Visit fabulous Cape Town for a personalised seaside yoga and therapy retreat with your own group of 4 persons

Receive individual attention and consultations, including 2 one-on-one yoga sessions and 2 cranio-sacral treatments from experienced teacher Johann Kotze and skilled therapist Dr Sandra Smit. You will live in a bungalow at their center at Muizenberg Beach, Cape Town.

● 7 days ( 6 full & 2 half days) / 6 nights to practice the basics of yoga, and develop more advanced yoga skills. Enjoy nourishing stress release treatments, holiday rest, great food and fun activities in the vicinity of the laid back, seaside village and its beautiful natural surrounds. Rejuvenate, and awaken fresh inspiration to find and define a greater vision to realise your life goals. Your teacher has a passion for the ocean, mountains and cultural heritage and loves to share it!

Learn why yoga and crania-sacral therapy goes so well together.

● 2016 Dates
Arrive Sunday 24 April, depart Saturday 30 April
Arrive Sunday 12 June, depart Saturday 18 June

Book your own Independent Healing Yoga & Therapy Retreat for Individuals, Couples or Groups of 4 – 6 persons should these dates not suit your schedule, 

Benefit from your strong currency for an excellent high end yoga opportunity at a fraction of its value.
● Cost p/p $ 1 000 / 750 Euro / R 12 000

 or contact us – more information below image.

Retreat highlights

● Small group 4 – 6 persons
● A themed yoga and health philosophy program
● Interviews with Dr Smit and Johann to establish how to best assist you in the retreat
● 2 One-on-One Individual Yoga lessons
● 2 Cranio-Sacral treatments
● Daily meditation and yoga class in our sea-view studio
● Workshops
● Evening talks, discussions, or satsang
● Free access to Johann’s additional daily community yoga classes
● Accommodation in a bungalow adjacent to the center
● Fresh juices, tea and meals
● 2 meals per day – specified breakfasts, brunches, lunches or evening meals
● Free time to visit the variety of neighbourhood seaside restaurants
● Weather permitting, a sunrise beach class
● Beautiful natural surroundings for example seaside walk to the nearby fishing village
● A mountain forest walk outing
● Outing to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens against Table Mountain
● Surf lessons on request / free surf time (not included)
● Personal coach on request (not included)

 or contact us – more information below image.

The healing yoga and therapy programme

Cranio-Sacral Therapy and Yoga (the one-on-one’s and our classes) focus on healthy spine and systemic vitality for greater well-being. The two modalities form a superb combination to release and process the impact of stressful living and trauma, and unlock the body’s natural healing intelligence. Why Yoga and Cranio-Sacral Therapy goes so well together.

An exceptional, themed yoga program based on instructor Johann Kotze’s guide Thrive Naturally – Get into the Zone, Johann’s powerful, comprehensive and easy to implement system to evolve your well-being to a next level. A culture of lifestyle fun, and accepting self-repsonsibility for one’s health is encouraged. You will learn how use basic Essentials of Yoga on a vision quest for greater health, including meditation and mindfulness to develop wisdom, and consciousness, to integrate what you practice at the retreat into your day-to-day living back home. 

All levels – beginner and experienced – are welcome. We customise the practice levels to serve the best interests and requirements of the attendees, according to individual and group ability, after initial personal evaluations and interviews.

Free time is for resting, own exploration of the immediate area, surfing, swimming or hanging out at a seaside cafe or restaurant. You are welcome to attend the regular yoga classes at the center and Johann’s nearby sea-view studio at no additional charge.

Schedule

Exact details are subject to changes, to make the best of weather conditions, and in keeping with the individualised and flexible nature of the retreat.

Day 1

Arrivals

● Refreshments / Light lunch
● Settle in / Individual interviews
5 pm
● Free time to settle in and acclimatise
7 pm
● Dinner
8 pm
● Welcome and introductions
● Set Intentions

Day 2

8 am – 9 am
● Juices/Tea/Coffee
● Meditation
9.00 – 11.00 am
● Individual interviews with yoga instructor and therapist
11am
● Brunch
12 – 4 pm
● Individual yoga sessions
● Individual therapy sessions
5 pm
● Restorative yoga class
7 pm
● Dinner
8 pm
● Find your vision – Group discussion and coaching with guest coach
● Evening meditation

Day 3

7 am – 8 am
● Juices/Tea/Coffee
● Meditation
9 am
● Breakfast
10 am
● Workshop: Essentials of Effective Yoga (Basics for Beginners and beyond)
11 a.m.
● Yoga class
2 – 5 pm
● Individual yoga sessions
● Individual therapy sessions
6 pm
● Dinner
8 pm
● Evening Talk: The enigma of achieving health
Evening meditation

Day 4

7 am – 8 am
● Juices/Tea/Coffee
● Meditation
9.30 – 10.30 am
● Yoga class
11am
● Brunch
12
● Outing to Kirstenbosch Gardens
7 pm
● Dinner
8 pm
● Evening Talk: To be announced… in keeping with the flexible nature of our program

