A Winter Day at Aavya: The Art of Doing a Little Less

Winter changes the rhythm of Aavya.

Not dramatically. The forest is still there, the pottery wheel still turns, the music still finds its way into the evenings.

But the mornings are a little crisper. The sunlight becomes something you actively seek out. And suddenly, spending an afternoon doing very little feels like a perfectly reasonable plan.

We've begun to realise that Aavya is rather well suited to this season.

Perhaps because there are so many ways to spend a day here without ever feeling the need to leave.

A Gentle Beginning

The first thing you notice on a winter morning in Upper Tapovan is the air.

It's fresh, sometimes properly chilly, and the mountains have that clarity you don't always see in other seasons.

The day at Aavya often begins with movement. A little yoga, stretching, breathwork or simply waking up the body.

Some mornings invite you outdoors. Others are better spent in the studio.

There's no need to make it an achievement. The idea is simply to move a little, breathe a little and begin the day feeling more present.

And afterwards, something warm to drink.

Finding the Sun

By late morning, the sun begins to make itself felt.

This is one of the loveliest parts of winter at Aavya.

You find a comfortable spot overlooking the mountains, order breakfast or chai, and settle in.

Some people bring a book. Others open their laptops with the very optimistic intention of getting some work done.

Quite often, the mountains win.

The forest behind Aavya is quieter in winter. The light moves through the trees differently. And on a clear day, the terrace can be a wonderful place to spend a few unhurried hours.

A Little Time With Clay

There's something about pottery that seems particularly appropriate for a winter afternoon.

Perhaps it's the simplicity of it.

A lump of clay. A spinning wheel. Two hands trying to agree on what they're making.

You sit down expecting to make a bowl and discover that the clay has other plans.

An hour passes rather quickly.

The pottery studio at Aavya is not really about producing perfect objects. It's about learning to work with your hands, making mistakes, laughing at them and occasionally surprising yourself.

And sometimes, you lose your centre only to find it again.

It's a good way to spend part of a winter day.

Lunch Without Looking at the Clock

By lunchtime, everyone seems to find their way towards the café.

A warm meal, something fresh from the kitchen, perhaps another cup of chai.

There is a particular pleasure in eating outdoors on a sunny winter afternoon, especially when the view stretches across the hills.

You might find yourself talking to someone who arrived for a yoga class, someone staying for a week, or someone who came up the hill for pottery and decided to stay for lunch.

That's one of the things we enjoy most about Aavya.

People come for different reasons. Somehow, they end up at the same table.

An Hour Entirely for Yourself

Not every part of a retreat needs to be a class.

Perhaps this is the hour for a massage at Spa in the Sky.

Perhaps a quiet afternoon with a book, or a short walk along the forest edge.

Or perhaps you do absolutely nothing.

We've noticed that people sometimes find this the hardest activity of all.

No instructions. No facilitator. Nothing to complete.

Just an hour that belongs to you.

Fire, Ice and the Forest

Winter makes the cedar sauna at Aavya particularly inviting.

Our Tapas Fire & Ice circuit sits beside the forest, bringing together movement, sauna, a soaking pool, cold plunges and time to rest.

There is something rather wonderful about stepping from the cool mountain air into the warmth of the sauna.

Some people come for the full contrast experience. Others discover that they prefer the heat and a slower pace.

The important thing is to listen to your body, particularly in winter. Cold immersion isn't for everyone, and there is no prize for staying in longer.

The warmth, the quiet and the time to recover are all part of the experience.

And once you've finished, a warm drink feels especially welcome.

When Everyone Comes Together

The sun begins to disappear behind the hills, and the temperature drops.

This is when Aavya changes character again.

Some evenings bring sound healing. Others have music, movement, dancing or a gathering that nobody particularly wants to leave.

Sometimes it's simply a few people sitting together, sharing stories over dinner.

The evenings don't have to be elaborate.

A little warmth, good company and the forest just beyond the lights are usually enough.

And If You're Staying the Night

There's a different pleasure in not having to leave.

You return to your room, settle in, perhaps make yourself another cup of tea.

The morning will come around again, with the mountains, the birds and the first sunlight finding its way across the property.

You might do something entirely different tomorrow.

Or exactly the same thing.

Both are perfectly acceptable.

Winter at Aavya

Aavya was never intended to be a place where every hour of the day needs to be filled.

It's a place for movement, art, music, wellness, conversations and a little more time with yourself.

In winter, all of this seems to fit together rather naturally.

You can spend a whole day here. Or three nights. Or longer.

Come for the sauna, the pottery, the yoga, the spa or simply the sunshine.

And if you end up doing a little less than you planned, we certainly won't complain.