UMA
Jivamukti Yoga
& Ancestral wisdom
March 15th - March 20th, 2027
with Conor Byrnes
SUMBA, INDONESIA
Nestled within a lush reserve where the ancestral lands of the Marapu people hold an ancient and mystical history, we will gather in a 100-hectare sanctuary opening onto a secluded beach and the unparalleled remote beauty of Sumba’s shores.
Within Marapu life, the house can be understood as home, ancestry, kinship, memory, and continuity gathered into one place. The word uma carries a sense closer to 'the place where we belong.'
The house holds family history, inherited objects, rituals, ceremonies, and relationships with ancestors.
The architecture itself carries the teaching, with its very tall, peaked roofs. It is the physical place where ancestry and present life meet. Here, the house is understood cosmically: the upper part is associated with the celestial, ancestors, and sacred heirlooms; the human world occupies the central living space; and the lower area is associated with earth, animals and material life.
Uma connects a person not only to where they live and where they are, but also to where they come from and where they are going.
We invite you to journey with Conor Byrnes into the heart of Sumba and its megalithic culture seemingly frozen in time, where we will be applying the ancient and alive practices of breath, bandha, kriya, and asana in dialogue with the land and the living cultural heritage of the Sumbanese people.
THE SANUBARI
Born from the Indonesian language, the word ‘Sanubari’ translates to ‘heart and soul’. The resort’s design represents an understated luxury found in seclusion, a serene and private haven enveloped by kilometers of pristine white sand beaches, rolling hills and rice paddies. In each of the Beachfront villas or Garden studios, the spirit of Sumba, a
long-lost island, lives on in the natural Sumbanese limestone rocks, exquisite handcrafted carvings, and Ikat weaving, while buffalos and Sandalwood horses wander freely through the surrounding landscape. This is an invitation for us to truly appreciate the gift of being in such remote, untouched nature.
CONOR BYRNES
Conor, a Jivamukti Advanced Certified teacher based in Paris, was raised in the United States and served two years in Senegal as a member of the United States Peace Corps. Conor’s love for yoga began at the age of 18 and it has been the great joy and guide. His teachers have instilled in him a deep belief in the transformative power of asana, meditation, pranayama and deep wisdom, as well as the expansion of compassion and insight through embodied experience.
Conor recently completed his Master’s studies in neuroscience at Humboldt Universität, Berlin. He aims to synthesize contemporary science and ancient spirituality by integrating them into the light of mindful practice. Conor continues his humanitarian work in Senegal and other developing countries with his non-profit organization Jango Project.
He has had the good fortune to study with many Jivamukti teachers namely Sharon Gannon, David Life, Yogeswari, Lady Ruth and his mentor Anja Kühnel. He has mentored the Jivamukti 300-hour teacher training in India and taught the 75-hour Jivamukti Spiritual Warrior teacher training in Paris, Hamburg and Bali.
THE ITINERARY
So we return,
to the knowing that we are not alone.
We encounter a personal moment for each one of us and a precious life circle shared between all of us —balancing between togetherness and solitude, liveliness and stillness, vulnerability
and joy.​
THE ADDITIONS
We believe we all deserve a life of joy, healing and connection, akin to the moments we share on our retreats.
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We offer additional traditional healing modalities. From waterfall excursions, and surfing lessons to ancestral craft workshops, we invite you to discover this collection of experiences and customize your retreat.
THE FOOD PHILOSOPHY
Each serving is the result of considering the whole journey, from the roots to the end of the fork. Mindful attention is placed on the unsurpassed quality of ingredients, sourcing homegrown, fresh and sustainably harvested produce from the organic farm and fruit orchards within the reserve, served as simple, elegant vegan dishes with a distinctive touch of the chefs.
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You can expect a healthy, plant-based interpretation of the traditional diet, one that nurtures while supporting local farmers.
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An à la carte brunch will be served every morning, and a set three-course dinner every evening.
We cater to your dietary requirements, please mention any allergies or sensitivities upon booking.
BOOKINGS
questions & reservations | contact@retreatscollective.com
A 700 EUR non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your spot.
Remaining amount is due by January 1st, 2027.
The Early Bird offer is only valid until September 30th, 2026.​
Before applying, please read our terms and conditions here.
In partnership with Vawanda, a certified & officially registered
French travel operator.
The Terra Water Initiative
By purchasing this retreat, you are contributing to the Terra Water Initiative through the donation of a water filter, bringing clean drinking water to the schools closest to the resort. Access to running water in Sumba is still very limited. Children often miss school to help with this daily chore, walking long distances twice a day to collect water, which must then be boiled for drinking and cooking.