A Musical Immersion into the Mystical Himalayas
Set in the delightful setting of the mighty Himalayas in Nepal – at 4816 feet, pristine air and absolutely stunning views of the Annapurna-Macchapuchre-Dhaulagiri mountain ranges is Music+ The Himalayas.
In the company of great musicians, Yogis, and Divine Souls we are thrilled to share.
YES, IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN!
Music+ is offering another music and yoga retreat in the far-reaching Himalayan range, which spreads into thousands of miles, and holds within it an exceptionally diverse ecology!
Following the resounding success of a music intensive retreat in 2018 and 2023, the Music+ team are ready for an even greater nourishing and deeply transformative experience deep in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal.
And, 2024 brings a unique combination of Vocal Music, Yogasana and Ayurveda. The greatest combination of elements that could happen to your chanting instrument – Your Voice.
We welcome you onboard if you are:
A Yoga Teacher/Therapist wanting to supplement your practices with the ancient Indian metaphysical system of Nāda Yoga – The Yoga of Sound
A Kīrtan Artist/Singer/stage performer who wishes to become technically sound and soulfully connected with the Music
A sound healer/practitioner who wants to soak-in into and incorporate the therapeutic sounds inherent in Indian Classical music
A vocalist seeking to dive deep into the nuances and know-hows of Hindustani Vocal music
A Raga/Music enthusiast who wants to understand and know more about the vast and juicy world of the Indian Ragas
A seeker/traveler willing to discover and re-discover your voice and ‘yourself’
Our focus for 7 glorious days and nights of fun-filled musical activity includes:
Learning to discover and explore our voice and its possibilities under a nurturing and supportive guidance
Yogasanas & Pranayama – to accomplish the ideal balance of Mind, Body, and Soul
Understanding and living experience of the practical wisdom and healing principles of Ayurveda for your wellness as a vocalist.
Establishing a well-defined curriculum for practice and workouts to create your ideal vocal health
Cosmic sound activations – Sa Re Ga Ma PaDha and Ni – the seven primary notes of Indian Music.
Nāda Yoga – meditation through sound for Toning of the voice.
Working through vocal movements of Indian Music – Gamaks, Tāns Alankārs to improve flexibility of the singing voice.
Basic study of Indian Classical Music and Rāga Music
Mantra Chanting and Kīrtan Singing
Exploring the soundscapes of the Rāgas and their correlation to the physical elements of nature
Singing morning Rāgas with the rising sun over the snow crest peaks and singing the night melodies along with the humming of crickets in the forest
Excursion Trips – Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu– The ancient world famous temple of Lord Śiva dating back to 400 B.C, and Boudhanath – The Buddhist Stupa which dates back to the fifth century.
Village Treks near the Annapurna-Dhaulagiri ranges and nature walks in the village of Ashtam near Pokhara. Enjoying indigenous folk music.
This deep 7 day intensive singing Retreat is based upon the inherent power of sound and voice as a transforming lifetime experience and discovery of a new ‘YOU’
Your Teachers
Sudhanshu Sharma
Sudhanshu is an internationally respected Indian Classical Musician and Vocal Teacher. He will be leading the group and training you in the ancient Indian art of classical vocal music, sacred sound, mantras and kirtan. He has dedicated his life to the service of the Nādabrahma – the Sound God, and firmly believes in the therapeutic and life-enriching powers of sound. Having vast experience of more than 15 years as a performer and teacher, Sudhanshu has performed and been teaching the transformational power of sound in retreats all across the world. He has students all over the world who have richly benefitted from his practical curriculum and easy-going teaching tools.
Dipika Delmenico
Dipika is an Ayurvedic Physician, Anthroposophic Naturopath, Nāda Yoga teacher, Speaker and Best Selling Author. She’s treated 1000’s of patients globally with Ayurveda healing wisdom and Mantra. She’s the founder of Conscious Woman Rising and The Radiant Woman, holistic practitioner trainings, wellness courses and programs. Dipika works therapeutically with Mantra and Sacred Sound as the original and future medicine integrating and bridging physical and spiritual sciences for true healing potential. Dipika is in service to the renewal of ancient healing mysteries and healing the divine feminine in each of us and our planet.
