om travel
Coulson (mandukyayoga.com).
All the yoga — just like all other
activities scheduled — was suitable for the
whole group, whether a newcomer or an
experienced yogi, and always the best way to
kick-start the day. It’s also a fun way to get to
know your retreat buddies. That’s something
that’s continued around the huge dining
table, where delicious vegan cuisine is served
at all meals. Expect great conversation as well
as great, nurturing food.
Music is a key part of all the Kennard’s
retreats too. At the Suffolk retreat last year,
this included a Saturday evening concert
performance in the yoga shala, where
guests sat back on bolsters, cushions or
chairs to soak up the sounds and enjoy the
mellow mood.
As talented musicians, it’s a joy to sit
back and relax and let the sounds of this
musical duo wash over you. As well as being
enjoyable in it’s own right, it’s also an integral
part of the programme, in marrying the yoga
and spiritual aspects of the retreat, together
with some of the more practical elements.
Food for thought
Joining the hosts at this retreat was
Dietmar’s brother Rudi Kennard, who offered
insight into some of the deeper themes
being given. This included the 3 Principles,
an approach to self-help and inner
transformation first articulated by Sydney
Banks, a former Scottish welder turned
philosopher. The concept identifies the three
‘formless’ principles of mind, consciousness
and thought as driving the entire range of
human behaviour and feeling states.
Other spiritual, psychological and
philosophical topics are also to be featured
in forthcoming retreats. Helping to deliver
the 3 Principles message was another
expert, Dr Dicken Bettinger, with an informal
talk delivered to the group from the USA via
video link.
But the retreats are about each and
every one of these experiences. All are
equally valuable. While the mental and
psychological insight is priceless, it is
interdependent on all of the other healing
modalities, from yoga and clean eating, to
gong baths and meditation.
Drawing it all together is the sublime
music. As Dietmar says: “We want to include
every aspect of being a human being within
each weekend.” That’s a challenging task —
where people get a whole mind, body, soul
experience in one weekend — but it’s certainly
a powerful combination when it works.
The full weekend retreats delivered by theKennards may just have the right balance
to deliver that transformation — from the
inside out.For details of Kennard’s Academy
Presents Bespoke Retreats in 2018 visit:
kennardsacademy.com