Retreat to Nature
Martial Arts Intensive
Sunshine Coast Hinterland, 13- 18 July 2023
6 days (5 nights) of Ancient Indian martial arts and Northern style internal Gong Fu
It's happening again! After an amazing intensive in Kyogle, NSW in December 2022, we are excited for this next one. If you want to develop discipline in body and mind, learn and develop martial and animal flows, weapons such as the wooden staff, combative and non combative forms - this is for you. You will also be feasting on supportive Ayurvedic meals prepared by holistic chef Ricky Gopinath, and learn about Ayurvedic philosophies and cooking.
We will be practicing predominantly 2 styles of martial arts; Kalaripayattu and Zi Ran Men.
Kalaripayattu (Kalari) is part of India's ancient indigenous martial, meditational & medicinal tradition that evolved alongside Yoga & Ayurveda. It is a complete system of body-oriented therapy with an emphasis on the expansion and development of the senses; a paradigm commonly called 'when the body becomes all eyes'.
Zi Ran Men is a Northern style internal martial art that strips away unnecessary material and develops only the "core". It has a rich tradition in China and is the style that lies at the foundation of modern San Shou competition fighting. Through its practice a practitioner will find a “Gateway to understanding Nature”. The literal translation of Ziranmen is nature style, and the art promotes the development of spontaneous and natural reactions.
Training will be indoors in a beautiful hall (seen in the photo), and outdoors (weather permitting) in amongst the beautiful trees and plants.
Join our martial arts immersion in the beautiful Sunshine Coast Hinterlands 13 - 18th July
In the daily Kalaripayattu and Zi Ran Men classes you will be learning aspects of traditional martial arts including:
- mobility/flexility focused warm ups, body conditioning, kicks, upper and lower body attacks
- Kalari yoga and QiGong
- martial and animal movements/flows
- weapons (e.g long/short wooden staff)
- combative and non-combative forms
- self defence
- meditation and breathing exercises
We will also have an Ayurvedic philosophy and cooking session, and evening meditations, Qigong, and philosophy discussions.
You can choose to experience a traditional Kalari Ayurvedic Massage (there are only 3 sessions available) - which are highly supportive of your training.
Mantras, Breathing and Meditation
Mantra's, breathing and meditation practices help us to slow down the mind, and develop concentration. When this happens our bodies can focus on the 'prana' (vital force) and subtle energies that support balance in our vital systems. We will spend a small amount of time on these practices (each day), learning about how they can support our training, but also in our every day lives. These practices are non-sectarian, so anyone from any culture can practice without having to leave or disrupt their own cultural/spiritual ways or beliefs.
Ayurvedic Philosophy and Cooking
What is going on with your gut? What kind of foods are suited to your unique body and mind? Ayurveda, 'the science of life' is an ancient science that can help us understand why certain kinds of food are best suited for us at different times of our lives (and in different seasons too!).
In our Ayurvedic session we are going to be preparing a very yummy dish/snack and discuss constitution analyses, and how to improve your digestion.
You will be eating Ayurvedic meals, with most dishes made of local/organic/gluten/diary free ingredients, but please let us know if you have food intolerances/sensitivities.
Meet your instructors - Adam Martin & Lalita Yagnik
Adam Martin is a martial artist/combatives instructor, stuntman & fight choreographer. He holds a 2nd Degree Black Sash and is a 6th Generation Ziranmen Lineage Disciple. He represented Australia at the Xiamen International Martial Arts Tournament in China in 2016, winning Gold and Silver medals for Bagua Zhang. He also holds a Master Instructor Qualification in Ziran Qigong.
Adam is a MEAA graded stunt performer and most recently he was fight choreographer on the Shantaram series. He continues to teach and train at his school 5 Elements Martial Arts in Torquay on the Victorian Surf coast.
