ASHTANGA YOGA RETREAT – 20th to 27th July 2024, Monchique, Portugal with Lauren Munday & Cathy Moran

Discover Ultimate Serenity: Escape from It All with Our Exclusive Week-Long Retreat

Our carefully selected venue, nestled in the picturesque hillside creates the perfect backdrop for our yoga retreat, with stunning sunrises and sunsets and breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

 

Indulge in Tranquility: Recline on a Sunbed, Dive into Saltwater Pool, and Immerse Yourself in Idyllic Surroundings

 

Deepen your yoga practice under our expert guidance in the breathtaking hill top shala with mesmerizing views towards the coast

 

Who’s this Yoga Retreat For? :

Experienced Ashtangis

Are You Seeking A Chance To Immerse Yourself In Your Ashtanga Practice Without The Interruptions Of Daily Life? Look No Further! Our Ashtanga Retreat Is The Perfect Opportunity To Spend A Week Focussing On Yourself And Your Yoga Practice Under The Careful Observation And Guidance Of Lauren And Cathy, Two Experienced Level 2 Authorized Teachers.

One Of The Most Enticing Aspects Of This Retreat Is The Lack Of Distractions From The Outside World. You’ll Be Able To Peacefully Detach From The Chaos And Responsibilities Of Everyday Life, Freeing Yourself To Connect More Deeply With Yourself.

As L2 Authorised Teachers We Bring A Wealth Of Knowledge And Experience To The Retreat, Ensuring You Receive Personalized Attention And Guidance Throughout The Week, Offering You Valuable Insights To Enhance Your Practice.

Additionally, The Retreat Will Provide Plenty Of Time For Exploration And Relaxation. You’ll Have The Opportunity To Connect With Like-Minded Individuals Who Share Your Passion For Ashtanga, In A Supportive Community Atmosphere. Many Of Our Retreat Guests Return Year After Year!

The Retreat Is Also A Chance For Rejuvenating Activities, Nature Walks, Nourishing Vegetarian Meals, And The Opportunity To Kick Back And Relax By The Pool. Optional Excursions And Massages Are Also Available On Request.

Yoga Beginners

Calling all aspiring yogis and those curious about the transformative power of Ashtanga yoga!

Our Retreat Offers You The Perfect Opportunity To Dive Into Ashtanga Yoga Under The Guidance Of Not One, But Two Experienced And Passionate Teachers.

Starting A New Yoga Practice Can Be Both Exciting And Daunting, But A Retreat Is A Perfect Opportunity To Begin Your Ashtanga Practice Because Not Only Will You Practice Every Day But You’ll Also Meet Other Yoga Practitioners And Become Part Of Our Friendly And Supportive Community.

Your First Practice Will Be A Personalised Introduction To Ashtanga Yoga. Under Our Watchful Eyes, You’ll Be Gently Guided Through Each Asana, Or Yoga Shape, As You Learn To Synchronize Breath With Movement.

Ashtanga Yoga Is More Than Just A Physical Practice; It Is An Opportunity To Cultivate Mindfulness And Tap Into The Inner Stillness That Resides Within Each Of Us.

We’ll Create A Supportive And Non-Judgmental Environment And Tailor The Practice To Meet Your Individual Needs, Ensuring That You Feel Comfortable And Empowered Throughout Your Journey.

The Retreat Is Also A Chance For Rejuvenating Activities, Nature Walks, Nourishing Vegetarian Meals, And The Opportunity To Kick Back And Relax By The Pool. Optional Excursions And Massages Are Also Available On Request.

Our hidden gem of a retreat venue

We’ve handpicked a retreat venue specially designed for quiet comfort and rejuvenation.

Accommodation

The Rooms Are Spacious And Elegantly Simple In Design.

Each Bed Is Fitted With Memory Foam Mattresses For Your Sleeping Comfort.

Every Room Has A Modern Ensuite Bathroom With Some Rooms Opening Up Directly Onto The Courtyard.

Outside Area

The 15-Meter Saltwater Swimming Pool Is Replenished With Water From The Mountains. There Are Views Of The Surrounding Countryside All The Way To The Coast. It’s Set Up For Relaxation With Sunbeds And Shaded Areas.

Walking Trails Begin Directly Outside The Retreat Centre And It’s Just A Short Walk To The Top Of The Mountain Which Offers A Stunning View Over The Coastal Algarve.

Here’s what previous guests said about our Ashtanga Yoga Retreats:

2023 Retreat Guest Testimonial

“Lauren and Cathy’s Ashtanga retreats are legendary! Based at beautiful locations, extremely welcoming and inclusive and a wonderful way to reset and focus on your yoga practice, whilst escaping everyday life. Highly recommended for those who are new to yoga or for a more experienced Ashtangi – authorised practitioners Lauren and Cathy bring so much knowledge and advice to support and advance your Mysore self-practice. Incredible food and great company adds so much more to the entire experience.”

2023 Retreat Guest Testimonial

“Cathy and Lauren’s retreat is a wonderful opportunity to practice with two experienced teachers in a relaxed and friendly environment. Lots of optional excursions available and healthy, creative, nutritious vegetarian meals”.

