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YOGA, MEDITATION & culture RETREAT

Nurturing Growth Through Guided Exploration Where Every Journey Finds Its Teacher.

YOUR YOGA EScAPE

Immerse into daily yoga and meditation practice and let nature shape you

Discover a perfect platform to reconnect with your body and empower your mind. Enjoy a unique week of yoga, meditation and breathing workshops, immerse in vibrant Moroccan nature and culture, and nourish your body with healthy organic meals. 

Discover serenity at the intimate Villa Dar Zitoon, a boutique retreat nestled near the World Heritage UNESCO listed city of Essaouira.

La Vida Surf's founders have chosen this location for the outstanding nature and vibrant culture of Morocco, therefore it is natural for us to incorporate the unique combination of these elements into your retreat.

With La Vida Surf, you will enjoy both a relaxing wellness retreat and an active vacation, through practicing yoga, integrating with nature and experiencing the highlights of Moroccan culture.

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INCLUDED

  • 5 nights’ accommodation

  • 5 morning yoga classes

  • 4 evening yoga classes

  • 1 cooking workshop

  • 1 yoga workshop

  • Complimentary 30min massage

  • Nature walk and mindfulness in the Ounagha hills

  • Day trip to Old Medina & Beach of Essaouira

  • Moroccan Night with Cooking Class and Amazigh band

  • 5 healthy nutritious breakfasts

  • 3 colourful lunches (one lunch out in Essaouira not included)

  • 5 organic tasty dinners

  • Wake up Moroccan tea 

  • Assortment of yoga equipment

SAMPLE DAY

  • 07:15 Wake up Moroccan mint tea

  • 07:30 Morning yoga practice

  • 9:30 Healthy nutritious breakfast

  • 11:00 Workshop/Hike/Day Trip

  • 14:00 Colourful lunch

  • 15:00 Free time

  • 17:00 Evening yoga practice

  • 18:45 Tasty dinner buffet

  • 20:00 Night time star gazing & Sacred silence

* We follow the rhythm of nature with our retreat schedule adjusted according to time of the year and weather conditions to provide you the best experience possible.

AVAILABILITY

We can organise affordable group transfers from and to Essaouira, Marrakech and Agadir Airports and other locations around as needed.

Private taxi service is available for arrivals and departures outside of the retreat start dates upon request for an affordable additional cost. 

If you are travelling around Morocco before or after the retreat, private taxi service is also available in any other requested location.

RETREAT PROGRAM

La Vida Surf's retreats are created for practitioners of all levels, our program offers a seamless progression towards deeper self-discovery.

Immerse yourself in a transformative journey at our yoga retreats. Each day begins with introspective journaling, setting intentions for growth. Guided meditation and pranayama sessions cultivate inner harmony and vitality. Experience a balanced blend of dynamic and restorative yin asana practices, nurturing both strength and surrender.

YOUR YOGA CLASSES

You will begin your mornings with journaling and meditation, followed by a gentle flow, vinyasa or hatha yoga class to open your body, mind and spirit. Each class lasts 90-120 minutes and takes place at the rooftop yoga shala with a stunning 360° views of both sunrise and sunset.

The classes follow a classical yoga protocol including pranayama (breathing), asana (seating or dynamic posture) and savasana (relaxation).

Your evening classes are designed to calm down and restore our body and mind after an active and vibrating day. You will engage in a calm Yin or Restorative yoga practice including relaxation and meditation. The evening class lasts 75-90min.

Donating a moment to full relaxation during each day is as important as the active lifestyle. We invite you to release and rejuvenate during the evening classes.

Rebecca Geiss

yoga teacher

february - march 2025

Inspired by the wisdom of the body to heal itself, Rebecca enjoys integrating medicinal movements in her yoga classes, such as dance and somatic movements along with other interests that include Ayurveda, TCM & Thai Massage, Shamanism, Essential Oil Therapy, Herbalism, Energy Healing, the Chakra System and Anatomy. Her classes are a fusion of these passions bringing alive the ancient teachings of Yoga in a modern and accessible way.

Yoga classes with Rebecca will be well balanced, practicing creative and dynamic as well as soothing and relaxing sequences & meditation techniques.

