Autumn Equinox Yoga Retreat
Andalusia
Saturday 21st to Friday 27th September, 2024
SOLD OUT
A thoughtfully crafted wellbeing retreat in the blissful setting of the Andalusian hills in rural Spain. Experience a balance between yoga practice, peaceful relaxation, tantilising nourishment and reconnection to fellow minded travellers as Summer flows softly into Autumn.
I believe that a yoga retreat is a gift you give to yourself; a present of presence which sprinkles reflections onto your own true capacity and strength to nurture yourself. Life is precious and deserves to be lived fully. The Autumn Equinox calls us into balance. As the earth turns away from the sun there is a shift; equal night, the literal translation of equinox calls us into the softening shadows and offers us respite from the stresses of modern life.
The graceful venue invites you to slide into the oncoming season with more ease and a steady nurturing of body, mind and soul. Steeped in the peaceful splendour of rural Andalusian you will find yourself transported to a land that beckons you to drink in its sunrises and sunsets with a sense of awe. Surrounded by olive groves, flanked by majestic mountains the landscape inspires freedom and spaciousness.
The Cortijo offers a charming welcome, blending rural charm with comfortable yet unpretentious accommodation. All rooms have private en-suite facilities and there are 2 yoga practice spaces: an outdoor platform with epic views of the landscape and a well equipped indoor studio from which you can watch the mythical sunrises.
The yoga practices are complemented by the culinary artistry and expertise of our resident Spanish chef, a yogi herself she has an avid passion for creating deliciously tantilising and nourishing vegetarian and vegan food . Enjoy brunch, high tea and supper created with love and taken on the outdoor terrace.
A majestic pool perfect for serious swim enthusiasts and those who prefer to relax and float timelessley on an inflatable. Shaded areas with sun loungers flank the pool and provide the perfect spot to fully surrender into relaxation. There is also a tranquil meditation garden; its measured borders and aromatic flowers are the perfect setting for a solitary meander. There are communal indoor and outdoor spaces to connect with other guests but also space to relax, read a book, listen to music or just take in the revitalising clarity and peace of your surroundings.
Embracing the theme of the Autumn Equinox we seek a balance between light and shade and this is reflected in the yoga offerings: more dynamic flowing classes in the morning and quieter hatha/yin style introspective practices in the evening. All classes are carefully curated to inspire, elucidate and delicately scatter seeds of philosophical, mythological and physiological ideas into the mix, conjuring up a blend of stimulating and settling energetics suitable for all. So regardless of whether you are a complete beginner or have years of practice, the classes will offer enticement to enquire into what balance means to you and how it can be realised through yoga. Each 90 minute class will weave together philosophy, mythical story, asana, pranayama, meditation and kriya and end with a blissful restorative relaxation.
Mid week an excursion is planned, either to Granada (where you might choose to visit the Al Hambra Palace) or to nearby and very beautiful Iznajar. On this day there will be a morning yoga class only and you will have the opportunity to eat out at a local restaurant. A yoga workshop with a specifc theme to suit the group will be offered during the week and a pool side kriya/meditation.
Importantly though this retreat invites you to do as much or as little as you want. The offerings are there for you, but you are under no pressure whatsoever to attend everything.
Your Investment:
Courtyard Room - single occupancy £995 per person (SOLD OUT)
Farmhouse Room - Single occupancy £1095 or twin occupancy £850 per person (SOLD OUT)
What's Included:
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Selected accommodation, courtyard or farmhouse room (all rooms have private ensuite facilities)
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Brunch, high tea and evening meal - vegetarian/vegan*
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Transfer from Malaga airport by private coach for flights arriving by 4pm
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Group excursion to Granada or Iznajar by private taxi/coach, including return
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All yoga classes, workshops and meditations
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Tea, coffee, cold beverages and optional wine/beer with evening meals
What's Excluded:
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Flights to Malaga
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Return transfers to airport (approx 30 euros to Malaga airport)
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Any additional excursions or treatments (massages and Ayruvedic facials are available to book at the retreat)
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Evening meal on excursion day
To secure your room a £200 non refundable deposit is required. Payment plans can be arranged.
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Full terms and conditions are available on the website, please do read these prior to booking.
