Yoga Course for Beginners: 'Cultivate your Home Practice'
Are you new to yoga, or need to adjust your practice? Then this is the perfect starting point!
Would you like to learn yoga and create a consistent practice? Unsure of how to adapt the poses to suit your body type, health conditions and level of flexibility? And would you like to spend quality time will a small group of fellow new yogis in the most beautiful farm setting to live and breathe yoga for a few days?
Gain the confidence and understanding you need to practice safely on your own
During your stay, you will be taken by the hand by some of Australia’s best yoga teachers. They will introduce you to some of the finer details around the yoga poses and breathing techniques that there's usually no time for in regular yoga classes.
Your hosts and guides, Krishna Village lead teachers Lila Kirtana and Laxmivan Kubitzky, have personally trained hundreds of yoga teachers. They each have been teaching yoga for over 20 years and between them, have qualifications in Anatomy and Physiology, Pre/Postnatal Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, Yoga Therapy and Yoga for Mental Health and Wellness - a fantastic wealth of knowledge that they are excited to share in this intimate setting.
Time for personal attention and individual adjustments
Over the course of the week, you will workshop the details of two set sequences: a morning Vinyasa practice, and an afternoon Restorative Yin practice. Our focus will be on anatomy, safety, specific alignment for your body, and the benefits of each pose. You will receive personal attention and hands-on assists to learn how to practice the poses correctly, and will get access to the morning sequence online as taught by Lila to continue to safely practice at home.
In addition, you will spend a beautiful week in the paradise of the Northern Rivers with 3 vegan/vegetarian meals and access to 2-3 yoga classes each day, a broad range of classes covering topics such as Ayurveda, Meditation and Philosophy, a chance to cuddle our friendly cows and calves, and plenty of time for relaxation, a massage or a trip to massage rocks, our local swimming spot.
This course is for you if you...
- Are new to yoga and would love to learn the most important postures in a safe, small-group environment with an emphasis on safe alignment and personalised attention
- Have learnt yoga in the past but haven't practiced in a long time and would like a reset
- Have injuries or health challenges that require new workarounds and adjustments so you can practice safely
- Want to learn in a small group setting instead of getting lost in the back of a crowded class in a yoga studio, and have the chance to ask all your questions, because we have ample time
- Are open to meeting a bunch of fellow yogis and form new friendships with like-minded people
Time to nurture yourself:
Daily yoga - Vinyasa, Yin Yoga, Restorative & Yoga Nidra
Traditional Styles of Meditation, Pranayama & Kirtan
Workshops on Ayurveda, Nutrition, Stress Management, Anatomy, etc.
Vegetarian & vegan meals, based on holistic & Ayurvedic principles
Plenty of free time to relax, enjoy a treatment, go for a hike, swim in the river, and do the things you love
Optional Massage or Reiki Treatments (additional cost - please book through reception)
Meet your teachers
Lila Kirtana was first attracted to the yogic lifestyle in 2005. During the 3 years she spent deeply immersed in studies as a Vedic nun in an ashram, Lila completed her 500hr yoga teacher training and has been teaching yoga ever since. From 2008 onwards Lila has worked full time as a yoga teacher trainer and retreat manager in Byron Bay [Certificate IV in Yoga Teaching, RYT-500, Cert IV in Training and Assessment, YACEP]. She completed Pre/Postnatal Yoga training with Bliss Baby Yoga in 2012 and began to teach regularly on their courses until 2016, and after becoming a mother, Lila completed a Children's Yoga teacher training with Zenergy Yoga in 2014 and has run several terms of children's yoga classes in Preschool, Primary school and High school. In 2017 she completed a 50 hour Yin Yoga certification, and a Yoga for Mental Health qualification in 2019 and 2020.
Lila has been the course creator and head yoga teacher trainer at the Krishna Village Eco Yoga centre since 2016, and has since accredited hundreds of yoga teachers. She is a passionate advocate for women's health and the environment.
Michael 'Laxmivan' Kubitzky began his yoga journey at the age of 20 when he left his profession as a studio musician and joined a Bhakti Yoga Monastery. For the next 10 years, he travelled Australia, New Zealand and India as a brahmachari monk, daily studying the traditional yogic canons and engaging in strict daily yogic sadhana.
