TheAntidote.
Deep rest & revival
in the rainforest
3-10th May 2025
Southern Sri Lanka
A soothing week of massage, yoga,
meditation, healing meals, creativetherapies, wild nature, time offline, spaceto unwind, an expert team, caringcommunity and a gorgeous location.
Soothe your body, free your mind, transform your energy.
The Antidote is a week-long retreat, set in a beautiful villa that looks out over lush valleys of tropical rainforest. From the rising mist and dancing light of the mornings, to the glowing sunshine and cool shade of abundant leaves as the day unfolds, and the wide inky night sky of stars and calm... we’ll be wrapped up in nature with space to breathe.
Our week of wellness includes a mix of yoga, with classes to suit everyone, including both the slow and stretchy (restorative, yin, somatic, yoni shakti) and the uplifting, balancing and strengthening (hatha, creative vinyasa, synergy, animal flow). No previous experience is needed. We’ll dip into meditation, nature walks, soulful workshops, nourishing massage, a nutritious menu and have plenty of time to relax by the pool or explore the area.
The Antidote takes place at India Walk, a lovingly and stylishly-restored historic tea estate which is female-owned. It has 5 gorgeous en-suite bedrooms, light and spacious communal areas and a pool surrounded by spacious gardens. Our retreat team are experienced, kind and devoted to creating nourishing and life-changing experiences. We’ll ensure that you have everything you need to switch off from the world and truly recharge.
Daily rituals
and rhythms
Daily Rhythm: the morning
6am
Gently waking, option to join for silent sunrise watching, journaling, herbal teas, and a little meditation walk through our natural surroundings.
7am
Awakening yoga and breathwork for everyone, all levels welcome.
8.30am
Buffet breakfast of cleansing juices, healing teas, wholesome dishes, and delicious treats created with love and nutrition expertise.
10am
Personal time to relax, enjoy the surroundings, and have a therapeutic massage. All guests have a 90-minute massage experience included in their package.
12 midday
Soulful workshops, including:
Nutrition and Ayurvedic healing wisdom
Creative writing therapy
Healing touch: learn the art and science of massage
Deep rest: exploring this radical act for the modern world.
Daily Rhythm: after noon
2pm
Healthy and fresh snacks and drinks. Fresh coconut water, manioc and coconut bites, fresh fruit sorbets, smoothies, herbal broths and natural sweet treats.
3pm
Personal time to relax, enjoy the surroundings and have a therapeutic massage. All guests have a 90 minute massage experience included in their package.
5pm
Meditation walk or soul journaling
5.30pm
Sunset yoga. Unwind and melt into deep stretches and relaxation.
7pm
A gourmet Sri Lankan dinner, created with fresh local produce that’s naturally bursting with nutrients, healing properties and flavour.
8.30pm
Sometimes we’ll have an early night, or a gentle and sweet activity such as storytime under the stars or ‘yoga nidra cosmic sleep meditation’ by candlelight.
A healing menu
Meals that take care of you
Our healing menu is a golden thread that weaves through the week, drawing on the deep healthy wisdom of Ayurveda - the ancient medicine system that has existed in Sri Lanka and India for thousands of years. All of the retreat meals are created to support our bodies and minds to detox, heal and replenish. Our nutrition principles are:
- Always fresh and homemade, from scratch
- Plant-based, plus quality dairy such as buffalo curd from local farms
- Completely free from refined sugar, gluten, and artificial anything
- Bursting with rich flavours, spices, herbs, and colours
- High in protein, fibre, and superfoods
- Cooling, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant
- Calming and balancing for body and mind
- Personalised to your needs: all guests are welcome to have a consultation with the chef and our retreat leader to understand how to fine-tune the menu to your individual characteristics and goals
Stay with us in comfort
Accommodation with soul
We have a range of bedrooms for guests to choose from, from huge masters to twins and doubles, available as single or shared occupancy. All bedrooms are en-suite, stylishly designed and secure, with AC and lush views.
All-inclusive rates for the whole week start from $1500 per person, which includes your accommodation, all meals and all treatments, activities and therapies from Saturday 15th to Saturday 22nd March. Please contact us for more details and to arrange the best room for you.
Lara is our retreat host, an experienced yoga teacher, massage therapist and creative producer from the UK. She has designed the whole week as an elixir, an antidote for modern life: a dedicated space to feel rested and nourished from head to toe. Lara has many years of experience in Sri Lanka, and a deep respect and love for the healing energy that the island holds: from its Ayurvedic medical heritage to the abundance of fresh local produce, breathtaking wilderness and cultural spirit.
Wass is our wonderful chef and villa manager, a highly-knowledgable Sri Lankan pro with experience from France and Saudi Arabia too. Wass has a gentle spirit and fierce commitment to health and quality. He grinds and roasts all of our spice mixes by hand, for example - and cuts no corners when it comes to ensuring our menu is fresh, healing and delicious. Wass and his villa team stay on site with us, and ensure that all our guests feel supported, comfy and inspired every day.
A place of belonging
Inclusive and welcoming
The Antidote is a place to unwind, come home to yourself and reconnect with nature. We believe in community, and are caring, non-judgemental, kind and professional. We are dedicated to equity, diversity and inclusion. Please get in touch to talk through any questions and personal needs, so that we can understand and welcome you better.
We’d love to hear from you
Contact us to [email protected] with the subject line "Yoga Retreat".