Mystic Art Retreats

Mystic Art Retreats Mystic Art Retreats™ are immersive events in spectacular locations that serve to expand consciousness through creative expression.

Mystic Art Retreats™

​Mystic Art Retreats are immersive events in spectacular locations that serve to expand consciousness through creative expression and skillful craft. We focus on traditional sacred arts from different world religions through a direct experience of making art with uplifting power. We aspire to cultivate nurturing environments that support learning and personal growth. The prog

ramming includes both fine-art and performing arts with a key focus on practices that promote the reconciliation of the mind, body and spirit. Our globally renowned experts from different sacred traditions lead retreats at special venues that range from quaint palaces, natural stone homes and rural stays. There is an emphasis on venues that deliver the therapeutic value of the five elements in their natural form - air, water, earth, fire and ether) blending with aesthetics, beauty and design. We want to promote the connection with the "Universal Source" through the practice of traditional sacred art forms. The repertoire of programmes includes a focus on the sacred within the following arts:

Sacred Geometry & Patterns (Yantras, Mandalas, Thangka)
Intentional Jewellery creation & adornment (includes redesigning ancestral jewellery)
Art Therapy
Pottery & Ceramics
Altar-making (Woodwork)
Textile Art
Equine Therapy - healing with horses

The Mystic Art Retreat franchise enjoys the patronage of people committed to bettering their lives through creative experiences that nourish the mind, body and spirit.

13/03/2026

"Not just learning Sanskrit. Receiving it. In Varanasi, where Saraswati has whispered mantras to rishis for millennia, you'll study the sacred language of yoga at its source. This is for seekers who want the understanding of the heart, not just the talent for quotation.

Comment 'SANSKRIT' for full details."

DM for further details or type ‘KASHI’ in the comments.



Art Credits: Senior Faculty at Mystic Art Retreats

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT  Internationally acclaimed Hindustani classical vocalist  has joined Mystic Art Retreats as the Practi...
25/08/2025

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT

Internationally acclaimed Hindustani classical vocalist has joined Mystic Art Retreats as the Practice Leader for Indian Classical Music. This ushers in a new generation of retreat offerings from .

Known for her emotive and impeccable raga expositions, Nirali will guide participants in sacred sound practices, including how to practice sound as a meditation, deep listening, and the nuances of alaap (improvised melody) and silence.

Recognised as the 'Top 5 Indian Classical Musicians' shaping the future by Deccan Herald, Nirali Kartik began her formal musical journey at the age of nine in Ahmedabad at Saptak School of Music. Her journey in Hindustani classical music started at the Saptak School of Music with Shri P.G. Shinde, followed by training under Shri Vikas Parikh. She is currently a student of Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar, the maestro of Mewati Gharana.

Her dedication to the art form has been recognised with several accolades including the Shreshtha Sadhak Award from the Gujarat Sangeet Natak Academy and has led her to perform at some of the most prestigious venues for Indian classical music. In addition to her performance career, she is the brand ambassador for Taj Mahal Tea.

Beyond her solo classical career, Nirali is the co-founder and lead singer of the world music group MaatiBaani, which translates to "Language of the Earth". Alongside her husband and music composer, Kartik Shah, she created to fuse Indian classical and folk music with a variety of global sounds. The duo collaborates with musicians from around the world, often through the internet, to create a unique musical tapestry.

Nirali teaches Indian classical music to dedicated students all year round and being a passionate educationist, Mystic Art Retreats will allow her to share how she experiences Sound as a spiritual medium to manifest a blissful life.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT✨ We’re thrilled to welcome the incredibly talented  — Marta Grigorieva — as our Destination Curator fo...
19/07/2025

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT

✨ We’re thrilled to welcome the incredibly talented — Marta Grigorieva — as our Destination Curator for the South of France! 🇫🇷🎨

Born in St. Petersburg and based in Monaco, Marta is a celebrated portrait artist known for her mastery of realist oil painting, infused with the color and spirit of Impressionism.

