So, We Were Just Sitting Around Talking About our New Year’s retreat (28 Dec 2025 – 2 Jan 2026) at Aavya, Tapovan, Rishikesh.

This retreat honestly started very simply. One afternoon, the whole Aavya team was sitting around, chai in hand, half-planning, half-procrastinating, wondering what a New Year retreat should actually feel like.

Someone said, “Let’s not do resolutions.” Someone else said, “Let’s not do anything intense either.” A third person said, “Can we please add Sufi music?”

And then the five elements came up… and suddenly the whole thing started making sense. Bit by bit, piece by piece, an itinerary started forming on the table like a puzzle we didn’t know we were solving. And before we knew it, the plan was looking pretty magical, and we were all very excited.

This is the first time we’re doing something like this, but each part of it is something our facilitators already do beautifully in their own ways. This time, we’re just weaving everything together around a simple idea:

Start the New Year softly. No resolutions. Just renewal.

The 5-Element Flow (Without the Drama)

Day 1: EARTH

Arrive. Breathe. Settle.

Pottery to feel grounded again.

Ganga Aarti.

Live music + warm winter dinner = your nervous system says “thank you.”

Day 2: WATER

Morning movement with Amit.

A quiet afternoon by the Ganga (guaranteed to wash off 2025).

Water-element sound healing with Ramana.

Slightly emotional journaling — optional but recommended.

Day 3: FIRE

Private forest trek.

Breathwork to release the stuff you’ve been carrying since 2018 (just kidding… or not).

Evening Salsa/Bachata — because joy is also healing.

Day 4: AIR

Free-flow movement facing the mountains — very main-character energy.

Secret waterfall visit.

Sufi concert, bonfire, gentle fireworks, good people.

A New Year’s Eve that won’t give you a headache the next morning.

Day 5: ETHER

Slow morning (we know you’ll need it).

Yin Yoga + Breath of Renewal.

Ganga Blessing Walk.

Astrology for 2026 — because why not begin the year with cosmic gossip?

Sunset sound healing to wrap up the elemental journey.

Day 6: DAWN

Kunjapuri Sunrise.

Chai.

Hugs.

Departures (slow and unwilling, usually).

Why We’re Doing It This Way?

Because honestly… most people don’t start the year rested. They start it hungover, overwhelmed, or pretending they’re about to change their whole life on January 1st. We thought: let’s try something different.

Something slower. Something kinder. Something that genuinely makes you feel lighter when you go back.

The five elements gave us a nice structure. The retreat gave us excitement.

You may get a sense of clarity, calm, and a nervous system that stops shouting at you.

The Team Making This Happen

Amit: movement, somatics, and unlocking body joy

Ramana: sound healing + elemental journeys

Shivani: grounding warmth + winter-friendly food

Shiv: music and the vibe of the evenings

Ashish & Team Aavya: stitching the whole thing together so you don’t have to think

What You Take Back

Not resolutions. Not a new personality. Not a “January 1st transformation.”

Just: a clearer mind, softer patterns, practices you can actually continue a bit more connection with nature some unexpectedly beautiful moments and a very gentle beginning to 2026

No pressure, no preachiness, just a retreat that feels honest.