This Yoga Retreat, nestled in the serene landscapes of Spain, places a profound emphasis on the art and essence of Yoga. Through the integration of mindful breathing techniques, invigorating exercises, and meditation, our retreat seeks to facilitate a transformative journey. Our belief is that Yoga serves as a potent catalyst for improving both physical health and emotional well-being by reorienting the mind away from the burdens of daily stressors.
Yoga, in its purest form, is an exquisite manifestation of energy flow. It extends from the rhythmic movements of our bodies to the expansiveness of our minds and influences how we engage with the world around us. It encourages us to exude kindness, patience, and respect, shaping our interactions and energy dissemination. This harmonious transformation originates from our commitment to breath awareness, mindfulness, and the cultivation of gratitude.
Our seasoned instructors offer an array of yoga practices, encompassing Vinyasa and Hatha yoga, within intimate group settings. This intentional limit on class size ensures each participant receives personalized attention and continuous support, both on and off the yoga mat.
Whether you’re a novice, intermediate practitioner, or an expert, our Yoga Retreat is thoughtfully designed to provide respite from the demands of modern life and facilitate a profound reconnection with your inner self. Our approach is gentle and considerate, prioritizing your comfort and security as you explore both movement and mindfulness.
We invite you to join this enriching Yoga Retreat, where you’ll leave feeling lighter, grounded, and deeply at peace with yourself and the world around you.
What is a Yoga Retreat and what can I expect?
A Yoga Retreat is a purposeful escape to a tranquil setting, where yoga, mindfulness, and wellbeing take center stage. Expect to immerse yourself in daily yoga sessions led by experienced instructors, cultivate mindfulness through meditation, and savor nourishing, healthy meals. Beyond yoga and meditation, retreats often offer opportunities for personal growth, holistic healing, and connecting with like-minded individuals in a supportive community. With a focus on relaxation, self-discovery, and a break from digital distractions, a yoga retreat promises a rejuvenating and transformative experience amidst serene natural surroundings.
Benefits of doing a Yoga Retreat
You can always just include Yoga in your daily fitness routine. The main benefit of going on a Yoga Retreat is to take a short break from the stresses of the world and to reconnect with your inner self. To not have to rush from work to your Yoga class and rush home again to cook dinner for your family. A Yoga Retreat is time for yourself, to find your passions again and recharge your mind to take on every day challengers with patience and grace.
Here are a few reasons why Yoga is so good for you:
Improved Flexibility, Strength and Posture
Yoga helps to stretch and tone your body muscles. There is a misconception you have to be super flexible to do Yoga- at Shanti-Som we aim to show our guests that Yoga can be practised and enjoyed at all levels of ability with the singular aim to strengthen our bodies. Slowly guests can see improvement and gradual loosening so that once impossible poses now become possible. Then you will notice the aches and pains disappear.
Strong muscles protect us from conditions like arthritis and back pain.
Daily Yoga helps improve posture and you will soon feel you walk taller and sit up straighter.
Yoga prevents cartilage and joint breakdown as it helps take your joints through a full range of motions.
Yoga poses require movement backwards and forwards, with many twists which help to keep the spinal disks supple.
Weight Loss
Gentle Yoga positions fuel the metabolic system and help burn fat leading to weight loss. Daily Yoga also strengthens the mind-body connection which is important to deal with emotions that are related to issues such as using food to suppress feelings.
Improved Fitness
If going to the gym and huffing and puffing with weights is not your idea of a fun workout then Yoga can give all that a gym can but in a peaceful, safe and holistic way. Yoga is a combination of cardio and strength training.
Reduced Stress
Studies have shown that Yoga can help regulate the heart rate variability which means the heart rate is generally lower, giving the body the ability to handle stress more effectively. It has shown that cortisol levels become significantly lower after practising Yoga which results in lower levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
Increase in Energy and Immunity
Practicing some Yoga positions each day helps to awaken the main energy centers (chakras) in your body and to circulate the blood flow, open the chest and encourage you to take in more breath.
Yoga helps you focus: Yoga practice improves coordination, reaction time and memory as it focuses us on the present.
Boosts your immune system: meditation appears to have a beneficial effect on the immune system, boosting it when needed.
