Nature to Nutrition Retreat FAQs
CANCELLATION POLICY
Our doors are always open for you to gut health knowledge like never before.
However, if you happen to cancel your plans to Dharamshala for any reason, here are the conditions:
- If you cancel 3 weeks prior to the retreat, you will receive a full refund.
- If you cancel 2 weeks prior to the retreat, a 30% deduction on your retreat fee will be levied.
- If you cancel 1 week prior, a 50% deduction on your retreat fee will be levied.
- There will be no refund if cancelled within 6 days.
Please write to us at chefvarun@bodhigreens.in to cancel your reservation.
Refunds are processed in 15 working days.
Thank you for showing interest in our wellness retreat programs. We are excited to host you in Dharamshala and want to assure you of our dedication and commitment. We have compiled this list of FAQs based on our experience of conducting these programs. We have compartmentalised the questions in various categories. You can navigate through them using the index on the left. Should you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to us directly!
Travel
How should I plan my itinerary to explore Dharamshala?
You should plan your itinerary so that you have at least reserved a buffer period of 2 to 5 days to explore other areas of Dharamshala. You will be happy to traverse a good culture of restaurants, monasteries, tea gardens, and lots of nature hike spots like waterfalls and snow glaciers in the area during this buffer period.
What should I carry for the retreat?
The weather at Dharamshala can be unpredictable - you could see the clouds showering a random rain after a long sunny morning, and also in general, the climate is cold.
While we have a first aid kit, we recommend you carry a medical kit in case you have any chronic ailments.
Also, for the hilly-chilly climate of Dharamkot, backpack the following as well:
- Umbrellas/raincoats
- Caps, jackets, sweaters
- Water bottles - Please avoid disposable plastic bottles
- Hiking shoes
- Insect repellents
Is travel to and fro to the retreat from the airport/bus stop/station included in the cost?
We will help you book a taxi from either the bus station or the airport for you directly to the retreat venue, however the charges are not covered. Our retreat’s price covers for the food, accommodation and activities. Hence, you will be required to spend separately for your travel expenses. Taxi from the bus station is ₹600, and from the airport is ₹1200 and it can carry upto four passengers.
Food and Accommodation
What about the mobile network at the retreat venue?
There is mobile network reception and Wi-Fi at the property. However, due to unexpected mountain weather conditions, we advise you to be prepared for a regular network reception.
Also, note that we strongly advise not using the phone during the five-day program to encourage a digital detox.
What if I don’t like the food that’s a part of the retreat?
Our expert chefs will ensure each flavour is balanced, and in every mouthful, you have the perfect textures and mouthfeels. We are sure you will love the food and the menu we have designed. Participants in the past retreats have cited the food experience at the retreat as the single biggest takeaway. If you find any meal not up to the mark there will be other options from which we hope you will find suitable. If you face any serious issues with the food, you may notify the staff onsite during the retreat.
Do you serve non-vegetarian food?
Our focus through the retreat is completely on a whole foods, plant-based diet. Hence, we don’t serve non-vegetarian dishes.
Is the food gluten and sugar-free?
We advise you to communicate your food, preferences, allergies, or any sensitivities in advance so that we can give you the best experience. While most of the meals are prepared with no added sugar and a variety of whole grains, we are not gluten-free or sugar-free entirely.
Is an extension on the stay possible?
Extension may be possible, however, it is subject to availability as the residence is at a third-party property. We highly recommend checking out other good options for guest houses, homes, or Airbnb’s in the vicinity.
How many people will be sharing accommodation if I choose that option? Would it be mixed-gender or same-gender?
For the sharing option, we will be allotting one room for two participants—preferably the same gender.
General Information About The Retreat
Is the menu and eating time fixed or are there any options?
There is mobile network reception and Wi-Fi at the property. However, due to unexpected mountain weather conditions, we advise you to be prepared for a regular network reception.
Also, note that we strongly advise not using the phone during the five-day program to encourage a digital detox.
Is there any buffer time between sessions?
As you can see in the schedule, there is plenty of buffer time between different activities where you can indulge in self-care, journaling or catching up with family or friends over calls.
