Sētu Vermont Ayurveda, Yoga & Meditation Retreat — Local services in Brattleboro

I probably can't write anything close to as amazing as my long weekend at Emily and Harmeet's place. Not only was this place spectacular with great hosts, which everyone looks for. The place even attracted the most spectacular people to spend it with. The other guests were outstanding and so friendly and I have never felt more at home during a trip and a sense of belonging and just all around open arms. Emily was so helpful with finding local things to do. There was a farmers market going on still only on the one day and she made sure that everyone had the info in case they didn't want to miss it. The hot tub is a big plus, especially after an intense class or just to hangout with others.

I stayed in the tiny house and it had some of the cutest touches, lighting, pillows etc. A space heater for the cold nights and a fan for the mid day heat. It had a lot of space, definitely enough room comfortably for two people and the bed was so soft. The stars from the climb up balcony is breathtaking. Going in and out of the house was of no inconvenience at all. You are close enough to the main house where it isn't an issue walking, but far enough you felt you had your own space.

I really looked forward to the household breakfast after the first one. Not only was everyone just great and friendly as I mentioned. The food, outstanding. Now I'm typically not one for spicy food. But their Indian breakfasts on the weekend was literally amazing. I tend to eat like a bird around people, but I ate Harmeets "Specialty Eggs" down in literally seconds.

What was comforting was the level of yoga experiences there among the guests and the hosts. As a newbie yogi, I didn't feel like I was being judged at all or I was to new for this kind of trip and experience. I learned SO much and in class they really came around and helped us fix our poses, breathing, posture you name it during practice. We learned a lot about the history of yoga and I feel so much more enlightened after gaining their guidance and listening to their passions.

The sound healing was an experience I don't think I could ever recreate if I tried. It amazes me how one man (Harmeet) could make such an experience with gong, chimes and singing bowls. Just him! It really blew my mind and moved the entire room.

I was there for their one year celebration and we got Shiatsu massages as well as learning what those exactly are. An all vegetarian BBQ, fire pit, music, a family movie on the big screen in the yard. It really made you feel like you could have been friends with these people all your life.

So Emily and Harmeet. Thank you so much. And I will definitely be seeing you soon for...

I'm writing this review almost a week after retreat so I've been able to reflect a bit. I had a really great experience, though it was not what I expected. The retreat I attended is great for those who are at the start of their meditation journey or are hitting a roadblock with meditating. I was the latter. I entered thinking that I was going to be forced into silence from the moment that I arrived, but instead Harmeet and Emily curated a program that successfully helped you incrementally build up your meditation from 5 mins to a full hour over the entire weekend. There was a lot more instruction than I expected, which helped us reconnect with our goals for meditation and helped us connect with our fellow retreaters. For me, those tools that I learned have been key in helping me move through hurdles with my meditation practice. As someone who is more introverted with some experience in Buddhist insight meditation, I would have preferred a little less discussion and instruction and more quiet contemplation, but it was also good to know that we weren't going to be thrown into complete silence without a life raft.

The food was vegetarian and absolutely deliciously home made. I am personally not vegetarian or vegan, but Emily's talks on Ayurveda have made me more considerate of how my body interacts with food and the natural world, particularly how my body's needs change during each season.

Additionally, the location and the vibe is quintessential Vermont. As a Vermonter, it's the reason I choose to live here and when I arrived, I immediately felt like I was stepping into home or a winter chalet (I attended a winter retreat). One thing to be aware of is that dinner on Saturday night was not included. I don't think that was clear ahead of time, but it gave me an opportunity to enjoy the local Brattleboro restaurants which were fantastic and deepen my organic relationships with the other retreaters. If you're a snacker like me, or don't want to leave the house that evening, you may want to consider bringing some food.

All in all, it was an impactful experience for me and helped me with a turning point in my meditation journey, and for that I will be forever...

The rooms were fine. The location is great. The woman serving breakfast was great. This wasn’t a bad experience, and I did enjoy spending time with friends. I did not care for the type of “yoga” they do here, which to me is more like breath work and didn’t involve moving much. Also it involved a lot of talking/ lecturing and I really just wanted to move my body. So if like the kind of yoga where you are basically stretching and moving, this isn’t that. I found it rigid and inflexible, although the room is nice and it wasn’t terrible. The sound bath experience was way worse. The teacher REALLY likes to talk and started off with a 40 minute lecture, which I found very abrasive. He asked questions buy was clearly looking for the “right” answers. When I didn’t want to do all the things he told us to do (rub our hands against our legs) he asked the woman I came with “What is wrong with your friend?” (!!) I was literally just sitting there in the back not bothering anyone!! He was “proving” his point with all there exercises and I was there for what I thought would be a relaxing sound bath, not 40 minute workshop on how to breath. Even if I did want that lecture, he would be the last person I would want it from. SO, this place works for some people, but not for others. The “Indian breakfast” was really bland and consisted of a lot of rice with onions and about 7 peanuts. The hot tub was luke warm and the second day, actually had cold spots— was actually temped and barely warm. But still, it is in a pretty location and to be fair, the weather was about 30 degrees. I signed up for the Airstream RV to sleep in, but it was closed for the season I guess. I just wish they had mentioned that before I arrived. All in all, this was a very disappointing weekend. And also, the walls are thin!! I could hear the person in the next room snoring all night long, even with ear plugs in. Oh well!! That could happen anywhere, I guess. I will end by saying the living room is very nice and the wood stove was on, making in cozy. Again, this place will work for some people, but...