Join us for a five day rejuvenating Nature & Wellness retreat
Eco-Village & Forest Reserve
Prioritize your physical, mental and emotional well-being. Join us for a wholesome nature treat in Kuthumba!
The Kuthumba eco-village is bordering the Tsitsikamma National Forest and is just a hiking distance away from a magnificent wild coastline, where a series of Robinson Crusoe (NBC 2008) has been filmed!
The closest town, Plettenberg Bay is 30 km away. Plettenberg Bay is a popular holiday spot for locals and internationals.
This retreat experience is meant to bring you closer to nature and to your own body and soul.
The yoga studio
All delicious, healthy, vegetarian meals are included in the price and prepared by Daniel. We can also cater for vegans. The host is exploring his passion for sourdough so we can expect special creations baked in his own clay oven!
Daniel grew up on a farm in the Gauteng province in the north of South Africa. He became a chef in London in 1999 and worked as a chef in London and Cape Town. Daniel developed a passion for yoga at a young age. When he was 22 he completed an Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training and became a yoga teacher in Cape Town and Worcester. Ever since he has been teaching yoga for about 20 years.
At the age of 20 Daniel went to India and discovered the Vipassana meditation style of Goenka. In 2006 he helped to set up the first Vipassana Centre in South Africa called Dhamma Pataka. He lived and served at the Vipassana Centre for 12 years. The practice of yoga and meditation compelled him to become vegetarian. He became the first tempeh and miso producer in South Africa. He also built some amazing earth buildings with his hands. We live in our own naturally built house and our yoga sessions will be conducted in a magical nonagon (9 corners) shaped clay structure.
Hedda was born in Brussels, Belgium. She studied Antropology. Early on she developed a love for the natural beauty of Africa. She worked with children and international aid in Togo, Tanzania, Sri Lanka and South Africa.
In between she stayed for two years in Plum Village, Thich Nhat Hanh's Monastery. She came to the practice of Yin yoga through the practice of meditation and mindfulness.
“When I did my first yin yoga session I fell in love with this style, as my mind felt so calm and body rejuvenated as if I had meditated and did yoga in One”
She studied and completed her Yin Yoga degree at the Dharamsala Siddhi Yoga centre in India.
Breathmonk and Conscious Hiking Guide
Aumji has had experience with breath practice for 24 years, facilitation for 17 years and mindfulness teaching for 8 years. Breathwork and mindfulness provides the capacity to instantly reset the effect of stress, anxiety, overwhelming energy, fatigue, brain fog, emotional charge as well as boosting the immune system. But that’s not all. It’s also known to create more joy, improve sleep and many other mental and physical benefits.
My passion is to reflect people’s strengths and provide tools for further growth.
My purpose is to assist others in helping themselves release stress, centre, focus and apply wisdom to optimise their energy and outcomes.
Matthew is passionate about the ways we can deepen our relationship with the living planet. His background is in Environmental Science (MSc) and, over the past 15 years, he has become known for his work on "nature connection". His PhD research (2014) explored how meaningful nature experiences and connectedness promote human flourishing. For over 10 years, he led outdoor field studies expeditions for undergraduate students in various countries. These days, through his “rejuvenature” and “be.wilder.ed” programmes, he offers both mindful and playful immersions in nature which reawaken wonder and revitalise our sense of belonging with the world.
Matt has have completed a diploma in Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing), 8Shields (Jon Young) naturalist training, is an accredited BirdLife SA Avitourism guide, and co-facilitator for the Spirit of the Wild (founded by Princess Irene of The Netherlands). He as a Level 2 First Aid Certificate.
The vision for Aranyaka retreat centre is to offer intimate retreats for small groups. A 4-bedroom house on a large plot in the Kuthumba eco-village will be at your disposal. We offer shared bedrooms (2 people per room). It is possible to accommodate for couples. Aranyaka retreat centre can host a maximum of 8 people.
There is a small swimming pool in the garden and the delight of a wood fired hot tub for some evenings.