Her creative journey began with music (violin, pianoforte) and economics (MA), before leading her to New York, where she studied fine arts at Harvard and worked at Christie’s and Sotheby’s.

In New York, she trained under the legendary Nelson Shanks, which inspired her to pursue painting full-time in Italy.

A portrait commission from Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of easyJet, brought her to Monaco — where she eventually relocated in 2011.

Marta’s portfolio includes stunning oil portraits of people, animals, and landscapes — with a deep passion for capturing human character. She paints directly onto canvas to preserve spontaneity and emotion. Her works are held in private collections across Europe, Russia, and the U.S.

Notable highlights: A powerful portrait of Nelson Mandela at the Palais Princier de Monaco, Princess Michael of Kent, an 11-month portrait of Dr. Elena Ambrosiadou, and a recent 12-month family masterpiece. She also creates soulful dog and horse portraits that radiate personality.

Beyond painting, Marta is the author and illustrator of the charming “Napo & Allegra: City Sketches” picture book series, where a curious dog explores Monte Carlo, London, and New York — inspiring children (and adults!) to discover art and creativity. creativity. Her “Napo’s Adventure Activity” coloring book brings these stories to life for young artists.

Marta’s creative philosophy: Only paint when feeling good — to ensure the artwork carries positive energy that lives on.

A Harvard-trained art historian and certified yoga teacher (700+ hours in India & the U.S.), Marta brings a rare blend of artistic mastery, global spirit, and mindful living to all she does.

Welcome, Marta! 💖

 

✨ SEATS OF POWER II RETREAT ✨🗓️ 16 NOV - 25 NOV, 2025🌺 WHY PILGRIMS TRAVEL TO KAMAKHYA? 🌺A yatra to Kamakhya is a soul-s...
19/07/2025

✨ SEATS OF POWER II RETREAT ✨
🗓️ 16 NOV - 25 NOV, 2025

🌺 WHY PILGRIMS TRAVEL TO KAMAKHYA? 🌺

A yatra to Kamakhya is a soul-stirring pilgrimage—a journey woven from ancient legend, faith in the Divine Feminine, and the desire for transformation. Here’s why millions feel called to this sacred ground:

🔸 The Mythological Bedrock
Kamakhya is the holiest of Shakti Peeths, anchored in the story of Sati & Shiva. As the Mahapitha—the supreme seat of the Goddess’ creative power—it is revered as the source of all life, fertility, and cosmic energy.

🔸 Epicenter of Shakti
Pilgrims seek to connect with the primal force of the Divine Feminine here. It’s the place where the veil between the material and spiritual is thinnest.

🔸 Blessings for Creation
Kamakhya is the ultimate destination for those longing for children and the blessings of the Mother Goddess, who nurtures and sustains life.

🔸 Global Center of Ta**ra
For centuries, Kamakhya has drawn Ta***ics and spiritual seekers who come for sadhana—to pursue siddhis, divine energy, and liberation (moksha).

🔸 Seeking Protection & Prosperity
Devotees pray for everything from healing, protection, and prosperity to harmonious relationships and auspicious new beginnings.

✨ Whether for blessings, transformation, or deep spiritual practice—Kamakhya calls to seekers from all walks of life.

📸:

🚨 Last Chance to Signup 2 places left!
💌 DM for details.

**ra

THE POWER OF CONNECTIONfor my friends .thom who are 💕 loveWords by Mary Alison“It's extremely rare to see two people in ...
04/06/2025

THE POWER OF CONNECTION

for my friends .thom who are 💕 love

Words by Mary Alison

“It's extremely rare to see two people in a relationship for the pure expansion of human consciousness, but when you do, the magnetic energy they emanate is nothing short of holy.

Most people use relationships as coping mechanisms. They haven't grieved something from their past and instead of confronting their inner world they grasp outwards, sometimes clinging to whatever object their hands find.

Anytime a relationship (or friendship) is used as a form of escapism, it slows down your path and eventually causes chaos in your field.

