--- title: "Meet Manikarnika: Your Yoga & Mountain Retreat Host in Shimla" description: "Meet Manikarnika, a yoga teacher and mountain host in Kotkhai, Shimla. Discover her approach to holistic wellness, authentic Pahadi farm stays, and retreats." canonical: https://mytribe.in/yogawithmanikarnika/mountain-farm-stay-experience/meet-your-host-manikarnika last_updated: 2025-09-21 --- # Meet Manikarnika: Your Yoga and Mountain Retreat Guide Tribe Verified · Based in Upper Shimla's apple orchards By [Manikarnika](https://mytribe.in/yogawithmanikarnika) · Farm stay experience at Justa Farms near Shimla · ₹2,200 Per Person Per Night (estimate) Part of [Mountain Farm Stay Experience](https://mytribe.in/yogawithmanikarnika/mountain-farm-stay-experience). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/yogawithmanikarnika/mountain-farm-stay-experience/gallery) When you come to the mountains, you are not just booking a stay. You are coming to my home. Let me introduce you to the person who will be your host and guide during your time in Kotkhai. ## Photos and videos - [Video: A short video of my personal yoga practice inside the wooden room. The solitude and peace of this house are deeply nourishing for the soul.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7cdc1ec1-b15d-4d25-ab68-ded1740666e8) - ![Having some fun while working on the farm. Getting your hands dirty and connecting with the earth is part of the experience here.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/245f3885-7e90-497e-abf8-4e03cae312cf) - ![Sitting on an old stone wall in the orchard. This is my happy place, where I feel most connected to my roots.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ecdbfeda-2154-46e2-947d-b50e8b96c475) - ![Tending to the plants in my camouflage boots. Life on a farm means being ready for anything, and I love every bit of it.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/932d7cc6-4173-47ec-a552-32fbe82a4098) - ![A smile from the heart. I truly believe in the healing power of nature and simple living, and I am so grateful to share it.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f12bf20b-f01b-41dd-ae3c-6a573083043d) - ![Relaxing on a rock overlooking the valley. Finding moments of contentment and gratitude is what this place is all about.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1cf049b0-2088-46f3-acd3-5f79f7e8cea9) - ![A calm and content moment in nature. The wind in my hair and the green hills all around, this is my definition of freedom.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ff84c9b4-a9e4-4b54-8d52-8114a108a64b) - ![A happy selfie with the beautiful green landscape behind me. I hope my guests leave feeling this refreshed and joyful.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e3cd8e1e-ee6d-41ee-b6f3-2a87ec757dce) - ![Sitting on a tree stump in the middle of the forest, looking up at the sky. It's important to take time to appreciate the world around us.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/259c75a5-653d-4fef-8aba-63b6d4d04bc1) - ![A casual photo of me in the garden. My style is relaxed and comfortable, just like the vibe of my farm stay.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3e9e839a-1e1e-4d17-9666-2175c5652b40) - ![Sitting on my yoga mat on the balcony after a session. Starting the day with yoga and this view is the best way to reset and heal.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/36eae9e1-d6e8-4aa6-9949-2d8efc6c5568) - ![Taking a walk on a paved path near my home. Even a simple walk feels special with such beautiful old trees and fresh air.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6cc59a35-aeb8-402f-b9f2-01df46e384db) - ![Looking up at the trees, feeling a sense of peace. The name of my farm stay, JustaFarms, reflects this simple, back to basics philosophy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ae9d3df5-ca17-4d3a-8bc2-ce631a746cd4) ## About Meet Your Host, Manikarnika People often expect a yoga teacher to be serious 24/7. While I am the one who will guide you through your asana practice or help you find stillness, I am also the same person who will suggest a game of dumb charades or laugh over fresh apricot picking in the orchard. My retreats are about balance. We get serious on the mat, and we get silly in the orchard. This is my home, and I want you to feel comfortable enough to truly be yourself here. I grew up as a farm girl, and Kotkhai in the hills is where my roots are. My philosophy is simple: yoga is not about looking perfect or achieving the most