YOUR YOGA TEACHERS

Elena kokkala

manager & host

Elena has been an integral part of crafting our retreats at La Vida Surf since 2021 and has shared her passion for yoga for nearly a decade. As both the manager and host, she’s committed to creating the kind of retreat experience she herself would love to attend—one filled with connection, joy, and growth. Elena is especially excited to welcome the women’s retreats, a heartfelt passion project for both the women leading and attending. Her focus is on fostering a space where meaningful connections are formed and deepened, ensuring every participant feels supported, empowered, and inspired throughout the journey.

VANESSA GAGNON

YOGA TEAChEr & host

NOVEMBER 2024 - APRIL 2025

Vanessa, a yoga, meditation, and paddleboard instructor since 2015, promotes love and non-violence in practice. Her inclusive classes focus on exploring each asana for body-mind unity and stress relief. Committed to mindful yoga, she integrates breath exercises, fostering balance. Organizing nature-inspired yoga retreats for three years, Vanessa sees yoga as a holistic journey towards inner harmony.

saturday

NATURE Walk & MINDFULNESS

Embark on a journey of mindfulness with our Nature Hike in the tranquil Ounagha Hills. Wander through nature's embrace, where each step becomes a meditation.

Experience moments of serene silence, allowing the surroundings to guide your thoughts. Elevate your connection with both self and nature as you breathe in the peace of the mountains on a short magical journey through the long established Berber villages.

monday

additional workshop

Elevate your experience with our curated additional workshop, designed to deepen your practice and enhance your well-being. From guided movement session to rejuvenating breathwork, our workshop offers a harmonious blend of ancient wisdom and modern mindfulness.

Immerse yourself in a journey of self-care and renewal, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of our retreat space. Embrace the balance of body and mind as you explore new dimensions of inner peace.

tuesday

Moroccan Immersion with cooking class

Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Morocco during our special Moroccan Night. Dinner is served with a touch of authenticity, as flavorful tajines—vegetarian or fish, depending on availability—are presented in traditional clay dishes. Before the feast, you'll join a hands-on cooking class, where you'll learn the art of preparing these delicious dishes, gaining insight into the rich culinary heritage of Morocco.

The evening comes alive with the soulful sounds of a local band. Guests are invited to join the rhythm, learning traditional Berber dances and even trying their hand at playing the instruments. This lively and interactive evening is a celebration of community, culture, and joy.

YOUR PLANT-POWERED MENU

At La Vida Surf, you will be served meals with a purpose. You will nourish your body with wholesome, plant-powered breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. The food you eat will be healthy and fresh, handpicked from the nearby region and provided by local farmers, ensuring both quality and sustainability in every bite.

Your menu will consist of delicious vegetarian and vegan meals, inspired by yogic and Moroccan cuisine, with our private chefs adapting their recipes to your dietary requirements and allergies. If you follow a pescatarian diet you will be catered a fresh fish of the day from the local fishermen for one of your dinners.

 

YOUR HOME AWAY

Here at La Vida Surf we enjoy hosting retreats with attention to detail in small groups of up to 16 participants.

You will be accommodated in one of our 8 boutique and authentically decorated twin, double and triple rooms each room with its own en-suite bathroom.

Villa Dar Zitoon is a traditional Moroccan house - Riad, with a private pool, garden and rooftop terrace, where you can enjoy contemporary comfort and complete privacy along with a chance to experience the authentic life of a local Berber village, known for its warm hospitality and tranquil energy. 

MORE THAN A YOGA ESCAPE

There are numerous things to do in our region and La Vida Surf team will introduce you to what we are passionate about. Surf, windsurf and kite surf adventures in the Atlantic Ocean, purifying hammam and massage treatments, conscious walks and hikes, mesmerizing horseback adventure along the picturesque shores and more.

SURF ADVENTURES

During your retreat, you will be also able to integrate with nature through surfing. You can test your skills in surfing, windsurfing, or even the thrilling art of wing foiling.

With the experienced team of instructors and guides you will learn the basics of surfing in its various forms and learn how to read the Ocean.

