Padmadarshini 

I have long been interested in exploring and working with the body. Since being a teenager coming into my body through movement has been a way of connecting with and resourcing myself. I have taught yoga at Bodywise in Manchester for many years now. During this time both my personal practice and approach to teaching have ongoingly changed and evolved. It has been important to me to see the practice as a process of enquiry, exploration and creativity. This has drawn me to study with various teachers over the years and I am particularly grateful to Sarah Powers and Donna Farhi for the rich teachings I have received from them.

In more recent years  I have also been drawn to also exploring more somatic /embodied movement approaches - allowing movement to arise from listening to impulses within the bodymind and from outer stimuli. In particular I love the practice of Authentic Movement, a little known but very rich embodied relational movement practice. It’s a bit like doing the metta bhavana through movement! Whether through movement or meditation I am really interested in discovering how the body can be a 'doorway' into listening to ourselves and can help us find a deeper, more open, easeful relationship to ourselves, others and the world around us. 

Maitrivira has been participating in Dhanakosa retreats for 20 years. He brings a wealth of experience with him.

Ginny started practicing yoga in 1995, teaching in 1999 and now offers a diverse range of classes mainly in London, encouraging students to develop their own personal practice.

Her focus is on body awareness through Indian yogic traditions of Asana, Pranayama and relaxation practices, integrating this with Chinese yogic traditions of Qi, meridians & there pertaining organs and the five elements. 

She infuses all practices with fun, taking us into the unexplored field of body, mind & emotions, to evoke potential for personal growth & transformation of ourselves.

Visit Ginny's yoga page here for more information about her yoga style.

Open to all, these retreats are suitable for both beginners and those with more experience, but no previous experience is assumed. All these retreats include introductory meditation teaching and periods of silence.