Shakti & Bhakti
Cultivating inner Power and offering it to the world as Love
with Aja Krystall and Ann Schreppers
Retreat Description
(Re)align with the natural rhythms of life in Kenya’s most unique Treehouse. Completely open to the elements and surrounded by an indigenous forest with Baobab trees just minutes from the sea, we invite you on a journey into your heart. Through devotional practices that anchor a deep appreciation for life into your being, and physical practices that cultivate presence, power and purpose in your body and mind, this retreat will be a holistic exploration of what it means to truly Love. Allow yourself to be held by Mother Earth and community, as you co-create your life through the ancient wisdom Bhakti Yoga.
This retreat will take place at Watamu Treehouse in Kenya.
Start 17th November 2024, 5pm
End 25th November 2024, 9am
Instruction language: English
Triple room from $1595
Twin room from $1795
Single room from $2695
(price depends specific room and how many occupants)
Ann Schreppers
Ann grew up as a very sensitive soul, with many questions about life, society and the way we live our life on earth. Being a ballet dancer since the age of six, Ann got to grow her understanding of the human body as a means to express and transform unspoken & unprocessed feelings into art. Being a lifetime perfectionist, Ann recovered from a life-threatening eating disorder at the age of 12. She healed herself through a sudden glimpse of consciousness, where she could see herself as an observer and quickly understood that society’s standards are by no means a premise to one’s own fulfilment and happiness. Instead, connecting to one’s inner wisdom and befriending oneself (body and mind) in the process is. To Ann, the body and its movements offer the greatest vessel for personal and collective liberation. Safety and curiosity are two key ingrediënts to fully surrender and let go into the body and anchor into a deeper state of trust into the Self and the world around.
For the past ten years, Ann has been deepening her experience and knowledge about the practice and lifestyle application of yoga as a tool for body and mind. She has experienced immense shifts in her life by cultivating an approach of possibility and courage towards herself and the worlds that surround us. In this process, she has transformed her inner critic through awareness and devoted her energy intentionally towards the creation of a more loving earth and humanity. This way, her personal mission exceeds any personal limitations and she has been blessed to inspire many through this embodiment of love and compassion. She holds a safe space for everybody she encounters and wants to create space in the human heart to feel love(d) and to see possibility within the limits.
Ann is an activist for equality and accessibility in the field of yoga and all her endeavours give back to a better, more connected world for all beings and animals. With two master degrees in public and private management, her dream is to make a change on an institutional level. She believes in a world, where humans use self-awareness as tool to transform their own pain and judgements for the sake of something better. Where we move from compliance to an external force, into a deep connection and guidance of our inner source.
Aja Krystall-Parkin
Born and raised amidst Kenya's vibrant nature, Aja discovered the power of connecting with the earth at an early age. Daughter to a public health sector pioneer, she traveled across the African continent frequently. A sense of adventure and care for different cultures was instilled in her during this period.
Moving to the UK at 16, Aja was thrust into an environment that lacked a connection to nature. She also embarked on the inevitable adolescent journey that saw most of her nourishing practices fall away. Her health suffered as a result and she yearned not only to reclaim that vitality for herself but also offer it to others. This experience ignited a passion for movement, Ayurvedic cooking, and an interest in practices that fostered unconditional inner joy .
Surrounded by yoga, meditation and spirituality from a young age through her family, Aja became a Dru Yoga teacher in 2013. Dru's focus on integrating the pranic, mental and spiritual bodies as well as the physical resonated deeply with her. Through Dru, she met a group of inspiring teachers and guides, and embarked on the path of Bhakti Yoga, the art and science of cultivating love for the Divine and infusing everyday life with sacred practices. Aja’s childhood love for piano and guitar found a new form of expression in the Bhakti practice of Kirtan, singing the Divine names to uplift, heal and bring people together.
Aja then became a certified Ayurvedic life coach, which blends her passions of yoga and meditation, food, psychology, and nature to support people on their journeys to radiant health.
In search to deepen her knowledge and widen her experience, Aja has trained in Vinyasa and Yin. She most recently studied Mandala-Vinyasa. This incorporates diverse forms of yogic asana and Shamanism to honour and balance the elements within you - water, air, fire and earth - with intention of integration and wholeness.
Aja's classes combine dynamic movement with heart-opening visualisations and affirmations combined with restorative and meditative elements. Each class is designed to cultivate a feeling of strength and confidence, while reminding you that you are more than the physical body, that there is a foundation of joy to be unlocked when you open your heart.
What’s included in this retreat price
All yoga and meditation sessions
Abundant brunch and dinner every day
Afternoon snack and smoothie, fresh coconut water, and a cold-pressed juice everyday
Yoga mats, bolsters, blocks, straps
All workshops and talks
Unlimited water, tea, coffee during your stay
A SUP trip in the mangrove forest, with sunset and full moon rise
The epic Mida Creek Float (awarded one of Kenya’s signature experiences by the Kenya Tourism Board)
One complementary massage
What is not included in this retreat price
International flights to and from Nairobi
Visas
Spa treatments, massages or any extra activity offered by the venue
Health and travel insurance
Tips for the Watamu Treehouse team
Retreat food
Abundant in flavour, colour, nutrients and freshness
We source our ingredients with care, supporting local producers, and we prepare it with love.
Our lunches and dinners are abundant “set-meals” and always include a soup or starter, a vegetarian main course, a variety of sides and salads, and a dessert. We serve fresh juice or coconut water and a variety of hot drinks after the meal. Great for vegans, and gluten and dairy-free.
Retreat accommodation
Watamu Treehouse on the beach in Kenya:
the perfect spacious open air house to be in touch with the elements
unique architecture-rooms have views of sunrises or sunsets (or both!)
set in a coastal forest on one of the best white-sand beaches in Kenya
swimming in the warm healing waters
Getting to this yoga retreat
The closest airport is Malindi on the East Coast of Kenya, which is approximately 25 minutes taxi ride from Treehouse. We can arrange transfers. The following airlines fly to Malindi: Jambojet; Fly540; Fly SAX; Kenya Airways. You can also fly to Mombasa International Airport on the airlines listed above plus Kenya Airways. Mombasa is approximately 2 hours drive from Treehouse. Or take the SGR Train to Mombasa and we can send a taxi to collect you.