Morocco april 20-26 2015
A residential retreat on the south coast of Morocco, in the area of Essaouira.
On the table, amazing ingredients: Anusara yoga, Surf & Acroyoga. Why combining these practices? Flexibility, strength and awareness, getting your body ready and opened to connect with the surrounding nature.
All level welcome, friends shall be provided, fill up your luggage with joy and come & ride!
Info & registration
Anusara Yoga
Movements and actions within every pose are coordinated with the breath. Postural alignment and heart opening, infused with myth and philosophical inspiration
Surf
Get your waves and connect with the power of the ocean… do you need to know more? Two hours of class daily and more time to practice on your own.
Acroyoga
Blends the wisdom of yoga, the dynamic power of acrobatics and thai massage. These three lineages form the foundation of a practice that cultivates trust, playfulness, and community.
The setting
A secret spot still preserved from massive tourism. The surrounding area of is filled with Argan trees as far as the eye can see. The coast is winding with impressive cliffs that drop off into the blue Atlantic ocean. In front a 4km stretch of almost deserted beach with sand dunes, wandering camels, private beach cloves and even gentle cliffs that can be climbed. The most amazing sunsets over the atlantic, changing daily, fill up the sky each evening.
The lodge
The Ecolodge is nestled right in the middle of a beautiful bay, where you can enjoy the great view from one of our typical Moroccan rooms or experience the Berber lifestyle in one of our nomad tents.
The building is designed to make use of as much natural energy as possible while incorporating eco-friendly solutions such as a reedbed watercleaning system, dry toilets, the use of organic soaps and recycled-oil lamps.
The tents
Accommodation is mainly in beautiful traditional berber tents. There two double rooms with one big bed, three double/ triple tents with their own bathroom and two tents with 7 bunk beds and shared bathrooms. Everything has been built with so much love!
Prices are very similar for both types of accommodation and the double rooms and double/triple tents will be given by requests in a first pay first serve basis. So make your reservation as soon as possible!!!
The food
A fusion restaurant and tapas bar with an incredible ocean view terrace. All the products for the restaurant are sourced locally and used to create our fusion of Moroccan, French and South-East Asian Cuisine. We work directly with the fishermen, farmers and Berber families to establish a restaurant that provides a gastronomical experience while supporting the local community. A vertical garden on the terrace that provides the kitchen with fresh herbs and edible flowers is coming soon.
Three meals per day are included (lunch usually at the beach). You always have the bar for juices, teas and drinks (not included)
The surf
Whether you’re an experienced surfer, a white water rider or have always wanted to take your first steps into the water this is the trip for you.
Each day starts with yoga followed by breakfast. Then we head out to the beach. The instructors will make sure to bring you to a place that suits your level and, most importantly, that you are getting the guidance you need to feel confident and have fun. All material (surfboards and wetsuits) are included.
We are located in a bay with loads of great waves to ride. A couple of right handed points, some long and mellow, some powerful and hollow. Loads of punchy beach breaks along the bay make it a perfect beginners spot. The best part is though…no crowds. You can surf the best swells for days and it´s just you and your best buddies. Depending on conditions we might travel some of the days to some amazing spots around.
The teachers
Mireia Castellsague
Acroyoga teacher
Yoga is like the air, it makes the rest of the body useful and meaningful. AcroYoga is the heart that needs to play with others and share the light we all have inside. Omshanti is a project that brought two brothers and one sister together in a spiritual and life learning path. Our yoga practice brougth our minds, hearts and hands together to open a yoga studio up in a hill outside Barcelona.
Mireia has studied as a Yoga Teacher in Witryh Yoga. Special Education Teacher, Universitat Autonoma Barcelona. Thai Yoga Massage Therapist in Sunshine Network. Yoga teacher for children EURYE, France. Perinatal Yoga Teacher by Birthlight. Practitioner of Sivananda yoga in Kerala, India. Vipassana practicitioner in Spain & India.
Susana Garcia Blanco
Anusara yoga & Acroyoga teacher
Yogini, surfer, traveler, student of life. Always amazed by the creative power of the human heart (hrdaya shakti), her mission is guiding students to that inner place of wisdom and power. Her classes are a place for transformation where she helps students to find their limits, with love and awareness, structured sequences and precise instruction. Everything infused with her passion for Philosophy, Myth and the therapeutic possibilities of yoga.