Our resident mental health professional will also be conducting reflection circles, and other interactive sessions for you, make sure to speak to him/her in case you’re not able to participate in an activity which is not mentioned in the schedule.
Are all these activities mandatory to attend?
To have a full and holistic experience, we encourage you to attend all the activities and sessions planned for the day. However, due to any personal or physical restrictions, if you are unable to participate, you will be welcome to witness the process or stay back. Please ensure you speak to the session's facilitators about your concerns or needs before the session.
What is the retreat schedule?
Here's a tentative schedule of what the day would like and this is subject to change. The final schedule for the retreat will be shared a few weeks before you arrive.
Each day would include:
Yoga sessions
Cooking and nutrition classes
Nature immersions
Reflection and emotional well-being spaces
Some silent time
Community engagement time
A typical day begins at 7:30 am and all activities including dinner, finish by 7 pm. You will have enough time to spend with yourself in between yourself.
Will the sleep schedules be fixed?
While we have no control over your sleep, we wish we could sing you a lullaby while you’re trying your digital detox!
We advise following the 7-8-9 rule, which means
- eat before 7 PM
- turn all devices off by 8 PM, and
- retire to bed by 9 PM.
We also advise waking up early and journaling using the morning pages technique, which will be shared with you on Day 1 of the retreat.
What is the purpose of the retreat?
The 3-day and 5-day retreat aims to build a healthy relationship within your own body, mind, and soul through a whole food plant-based diet, yoga, and nature immersions
Most importantly, you stand a chance to learn the foundations of the right nutrition through a whole food, plant-based diet, which is tedious to find elsewhere.
We will enable you with the important lifestyle tool of ‘Mindful Eating’ - without that, you can’t harness the benefits well. We will also be supporting you in your exploration of your thoughts, emotions or patterns of engaging with your body and food under the guidance of mental health professionals for your emotional well-being.
Other mindfulness practices like yoga, breath work, journaling, nature immersion and mindful cooking will further complement the above and add value to your experience at the retreat which you will be able to take back home!
Can my child join this retreat?
Yes, children above 14 years of age can join the program. However, they need to be accompanied by their parents or guardians. Also, note that most of the retreat is designed for adults and may not be tailored for the child. In that case, our resident mental health professional or facilitator will take a call to support the child accordingly during the retreat. Please keep in mind that fluency in English is a must.
Kids also need to carry essentials as described for adults. Any food allergies, preferences or sensitivities for the child would also need to be communicated beforehand. The cost of the retreat for the child would be the same as for the adult.
Can I work from the retreat?
If you are a workaholic, this retreat may be the perfect place for you to “take a break”. We strongly recommend not signing up for any professional commitment whatsoever. However, if there is an urgency, you may take calls during the buffer time as long as it does not disturb the experience of other participants at the retreat.
If you’d like to volunteer or help us out with logistics and other support, please give your names to the coordinator.
I follow a specific ritual or a set of rituals every day. Would I be able to continue with the same?
In the buffer time, please feel free to use the yoga hall, the lawn outside or even your balcony to do whatever rituals that you are accustomed to. However, we encourage not missing out on any sessions of the retreat to get a fully immersive experience.
Is smoking and drinking permitted during the retreat?
Smoking and drinking or use of any other drug is NOT permitted during the program. If you are a smoker, you will have to step outside of the property to smoke so other participants are not disturbed.
Nutrition & Gut Health
Why is gut health important?
A healthy gut is directly related to a healthy mind and body. Without good gut health, our body has a high chance of becoming diseased. “Constipation is the root of all disease.” Beyond the life-saving “gut feeling”, a healthy gut lowers the risk of common ailments like diabetes and psoriatic arthritis, improved immunity, and reduced inflammation.
A well-balanced meal can significantly improve gut health, and the right nutrition practices have been, in some cases, proven to repair chronic gut ailments.
Will I learn everything about gut health in 5 days?
Gut health is a vast topic. Covering all aspects is not possible in only five days. Also, gut health is determined not only by the food you eat, but also by your daily lifestyle, trusting relationships, and mind and body practices like yoga, high-quality sleep, and water.
