Awaken your soul and rediscover your inner bliss on a deeply immersive journey through Kerala
This extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime experience is led by Maxine, Charla, and Shemmer, a trio of experts, each deeply devoted to their craft and united by a shared passion for helping others reconnect with what it truly feels like to be alive, fulfilled and at peace with themselves.
Together they will guide you through a rich and meaningful journey that gentle invites you to find your bliss and fall back in love with life. This unique retreat weaves together yoga, meditation, temple visits, pooja ceremonies, and deeply rooted cultural experiences that honour the heart of India.
A week of yoga, culture,
and soulful connection
Next February, embark on an extraordinary journey with us as we lead you through a once-in-a-lifetime Indian yoga retreat experience. Nestled in the landscapes of Kerala, South India, this isn't just any yoga retreat. You’re going to truly experience India. To feel it, to connect with it, and to be gently immersed in its culture, traditions, and way of life. From temple visits and pooja ceremonies to meaningful local experiences, this journey invites you far beyond the surface and into something deeply real and transformative.
With Maxine’s deep personal connection to India, spanning generations through her mother and grandmother, this journey has been many years in the making. Having travelled back and forth for over 30 years, she has carefully curated a team of trusted experts to support and guide you every step of the way.
A Day in the Life at the Retreat
This is your time. You’re free to do as much or as little as you like — every offering is an invitation, never an obligation. Mornings include meditation, breathwork mantra and slow, nourishing movement. Afternoons are for relaxing by the pool, journalling, exploring, shopping, receiving a treatment, or simply doing nothing at all. Early evenings guide us back inward with restorative yoga, yin, or deeply soothing sound baths.
Gentle Awakening
Mid-Morning Ease
Rest & Free Time
Gentle Reconnection
Evening Connection
Nightfall Rest
Begin the day with soft breathing practices to clear the breath and awaken the senses, followed by a grounding ritual of meditation, mantra, and asana.
Gather together for a nourishing breakfast made with fresh, local ingredients, including fresh fruit and coconuts, enjoyed slowly and in good company.
Spend the afternoon exactly as you wish — resting, swimming in the sea, wandering along the beach, exploring locally, or indulging in a soothing massage.
Come back together over fresh fruit before easing into a deeply restorative evening practice of yin yoga, meditation, and occasional guest-led sessions.
Share a wholesome evening meal in community, followed by quiet time to unwind and reflect.
Settle into peaceful sleep, held by the gentle calm of nature.
What's included
-
7 Nights accomodation
-
Private transfer from TRV airport to miracle on the bay on retreat day
-
Two Find Your Bliss workshops.
-
Two daily yoga classes
-
Meditation workshop
-
Daily gentle breathwork practices
-
Yogic philosophy Class
-
Temple visit
-
A traditional Pooja ceremony,
-
A serene backwater river cruise
-
Welcome goodie bag worth £100
-
Sari & Dhoti Dress-Up Evening- A visit to a local shop where you’ll choose your own traditional attire, before being expertly dressed in a sari or dhoti.. Fully immersed in the experience, we’ll then visit the temple together—allowing you to feel a deeper connection to the culture, tradition, and spirit of Kerala.
-
Morning and Evenings meals including three meals prepared by our private chef, with the remaining evenings spent dining at some of Maxine’s favourite local restaurants—offering a true taste of Kerala.
-
Access to the swiming pool, tropical gardens, beach (100m away) and local shops 10 minute walk
Our home
for the week
We will be staying at Miracle by the Bay in Varkala. Nestled along the pristine shores of Varkala, Trivandrum, our story is one of timeless elegance and charm. We will leisurely sip from coconuts, relax in the gardens, enjoy pool time laughter and community.
Where Every Meal
Becomes a Moment of Connection
Food is an essential part of the Find Your Bliss experience, not simply sustenance, but pleasure, connection, and deep care. Throughout the retreat, nourishment is thoughtfully curated to support both your practice and your rest. A private chef Nikki who has been living in kerela for the past 15 years, discovered by Maxine during her travels, will prepare vibrant, nutritious meals using fresh, locally sourced ingredients on three of our seven nights.
Sadya under the starts
Our first evening begins with a beautiful Sadya under the stars, gathering together for our opening meal in a space of presence and connection.
This traditional Keralan feast, served on a banana leaf, offers an abundant array of vibrant vegetarian dishes — a true expression of hospitality, balance, and community, and the perfect way to begin our time together.
Bollywood Feast & Celebration Night
Midweek, Nikki will create a stunning North Indian–inspired feast to complement our joyful Bollywood dance evening and sari dress-up celebration.
Expect colour, flavour, laughter, and aliveness — a night designed to awaken the senses and bring everyone together in playful celebration.
Backwaters Family Dining Experience
One very special evening, we will dine in the backwaters of Munroe Island, sharing a home-cooked meal prepared by a welcoming local family.
