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4 Day Women's Retreat in Ounagha, Essaouira, Morocco
Ounagha, Essaouira, Morocco
Women's Retreat in Morocco
At La Vida Surf’s Women’s Retreat, you'll embark on a nurturing journey that blends relaxation with meaningful connections. This retreat is designed for women to come together, practice yoga, immerse in nature, and embrace Moroccan culture, all while creating a supportive space to share stories, experiences, and deepen bonds with each other. In this sacred space, we embrace the power of community and connection. Through sharing circles, we’ll hold space for each other, creating a sense of being seen, heard, and validated in our experiences as women. Discover serenity at the intimate Villa Dar Zitoon, a boutique retreat nestled near the World Heritage UNESCO listed city of Essaouira.
Meet the instructors
Vanessa & Rebecca
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Highlights
- Daily yoga class and& meditations
- Special workshops
- Conscious walk in the hills of Ounagha
- Trip to a Essaouira's beautiful colourful old Medina
- Moroccan Night dinner and band
- Daily plant-powered breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet
- 3 nights in boutique accommodation in traditional Moroccan Villa
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Yoga styles
4 days with instruction in English
The organizer also speaks: Finnish
Group size: Maximum of 17 participants
Airport transfer available:
Agadir–Al Massira Airport (US$ 87 per person)
Agadir–Al Massira Airport (US$ 87 per person)
Airport transfer available:
Marrakesh Menara Airport (US$ 76 per person)
Marrakesh Menara Airport (US$ 76 per person)
Airport transfer available:
Essaouira-Mogador Airport (US$ 22 per person)
Essaouira-Mogador Airport (US$ 22 per person)
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
15:00
Check-out Time:
11:00
Facilities
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Air-conditioned rooms
- Concierge desk
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Fireplace
- Garden
- Kitchen
- Lobby
- Lounge
- Luggage room / storage
- Meditation garden
- Multilingual staff
- Picnic area
- Smoke-free property
- Terrace
- Yoga deck
- Yoga shala
- Board rental
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Internet access
- Laundry
- Parking lot
- Wireless internet
Villa Dar Zitoon
At La Vida Surf, they enjoy hosting retreats with attention to detail in small groups of up to 17 participants. You will be accommodated in one of the 7 boutique and authentically decorated twin, double and triple rooms. Each room has private ensuite bathroom.
Villa Dar Shajara is a traditional Moroccan house - Riad, with a private pool, a big 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 vibes.
Resting on the hills of Ounagha, the garden of Villa Dar Zitoon is full of fruit and olive trees from which their villa got its name, Dar Zitoon, where “Dar” stands for a house and “Zitoon” for an olive.
Your home away
Witness every sunrise and sunset on the rooftop yoga shala with a stunning 360 view over the Ounagha hills and the city of Essaouira. Immerse yourself into yoga practice with the mountains and nature greeting you, with the white sails protecting you from the sun and a light breeze caressing the yoga session.
Take a dip into a refreshing pool, relax under the warm Moroccan sun and laze on a sunbed with a book from their library to read. Share delightful meals and tales from around the world in a sunny dining hall with a pool and garden view.
Enjoy a cozy moment around the fireplace in the living room, uniquely decorated in traditional Moroccan style. Once the last light disappears over the horizon, explore a magical star map of bright Moroccan sky, and if you are really lucky - see a shooting star.
Program
About the Program
La Vida Surf's retreats are created for practitioners of all levels, our program offers a seamless progression towards deeper self-discovery.
This retreat is about aligning with the woman you want to be and empowering yourself in the process. Together, we’ll break down stereotypes and support one another in becoming the best versions of ourselves, free from jealousy or competition.
Are you ready to be held by your sisters, embrace your inner strength, and create lasting change?
Daily yoga classes
You will begin your mornings with pranayama and meditation, followed by a 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 morning sessions focus on sharing and connection, including guided discussions, reflective journaling. Each class, in addition to yoga asana, encourages open dialogue, mutual support, and the cultivation of a nurturing, connected community.
Workshops
Elevate your experience with our thoughtfully curated workshops, designed to deepen connections and enhance your well-being. Dive into expressive dance workshops, create meaningful mandalas, and share in transformative women’s circles. These workshops offer a unique blend of creativity, self-reflection, and collective growth.
Immerse yourself in a journey of self-discovery and renewal, surrounded by the peaceful beauty of our retreat space. Embrace the balance of body, mind, and soul as you explore new ways to connect, heal, and find inner peace.
Conscious walk
Integrate with nature during a silent walk through the hills covered with ancient Argan trees and wild plants. Open the senses and allow the elements to forge you.
Take a short magical journey through the long-established Berber villages, sit down for a mindful exploration of senses.