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All equipment, mats and prop are available at the venue, no need to bring your own.
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Free Transfer requires you to arrange your flight arrival into Malaga by 4pm. Guidance on which flights to book will be offered once your deposit has been received
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Please ensure you take out suitable travel insurance to cover you for all eventualities.
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Non yoga partners are welcome.
*catering for arrivals day will consist of cake in the afternoon and evening meal and on departure day breakfast will be provided. Excursion day offers brunch only as evening meal will be enjoyed at a local restaurant.
If you have any questions OR to book your place please contact Emma directly by emailing emma@yogaavenue.me.uk
Shimmering Memories from June 2023's retreat - celebrating the Summer Solstice
Here's a selection of comments from last year's wonderful retreat guests ...
"A yoga experience with Emma is the ultimate experience in teaching excellence. Joining her on the mat is a pleasure and a priviledge." Sue H
"This (my first) yoga retreat exceeded my expectations. Main highlights: beautiful setting amidst olive trees and mountains that made you forget the daily hassles in far far away land (UK!), connecting with likeminded people and nourishing your body with wholesome, thoughtful food offerings. Every day, a variety of different style yoga sessions were interlaced with the luxury of using time as you please, perhaps some self-reflection, connecting with other yogis, flamingo vs unicorn races in the pool, reading, just being in the moment and embracing the sun and much more. I love how Emma sets the scene for each class with Hindu storytelling. They provide food for thought and an insight into the origins of the yoga postures. With this new understanding, coupled with Emma’s wicked yet supportive sense of humour, I felt encouraged to attempt some of the more challenging postures. What I will remember most about this retreat will be the total relaxation, laughter, (during and outside of yoga sessions), feeling nourished (both, mind and body) and the amazing mix of all fellow retreaters I met." Susa W
“A great location for a retreat, good facilities with a fantastic swimming pool. A great eclectic mix of people who socialised well and made the time fly pass. Emma is a fantastic yoga teacher, I love her soothing voice and passing on of so much knowledge and history. I love her teaching method which makes an old fumbling guy feel at ease.” Paul C
“What an amazing yoga retreat, organised beautifully by Emma. A lovely setting, great food, and great yoga. A time to rest, reflect and rejuvenate with like-minded people.” Thank you, Emma xxx " Kathryn D
"I loved my retreat with Yoga Avenue, It was my first ever yoga retreat and Emma chose a fantastic location and a beautiful villa for our stay, it was such a treat to enjoy yoga twice a day with lots of different styles offered – something for everyone. Emma really took care of us and made us all feel welcomed, loved, and supported. The food was delicious and plentiful, it was fun trying different foods all of which were delicious.
The sunrises and sunsets at this accommodation are sensational and I really enjoying eating, chatting, and watching the sun go to sleep for the night after our evening yoga practice. The whim Hoff ice bath experience was a highlight for me, and I had a blast running around sightseeing in Granada on our day trip. Overall, it was a beautiful healing, relaxing week filled with incredible yoga from Emma, delicious food and a perfect setting. Just bliss!" Frances W
“The yoga treat was a wonderful experience full of lovely people, and with healthy, plentiful and tasty food. The additional activities were great and I thoroughly enjoyed the day out in Granada and the Wim Hoff Ice Bath. The estate and surrounding countryside was unspoilt and stunning, and the large swimming pool was a welcome surprise. I would definitely recommend this retreat to anyone who needs to unwind, relax and practice yoga in an authentic and inspirational way.” Lou F
"I feel so lucky for this to be my first ever yoga retreat (I’m hooked now!). Emma is such an exceptional yoga teacher, she is inclusive and offers modifications to poses that help you relax and truly go with your own flow and abilities.
What makes her classes more special is that she is an amazing storyteller and I love her use of beautiful Hindu mythology that weaves through the sessions. Somehow, they always resonate with me on some level and feel like fairy tales for grown-ups. What makes Emma even more special is her sense of humour and lightness but with perfectly prepared teaching. The retreat was a real blessing to be able to experience her exceptional teaching twice per day, and in addition in such a gorgeous venue with spectacular views. I also loved the variety of yoga styles offered as I’m not able to experience those outside of the retreat." Eva R