Exploration TRIPS

We love to explore this country of mysteries and therefore also enjoy bringing our guests along on an adventure.

Morocco holds several natural sights worth mentioning, such as Diabat Dunes & the Ruins of Sultan’s Palace, Argan Forests, horse rides on the beach and Le Val d'Argan vineyard. 

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Hammam Rituals

One of the highlights of Moroccan culture is the ancient purifying ritual of hammam using a traditional combination of black soap and rhassoul clay.

Enrich your wellness holiday by allowing yourself to be taken care of, washed and scrubbed, soaked in Argan oil, followed by a massage or other wellness treatments.

WHAT OUR GUESTS SAY

Testimonials
“Amazing retreat”

The retreat was amazing! It was my first retreat and I booked it very sponteanously. Meike and Elena answered me all my questions in advance and were very helpful. When I arrived in Agadir I was picked up and brought to the Riad. The transfer from and to the airport as well as transfers to the dunes, death valley, Taghazout etc. have always been organized by Elena and Meike. They help you with everything so that you just have to decide what you want to do and enjoy your time. Yoga classes have been amazing with Reettaa. She is a kind and lovely teacher. I was new to Yoga and a bit afraight. But I started loving it and practice it since then as she made Yoga for me a great experience that helps me to quiet thoughts and connect with the body. The food was delicious! As I am sensitive to gluten and milk, I got alternative meals. The have been prepared with so much love and tasted like that!

The place was one of my favorite things..the Riad is a very warm and welcoming place. My room was lovely and it was quit during the night. Living in a big city it was just so nice to enjoy the calmness. And the view from the Riad was just soo beautiful!

Apart from your Yoga classes and surf lessons (which I haven't booked) you can do so many things. We have explored the dunes, Taghazout, Paradise Valley and Souk el Had. Everything was organized for us and the team supported us in everything regarding our trips.

I will definitely visit one of la vida surf retreats again. :)

Valerie from Germany

"Two weeks in Paradise”

I just spent two weeks and the yoga and meditation retreat at La Vida Surf - and I must say WOW!

I was looking for a calm place to treat my concussion and hoped to bring back some tools to implement the meditation and yoga in my daily life. And this was more than I ever could have wished for!

The manager and yoga teacher Elena was incredible! She was very considerate about my needs and adapted the yoga practice to fit my yoga level as a beginner. She made this stay the best I have ever done for myself!

The rooms are adorable and the Riad has many different corners and conmen area, which made it easy to either spend some time alone or be a bit more social. This place is simply amazing, with the most beautiful view of both the sea and the mountains - and last but not least I was spoiled with the most amazing Moroccan food!

- Christine from Denmark

"Amazing surf and yoga experience”

Being in La Vida Surf has been one of the best holiday experience. The house is magical, the morning and afternoon Yoga sessions are restoring. The journaling an open healing practice. The surf, perfect with great and patient instructor for beginners. The chef’s food and every meal delicious and over all the energy of this place is fantastic! Elena and the team do a great job for making your stay in Taghazout the most comfortable and unforgettable experience! I am looking forward to come back and make more memories in La Vida Surf house!

- Maria from France

"Rejuvenation for body and soul”

I was intrigued by the idea of a yoga retreat because I had never been on one before, and I believed it would be the perfect place to recharge. I'm so happy I stumbled across this retreat at La Vida Surf in Morocco! Elena, the host and yoga teacher, was absolutely amazing! She was helpful, intuitive, friendly, and very knowledgeable about yoga, spirituality, and Morocco.

The two other staff members were incredible as well. Thanks to them, I ate like a vegetarian queen for a week... the food was healthy and DELICIOUS!

After a week on this retreat, I felt rejuvenated in both body and soul. I had so much fun unplugging and practicing yoga every day alongside mindfulness. Elena even helped me do a headstand for the first time which was very exciting for me.

