Your Daily Programme
Below you can see what a ‘typical’ day could look like. We will give you the full program of the week once you arrive. We’ll also leave enough space for adjustments in the schedule, just to be open for the unexpected and for you, to find enough room to simply relax. We might add a workshop or go for a guided walk, all depending on the weather conditions and overall group interest.
This is your time, your holiday, so if you want to skip a class or a workshop that is absolutely fine. Although we believe you will find the program stimulating and fun, primarily we want you to relax and enjoy yourself.
Three and a half hours of yoga a day may sound way too much, especially when you have never done yoga before or when you’re a beginner. Not to worry, this is not a boot camp and we’ll make sure you stay within your limits.
Typical day example
7:30 AM Pranayama, Yoga and Meditation program
The meditation and yoga programs are a soft approach to what may become part of your daily life. Through meditation and yoga, people from around the world and of all level of society have reached incredible results in balancing body, mind and spirit.
Every class will be different, in style but also in the way you experience it. For sure included are: Hatha, Yin and Kundalini. Towards the end of the week we usually fit in a more challenging, Ashtanga inspired class.
9:15 AM Breakfast
11:00 AM Massage, 1 massage per person is offered during this week. You can check the schedule to see when it’s your turn. If you would like more pampering, you can add more massages!
1PM Lunch
5PM Restorative yoga, The restorative yoga classes are gentle yoga classes to rejuvenate your body.
7PM Dinner
Your host
Certified yoga instructor and Revealing Vajra founder, Rachel Bonkink, will facilitate the classes, helping you to focus on enjoying your practice and gaining new insights into your body, mind and the yoga philosophy. Asanas, breathing techniques and various meditation techniques will be covered during the week, in order for you to easily figure out what suits you best.
Rachel has studied many different styles of yoga in various countries. Hatha, Kundalini and Yin classes are by far her favorite ones to teach. They will challenge you and they will bring you very close to the real definition of yoga of stilling the mind.
Rachel is an experienced personal life coach and has guided hundreds of people over the past years in her practice in Antwerp, via Skype and during her retreats. She now lives in Essaouira, a sleepy little fishermen’s town in Morocco.
Before she founded Revealing Vajra, Rachel built on a strong corporate career. At a certain point, managing huge international teams in three different continents. This unique combination – a deep understanding of corporate life alongside a vast experience of mind-body trainings and retreats – gives these holidays a very POWERFUL edge.
Transportation
Transfers from and to Tasgua-Yan are included in the price of the retreat as we like you to fully relax and not worry about a thing anymore, after your arrival at the airport.
The airport to fly into can be Marrakech-Menara (RAK), Agadir or Essaouira.
From there, transfers will be arranged for you.
When you are flying into Marrakech (this will be the best/cheapest option for most people):
If you arrive between 7AM and 1PM, we will pick you up at the airport and you can stay and chill at the Quaryati location. Snacks and drinks are at your own expense.
The van will leave from Quaryati at 3PM, to arrive at Tafedna around 7PM (stops on the way if needed).
FYI: arriving after 5PM in Marrakech can mean: arriving at Tafedna after 11PM, which is not really advised, for your own comfort.
When you are flying into Agadir:
Agadir is only 137 km away but it will take you about 3 hours to get to Tasgua-Yan.
When you are flying into Essaouira:
Essaouira is just 60 km away and it will take you about an hour to get to Tasgua-Yan.
Depending on your country of departure, there will be different airlines available to fly into Morocco. US and Canadian participants will have to fly into Casablanca first.
In Europe; Ryanair, EasyJet, Iberia and Vueling usually offer very competitive rates, so please check on their website for fares from your country of departure.
For the departure day, we have one shared transfer to Marrakech, leaving Tasgua-Yan around 9AM.
Good to know! It takes between 1 and 3 hours to get out of the airport on arrival. And you will need at least two hours prior to departure for passport control and security checks. Afternoon departure flights are therefor advised
You can stay at Tasgua-Yan, before and after your retreat, depending on availability.
What to bring
Part of the anticipation and enjoyment of the trip is considering what you are going to be doing and planning and packing. This includes happy anticipation and mindful preparation for the nice retreat you are going to participate in.
Main thing is not to worry, simply enjoy the preparations.
Don’t worry about wearing the same outfit more than once. This is a retreat where you do not need to dress to impress. Wear whatever feels comfortable. Don’t worry about forgetting an important item either, you’re going to Morocco, so practically anything can be bought for you, should this be necessary.
