FEEL ALIVE

YOGA RETREAT

8ᵗʰ-13ᵗʰ MAY, 2024, EL CHORRO, SPAIN

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There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.

This retreat is about remembering how to see those miracles all around you and within you. We will bookend our days with beautiful morning and evening yoga practices, embark on adventure activities including rock-climbing, a thrilling via ferrata trail and a kayaking session, relax and sunbathe by the pool and enjoy the most delicious vegetarian meals. This week will reconnect you to a sense of wonder, inspiration and joy for life all while making new friendships and memories of a lifetime. Our mission is to recharge and inspire you, so that you return home with the biggest smile and a full heart! We cannot wait to share this adventure with you!

LOCATION

Just an hour's drive away from Malaga airport, nestled in the quiet and beautiful El Chorro mountains, our home for the week will be a lovely family-run bed and breakfast.

A traditionally rustic property with a beautiful garden, outdoor pool, sun terrace, yoga shala and even a climbing gym - all opening up to stunning views over the valley.

ACCOMODATION

The best things in life are shared and all of the rooms in the property will be sharing rooms*. It will be a wonderful way to get to know your fellow retreaters and make beautiful friendships during our stay. We will match you with another participant of the same sex and if you are coming with a friend or a partner we can of course pair you together.

There are four twin bedrooms with an en suite bathroom. The rooms have private access and are situated at the back of the main property for privacy, peace and quiet. There is also a private apartment with two triple bedrooms, a recently renovated shared bathroom and open plan kitchen, and a living room. All rooms are different and quirky in their own way, decorated in a simple, but lovely and comfortable style.

* If you have a strong preference to book a single room, this might be available when we'll have the final number of participants - don't hesitate to enquire when reaching out.

CUISINE

We are going to be spoiled with delicious food during this week!! Filling ourselves with a buffet style breakfast, lunch and dinner made by our very own retreat chef. Freshly prepared, abundant vegetarian and plant-based meals will indulge your taste buds and nourish your body and soul. Tea, coffee and water will be available during the day. Supplementary snacks and treats can also be purchased on the property.

YOGA

Our yoga classes and workshops will take place in the beautiful and airy shala with views to the mountains. Every session will be carefully planned to deepen your connection to your body, mind and heart. Inspiring story-telling, beautiful music and intelligent sequences will take you on a journey of coming back to yourself and the present moment. In the mornings we will explore stronger, invigorating vinyasa flows, and in the evenings we will guide you through more gentle and restorative practices. Whichever the type of the class, you will be encouraged to listen to your body and move at the pace and intensity that feels good to you. Our teaching is down-to-earth and we aspire to create a safe space where we all come as we are, - not perfect, not knowing it all - just a group of yogis coming to be real and human together.

ACTIVITIES

Alongside our daily yoga practices, we will stay active and make this week unforgettable enjoying some of the most incredible experiences El Chorro has to offer.

ROCK CLIMBING

Being in a world class rock climbing destination we will not miss the chance to get up on the wall ourselves!
Don't worry if you've never done this before, the session will be led by a professional climbing instructor that will support you every step of the way. You will be surprised by how much of what we practise on the mat will help you on the rock too - staying present, focusing on the breath and working with the body and mind in unison.

VIA FERRATA ADVENTURE

Having warmed up our tolerance for heights with the climbing session, on a different day we will embark on a via ferrata - an exciting mountain trail equipped with steel cables, ladders and other fixed anchors on the rock that allow a safe, but challenging route across tricky and steep terrain. Attached to the metal fixtures at all time and under the supervision of a certified guide, the El Chorro via ferrata will take us through a Tibetan bridge, a zipline of over 30 meters of fun, a nerve-wrecking wire walkway on a single steel cable and an optional rappel down.

KAYAKING AND SWIMMING

Sometimes referred to as Malaga's Lake District, the El Chorro lakes offer an unusual scenery to the region and are known for their beautiful turquoise waters and the surrounding pine and oak forests. The lakes are a beautiful man-made wonder formed from a dam built across the Guadalhorce river gorge. We will come to relax, swim and sunbathe and explore this stunning nature reservoir and its shorelines by kayak.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

ARRIVAL

Wednesday, 8th of May, 2024

Opening circle/introductions and a welcome dinner.

DEPARTURE

Monday, 13th of May, 2024

Final morning practice and a goodbye breakfast.

