Sri Lanka Retreat with Louise Godfrey
Below is a reflection from the recent Sri Lanka retreat with Sri Yoga, from Nadia Chaves, one of AYC’s teachers.
By Nadia
Last month I joined a yoga retreat in Sri Lanka led by Louise Godfrey of Sri Yoga in Brighton East. Louise, who trained in the Krishnamacharya tradition and is also a yoga therapist, guided us with great skill and warmth.
We stayed at Cassia Hill, a villa near Galle surrounded by jungle and wildlife. Our days began and ended with asana and pranayama, and we explored yoga philosophy, chanting, meditation, and Ayurveda together. Meals by Silva, the villa’s chef, were exceptional, and our small group quickly became close friends.
Between practices we visited plantations, beaches, cooking classes, and historic towns, seeing everything from peacocks to giant turtles. For me, the week was a lesson in kriya yoga—it took a few days, but step by step, I learned to relax, care for myself, and pay attention to the present moment.
I’ve brought that sense of peace home with me. Sri Lanka is stunning, and Louise is a wonderful teacher—if you get the chance, go!