Holy relationships, or friendships, emerge through radical self honesty. When two people are willing to not only open their hearts to one another, but to source itself, the connection becomes a transmission for elevated consciousness to enter through. This creates a prism effect, where the light their fields emit cascades farther into the collective. Connection has the potential to unroot human consciousness from the medieval/dark ages of consciousness, bringing it closer to an age of divinity.

Often, people go into relationships by way of hiding themselves, pretending to be that which they are not. This produces a subtle tension throughout the relationship that resorts in blame/shame tactics which turn a once romantic connection into a battle with the "enemy".

The ego subconsciously wants an enemy to cast its shadow upon. This way the ego doesn't have to take responsibility for its own path. The incapacity of taking responsibility for the path you walk is a mode of living in denial.

In a holy connection, both parties take full responsibility for their shortcomings and calmly grow into healthier states of consciousness. Relationships, friendships, can be one of the most powerful catalysts for metaphysical growth, so long as both people are willing to look at themselves.

When I see two people who are raw and vulnerable with one another, who are unafraid to delve into their shadows without casting blame or shame onto each other during this fragile yet powerful process, I see incredible potential for humanity.”

SEATS OF POWER II16 NOV - 25 NOV, 2025The inner sanctum at Kamakhya is a natural wonder, a freshwater spring flowing fro...
31/05/2025

SEATS OF POWER II
16 NOV - 25 NOV, 2025

The inner sanctum at Kamakhya is a natural wonder, a freshwater spring flowing from a cleft between two rocks that runs red for a week each year. It’s due to natural factors, just like a geyser. Although technically the redness is caused by iron oxide, it’s an unmistakable allegory for the menstrual blood. Unquestionably the site of Goddess worship since prehistoric times.

Deities are depicted with human bodies to help us understand and relate to them. Therefore, the human body is symbolic. And on this symbolic body, every part carries metaphorical meaning, representing some aspect of the deity’s characteristic powers

For example, the arms represent the power to do, and the hands hold objects that represent magical powers and abilities to help others. While wide shoulders may represent power in the sense of physical strength, the potency of desire itself is represented by the reproductive organs, the ge****ls.

The ability to create, and by extension the ability to reproduce, is the greatest power of all. Because it is a compounding power: with it, you can make more bodies, each with their own abilities.

So, of all the natural wonders of India, of all the seats of power, of all the metaphors for the human experience encoded into the “body” of this divine land, this one, Kamakhya Pitha, is the most powerful of all.

Please join Ekabhumi Ellik, Ta***ic scholar Tova Olsson, and the Mystic Art Retreats staff for an immersion into the lore of this powerful and magical goddess. This is more than just an aesthetic or cultural tour. It is a transformative experience through the power of creativity and our focused desire upon embodied self-realization.

Text Credits: Editorial Credits:

Photo Credits:

DM or Email to [email protected] for details.

**ra

On mother's day we congratulate all our teachers who continually pour their energy into their students. May you receive ...
11/05/2025

On mother's day we congratulate all our teachers who continually pour their energy into their students.

May you receive the support and nurturance you need from the source of all energy.

Jai Mā!🌺

Text Credits: Inspired and Quoted from our teacher

Photo Credits: Krishna and his mother, Source: Unknown

SEATS OF POWER II16 NOV - 25 NOV, 2025Kamakhya Temple holds profound esoteric significance as a powerful symbol of the d...
20/04/2025

SEATS OF POWER II
16 NOV - 25 NOV, 2025

Kamakhya Temple holds profound esoteric significance as a powerful symbol of the divine feminine energy, or Shakti—the cosmic source of creation, fertility, and transformation. Unlike typical temples with idols, Kamakhya is worshipped through a natural yoni-shaped stone, representing the sacred womb and the origin of life itself. The temple’s rituals, especially during the Ambubachi Mela, openly celebrate the goddess’s annual menstruation, honoring the natural cycles of fertility and renewal. This unique embrace of feminine power highlights the ta***ic belief that sexuality, birth, and the body’s rhythms are sacred paths to spiritual awakening.

