Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Holiday near Marrakesh

with Laura Gilmore and Katerina Dvorkova September 22nd-29th 2012 from £525-625/ week

• Morning Ashtanga Yoga (x6 mornings)
• Afternoon Hatha Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation (x3 afternoons)
• Accommodation in a Morroccan Villa, built in the traditional style
• Delicious buffet brunch including home-grown foods
• Evening meals at the villa (x4) plus an exploration of Marrakesh's finest cuisine
• Direct access to beautiful hills surrounding the villa
• Organised trips to Marrakesh to visit the souks (market) and bustling areas of the city
• Hammam experience (Moroccan sauna) and Massage

The week

A week in the beautiful peaceful Moroccan hills near to Marrakesh. This week will give you time to dive deeply into a yoga practice covering asana (postures), pranayama (breathwork) and dhyana (meditation). But we are also leaving plenty of time to travel into Marrakesh (40 minutes away) to explore the wonderful souks (markets), food and culture- and to bag some bargains and perhaps christmas gifts! This promises to be a week of contrasts- to calm the sense in the serenity of a beautiful villa and surrounding countryside and to excite the senses with the colour and vivacity of the city!

A typical day:

Ashtanga Yoga 8.45-10.30

Brunch 10.30- 11.30

Rest & Relax/ walk/ treatments or Hammam on 3 days 11.30-4.00pm

4.00pm tea

5.30-7.30pm Yoga

7.30pm supper

10.00pm sleep!

OR on the other 3 days

Marakesh visits: Shop/ visit beautiful architecture and sites on 3 days leaving the house at 1.30pm

Dinner in Marrakesh at 7.00pm

Head home at 8.30pm

All times are changeable, according to the needs of the group/ circumstance at the venue.

The Venue

A beautiful private house, built in the traditional style with its own garden and veg patch and a pool (for the brave hearted in November!). There are walks from here in the hills and to a nearby lake and guided walks are available. Some time may be spent enjoying the tranquilty of the space in silence and meditation.

The Food

Home made food chosen for its nutritional value as well as its flavour! We offer cleansing and nutritious foods using the organic produce of the garden and exploring the flavours of Morroco. The morning practice will be followed by a brunch with fruits, salads, breads, Moroccon dips and eggs. There will be snacks available at tea time to keep you going. The evening meal will be served after the hatha session and will include warming nourishing Moroccan foods. Three evenings we will eat in the city to enjoy the true flavours of Marrakesh!

The Yoga

Ashtanga practice suitable for all levels- you will have the benefit of one teacher to 6 students to guarantee you all the attention you need to radically improve your practice. The afternoons include a more mellow hatha class on those days we haven't gone to town, including some breathing work and meditation to allow us to calm and nurture ourselves and slow down in order to enjoy life to the full.

The treatments

Holistic massage is available from Katerina Dvorakova. We will also have our own hammam in the house with a woman available to do the "gommage" or scrubbing (for women)- this is a Moroccan style sauna where you get seriously scrubbed up and leave feeling completely cleansed. 

Other

We will venture into Marrakesh by taxi on 3 afternoons (more if you prefer) to ensure we have plenty of time to find treasures and lovely pressies to bring home to our loved ones in time for Christmas. There will be time to walk and rest or read or extra time to shop for the souk-addicts! 

Included

All yoga, accommodation and meals at the villa (breakfast and x3 dinners); transfers from the airport and transport into Marrakesh (x3) 

Not Included

Airfare & insurance, hammam & massage- these are payable locally.

Cost: £525-625pp

£525 for 3 people sharing, £575 for 2 sharing, £625 for 2 sharing with en suite

£225 single room supplement

For more info: contact Katerina Dvorakova on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

To book:  Either send a cheque made out to BCY retreats or contact us to transfer fund from your bank to ours