Hridaya Bhav Sangha : Nepal
A pilgrimage to peace in Kathmandu

February 21-28, 2027

with Resilient Joy & Swadharma Yogshala

Retreat Overview

7 Nights, 8 Days | Discover tradition, deepen practice, & find peace in the City of Temples

Step into the “City of Temples,” Kathmandu—the gateway to the Himalayas—where ancient Buddhist and Hindu traditions meet in a living tapestry of devotion, ritual, and spiritual practice. Prayer flags dance in the wind, incense lingers in the air, and sacred chants echo through centuries-old temples.

More than a destination, Kathmandu is a portal—a threshold between worlds. A place where the physical and spiritual intertwine, inviting you beyond the familiar and into something deeper. Here, we are reminded that all paths lead to one—one source, one truth, one peace within.

From this sacred beginning, you are invited to journey inward with the Hridaya Bhav Sangha Retreat—a pilgrimage not just across land, but into the heart of your own being. Step away from the noise of daily life and enter a space where ancient wisdom is not only learned, but felt and lived.

In Sanskrit, Hridaya (हृदय) means heart—the seat of wisdom and truth. Bhav (भव) is devotion and openness to life’s beauty. Sangha (संग) is sacred community. Together, they create a powerful space for connection, transformation, and growth.

Through yoga—asana, philosophy, ritual, mantra, meditation, and sacred site visits—you’ll be guided into the essence of spirituality in this pilgrimage. Come as you are, with an open heart, and allow the energy of the Himalayan foothills to lead you toward presence and peace.

This is more than a retreat—it is a return to what is real.
To the quiet wisdom beneath the noise.
To the part of you that has always known the way.

Close-up of the top of a Buddhist stupa with prayer flags. The stupa has painted eyes and is decorated with colorful fabric and ribbons, set against a clear blue sky.
Ancient temple complex with two ornate pagoda-style buildings, pigeons on the ground, and a few visitors in the area during daytime.

Why Kathmandu?

Set within a sacred valley and surrounded by the Himalayan foothills, Kathmandu has long been a meeting place of spiritual paths, where Hindu and Buddhist traditions coexist in a deeply interwoven and living harmony. Known as the “City of Temples,” it is home to an extraordinary blend of shrines, stupas, and sacred sites that have drawn pilgrims and seekers for centuries.

The spiritual energy of Kathmandu is unmistakable—woven through daily rituals, whispered prayers, spinning prayer wheels, and the quiet presence of ancient temples. It is a place where devotion is not separate from life, but part of its rhythm. Monks and mystics alike come here to reflect, to seek blessings, and to reconnect with something greater than themselves.

More than just a cultural center, Kathmandu is often experienced as a portal—a space where the visible and invisible worlds feel closer, where introspection arises naturally, and where the noise of the outside world begins to soften. Surrounded by sacred mountains and infused with centuries of practice, it invites you to slow down, listen deeply, and step into a more expansive awareness and profound peace.

Here, spirituality is not something you visit—it is something you feel, something you live, and something that quietly stays with you long after you leave.

A display of numerous strands of brown beads and necklaces hanging outside a shop, with some jewelry featuring turquoise accents and a single white light bulb hanging among them.
A display of numerous strands of brown beads and necklaces hanging outside a shop, with some jewelry featuring turquoise accents and a single white light bulb hanging among them.
A group of three people sitting on a stone bench in front of a stone wall, smiling warmly and making peace signs with their fingers. The two men on either side are dressed in traditional Indian attire with colorful clothing and accessories. The woman in the middle is dressed in modern clothing, wearing glasses and a blue scarf.
View of a stupa with a large golden dome, colorful prayer flags extending from the spire, and eyes painted on the nearby square structure. Pigeons are flying around against a partly cloudy sky.
People standing and sitting in front of a traditional Nepalese temple with detailed wood carvings and lion statues, on a sunny day.
Two young monks in red robes standing by a metal railing, looking at a small river or pond, surrounded by lush green trees.
Colorful prayer flags hanging over a stone pathway with trees and buildings in the background.

Who Is This For?

This retreat is open to everyone—whether you are at the beginning of your spiritual path or deepening a long-held practice. No experience is needed—only curiosity, openness, and a willingness to be present.

This journey is for you if:

  • You feel drawn to the sacred energy and living traditions of Kathmandu

  • You are curious to experience the unique harmony of Hindu and Buddhist spirituality

  • You long to connect with ancient temples, sacred sites, and the devotional rhythms of a living spiritual city

  • You seek yoga as a holistic path—beyond movement—into philosophy, mantra, meditation, and inner exploration

  • You are open to joining a conscious sangha (community) and allowing a new landscape, culture, and sacred energy to gently shift your perspective in a deeply meaningful way

Multiple rows of small lit candles arranged on a surface, with more candles in the background.