This intimate and authentic experience connects us deeply to the land and its people, offering heartfelt hospitality and a glimpse into everyday life in Kerala.
Closing Buffet & Soulful Celebration
Our final night will be marked with an exquisite buffet-style dinner as part of our closing ceremony, complete with heart-opening kirtan and soulful celebration beneath the Kerala sky.
It is a beautiful way to honour our journey, reflect on shared memories, and celebrate the connections formed throughout the week.
Step Into Sacred Rituals
and the Soul of Kerala
This retreat extends far beyond the mat. You will visit sacred temples steeped in devotion and history and receive a traditional Pooja blessing from a local priest, an intimate ceremonial experience that honours the spiritual roots of the land.
The Pooja ceremony is a sacred ritual of devotion, gratitude, and renewal. Surrounded by the gentle sounds of nature and the soft flicker of candlelight, you will be guided by local practitioners through prayers, intention setting, ancient mantras, and sacred fire. This beautiful practice invites you to release what no longer serves you and welcome clarity, peace, and deeper connection, a powerful way to honour your journey and return to yourself.
Dress in a beautiful sari and step into a joyful Bollywood dance experience, followed by a vibrant North Indian–inspired feast prepared especially for the evening. With colourful fabrics, uplifting music, rich flavours, and shared laughter, the night becomes a celebration of aliveness and connection — a playful yet meaningful expression of culture, community, and joy woven into our journey together.
As part of our retreat, we will also embark on a journey to the secluded Great Backwaters, where Max discovered a hidden gem during her first visit to Kerala.
Nestled amidst a serene expanse of lakes, canals, and lagoons running parallel to the Arabian Sea coast, we will spend a full day here as it unfolds gently, with opportunities to swim in the rivers, witness local craftsmanship, and watch the mesmerising sunset. It is a rare and authentic glimpse into Kerala’s heritage, offering both stillness and discovery.
What's Included
-
7 nights accommodation
-
Transfer from TRV airport to Miracle by the Bay on retreat day
-
Daily breakfast or brunch and evening meals, plus unlimited tea, filtered water, and fresh fruit
-
Daily morning and evening yoga, meditation, and breathwork, including one early morning beach session and one sunset beach practice
-
2 Find Your Bliss workshops led by Charla, guest teachers, and a sound bath session
-
Temple visit and private Pooja ceremony
-
Private river cruise and local cultural visits, including a coconut farm and tailor experience (bring a garment to replicate)
-
Bollywood evening of dance, colour, and sari dress-up celebration
-
Welcoming goodie bag
-
Access to the swimming pool, tropical gardens, beach (100m away), and local shops (10-minute walk)
Not Included
-
Flights to Kerala
-
Visas (£25 estimate)
-
Alcoholic drinks
-
Additional massage treatments
-
Transfer back to TRV airport estimated at £20-£25 per taxi (we always do our best to pair people up to keep the cost down)
Travel & Practical Info
What to Pack:
Light clothes, comfortable yoga wear, swimsuit, reusable bottle, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a light shawl.
Visa Info:
A tourist e-Visa is required for most travellers. Simple online application. Apply here.
How to get there:
Fly to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV). We’ll arrange transfers to Miracle by the Bay
(approx. 60 mins).
Meet your Hosts
Max
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes Max so remarkable as a conduit of yoga. She’s an outlier, a rare one, somebody who doesn’t fit into any clearly defined box or label. Instead, she delights in the spaces between, guiding you back to your own heart and body wisdom, opening the doors to greater self-exploration through a blend of curiosity, play and intuitive movement.
While her knowledge and experience of yoga is undeniable, it is her devotion to living yoga that gets your attention. Without a shred of pretence, Max will conjure a space where you get to embody the journey of yoga – for you.
.png)
Charla
Founder of a heart-led business rooted in gratitude, connection and the belief that these are essential pathways to wellbeing. As your retreat host, Charla is here to support you throughout the journey, from answering your questions about the experience, to offering a calm, grounding presence.
Though not a yogi in the traditional sense, she lives by the yoga sutras, aligning her life with their wisdom. Charla finds joy in life’s quiet moments and delights in making others feel seen, supported and at ease. Her greatest joy is hosting and connecting people, with themselves, each other and something deeper.
Begin Your
Find Your Bliss Journey
SOLD OUT
To secure your spot, a £500 non-refundable deposit is required.
A second payment is due by 1st September, and the final balance will be due by 1st December.
Find your Bliss Deposit
500£This is not the full retreat price
Payment in full or alternative monthly instalment plans may be available. Please contact Maxine to discuss availability: maxine@themaxeffect.com
"The biggest adventure you can take
is to live the life of your dreams."
Oprah Winfrey
Contact Us
Have a question or just want to connect before booking?
We’re here to help make your journey smooth and easy.