Why Ayurveda?
Why ayurveda in our music retreat ?
This is more than a retreat. This is an intensive. That means you will actively dive deep into the immersion of bhakti and music to have the most expansive experience and saturation of the sacred sound. It means you are a striving participant!
Ayurvedic food for nutrition
The environment is conducive for this having been meticulously selected to support your full experience.
Weaving the filaments of Ayurveda throughout the entire retreat planning, preparation, daily schedule and post retreat this is created to maximize your experience, resonance and transforming potential.
This begins with our pre retreat preparation by cleansing together as a group. You will be expertly led through this process by Dipika, who has created a program to prepare you to travel well, be spacious, bolster your digestive capacity, clearing away accumulated metabolic sludge and junk that impedes your presence and flow.
There will be recommended reading to give you a simple, succinct and practical insight into yourself from an Ayurvedic philosophical perspective including Ayurvedic pyschology.
How does that work? Upon registering for the retreat you will have access to written and video materials to prepare yourself for the retreat, and to cleanse. We will have two live Q&A video calls with Dipika to answer your questions and support your retreat preparation.
We wish you to be well when you arrive. We know that the music will not only nourish and deepen your devotion, it will fill you with joy. But also activate, wiggle and jiggle, potentially mobilising things that may be hidden, known and unknown to you. That’s a lot to digest!
We wish you to be present, and as well as you can be. That means pre-digesting, bolstering, recalibrating and creating spaciousness before you arrive to ensure you have the best possible intensive experience of the sacred sound….and YOURSELF.
The daily schedule of the retreat is planned around Ayurvedic principals to support you in the most holistic way, being rhythmical and nourishing. And, of course, that includes what we eat. Of course the food will be local, seasonal and grown as close to nature as possible, vegetarian and delicious.
Silence will be encouraged and embraced throughout periods most conducive to this during our retreat, as will quietude and quality rest time.
Embracing the practical healing wisdom of Ayurvedic philosophy, the retreat is designed to optimise your vibrancy and light.
The Venue & Cuisine
Hotel in Kathmandu
Our Welcome and get-together spot on 9th & 10th November 2024
We gather here to embark on a journey filled with Music, Culture, Love and togetherness. We explore the beautiful temples and monasteries of Kathmandu and get to know the history and culture and cuisine of the Nepali people.
The Mystique Highland resort with the beautiful Himalayan backdrop!
Mystique Highland Resort, Astahm, Pokhara
Your home for 7 Musical days and Nights
After our opening circle and Temple tour in Kathmandu on 10th of November 2024, we head to Pokhara in the Village of Astahm on 11th November for our deep immersion into Nada Yoga. The village of Astahm, located approximately 20 km North-west of the town of Pokhara offers a spectacular view of the Annapurna-Machhapuchre-Dhaulagiri Mountain ranges. The snow covered peaks can be seen shimmering above the green landscapes of dense natural forests.
It is here that you will traverse on a journey of re-discovering your magical voice, your Himalayan voice!
It is here that you will rejoice, rejuvenate and renew.
The accommodation is simple and basic – the kind that is perfectly suited for the Sound Yogis. There are twin-share or single rooms available. Most of the rooms face toward the snow covered Himalayan peaks and gleaming green hills.
The Cuisine:
Soul food for the sound yogi
The food is organic, local, wholesome and delicious!
The Nepali chefs prepare sumptuous vegetarian dishes to give you nourishing, wholesome and pleasure filled culinary experiences.
The food will be prepared following the Ayurvedic principles, with local and seasonal ingredients which have been grown as nature intended.
There will be an Ayurvedic table in the classroom consisting of herbs, teas, drinks and kitchen remedies to help you keep rejuvenated.
As well as local flavours and Nepalese dishes you will enjoy foods of Tibetan, Indian and Thai origins.
In addition to breakfast, lunch and light dinner, fresh fruits from the Himalayan foothills, yoghurt mixed drinks and hot beverages will keep you refreshed and energised throughout the day.
