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Reviews ( 95 )
Mahalia
2024.07.17
EDIT: I did read the terms and conditions, and even with multiple attempts made to fairly resolve this prior to me writing this review; however as this is a retreat for spiritual practice I do believe my personal experiences with this business and the fact they have made a profit of $300 (after re-selling my spot on the retreat) needs to be made public. I made attempts to negotiate with them prior to reviewing. I have spent time in other Ashrams and for me to give a 1 star review to ANY business is something I don’t take lightly, please know this. I don’t enjoy writing poorly of any business, however it is terrible unkind and unjust that within 2 hours of registration they were happy to take money and re-sell the spot. Nothing personal, just feel this is something to be made aware to the public. Also please know that their “Pay it Forward” requires a minimum spend. It’s not as it seems (carefully read the fine print).
I had a very disappointing experience with this business. Initially, David, the owner, contacted me while I was on the waitlist. His communication was quick and responsive, showing he was online and engaged. I paid the $300 registration fee promptly as he mentioned there was only one spot left. However, less than 2 hours later, I realised I couldn't attend the dates and requested a refund.
Despite multiple texts and calls, I didn't hear back. The following day, David finally responded, stating no refunds were possible. I asked if my spot could be filled by someone else and if I could then receive a refund. He didn't reply, so I had to follow up. I received a strange text not meant for me and had to follow up again. David eventually replied, again refusing a refund but offering a voucher instead. I even offered a $50 donation to their retreat as a goodwill to help.
I later saw that my spot in the retreat was filled online - the retreat is sold out, meaning they make zero loss. I explained to him how unkind it felt that they wouldn't refund me when the spot was filled so quickly after I booked. Despite my attempts to communicate, I received no further replies.
It's poor business practice to be highly communicative when taking money, yet hard to reach when addressing valid concerns. I'm extremely disappointed and wouldn't recommend attending. This experience was neither kind nor reflective of their paying it forward moto 💔
Reply from Kailash Ashram
2024.07.15
Hi Mahalia,
Our booking terms were available at the time of your booking and you ticked a box saying that you agreed to having read them in full. Judging by your review, it is fair to say you still haven't read them.
Some hours after booking your retreat, you notified us that you made a personal administrative error (you were double booked that weekend.)
Outside of our terms, as a gesture of good will, we offered to give you a 2 year 100% voucher, which you poo-pooed in favour of leaving us a one star review.
As described in detail on our website, the registration fee you paid covers the cost of advertising and administering the retreat, and given these costs are incurred whether you attend the retreat or not, the fee is non-refundable.
It is disappointing that you attempted to extort us by threatening to leave a bad review if we didn't refund you (and once posted, offering to remove the review if we refunded you.)
Please be aware that extortion is a crime under the 1958 Crimes Act and you are opening yourself to legal action by making threats like these.
You also inferred that as a 'local guide' your review carries weight; though a cursory glance at your profile shows that you leave many gripey one star reviews.
Perhaps consider slowing down a little before making decisions and the prosperity you are seeking will come to you.
We wish you the best on your path through life.
- - -
To those who may be considering coming to Kailash Ashram .
Our terms are here to guide us so that we aren't perpetually accommodating individuals changing circumstance (and boy do they change!) For the sake of procedural fairness and equity amongst participants, we adhere to our terms and make students agree to them prior to booking.
As a Not-for-Profit, none of our staff are paid and all funds go to supporting our cause. The funds that Mahalia spent on registration will not profit any individual.
To recap, the reviewer above is;
- Extorting an Ashram
- Has never attended a retreat
- Has not taken the time to read the booking terms (yet agreed to them)
It may benefit you to read through our genuine reviews on google and kailash.co they indicate the high standards to which our Ashram is run, and the sort of experience people have on retreat (Mahalia is simply using this platform to air an administrative gripe.)
Pay it Forward
Pay-it-Forward is our process where a student books a retreat via a non-refundable registration fee ($300 for a 5 night all inclusive retreat,) and is then able to make a contribution at the end of the retreat to the cost of another student attending. This enables students of all means and capacity to attend.
The $300 registration fee is charged as it pertains to the direct costs associated with advertising and administering the event. It is irrelevant as to whether the spot was subsequently filled, as there was direct cost absorbed by our Ashram involved in finding both Mahalia and a subsequent replacement.
Over the years, we have had to uphold our policy with students going through much worse challenges than Mahalia's poor calendar management (eg parents who had to change dates when a child passed before a retreat, people unable to attend due to terminal illness etc.)
