Moving Meditation Retreat 2027 with Judy Hirsh SampathÂ
Introducing guest teacher, Fiona Marshall
Sun 10 – Mon 18 Jan 2027Â – 8 night yoga holiday in Kerala +Â optional 8 day/7 night add on adventure
Step away from your everyday life, awaken your senses and settle your body, mind and soul. Twice daily yoga & meditation, breakfast and dinner buffets with delicious variety of Indian and European dishes. En-suite accommodation is in 4 star traditional keralan-style villas – choices of villa categories below. Set in a beautiful quiet resort with fully equipped yoga hall, on-site swimming pool and ayurvedic spa for massage and treatments – overlooking the backwaters/ Â See our Terms and Conditions
Intentions: This 8-night holiday includes physical practice, relaxation, mindfulness, meditation, restorative yoga, yoga nidra and some sharing of experiences to get to know each other in community. Listen and learn from India, the sun and the water, from connection with others, and deep inside your Self. This retreat holiday in India is time for you to step away from your everyday life, separate yourself from your daily routine, awaken your senses, re-set your body, refresh your mind and nourish your soul. Go home with the gift of new friends, a refilled deep reservoir of love and vibrant energy so you meet life with renewed vigour, as well as have resources to top up when reserves are low.
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The place: We are holding this retreat in Alleppey, Kerala – this charming 4 star category resort with pool, spa and yoga hall is one of our favourite places in south India.
Accommodation OptionsÂ
- GARDEN VILLA SINGLE OCCUPANCY – £1415  single villa occupancyÂ
- HERITAGE GARDEN VILLA SINGLE OCCUPANCY – £1515Â
- GARDEN VILLA DOUBLE/TWIN – £1195pp based on 2pp sharingÂ
- HERITAGE GARDEN VILLA DOUBLE/TWIN – £1295 based on 2pp sharing per person
- Lake view villa – contact for availability and prices
The deposit (£350pp sharing, £570 single occupancy) is non-refundable and is the only way to confirm your place (t&c apply).
Please note: you will need to book single occupancy if you do not have a room share as we do not arrange shares with other guests.Â
Add to your cart and tell us what you need for your full package and we will collaborate on putting your whole trip together. Â We are always here to help you search for and advise on your flights, address any concerns about travel to India and visa requirements – just ask.
We love talking about our India holidays so feel free to email for more information to [email protected]
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NEW ADD ONÂ extend your trip now you’ve come all this way!
Mon 18 – Mon 25 Jan – Alleppy to Munnar to  Madurai to explore Tamil Nadu  – 8 day/7 night add on ££795 per person based on 2pp sharing, £350 single supp (book with Bharathi, our travel agent)
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Onward Travel & Bespoke Packages
We can recommend our friendly Indian travel agent to offer bespoke tours – whether you want to pamper and relax in South India for longer tours, or fly up north for the Golden Triangle and Taj Mahal, tell us what you desire.Â
If you can’t get enough yoga, go for the authentic yoga home stay with our dear friend and yoga teacher Solaman and his family, stay in your own en-suite room with a middle-class Indian family.
Email for more information to [email protected] or call 020 8361 1882 to speak to us.
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About your teacher, Judy Hirsh Sampath – Judy has been teaching yoga since the turn of the century and has her own yoga therapy training school. As well as yoga and embodied mindfulness classes, she offers 1-2-1 yoga therapy, workshops and programmes to individuals and groups, and CPD courses to yoga teachers. She is always a learner and encourages people of all ages, abilities and sizes to take part in discovering the magic of yoga. No experience of yoga or meditation is necessary to join this retreat. To find out more about Judy, go to her teacher/therapist website HERE
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More Info
This special and magical area is steeped in Keralan history and away from the main tourist boat trips with walkways along the backwaters .
The resort has friendly staff who are happy to help and a Yoga United rep on hand to support you. In the welcome meeting we’ll go through resort orientation, the plan for the retreat and have time for questions.Â
On the banks of the backwaters, the views are spectacular and there is a peaceful sunset boat ride and optional tea on the lawn. The beach is a 20min tuktuk drive away – wonderful for walking and playing, and the warm sea is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, relaxing and becoming one with the water.Â
Ayurvedic massage is a wonderful companion to the yoga and the menu of treatments is always a talking point, as well as an opportunity for holistic healing. Set up some appropriate treatments during your stay.Â
We have been running magical retreats & groups in India since 2008 and it’s a smooth operation. Come with us to celebrate with all your senses! it’s a special place to experience yoga practice, and how it is woven through everyday life in its original place of birth. All around are powerful reminders to re-connect with your natural and loving state of being and joy. India is a special place to experience Yoga and sister science, Ayurveda.
