tropical harmony
03.may - 11.may 2024, sri lanka
Escape to the breathtaking landscapes of Sri Lanka and immerse yourself in a transformative clayoga retreat at the enchanting Mond Hotel. Get ready to embark on a journey that combines the ancient arts of pottery and yoga, allowing your mind to ground itself in the present moment.
In our fast-paced lives, our minds often tend to wander, constantly dwelling on the past and future. But during this retreat, we will bring our focus back to the essence of now. By exploring the beautiful symbiosis between yoga and pottery, we will find ourselves fully present in the here and now, flowing gracefully through time and space.
The touch of clay naturally fosters a deep connection to the earth, creating an ideal space for grounding and self-expression. Picture yourself indulging in refreshing sunrise dips in the ocean, followed by flowy yoga sessions. As we connect with our senses through explorative yoga flows, we will move with our breath, rediscovering our inner selves.
Our journey continues as we awaken the curiosity of our inner child, seeking a profound connection through the sense of touch. Within a comfortable and tranquil space, we will guide you through various pottery techniques. From the art of slip casting to discovering the three different hand building methods and the fascinating skill of wheel throwing, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of this ancient craft.
investment and the stay
mond mainhouse
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queensize bed (min. 150X200cm)
private bathroom with rain shower
modern architecture
ocean view
free wifi
share your bed with your best friend or partner and pay chf 2375.- per person
chf 2845.-
all inclusive retreat price for one person
Wake up slowly with a view of the Indian Ocean and the smell of freshly brewed coffee outside your room in the courtyard cafe of Mond, a boutique hotel and cafe located in the most charming beach village on a quiet dead-end street on the hill of Hiriketiya.
A tropical modernism aesthetic defines the 4 rooms of Mond. Shaped by Swiss Architecture and infused with the tropical spirit of Sri Lanka. Floor-to-ceiling sliding wood panels open up onto your own private terrace.
mond treescape
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kingsize bed (min. 180X200cm)
private bathroom with rain shower
jungle vibes
safe
free wifi
share your bed with your best friend or partner and pay chf 2375.- per person
chf 2845.-
all inclusive retreat price for one person
Any kid lucky enough to have a tree house in their backyard growing up was the source of envy on the block.
Located in the most charming beach village Hiriketiya and set in Mond's own lush tropical garden overlooking the Indian ocean, you have the chance to stay admidst Hiriketiya's treetops to the sound of peacocks and the ocean waves.
shiranis house
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queensize bed (min. 160X200cm)
shared kitchen an living room
2 shared bathrooms with outdoor rain shower
jungle vibes
free wifi
share your bed with your best friend or partner and pay chf 2142.- per person
chf 2280.-
all inclusive retreat price for one person
THE CHARMING HOUSE IS LOCATED ON A QUIET STREET ON THE HILL OF HIRIKETIYA, JUST A SHORT WALKING DISTANCE AWAY OF 2 BEAUTIFUL BEACHES.
YOU’LL LOVE THE HOUSE FOR ITS LUSH GARDEN. THE LOUNGE ON THE TERRACE IS IDEAL TO RELAX WHILE THE OUTDOOR DINING AREA AT THE BACK IS AS CHARMING. IN THIS COZY CORNER YOU CAN ENJOY YOUR BREAKFAST WATCHING THE MONKEYS PASSING BY AND IN THE NIGHTS THE FIREFLIES WILL GIVE YOU A BIG LIGHT SPECTACLE
what a typical day looks like
optional surfing or ocean dip
yoga flow
tropical breakfast buffet
pottery classes
rest + relax
yin + sound / acupressure
tavolata dinner
star gazing
06:00 - 07:30
08:00 - 09:15
09:30 - 11:00
11:00 - 14:00
14:00 - 17:30
17:30 - 19:00
20:00 - 21:30
from 21:30
please note: this is just a sample how it could look like. the final schedule will be published before arrival in hiriketiya.
retreat offerings
8 nights stay in hiriketiya (mond mainhouse / mond treescape / soto house)
8 x nourishing breakfast (buffet style)
8 x delicious dinner (tavolata style)
7 x yoga practice with ocean view / under the palmtrees
8 x 3h pottery workshop
2 x yin + sound bath
2 x acupressure workshop
1 x full day excursion
1 x half day trip
and some surprises along the way
clay material including fired pieces
free wifi at hotel mond and your accommodation
not included in the price
flight to and from colombo, sri lanka (cmb)
transfer from cmb airport to hiriketiya
travel insurance (highly recommended)
massages and private excursions
surf equipment / surf lessons
alcoholic beverages
the clayoga crew
co-founder clayoga from zurich, switzerland
michelle
organization, clay workshops, yoga + sound
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michelle loves the ocean, the sun and nature in every thinkable way. sunrises and sunsets. watching the magic transformations of nature shifts her perspective. yoga and pottery have the same kind of magic, both root to mother earth. clay and yoga have accompanied michelle for many years now. as part of the tiara ceramica team michelle will support you with your creative clay journey. michelle’s yoga teacher path has started with the sacred fig yoga teacher training, followed by trainings of science of self, katonah and a crystal bowl sound training with laura israel. you can expect some slow morning yoga flows with the knowledge of meridians integrated, aswell as acupressure workshops and yin + sound sessions.
dominic
co-founder clayoga from zurich, switzerland
organization, clay workshops, photography
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dominic loves the mountains, nature and quiet rainy days. besides the countless hours spent at the tiara ceramica studio he is a passionate part time flight attendant. dominic loves being a host, he will take care of your questions or concerns throughout the journey.