In those circumstances, we offered a voucher and a transfer to another retreat (not a refund.)
Our duty is to serve those who engage our services in the manner we have agreed to. We have nothing personally against Mahalia.
We made the call that should we refund Mahalia (for mis-managing her personal administration,) that it would be downright disrespectful and inequitable to the other students who were offered a voucher.
Yoga requires honesty, commitment and accountability, our Ashram upholds these virtues.
We trust that prospective students can see that for those who actually attend a retreat, that it is a rewarding, life-changing experience worth more than 1/5.
We will kindly leave it to God to determine where the Karma lays.
Warren Melville
2024.06.27
Excellent lodge style accommodation with shared bathrooms/toilets. Ashram is lovingly run by David and Rajni and we had 2 volunteers assisting with meal preparations and serving. Very wholesome and tasty vegetarian food. The setting is magnificent with Grampians Mt Difficult range vista and plenty of local wildlife around the ashram. Incredible soul retreat offered and lots of like-minded people in the group. An extremely illuminating time spent there on 5 day retreat. Would highly recommend to others
Khanh Nguyen
2024.06.27
Kailash Ashram soul retreat was a fantastic experience! The meditation and yoga was taught in a straight forward and practical way. The mountain yoga was the highlight of the trip, to sit in nature and hear the stream as I meditated was divine. The vegan food lovingly provided was wholesome and delicious. I would highly recommend this retreat for anyone searching for inner calm.
Trip type
Vacation
Solo
Sue Tyrrell
2024.05.31
Just beautiful souls that are there to serve you, amazing place & couldn't recommend it enough. They gave me the tools for me to come home & to continue my own journey in such a beautiful way. Thankyou.
Trip type
Vacation
Solo
Vikki Brooke
2024.05.28
I’m AWAKE and looking forward to the future
Firstly a huge thank you to David and Rajni, who must be exhausted after our retreat, they give so freely of themselves, I am forever grateful.
On deciding to attend I was apprehensive and more than a little nervous, but there was definitely something that resonated in me when reading through all the information on Kailash Ashram, and speaking with David.
Attending and committing was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.
I learnt so much, and feel the monkey is finally off my back, and I’m ready live my best life.
I am capable and ready to tackle the ‘baggage’ and move forward, I feel AWAKE.!!!
The accommodation and food was fabulous. I’ve already recreated some of the beautifully prepared dishes that nourished our bodies, whilst on retreat. I left feeling full…of hope and joy, and tools to help me to live my best life. Highly recommend you attending!
Trip type
Vacation
Solo
2024.05.28
2024.05.28
| Australia
I’m AWAKE and looking forward to the future
Firstly a huge thank you to David and Rajni, who must be exhausted after our retreat, they give so freely of themselves, I am forever grateful.
On deciding to attend I was apprehensive and more than a little nervous, but there was definitely something that resonated in me when reading through all the information on Kailash Ashram, and speaking with David.
Attending and committing was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.
I learnt so much, and feel the monkey is finally off my back, and I’m ready live my best life.
I am capable and ready to tackle the ‘baggage’ and move forward, I feel AWAKE.!!!
The accommodation and food was fabulous. I’ve already recreated some of the beautifully prepared dishes that nourished our bodies, whilst on retreat. I left feeling full…of hope and joy, and tools to help me to live my best life. Highly recommend you attending!
Amy Espeseth
2024.05.25
I went on the Soul Retreat via a random decision: my relationship had ended, my health was struggling, and even my beloved dog had died the day before. But I needed to fill my vacation time, so I did, arriving at the Kailash Ashram exhausted and sad, needing so much, but still not quite knowing what. The daily routine steered me away from ruminating on all that was wrong in my life, instead orienting my thoughts to all that was right, right here in the now. There was hard work to do—following orders, living among strangers, staring at my own reflection—but I was well supported by the Kailash family as I worked toward leaving my past behind to enjoy my present life. I left the Soul Retreat with tools to continue my own inner work as well as with lifelong friends and mentors. If you are questioning whether or not this opportunity is for you, it is.
Trip type
Vacation
Solo
Sabine Boes
2024.05.25
David and Rajni give their heart and soul to help you and guide on the path to your soul - it was amazing for my husband and myself
T D
2024.05.23
Had a fantastic time at Kailash Ashram.
David, Rajni and the family were wonderful hosts and were very knowledgeable with everything they offer.
We felt very relaxed and the property is beautiful.
Trip type
Vacation
Liz Hines
2024.04.03
Absolutely loved this soul retreat - fabulous, sincere, passionate, patient,
knowledgeable hosts who tirelessly offered everyone their full attention!