We will enable you with a foundational knowledge of balanced whole food plant-based nutrition that has been proven to be the best diet for gut health. How your body responds to these changes depends on your individual medical history which goes beyond the scope of these 5 days. The tools shared in the program will help you build healthy habits and better choices for your gut health.
Will I be able to use this even if I don’t cook my own food/don’t know how to cook?
The knowledge will help you make better nutritional choices. We recommend if your lifestyle has no scope for cooking, start with cooking just one recipe a week. For the rest of the meals, use the knowledge from the sessions to make better choices.
Will you be sharing materials, resources and recipes about gut health and nutrition at the retreat that can be used later?
Of course, you will get a recipe booklet of all the recipes shared during the program.
Also, you will get a journal of your own, a list of essential ingredients that you can stock in your pantry shelves, and a compilation of notes from the classes on Nutrition.
Yoga and Nature Immersions
Can I learn yoga even if I’m a complete beginner?
Yes, you can. Our yoga mornings are planned keeping everyone in mind. These are simple yet effective sessions from beginner to advanced levels. These sessions are inclusive to all.
Can I do yoga if I have any physical injuries?
Our experienced yoga and fitness experts will make sure to personalise their sessions based on your individual needs. We encourage you to communicate your physical condition with the instructors before the retreat program and definitely participate in the sessions.
What is breathwork?
Breathwork is a breathing technique or exercise that involves intentionally changing your breathing pattern. It can help improve your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Our experts use diaphragmatic breathing, holotropic breathing and pranayam to conduct these sessions.
What would be included in Nature Immersions?
It would include nature walks in the forests, short hikes, connecting with the nature elements through activities, meditations, foraging etc. All activities are catered towards deepening your connection to the source of the food (nature) and your relationship with the natural world to nourish your body and mind during the retreat.
Is there intense hiking every day?
No, there is no intense hiking during the retreat. However, there are short walks in nature that vary in their time and frequency from a minimum of 20 minutes to a maximum of one hour, depending on the weather and the spot.
In case you need support or would like us to make accommodations during the hike, please inform one of the facilitators on site about it beforehand.
Health and Wellbeing
I have a mental health condition and would need additional support during the retreat. Would that be possible?
Absolutely! We have a resident psychotherapist who will be present throughout the retreat for any additional support you may need. Your conversations with them will be confidential. We recommend informing us before the retreat so that we can also be mindful of your needs.
Would I be receiving therapy during the retreat?
While we have psychotherapists onboard, they will primarily be there for your emotional support and to hold spaces for reflections either in groups or individually should you need that. However, this should not be considered a substitute or a quick fix for any chronic mental health issues you may be undergoing which may require long-term psychological and psychiatric treatment. Our retreat is meant to boost emotional well-being and mental health and have therapeutic benefits which can be later adopted in your lifestyle once you go back home.
Will this retreat focus on weight loss?
No. This retreat does not promote any weight loss ideologies. Our sessions are centred around healthy, plant-based nutrition and its benefits for your body and mind. A result of following some of the recommendations may lead to some weight loss but that is not the focus of the program. However, we highly encourage individuals to speak to our resident psychotherapist if there are any concerns that may arise before or during the retreat regarding body image.
Would it be a good idea to join if I have a medical condition like asthma and altitude sickness or accessibility issues?
Altitude sickness shouldn't be a concern in Dharamshala, as the town is situated at an elevation below 2000 meters above sea level.
For other medical conditions, we have a list categorised for you to make the best decision for yourself. Have a look:
Category 1: Fit for the program
If you’re suffering from
- headaches
- tiredness
- lethargy
- cardiovascular disorders
- fatty liver
- skin problems
- digestive disorders
- respiratory disorders
- hormonal disorders
- menstrual disorders
- obesity
- diabetes
- thyroid disorders
- Mild to moderate mental health conditions
Category 2: Fit for the program, but the retreat won’t help alleviate the ailment
If you’re suffering from
- Neurological/psychiatric disorders
- Clinical depression
- Cancer
- Liver cirrhosis
- Alopecia
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- CKD
- IBS
- Vitiligo
Category 3: Strongly recommend to refrain
If you have these conditions, we would like you to reconsider and refrain from joining the retreat.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers
- People who are severely thin and weak
- Severe physical or neurological disability