at tiara ceramica dominic feels at home and can transform his visions into minimalist unique pieces. at the moment dominic is focusing on designing a new tableware collection for tiara ceramica.
special guest antonia
special guest from vienna, austria
yoga, hand building workshops
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Antonia is a curious and concious human being. she loves wild nature. yoga is a place for her to explore and experiment to find a flow that suits her mood. it is a play between being strong, slow, flexible and gentle. everyday is part of a learning journey about her body and mind. she fell in love with sharing the path of traveling to different places and being surrounded by lovely people. ceramics is a way for her to connect creativity, nature and touch. clay is sensitve and it needs strength at the same time. the process of pottery is a thing of beauty on its own.
the hosts
jessica, ru and renato
living in hiriketiya, sri lanka since 7 years
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jessica and renato have always had a connection to the ocean and it seems only fitting that they have now created their lives to revolve around it in later life. being constantly surrounded by the power of the ocean living on this island paradise, they have come to really understand and work with the moon, the ocean and theirselves to unlock hidden pieces that make up their personal psyches. their experiences with these cycles have played an integral part in the creation of mond and it’s counterparts. they always strive to self understand and to grow in this capacity – this is what mond is in its totality.
mond boutique hotel
built in 2017 - 2020, opened in 2020
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Mond, the German word translating in English to Moon aligns directly with our hearts. Its magnetic nature with the tides has always been a symbolic metaphor for the ebbs and flows of the human condition. In a society where we are pushed further and further from the inherent cyclical patterns we share with our natural habitat there is an almost equal pull back towards this connection and our origins as a species. Our alignment with the Moon and it’s cycles date back to human conception and has always influenced our state of being whether we have chosen to acknowledge it or not.
general information
general information
this retreat is organized by clayoga in cooperation with mond. contact person during the retreat is the clayoga crew.
clayoga will take photos during the retreat that will be used for social media, websites and newsletters. if you do not agree with this, please let us know in advance.
due to the economic situation in sri lanka it is possible that there will be no power for some time during the day (power cut). therefore we recommend you to buy a local sim card so that you are always reachable via whatsapp / telegram etc.
the currency in sri lanka is the sri lanka rupee (lkr) exchange rate chf 1.- = lkr 369.- (status 15.10.2023) there is also the possibility to pay with us dollars across the country
a reservation requires a down payment of chf 800.- via bank transfer. the amount has to be paid in chf. if it will be paid in another currency, it is in the responsibility of the participant to make sure that the full amount will be transferred to us (exchange rate, bank fees etc.)
THE RETREAT CAN BE CANCELED UP TO 13 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THE RETREAT (february 2nd, 2024). PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL NOT REFUND THE INITIAL DOWN PAYMENT OF chf 800.-.
for cancellations less than 13 weeks prior to the start, the retreat fee will be charged fully, unless a replacement participant is found.
clayoga reserves the right to cancel the retreat at any time due to the political or economical situation in sri lanka, travel restrictions or any other reasons. should one of the previously mentioned reasons be the case you will be informed in advance and will receive a full refund for the retreat. we can not refund the cost of your flight or any other expenses. therefore a travel insurance is highly recommended. if a refund will take place, bank transfer fees and exchange rate money loss are the expenses of the participant
payment and cancellation policy
flights and transport
the main airport in sri lanka is colombo (cmb). several airlines fly to colombo worldwide. the airlines that fly to colombo almost daily are emirates, qatar, etihad and sri lankan airlines.
the drive from colombo to hiriketiya takes about 3 hours. there is the possibility to share the drive with other participants. as soon we know the details of your journey we will try to find a suitable solution for everyone to split travel costs.
for entry in sri lanka there is a visa requirement for some countries. we recommend you to apply for the visa 2 weeks before start of the retreat via the following website https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
(the processing takes only a few minutes). if not possible, there is the possibility to apply for a visa on arrival. (usd 60)
entry regulations sri lanka
official opening ceremony of the retreat in sri lanka is scheduled at 5pm on the 3rd of may 2024. check-in to your room will be possible on the 3rd as of 2pm.
the closing ceremony will take place on the 10th on our last evening together. check-out must be done by 10am latest on the 11th.
if you want to arrive a few days before the retreat starts or prolong your stay in sri lanka simply send us an email and we will connect you with the mond team for further details.
beginning and ending of retreat
creating memories
Embarking on this retreat is not just about learning the art of clay craftsmanship and yoga—it's an opportunity to forge lasting connections and create unforgettable memories. Throughout the journey, we'll guide you through different techniques of working with clay, from wedging to trimming, and offer a diverse range of glazing possibilities. By the retreat's end, the lump of clay will have evolved into your personally crafted treasures—ensure you leave space in your suitcase for these cherished creations.
As you immerse yourself in the creative process, you'll find a profound connection to the present moment, delicately handling the textures of clay with care and ease. Beyond the enchantment of pottery and yoga, the experience extends to blissful beach days, optional surf sessions, and the serene embrace of the tropical jungle, where monkeys add a touch of playfulness to the atmosphere.
Amidst these diverse activities, the retreat becomes a canvas for new friendships to blossom, fostering a sense of community that elevates the overall journey. These shared moments, both artistic and recreational, become the threads that weave together a tapestry of memories, ensuring this retreat is not just an event but a chapter in the ongoing story of lasting connections and personal growth.
Don't miss the opportunity to embark on this soul-nourishing adventure. Join us for an unforgettable clayoga retreat in Sri Lanka, where pottery and yoga seamlessly merge to bring harmony and presence to your life. Book your spot today and embrace the beauty of the present moment like never before.
get in touch.
if you have any questions or concerns regarding our retreat, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time. we are happy to help you.