- Sarah from UK

"Amazing experience!“

I felt overwhelmed by my busy NYC lifestyle and everything that was going on in my life, really needed a break from everything and regain my inner peace. Elena was amazing! She is a really knowledgeable and well trained yoga teacher, I am a vinyasa yoga instructor, she invited me to try acro yoga with her and I felt in love with the practice, i had so much fun with her; her yin yoga and restorative yoga classes were extremely relaxing and meditating. She was also very thoughtful with all the guests, she helped us plan and arrange all the activities based on each of our interests, she even organized each taxi pick up for us, it was so helpful being in a foreign country. This retreat was a perfect balance of relaxation and fun activities, i found myself feeling calmer day by day, and the pain from my physical injury has melt away slowly.

I really enjoyed every moment of the stay and even found myself making new friends! This retreat has really exceeded my expectation far and beyond!

- Wendy from USA

"Good vibes only!“

This place is just magic! The people, the food, the villa between the Argan trees was just amazing. Aleksi and his team are just charming people, who r here for your well being and happiness. I enjoyed my stay a lot and could really relaxe. The yoga, the movement meditation, the breath workshop, the food, the swimming pool just what you need. The food is a celebration every day, morning & evening - just epic!!!! Thank you very much for hosting me, I ll return definitely one day again :)

- Serap from UK

"An oxygen bubble in Paradise”

When I arrived, it was like time stood still. This week in La Vida Surf was simply amazing, by the quality and accuracy of the classes, the magnificent setting surrounded by nature and the explosion of flavour of food. It's like everything is aligned at the right time for me: spiritually, emotionally and physically. Thank you sooooo much to the whole team, specially Aleksi, Sharon and Narina; and the all group that was present this week. And thank you for bringing us back to basics through the body and your philosophy of life. I hope come back some day :)

-Nora from France

"A wonderful retreat for all the senses"

La Vida Surf is located on the mountain overlooking the lovely seaside Village of Taghazout. From the roof deck, where the yoga classes are held, the views are beautiful over the quiet, starkly beautiful landscape along with the ever changing gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. We were led on a beautiful, inspiring hike in the hills and took ourselves for daily walks on paths created by goats and donkeys, meeting the friendly local folk in the local tiny villages that dot the hillsides. The wonderfully healthy and plentiful fresh food served morning and evening was a gourmet's delight. To top it all off, we spent our week with other guests from diverse parts of the world who helped make the week a real pleasure. I must add that the accommodations are beautiful (complete with pool) and truly comfortable and the people working at La Vida Surf, all of them, were wonderfully pleasant, friendly, helpful and welcoming. La Vida Surf provided us with eight glorious days of yoga, meditation, and breathing workshops. The instruction and guidance were first rate and led by instructors (Aleksi and Sharon) who were passionate about their practices and genuinely concerned about the well being of the guests. We were new to breath work and Aleksi, who is also our host, made this practice a wonderful and inspiring revelation to ourselves and the other participants. But the yoga and meditation and breath work were only the tip of the iceberg. This place is a treasure.

David from Canada

"Amazing place in the mountains full of possibilities "

“I liked the riad with the beautiful colors, the poolarea, the rooftop, the view over the mountains and the sea, the friendly staff and the variety in the movement practice from flow yoga, yin and meditation to breathwork, dance, martial arts and contact improvisation. I loved the silence, but still with easy acces to Taghazout. The schedule was very convenient with lot's of scheduled activities but still plenty of free time. A lovely, lovely place that fills you up with joy, inspiration and peace!”

-Lea from Denmark

"Amazing yoga retreat in beautiful surroundings!"

The team is really very friendly and welcoming and has done everything to make my stay as pleasant as possible. The Riad is very well maintained and the rooms/bathrooms were always very clean. The food was simply incredible - on request also gluten-free! All in all, the program and the facilities correspond to the description. The yoga classes took place on the roof top - a wonderful place with a view of the sea and the mountains. Sharon is a very authentic and experienced teacher, who has always been attentive to individual needs. I have been practicing yoga for several years and in different countries and loved the yoga classes with Sharon! The retreat is very suitable for beginners as well as for advanced yogis. The breathing workshops with Aleksi and the movement class were also a very inspiring experience. A very relaxing week, in wonderful surroundings and with adorable people (and of course the dog Tao!). After a long stressful time the week was very good to relax, come down and let go. I will certainly come back!

Camilla from France