DAILY SCHEDULE*

07:30 Morning practice

09:30 Breakfast

13:00 Lunch and free time

17:00 Evening practice

19:30 Dinner

DAILY SCHEDULE WITH ACTIVITY*

07:30 Morning practice

09:30 Breakfast

10:30 Rock-climbing, via ferrata or kayaking

14:00 Lunch and free time

17:00 Evening practice

19:30 Dinner

* Times might slightly change to accommodate day's activities

INVESTMENT

Twin room with private bathroom

€1145 (~£980) per person

Triple room with shared bathroom

€995 (~£850) per person

The price includes accommodation, 3 daily meals (except for arrival and departure days that include a welcome dinner and a goodbye breakfast respectively), the stated activities, yoga classes and group transport from and to the airport.

PAYMENTS

A non-refundable deposit of €300 (~£255) will be payable upon booking to secure your place. The full balance is due one month before the start of the retreat, by the 8th of April 2024. If booking after this date, the full payment will be required to reserve your place.

TRANSPORT FOR ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

There will be one group transfer organised to pick you up from and return you to Malaga airport on arrival and departure days. The times will be confirmed once everyone's flight details will be known to arrange the best slot. If the time for the group transfer won't work with your particular travel plans, there will also be an option to arrange a private transfer for a fee between €60-75 depending on the time of your travel. Further advice for flight times and transfers can be discussed upon booking.

YOUR TEACHERS

Kriste Sedleviciute

Born into a lineage of athletes, Kriste grew up being physically active. Unlike her family, she struggled to commit to one form of exercise until she discovered yoga. She soon realised it’s the kind, positive and mindful approach to movement that keeps her returning to her yoga mat.

Kriste left her professional career and went on to train in traditional Hatha yoga in Rishikesh, India.

Throughout the years she deepened her knowledge in various yoga trainings across the world. Now, she teaches Hatha, dynamic Vinyasa, relaxing Yin yoga, and meditation classes in London.

Fascinated by the human body and biomechanics Kriste loves to combine yoga tradition with the movement science of the West. She is a strong believer that yoga is for everyone and is dedicated to helping people discover their body and mind potential through a compassionate and mindful practice.

Inga Venclaviciute

No stranger to mental health challenges - from insomnia to anxiety and panic attacks - Inga has been inspired to explore how yoga and mindfulness can help us all become kinder to ourselves and become better friends with our body, mind and heart.

Trained in Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow, her passion truly lies with the creative aspects of Vinyasa Flow; playful sequences, diverse movement and the power of syncing it with the breath.

Carefully designed to balance strength and flexibility, her classes are challenging and sweaty, but with an emphasis on the harder challenge - can we stay kind and mindful while doing it?

Following her 200 hours training in Sampoorna Yoga, India, she went onto train with Jason Crandell programs, qualified in Mindfulness Meditation, became a certified CBT practitioner and has recently trained as a Mental Health First Aider. She lives and teaches in London, but has also started teaching in Yoga Teacher Trainings in Sampoorna Yoga School.

Contact to book

FAQ

Can I come on my own?

Of course! One of the best things about yoga retreats is the people you get to meet and the beautiful connections you make. Come as strangers, leave as friends!

What is the closest airport?

Malaga Airport - the venue is just an hour's (60km) drive away from the airport.

How will I get to the venue from the airport?

There will be one group transfer organised on the day of arrival and departure. We will try to work out the best time given people's flight times, however if the group transfer won't work for you, we can organise a private transfer for you for an additional fee (~60-80euros one way)

What level of yoga experience should I have?

All levels are welcome and we aspire to teach in an inclusive and encouraging way giving you lots of options and modifications. That said, the morning practices will be more strong and challenging and might not be suitable for complete beginners. There's still plenty of time to start your practice and you're very welcome to come to our in-person classes if you have a chance before the retreat. You can also start your practice with online videos - both Inga and I can be found on YouTube too!

Do I need to bring a yoga mat?

There will be mats available at the venue, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer having the thickness/grip that you're used to.

What is included in the price?

Your booking includes accommodation, 3 daily meals (except for arrival and departure days that include a welcome dinner and a goodbye breakfast respectively), tea, coffee and water available throughout the day, the stated activities, yoga classes and group transport from and to the airport.

What is not included in the price?

Extra snacks and drinks that will be available to purchase at the venue. A private transfer if the group transfer won't work with your travel plans/times will be arranged for an additional fee. Flights are also not included!

How many people will be in the group?

No more than 16.

Can I arrive at the venue a day early?

Unfortunately not as we will be getting ready and setting up for the retreat. If you'll have a few extra days it's a great chance to enjoy and explore Malaga before arriving to El Chorro.

What language will the classes be taught in?

What language will the classes be taught in? The sessions will be taught in English.

Didn't find your answer? Drop us an email - we're here to help!
Kriste - hello@yogithecat.com

Inga - hello@yogasetgo.co.uk