Day 5

7 am – 8 am
● Juices/Tea/Coffee
● Meditation
9 am
● Breakfast
10 am
● Workshop: Advanced practices to help you thrive
11 am
● Excursion scenic walk to Kalk Bay and lunch (not included)
2 – 5 pm
● Individual yoga sessions
● Individual therapy sessions
7 pm
● Dinner
8 pm
● Evening Talk: Life Lessons from a Soul Surfer (download free eBook)
● Evening meditation

Day 6

7 am
● Juices
● Meditation
8 am
● Yoga class
9 am
● Excursion walk in forest with breakfast
1 – 5 pm
● Individual yoga sessions
● Individual therapy sessions
6 pm
● Happy Closure Dinner at Local Restaurant
8 pm
● Evening Talk Thriving Naturally through Mindfulness Yoga in Daily Life
● Feedback on course (debrief)/ Going back to the world, but staying in the zone
● Closing meditation

Day 7

7 am
● Juices
● Meditation
● Rejuvenation Yoga class

Departures

 or contact us – more information below image.

About the Yoga, Meditation, Treatment, Workshops & Talks

Course level We aim to share with you a fulfilling, rejuvenating experience in a magical part of the world. You do not have to be fit and strong, or know much or anything about yoga for the do-able, aceessible daily routine of meditations, yoga classes, workshops, treatments, one-on-one sessions and group discussion/coaching. Additional activities for ex. surfing and other fun activities are optional but also not excessively demanding. Just bring your curiosity and willingness to learn.

Easy Rejuvenation Style

The yoga classes are in a simple, effective vinyassa flow hatha style that will get the body moving and strong. Power flow sessions depends on participant abilities.
Restorative, deep relaxation, deep healing yoga and nidra (deep relaxation) opens and closes the retreat practices.

Meditation

Mindfulness practice is part of a daily sitting, a simple, accessible practice combined with breathing techniques. In the morning, and some evenings, in line with the retreat program. You will learn to Go within for inner peace its outwards manifestation.

Workshops

The workshop program will lead participants through a series of aspects specific to the retreat to ground your vacation in a practical, simple, extraordinary experience of the life transforming potential of yoga.

Evening Satsang (Talks & Discourse)

The talks adds theories and ideas to the ground covered in the daily practices and workshops. Seeking wisdom through satsang is as much at the heart of yoga as asana practice, pranayama and meditation. It is a tool to guide participants to a clear, open ended, undogmatic understanding of how the yogic philosophy of “understanding self” leads to richer, healthier, life affirming living.

Personal Evaluation

An evaluation of each individual’s ability, intentions and expectations helps a lot with assisting each course participant to make the best of the retreat opportunities.

1-on-1 Instruction

Personal training session, at the beginning and end of the week helps maximise each participant’s individual opportunities to aquire performance skills or increased the remedial (yoga therapy) value of the retreat. Personal attention from an experienced professional trainer is a vital component in the pursuit of health and excellence.

Treatments

Physical bodywork and energy, meridian based treatments are necessary for the resolving of lifestyle stress and life trauma, large or small. It is also an important to support the body’s self-maintenance mechanisms with hearings arts practices.

Your instructors

Johann Kotze is a yoga teacher, musician and soul surfer. He has practiced, studied and shared yoga since 1990. He published a book Five Keys to Well-being in 2006, working on an  Ebook version Essentials of Effective Yoga. Johann’s teaching is all about fostering a strong, intuitive understanding of holistic yoga and health. His practical, easy going style is equally accessible for beginners as it is useful for advanced practitioners. Check out his personal take on all this in his “Thrive naturally- get into the Zone” (Free pdf coming soon). Johann studied Sivananda yoga and therapy boasts varied eclectic and straight-down-the-line influences. www.johannkotze.com/

Sandra Smit is a Cranio-Sacral therapist and homoeopath and has a passion for helping clients find their bodies natural healing ability through the release of energetic blockages. She holds a Bachelors Degree (1992) from Randse Afrikaanse Universiteit, majoring in Psychology and Philosophy, followed with a 6 year course in Homeopathy at the University of Witswatersrand, Johannesburg. She studied Cranio-Sacral Therapy in Ireland 2001-2004 while managing a health shop, which led to a similar career back in South Africa, practicing in pharmacies and health stores before starting her own practice. She lectures part-time in anatomy and physiology at The International Academy of Reflexology & Meridian Therapy, College of Natural Health and Craniosacral Therapy Association. https://drsandrasmit.wordpress.com/

Surfing and coaching on request

Russel Brownlee is a life coach with a great, skillful take on the work we cover on the retreat.