Lalita Yagnik, originally from India, is a Thyroid Naturopath, Kalari Ayurveda Practitioner, Kalaripayattu (Indian Martial art) and Kalari Yoga Instructor, and musician. She began studying Kalari Healing and Kalaripayattu in 2009 in Australia. Since then she visits India each year to study and train with her teachers, one of which was Sat Guru Hanuman Das, the founder of the Kalariyil Dharmikam Ashram in Kerala.
Lalita is currently practicing and teaching key Kalaripayattu exercises, forms, open combat sequences and weapon forms online and in person. Developing focus in the mind and body, while building a strong foundation through warm ups and basic practices are integral to her training.
Meet Ricky Gopinath, our amazing Ayurvedic Chef
Student experiences from our last retreat
Charity Joy's journey at our Kyolge, NSW retreat.
This Kalari retreat was life changing.
History making in terms of its significance to the direct cultural lineage of many of the participants. Wow. It felt so special to be part of making it happen. Also in terms of the shared martial arts lineage with India and China and other Asian countries we were practicing. It feels like there is just so much respect and appreciation for history and ancestry as we keep these ancient practices alive. This is seriously special stuff.
You successfully facilitated the perfect conditions where I felt wholly supported to engage deeply in the practice. Testament to your own gravitational pull of positivity and fearless determination to lift yourself and others up in this world. Serious respect. The introduction to Ayurvedic philosophy around health, diet, elements, cycles of energy levels, digestion, etc was so interesting and I have already set out to incorporate it into my diet, daily structure and mindfulness practices. Having Adam's added perspective to broaden my understanding of what martial arts in and how there is so much shared between them was mind blowing.
I more deeply see now how this practice is all about becoming a better person ~ Sebastian, Australia
Retreat to Nature Inclusions 13 - 18 July 2023
$2600 - $2700
(early bird until 31st May/current student price)
Reserve your placeSchedule (TBC) - Arrive Thursday 13th July - Depart Tuesday 18th July
Thursday 13th July
- 2pm - Welcome and check in at Bellbunya
- 4pm - Welcome gathering
- 6:00pm - Dinner
Friday 14th July
- 7:00am- 8:30am - Training
- 9:00am - Breakfast
- 12pm - Lunch
- 2:30pm - 5:30pm Training
- 6:00pm - Dinner
- 7:30pm Evening fire, Philosophy/Meditation practices
Saturday 15th July
- 7:00am- 8:30am - Training
- 9:00am - Breakfast
- 12pm - Lunch
- 2:30pm - 5:30pm Training
- 6:00pm - Dinner
- 7:30pm Evening fire, Philosophy/Meditation practices
Sunday 16th July
- 7:00am- 8:30am - Training
- 9:00am - Breakfast
- 12pm - Lunch
- 2:30pm - 5:30pm Training
- 6:00pm - Dinner
- 7:30pm Evening fire, Philosophy/Meditation practices
Monday 17th July
- 7:00am- 8:30am - Training
- 9:00am - Breakfast
- 12pm - Lunch
- 2:30pm - 5:30pm Training
- 6:00pm - Dinner
- 7:30pm Evening fire, Philosophy/Meditation practices
Tuesday 18th July
- 7:00am- 8:30am - Training
- 9:00am - Breakfast
- 10am - 12pm - Pack and clean up and leave Bellbunya
Reserve your spot and next steps
This intensive retreat is limited to 15 participants. If you are interested and would like to reserve your place:
- Choose your accomodation option (below). Prices below reflect an Early Bird discount until 31st May or for current Kalari Healing or 5 Elements students.
- Pay 50% deposit on booking and the rest 50% by 10th June (use the codes via the link).
- We will send you an application form to fill in (after review we may have a phone chat).
- Book your flights to Brisbane or Maroochydore if traveling from interstate and organise your travel via train/bus/taxi or alternative transport to and from Bellbunya.
- We will contact you regarding preparing for the retreat at the end of June.
- Decide if you would like to be 1of 4 people to receive a Kalari massage. Let us know asap if this is you.
