Sweet winter at Govinda Valley

Just like the seasons, Govinda Valley is ever changing, and with winter well on its way we are dedicating this time to showing a little more love to the property grounds. Fallen trees are currently being cleared out to make space for the new greenery that will arrive in spring.

One of our managers, Gopi, has also taken up a new project setting up a flower garden behind the south wing with the help of our wonderful volunteers. Once its blossoming, retreat guests will be able to relish its beauty from their rooms.

This is an exciting time as we are also welcoming a new team member who will be joining us as the resident in-house yoga teacher. Ally, a NSW native grew up in the Sutherland shire, but never knew that her journey would lead her to Govinda Valley, a few train stops away from her childhood home.

Ally was always drawn to spiritual and alternative lifestyles. She still remembers when her father would come home from trips to India, where he went to support his fellow Aussies in cricket matches. He would return and show Ally pictures of his trips, instilling in her the idea that on day she would be there and get to experience the magic and chaos of it all first hand, but only when the timing was right. She began her travels in 2016 in Europe, where she stumbled upon a yogic community. It was there she began to delve into Bhakti yoga and studying Vedic philosophy. After a few months back home, Ally knew that she was finally ready to embrace mother India in order to evolve and further develop her spiritual and yoga practices.

She spent six months there, taking in all the experiences it offered while also completing her yoga teacher training at Dharamasala. Now back in Govinda, Ally is looking forward to create a safe space for residents, volunteers, and retreat guests looking to explore their inner worlds and have some fun on their yoga mats! She will be helping supervise volunteers and assisting with housekeeping. We are all extremely grateful to have this beautiful soul here sharing her energy and love.

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?”