Frequently asked questions
We’ve listed some of the frequently asked questions to help you make up your mind and feel comfortable choosing to retreat with us here at Sanda Retreats. Please email us or call us with any other questions you might have regarding the content of the week or locations. We would be very happy to talk to you.
Sanda Retreats is ideal for anyone who wants to spend time away focusing on their own health and would like to benefit from the expertise of some of the best practitioners and teachers in the world. It’s tailored to you because so much of your holiday is conducted on a one to one basis. The team will meet with you at the beginning of the week to discuss all aspects of your health, to ensure maximum benefits for you. By the end of the week we will have developed with you everything you need to continue the good work at home!
We encourage you not to smoke during the detox programme and ideally give up before coming! As with alcohol, smoking is contrary to the detox process.
The supplements we use during the detox programme have been specifically worked out to completely support your body in the cleansing process. Some help to dissolve and eliminate old matter in the colon, whilst others support the liver and other organs in the detoxification process.
The weather is generally warm and dry. The evenings are generally warm too, but we recommend bringing something for the occasional cooler and wet exception. Dress is casual and informal for all meals. Whatever you feel comfortable in. With the sea a stone’s throw away be sure to bring what you need. Towels are, of course, provided. For yoga, and personal training sessions you will need comfortable, flexible clothing such as a T shirt and track suit bottoms or any other exercise gear you are happy with. Of course you’ll also need training shoes. We also strongly recommend a hat or cap and a small back-pack for water, cameras, personal items etc. The sun can get pretty hot at times, so most people hike in shorts and T shirts (with appropriate sun cream, of course) but you may like to bring light long sleeve shirts and light trousers if you don’t want to expose too much skin. We will also give you a full check list of what to bring when you make your reservation, so you don’t forget anything important!
When you arrive at any of our Sanda Retreats venues we will provide you with your personal schedule for the week, which will include all of your massages and one-to- one sessions with the team. As soon as we have received all of the health and fitness forms from the guests before each retreat, our team works together to build the perfect schedule to best suit you.
Many of our guests travel alone, and are looked after by our team of experts from the moment they arrive at the airport till we all say goodbye. The team is on hand to look after guests throughout the holiday and will make sure everyone feels at home and relaxed at all times. We have found that Sanda Retreats attract a like-minded fun and friendly set of people, with firm friendships built during the week.
Yoga plays an important role at Sanda Retreats and our friendly, expert teachers will provide individual attention to all our Sanda Retreats guests. Before the holiday you will be asked to complete a health and fitness form, which includes a question regarding your level of yoga experience, this will enable our teacher to prepare a set of classes most suitable for the standards of the group that week. Classes cater for all levels – from the nervous novice discovering yoga for the first time, to the more experienced. You will find that your flexibility and strength make dramatic progress during the week, whatever your level at the beginning.
As with yoga, all levels of fitness are welcomed – from those seeing the week as a kick-start to a healthier lifestyle, to those with high fitness levels who want to up the intensity further. Completion of the health and fitness form before the retreat will enable our personal trainers to assess the fitness level of the group, and thereby build a fitness programme most suitable for the standards of the group for that week.
Sanda Retreats are designed to provide maximum health and fitness benefits for all guests, so if you take part in all the classes, and talks, you will get the best overall results. But you do not have to take part in everything. After all, it’s your retreat. However, there is also plenty of quiet time when you can just relax by the pool, in your room, by the beach or have a relaxing massage.
Obviously all weeks are different however; we have found that typically our groups have been mixed with a number of guests travelling on their own. Guests tend to span all age ranges. We have had guests from the UK, Europe, US and elsewhere, and we typically have a wide range of fitness levels on each week. What we have found is that all groups to date have been made up of fun, friendly, like-minded people who have quickly felt at ease with each other and made firm friendships during the week, and who all come to Sanda Retreats with a similar aim for the week – to focus on themselves and develop their own health and fitness levels, with a strong desire to learn as much as possible from the experts while they are on hand. The Sanda Retreats team constitutes a large percentage of the group and therefore can ensure that you will always feel well looked after.
The health and fitness profile form, which you’ll complete before the holiday will provide you with the opportunity to tell us about any special dietary requirements that you have – be it vegetarian, vegan or other requirements/allergies. We cater for everyone. Our nutritionists work closely with our chefs to devise a menu suitable for all guests and that can be tailored to meet all needs, and in addition they work together to ensure the finest local ingredients are sourced for the fabulous tailor-made cuisine.
If weight loss is your main aim and you participate fully during the week, then weight loss and improved muscle tone will be one of the many benefits that you will notice. A wonderful amount of outdoor exercise combined with the carefully planned, nutritious detoxifying menu will inevitably lead to some weight loss, and guests who have monitored their intake and worked hard during the week have lost anything up to 5-7lbs, some even more! There are obviously guests for whom weight loss is not the main focus, and if this is the case, then our team works with them to focus on their own goals – be it elevated aerobic fitness, or improved muscle tone or flexibility.!
If you opt for our airport transfers (charges applicable) and have provided your flight details our airport representative will be at the airport, waiting in the arrivals hall with a clear Sanda Retreats sign that you can’t miss, so you’ll immediately feel welcomed. We’ll then take you all to your chosen resort, where you’ll be greeted by the rest of the team with a fresh juice (depending on time of arrival). On the last day, we’ll arrange for transport, allowing plenty of time for you to make your recommended flight.
If you can’t let your mind be fully immersed in your Sanda Retreat because of unavoidable pressures back home or in the office, don’t worry. All Sanda Retreat resorts have reasonable mobile phone reception and Internet access. However, for your sake, we’d advise you to leave as many stresses back home as you can – this is a unique chance for a wonderfully selfish week, and we want you to spend as much of the time as you can focusing on yourself and your own well-being, enjoying maximum time for reflection and relaxation.
After you have booked your Sanda Retreat we will contact you with a detailed list of things to consider before your time away, such as contact details and address of the venue, recommended flights (which we can advise at time of booking), temperatures to expect while away, recommended clothing and footwear, currency details and passport/visa requirements if any. We will ask you to complete our health and fitness profile form. You can call us any time (contact page for details) if you have any unresolved questions in advance of your trip. We are always happy to help.
We advise you consult with your GP for recommended vaccinations and precautions to be taken during your travel to India. Although most guests are recommended to take anti-malaria pills most choose not to because of the unpleasant side-effects.
You will need a valid Tourist Visa to enter into India. For details best contacting the Indian Embassy in your country. The process takes about 3 – 5 working days. Citizens of certain nationalities can also apply online for an Indian tourist e-visa.
Visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html for more details.To avoid any last-minute disappointment, the sooner you get on with it the better.
If you are a national of any following countries, you are eligible for eVisa https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html
We also provide assistance with getting the eVisa processed.
Contact us for this service.
Depending on where you are travelling from there are direct or connecting flights to Goa. If you need assistance with flights or Visa please visit http://thebeachhousegoa.com/flight-visa-booking/ and fill out the details.
You can also email us at info@thebeachhousegoa.com