About Asili Retreats
Asili Retreats was founded in 2024 with the vision of creating meaningful travel experiences that go beyond yoga and wellness.
The word “Asili” comes from Swahili and means origin, essence, or nature — a reminder to return to what truly matters: connection, simplicity, and presence.
Our retreats are designed to nurture your wellbeing on every level — body, mind, and soul — while also opening a window into the culture and rhythm of the places we visit.
We believe that true transformation happens not only on the yoga mat but also through connection: with nature, with yourself, and with the local communities who make each destination unique.
At Asili Retreats, you won’t just practice yoga — you’ll experience the essence of a place. From sharing local meals to learning from the people who call it home, every retreat is an invitation to slow down, listen, and reconnect with life’s natural flow.
Our Team
Get to know more about us
Our Founder and Healer
is a certified massage therapist specializing in Ayurveda Therapeutic Massage, Ayurveda Yoga Massage, and Namikoshi Shiatsu Massage. Her work embodies a rare blend of ancient wisdom, intuitive touch, and deep presence — inviting clients into spaces of balance, release, and renewal.
Experience
Training & Mentorship
Katie’s path in healing has been guided by remarkable mentors.
She trained in Ayurveda Therapeutic Massage and Ayurveda Yoga Massage at the Mogu School in India, under Guru Ranjeet, a renowned healer with over 20 years of experience in traditional Ayurvedic bodywork.
Her journey then led her into the art of Namikoshi Shiatsu Massage, where she trained under Joel, a Shiatsu and Karate master with more than two decades of practice — himself a direct student of a disciple of Tokujiro Namikoshi, the founder of modern Shiatsu in Japan.
Through these immersive apprenticeships, Katie cultivated a deep understanding of how energy, breath, and touch can awaken the body’s innate intelligence to heal itself.
Explore
Wellness Philosophy & Approach
Katie has shared her healing practice across India, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Portugal, bringing the same soulful intention to each setting — from wellness retreats to personalized one-on-one sessions.
Her philosophy is rooted in simplicity and presence: that the body holds profound wisdom, and through breath, touch, and awareness, it remembers how to restore itself. Each treatment she offers is a conversation guiding clients to maximize their own healing capacities and rediscover harmony within.
Yoga & Sound Healing Guide
Julia
is a certified Yoga instructor with over 500 hours of training from Ravis School of Yoga India (Hatha Yoga, 2020), Namaste Yoga India (Hatha, Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga in 2021) and Vinyasa Yoga Shala (Yin Yoga, 2022).
Experience
Healing Guidance and Global Reach
Julia has conducted retreats and workshops in Austria, Colombia, Kenya, and Egypt. She is experienced teaching in diverse settings, from luxury hotels to wellness venues. Brings a culturally enriched perspective to her classes.
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Wellness Philisophy and Approach
Julia's practice focuses on traditional Hatha Yoga as her foundation of her practice. She integrates mindful breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation for deeper awareness. Her entire approach encourages a balanced, introspective, and healing approach to yoga.
ASILI RETREATS
