Holistic yoga at Shunyata Villa
Yoga today is so diverse. The offer is unbelievably wide, a wide variety of teaching styles, numerous, professionally trained teachers. So should it be so easy to find what's right for you? Our participants often deny this thesis. They feel overwhelmed and overwhelmed with exactly this diversity, and after a stay with us, they set out to search for exactly the yoga experience they had with us.
What is so special about the
Yoga experience with us?
Back to the Essence.
Back to our roots. Back to what truly matters.
Simple. Clear. Pure. Without what distracts us.
Less is more.
We let go of what captures our attention — sometimes even the seemingly “beautiful” distractions. This creates space for what truly matters:
Yourself. Fully present. Fully you.
Just as you are.
And perhaps also as you have yet to discover yourself.
Silence. Love for yourself. And the art of listening to your own inner voice again — this is what we turn our attention to each day at the retreat.
At Shunyata Villa, we create a space where you can pause, arrive fully within yourself, and rediscover and strengthen the connection between body, mind and soul.
Back to yourself. Back to the essence.
How is our approach?
CONNECTING: Look forward to the wonderful and healing connection of Yoga & Ayurveda. Daily body and energy practices are complemented by soothing Ayurvedic massages and treatments. This holistic approach supports you in reconnecting with your own natural healing abilities through simple yet effective methods and learning how to activate them independently.
Integrating what you experience and learn into your everyday life is at the heart of our approach. Our aim is to provide lasting support, enabling you to carry the valuable insights and experiences from your retreat into your daily life and draw on them to support your ongoing well-being.
EMPATHETIC: Empathy means being able to feel with others without suffering alongside them. Yoga offers us a wonderful space to consciously explore and experience our boundaries – many of which we create ourselves. As we move into a posture, we are immediately confronted with both our physical and mental boundaries.
How we choose to meet these boundaries is entirely up to us. Together, we learn to approach them with compassion, awareness and mindfulness. We learn to observe struggle, pain and resistance, to acknowledge them and ultimately let them go. Day after day, again and again. A deeply liberating experience.
INDIVIDUAL & INTENSIVE: No matter what your current physical condition or personal circumstances may be – whether you are completely new to yoga, returning to your practice after a break, or an experienced practitioner: you are welcome just as you are, with whatever you bring with you at this moment.
The only prerequisite is your willingness to take an active role in your own well-being and to do something for yourself.
Individual means creating space for different backgrounds, experiences and needs. With a manageable group size, there is room to accommodate the different levels and circumstances of the participants. This allows the yoga practice to be experienced and deepened in different ways, according to each person’s individual abilities and needs.
Intensive means that sufficient time and space are dedicated to the yoga practice. Depending on the teacher and yoga style, different focuses, methods and approaches may be incorporated. At the heart of the practice are mindful body awareness, the breath, and an attentive and responsible approach to one’s own practice.
An intensive engagement with the asanas can provide new impulses for body, mind and awareness. Beginners have the opportunity to develop a conscious awareness of their bodies, while experienced practitioners can deepen their existing practice and discover new perspectives. There is room for different experiences and personal approaches to yoga.
The combination of morning movement, variety, and the beautiful setting makes this experience truly special. As one participant put it in their own words:
“I love starting my mornings with movement in this dreamlike location. I really enjoy the variety of activities, and having the option to join two activities a day is wonderful. It’s such a great way to start the day!”
Our yoga teachers
SanjeewaThe term Yoga Therapy perhaps best describes his approach. And yet, it is different — individual, holistic, and shaped by his many years of experience.
As a former Buddhist monk, Sanjeewa has extensive experience in Vipassana, Metta, and many other forms of meditation.
For more than 20 years, he has worked independently as a certified Yoga, Tai Chi and Meditation teacher, teaching at selected locations and renowned Ayurveda resorts in Sri Lanka.
Sanjeewa teaches in English.
Anja is a certified Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin Yoga and Yoga Synergy teacher, as well as a psychological counsellor and mental coach. With warmth, humour and a fine sensitivity for people, she combines asana, breathwork and meditation into an individual and practical approach that can be integrated into everyday life.
She takes your individual constitution into account and shows you variations and helpful tools that are right for you. Her many years of experience as a trainer and coach in an international company shape her approach — both empathetic and clear.
Anja teaches in German and English.
Shihalhas been teaching yoga since 2001, with a focus on Hatha Yoga, Transcendental Meditation and Tai Chi. As a trained Ayurveda therapist and knowledgeable practitioner of Ayurveda, he brings more than 20 years of experience from various Ayurveda retreats.
His vision of yoga: “Nothing but WOW … feel comfortable in life with a beautiful breath …”
Shihal teaches in English.
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Claireis guided by her intuition. After more than 10 years of personal yoga practice, she completed her Yoga Synergy training in India in 2025. She is equally passionate about music and intuitive dance.
Alongside her background in Tourism Management, she is deeply interested in psychology, healing practices from different cultures, and the deeper exploration of the human soul.
Claire teaches in German and English.
