YOGA, MEDITATION & culture RETREAT

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

TWO DIFFERENT LENGTHS: 4 & 7 DAY RETREATS DURING THE SEASON: 1 SEPTEMBER - 31 MAY

(see exact dates at the bottom of the page)

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.

INCLUDED

  • 3/6 nights’ accommodation

  • 2 daily yoga classes with journaling, guided and silent meditations

  • 1/2 yoga workshops

  • Conscious walk in the Ounagha hills

  • Day trip to Old Medina of Essaouira

  • Traditional Moroccan dining ritual  

  • 3/6 healthy nutritious breakfasts

  • 2/5 colourful lunches

  • 2/5 organic tasty dinners (one dinner out in a restaurant in Essaouira not included)

  • 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/Activity/Free time

  • 14:00 Colourful lunch

  • 15:00 Free time

  • 17:00 Evening yoga practice

  • 18:45 Organic tasty dinner buffet

  • 20:00 Night time star gazing/Satsang

* 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

La Vida Surf have two length variations, 4 and 7 days, see the dates on our retreat calendar. 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.

Brigita RACKOVSKYTE 

yoga teacher

season 2024 - 2025

Bri is all about following her heart and finding flow in life. Through yoga and active meditations she has found a sense of clarity and peace, as well as a way to heal, love and trust herself. She shares this practice with hope that others too may use it as a tool for a more compassionate and conscious life. 

She is a multistyle yoga teacher with the greatest focus in Hatha, Yin, Pranayama and active Osho meditations, having a background in Psychology studies and work experience.

YOUR YOGA TEACHERS

wendy yu

YOGA TEAChEr & host

september - october 2024

Wendy fell in love with yoga for the inner peace yoga brought to her life, Pratyahara (turning attention inward) and Dhyana (meditation). As a long-time runner, she was also fascinated by the range of movement and strength yoga creates. Inspired by her own chronic pain, she became more interested in anatomy and helping her students stay in tune with their own unique bodies.

She creates kind, supportive, inclusive, and friendly environment for each class. Her classes are carefully blended alignment into flow. Living in yoga (Samadhi), on and off mat, is her lifelong practice.

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.

MONday

Conscious Walk

Embark on a journey of mindfulness with our Conscious 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.

wednesday

Moroccan Immersion

Experience the magic of Essaouira on a day trip from our yoga retreat. Wander through the charming medina, explore the bustling souks, and soak in the coastal vibes.

Enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, savoring the fresh seafood and Moroccan flavors, all while immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this coastal gem. A perfect blend of culture, cuisine, and the lively ambiance of this coastal gem awaits.

Friday

additional workshops

Elevate your experience with our curated additional workshops, designed to deepen your practice and enhance your well-being. From guided mindfulness sessions to rejuvenating breathwork, our workshops offer 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.

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 7 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