Based in Morocco, she teaches workshops, Immersions and Teacher Trainings in Spain and internationally. In love with the Ocean, she finds great connection and freedom through surfing. She founded Yoga Surf Morocco to offer retreats combining these practices of the heart. Susana feels grounded in the simplicity of her life in Africa, and for her, yoga is the adventure of life when you live to the highest. www.rasalilayoga.com
David Graham Vossen
Acroyoga, physical theater & circus teacher
Youssef Drouich
Surf instructor
Youssef is our main surf instructor and guide. A very experimented surf coach, with over 10 years of experience teaching beginners and intermediate surfers. Very outgoing and full of energy, for him is truly important to help the clients and make sure they are fully satisfied. He has worked for UCPA (Union Nationale des Centres Sportifs de Plein Air) for about a decade. Youssef has a very wide knowledge of the surf spots in Morocco, and his students are always delighted discovering amazing places for surfing.
Schedule
April 20th is arrival day. Everybody will meet at Marrakech airport for the minibus that will take you to the retreat location. That evening will have our retreat initiation circle, create our intention for the week and enjoy our first dinner together. Retreat will end on April 26th after breakfast.
Plans could change depending flight schedules of the majority of the participantsThis is how a retreat day could look like…
8 – 9.30 h Yoga/Acroyoga/Dance to be scheduled
9.30 h Breakfast
10.30 h To the beach… surfing lessons (lunch is at the beach)
5.30 – 7.00h Yoga/Acroyoga/Dance to be scheduled
8h Dinner
There might be some surfing trips depending on conditions and there is an optional trip to Essaouira.
Schedule might change depending on tides, conditions and trips. To get the maximum from the week we like to work in flow with nature.
Registration & payment
Prices are very similar for both types of accommodation and the double rooms and double/triple tents will be given by request in a first pay first serve basis. So make your reservation as soon as possible!!!
There are two options: with and without surf. First number is price for double/triple rooms or tents and second number is the price for the bunk beds tents. We highly recommend the surfing experience!!!
Info and registration questions: manalicake@yahoo.com
Deposits are not refundable.
Price includes:
- Transport from/to Marrrakech airport with the group.
- Chosen accommodation in the beautiful berber tents
- 3 delicious meals per day (lunch is always at the beach, except for the ones with “no surf” option)
- 2 classes per day: Acroyoga, Anusara yoga or dance (schedule might change with trips or ocean conditions)
- 2 hours of Surf class per day and all the surf material
- 2 trips to Imessouane one of the best surfing spots in the Moroccan coast (depending on weather and Ocean conditions)
- Use of the yoga shala
What is not included:
- Flight to Morocco
- Optional trip to Essaouira
- Juices, teas and drinks from the bar
Option WITH SURF
630 € / 610 €
before march 15th
705 € / 685 €
after march 15th
Option NO SURF
480 € /460 €
before march 15th
555 € / 535 €
after march 15th
Info & registration
Logistics
What do we need to know from you?
Please send an email confirming that you made payment or deposit to manalicake@yahoo.com and with your options of surf or no surf and accommodation type
Once you have made your travel arrangements, send another email with al the following information:
- All your travel information: air company, flight number, arrival and departure time, how many people is in your party. Please make your that you book a flight that allows you to travel from Marrakech to the retreat center with the group. See Travel Arrangements below
- Your telephone number
- Yoga experience and if you have any injury or limitation
- Surf experience (you don´t need any but we want to know if we have with us some “pros”)
- Any dietary restriction
What do you need to bring in this time of the year?
- Climate in this area is usually nice: warm/hot during the day and cool during the night with the Atlantic breeze. In Morocco temperature can change a lot during the day (and even in the same hour because of the wind). So don´t forget a thick hoody or sweater for jacket or the nights or the cloudy days at the beach.
- Wetsuits are included in the surfing material but feel free to bring your own wetsuit. A 3/2 mm is usually OK, but if you get easily cold you can use a 4/3.
- Sun is always strong here. A hat, sun glasses and a high factor sunscreen are essential here. Really, sun here is stronger than in Europe.
And don´t forget an open heart and something totally necessary to fully enjoy Morocco: no hurry and a big smile.
Flights & travel arrangements
You will be flying to Marrakech airport. Most cheap airlines fly to Marrakech from many European cities. Some are: Ryanair, Easyjet, Vueling. Air Maroc is normally a little bit more expensive option.
Marrakech is about 3 hours away by road. Transport from Marrakech airport to the retreat location is included in the price if you come with all the group. A minibus will depart from Marrakech airport on the early afternoon on April 20th.
If flights from your city arrive in the late afternoon or early evening, please book your ticket for the day before. You will have to spend a night in Marrakech to be able to make it with all the group. Marrakech is one of Morocco´s most popular destinations and there is a big offer of accommodation and things to do.
We are looking forward to see you in Morocco!
