'Opening to Warmhearted Awareness' - Yoga Retreat Morocco
"Warmheartedness is the key to Inner Peace. It allows us to bridge the gap of separation between ourselves and others. As we become more connected, anxiety is reduced, fear and insecurity are reduced, and compassion increases. Trust will then develop, which leads to self-confidence and the ability to be more authentic. This will not only serve us while traveling through a foreign country but also in our daily life.”
- Dalai Lama
Morocco has the power to mesmerize you and crack your heart wide open to the loving kindness and beauty it has to offer through the cultural mix of traditional and modern life, diverse nature ranging from long, sandy beaches and the Atlas mountains, to the stunning desert.
This journey is designed to offer you a complete experience of what Morocco has to offer in combination with an in-depth yoga and meditation program.
You will spend 4 nights at a beautiful beach resort in Tafedna, an hour South from Essaouira. In this tranquil area, famous for its argan trees, we dive deep into a daily yoga and meditation practice while enjoying the sun, beach, and beauty that surrounds you.
From Tafedna we travel to Aït Benhaddou, a beautiful Berber village in the Atlas Mountains. We will spend the night at this stunning Unesco site and learn more about the Berber culture, known for its carpets and hospitality.
The next day our journey will continue through the Atlas mountains into the desert where we will spend two nights in a beautiful camp with white nomadic tents. Practicing yoga in a nomadic tent, enjoying camel ride and listening to Tuareg and Berber songs around the campfire at night.
Each day Marije Paternotte will guide you through yoga practices, meditation, and self-inquiry on and off the mat, which will foster a deeply meaningful connection with your self and a mindful experience of the beautiful landscapes of Morocco. The nature of awareness and loving-kindness cultivated during this retreat will continue to serve you in everyday life.
Marije will offer her signature blend of understated mindful flow yoga, Yin Yoga, Pranayama and Mindfulness Meditation during this retreat. This retreat is open to all levels, yet some experience with yoga and meditation is recommended.
RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS
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Stay 4 nights right at the beach in a beautiful resort
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Stay 1 night in Ait Ben Haddou
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Stay 2 nights in the desert in comfortable nomadic tents sleeping under the stars
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Travel through the Atlas Mountains
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Drop off in Marrakech on departure day at 16:00 hrs (early drop off is not possible)
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Experience Morocco and the hospitality of the Moroccan people while learning about their beautiful culture
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Practice with a senior teacher
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Deepen your practice on all levels
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Relax deeply enjoying the sun, beach, and desert
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Delicious vegetarian meals
REGISTRATION DETAILS
Morning and afternoon snacks
DATES: 28 April - 5 May 2018
TEACHERS: Marije Paternotte
LOCATION: Essaouira, Ait Ben Haddou & Ouarzarzate, Morocco
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
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4 Nights’ accommodation at La Tasgua Yan Beach Resort (Essaouira)
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1 Night in Ait Ben Haddou
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2 Nights at Camp Adounia (Ouarzazate Desert)
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Tasty and nourishing brunch and dinner (vegetarian)
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Transport from Essaouira to Ait Ben Haddou
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Transport from Ait Ben Haddou to Ouarzazate
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Transport from Ouarzazate to Marrakech
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Unlimited water and tea
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18 hours of Yoga
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6 hours of Meditation
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Drop off at Marrakech at 17:00 hrs (early departure not possible)
NB: early drop off in Marrakech is not possible. Please keep this in mind when booking your flight. We strongly recommend flying on 6 May from Marrakech.
INVESTMENT:
Double Room: €1497 (early bird €1247)
Single Room: €1897 (early bird €1647)
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT:
Early bird discount of €250,- is available for the first 10 registrations with a full payment before 15 February 2018 only. To make use of the early bird discount please enter EARLYBIRD as the discount code.
THE TEACHER
MARIJE PATERNOTTE
Marije E. Paternotte (E-RYT 500) was born and raised in Amsterdam where she studied law and worked as a corporate lawyer. After joining a yoga retreat in Bali life led her to the United States where she took her first yoga teacher training. She currently lives in a small beach town in New Jersey with her husband and teaches yoga locally as well as workshops, retreats, and teacher trainings around the world. Marije is also a faculty assistant and guest teacher at the renowned Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Massachusetts.
Through her training to be a professional ballet dancer, her innate body awareness, self-study and several sustained injuries, Marije has developed a keen eye for precise and safe alignment of yoga postures. Her teaching style is understated and compassionate, with a focus on mindfulness. She has the ability to present complex concepts, and an in-depth knowledge of yogic anatomy and philosophy, in a simple and approachable way.
Marije received both her foundational and professional level yoga teacher certification at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Massachusetts, and is certified to teach Yin Yoga by Sarah Powers, and Bernie Clark.
ACCOMMODATION
The first 4 nights of the retreat you will stay in Tafedna, a small fishing and farming village, south of Essaouira and north of Agadir. Stretching over two miles, the Bay of Tafedna offers a soft, sandy and quiet beach tucked among the Argan cliffs. The retreat centre is overlooking the sea, its architecture crafted from local stone and timber. It is a place renowned for its restful tranquility, its organic produce and its traditional Moroccan cuisine. All rooms are equipped with their own ensuite bathrooms.
Next, we will spend one night in Aït Benhaddou overlooking the beautiful kasbah town. Enjoying the comfortable rooms with Moroccan decoration, yoga on the terrace enjoying the spectacular view and exploring the historic site before we continue our journey.
From Ait Ben Haddou we travel to Ouarzazate where we enter the Sahara desert and will stay at a beautiful and comfortable camp of white tents. Each tent is decorated with beautiful Moroccan carpets, lights and comfortable beds. Even though we are in the desert, there are warm and cold water bucket showers in special tents, offering you all the comfort you need.
The spectacular sunrises and sunsets, starlit skies and stunning views over the sand dunes, make this retreat location unique and unforgettable!