We live in a world in crisis because of the value we place on ‘thinking and doing’ rather than ‘feeling and being’. This exquisitely presented 7-day Yoga Nidra Immersion is your invitation to help reclaim personal and planetary balance by exploring the deepest consciousness of Being.

As a systematic sleep-based meditation technique with a fast ability to induce peacefulness, Yoga Nidra is not just beautifully restorative. It’s also utterly transformative.

Our unique approach to this ‘effortless-awareness’ practice involves honouring the radically important notion of rest within the wider context of the energy cycles inherent in nature.

We learn to embrace the insights found in ALL nature’s patterns and rhythms. Inward and outward. Dynamic and contemplative. Passive and active. And so on.

Inspired by wisdom traditions from ancient to contemporary, mystic to scientific, transcendent to earth-based, we’ll explore the process of embodiment through the 5 layers of our being known in Yogic philosophy as ‘the Koshas’. This exploration will be through a mix of still and dynamic activities. These 5 layers are: the physical body, breath body, mental/emotional body, intuition and soul essence.

By understanding the entirety of who we are, we move into new states of consciousness to discover our True Self and nourish our mind/body balance. This positively ripples out in seen and unseen ways. It transforms the way we act in relationships, serve our communities and contribute to change in the wider world.

* Recommended for those looking to completely unplug, relax and restore with total mind-body nourishment so they can find their true purpose. No prior meditation or Yoga Nidra experience is needed, only pure heart intention.

What's Included

This 7-day Immersion is dedicated to the deep exploration of Yoga Nidra through the different levels of Being. It’s open to everyone, whether you are new to the practice or are a seasoned teacher or a practitioner wishing to deepen your practice.

Retreat highlights:

One whole day is dedicated to each of the 5 Koshas allowing for a truly immersive experience.
Daily movement and meditation with our team of internationally renowned teachers. As well as Yoga Nidra practices, we move our bodies with hatha, restorative and yin yoga movements that are energising and accessible for everybody.
Lead mentored by Senior Yoga Teacher and Director of Teacher Training, Simone MacKay (E-YRT 500 & YACEP), who combines 20 years of teaching and practice with specialised Yoga Nidra study under some of the world’s leading experts including Dr Richard Miller, Kamini Desai and Uma Dinsmore-Tuli.
Nature-based practices from a variety of traditions (Balinese full moon fire ceremony, live music and sound healing).
Organic, chef-prepared local cuisine.
Luxury accommodation in a stunning, off-the-beaten-track retreat location.

Schedule

07:00 – 09:30am Morning practice with guided Yoga Nidra
09:30 – 11:00am Breakfast
*11:00 – 1:30pm Workshop (includes guided Yoga Nidra practices)
1:30 – 2:30pm Lunch
*2:30 – 6:30pm Afternoon session (includes guided YN practices)
7-8pm Dinner
8.30-9pm guided Yoga Nidra

* This Yoga retreat takes place with a Yoga Nidra teacher training. These sessions are optional for retreat goers so you have space to take in the beautiful Balinese nature, rest, have treatment etc. at your own pace if you choose.

Please note our schedule is subject to change with some days continuing into the evening with ceremonies and other lovely things.

What is Yoga Nidra?

Yoga Nidra, or ‘Yogic Sleep’, has been referred to as ‘mindfulness on steroids’ due to its fast-acting ability to bring you to profound states of peacefulness and present awareness.

If you’re completely new to the practice, Yoga Nidra is a systematic, guided meditation that uses effortless awareness to consciously move towards the sleep state, drawing our attention inwards away from the distraction and stimulations of our everyday lives.

Benefits of a Yoga Nidra practice:

Reduces burn out
Decreases thoughts, stress and tension by balancing sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
Calms brain waves through improved relaxation response in the brain
Helps to heal trauma and emotional problems resulting from PTSD
Improves ability to focus and think clearly for work and creativity
Alleviates depression and anxiety
Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol
Accelerates healing
Fosters spiritual development
Rejuvenates cells and organs

Retreat centre & logistics

The retreat centre: The Yogi’s Garden

Be one of the first to experience the Yoga Barn’s brand new eco-friendly retreat centre, The Yogi’s Garden. This brand new, luxury, eco-retreat centre is set amongst acres of organic farmland.

Far away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist trail, tucked away between tropical forest and rice fields and with volcano views, this Yoga Nidra immersive experience is in a truly stunning location.

Nourish yourself with prana infused, organic, fresh food

Bali is famous for its exquisitely fresh plant-based restaurants and cafes. Our retreat centre is the source for much of Ubud’s organic fruits and veggies. Nestled on acres of organic farmland, we will provide chef-prepared, vegetarian meals packed with prana and grown on the very land which will hold us for our time together.

Having the highest quality of food is vital to ground and nourish our bodies as we journey into the deeply restorative practice of Yoga Nidra and the altered states of consciousness this practice brings.

