Posted in Miscellaneous by Nikki on September 17th, 2009

 

PHUKET, THAILAND

LUXURY YOGA AND LIFESTYLE RETREAT

DURATION: 7 DAYS AND 6 NIGHTS

UPCOMING DATES:
17th - 23rd April 2010

Join Nikki and Tamar who will be teaching a combination of Dynamic yoga and Iyengar classes working the body in a holistic manner and encouraging deep relaxation. Unwind, relax and renew. For a lasting sense of inner peace, contentment and fulfillment there will be treatments offered at the spa and health centre. With a real sense of privacy, luxury and exclusivity, Palm Spa takes a holistic approach your wellbeing, combining ancient Eastern therapies with the latest Western techniques to encompass mind, body and spirit. In a tranquil setting, enhanced by the caring nature of our dedicated team of Thai and Swedish therapists, who will nurture you through the rejuvenating and healing process, as you achieve total wellness.

Within the tranquil grounds of the Twin Palms , on a secluded little Beach in Phuket, lays the opportunity to strip off the old, the tired, the worn down, and replace it with the new, soothed, revitalized you.

The week focuses on the practice of yoga, on the mat and off. These classes are complemented with practical discussions on other modalities like relaxation, healthy eating and fitness.

Thailand is a land of colour. The food is superb; fresh, spicy and readily available at the Oriental Spoon restaurant, within the Twin Palms, on the beach or at the nearby markets. Exploration of this friendly and exotic culture is encouraged with day trips to nearby locations.

The retreat is suitable for all levels.

INCLUSIONS:

The Twin Palms is the epitome of privacy, luxury and Zen.
Unwind, relax, renew.
Morning Dynamic yoga Classes.
Afternoon Iyengar and Restorative Classes.
6 Nights deluxe accommodation at the luxurious boutique hotel at The Twin Palms, Surin Beach.
Daily Breakfast.
3 Hours of Day Spa Pampering
2 Lunches and 2 Dinners at the highly acclaimed Oriental Spoon Restaurant.
Thai cooking class and local market tour
COST:

$1999.00 AUS Twin Share, excluding flights.
$2499.00 AUS Single, excluding flights

 

optional extras

Day spa
Nutritional advice
Golf
Island hopping
Snorkeling
Temple tours
Scuba diving
Private yoga classes

DATES

17th - 23rd April 2010

TEAM

NIKKI MASSAIOLI

Nikki Massaioli is the founder and director of Yoga To Go, Centre of Health and Wellbeing, a multi-modality holistic yoga centre in Sydney that is dedicated to the pursuit of health, balance and transformation.

Her vision is simple but powerful: to share the transformative powers of yoga that she has experienced first hand.

Nikki began practicing yoga at nineteen. Now, nearly fifteen years later, her vitality and wellness she attributes largely to her daily yoga practice.

“Yoga is the most profound tool for growth, healing and self-transformation,” she says. “The practice creates space, freedom, courage and tenacity within.”

Prior to starting Yoga to Go in 2002, Nikki studied with senior teachers in Australia, completed the Yoga Arts Teacher Training, and she has since gained certification as an Iyengar Yoga teacher.

As well as teaching at her flourishing centre in Petersham, Nikki leads local Australian and International retreats, workshops and intensives. Her teaching style is equal parts dynamic and nurturing, passionate and caring. “The best thing about teaching is sharing the gifts of yoga,” she says.

Nikki is a devoted mother of two and when not teaching or practicing yoga she loves to let loose on the living room dancefloor with her two young children.

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YOGA-TO-GO’S RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL AND TOURISM POLICY

Yoga-to-Go’s Australian and international retreats offer individuals the opportunity to enhance their health and well being in luxurious and natural surroundings.

This involves traveling to different destinations, each with their own unique environmental, cultural and economic conditions.

Our Responsible Travel and Tourism Policy is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the sustainability of each of the places we visit, and respect for those who live there. As part of every retreat we will:

• Minimise our global warming impact by making all our retreats carbon neutral.
• Protect pristine natural environments by not littering and respecting local vegetation, sea life and wildlife.
• Respect local customs and regulations by meeting all necessary dress and behavioural expections.
• Contribute to the communities we visit by buying local and through out philanthropic activities.

At Yoga-to-Go we value the people and places we visit though our retreats, just as we value the individuals who participate.

Below are a set of guidelines we apply to fulfill our policy guidelines.

ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES

YOUR PARTICIPATION IN A YOGA-TO-GO RETREAT WILL BE 100% CARBON NEUTRAL.

Included in the cost of each of our retreats is an accredited carbon offsetting program that we have been developed through the Australian company, Carbon Planet.

This means that we will calculate the amount of carbon dioxide that will be generated from your travel, accommodation and activities and offset this by investing in Carbon Planet’s fully certified carbon credit schemes. These include the purchase of, and caring for trees, and the installation of energy saving light bulbs and showerheads.

Each carbon credit purchased will see 1 tonne of carbon dioxide being stored for at least 100 years. Full details of how the carbon offsetting scheme works is available at http://www.carbonplanet.com/campaigns/yogatogo
In addition to reducing our global warming impact, Yoga-to-Go requires all participants in our retreats to help protect the many different environments you will be experiencing. These include:

• No littering
• No touching or removal of coral
• No touching or removal of wildlife or sea life without permission or authorisation
• Minimisation of all waste.

We also use 100% recycled paper in all our course materials.

CULTURAL GUIDELINES

Most of our international retreats take place in Thailand where there are different rules and customs from Western countries.

As Thailand has a variety of cultures and religions there are certain behavioural and dress expectations that apply to the places you are likely to visit. For example, women can wear swimwear at the beach or around resorts, but topless bathing is generally not accepted. When visiting temples or other religious places, stricter dress codes apply such as covering shoulders and legs. It is important that all our retreat participants familiarise themselves with what is required and we will help with information and advice.

There are parts of Thailand, such as Patong Beach, where the rules and regulations are more relaxed. These areas tend to be busier and are more tailored to Western-style nightlife and shopping. Bartering for clothing and other items is an accepted practice in throughout the country.

It is important to tip staff in restaurants, cafes and hotels as the wages in Thailand are very low. We will assist you in understanding when tipping is appropriate.

In Australia, we have a Western culture where there are fewer restrictions on dress and some activities than in non-Western countries. However, it is important that our Australian retreat participants respect the local rules and regulations of each the places we visit.

ECONOMIC GUIDELINES

Our retreats only use accommodation, travel and tourist facilities that are locally managed and owned. We also ensure the staff working for these organisations are appropriately rewarded.

In the past, we have provided a percentage of our earnings from our retreats to local causes. For example, in the aftermath of the devastating Tsunami we contributed 10 per cent of takings to helping with the rebuilding of housing and infrastructure. We will continue to identify worthy philanthropic activities as part of our future retreats