What To Expect

Each day unfolds as a rhythm of practice, exploration, and deep cultural immersion—blending structured spiritual practice with sacred site visits, local encounters, and time for integration.

Throughout the retreat, you will experience:

  • Daily Yoga & Inner Practice
    Begin each morning with guided asana, pranayama, mantra, and meditation practices designed to deepen awareness, regulate the nervous system, and reconnect you to the essence of yoga beyond the physical body.

  • Sacred City Exploration & Temple Visits
    Wander through Kathmandu’s ancient streets, where spirituality is woven into everyday life. Visit powerful sites such as local monasteries, sacred stupas, and temples including the Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), the Boudhanath Stupa, and the deeply revered Pashupatinath Temple. These spaces offer direct encounters with living traditions of devotion, ritual, and prayer.

  • Monastic & Spiritual Encounters
    Connect with monks and local practitioners, gaining insight into Buddhist philosophy, daily monastic life, and the quiet discipline of devotion that has shaped this region for centuries.

  • Cultural Immersion & Local Life
    Explore the vibrant rhythm of Kathmandu life—hidden alleys, sacred architecture, bustling markets, and quiet corners where ancient and modern worlds meet.

  • Workshops & Integration Spaces
    Explore yoga philosophy, meditation, and self-inquiry through guided workshops that support reflection and integration of your retreat experience.

  • Community & Sangha
    Throughout the journey, you will be held in a conscious sangha—a supportive circle of like-hearted individuals sharing practice, reflection, silence, laughter, and connection.

Various traditional Asian masks and sculptures displayed on a red and gray cloth backdrop.
A man dressed in orange robes, sitting on the balcony of a traditional brick building with wooden pillars.
Close-up of traditional Tibetan prayer wheels with embossed scripts, set in a Buddhist temple with statues and ornate woodwork in the background.
A towering stupa with a white dome, colorful prayer flags, and intricate golden details, set against a clear blue sky.

Accommodations

Retreat participants will stay at the peaceful Nepal Yoga Home, a dedicated sanctuary for yoga, meditation, and spiritual learning nestled in the tranquil surroundings of Kathmandu. The center offers a supportive and nurturing environment designed for inner practice, reflection, and deep rest.

Guests will stay in either shared or private rooms, each offering comfort, simplicity, and a private bathroom. The retreat space includes an on-site yoga shala where daily practices, workshops, and group gatherings will take place—creating a cohesive and immersive experience throughout the journey.

All accommodations include daily nourishing vegetarian and Ayurvedic meals, prepared to support clarity, balance, and energetic alignment throughout the retreat.

Pricing

Shared Room
Comfortable shared, two bed accommodation with private bathroom
$2,100

Private Room
Private room with private bathroom for deeper rest and solitude
$2,600

*Payment plans available

Spacious, empty room with wooden flooring, large windows with green curtains, and potted plants near the windows, sunlight casting shadows on the floor.
People dining on a rooftop terrace with a view of a city and mountains in the background, under a glass roof with hanging wicker light fixtures.
Cityscape with various residential buildings, greenery, and a mountain in the background on a cloudy day.
A cozy hotel room featuring two large beds with white linens and green pillows, a colorful patterned runner, and a view of a balcony through glass sliding doors with brown curtains. There's a wooden dining table with chairs, a small colorful rug, and warm lighting.

What’s Included:

✔️ Airport Transfer – Complimentary pick-up for a seamless and easeful arrival
✔️ Comfortable Accommodation – Peaceful retreat stay designed for rest, reflection, and inner practice
✔️ Daily Nourishing Meals – Sattvic vegetarian meals made with fresh, local ingredients
✔️ Daily Yoga – Asana, pranayama, mantra, and meditation practices to support mind-body connection
✔️ Workshops – Yoga philosophy, reflection, and integration to deepen your experience
✔️ Sacred Excursions – Explore Kathmandu’s temples, stupas, and spiritual landmarks
✔️ Ceremonies & Rituals – Take part in sacred offerings, devotional prayers, and ancient fire rituals, immersing yourself in the living spiritual traditions of Kathmandu
✔️ Sangha & Community – A supportive space for connection, reflection, and shared practice

What’s Not Included:

Airfare – Flights to and from Nepal
Visa – Required for international travelers on arrival
Travel Insurance – Highly recommended for medical coverage, trip cancellations, and personal liability
Spa & Wellness Treatments – Any optional Ayurvedic therapies or personal healing sessions
Personal Expenses – Shopping, souvenirs, snacks, or meals outside the retreat program
Optional Activities – Any additional experiences such as private healing sessions or extra excursions
Airport Transfers – Not included, however we will recommend and help coordinate trusted drivers and transport options for your arrival and departure
Additional Transportation – Any personal travel outside of scheduled retreat activities
Additional Stay – Accommodation outside of the retreat dates is not included in the program price if you choose to extend your time; however, we can recommend trusted accommodations


Meet Your Hosts

A woman sitting cross-legged on a stone surface near a body of water, smiling and wearing white traditional attire with a red scarf. Background shows colorful buildings on a hillside.

