FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How many days should I stay to learn yoga?
If you wish to practice yoga, we recommend staying for at least 7 days. Ideally longer. A meaningful practice takes time to unfold, and longer stays allow for deeper immersion. To support this, we offer progressive pricing: your financial investment eases as your commitment to the practice deepens. In essence, the more time you gift yourself, the more the practice and the place can give back.
2. What is the longest time period that we can stay at Swara?
There’s no upper limit to how long you can stay at Swara. Stay for as long as it continues to serve your journey. While most guests stay for a few days or weeks, our longest stay so far has been three months.
3. How many yoga classes will there be in a day?
We offer two yoga sessions daily:
Morning: A dynamic āsana practice to awaken and energise the body.
Afternoon: A slower, more introspective session exploring breathwork, chanting, and philosophy — an invitation to deepen beyond the physical.
For those curious about the roots of the practice, Sanskrit lessons are also available with Ganesh, who brings warmth and wisdom to his teaching.
4. Who is the principal yoga teacher?
Ganesh is our principal teacher. Rooted in a living Vedic and yogic tradition, he brings both depth and warmth to his teaching. With years of experience and an intuitive grasp of the physical, energetic, and psychological dimensions of practice, he tailors each session to meet individual needs. His approach is both grounded and adaptive, blending tradition with attunement, and always meeting students where they are.
5. Can I participate alone? How many people can you accommodate at most?
Absolutely. Solo travellers are warmly welcomed at Swara. Many come alone, seeking stillness, clarity, or simply a change in rhythm. We can accommodate up to 24 guests at full capacity, making space for both quiet solitude and shared connection, depending on what you’re seeking.
6. Are hot showers available?
Yes, hot showers are available throughout the day, powered by abundant solar energy. We harness the sun to keep things warm, simple, and sustainable.
7. Is the diet vegetarian?
Yes, the meals at Swara are entirely vegetarian, thoughtfully prepared using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, many from our own land and neighbouring village.
Our focus is on nourishment where food supports your practice, balances the body, and uplifts the spirit. Fresh, flavourful and grounding.
8. What other activities can we do?
Swara offers a rhythm of its own, one where you’re welcome to slip into with ease. Beyond yoga, you might:
– Walk at sunrise or sunset through the quiet trails of Astam village
– Dip or swim in the cool waters of the Mardi River
– Learn to make masala chai and momos in our open kitchen
– Harvest vegetables or tend to the garden with your hands in the earth
– Milk the buffalo (if she’s in the mood)
– Weave bamboo baskets with local hands and stories
– Sing, drum, and dance around a campfire under mountain skies
– Stargaze, uninterrupted by city lights
– Bring your work and let the stillness hold you
9. Can you organise a pick-up and drop-off from Pokhara to Swara Retreat?
Yes, we can organise a taxi for you from your hotel or Pokhara Airport.
10. Can I stay without yoga?
Absolutely. While yoga is at the heart of Swara, it’s by no means a requirement. Many guests come simply to rest, read, walk, or reconnect with nature. There’s a quiet abundance here in the forests, the skies, the rhythm of village life, waiting to be experienced in your own way, at your own pace