At the heart of daily practice
At SWAN Yoga Retreat in Assagao, North Goa, our two Yoga shalas are at the heart of daily practice.
The Patanjali Yoga Shala is our main shala and accommodates approximately 30 people comfortably. Most of the daily Yoga programme takes place here, from morning meditation and traditional Hatha Yoga to asana, pranayama, Yoga Nidra and Yoga philosophy.
The smaller Shakti Vihar Yoga Shala accommodates approximately 14 people comfortably. Its more intimate atmosphere makes it particularly suitable for meditation, Trataka, Yoga Nidra, smaller classes and specialised workshops.
Both shalas are open sided, fully covered and fitted with fine protective netting. This allows natural air and light to flow through the spaces while maintaining a comfortable and protected environment for practice.
Together, the two shalas provide spaces for the many dimensions of traditional Yoga, including Hatha Yoga, asana, pranayama, meditation, Yoga Nidra, Yoga philosophy, contemplation and yogic study.
Patanjali Yoga Shala
The Main Practice Space at SWAN
The Patanjali Yoga Shala is the principal practice space at SWAN Yoga Retreat.
It accommodates approximately 30 people comfortably and is where most of the regular residential programme takes place. Morning meditation, traditional Hatha Yoga, asana and pranayama classes, Yoga Nidra, Yoga philosophy and group teaching are all conducted here.
The shala is open sided and surrounded by the tropical greenery of the SWAN campus. Natural light, fresh air and the sounds of the surrounding landscape remain part of the experience, while the covered structure and protective netting provide comfort throughout the day.
Dedicated to Sage Patanjali
The shala is dedicated to Sage Patanjali, whose Yoga Sutras form one of the central classical sources for the study and understanding of Yoga.
Patanjali is traditionally regarded as one of the great sages who codified the discipline of Yoga and presented the path of Raja Yoga, also known as Ashtanga Yoga, the Yoga of eight limbs.
At the entrance to the shala, a plaque describes the traditional understanding of Patanjali as the sage associated with the purification of the mind through Yoga, speech through grammar and the body through Ayurveda.
The Patanjali Yoga Shala is therefore dedicated not simply to physical practice, but to learning and experiencing Yoga in its complete and traditional spirit.
The Shiva Yantra
The central wall of the Patanjali Yoga Shala is adorned with a Shiva Yantra, featuring three horizontal lines and a central point.
The three lines can be contemplated in relation to the three Gunas: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, the fundamental qualities through which nature expresses itself.
The central point represents the movement of consciousness beyond identification with these qualities.
In the context of Yoga, this symbolism points towards Samadhi, the state in which the ordinary fluctuations and identifications of the mind are transcended.
The Yantra is therefore more than an element of decoration. It serves as a visual reminder of the deeper direction of Yoga: moving from identification with the changing nature of experience towards the recognition of consciousness itself.
Shakti Vihar Yoga Shala
A Smaller Space for Meditation and Subtle Practice
The Shakti Vihar Yoga Shala accommodates approximately 14 people comfortably and provides a quieter and more intimate environment for practices that benefit from a smaller group.
The shala is regularly used for meditation, Trataka candle gazing, Yoga Nidra, smaller Yoga classes and specialised workshops. It is also used for meditation courses and selected Tantra related study and practice.
Like the Patanjali Shala, Shakti Vihar is open sided, fully covered and fitted with protective netting. Natural ventilation and the surrounding greenery remain part of the experience while the space remains comfortable for practice.
Dedicated to Shakti
Shakti Vihar is dedicated to Shakti, the divine feminine and dynamic creative power of consciousness.
In the Yoga and Tantra traditions, Shakti represents the dynamic force through which consciousness expresses itself as creation, movement and transformation.
She is traditionally understood in relation to Shiva, representing the complementary relationship between pure consciousness and its dynamic power.
The shala honours Shakti as the cosmic mother, the creative energy of nature and the force that supports and nurtures life.
The Shakti Yantra
The central wall of Shakti Vihar carries a large triangular Shakti Yantra, representing the creative and dynamic power of the divine feminine.
