What is instinctively apparent when one arrives in Ulpotha is that the place itself has a sense of deep calm. The yoga, Ayurveda, the gardens and barefoot paths, the healthy food, and the aesthetic beauty, all of which one finds in Ulpotha, are secondary. The fact that living spaces are open to the outside world connects one to the surrounding nature rather than cutting and insulating one from it.
Also very important and rather unique in today's world is the fact that Ulpotha has neither electricity nor internet and poor mobile telephone reception. Both internet and mobiles bring in the stress of the outside world and take one away from being able to live in the moment. Ulpotha encourages communal interaction with others, as it is in the genetic imprint of human beings to band together after dark to eat and tell stories, in short to commune and connect socially.
During the retreat, mornings will begin with a light tea or snack, a yoga class, and breakfast. Then you are free to either have a massage, treat yourself to an Ayurveda detox, swim in the lake or simply relax in a swing bed.
Lunch will be served at noon and it will be the time to catch up with your fellow travelers and play a game of chess or backgammon. After lunch, you are free to do as you please, go on a bike ride, explore the lakes by boat, read in a swing bed, sunbathe, or snooze.
Before the sun goes down, grab a snack and a tea and go to the evening yoga session, which sometimes takes place out of the yoga shala, under the trees, or up a mountain. Dinner will be served after the evening yoga session and then you are free to linger and chat or head back to your hut for a full night's rest.
Naturally, this will be your holiday and none of the activities in Ulpotha are mandatory. However, to reap the full benefit of your stay, you are encouraged to do both the yoga and, if you wish, also try one of the Ayurveda detox programs.
On Wade's retreats, you can expect a daily creative Vinyasa flow based practice, with individual attention to challenging poses deconstructed, and a daily Restorative practice infused with meditation, dharma, and Thai yoga. He strives to find interesting ways to keep others inspired and connected and receiving inspiration from others is what keeps his love for yoga alive.
Typical schedule
- 07:00 Tea and fruit
- 08:00 Vinyasa yoga class
- 10:00 Free time for massage, Ayurveda treatments, swimming, and relaxing
- 12:30 Lunch
- 14:00 Free time for massage, Ayurveda treatments, swimming, and relaxing
- 16:00 Tea and snacks
- 17:00 Vinyasa yoga class
- 19:30 Dinner