Deluxe (2 persons)

Heart community (4 persons)

“To rest is a radical act of self care” Uma Dinsmore-Tuli

Somah Team

SIMONE MACKAY
Lead Trainer (E-RYT 500) & Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider

With over 2 decades of experience as a yoga practitioner and Yoga Alliance accredited teacher trainer, and supported by a Bachelor in Social Work, Canadian-raised and Switzerland-educated, Simone MacKay has dedicated her life to the path of self enquiry, care and conscious living while empowering others to do the same.

A Yoga teacher trainer for the last two decades, Simone’s Yoga School; the School of Sacred Arts has evolved from running foundation 200 YTTs (in which she certified over 600 teachers from around the globe) into specialised, advanced yoga teacher trainings and personal and professional development programs under Somah Journeys.

Simone holds space with deep presence and a gentle grace that helps you navigate your life’s journey, find your unique gifts and deepen into your soul. Having studied with master teachers and elders from around the globe, including training in 3 of the main Yoga Nidra styles (Irest, Total Yoga Nidra and the Amrit Method) Simone draws upon these ancient yogic tools, blending them with shamanic wisdom teachings to offer a post lineage style of Yoga Nidra which give you full permission to deliver your own with confidence and creativity.

With a focus on integration, Simone offers the highest level teacher trainings and 1-2-1 therapeutic Yoga Nidra session that restore balance, soul and meaning to yoga and modern day living.

Simone’s extended Bio

EMMA LOWE
Lead Trainer (E-RYT 500) & Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider

Founder of Essential Nature Yoga, Celtic nomad Emma Lowe is an embodiment and meditation teacher with specialisation in Women’s Health and Sexuality. Emma has been Creative Director and assistant facilitator with Somah Journeys since 2018.

Having training around the world in the fields of classical Hatha and Tantra, Yoga Nidra, Feminine Embodiment, Sexual Sovereignty, Celtic Shamanism and other nature based practices Emma offers a fresh and inclusive approach to self love, care and pleasure in order to tune you in your deepest desires and turn you on to your fullest potential as a fully integrated, successful, sexual, and spiritual contemporary human.

With a background in creative and performing arts, Emma engages music, song, folklore and story telling for the purpose of personal and cultural healing in her offerings. She is also a poetic writer, photographer and painter. Since childhood Emma has been engaged in using these mediums for the purpose of peace and reconciliation through various cross community projects in Ireland.

Similarly, Emma sees yoga as a vehicle for personal and social change and is passionate about practices that support women’s health through her Wild & Well Women’s self care series, womb clearing sessions and Yoni Nidra.

Emma’s work is informed by native plant medicines of the Amazon basin, and has received medicine songs and red road teachings during her time in South America, which inspired her to study and share her own ancestral roots through Celtic Shamanism, spirituality and Celtic Medicine wheel teachings.

Essential Nature Yoga

TINA NANCE & OTHER SPECIAL GUEST TEACHERS

Tina Nance has been practicing Yoga for over 20 years and teaching yoga and women’s work around the globe since 2003, in classes, workshops, retreats and yoga teacher trainings.

Tina is deeply passionate about creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds to connect directly and experientially with their body-mind and Spirit via the Yogic Arts, & is the founder of The TNYT Yoga Therapy School & the somatic practice of Embodied Unwinding.

Tina works within the understanding that many of the contractions of the body-mind, are a manifestation of an identification with thoughts and behaviours that are misaligned with the truth of who we are. Tina’s embodiment practices are focused on consciously unraveling our body-mind’s contractions with guided awareness. Cultivating the art of deep presence, compassionate holding, focused awareness and conscious breath within each asana, exploring all eight limbs of yoga simultaneously, on the mat. Connecting to our innate essence as loving presence, containing & embracing all that arises, & inviting the Integration of body, mind and Spirit.

Tina is currently a resident yoga teacher & teacher trainer at The Yoga Barn in Bali.

500hr RYT, Dip Ki Yoga Therapy, Dip Health Sciences, Dip Shiatsu, Dip Remedial Massage, Dip Energy Healing.

A Few Good Words

Simone MacKay’s and Emma Lowe’s Yoga and Yoga Nidra practices were exactly what my entire being needed.

Ashton, UK

Simone Mackay's Yoga Nidra has become a home for me, an anchor through times of transition as a way to calm my nervous system and as a reminder of my true nature, my shining light. I worked with Simone to create a personalized Nidra that gave the practice of connecting to my intention, my sankalpas, and to finding spaciousness in my inner sanctuary. The seeds that I’ve planted through my intention and practice are blossoming in ways I never would have thought imaginable.

Margo, USA

The yoga nidra has been wonderful. It feels like this cozy little nest that i can drop into to release the energy of the city. I’m sure that working with it has helped me stay grounded and connected to my inner voice.