The Yantra gives the shala a distinctive visual and contemplative quality and provides a natural focus for meditation and subtle yogic practices.
For those exploring Yoga and Tantra, the space offers an opportunity to encounter these teachings not only through study, but also through symbolism, practice and the surrounding environment.
Yoga in Nature
The two shalas were designed to maintain a close relationship between Yoga practice and the natural environment.
They are not enclosed studio rooms separated from the campus. They are open sided spaces surrounded by tropical greenery, with natural air and light flowing through them.
The covered structure and fine protective netting allow practitioners to experience the openness of the environment while remaining comfortable during practice.
A morning meditation can begin with the sounds of birds. An asana practice takes place surrounded by trees and greenery. Yoga Nidra can be experienced in the natural atmosphere of the campus, while a philosophy class can move naturally from practice into contemplation and discussion.
At SWAN, nature is not simply the setting for Yoga. It becomes part of the experience of practice.
Yoga Shala Hire in Goa
Bring Your Own Retreat to SWAN
The two Yoga shalas are also available for hire by Yoga teachers, retreat leaders, studios and individuals wishing to organise their own classes, workshops, courses or residential retreats.
If you are looking for a Yoga retreat centre in Goa, a meditation retreat venue or a residential space for a Yoga, spiritual or contemplative programme, SWAN offers an environment created around these practices.
The shalas can be used for Yoga retreats, Hatha Yoga workshops, meditation programmes, Yoga Teacher Training, Yoga philosophy courses, Yoga Nidra, pranayama, Tantra study, spiritual retreats and other programmes that are compatible with the spirit of the centre.
What makes SWAN different from simply hiring a Yoga studio is that the shalas are part of a complete residential campus. Participants can practise, stay, eat, rest, study and spend time in nature within the same environment.
We welcome teachers and retreat organisers whose programmes reflect the spirit of Yoga, conscious living, meaningful inner practice and respect for nature.
Shala hire can be arranged as part of a residential retreat or, where appropriate, for individual classes and workshops. The retreat season generally runs from October to May.
The place was made and is run by Gyanmitra, who trained at the Bihar School of Yoga; his guidance and eye for detail keep the environment genuinely suited to yogic and spiritual retreats. If you are a teacher or studio owner, get in touch for rental prices for the space.
Facilities for your retreat
- Cottages made with natural, locally sourced material
- Total capacity of around 30 people
- Cottages in four categories, Budget, Standard, Deluxe and AC Deluxe
- Geyser-heated hot water to every cottage; every cottage has its own bathroom
- Two Yoga shalas for asana and classes, one for about 30 people, one for about 14
- Pure, clean water from our own well, properly filtered for drinking
- Ayurveda treatments through our fully equipped Ayurveda centre on the premises
- A well-equipped dining hall able to cater for most dietary requirements
We usually serve Ayurvedic food inspired by various regions of India. If your retreat needs a special dietary regime for your students, we are willing to accommodate it, as long as you supply the recipes for macrobiotic, raw and gluten-free diets.
A Place to Teach and Share
SWAN was created with a spirit of sharing. We are happy to make the campus available to teachers and practitioners who wish to bring their own knowledge, tradition and experience to a residential setting.
If you are planning a Yoga retreat in Goa, a meditation workshop, a Yoga Teacher Training, a spiritual retreat or another programme connected with inner practice, we invite you to get in touch and discuss your group, dates and requirements. You can also enquire about Yoga retreats.
Where the practice happens.
The Patanjali Yoga Shala represents the classical discipline and study of Yoga. The Shakti Vihar Yoga Shala represents the dynamic creative energy of Shakti. Together, they provide two complementary spaces for the practice, study and experience of traditional Yoga at SWAN Yoga Retreat.
Come practise Yoga in a place where tradition and nature meet.
Here, Yoga, nature and residential life come together in one environment. The centre is available to teachers of any tradition between October and May. Tell us your group size and dates and we will send rental prices.