Only 20 places available
$150 non-refundable deposit - balance due 31/8/22
2022 Spring Master Cleanse
24 - 30 October 2022 (6 nights), Stroud Monastery, Stroud, NSW
Investment: $1550 - $1750
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Are you frustrated trying to achieve a healthy weight despite having a good diet?
Do you struggle with brain-fog, fatigue,constipation, joint pain or headaches? Does sugar or coffee or wine have a hold over you? Are you feeling betrayed by your body? Over time, as we attempt to make changes to remedy our ailments that either don’t work or don’t last, we come to think of them as ‘chronic’, and a permanent part of our lives. We start to believe that there is nothing we can do to change this. That's because a digestive system that is being constantly taxed by poor eating habits like; overeating, difficult to digest food combinations and irregularity, as well as stress and doing too much, all of which compromise the body's ability to heal. The good news is research is showing us that the key to optimum health is looking after our gut. Not only does a healthy gut help shift those chronic physical ailments, it also improves our mental health because of the direct relationship between our gut bacteria and our brain. The connection is clear, good digestion and a healthy gut are core to both our physical and mental wellbeing. Ayurveda and Yoga know this, and have done for thousands of years, which is why the Master Cleanse is based on the principles and practices of both these time honoured traditions. Practices that focus specifically on cleansing, resting, restoring and maintaining gut health. Within the Yoga tradition the Shatkarmas are cleansing practices used to regularly clean and rest the entire digestive system. When you clean and rest your gut, you give your whole body-mind a rest too. You feel lighter, move more freely, think more clearly, wake refreshed, and have more energy. It’s equivalent to giving your digestion some annual leave and you know how good you feel after a holiday. The Ayurveda tradition supports gut health with principles and practices that strengthen the digestion process such as regular meals at times that digestion is strongest and using fresh, whole, seasonal ingredients combined to digest easily. The pre and post-cleanse diet is based on these Ayurvedic principles to maximise the long-term benefits of the practice. To further enhance the experience, the retreat dates are selected to coincide with the New Moon; a time of letting go and releasing, and the transition seasons of Autumn and Spring. The ideal time to cleanse your body, clear your mind and recharge your energy. Practice Options Participants have a choice of a short or long practice depending upon their level of experience and any relevant health issues. Both options involve drinking 2 cups of warm salted water between rounds of a specific sequence of asanas (postures). The only difference between the two is the number of repetitions and the amount of salty water drunk. Option 1 – Lagoo is the short form intestinal wash, followed by Kunjal (stomach wash) and Neti (nasal wash). There are no specific prerequisites for this option. Generally 3-4 rounds. Option 2 – Poorna (full) Shanka (conch) Prakshalana (to wash completely) is the long form intestinal wash, followed by Kunjal and Neti. This is known as the full Master Cleanse and is more suited to the practitioner who is already comfortable and familiar with the short form intestinal wash and other cleansing practices. Generally between 5-8 rounds depending upon your size. 
Pre-requisites and Contraindications
Your Teaching Team:
Each member of the teaching team is an experienced yoga teacher in the Satyananda tradition, and has participated in, and supported Master Cleanse retreats while living at Mangrove Yoga Ashram: 
Rishi Hridayananda – began teaching yoga in the early 1960’s and has practiced and taught the Hatha Yoga cleansing practices known as the Shatkarmas for over 40 years both in Australia and India. She is the author of the book Shatkarmas - The Cleansing Practices of Hatha Yoga.
Sangita - is also a gifted music teacher whose speciality is bringing participants together through the practices of chanting and kirtan. Sangita also loves sharing yoga and meditation for people living with cancer, as this has been part of her own journey, and has ultimately been the catalyst for positive change and personal growth in her life. Janaki Matar– is also an artist and lives on the far south coast of NSW. She has a passion for the Hatha yoga cleanse practices, growing/cooking/sharing food, and living in a down-to-earth connected way amongst Nature and community. She aims to share a holistic and creative approach to daily life through the uplifting practices and teachings of Yoga. Lalita – lives and teaches in Canberra and is devoted to deepening and evolving through her own yoga, mindfulness and meditation practice and brings everything that she has learnt and continues to learn to support the wellbeing of her yoga students. Vidyashakti - lives and teaches in Newcastle and brings the yoga of love (Bhakti) with her wherever she goes. Her deep connection with country and beautiful heart are a wonderful addition to our teaching team. Girishaa – is also an Ayurveda practitioner and supports women to live more consciously; using ancient wisdom and practical tools to help them navigate the shifts and changes in life so they can reconnect with themselves and their dreams. |
Our Venue - Stroud Monastery:
Stroud Monastery is a charming mud-brick complex built in the early 1980’s by volunteers and members of the Franciscan community. Located on the edge of the historic village of Stroud in the Hunter Valley, it is about 90 minutes north-west of Newcastle (not far from the village of Dungog). The Franciscan values of simplicity, peace, hope and healing are ever-present in this tranquil bush setting providing the perfect space to pause, reflect and reconnect. Some of the features of the complex include a purpose-built (yoga) practice space, a beautiful mud-brick chapel, a cozy community lounge area with a combustion fire-place and lots of space to pause and reflect. The accommodation is simple in keeping with its monastery origins and most rooms are single occupancy.
All bathroom facilities are shared. BYO sheets & towels (pillow and doonas provided) BYO yoga mat and supports *** If you know that you are a light sleeper or snore please choose a single room. *** If you know you are easily disturbed please bring ear plugs.
Understanding the Shatkarmas
The Shatkarmas (meaning 6 actions), have been kept alive over the centuries passing from teacher to disciple. Recognised for providing a deep cleansing action on all levels of our being; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, the process is an exact science and cannot be learned at home or from a book. The guidance of an accomplished teacher is therefore essential to provide over-sight and care both during the practice and for the following week, and to access the full potential of these amazingly restorative practices. It is very rare to find the full shatkarma practice taught here in Australia, and even rarer to find it taught in conjunction with Ayurvedic principles. Rishi Hridayananda is one of the foremost masters of the shatkarmas and has been living and teaching these practices in Australia and India for over 40 years. Her 'salt water' parties at Mangrove Yoga Ashram were famous and we are extremely fortunate that she continues to share her wealth of knowledge. The programme includes:
More information: If you would like to find out more about the cleansing practices, the following references are provided. You can also contact us for more information or advice.
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