The Joys & Pleasures
The joys and pleasures:
The sheer joy of being able to accomplish that song, that Rāga, that musical phrase/idea or dream, you have been holding close to your heart since long ago.
To manifest and become absorbed in the power of your own voice, hitherto unknown and undiscovered.
To be in the rejuvenating, silent and pristine surrounding of the Himalayas is such bliss and a dream-come-true.
To have an undisturbed, unabated, intense and rewarding musical practice (rarely practiced nowadays).
A reprieve from modern life with no phone calls, no emails, nothing but 7 glorious days of Music and Bliss!
The retreat becomes a rich exchange platform of cultures, tradition, ideas and perspectives with participants from vast territories and different walks of life.
The wonderful connections and friendships you will make with like-minded people from all over the world
Benefits: What the experience will give you...
This is more than a musical immersion. It is an intensive. Such an intensive in the Himalayas will definitely be a transforming and worthy decision for you!
The experience could enable you to:
Channel your breath the right way, helping you cope with stress, anxiety and digestion of life.
Dive deeper into the nuances and know-hows of Hindustani Vocal music
Understand the Basic Rāga Music and its vast expansions
Blissfully blend the therapeutic sounds inherent in Indian Classical music into your day-to-day life.
Enhance your Yoga practices with the Ancient Indian metaphysical system of Nāda Yoga – The Yoga of Sound
Be technically sound and soulfully connected with the musical notes
Learn different mantras and kīrtan chants.
Discover the harmonious point of balance between mind, body and soul through Yoga and Meditation practices
Discover your voice and re-discover yourself.
Inclusions & Pricing
THE RETREAT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
Accommodation in Kathmandu on 9th & 10th of November 2024. Check-in at 2:00PM on 9th November 2024.
Excursion trips to Pashupatinath and Boudhnath Temples in Kathmandu on 10th November including temple entrance fees.
Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara on 11th of November 2024 (one way)
Taxi fare from Pokhara airport to Astahm on 11th Nov. and return to Pokhara on 17th Nov.
6 nights’ accommodation at the Mystique Highland Resort, Astahm, Pokhara ~ twin share/single rooms available (see pricing below)
Delicious vegetarian food at the resort in Astahm.
Beverages (herbal & Indian teas, coffee and water)
All Music, Yoga and Meditation & Ayurveda class tuition: Raga Music, Cosmic Sound Activations, Yoga Postures, Meditation Practices.
THE RETREAT DOES NOT COVER:
Your international round-trip flights.
Taxi fare from Kathmandu Airport to the Hotel on 9th November(or the day you arrive)
Nepal Visa
Pre and Post retreat accommodation and meals.
Your dinner in Kathmandu on the arrival date - 9th November 2024.
Beverages in addition to those above, laundry, incidentals, additional services, personal phone calls or other activities not already mentioned
Tips for drivers (when not on group-arranged transportation), porters, housekeeping, resort and restaurant staff
Travel Insurance including, medical, loss and trip cancellation or interruption insurance (which is a requirement to attend the retreat)
Airport transfer from Pokhara airport to Astam - the retreat’s venue if you arrive a day or two early or if you want to leave early.
Medical Supplies (a basic first aid kit would be available)
Music Retreat Pricing
Full Price after 15th August 2024
Twin Share: USD$3080 per person
Single: USD$3290 per person
You can lock-in your place now by paying a non-refundable deposit of USD $1500. Pay the remaining amount by 15th September 2024.
For any queries, suggestions, and details, do not hesitate to write us on musicplusretreats@gmail.com
Stay connected with us- https://www.facebook.com/musicplusretreats/
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Any cancellation made up to 15th September 2024 will result in a loss of the non-refundable deposit of $1500. Any cancellation made between 16th September and 9th November 2024 or no shows will result in a total loss of funds. We reserve the right to cancel the trip if it is not meeting the trip minimum (if we do you will be refunded in full). If you wish to cancel your reservation, it must be done in writing or via email and the cancellation will be effective as of the date MUSIC+ Retreats receives it. Trip cancellation insurance is always recommended whenever making travel plans.