difficult pose. It is about healing and finding your balance. That is exactly what I aim to bring to my retreats at Justa Farms. ### Why I Host in the Mountains Life in the city can be chaotic, and sometimes, you just need a place to hit reset. I designed this space specifically for that. We do not have TVs or ACs here because this is meant to be a true digital detox. Instead, you get balcony views of the valley, the sound of the wind through the pine trees, and the smell of fresh mint tea we pluck right from the garden. ### What You Can Expect - **Authentic Living:** We live like locals. You will eat Pahadi food, sometimes cooked outdoors on a chulha, and spend your days hiking forest trails or learning about our apple orchards. - **Holistic Wellness:** My approach to teaching is bilingual, incorporating pranayama and meditation. I encourage you to go slow and focus on the basics like your breath and posture. - **A Personal Connection:** Because I limit my retreats to small groups, I am personally involved in every aspect of your stay. Whether we are sharing a meal, walking through the woods, or practicing yoga, I am here to help you slow down and reconnect with yourself. If you are looking for a place to get your hands dirty, breathe clean air, and rediscover your calm, I would love to have you here. ## About Manikarnika I am a farm girl at heart, rooted in the hills of Kotkhai. My work blends the discipline of yoga with the simple, slow rhythm of life in our family orchard. Whether we are practicing on the balcony or sharing a home-cooked Pahadi meal, my goal is to help you find your own balance. [See all of Manikarnika's services](https://mytribe.in/yogawithmanikarnika) ## More from Mountain Farm Stay Experience by Manikarnika - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/yogawithmanikarnika/mountain-farm-stay-experience/featured) - [Our Cozy Mountain Home](https://mytribe.in/yogawithmanikarnika/mountain-farm-stay-experience/our-cozy-mountain-home) - [Farm-to-Table Living](https://mytribe.in/yogawithmanikarnika/mountain-farm-stay-experience/farm-to-table-living) - [Forest Trails & Adventures](https://mytribe.in/yogawithmanikarnika/mountain-farm-stay-experience/forest-trails-adventures) - [The Himalayan Landscape](https://mytribe.in/yogawithmanikarnika/mountain-farm-stay-experience/the-himalayan-landscape) - [Wellness & Yoga](https://mytribe.in/yogawithmanikarnika/mountain-farm-stay-experience/wellness-yoga) ## More services by Manikarnika - [Yoga Instruction & Corporate Wellness](https://mytribe.in/yogawithmanikarnika/yoga-instruction-corporate-wellness) - [Wellness & Yoga Retreats](https://mytribe.in/yogawithmanikarnika/wellness-yoga-retreats) - [Holistic Life & Wellness Coaching](https://mytribe.in/yogawithmanikarnika/holistic-life-wellness-coaching) ## Similar work from other experts - [Immersive Yoga Retreats: Heal & Realign in Nature](https://mytribe.in/aishwaryasahu/holistic-yoga-classes/immersive-retreats-heal-realign-in-nature) by Aishwarya Sahu · Holistic Yoga Classes · Online and in-person classes at DLF Club 5 and across Delhi NCR - [The Mountain Girl's Diary: Finding Stillness in Nature](https://mytribe.in/pocketfulofyoga/yoga-mindfulness-instruction/the-mountain-girl-s-diary) by Gurpreet Kaur · Yoga & Mindfulness Instruction · Online classes & Outdoor sessions in Bengaluru - [Wellness Retreats for Healing and Reconnection](https://mytribe.in/yogaconnectbymeher/sound-healing-sound-baths/wellness-retreats) by Meher Munjal · Sound Healing & Sound Baths · Online, at studio in Panchsheel Park, or at your location in Delhi NCR & Geraldton - [Immersive Nature Retreats for Deep Rejuvenation](https://mytribe.in/padmayogaacademy/holistic-healing-workshops-retreats/immersive-nature-retreats) by Aarthi Padmanabhan · Holistic Healing Workshops & Retreats · Online, Workshops in Challaghatta & Retreats - [Yoga Community and Conscious Connection](https://mytribe.in/sejalyoga/holistic-wellness-and-lifestyle-guidance/community-connection) by Sejal Gupta · Holistic Wellness and Lifestyle Guidance · Online sessions available across India - [Yoga Retreats in Nature](https://mytribe.in/hityoga_indianyogi/yoga-fitness-classes/yoga-retreats-in-nature) by Hitesh Aras · Yoga & Fitness Classes · Classes available Online & at Basaveshwar Nagar studio ## Book To book Manikarnika, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Manikarnika%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20profile%20and%20would%20love%20to%20know%20more%20about%20your%20yoga%20retreats%20at%20Justa%20Farms.)