Margo

I was probably the last person to ever try out Yoga Nidra. Classic no pain no gain mentality. Thankfully Simone was sent to my Yoga teacher training and I had the chance to experience the effects of Yoga Nidra. I loved it so much that I would be the first one to complain if we skipped the Nidra. As professional athlete I know how important it is to work hard, but that only gets you so far. If you truly want to internalize whatever you’re doing, you need to give your body and mind space to process. And if laying around doing nothing sounds boring to you, like it did to me at first, you’re the kind of person who can really benefit from Yoga Nidra.

Freya, Europe

Simone MacKay, is one of the wisest and humblest beings I have been gifted with coming across on this path. Truly embodying all that she shares, she serves as an inspiration as much in the way that she IS in the world and the things that she doesn’t say as much as in the things that she does. Simone held a powerful yet gentle space for me to shift and sift through a lifetimes worth of conditioning and limiting beliefs and reminding me of my own intrinsic connection to nature and all of ‘Life’. Simone’s guidance and support in both Yoga and Yoga Nidra combined with the deeply powerful lessons I experienced from the Plant Teachers allowed me to reach and transform the make-up of my inner world and forever have changed how I see and interact with the outer world. I am beyond grateful for Simone’s teachings, compassion, love and nurturing presence, the roots of which run deeper in my heart than I can express and from which I have gained unparalleled insight, strength and growth. A true soul guide, gently guiding me home. Even through the darkest times, Simone helps me to remember Life's beauty and gifts, including my own.

EMMA LOWE, IRELAND

I traveled down to Peru for an all-inclusive yoga retreat involving, a sweat lodge, yoga, hiking, meditation, a day of silence, and 2 ceremonies with the plant medicine, Ayahuasca. It was led by well-traveled guides with tons of experience and international contacts. They are yoga teacher trainers who have experienced just about everything in their realm. Guided by their courage and passion I felt like I received 10 years of therapy in a matter of 10 days.

MATT LOVITT, USA

I just completed a 100-hour retreat - Yin yoga plant medicine module in Peru. It was one of the best learning experiences of my life. Truly magical. Simone is a wonderful teacher and facilitated the retreat with exceptional detail and grace. I would highly recommend to anyone curious about exploring this kind of path. With great love.

NAOMI GASKIN, CANADA

Simone is a very special teacher and creates an incredibly safe, transformative and ceremonial space. I could not be more grateful. My experiences with her have changed my life for the better forever and while this work can be incredibly hard at times because you never know what the plants have in store for you, it was just the journey I needed. Simone is a wonderfully nurturing guide and puts so much heart and care into creating experiences that allow you to go inward and be your own medicine for healing. She's very special and I would recommend her immersions to anyone.

NIKKI CURTIS, USA

I can't tell you how happy I am to have the Peru experience Simone facilitated. I am constantly being brought back to the Maloka as a kind of mental safe place. I can still see, smell, and feel it so vividly. Now that I am firmly back in my regular life, I have found such great tools from my integration. My meditation has never been stronger, and my overall compassion and love for others has been broadened. Again, many many thanks for what you do!

SETH MARCUS, USA

This journey can best be described as a rebirth. You will dissolve and surrender leaving only your true nature exposed and vulnerable yet free to flourish and grasp into the very core of your existence. This immersion is powerful beyond measure and offers a unique experience of entering highly altered states through yoga nidra and plant medicine, which can have a profound impact on every aspect of your life. There is so much wisdom to be found throughout this retreat and the effects will last far into the future. Simone MacKay pours every bit of her heart into this amazing immersion and you feel the commitment and love from the first minute you arrive and in a base of trust you couldn't even imagine. Simone and her team create an atmosphere that allows you to fully commit and flow into the vibe of these ancient practices. If there is one word to describe this immersion it would be ‘authentic’. We recommend for anyone interested in deep self-exploration and connection to our mysterious earth to do this - we promise you will never regret taking the time and courage to do this work for yourself.

Nicolai Borre Christensen & Cathrine Hansen, Denmark

I really wanted to experience in this unique way, the depth of my soul. The experience was pure magic. And pure reality. I felt safe, loved and held the whole way. I felt that I could trust Simone and that anyone she called into her circle could be, in the true sense of the word, a guide. The plant medicines have their own way of working. However, it’s critical to have gatekeepers on this side of it all that with a steady hand and open heart, guide you through the doorway, down and in. Gently. And with care.Would I do this again? 100 times yes. Would it be with Simone? 10000 times yes. Jump! Or walk slowly. Whatever your way, the medicine, and these skilled guides can hold you.

ANDREA GABONI, USA

Simone is f*$!king insanely good at weaving together beauty & truth in to the unconscious of other beings, so they can see it, that it’s inside.

JAMIE, USA

Past Journeys

Want To Try Yoga Nidra For Free

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Into the Heart of Being

August 15 – 22, 2020

Yogi’s’ Garden, Bali