About Yoga on your Retreat

Lauren and Cathy have been running retreats together for 8 years. We are both authorised L2 Ashtanga Yoga teachers who have more than 30 years of yoga teaching experience combined.

Our aim on retreat is to share this knowledge with you whilst providing encouragement and good humour so you can develop your practice whilst also having a great time.

You’ll Start Your Mornings Feeling Grounded And Centred With Meditation And Pranayama Practice.

The Morning Mysore Practice Will Be An Opportunity To Deepen Your Ashtanga Practice In An Informal, Practical And Enriching Environment

The Afternoon Workshops Will Serve Two Purposes:

  • They Will Be A Chance For More In-Depth Learning As We Focus On Specific Aspects Of The Ashtanga Yoga Practice.

  • They Will Also Be An Opportunity For Rest And Recharging As You Experience The Profoundly Relaxing Practices Of Restorative Yoga And Yoga Nidra.

About the Food

Each day our chef will handpick the freshest fruits, vegetables, and herbs from the venue’s on-site gardens to prepare us tasty and fulfilling vegetarian and vegan meals.
This commitment to utilizing locally sourced, produce not only supports sustainable farming practices but also guarantees the highest quality ingredients for our meals.
From vibrant salads bursting with flavours to hearty vegetable dishes, and of course cakes and desserts, our menu will cater to a wide range of preferences and dietary needs
.During Our Stay,  We will dine at The Villa every evening, with the exception of our last night when we will explore the local cuisine by visiting one of the restaurants in Monichiqe. This will give us an opportunity to absorb the ambience of the town and celebrate the end of our time together.

Monchique & the surrounding areas

Monchique Is A Quaint Market Town 20 Miles From The Algarve Coast With The Mountains Offering Spectacular Views. The Town Boasts A Roman Bath And Spa That’s Still In Use Today, As Well As Many Restaurants And Quiet Walkways To Explore.
The West Coast Of Portugal Is Just A 30-Minute Drive Away And Offers A Unique Atmosphere And Is Famed For Its World-Class Surfing Conditions With Many Near-Deserted Beaches As Well As More Lively Options.

Lagos Is A Beautiful City To Explore, Shop And Eat. Old Streets, Small Shops, And Quaint Cafés As Well As A Saturday Afternoon Market.

Silves Is A Picturesque Old Town That Used To Be The Moorish Capital Of Algarve And Is Still Surrounded By A City Wall With 11 Towers. You Can Walk Around The Town On The Wall Enjoying The Views Of The Town And Surroundings.

Faro Has An Old Town And Cathedral Worth Visiting. A Beautiful Small Harbor And Access With Boats To The Islands Which Shelter Faro From The Sea – Paradise Island Is A Beautiful Unspoiled Sandy Beach.

 

Retreat Schedule

Before coming on retreat there are often questions about the timetable. Here’s a rough idea of what will take place on a typical day:

8.00 am – Pranayama and Meditation Practice

8.30 am – Mysore Ashtanga Guided Self Practice (beginners intro for those new to ashtanga)

10.30 am – Brunch

3.00 pm – Afternoon snack of local fruits and nuts

5.00 pm – Afternoon workshop (3 per week)

7.30 pm – Dinner

Your Ashtanga Yoga retreat hosts

“This was such an amazing retreat! The week was full of yoga, sunshine, gorgeous scenery, lovely vegetarian food and the nicest people you could ever meet!  Lauren and Cathy are both such wonderful teachers – their expert instruction, encouragement and good humour meant we were able to develop our practice while having a great time. The daily morning Mysore-style yoga classes were held in a stunning shala overlooking the sea, and we had a few evening workshops scattered throughout the week for more in-depth learning and some immensely relaxing yoga nidra sessions! The afternoons were free to explore the island, hike down to the beach, or relax by the pool with a good book.  It was truly a fantastic week, full of yoga, friends and fun – I can’t wait to sign up for the next one!”

— Previous Retreat Guest

Ashtanga Yoga Retreat Testimonial

Your Investment

Twin Room:

Early Bird: £1050 per person (book before 31st December 2023)

Full Price: £1150 per person

What’s included:

  • 7 Nights Accommodation

  • 6 Daily Morning Mysore Ashtanga And Meditation Practice

  • 3 Afternoon Workshops

  • 6 Evening Meals, 6 Brunches & Daily Afternoon Snacks – All Food Will Be Plant-Based With Some Vegetarian Options.

  • Plenty Of Free Time To Explore The Local Area Or Relax In The Sunshine

  • Unlimited Fresh Spring Water, A Selection Of Tea And Coffee

  • Towels (X 2) And Linen Change, Once During The Week

Single Occupancy Room: SOLD OUT

Early Bird: £1300 (book before 31st December 2023)

Full Price: £1375

Deposit To Reserve Your Place £225

Final Balance Due 15th May 2024

What’s not included:

Transfers And Excursions.

Meals Outside Of The Venue Including The Final Evening Meal.

Transfers Can Be Arranged On Request

The closest airport is Faro (a 90-minute drive)

Transfer Information:

Faro Airport Transfers Can Be Arranged In Groups To Minimise The Cost. Please Get In Touch Before Booking Your Flights.