Mindfulness yoga

going beyond yoga

Suryavana Retreat Centre

Suryavana Retreat Centre is located in Jérica, in Masía Novales between the mountains or Sierras, Calderona and Espadán in a beautiful natural landscape. A country house up in the hills 60 km to the North West of Valencia. It’s wonderful just to be in Suryavana and the area offers plenty of opportunities for walking, hiking and wild swimming.

The Retreat centre runs events for the local community as well as running internationally orientated retreats. Suryavana is a space dedicated exclusively to spiritual practice. It is situated in a delightfully hidden corner of the province of Castellón, surrounded by arable olive and almond trees, pine and oak woodlands.

The farmhouse, built over a century ago, has been completely renovated, consists of 10 large rooms, 10 bathrooms, a professionally appointed kitchen, a spacious dining room, large patios all around, a swimming pool and gardens.

Suḍāka along with friends and family is managing the Suryavana project. Much love and care goes into creating an ideal place to practice.

About the name

Suryavana can be translated as “the Enlightened forest”, “Buddha’s retreat”, or “the Illuminated abode of Loving kindness”.

When we first visited the site, one of the things that struck us was the magical light of the sun at sunset and the play of that light on the trees and on the fields. Within the grounds of the retreat centre there is a very beautiful pine forest located on a small hill. It is a somewhat mysterious place and propitious for doing rituals. This gave us the ideas for the name: the sunlight and the forest. It is said that Surya (sun) is an epithet of the Buddha himself; it appears in the sutras of the Mahayana as an image of the Dharma; and, at the same time, is used as a symbol of maitri, or Loving Kindness the essence of the Sangha. So “Surya” evokes the Three jewels that are central to the Buddhha´s way. “Vana”, on the other hand, means dwelling or forest and, therefore, suggests “retreat to the forest”, or withdrawal from mundane existence.

Language English

How to get to Suryavana Retreat Centre from Valencia

Taxi pick up from Valencia

Typically before our events we organise a taxi pick up from the airport or Valencia city (one hour journey to Suryavana). 80 euros split between up to 4 passengers.

Public transport

Suryavana is relatively easy to get to with public transport. Arrive anytime from 16:30h.

Take a local Renfe service, "Cercania" train from Valencia Estación Nord, sometimes called the "Xativa Estación Nord" to arrive in Jerica/Viver.

Check train times Valencia Estación Nord via Sagunto to Jerica/Viver (second to last stop) (Caudiel is the last stop). Look for RENFE Cercanias the C5 route to Caudiel. Note that you may have to change trains at Sagunto!

Arriving. Travel to Jerica/Viver. There are two afternoon trains, one around 14:00h and the last one around 19:00h. About 90 minutes travel. We can arrange for a cab pick up (10 minutes to Masia Novales, 18 euros per cab).

Leaving. We will arrange cabs for you to take the train back down on the last day of our events. The train leaves Jerica around 9:00h and arrives in Valencia at 10:30h.

Address:-

Suryavana,
Masía Novales
Jérica, Castellón
12450
Spain

Train and Bus travel

Do consider travelling overland if you can make the time, www.loco2.com make it easy to arrange travel across Europe

Air travel

From Alicante airport

You need to take the train (2 hours) or bus (3 hours) to Valencia Estación Nord to connect with the local train.

From Valencia airport

Take the Metro into town to the Metro stop Xativa. Valencia is well worth a visit and we can recommend the beach area of "Cabanyal" and the old town "el Carmen" for eating and staying.

Bedroom-Suryavana Bathroom-Suryavana

Sala-Suryavana Dining-room-Suryavana

What to bring

Yoga mat, yoga belt and neti-pot (we’ll provide blocks, bolsters, blankets etc.)
Light comfortable clothing for yoga practice
Swimming costume
Towel
Bathroom things
Head lamp or torch
Sturdy shoes or boots
Sun protection and sun creams
Insect repellent (anti-histamines if you have an adverse reaction to mosquito or midge bites)
Any essential medicines
Notebooks (more than you think you might need)
Some clothing to cover up at night (it can be cool)
Your yoga practice diary
Your notes from home study

Accomodation and food

All meals will be provided; breakfast, morning tea-break, lunch, afternoon tea and evening meal. Food will be lacto-ovo-vegetarian/ vegan. There is a spacious dining area.

Fruit and vegetables are sourced as locally as possible.

Participants help with washing-up dishes and general tidiness of their own quarters, though general cleaning and organising is done by the support team. Washing machines are available for doing laundry.

There are various well furnished rooms. Given the current world health crises we are offering all ten bedrooms as single occupancy. Each room has a well-appointed bathroom with shower en suite.

Internet

Note that Wifi will not be available during the training and if you want to mantain internet contact it will be necessary to arrange data on your mobile phone.

Yoga-open-air
Typical-meal-Suryavana

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