Beyond fertility, Kamakhya is a major center of Ta***ic mysticism where devotees seek to connect with the goddess’s dual nature—both nurturing and fierce—to transcend dualities and awaken higher consciousness. The temple’s caves and rituals serve as spiritual sanctuaries for deep meditation and transformation. Worship here is believed to grant liberation, inner strength, and divine protection, making Kamakhya a living symbol of the primal feminine force that governs the cycles of life, death, and rebirth in the universe.

We promise a complete immersion into the sacred stream of śakti provided not only by the location itself, but the powerful teachings that will be provided by our world-renowned instructors and

DM or Email to [email protected] for details.

**ra

Tova Olsson  on Mythological Brokenness and Traumatic Superpowers Today I think about the ones that are broken and bless...
19/04/2025

Tova Olsson on Mythological Brokenness and Traumatic Superpowers

Today I think about the ones that are broken and blessed. Those mythological beings and divine representations that, although they differ in various meaningful ways, still share one trait- the wound.

There are many different translations of Hanuman’s name, but one is ”broken jaw.” This translation refers to how Hanuman (then known by another name) was disciplined by Indra, who broke his jaw with a mighty thunderbolt. Although Hanuman is wounded, he is also given special powers that he later uses in service of the divine, of dharma.

In the story about the origin of Mahabharata, Ganesha is said to have written down the whole epic with his broken tusk. The brokenness itself is what enables the great act. Ganesha, of course, is wounded twice, as Shiva cuts off his original head and replaces it with an elephant’s.

The wound, in a way, represents the gaining of a new identity. It also represents the gaining of a superpower, which enables one to nurture others.

As in the case of the goddess Chinnamasta: the headless one, who with the bloodstream pouring out of her wounded neck nurtures her two attendants (and yes I am aware of all the many symbolic meanings of Chinnamasta, but for now, let us focus on her capacity to nurture, as the teacher nurtures her students or the mother her children).

Or as in the case of Jesus, who through his wounds, gained the capacity to save others from mortality, to heal them with his presence.

There is a lot of talk about the wounded healer in contemporary spirituality. And there is a lot of talk about trauma (and the healing of it).
But there is very little talk about the complexities of how trauma changes one, how it might even open you up to spiritual experiences (which, needless to say, does not justify the traumatization, nor transforms it into a ”gift”).

There is also very little talk about real sacrifice, although it certainly plays an important role in most religious traditions.

In what way did your wounds give you the capacity to nurture others?🔻🌹🔻

Reposted from

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTBeyond thrilled to announce the joining of Carolina Mastio as Destination Curator for Italy at Mystic A...
10/04/2025

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT

Beyond thrilled to announce the joining of Carolina Mastio as Destination Curator for Italy at Mystic Art Retreats. This ushers in a new wave of programming at Mystic Art Retreats, especially in its 8th year of operations, to expand our offerings into Western Europe.

Carolina Mastio is a wellness and solo travel advocate from Sardinia, Italy, one of the world’s five Blue Zones — regions where people live longer, healthier lives, and where a deep connection to nature is part of everyday life. Her roots have always inspired her to seek destinations that reconnect us with our essence and the Earth.

She holds an Arts Honours degree in Business and Events Management from Greenwich University in London and a technical diploma in Tourism and Accounting. Over the years, she has also completed training in marketing, tourism strategies, hospitality revenue, negotiation, and social media.

With a background in communication and a deep love for yoga, Carolina creates and curates transformative experiences that blend movement, presence, and cultural exchange. She also brings extensive experience in crafting soulful events — from intimate gatherings to larger-scale productions — and in collaborating with boutique hotels and villas to design conscious hospitality experiences grounded in authenticity and care.

We look forward to Carolina's expert curation combining her deep knowledge of the sacred traditions of Southern Europe and contextualising them in retreat and immersion formats for the contemporary traveller.

