Kalari Intensive
Indian Martial Arts Immersion
Sunshine Coast Hinterlands, 30th October - 4th November 2025
6 days (5 nights) of Ancient Indian Martial Arts/Yoga and Ayurveda in Nature
It's happening again! For the 5th time! We are so 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 our Ayurvedic practitioner and chef, and learn about Ayurvedic philosophies and cooking. Plus, we will hold a medicine workshop and from raw material make a traditional Kalari massage oil! Something very unique and supportive for your body.
We will be practicing predominantly the ancient Indian art - Kalaripayattu and Kalari Yoga.
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'.
Training will be indoors and outdoors (weather permitting) in amongst the beautiful trees and plants.
Join our martial arts immersion in the beautiful Sunshine Coast Hinterlands
Thursday 30th October - Tuesday 4th November 2025
In the daily Kalaripayattu 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
- 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, a medicine making workshop and philosophy discussions.
You can choose to experience traditional Kalari Ayurvedic Massages (there are only a few sessions available). These are highly supportive of your training.
Register Now - Limited Spots
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.
Medicine Making
Have you ever made a therapeutic body massage oil with raw herbs and ingredients? If not - get ready for some medicine making fun!
In our Kalari oil medicine making workshop we will be cooking an oil over a fire in a wok, boiling up some traditional herbs and brewing an oil in a very traditional way. We love sharing this unique practice with students. And you will also get to take some of the healing oil that you have put your hard work into creating home with you (and of course use during the retreat).
Meet Your Instructor Lalita Yagnik
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 Susan Yagnik and Anusha Galbally, your amazing Indian and Sri Lankan - Australia Chefs
Susan Yagnik
Originally from Goa, India, Susan has spent over five decades mastering the art of cooking — from classic Indian regional specialties to global cuisine inspired by her many years living in the India, Middle East, Australia and Singapore. Her kitchen is a place of family and celebration, where every meal is thoughtfully balanced with the principles of Ayurveda: seasonal ingredients, harmonious flavours, and nourishing traditions. With her warm hospitality and deep culinary experience, Susan continues to delight loved ones with food that honours both taste and wellbeing.
Anusha Galbally
Of Sri Lankan heritage and raised in Australia, Anusha has enjoyed a rich career of more than 15 years in catering — from large-scale operations with renowned companies like TheBigGroup to private bespoke functions. With a specialism in raw food, plant-based and health-led eating, she brings a forward-looking approach to cuisine that aligns with wellness, sustainability and the wisdom of Ayurveda. Her culinary vision is rooted in creating vibrant, clean, nutrient-rich meals that energise the body and delight the palate.
Together, Susan and Anusha bring a shared commitment to wellness, holistic nutrition and the timeless traditions of Ayurveda, combining decades of global cooking experience with a love for feeding community and body alike.
Student experiences from our retreat's
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
Kalari Intensive Inclusions 30th October - 4th November 2025
$2300/$2000 ($300 OFF)
Early Bird
Register - Limited SpotsSchedule - Thursday 30th October - Tuesday 4th November June 2025
Thursday 30th October
- 2pm Arrive and Settle In
- 4pm Welcome/Opening Ceremony
- 6:00pm - Dinner
- 7:00pm Evening fire, Philosophy/Meditation practices
Friday 31st October
- 6:15am - Oil Application
- 6:30am- 8:30am - Training
- 9:00am - Breakfast
- 10am - Ayurvedic Workshop
- 12:30pm - Lunch + Free Time
- 2:30pm - 5:00pm Training
- 6:00pm - Dinner
- 7:00pm Evening fire, Philosophy/Meditation practices
Saturday 1st November
- 6:15am - Oil Application
- 6:30am- 8:30am - Training
- 9:00am - Breakfast
- 10am - Medicine Making Workshop
- 12:30pm - Lunch + Free Time
- 2:30pm - 5:00pm Training
- 6:00pm - Dinner
- 7:00pm Evening fire, Philosophy/Meditation practices
Sunday 2nd November
- 6:15am - Oil Application
- 6:30am- 8:30am - Training
- 9:00am - Breakfast
- 10am - Guest Workshop
- 12:30pm - Lunch + Free Time
- 2:30pm - 5:00pm Training
- 6:00pm - Dinner
- 7:00pm Evening fire, Philosophy/Meditation practices
Monday 3rd November
- 6:15am - Oil Application
- 6:30am- 8:30am - Training
- 9:00am - Breakfast
- 10am - Kalari Philosophy Workshop
- 12:30pm - Lunch
- 2:30pm - 5:00pm Training
- 6:00pm - Dinner and Closing Discussions around the fire
Tuesday 4th November
- 6:15am - Oil Application
- 6:30am- 8:30am - Training
- 9:30am - Breakfast
- 10am Closing Discussions
- 11am Clean/Pack up and leave
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 whether you want to stay with us or if you are local to have your own accomodation (below). Prices below reflect an Early Bird discount until 30th August 2025.
- Pay 50% deposit on booking and the rest 50% by 15th September - Full Payment must be completed by this date unless otherwise agreed. We will send you bank details for the final payment.
- 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 Maroochydore or Eumundi Stations. Please plan to arrive at the airport/train by Thursday morning 11am -12pm.
- We will contact you regarding preparing for the retreat in September.
- Decide if you would like to be 1of 4 people to receive a Kalari massage. $200 (usually $250) Let us know asap if this is you.
Kalari Intensive October Retreat Waitlist 2025
Limited spots! Join the waitlist and be one of the first to register for our upcoming intensive training which includes daily Kalari Indian Martial arts, Ayurvedic food, traditional medicine making, pranayama, nature time and more...
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