Yoga Teacher
Founder of Resilient Joy
Wisconsin, United States

Connect with Kayla on Instagram

Kayla Gonzalez

A man with curly hair and a beard, wearing a white shirt with a small microphone, stands outdoors near water with his hands pressed together in a prayer gesture, smiling at the camera.
A man and woman standing on a balcony in traditional Indian attire, with a hilly landscape and buildings in the background. The man has curly hair and a beard, wearing a white kurta and green pants. The woman has long curly hair, wearing a white embroidered kurta and white pants.

Yoga Teacher
Founder of Swadharma Yogshala
Rishikesh, India

Connect with Shobhit on Instagram

Shobhit Ghanshyala

People participating in a traditional Indian ceremonial ritual, with individuals wearing white garments and floral garlands, exchanging offerings, in an outdoor setting decorated with flower garlands.

Explore Kathmandu

Hanging rudraksha bead necklaces with yellow tassels and items of flowers, plants, and decorative objects in a market stall.
Traditional brick building with ornate wooden carvings and sculptures, people and a bicycle at the street level.
A traditional stone temple with ornate wooden-carved details on the upper part of the structure and four stone lion statues at the entrance, with a cart filled with oranges in front, set in an urban area with neighboring buildings and overhead electrical wires.
People gathered around a decorated temple with a large, colorful, mythological figure mural on the front, adorned with garlands, in Nepal.
A large white stupa with a golden spire, surrounded by prayer flags, in a Buddhist temple complex.
Two men dressed in yellow and orange traditional attire are standing in front of an ornate black and gold Hindu altar, possibly in Nepal or India, offering prayers. The altar is decorated with intricate carvings and statues of mythological creatures, with a red brick wall backdrop.
People celebrating a festival in a decorated outdoor space with colorful flags, religious images, and cityscape in the background.
A woman dressed in traditional red attire and jewelry is sitting on the ground, lighting a fire in a small dish, during a religious or cultural ritual. Two children are nearby, and various ritual items are visible around her, including fire offerings and a row of metal holders with burning offerings.
A collection of assorted terracotta pots stacked and arranged outside a brick wall with graffiti and a menu list, in an outdoor marketplace setting.
A man dressed as a Hindu sadhu or holy man, with traditional face paint, wearing a scarf, and holding a staff. He has a long beard, dreadlocks, and is standing outdoors near a temple or historical building.
A man dressed in traditional Nepali attire applying a red mark on a woman's forehead during a religious or cultural ceremony in an outdoor setting with trees and people in the background.
Two women sitting and standing on the stairs of an ancient multi-tiered pagoda, with large stone lion statues at the base.

Retreat Terms & Conditions

Cancellation & Refund Policy

All payments are non-refundable within ninety (90) days of the scheduled arrival date. No refunds will be issued for late arrivals, early departures, missed activities, illness, personal emergencies, or removal from the retreat. Processing fees are non-refundable. If a refund is requested more than ninety (90) days prior to the scheduled arrival date, $400 of the total payment is non-refundable and will be retained as a deposit.

The Host reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or modify the retreat due to circumstances beyond their control, including but not limited to natural disasters, extreme weather, illness, venue issues, government restrictions, or emergencies. In such cases, the Host’s liability is limited to a refund of payments received, excluding travel or other expenses incurred by the Participant.

This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin.

Participant Responsibilities & Conduct

Participants confirm they are in suitable physical and mental condition to participate and agree to disclose any relevant medical conditions, injuries, allergies, pregnancy, or health concerns prior to the retreat.

All safety instructions must be followed. Respectful behavior toward participants, staff, instructors, and local residents is required at all times. Disruptive, unsafe, or disrespectful conduct may result in removal from the retreat without refund.

Assumption of Risk & Liability Waiver

Participation involves inherent risks, including physical injury, illness, emotional distress, property damage, or loss. By participating, the Participant voluntarily assumes all risks and releases and waives all claims against the Host, organizers, instructors, staff, and venue owners, including claims based on negligence, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Insurance

Participants are responsible for obtaining adequate travel insurance, including medical coverage, trip cancellation, and personal liability.

Media Release

Participants grant permission for photos or recordings taken during the retreat to be used for promotional or educational purposes unless written notice is provided prior to the retreat (unless stated otherwise prior to retreat date).

Agreement

By submitting a deposit or payment, the Participant confirms they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions and voluntarily assume all risks associated with participation.