LIVING YOGA

​Now into its fifth year, my annual Death & Renewal practice often makes me think of a seed that has sprouted into a young tree, and continues to grow in momentum. Nourished by community, this growing tree has become a end-of-year ritual not only for myself, but for many in the Living Yoga kula. While each year sees the practice in a slightly different format, the intention is the same — to carve out a time for introspection, healing and reflection.

 

The practice is inspired by the Indian deity Shiva's cosmic dance (the ananda tandava). In his form as Nataraja, the lord of dance, he dances in an eternal ring of fire, symbolising the perpetual cycles of birth and death. He holds both the drum of creation as well as the fire of destruction, poignantly reminding us that every ending is in itself a beginning, and that death (in all its forms) is necessary for the next cycle of renewal to begin.

​​

I ran a poll earlier this year, and many of you voted for something close to home, or in Singapore itself. However, having experienced the practice as a five-night retreat in India last year, I believe that a two-hour practice in a studio will not offer the space for us to fully receive and process this potent offering.

​

So this year, we will stay close enough to local shores with a 3D2N weekend retreat to nearby Bintan. Thanks to a well-travelled friend, I found a gorgeous sea-facing resort that's tucked away from the main resort strip, which will be the perfect container for a reflective weekend. 

​

Our retreat begins with our opening circle and practice at 4:30pm on Friday, and ends after breakfast on Sunday. The main Death & Renewal practice will be a luxurious, extended 3-hour offering on Saturday evening, combining asana, pranayama, meditation and journalling. We will balance spending time together as a group with having ample free-and-easy time for self-care, whether that means strolling on the sandbank, indulging in an afternoon spa treatment, or penning your thoughts while relaxing in a hammock.

​​

Carve out some time to fill your cup and anchor your intentions for 2025, before the holiday festivities begin.

​

​​​​​

Retreat fee

S$850 for garden view twin-share; S$950 for sea view twin-share

​​

Single occupancy top-up: S$250

*Enjoy S$80 off per pair (S$40 each) if you sign up for a twin-share room with a friend or partner.

​

 

Inclusions​

• Daily ensuite accommodation

• Daily breakfast

• Dinner on Fri and Sat night

• Three Yoga practices, including Saturday's 3-hour Death & Renewal practice

• 10 percent off any spa treatment (pre-booking necessary)

• Return ferry terminal transfer

• All government and service taxes

​

Exclusions​​

• Ferry tickets (costs S$100 for Bintan Resort Ferries return tickets, inclusive of taxes)

• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)

• Lunch on Saturday, and any free-and-easy activities you book

• All personal expenses eg. laundry, extra food and drink orders

• Any necessary Covid tests, should regulations require them then