Quick List of what to bring:
- Passport (!), an ID card is not enough, you really need a passport to enter the country and it needs to still be valid 6 months after departure
- Airplane tickets, boarding pass or electronic versions
- Travel insurance is not included so, as for any other travel abroad, highly recommended
- Travel documents: itineraries, phone numbers
- Basics like socks, underwear, sleepwear, swimsuit, hat
- Toiletries like toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush, comb, feminine hygiene supplies, sunscreen
- Medications, prescriptions, eyeglasses, contact lenses supplies
- Yoga outfit(s)
- White trousers and/or a white T-shirt for our Kundalini class
- Sneakers or walking shoes, our hike is on easy grounds so no need for real walking boots, shoes that won’t hurt your feet whilst walking for 2 hours are fine
- Sweater and long trousers, it can be chilly and windy in the morning and evenings
- Tech stuff like power cords, chargers, camera, cell, mobile device
- A notebook for when you feel inspired
- The currency in Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD), if you like to have some cash at hand, you can change/withdraw at the airport on arrival.
What you don’t need:
- Yoga mat, yoga props
- Fancy clothes
- Shoes with heels
- Flatirons, hair dryers, jewelry
- Laptop, smart phones: it’s ok to bring them but maybe you could gently inform the home front that you might not be very responsive this week? There is Wifi at the main building so you can stay connected.
Special Diets
Healthy food is part of the retreat experience, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, either hosted at Tasgua-Yan, in Essaouira or during our walks.
The cuisine is simple, delicious and Moroccan.
If you have an allergy to a particular ingredient, let us know, and a separate dish will be made for you. No alcohol is served during the week at our shared lunches and dinners and we would appreciate if you do not bring your own wine to consume at the dinner table. On Friday evening and NY’s eve, there is the possibility to have alcohol during our dinners.
Weather
The weather has been a bit ‘off’ this year in Morocco. Also at the seaside, it has been raining a bit more than usual. During our New Year’s week it should be sunny and really nice (temperatures between 17 and 25 degrees) during the day, and probably a bit chilly (temperatures around 12 degrees) in the early morning and evening.
This retreat is now over for this year..
Please contact Rachel at rb@revealingvajra.com to find out about dates next year or other Revaling Vajra retreats.
I had the best time ever! Met wonderful people, got into my yoga practise and laughed a lot. A thoroughly holistic trip. Certainly go on a yoga retreat with Rachel, she is kind, considerate and made us all feel special. I am already planning my next retreat with her!
Meena Julien, UK
Second time on a retreat with Rachel and for sure, it will not be the last time! I thought I knew what was coming but no, it was different and still the same. No pressure, just a friendly invitation to join. No contact, just being present in the ‘now’. No questions, no expectations, just being myself.
Roos Tilleul, Belgium
Revealing Vajra is the real deal! The accommodations are first class, the yoga classes are varied and good, and Rachel is a great leader. You will leave feeling refreshed, happy and committed to your yoga practice.
Sherri Levy, USA
So much more than I expected! Great food, nice rooms, excellent massages, fun excursion, and inspirational yoga lessons. These retreats are more than just a holiday.
Thank you SO much!
Jo Reilly, Belgium
I didn’t expect there to be so many of us at this retreat but we couldn’t have got on any better. A great mix of people (from a number of different countries), a wide range of levels of ability in yoga) who are all there for the same reason. This is a very special retreat in an absolutely beautiful location. There is plenty of time to relax, as well as to immerse yourself in the local culture. The yoga & meditation sessions are excellent. Our teachers were so encouraging, kind and inspiring. I just wish they taught in London…
I feel blessed to have spent a week here and I can’t thank everyone enough for absolutely everything that they have done for me over the past seven days.
Susie, UK
Rachel is a very inspiring host and teacher. She very well embodies the nature of the retreat experience. It has been a true pleasure to have been part of it!
Maarten Vandenbroucke, Belgium
Very insightful and enjoyable week. I learned a lot, and this retreat went beyond the physical. I’m going home richer, with a lot of fun memories. Thank you for the many insightful experiences in a fantastic group and with wonderful teachers around!
Sonja, Germany
If you want to combine a beautiful relaxing holiday with fantastic teachers around, great food and learn a little more about yourself along the way, take a retreat with Rachel. There are many teachers in the US but I decided to return to Rachel’s retreat for the second time, as she knows exactly what I need.
Robin, USA