Grant Byram is a surf instructor with a knack for upbeat, supportive teaching of beginners, and he can surf with the best. Grant was a surfshop and surfboard factory owner in the 80 ‘s for some 8 years, surfed for Western Province in short and longboard divisions many times, was SA Longboard Champion at Seal Point in 1989, and nominated Best overall Surfer of that contest. He developed his surf coaching methods over the last 28 years, for beginners, and experienced surfers – he promises  he is most likely to get anyone, who is fairly fit, to stand in first lesson. Grant knows the East Coast surf spots, tides and wind conditions after 49 years years of East Coast trips. “Safety first, always my motto when entering the Ocean. Never go in if you feel its too powerful or big for your fitness level.”

Accommodation

You will be living 100 meters across from the beach where the retreat is housed in an elegant 1920’s apartment villa. The studio and therapy center occupies most of the home of Johann and Sandra, has sea-views, and shares a mutual courtyard with the beach bungalow behind it. (It has a tiny bit of sea view). The beachside strip of Muizenberg’s popular coffee shops, beach bars, surf rentals and famous Surfer’s Corner is a 200 meters walk away.

● 2 person room en suite with double bed
● 2 person room en suite with 2 single beds
● Each room is joined to a small recreation area, one with a dinner table and chairs, one with a lounge and fireplace
● An additional single bed in the room adjoining the double bed room makes accommodation more flexible
● A small courtyard for relaxing and meals, weather allowing
● Additional accommodation for 2 persons at other AirBnB locations on the premises, if available, on request

Location

Muizenberg is a coastal village with a long beach, a small suburb 20-30 minutes drive from the City Centre. It has its back against the slopes of the Table Mountain belt, about halfway between the city and Cape Point. Rich in plant and animal life, it features great hiking trails, and a cool in winter, temperate Southern Atlantic ocean. Historic Kalk Bay, a quaint seaside village (see Time Magazine), is a pleasant seaside walk away, it has beach bars, coffee shops, galleries and a working fishing harbour. The retreat is an easy walking distance to the mountain and train station on the coastal-city line.

Surfing at Muizenberg beach

The retreat is situated on the edge of miles long golden sands of Muizenberg beach, the most popular Cape Town City surf village for recreational surfers and beginners. February to September (late summer and winter) are the best seasons for surfing this coastline, with average conditions of moderate light winds and 2-3ft high surf, perfect for learning, and excellent for longboarding. The ocean temperature is mild 16-18 C, down to a cold 11/12 degrees much of mid winter. We can arrange equipment rental and instructors for learners. Experienced surfers can free-surf, there are boards and wetsuits of all descriptions for hire.

 or contact us – more information below image.

Food

● We start each day with a freshly made fruit and vegetable juice
● 2 vegetarian meals per day, breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, depending on the program for the day. There are few enough persons attending to individually customise, where possible, what you eat or don’t eat. Meals are vegetarian, but we are not rigid about what you should eat or drink in addition.
● Make your own drinks and snacks in the kitchen

What is included

● Airport transfers
● 6 nights accommodation
● All Yoga and Meditation classes in our seaview studio, including a special sunrise beach class
● 2 One-on-One Yoga sessions (6o – 80 minutes each)
● 2 Cranio-sacral treatments (6o – 80 minutes each)
● A mountain forest excursion
● Scenic Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens outing
● 2 meals per day
● Daily fresh juices/tea/coffee in morning

What’s not included

● Flights
● Outing meals / 3 rd meal of day
● Additional coaching or surfing
● Travel insurance

Check in, check out

Day 1, any time
Day 7, anytime

Transportation, airport transfers

Transfer from and to Airport is included in the package.
Ground transfers.

Distances

● Cape Town Airport – 35 minutes by car
● Cape Town City Centre – 20 /30 minutes by car, 40 /60 minutes by train

Dressing information

Comfortable clothing, layered for varying conditions. Cape Town weather conditions average from 65F/18C to 75F/24C but it may be baking hot away from the coast, and cool in the evenings. The wind is sometimes cold. Swim gear. Beach towels. Beach sandals.

What to bring

You may get a European power plug adapter if travelling from the UK / outside Europe.

How to get here

● Book a flight to Cape Town International Airport
● We will meet you on arrival and transfer you to, and from the retreat

Additional information, booking and payment

 or contact us for more information; we would like to assist you.

We charge a 50% non-refundable deposit and request full payment before or upon arrival.
Payments can be made into our PayPal account.

Accepted currencies on location

South African Rand

If you come out all the way to Cape Town and South Africa…
stay on and make the best of your trip:

There are lots to do before (or after) the retreat:

● Go surfing or SUPing or simply enjoy the beach
● Go horseback riding on the beach
● Visit the local craft food markets
● Coastal & mountain walks to suit all levels
● Wine-tasting tours
● Day safari tours
● Go up Table Mountain
● Visit the V&A Waterfront
● Drive around the peninsula
● Visit the Garden Route 3 – 5 day road trip

More Surf Yoga & Yoga Holidays & Retreats, Cape Town, South Africa