Australia Chant Retreat

There is a non-refundable $250 administrative fee. Participants will receive a 50% refund of remaining tuition if requested 30 days or more before the course. No refunds will be issued less than 30 days in advance. Submission of your payment indicates your acceptance of the cancellation policy.

Yes and no.

Our primary purpose of gathering is to enjoy our practices together.

There is a training element, as multiple levels of teacher trainees will be present and growing their skills.

However, no foundational lectures or basic skills classes will be offered during this retreat. The core curriculum for the Heart of Sound training is much more effectively offered online, where trainees can absorb at their own pace.

If you review the schedule above, you'll find several opportunities to nerd out with fellow trainees.

If you're currently enrolled in the (online) teacher training, this will be an extraordinary delight!

If you wish to get teacher training level content and count attendance hours towards your certification, please enroll in the Online Teacher Training now and get a head start before arriving on retreat. 

Package deals are available to buy both the retreat & the teacher training together, saving you $$$!

We'd recommend getting to at least Phase 8 of the Self-Study Map for the 200hr program before arriving. At a minimum, please get through Module 4 of the Sacred Sanskrit Sounds course.

Yes, absolutely! We would love to have you attend the retreat only.

Included with your retreat purchase is our Sanskrit Mantra 101 online course (AUD 310 value).

When you purchase the retreat you'll automatically be granted access to the course. After your purchase, look out for an email with your login link or login to your Heart of Sound account to access it.

Please complete this course before our time together to get the most out of our practices.

The retreat location is Swami's Yoga Retreat.

Relax in bright and comfortable ensuite rooms or get closer to nature in style in a 5-metre glamping tent.

Ensuite Rooms: the Ensuite Rooms are simple, bright and comfortable. All rooms include an ensuite bathroom, fresh linens, fan, and heater. Ensuite Rooms are available as Single or Twin Share.

Glamping Tents: there are beautiful 5-metre wide, all-weather bell tents comfortably equipped with power points, lighting, heated blankets and a fan. All bedding is provided – you only need to bring your PJs and some uggs/slides to walk to the bathroom pods, which are about 20 seconds away from your tent. Tents are available as Single or Twin Share.

For Twin options, you can let us know the name of the person you wish to share with upon purchase, or if you wish us to assign. Twin options can be configured as Queen or Twin beds.

Click on BUY NOW above to be taken to your accommodation options to purchase.

Connect with others for sharing
After you register, you'll get access to a shared document where you can connect with other guests to share lodging and/or rides and rental cars. Beyond providing this connection space, HOS staff will not facilitate sharing.

The retreat location is Swami's Yoga Retreat.

Swami's is on 60-acres of beautiful bushland in the Hills District, 45 kilometres north west of Sydney CBD. The area is generally known for its market gardens, orchards, herb gardens and plant nurseries. Swami’s is a tranquil haven – a hidden gem!

Private vehicle is the easiest way to get to Swami's. The address is 183 Pitt Town Rd, Kenthurst. There is a plenty of free parking at Swami’s Yoga Retreat.

Please note that Google Maps may direct you to the rear of the property down a side street. There is no access from this side. Please stay on Pitt Town Rd to enter the driveway at the colourful flags. The driveway is winding in parts so please drive slowly and enjoy the magnificent gum trees on the journey down!

By public transport:
Search Google Maps or the Transport NSW trip planner (https://transportnsw.info/trip#/trip) and input your location, day/time of arrival, etc. This will show you your best options.

Depending on where you are coming from, you can reach Swami's by bus – however this will usually involve a few changes and timetable alignments. The closest train station is Rouse Hill Station, and you can get a taxi/Uber from there (Uber is usually the cheapest; make sure the driver comes via Annangrove Rd and Blue Gum Rd – the shortest route). There is also a bus that drops off near the entrance of Swami's, but there is a still fair distance to walk from there.

For guests traveling from interstate or overseas, there is a convenient local shuttle bus company that will pick you up from the airport and take you to the front door. (Hillz Shuttlz Ph: 1300 650 336)

Connect with others for sharing
After you register, you'll get access to a shared document where you can connect with other guests to share lodging and/or rides and rental cars. Beyond providing this connection space, HOS staff will not facilitate sharing.

All meals are provided and are vegetarian (mostly vegan) and delicious. Many of Swami's reviews mention the wonderful food being one of the highlights! Special dietary requirements will happily be catered for (e.g. vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free etc) but please let us know before your arrival so we can make arrangements (you will be asked to provide this information in your registration form after you purchase the retreat). Fresh fruit is available between meals, as are tea and coffee.

Health Consideration Agreement:
We hope that respiratory illnesses will be low at the time of the retreat and we can enjoy singing freely together! (without covering our mouths and noses)

In order to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, we'll consistently err on the side of caution. 

We will consistently err on the side of caution, meeting or exceeding current official government guidelines and recommendations from leading epidemiologists to protect the vulnerable among us.

The retreat can only meet its potential if everyone remains healthy! If serious illness is spreading, it puts a huge damper on our time together.

HOS Community Health Agreements

1. We have no interest in debating the efficacy of standard public health measures such as vaccinations or masks.
2. We also have no wish to police your personal health choices.
3. Please respect others’ choices to wear a mask at any time they wish.
4. Whether or not you're vaccinated against COVID, RSV, FLU etc., by registering for the Retreat you confirm you are willing to employ any and all of the safety measures we deem necessary at the time, including:

   -Wear a mask in the retreat house if community spread is high
   -Wear a mask around other retreat participants, in your room with your roommate, and in the retreat house at all times, if you feel the slightest bit sick.
   -Stay in our retreat bubble and mask up when in close contact with people outside our bubble
   -Take meals “to go” and eat outdoors or in your room if risk is high
   -Remove yourself from the practices altogether if you are feeling ill or have virus symptoms (fever, cough, sneezing, etc.)

5. Please bring your own supply of remedies for covid/flu as recommended by your doctors and wellness practitioners.

For additional FAQs about the venue please see https://swami.com.au/faq/