ANCIENT PORTALS, MODERN GEMS3-12 Nov'25Ahmedabad, BarodaIndiaIntroducing our Tour Guide – Nirav Panchal With a lifelong ...
07/04/2025

ANCIENT PORTALS, MODERN GEMS
3-12 Nov'25
Ahmedabad, Baroda
India

Introducing our Tour Guide – Nirav Panchal

With a lifelong passion for history, architecture, and textiles, Nirav Panchal has been at the forefront of Ahmedabad’s heritage movement. His journey began as a volunteer for the city's renowned Heritage Walk, where he played a key role in showcasing its stepwells, intricate architecture, and living traditions. His dedication contributed to Ahmedabad’s recognition as India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City in 2018.

Nirav's expertise extends beyond heritage walks—his deep knowledge of stepwells, crafts, and textiles has made him a sought-after guide for travellers looking to explore Gujarat’s hidden gems. He had the pleasure of working with Victoria Lautman during her travels in Gujarat and was acknowledged in her book on stepwells.

In addition to leading cultural tours, Nirav is the founder of Indivaan, a sustainable fashion brand that empowers women artisans by reviving traditional crafts like Ajrakh block printing and upcycled textiles. His passion for history, craftsmanship, and sustainability ensures an immersive and insightful experience for every traveller.

Join Nirav for a journey through Gujarat’s awe-inspiring stepwells, timeless architecture, and vibrant craft traditions!

DM for details or email to [email protected]

YATRA ANNOUNCEMENTSEATS OF POWER II16 NOV - 25 NOV, 2025The Śakti Pīṭhas (seats of power) are geographical locations whe...
20/03/2025

YATRA ANNOUNCEMENT
SEATS OF POWER II
16 NOV - 25 NOV, 2025

The Śakti Pīṭhas (seats of power) are geographical locations where the energy (śakti) of the Goddess is said to be especially tangible. For centuries, devotees of the Mother have travelled to these sites to worship her and receive her blessings. Blessings that are believed to consist of worldly prosperity as well as spiritual liberation, depending on the desire of the devotee.

The Goddess, after all, is said to be icchā śakti (the power of will, desire or longing) itself. Nowhere is this more true than in the most famous (and perhaps powerful) śakti pīṭhas of them all; Kāmākhyā, where the Goddess resides in the form of desire (kāma). In the famous story that gives the mythological background to the śakti pīṭhas, where Goddess Satī’s body is dispersed over the Indian continent, her yoni (womb, v***a or source) is said to have fallen to the ground in the place where the Kāmākhyā temple stands today. Worshipped in the form of a stone that is believed to menstruate for a few days every year, the Goddess’ yoni is understood as the source of all creation.

The Kāmākhyā temple grounds (established around the 7th century CE) hold, not only the the Goddess of desire but representations of all the ten wisdom goddesses, known as the Daśa Mahāvidyās. The Mahāvidyās are not only understood as cosmic powers and forms of the divine Mother, but as aspects of kuṇḍalinī that allows practitioners of yoga and ta**ra to understand their own spiritual development.

In this once in a lifetime journey to the abode of the Goddess who fulfills all desires, we will study and practice with Kāmākhyā (also known as Lalitā Tripura Sundarī) and all the Mahāvidyās. We promise a complete immersion into the sacred stream of śakti provided not only by the location itself, but the powerful teachings that will be provided by our world-renowned instructors.

DM or Email [email protected]

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Begin your creative journey

Mystic Art Retreats™

​Mystic Art Retreats are immersive events in spectacular locations that serve to expand consciousness through creative expression and skillful craft. We focus on traditional sacred arts from different world religions through a direct experience of making art with uplifting power.

We aspire to cultivate nurturing environments that support learning and personal growth. The programming includes both fine-art and performing arts with a key focus on practices that promote the reconciliation of the mind, body and spirit.

Our globally renowned experts from different sacred traditions lead retreats at special venues that range from quaint palaces, natural stone homes and rural stays. There is an emphasis on venues that deliver the therapeutic value of the five elements in their natural form - air, water, earth, fire and ether) blending with aesthetics, beauty and design.