Aerial and Yoga Retreat
Breaking Ground
with Andrea, Sandra and Nichodemus
break·ground (Verb): To initiate a new venture, or to advance beyond previous achievements. To do something innovative and beneficial.
This unique retreat incorporates creative types of yoga such as Aerial, SUP and Acro to challenge our perspectives, bring us closer to nature and explore both our physical and mental bounds. Morning Yin yoga and meditation sessions will gently prepare our mind, body and soul for each full day in Watamu Treehouse’s magnificent seaside setting.
You do not need any experience in the aforementioned types of yoga. To break ground we will do things we have never tried before. We will push the boundaries and in doing so, gain a better understanding of ourselves and greater awareness of our bodies. We will have fun, explore and learn.
Aerial Yoga: Suspended in air with a view of the ocean, each participant will work from a single yoga hammock. The hammock acts as an assisting device during various yoga positions, allowing for greater range of movement (including some inversions).
SUP Yoga: Come close to nature with an unforgettable 2.5 hour SUP yoga excursion. SUP stands for Stand Up Paddle board. Take a mindful journey through the mangroves, practicing yoga poses while floating on the SUP board.
Acro Yoga: Defy gravity in the sea breeze while bringing together elements of acrobatics, yoga and Thai massage. Acro Yoga is a type of partner yoga that is both playful and therapeutic.
Yin Yoga: We will awaken the muscles and start slow with morning Yin class. Yin yoga focuses on stretching our connective tissues in a small number of poses that we will hold for longer duration, giving us plasticity that will be useful throughout the day.
Meditation: We will ready the mind with morning meditation sessions focused on themes of framing, visualization, noting and loving kindness.
Optional massages, snorkelling excursion, kayak expedition and nature walks.
This retreat will take place at Watamu Treehouse in Kenya.
Start 30th May, 4:00pm
End 2nd June, after lunch
Instruction language: English
50,000/- shared full board accommodation
65,000/- single supplement
Watamu Treehouse
Andrea Hartley
It wasn't until I discovered aerial arts at Louisiana State University's School of Theatre 2013-2014 that I truly found my calling. The combination of dance, yoga, gymnastics and FLYING was gold! I furthered my study of yoga in 2018 with Karuna Yoga Journeys and continue to create classes that merge acrobatic and mindfulness practices.
The creative workout of aerial yoga makes fitness fun and exciting. After three years of living in Nairobi, I decided to start AER Africa and grow the community here. We work closely with charitable organizations such as Sarakasi Trust and Africa Yoga Project to empower local practitioners.
Aerial Yoga uses Vinyasa Flow yoga techniques of breath, alignment, flow and mindfulness. Each participant has their own silk to work from and the suspended yoga hammock acts as an assisting device during various yoga positions to allow for greater range of movement, including some inversions. I encourage people of all fitness levels to give it a try!
Sandra Lochum
I am a Hatha Yoga Teacher (200hrs YogaAlliance), Acro Aficionado, Laughter Yoga Leader, certified Health Coach and TRE Provider and have dipped my feet into energy healing. I love to teach soulful classes, where people come out feeling better about themselves, more centered and connected. My approach is based on mindfulness and alignment, designed to give the student the experience of meditation in motion, allowing them to gain more self-awareness no matter their “skill level”.
After many years of sporadically doing yoga for fitness, I realized the true benefit of conscious movement after a debilitating back injury in 2013. Having difficulty walking and being my active self as a sailor and kite surfer, I discovered conscious movement and the deep connection of mind, emotion and the body. My first teacher profoundly helped me with Feldenkrais and Yoga creating an awareness of my self I had never experienced before. How we move is how we live. My healing journey began and after several yoga workshops, meditation retreats and a steady home practice the shifts have been profound and ongoing.
I had an inner voice telling me I needed to share the power of yoga, awareness and connection to yourself and others, so I travelled to India to complete my 200hrs teacher training in the peacefulness of an Ashram close to the Himalayas – again with profound insights.
I have had many teachers along the way who taught me and I am continuously learning about my self, my environment and how to do things better. Life is a teacher and it never ends sharing its wisdom – keeping your curiosity is vitality.
Daily schedule
Coming soon…
What is included in this retreat
Welcome packs
All yoga and meditation sessions
3 nights full board accommodation at Treehouse from Dinner 30th May until lunch 2nd June
SUP yoga class and excursion
What is not included in this retreat
Flights
Airport transfers
Tips and gratuities
Curios
Optional massages, snorkelling excursion, kayak expedition and nature walks.
Retreat food
Abundant in flavour, colour, nutrients and freshness
We source our ingredients with care, supporting local producers, and we prepare it with love.
Our lunches and dinners are abundant “set-meals” and always include a soup or starter, a vegetarian main course, a variety of sides and salads, and a dessert. We serve fresh juice or coconut water and a variety of hot drinks after the meal. Great for vegans, and gluten and dairy-free.
Retreat accommodation
Watamu Treehouse on the beach in Kenya:
the perfect spacious open air house to be in touch with the elements
unique architecture-rooms have views of sunrises or sunsets (or both!)
set in a coastal forest on one of the best white-sand beaches in Kenya
swimming in the warm healing waters
Activities before and after the retreat
Retreats at Treehouse include a variety of activities in nature designed to enhance the retreat experience and connect with the elements. Activities might include walks, exploration of the area on kayaks or SUP paddleboards, and other (gentle) adventures that are guaranteed to be fun and suitable for all levels.
Getting to this yoga retreat
The closest airport is Malindi on the East Coast of Kenya, which is approximately 25 minutes taxi ride from Treehouse. We can arrange transfers. The following airlines fly to Malinda: Jambojet; Fly540; Air Kenya; Fly SAX; Silverstone; Kenya Airways. You can also fly to Mombasa International Airport on the airlines listed above plus Kenya Airways. Mombasa is approximately 2 hours drive from Treehouse. Or take the SGR Train to Mombasa and we can send a taxi to collect you.