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Retreat Overview

The Alchemical Retreat

  • 1.12. - 9. 12. 2026

  • Balanced
  • Czech
Aerial view of a terraced organic garden with multiple cultivated beds growing diverse plants, surrounded by dense green fore
Sunrise over lush Sri Lankan cloud forest mountains with valleys veiled in mist, seen from a resort balcony.
Serene wellness studio with polished wood floor, vaulted ceiling, Buddha art, and panoramic windows overlooking Sri Lankan cl
Aerial view of Yasmin Hill luxury wellness resort, featuring multiple buildings and a swimming pool, surrounded by lush Sri L
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Aerial view of a luxury resort complex with a large multi-story building, terraced gardens, and a blue swimming pool, nestled
Two silhouetted figures sit in a serene room, gazing out large windows at a sunrise over a cloud-covered Sri Lankan mountain

Nine days of alchemy — the transformation of matter, memory and consciousness in the jungle hills of Sri Lanka.

What must change within a person for a new way of living to emerge? For nine days, the jungle sanctuary of Yasmin Hill near Kandy becomes a living laboratory of transformation. Alchemist Michal Stránský and Egyptologist and archaeologist Miroslav Bárta — joined by a third guide to be announced — each open, from their own path, a deeper view of alchemy: the transformation of the human being, of civilisations and of consciousness.

We do not treat alchemy here as a historical discipline alone, but as a deeper principle of transformation — a process in which something dissolves, is purified, transforms and is composed anew in a higher quality. This retreat creates a space where history, lived experience, nature, science, ancient traditions of knowledge and personal insight can meet: nine days of deep immersion, conversations, rituals and experiential practice, woven together with Ayurveda, healing plants and the quiet strength of a community walking the same path.

Meet the instructor

Michal StránskýView profile
Miroslav BártaView profile

Highlights

  • Living Alchemy: Hands-on work with herbs, minerals and the elements under alchemist Michal Stránský — outer alchemy as a mirror of the inner transformation of the human being.
  • The Rise and Fall of Civilisations: Egyptologist and archaeologist Miroslav Bárta unfolds the laws of growth, crisis and transformation of civilisations — and how they are reflected in the life of every individual.
  • The Great Question: Nine days devoted to a single inquiry — what must change within us for a new way of life to be born?
  • Rituals & Experiential Practice: Daily conversations, rituals and embodied practices that turn knowledge into lived experience.
  • Healing Plants & Ayurveda: The medicinal gardens of Yasmin Hill and an optional eight-day Ayurvedic treatment package to purify the body as the mind transforms.
  • Nature as Teacher: Jungle hills, mist and silence above Kandy — the elements of alchemy in their living form.
  • A Community of Seekers: A small circle of like-minded people, shared meals and evening councils in a four-star jungle sanctuary.

Dive deep into the experience. We have crafted a schedule that maximizes your time with the instructor while respecting your body’s need for rest. Browse the daily agenda to see how we will combine workshops, movement, and leisure into a seamless experience.

Morning — Awakening the Elements:Gentle practice at sunrise in the hills above Kandy, followed by an organic breakfast from the resort gardens.
Late Morning — The Great Perspective:Talks and conversations with Miroslav Bárta on the transformations of civilisations and their reflection in our own lives.
Afternoon — The Laboratory:Practical alchemy with Michal Stránský: herbs, minerals and the elements — and optional Ayurvedic treatments at the longevity centre.
Evening — Ritual & Council:Rituals, experiential practice and shared reflection as the day dissolves into the sounds of the jungle.
Throughout — A Living Process:The programme unfolds organically with the group; the exact sequence of the nine days is shaped by the guides on site.

Note: This schedule is subject to flow and may adjust slightly to match the group’s energy and weather conditions.

  • 8 nights of accommodation at Yasmin Hill Longevity Oasis (four-star jungle sanctuary near Kandy).
  • Full board — organic cuisine from the resort’s own gardens.
  • The complete nine-day programme with all guides: talks, conversations, rituals and experiential practice.
  • Access to the resort gardens, pool and Sati Hall.
  • International flights.
  • Travel insurance.
  • The optional eight-day Ayurvedic treatment package (can be added when booking).
  • Airport transfers and optional excursions.

Your retreat heals the mind; let Ayurveda repair the body. While the group program focuses on mental and spiritual alignment, we highly recommend supporting your physical vessel with targeted therapies. Whether you need deep muscle recovery after practice or a lymphatic flush to accelerate detox, our full menu is available to enhance your retreat experience.