See the Terms and Conditions
Del –
My first holiday with Judy was also my first experience of India. I travelled with my mother, in her late seventies, and we were both made very welcome. I loved it so much, I returned the following year to join the holiday again. Judy’s teaching was both inspirational and interesting, with her skills and experience shining through in her classes. The ballance of Yoga, sight-seeing and relaxation were perfect. The Ayurvedic massages of Kerala are so restorative that you can see the tension in the group members being massaged away as the days go by. Yoga, God’s Own Country and massage all in one perfectly wrapped holiday – what more could you want!
Judy M –
The most wonderful way to do yoga & meditation in the home of yoga – It felt timeless and it couldn’t get any better than that! Judy & Saz are the most wonderful hosts – thank you!
Hazel H –
Terrific holiday – wonderful yoga, sunrise meditations over the backwaters and sunset meditation on the seashore. Sunshine, delicious food, interesting trips, range of ayurvedic massages to try, great company and the flexibility to spend your time however you chose – what could be better?
Chris T –
I came last year and will be coming again next year. A rich and exotic week with Yoga United feeling love, warmth, gentleness, calm, sun, sea sand, sights, insights. Excellent food and great coming together and connecting with a wonderful group of people. And of course…yoga…yoga..yoga – thanks Judy for an apparently effortless and seamless week of practice that has been an absolute joy! Om Shanti
Richard K –
Each year, you blossom into a more wonderful teacher Judy, love your style! It has been a privilege to work with you and the testimony is in the numbers who come back year after year. I certainly will be!
Jane D –
It was wonderful to meet you and all those lovely people you seem to draw towards you with kindness, warmth and compassion – I can see why you have such a devoted following. I particularly enjoyed the ‘peripheral stuff’ – not the classic yoga but the ‘other stuff’ which created a great deal of depth and unexpected insight which will stay with me
Wendy M –
I loved my room and the gardens, it felt like home. The yoga fit perfectly with what I needed in my life – inspiring and spacious enough to go to places inside which meant a lot to me and Judy always encouraged me to feel into myself – I will never forget feeling like a fish swimming in yoga. I’ve already signed up for the next retreat!
Sheila F –
A wonderful ‘journey’ for the mind, body and soul – thank you!
Christina C –
It was such a brilliant holiday in all aspects, the yoga, weather, people, food, and the wonderful relaxed feeling – a real holiday.Everyone was very helpful wherever we went. I can’t stop thinking about India, it had a great impact on me.
Sharon –
Poovar Resort with its island setting on the peaceful and tranquil backwater of Kerala was for me the perfect place for a relaxing and restorative yoga week with Yoga United. If this had been my first trip to India I would certainly choose to do one or more of the add-ons suggested. It’s a good and safe way of getting to know India. The day trip organized by Saz to the temple/palace was lovely. Well organized, everything seemed to run smoothly, including the thali lunch and it was quite exciting being the only ‘tourists’ around.
Margaret –
Just such an amazing holiday. Loved every minute. I was so ready for it & really it was the best thing since sliced bread. I have come back feeling restored, positive & a nearly new woman! I can’t thank you enough Judy, you’ve got me back on track.Lots of love to you both
Sue –
Just back from 8 days retreat at Poovar Island and the Tamil Nadu Temple tour add on, my first visit to India. I was a newcomer to Judy’s class when I signed up for this, encouraged by her warmth and her teaching methods. The resort was excellent and the whole trip a fantastic experience, especially with the contrast and the temples with Saz and his local friends as guides.
Del –
My first holiday with Judy was also my first experience of India. I travelled with my mother, in her late seventies, and we were both made very welcome. I loved it so much, I returned the following year to join the holiday again. Judy’s teaching was both inspirational and interesting, with her skills and experience shining through in her classes. The balance of Yoga, sight-seeing and relaxation were perfect. The Ayurvedic massages of Kerala are so restorative that you can see the tension in the group members being massaged away as the days go by. Yoga, God’s Own Country and massage all in one perfectly wrapped holiday – what more could you want!
Sue –
Just back from 8 days retreat with Judy and the Tamil Nadu Temple tour add on, my first visit to India. I was a newcomer to Judy’s class when I signed up for this, encouraged by her warmth and her teaching methods. The resort was excellent and the whole trip a fantastic experience, especially with the contrast and the temples with Saz and his local friends as guides.
Margaret –
Just such an amazing holiday. Loved every minute. I was so ready for it & really it was the best thing since sliced bread. I have come back feeling restored, positive & a nearly new woman! I can’t thank you enough Judy, you’ve got me back on track.Lots of love to you both
Jane D –
It was wonderful to meet you and all those lovely people you seem to draw towards you with kindness, warmth and compassion – I can see why you have such a devoted following. I particularly enjoyed the ‘peripheral stuff’ – not the classic yoga but the ‘other stuff’ which created a great deal of depth and unexpected insight which will stay with me
Richard K –
Each year, you blossom into a more wonderful teacher Judy, love your style! It has been a privilege to work with you and the testimony is in the numbers who come back year after year. I certainly will be!