How your days will look like:
Day 1 – Arrival & Grounding
- 15:00 Arrival & check-in
- 16:15 Yoga & Mandala Creation
- 17:30 Tea ceremony & opening circle
- 19:00 Dinner
Day 2 – Connection & Exploration
- 09:00 Breakfast
- 10:00 Morning yoga
- 12:00 Lunch
- 13:30 Conscious hike
- 16:00 Kaskrout (afternoon snack)
- 17:00 Evening practice
- 19:00 Moroccan night (dinner & live music)
Day 3 – Deepening the Experience
- 09:00 Breakfast
- 10:00 Morning yoga
- 12:00 Lunch
- 13:30 Workshop
- 16:00 Kaskrout (afternoon snack)
- 17:00 Evening practice
- 19:00 Dinner
Day 4 – Departure & Integration
- 09:00 Yoga & closing circle
- 10:00 Breakfast
- 11:00 Check-out & goodbyes
Included excursions
Culture Excursion
Experience the magic of Essaouira on a day trip from the 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.
Instructors
Vanessa Gagnon
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.
Rebecca Geiss
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 and 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 and meditation techniques.
Retreat location
Ounagha, Essaouira
This program will take place in the town of Ounagha which is in the province of Essaouira in Morocco.
About the Location
La Vida Surf's founders have chosen this location for the outstanding nature and vibrant culture of Morocco, therefore it is natural for you to incorporate the unique combination of these elements into your retreat.
Morocco is often described as the land of mystery and fascinating culture. You will soon experience what it means to stand on the vibrating grounds of Africa surrounded by ancient Argan trees, and to discover the vibrant and colourful old town of Essaouira.
Villa Dar Zitoon is located 20 kilometres from the famous city of Essaouir, 30 minutes from Essaouira Mogador Airport and 2,5h from Marrakech Menara Airport reachable by direct flights from major European cities.
This Yoga Retreat is vegetarian-friendly
Click to see more vegetarian-friendly Yoga Retreats
Food
At La Vida Surf, you will be served meals with a purpose. You will nourish your body with plant-powered breakfasts, lunches and dinners. You will eat healthy, fresh, and organic food handpicked from the nearby region and provided by local farmers. For one dinner you head out to Essaouira to enjoy together a meal by the sea. The dinner out is not included in the package, prices for meals start from 10 EUR.
Your menu will consist of delicious vegetarian and vegan meals, inspired by yogic and Moroccan cuisine, with private chefs adapting their recipes to your dietary requirements and allergies. If you follow a pescatarian diet, you will be catered to a fresh fish of the day from the local fishermen for one of your dinners.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Lacto-ovo Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Pescatarian
- Hallal
- Lactose Free
- Other dietary requirements on request
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
There are numerous things to do in the region and La Vida Surf team will introduce you to what they are passionate about: surf adventures in the Atlantic Ocean, purifying hammam and massage treatments, conscious walks and hikes, nature trips to Paradise Valley and Imouzzer waterfalls, visiting Diabat Dunes and the ruins of the Sultan's Palace from mid 1800's.
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 foil. 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.
Hammam and Massage Rituals
One of the highlights of Moroccan culture is the ancient purifying ritual of hammam using a traditional combination of black soap and mineral-rich rhassoul clay. Enrich your wellness holiday by allowing yourself to be taken care of, washed and scrubbed, soaked in Argan oil, followed by a relaxing or tonifying massage or other wellness treatments.
What's included
- 3 nights’ accommodation
- Daily yoga class and meditations
- Special workshops
- Conscious walk in the Ounagha hills
- Day trip to Old Medina of Essaouira
- Moroccan Night dinner and band
- 3 healthy nutritious breakfasts
- 2 colourful lunches
- 2 tasty dinners (one dinner out in a restaurant in Essaouira not included)
- Wake up tea and coffee
- Assortment of yoga equipment
What's not included
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Surf adventures
- Horse rides
- Hammam and massage rituals
- Dinner on the day out in Essaouira
How to get there
Recommended Airports
AGA
Agadir–Al Massira Airport
134 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 87 per person
RAK
Marrakesh Menara Airport
141 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 76 per person
ESU
Essaouira-Mogador Airport
20 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 22 per person
Arrival by taxi
Private taxi service is available for arrivals and departures upon request for an affordable additional cost.
If you are traveling around Morocco before or after the retreat, a private taxi service is also available in any other requested location.
Arrival by airplane:
Essaouira Mogador Airport
La Vida Surf is located 30 minutes' drive from the nearest local Essaouira Mogador Airport (ESU) which is served by international airlines operating direct flights on from major European cities.
Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK)
If you arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), commuting to Essaouira by bus is also very easy and safe, and La Vida Surf will help you along the way to find the right place. Book your ticket with local bus companies CTM or Supratours.
Agadir–Al Massira Airport (AGA)
La Vida Surf is located 3.5-hour drive from the Agadir Al Massira Airport (AGA). There is bus services to Essaouira running from the city center of Agadir.
La Vida Surf Nature Retreats can also arrange private taxi transportation from Marrakech or Agadir for an additional cost. The driver will meet you at the airport or any other location in Marrakech at the requested time with the sign “La Vida Surf” and bring you directly to the villa.
Airport: Agadir–Al Massira Airport
Airport transfer available:
Agadir–Al Massira Airport (US$ 87 per person)
Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.
Airport: Marrakesh Menara Airport
Airport transfer available:
Marrakesh Menara Airport (US$ 76 per person)
Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.
Airport: Essaouira-Mogador Airport
Airport transfer available:
Essaouira-Mogador Airport (US$ 22 per person)
Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookYogaRetreats.com. All major credit cards supported.
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