About
Gallery
About The Host
The importance of taking time out from everyday life and focusing solely on yourself was becoming apparent with more and more people experiencing burnout and anxiety. The idea behind evolved from this growing need for people to slow down and just be themselves without the daily stresses, responsibilities, and rush of everyday life.
We intend to bring Asia’s essence to Europe without the 12+ hour plane journey to get there. Inspired by a trip to Indonesia, the owner has taken ideas from Bali in both the architecture and the peaceful, relaxed nature of its people. We don’t rush or have busy schedules and our team of staff are warm and welcoming.
Itinerary
Location
Things to keep in mind
FAQ
Where is the retreat?
The retreat place is in the beautiful Andalucia region of Spain. It is nestled in the midst of nature and is surrounded by the Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park and Biosphere Reserve.
Found in charming Monda, our Retreat is located just 40 minutes drive from Malaga airport and 10 minutes from trendy Marbella.
When does the retreat start?
Our Retreats start on the day of your arrival! This makes your Retreat Program completely personalized. When you arrive, we will provide you with your own schedule of activities. You will have a mix of group classes and individualized services – it’s the perfect combination to feel a part of a Retreat whilst also focusing on yourself.
How do I choose a retreat program?
We have curated programs based on the number of days (3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 day packages). Each program is created with specific goals in mind- fitness, weight loss, detox or relaxation. As such the number of inclusions reflects what we believe is the perfect balance of activity and personal time.
We have indicated a minimum number of days for each retreat in order to get the best out of the program, but from there it is up to you or you can follow our suggested program.
What activities are there?
We are a residential health retreat combining holistic wellness with state of the art facilities including outdoor heated pool, spa, sauna, Turkish steam bath and gym facilities. Our specialists in Yoga and Pilates provide inspiring daily classes and we also have Personal Training, Meditation, life coaching and nutritional guidance. As we are located in a Natural Park you can also enjoy hiking or simply indulge in one of our many spa treatments.
What is the environment like?
Our Retreat is amongst nature in the hills and rural mountains of the Spanish countryside, and we think it helps bring a rustic authenticity to the overall experience. Being amongst nature in the wilderness brings a sense of peace and tranquility where we can remove our ‘social armor’ and simply just be.
We have daily group hikes which is a key feature of our location. Andalusia meets all the requirements and offers the best conditions for hiking. The fantastic climate and stunning natural spaces and the great diversity of landscapes together create the best conditions for enjoying nature and hiking.
Is there a strict daily schedule of activities?
Upon arrival our Wellness Team will discuss your personalized goals and provide you with a suggested itinerary. Your day is not jam packed with back to back activities. Rather our retreat programs are designed to give you flexibility and maximum opportunity to enjoy and learn on your pace and at your time. You may choose a Yoga class in the outdoor pavilion, a vigorous workout with our Fitness Trainers, or a stimulating hike through the Andalucía hills followed by time to write and reflect by the outdoor pool. The opportunities are there so you can choose what matters most to you without any stress on how to fill your days.
Does the retreat program include food?
All Retreat packages are inclusive of food. Depending on the Retreat we have different options such as weight loss menu, detox broths and juices and a selection from our Asian fusion menu.
Food is an important aspect of our daily lives, and although health is our focus, we don’t compromise on taste or heartiness. So, our restaurant aims to capture robust, honest flavors of the East and West. Guests will be transported to sun-soaked Bali, Vietnam and Thailand with delicious mezze platters, fresh salads, specialties from our Asian Wok and flavorful curries. For those on our Detox or Weight Loss programs, we have special menus created by our Nutritional expert that are perfectly balanced for our daily dietary requirements and also delicious.
What other attractions are there in the region?
Around Malaga and the Andalucia region, there is so much stunning beauty and history to soak in. Seville is a popular and must-see destination, but our favorite place is one of Spain’s oldest and most charming towns called Ronda. It’s been inhabited by Romans and Moors, and you can feel history all around you in its cobbled streets, old mansions and stone churches. The town is perched precariously on top of a cliff with views of rolling hills and Andalusia’s white villages. The gorgeous view is one you won’t easily forget.
On the way to our hideaway retreat just off the main road to Marbella, we also suggest guests stop at Monda. Steeped in beautiful history and architecture, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Our Reception Team would be happy to arrange transfers and make suggestions for some day trips in the region.