8 Limbs of Hatha Yoga
with Michael Barnes
RetreatsHatha Yoga with Mick Barnes
Mick Barnes brings decades of steady, no-nonsense practice to his teaching, offering a style that is grounded, inclusive and refreshingly honest. At Ulpotha he leads two daily classes that weave together asana, pranayama and meditation, always meeting students where they are. His approach is traditional yet accessible, shared with clarity, humour and care.
You can expect to be gently challenged, to learn a great deal and to laugh along the way. Mick does not promise quick fixes, but if you are willing to commit to the practice, he will guide you towards something both transformative and sustainable. All of this unfolds within the natural rhythm and beauty of Ulpotha.
Mick Barnes at Ulpotha
What's included:
Accommodation on a twin-sharing basis in comfortable beautifully designed adobe huts open to the surrounding nature
Yoga classes twice daily (No yoga on Thursday afternoons and Sunday mornings)
A yoga-friendly breakfast and two sumptuous vegetarian meals, plus snacks, juices, and teas
Indulge in a free massage/week from one of our visiting therapists
Transport for 1 excursion (half or full day) per week to nearby cultural heritage sites (entrance fees not included)
A Typical day at Ulpotha:
07:00 - 07:30: Tea and fruit
07:30 - 09:00: Yoga
09:00-09:30: Breakfast
09:45-12:30: Massages/Ayurveda/ swimming/relaxing
12:30-13:30: Lunch
14:00-16:00: Massages/Ayurveda/swimming/relaxing
16:00 - 17:00: Tea and snacks
17:00 - 18:30 Yoga/Meditation/Sunset walks
19:00 - 20:00: Dinner
Transport to and from Ulpotha and travel insurance is not included.
Ayurveda treatments are not included in the price, please see prices on our booking page.
Your Teachers & Therapists
Michael Barnes
Yoga TeacherMick is a 1,000 hour teacher based in Sydney. He holds a 200 hour Samadhi, 300 hour Jivamukti, is a 500 hour Jivamukti mentor and an Advanced Certified Jivamukti teacher. He is registered with Yoga Australia and Yoga Alliance.
Twenty years ago, yoga found Mick when he least expected it. After years of pushing his limits, chronic pain had set in and his body had seized. A chance agreement with a remedial therapist took him to three classes a week. At first he disliked it. It hurt, he felt inflexible and out of place. He kept showing up. Around a year in, something shifted. The practice not only began to free his body, it offered a clear way to live with more ease and to step out of the grip of thoughts and emotions. Gratitude took root and commitment followed.
Mick went on to study the eight-limb path with teachers including Sharon Gannon, David Life, Greger Maehle, David Garrigues and Anja Kuehnel. With more than a thousand hours of training, he has learned how to bring traditional methods into modern life in a way that feels inclusive and safe for every body.
For the past 18 years, he has owned and run The Yoga Factory in Sydney, teaching daily classes and training new teachers. His style is clear, grounded and down to earth. He meets you where you are, and helps you build strength, focus and trust in your own practice.
At Ulpotha, Mick shares deep knowledge of the body along with practical yogic wisdom. Morning classes build solid foundations with bandha, drishti and breath. Over the weeks you will progress at your pace, with variations for all levels. Afternoon sessions include steady asana, kriyas, pranayama and simple meditation. Expect to finish each day calm, clear and quietly stronger.
You will leave Ulpotha rested, relaxed, resilient and with a much deeper understanding of yoga.
What you will experience with Mick:
- Clear instruction that makes practice feel accessible
- Strong foundations in bandha, drishti and breath
- Inclusive options for every level and body
- Kriyas, pranayama and meditation to steady the mind.
Florentina Lam Clark
Visiting TherapistFlo has over 30 years of experience in holistic health and healing. Her journey began with Reiki and Aromatherapy, and she is passionate about using essential and Ayurvedic oils in her treatments. She is also a yoga and Reiki teacher and sound healer and offers consultations in Clinical Ayurveda.
Flo draws on extensive knowledge of the mind-body connection to combine functional expertise with energy healing, providing a personalised, intuitive approach for every individual.
With three decades of experience, Flo supports clients in both injury recovery and deep relaxation with a healing touch, holding space where clients feel nourished, nurtured and restored.
Boris Gonzalez
Visiting TherapistBoris is from Santiago, Chile, and first started practising Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga in 2000. In 2002 he began training in different massage therapies, studying Ayurvedic massage in Mysore (India). He returned to India many more times to continue specialising in Ayurvedic massage and for additional yoga training.
