Upcoming local Yoga Retreat, one hour from Johannesburg and Pretoria at Imbabali Retreat & Venue

• Upcoming local Yoga Retreat, one hour from Johannesburg and Pretoria at Imbabali Retreat & Venue

21 March 2025, 09:00 SAST – 23 March 2025, 14:00 SAST

Hekpoort, Magaliesberg, Gauteng, South Africa

About the event: Align and Awaken

A chakra-balancing weekend in the Magaliesberg Mountains this March

Come along for a collaborative retreat surrounded by nature-a peaceful space in which to nurture both body and soul. Imbabali Retreat & Venue sits at the base of the scenic Magaliesberg Mountains. Only an hour from the lively cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria, the Retreat offers a return to nature, where fauna roams and flora flourishes. The foothills are an ideal base for outdoor pursuits including hiking, birdwatching, mountain biking and picnics.

We will start with the Root Chakra before progressing towards the Brow Chakra. Every practice, meditation and breathwork session will correspond with the relevant Chakra. You will also gain a broader understanding of the Chakra system and discover how to work with greater mindfulness to bring balance and harmony to your individual Chakra system.

Itinerary

• Friday 21 March

09:00 Arrival

09:30 Welcome and introductions, followed by a brief grounding and breathwork exercise to help everyone arrive and settle.

10:30 brunch – Root Chakra eating meditation. We will briefly explore how food can support the Root Chakra, along with ways to engage more fully in chewing, tasting and practising gratitude.

16:00 Yin class (90 mins) – Sacral Chakra. Yin Yoga is a slower, more mindful form of practice, with poses held for 2–5 minutes. This class will focus on activating and working with the Sacral Chakra.

18:30 dinner

20:00 Talk on the Chakra system (30–45 mins). Developing a stronger understanding of the Chakra system may help to support and address potential imbalances within your own chakra system as they arise.

• Saturday 22 March

07:00 Vinyasa flow – Navel Chakra. The Navel Chakra relates to confidence, personal power and transformation. This class will centre on core strength, dynamic movement and energising sequences.

08:30 breakfast

12:00 Meditation: a process for the Heart Chakra. This meditation will support connection with your heart centre. When the Heart Chakra is balanced, we may experience a greater sense of openness, kindness and emotional harmony.

13:00 lunch

16:30 Yoga class and 20 mins of mantra chanting: Throat Chakra. The Throat Chakra enables us to communicate our truth confidently, express creativity and listen actively to others. When blocked, it can make self-expression difficult. Chanting is an excellent method of balancing the Throat Chakra.

18:30 dinner

20:00 Talk on working with the chakras as part of your daily routine / yogic lifestyle. The intention is for you to do more than engage with your Chakra system during the weekend: you will also learn tools and techniques that can be easily incorporated into everyday life.

• Sunday 23 March

07:00 morning walk / hike. Two groups will be available: one for those who feel energetic and another for anyone who would prefer a gentler pace. Both groups will meet at the dam to finish with a Brow Chakra meditation.

10:00 brunch

12:30 Pranayama practice

13:00 Reflections on the weekend. Before departure, you will have the chance to ask any questions about the chakras that may have arisen during the weekend. You may also wish to share reflections and feedback with the group.

14:00 depart Venue

Meet your co-host

Taryn Elise Herselman (Ma Aakash)

Taryn is the director of Shakti Yoga Therapy and Teaching Academy in Gauteng, an internationally accredited training facility.

Ma Aakash is a qualified yoga therapist and internationally trained yoga teacher with more than 17 years’ teaching experience. Appointed by Swami Vidyananda, she also serves as Director of Yoga Alliance International South Africa and AFRICA.