4 Days Relaxing and Rejuvenating Yoga Holiday Varna, Bulgaria

Facilities

The holiday includes 2 x 90 minutes classes a day, accommodation, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, (except for a lunch and dinner where you go out and sample the local cuisine dependant on when you arrive in the 7-day schedule). Tranquil Times Holistic Retreats is specialized in tailoring programs to your individual requirements to give you the ultimate holistic experience. Classes are suitable for all ages and beginner and intermediate levels.

Yoga

On your retreat, you will learn and practice various asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), yoga Nidra (relaxation), and meditation at your own pace and within your own range. Morning classes tend to be slightly more dynamic in order to energize and revitalize, as well as to relax, while the late afternoon class includes more yoga Nidra and meditation.

The classes include sun salutations with variations depending on your level. Classes are small and informal so there will be plenty of time for individual attention and to concentrate on poses suitable for you and your body. Over the years, resident instructor Jo has practiced and studied various styles of Hatha yoga and has been influenced by the correct alignment that Iyengar yoga teaches, the breath-synchronized flowing movements of Vinyasa with its sun salutations and Viniyoga with its individualistic approach and gentle flow.

Her main influences in recent years are Integral yoga which incorporates gentle Hatha practice and focuses on the healing power of meditation and Sivanander. Her classes have a lovely flowing sequence and although predominantly Sivanander based, incorporate aspects from many of the above styles of yoga, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.

Meditation

Meditation expands awareness and develops calmness, serenity, and focus, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of our inner nature. Meditation also has much to offer as a tool for enhancing concentration, willpower, and resistance to stress. It allows us to ride the waves of life without being disturbed by them.

The meditation techniques are taught systematically, and over the course of the week may cover body and breathe awareness and inner observation. Healing chakra meditations are often included as are special confidence boosting and abundance meditations.

Daily schedule

• 08:00 - 09:30 Morning class (90 min yoga)
• 10:00 - 10:30 Breakfast
• 10:30 - 14:00 Free time for therapies, relaxation, further activity, practice, etc.
• 14:00 - 15:00 Light lunch
• 15:00 - 17:30 Free time
• 17:30 - 19:00 Afternoon class (90 minutes yoga or meditation)
• 19:30 - 20:30 Evening meal

Please note that morning class will start between 08:00 and 08:30 depending on the heat of the season. Flexibility and individual requests are always allowed.

You will enjoy a beach day and an evening in Varna City depending on the weekly schedule.

Tranquil Times Holistic Retreat is located in Sadovo, an authentic Bulgarian village. The venue is nestled in a valley surrounded by vineyards, forest and beautiful countryside which is part of the Kamchia Nature Reserve. Situated just a short 25-minute drive from Varna city center, the sea capital of Bulgaria, you will find the retreat is easily accessible.

Nearby places

• Beaches - 30 minutes by car
• Beach resorts - 45 minutes by car
• Varna, 28 kilometers - 25 minutes by car
• Varna Airport (VAR) - 35 minutes by car

Vegetarians and non-vegetarians are equally welcome at the retreat. Special menus for each group of visitors are designed and prepared, so you can be sure that there will be a plentiful supply of delicious healthy food to suit your tastes. Please note, however, that many of the meals will be vegetarian and Tranquil Times Holistic Retreat doesn't serve any red meat or mushrooms.

On your retreat, three meals per day are provided, apart from one lunch and dinner where you eat out. The first meal of the day is served after any early morning activities. This consists of homemade granola, fresh fruit salad, Bulgarian bio yogurt, freshly baked bread, local village honey and homemade preserves. A light lunch is served in the early afternoon and includes salads.

A two-course evening meal is served a short while after the late afternoon classes. There has always been wonderful feedback about the food as it is super tasty, varied and produced from as much locally sourced produce as possible. Drawing on culinary influences from around the world, subtle herbs and spices are used to produce classic and innovative meals.

It is a promise you will not be left hungry and if you have sweet cravings, scrumptious desserts will be happily prepared too! There is a well-stocked organic vegetable garden, over 30 fruit, and nut trees on site and eggs from free-range hens.

Please note that if you have any special dietary requirements, you will have the opportunity to tell on the questionnaire after booking and Tranquil Times Holistic Retreat will do their best to accommodate.

Exclusions

• Red meat Mushrooms

You will have plenty of free time to contemplate, to have therapies, go swimming and walking, mountain biking, or simply relax and recharge those batteries while sunbathing with a good book around the pool. Alternatively, you may wish to visit local attractions such as the city, beaches, Varna City, mineral spas at St. Constantine, Balchik Botanical Garden or The Eco Park.

Spa treatments are also available at an extra cost. There are:

• Aromatherapy massage (35 GBP)
• Indian head massage (35 GBP)
• Reflexology (35 GBP)
• Reiki (35 GBP)

• Daily morning 90-minute yoga class
• Daily afternoon 90-minute yoga or meditation class
• Beach day and evening in Varna City depending on weekly schedule
• 3 nights' accommodation
• Full board meals (except for one lunch and one evening meal where you eat out locally depending on weekly schedule)
• Access to facilities
• Water, teas, and coffee
• Yoga mats

• 1 evening meal
• 1 lunch
• Bar drinks
• Optional trips
• Therapies
• Transfers
• Travel insurance

Recommended Airports

• A reservation requires a deposit of 36% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.