Excellent pace, beautiful & carefully designed program of activities offering real life analogies & applications.
Sensational food!!
Highly recommended 💯
anali dsouza
2024.04.03
Kailash Ashram - what do I say about them?
It is one of the best weekends I have had ♥️
A thank you for Rajni & David is not enough. This retreat is not a retreat but place where you literally turn a page to the best chapter of your life.
The lessons I have learnt, the meditation, the food, the ashram aka lodge is a nourishment to your soul! :)
I would recommend it to everyone even if you are not seeking spiritual awakenings.
Thank you Rajni & David 🙏
Carol Boots
2024.04.03
From the moment I arrived at Kailash Ashram I was greeted with exceptional warmth and positive energy that dismissed my feeling of wondering what if I don’t like being there. David, Rajni and their team of support staff were the kindest, most caring understanding informative humans I’ve ever meet. I am forever touched by the professionalism both David and Rajni teach and share.
Forever grateful, thank you 🧘✨
Trip type
Vacation
Solo
Maria Burgess
2024.04.03
This soul retreat was the most profound experience I’ve ever had. David and Rajni are so very kind and generous with their time, love and support. I have no hesitation in recommending this wonderful soul retreat. I was lost and stuck in my grief. Nurturing myself was the single most kindest thing I have done for me and my family. I now have the tools to attain freedom from my own self doubt and self worth. Such an incredible experience. I am deeply grateful.
Donna McGinness
2024.04.03
I'm not one who does many reviews.
Kialash Ashram deserves a review.
If there is one thing I am grateful for it is giving myself the gift of doing the 5 day soul retreat.
I have learnt so much of myself and loved every minute of doing so with David and Rajni and the team I was with.
🙏.
Thank you all.
Trip type
Solo
Reply from Kailash Ashram
2024.04.03
Hey Donna, thanks for your kind words :) It was amazing to see you flourish on the retreat and we welcome you wholeheartedly to our little community. Blessings for your practice and life on the road! 💝
Phil Pollard
2024.04.02
Trip type
Solo
Jacqui Brown
2024.03.21
I was new to Meditation and Hatha Yoga and chose Kailash Ashram as the best fit for me and it certainly was what I wanted and needed and much more – they say this program allows you to begin your journey to peace, prosperity and inner power and yes it did
David and Rajni and their stories and experiences and how they came to build Kailash Ashram are profound and very enlightening, and their Kailash 5 day / 4 nights Soul Meditation and Yoga Retreat program, the setup in the gorgeous Grampians including the beautiful Yurt, the amazing food thanks to the fabulous Shelley and Volunteer Phil, and the lodgings were all above my expectations – I also met 9 other amazing people on their spiritual journeys whom you get to share a deep bond with
Thank you David and Rajni for showing me the way forward with your teachings, knowledge and energy and I look forward to continuing to learn more with you both in the future
I would certainly recommend Kailash Ashram if you are interested in commencing and / or advancing your spiritual journey as they have a variety of programs
inez m
2024.02.25
Kailash Ashram is run by a very passionate couple who practise what they teach. The daily practices we did, and took home, are easy to do and very accessible, I have continued every day since my retreat. I feel a level of peace and self-acceptance now that I have never felt before. Thank you David & Rajni.
Trip type
Vacation
Rohan Parker
2024.02.23
Kalish soul retreat was and still is the answer that I wished for.
The changes in my life due to the guidance and care of David and Ranji was immeasurably valuable and definitely worth both my time and money ( despite myself not having a lot of money to spare they have accomadated my financial position really well)
I would recommend the retreat to anyone who is truly serious about making a personal journey
Trip type
Vacation
Solo
Janet Marion
2024.02.20
Uplifting , moving beautifull souls to share with.
David and Ranji, are very devoted to their calling. Great people, a wealth of knowledge.
I will be back to refresh my inner glow.
Trip type
Vacation
Solo
Lilly Gagic
2024.02.18
Thank you Rajni and David for facilitating my profound spiritual activation.
David, thank you for bridging between higher and common level of consciousness and bringing it closer to us to understand. I thank your inner soldier for teaching me how to speak and how to speak up from a place of love. I thank your inner uni professor for delivering structure in your teachings.
Dear Rajni, thank you for displaying and embodying the power of feminine. Thank you for you were and who you have become. Thank you for teaching me to trust and surrender. Thank you for the most powerful meditation of my life.
I love what you have created, your place is a place of pure, abundant love.
