is not permitted on this retreat. If you use non-THC CBD for pain or anxiety please arrange to bring oil or tablets as vaping is not permitted at the ashram. Thank you for support us in maintaining a safe environment for all.
Meals
All in-house meals will be vegetarian, fresh, seasonal, organic when available. Gluten free options will be available. The daily schedule for in-house meals will be: a simple breakfast about 8:00 am, lunch at about 12:00 pm, and dinner at about 6:00 pm. There will be meals provided outside the premises on Journey days. We do not have control over the ingredients in outside meals, however, we will choose restaurants and traditional pubs known for offering vegetarian friendly fare. Teas, fresh coffee, and water will be available each day. We provide bottled water. Attendees agree to abstain from all alcohol consumption while on retreat.
Note about gluten sensitivities: Many people, including SwaminiJi, who experience gluten allergies and sensitivities in the United States have reported that eating gluten based products in Ireland has not caused a reaction. While we do not in any way suggest you go against your regular dietary constraints, you should be aware that there is a difference and many visitors have been able to eat and enjoy the local breads and other items they would normally avoid. If you choose to indulge please do so mindfully.
Note about gluten sensitivities: Many people, including SwaminiJi, who experience gluten allergies and sensitivities in the United States have reported that eating gluten based products in Ireland has not caused a reaction. While we do not in any way suggest you go against your regular dietary constraints, you should be aware that there is a difference and many visitors have been able to eat and enjoy the local breads and other items they would normally avoid. If you choose to indulge please do so mindfully.
Yoga, Meditation, Kirtan, Satsang, & Homa
There will be a variety of sessions offered throughout the retreat.
- Yoga
- Yin Yoga: a slow-paced style of yoga where passive floor poses are held for long periods of time, usually two to nine minutes.
- Gentle yoga: a slow, low-impact practice that prioritizes comfort, mindful movement, and steady breathing over physical intensity or complex postures.
- Restorative yoga: a passive style of yoga that uses props to support the body in deep, relaxing poses for extended periods.
- Yoga Nidra: an intense 50-minute deep relaxation practice.
- Alignment cues are provided for your consideration and safety.
- Posture contraindications and benefits are discussed.
- Props are offered.
- Spiritual discussion happens.
- Concentration and meditation are incorporated into classes and students will have time to sit on their own.
- Our yoga practices are trauma-informed. Trauma-informed yoga is a supportive somatic tool designed to help you connect with your body and keep yourself safe and well-cared for. However, it is not a substitute for clinical psychotherapy or medical treatment.
- Re-connecting with the body can sometimes unexpectedly trigger deep emotional or physical responses.
- While our instructors provide mindful guidance and a safe environment, your safety and well-being are a collaborative effort.
By participating, you acknowledge and agree to the following responsibilities:- Listen consciously to your body and honor its limits.
- Communicate openly with your instructor about any concerns, triggers, or issues that arise before, during, or after class.
- Take ultimate responsibility for your own physical, mental, and emotional wellness.
- Homa: a sacred fire ritual where offerings are poured into a consecrated flame while chanting devotional mantras.
- Puja: flower based ceremony and sacred ritual of worship, reverence, and honor practiced in many Eastern spiritual traditions.
- Why do we practice rituals?
- Rituals are an important ingredient in our spiritual tradition. There are many reasons we practice them:
- Spiritual Alignment: each practice offers insights and opportunities to do the work that potentially leads to a more balanced mind, cultivates inner peace, and elevates one's state of conscious awareness.
- Expressing Devotion: a way to show love and gratitude to your choice of deity, guru, or sacred presence, treating the divine as an honored guest
- Receive Darshan: Devotees often pray for health, guidance, protection, or the removal of obstacles, and also seek to gain deeper insight into higher order truths such as peace, unity, and Self-knowledge
- Rituals are an important ingredient in our spiritual tradition. There are many reasons we practice them:
- Kirtan: devotional chanting, often reciting the many names of Divinity, or a prayer for wisdom, abundance, ethics, and the alleviation of suffering.
- Satsang: offered throughout the retreat, satsang is an offering of wisdom. It is a discussion that includes practical and esoteric spiritual insights, not only from our own tradition of Sanatana Dharma, but also from multiple other traditions and resources.
- Homa, puja, kirtan, and satsang focus on adoration of and connection with all that is the sacred.
