This retreat was just a short, laid back, long-weekend get-away. The beaches in Destin with their fine, white sand and pristine water are among the most beautiful in the world.
We simply committed 3.5 days to clean eating, deep breathing, yoga, and Reiki healing. By taking our time to complete each breath cycle fully, we remembered that we all have enough time, and we used it for long walks on the beach, crystal bowl sound bath meditation, wonderful meals, bike rides, and coaching workshops on how to remove negative self-talk, set an intention, and take action purposefully.
It was time well spent recalibrating, rejuvenating, and re-energizing.
Especially early morning pranayama practice in salty air felt so good. I am grateful that I get to do this kind of work and for the trust of all who travel with me.
Did you know that the best-preserved ancient Greek temples cannot be found in Greece but on the Italian island of Sicily and that numerous Greek philosophers lived in Sicily? To this day, this island is still a truly mind-opening place – you can’t help but think and experience more deeply.
The next trip to Sicily is coming up in 2024! Join my email list to stay tuned.
We stayed at a beautiful, clifftop villa just south of Taormina, with breathtaking views over the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Etna.
Celebrated the Summer Solstice with a special guided meditation.
Explored the Ancient philosophical writings by Aristotle and Plato (who spent most of his life on Sicily). Study the Philosophy of Happiness and compare it to the teachings of the Baghavad Gita. These Greek and Indian teachings are about the same old and are remarkably similar in their approach to happiness.
This is a retreat that combines yoga, healthy living, positive affirmation of life, cultural studies, and spending time in nature. Besides visiting archaeological sites in Agrigento, Siracusa, and Taormina, you will also visit a fifth-generation winery and enjoy a fabulous Sicilian dinner!
Teatro Greco, Taormina, Sicily
Villa Saracena, pool
each bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and access to the balcony with sea view
Isola Bella, Taormina
Piazza Duomo, Siracusa
practice with the elements
pure, healthy deliciousness
Valley of the Temples, Agrigento
olive harvest
Temple of Concordia in Agrigento
Ancient Greek gymnast (or yogi?)
the famous “bikini girls mosaic” in Piazza Armerina
Every bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and access to the balcony. This venue allows the quietness and space for a yoga retreat. And it comes private access to swimming in saltwater or to seek a silent meditation spot.
The fee for this retreat includes
Accommodation in a deluxe single or double room for 7 nights: rooms can be furnished with two separate twin-size beds or one queen size bed – to your preference.
Daily maid-service, mid-week linen change.
Guided yoga practice twice daily.
Guided meditations and posture clinics to deepen your personal practice.
Three meals per day, Sicilian/Italian plant-based cuisine.
Transportation from and to Catania Airport.
Transportation to daily tours.
Visit of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento – one of the best-preserved sites of Greek Ancient temples in the world!
Visit of the Greek Theater and Isola Bella in Taormina.
Visit of the Neapolis and baroque center of Siracusa.
Visit of Roman archaeological sites in Piazza Armerina and Morgantina.
Talks about the ancient philosophy of creation, healthy living, honoring body and soul, and IDEAS OF HAPPINESS.
“The Secret Of Change Is To Focus All Of Your Energy Not On Fighting The Old But On Building The New.” – Socrates
January 2018 started the new year with two full moons in one month, therefore the second moon is called a blue moon. As if that wouldn’t make the timing special enough yet, there happened simultaneously a full lunar eclipse. For me, reason enough to make this time all about looking inwards and bringing awareness to the shadow aspects of our mental and emotional life. The larger cosmic cycles are a great reminder that our lives go through cycles as well – after work comes rest, after excitement a quiet moment, and back to pushing forward and then resting again. Can you see where I’m going with this?
Why would you want to go on a yoga retreat? And what is all this talk about transformation and health about?
There sure are plenty absolutely amazing resorts, beautiful beaches, and other destinations out there in the world that just wait for people to come and spend a relaxing vacation with them. If that’s all you long for – some time out from work, sunshine on your belly, and hanging out in a beautiful place – go for it! No hard feelings. Just know that what I’m inviting you for is so much more.
I’m committed to offering you:
a body cleanse with locally sourced, fresh, plant-based food
hold space for you to feel safe to do your inner work
guide you through meditations, breath work, and yoga practice tohelp you to realign with your true purpose
help you make shifts to heal old wounds, limiting beliefs, and negative self-talk
guide you to a positive outlook on your life, so that you can bring compassion and love to your family, work environment, community, and yourself
teach you about herbs, trance work, and energy healing – to help you stay balanced and centered, and make lasting changes towards a mindful lifestyle.
And that’s not all! While being still and listening inwards is important for healing and soul-purpose-alignment, it is almost equally important to create excitement and joy and lots of motivation to say fully YES to life. So, I invite you to go with me on daring tours, expanding your comfort zone and reviving your ability to get excited and feel the feelings and burst open into laughter and awe.
Rincon de la Vieja – ziplining through the breathtaking canyon
Rincon de la Vieja – ziplining through the breathtaking canyon
Rincon de la Vieja – ziplining through the breathtaking canyon
Rappeling and climbing back up
Rappeling and climbing back up
Rincon de la Vieje – horseback riding beneath the volcano
Rincon de la Vieje – horseback riding beneath the volcano
Rio Negro – volcanic minerals hot springs
Rio Negro – volcanic minerals hot springs
Rio Negro – volcanic minerals hot springs
Rio Negro – volcanic minerals hot springs
Rincon de la Vieje – face your fears – expand into joy
Visiting a local cocoa farmer – a raw cocoa fruit
a raw, unfermented cocoa seed
cocoa seed after fermentation
grinding fermented and roasted cocoa seeds into pure chocolate
pure, unsweetened chocolate
preparing our own deliciousness with locally grown cane sugar, chocolate, and nuts
This is personal – the people who decide to join a retreat with me are ready, internally, for a deeply spiritual experience. It’s not just about “hanging out”. The people who take time for this trip are like you – seekers, students, open-minded, and heart-centered – that don’t just practice yoga to maintain a sexy butt but as a practice for healing, personal growth, and mindfulness.
The Inner Space Meets The Open Sky
Vegan Yoga Retreat, September 2 thru 5, 2016, in Destin, Florida
Our exclusive villa
sunset meditation
breathe. eat. move.
early morning pranayama practice in salty air
hands-on cooking classes
fun, voluntary surfing lessons
practice with the elements
Time to reset, to breathe salty air, detox the body while learning how to prepare healthy meals, daily yoga and guided meditation to allow all of you become spacious and feel connected with the Divine source of our all being and with the amazing possibilities available for your life.
Review by Linda C.:
“I wanted to thank you Manja for a wonderful weekend in Destin at her yoga retreat. I am on the go with so many responsibilities and I rarely take the time to relax. (I realize now) At Manja’s retreat, I was able to use her theme of inner space meets the open sky to help me refresh and come back with a new outlook. In this intimate setting we felt supported; mind body and spirit. Nutritionally with excellent meals, teas and snacks, with all the amenities for the body (including Reiki session) breathe practices, asana practice, and nourishment for my soul in meditation and yoga Nidra. Plus plenty of free time to read, relax in the hot tub, at the beach, and engage in enlightening conversation. I feel more equipped now to face my busy schedule with greater knowledge on how to handle stress. Much gratitude”
