The Happy Buddha Retreats Story

A quest for a life less ordinary

Happy Buddha Retreats as we know it, in Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains has its beginnings back some twenty years ago.

Back then, founder Athil Singh ran his first yoga retreat at a farm-stay near Sydney! At the age of 21, diagnosed with stress and anxiety, Athil decided to try his first yoga class. For him, yoga was a mysterious thing, which promised the excitement of a different kind of life – a life lived with intention. From that first class, he was hooked.

Athil’s first teacher was the well-known Cronulla surfie and yoga teacher Mark Breadner. At the time, Mark was working for international charitable organisations as well as teaching yoga. Athil saw that Mark understood the mind and body in a deeper way than most people, plus he also meditated and ran yoga retreats. This inspired Athil in his quest for ‘a life less ordinary’ and the entrepreneurial seed was planted. Once he had trained as a teacher, Athil saw a way forward for him to host his own retreats.

Athil remembers with a smile some of his first events, hosting retreats at rented beach-side properties. He felt like the main character in the movie, ‘The Marigold Hotel’. Think young guy, running a business on a shoestring but with a great sense of humour, an upbeat attitude and charismatic personality.

Establishing roots in the community

From these humble beginnings, the crew run a thriving yoga retreat business. The retreat centre echos his boho and rustic roots in its interiors and furnishings. Formerly a conference centre, the building that is now Happy Buddha Retreats has many unique features. There are inspirational quotes on the floor and walls, a cosy fireplace perfect for a mug of camomile tea, and an amazing lap-sized pool.

Situated in the most beautiful and private Australian bushland setting, Happy Buddha Retreats runs twice weekly retreats, in addition to special events and casual yoga classes for the Blue Mountains community.