- Statement on Inclusivity and Autonomy. We are very open and forthcoming that this is a spiritual retreat that includes practices from our tradition, which is based in Sanatana Dharma (translation: the eternal truth). We see our tradition as both practical and esoteric spirituality that offers wisdom and insights applicable to every day life, happiness and wellness. Some choose to see it as a religion. To us, is appropriate for anyone to witness and/or take part in guided rituals. Participation in rituals is completely optional. You can freely sit out and spend the time elsewhere. Make the choice that best suits your needs and belief system. We will fully honor your decision to sit in or sit out of ritual and kirtan experiences.
- Please note, classes may not be held on Journey days depending on what time we leave and return.
Planned excursions
While our retreats are focused on the spiritual practices outlined above, we include two cultural excursion days where we explore:
- Journey 1. The Cliffs of Moher, Liscannor https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/ and time in Galway City
- Journey 2. Village of Cong and a drive thru the Connemara mountain region
Costs
All fees are per person and all rooms are dormitory shared.
Retreat Tuition: $2400
$500 Deposit due at time of registration, or pay in full.
Retreat must be paid in full by tba
Retreat Tuition: $2400
$500 Deposit due at time of registration, or pay in full.
Retreat must be paid in full by tba
What the price includes
- Room, board, scheduled classes, and excursions, including transportation for those specific excursions, as listed. Excursions are tentative based on weather conditions, etc. and may be changed to accommodate weather conditions.
- Meals both in house and on excursion days as scheduled.
- Transportation from Galway Coach Station to the ashram (we pick you up).
What is not included
- Airfare to and from Dublin Airport
- Transportation to and from the airport in both Ireland and the United States
- Any documents or paperwork associated with international travel
- Travel Insurance
- Medical Insurance
- Medical Treatment
- Personal choice items or personal shopping
- Personal excursions other than those listed in the itinerary
- Kula Kamala Foundation, its employees and volunteers, are not responsible for cancelled or delayed flights
- Kula Kamala Foundation, its employees and volunteers, are not responsible for lost or stolen luggage or personal items of any sort whatsoever
Arrival/Departure
Retreat attendees are responsible to book & pay for their own airfare and ground transportation to and from United States departure airport. Please schedule your arrival and departure through Dublin airport (DUB) or Shannon Airport (SNN). You should schedule your flight so you arrive on the morning of the retreat start date by 9:00AM (this will be an overnight flight departing the United States the night before). Please schedule your departure out of Dublin or Shannon Airport for the last day of the retreat after 12:00 noon. Once you have your roundtrip airlines ticket booked, please forward your full itinerary to Jaya [email protected] and she will arrange your bus tickets to and from Galway.
RETREAT DATES |
Departure from the U.S. |
Return to the U.S. |
tba, 2027 |
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Schedule departure from your chosen airport on August 20th after 12:00 PM |
Transportation to/from Dublin or Shannon Airport
Students will fly into Dublin or Shannon Airport and then hop on the bus to Galway Coach Station. Your bus ticket to Galway will be provided as mentioned above.The bus picks you up right at the airport at a designated location. The ride is about 2 & ½ hours and provides a great opportunity to nap or see the scenery and dream of the beautiful time that awaits you. We will pick you up in Galway at the Coach Station at a pre-arranged time.
Passport
Each participant must have a valid passport and provide a copy of the passport picture page to the retreat host. The expiration date of your passport must be 6 months after the date of your flight back to the United States.
Visa
Presently there is no requirement for US Citizens to obtain a VISA to visit Ireland. We will update this page should there be any changes to their policy in 2026.
Cancellation Policy
RETREAT DATES |
Refund less $250 Cancellation Fee |
Refund less $500 Cancellation Fee |
NO Refunds |
Value |
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We do not provide any refund whatsoever after the start date of the retreat. |
How to reserve your space
Make your $500 deposit now or pay in full by following the calendar widget below to our registration & payment system. If choosing deposit option, your remaining balance will be invoiced. All fees are per person. By reserving a space you acknowledge that you will be sharing a room with people you may or may not know.
If you have questions, or to register by phone, please call Jaya in the Ashram Office at (484) 509-5073 ex. 1 or email [email protected]g
If you have questions, or to register by phone, please call Jaya in the Ashram Office at (484) 509-5073 ex. 1 or email [email protected]g