After another 6 years as a traditional Vedic (Hindu) priest, he took an interest in the more physical aspects of yoga and successfully completed a 3-year diploma course with Satyananda Yoga, before finally finding his passion with Power Vinyasa. Since then he’s been certified by Baron Baptiste, became certified with Anti Gravity level 2, founded one of Australia’s most successful regional yoga studios, and has helped develop and facilitate many teacher training programs in Australia.
Since 2018, he has been one of the two lead teacher trainers at Krishna Village. As a teacher, Michael brings with him great integrity and depth, forged by more than 35 years of strict, yet joyful daily practice. His teaching is full of compassion, humour and authenticity, with a deep respect for tradition, but without being over-zealous.
Accommodation options
Krishna Village is located on a beautiful organic farm in the scenic foothills of Mt. Warning, half way between Byron Bay and the Gold Coast. The closest town is Murwillumbah, and the nearest airport Coolangatta (the Gold Coast airport).
Our Retreat Center is spread out across a beautiful natural farm setting, which means that some of our facilities and accommodation require a bit of walking. We offer a range of accommodation options from camping spots to creatively renovated container rooms, private pine cabins set in the hills overlooking the valley and more.
Make your booking
Early Bird Discount: Save $100 if you book 4+ weeks prior to course start
The rates below include: tuition, 3 meals/day and the accommodation of your choice for 4 nights.
You are welcome to add further nights during the booking process, and include the weekend before and/or after the course.
Commuter: AU $890 (meals included, but no room)
Camping (tent): AU $1014 OR AU $972 each (2 people sharing)
Camping (van): AU $1030 OR AU $980 each (2 people sharing)
Budget Room: AU $1150 OR AU $1060 each (2 people sharing)
Bunkies: AU $1290
Lotus Pod Room: AU $1290 OR AU $1110 each (2 people sharing)
Bhakti Guesthouse Rooms (With Ensuite): AU $1430 per person OR AU $1180 each (2 people sharing)
Cabin (self-contained): AU $1430 OR AU $1180 each (2 people sharing)
Payments - We require a $600 deposit to hold your spot in the course. The full payment is due no later than 6 weeks prior to the start of your course.
Before booking, please have a look at our Code of Conduct and our Terms and Conditions. If you are dealing with any physical or mental health issues, please also check our 'Are you ready' page.
Choose your date below to make your booking
Please note: On Monday, we offer a Welcome Tour for all new guests at 11am. The course itself begins after lunch, at 1:30pm. For an extra relaxed experience, you have the option to add a night, so you can arrive early, and start the experience with morning yoga, delicious breakfast and a wander around on the farm. On Friday, we conclude at 12:30pm. You are welcome to have lunch with us before heading off.
Testimonials
"I loved the Beginner's Yoga Retreat program for its considered, inclusive, varied & intelligent design. Really values the sharing of knowledge by Lila & Laxmi in such authentic, relaxed and safe ways. (Oh and humorous too!) The program was well balanced (of course!) with what was for me just the right balance of asana, pranayama, meditation, philosophy and Ayurveda. And the generous sharing of Lila's and Laxmivan's recordings and videos, worth so much to me. Huge Thanks!" - S.R.
"This course was more than I ever hoped or dreamed of! I was a little concerned beforehand, as I had an injured knee and was not sure how I would go with the yoga poses. However it was the best thing I could have done! I was advised on how to support my body and knee during the poses and alternative poses to adjust for my knee. I learnt how to really listen to my body and to enjoy myself. In the last month my knee and body have gone from strength to strength and I am feeling amazing! Thank you so very much for running this course, it has certainly been a life changer for me!" - Julie O.
Delicious vegetarian food
At Krishna Village, we offer 3x delicious vegetarian meals per day. From vegan kitchari, porridge, and fresh fruits for breakfast, to vegetable curry with rice or flatbreads, and heartier dishes for lunch & dinner... If you're looking to incorporate more plant-based options into your diet, you'll be sure to enjoy our meals.
If you have any specific dietary needs, you are welcome to use the Krishna Village kitchen to prepare your meals.
The Krishna Farm
The Krishna Farm "New Govardhana" serves as an ashram to a community of yogis who aspire to live according to their deepest vows and commitments on their path of service, spiritual contentment and happiness (Bhakti Yoga). Their service and dedication make this location a beautiful place of growth, healing and spiritual awakening. The temple is the beating heart of the community at New Govardhana and we encourage all who visit the property to come along and experience the lifestyle and philosophy reflected by the practice of Krishna consciousness.