  • Traditional Ayurvedic Shastika Shali Pinda Sweda: a cloth pouch drips warm Navara rice and milk mixture into a brass bowl.
    60 Minutes
    Heat & Steam (Swedana)

    Shastika Shali Pinda Sweda (Navara Rice & Milk Therapy)

    The Milk-Rice Muscle & Skin Feed

  • Therapist applies a warm Shiro Pichu cranial oil patch to a person's head, with steam rising and warm Ayurvedic oil dripping.
    45 Minutes
    Oil Pools & Packs (Basti/Pichu)

    Shiro Pichu (Cranial Oil Patch)

    Follicular Saturation & Stress Patch

  • Therapist pours warm Ayurvedic oil from a copper pot into a leather cap on a woman's head during a Shirovasti cranial oil poo
    45 Minutes
    Oil Pools & Packs (Basti/Pichu)

    Shirovasti (Cranial Oil Pool)

    The Crown Soak & Deep CNS Sedation

  • Person undergoing Akshitarpana eye rejuvenation treatment; dough rings filled with medicated ghee cover closed eyes.
    45 Minutes
    Oil Pools & Packs (Basti/Pichu)

    Akshitarpana (Eye Rejuvenation)

    Ocular Lipid Immersion & Vision Restore

  • Therapist applies warm Ayurvedic oil onto a person's back during Sarvangadhara treatment at Yasmin Hill wellness resort.
    75 minutes
    Oil Therapies (Snehana)

    Sarvangadhara (Full Body Oil Flow)

    Liquid Nerve Insulation & Lipid Restore

  • Woman receiving a traditional Ayurvedic synchronized four-hand Abhyanga massage with warm oil, administered by two therapists
    60 Minutes
    Oil Therapies (Snehana)

    Synchronized Abhyanga (Four-Hand Massage)

    Bilateral Neural Synchronization

  • Discover our complete list of treatments here »

    Nestled in the tropical highlands of the ancient Kandyan Kingdom, Yasmin Hill is more than a resort—it is a hidden enclave of silence. Perched on a lush hillside in Moragolla, our sanctuary overlooks a valley of untouched emerald green.

    Here, the air is oxygen-rich, the sounds are purely natural, and the horizon is endless. We are far enough from the city to ensure absolute tranquility, yet rooted deeply in the spiritual heart of Sri Lanka. This is a landscape that invites your nervous system to finally exhale.

    Choose from our Superior, Deluxe, or spacious Suite accommodations, each designed to blur the line between indoor comfort and outdoor serenity. Ground-floor rooms open onto private terraces, while first-floor sanctuaries feature breezy balconies—both furnished with designer seating for your relaxation.

    To support your natural circadian rhythm, our rooms utilize bio-climatic natural ventilation instead of artificial air-conditioning, ensuring fresh, oxygen-rich air and pleasant temperatures for restorative sleep.

    Amenities: High-speed WiFi, personal safe, minibar, and organic Ayurvedic toiletries. Enjoy complimentary herbal tea and coffee stations in every room.

    Note: For a complete digital detox, our Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas rooms are intentionally TV-free.

    Check-in Time14:00
    Check-out Time11:00

    By Air & Private Transfer: The most convenient option. Yasmin Hill is a 3–3.5 hour drive from Colombo International Airport.

    • Concierge Tip: Send us your flight number, and our driver will await your arrival for a seamless door-to-door transfer.

    By Train: An adventurous alternative. Take the scenic train from Colombo to the historic city of Kandy (2.5–3 hours). From there, it is a short 30-minute ride by taxi or tuk-tuk to the resort.

    Location & Arrival: We are hidden in the hills of Thalathuoya (search “Yasmin Hill Longevity Oasis” in your GPS). As you ascend the winding mountain roads, prepare for stunning vistas. A warm welcome and full luggage assistance await you at the top.

    Language: Czech
    Max. spots available: Duration: 8 days / 8 nights
    from1,162 USD
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    Michal Stránský

    Alchemist

    Michal approaches alchemy as a living process of transformation rather than a relic of the past. His practical work with herbs, minerals and the elements — the laboratory of outer alchemy — is always joined to the inner transformation of the human being: what is dissolved, purified and recomposed in matter is mirrored in the one who works with it.

    Miroslav Bárta

    Egyptologist & Archaeologist

    Miroslav brings the great historical perspective. Drawing on decades of research into ancient Egypt, he explores the laws behind the rise, the crises and the transformations of civilisations — and how these same patterns are mirrored in the life of the individual. His view connects the deep past with the questions of our own time.