About Rachel Bonkink
I guide small groups of professionals on carefully curated retreats that combine depth, clarity and strong guidance. Some of these retreats centre on stillness and nervous system regulation, others on beginner friendly mountain adventures that integrate physical challenge with yoga and meditation. Across all of them, the intention is the same: real experience without stress, rush or logistical complexity.
I am the founder of Revealing Vajra and have guided more than 100 retreats internationally. I lived in Morocco for four years and have guided the ascent of Mount Toubkal multiple times, working closely with experienced local mountain guides and trusted teams.
My work is for people who want meaningful experiences rather than extremes, and who value professionalism, care and thoughtful structure.
My approach to retreats
A retreat can be impressive without being nourishing.
It can be beautiful without being well held.
And it can be challenging without being respectful.
I know this because before creating Revealing Vajra, I spent years attending retreats myself.
I worked in a demanding corporate environment as an operational director in the medical research sector. During that time, retreats were the only way I could truly disconnect, recover and regain perspective. I took them seriously.
Some retreats were excellent. Many were almost great, but missed something essential. Logistics were unclear. Pacing felt off. People were pushed, rushed or left to manage uncertainty on their own.
One question kept returning:
What makes a retreat genuinely supportive rather than simply impressive?
At some point, I stopped asking that question and started designing the answer.
Why I created Revealing Vajra
Revealing Vajra was born from the desire to create retreats that are deeply held from start to finish.
That means small groups, clear guidance, strong local partnerships and all inclusive logistics. There are no hidden costs, no pressure to perform and no expectation to keep up with anyone else.
When people do not have to organise, decide or prove themselves, something shifts. They become present, listen more closely and meet challenge with curiosity rather than resistance.
Whether a retreat involves stillness, movement or climbing a mountain, these principles remain the same.
From yoga retreats to adventure without chaos
Over time, my work evolved naturally.
Yoga and meditation were never about flexibility or form for me. They were about awareness, recovery and learning how to stay present in challenging environments. From there, it was a small step toward integrating these practices into more physically demanding retreats.
Mount Toubkal became a clear expression of this approach.
You do not need to be a climber to climb Mount Toubkal. You need steady pacing, professional guidance, respect for altitude and the right support structure. When these elements are in place, the mountain becomes an invitation rather than a test.
Yoga and meditation are not extras on these retreats. They support recovery, breathing and nervous system regulation, especially in demanding environments. This is what allows people to feel both challenged and safe.
Who my retreats are for
My retreats attract people from all over the world, often professionals who carry a lot of responsibility in daily life.
Many travel solo.
Many are new to meditation or yoga.
Many do not identify as adventurers.
They come because they want something real, but not reckless. Challenge without chaos. Depth without dogma. Experiences that are carefully thought through.
They leave with confidence, clarity and a renewed sense of trust in themselves.
My background and training
I bring together lived experience in high pressure professional environments with extensive training in yoga, meditation, mindfulness and coaching.
Over the past decade, I have completed multiple teacher trainings, silent retreats and professional certifications across Europe, the UK, the US and Asia, alongside ongoing personal practice.
This includes training with the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation, Brown University, the International Coaching Federation, and long term study in yoga, meditation, neuroscience and contemplative practice.
I first wrote out my company name on a beach in Bali.
Vajra means “diamond” in Sanskrit
Here are some of my trainings and retreats, not mentioning the workshops along the way as that would make it a very long list:
- Deeper Mindfulness, Oxford Mindfulness Foundation, UK
- Mindfulness for Life, Oxford Mindfulness Foundation, UK
- MBCT, Brown University, USA
- Positive Neuroplasticity, Rick Hanson, USA
- International Coaching Federation Training
- Michael Lobsang Tenpa Meditation Retreat, Metta, UK
- Alan Wallace Meditation Retreat, The way of Shamatha, Germany
- Alan Wallace Silence and Meditation Retreat, 4 Applications of Mindfulness, UK
- Paul Grilley, Yin Yoga Teacher Training, San Francisco, USA
- Alan Wallace Silence and Meditation Retreat, 7 Point Mind Training, UK
- Tony Robbins, UPW, San Jose, USA
- Bernie Clark, Yin Yoga Teacher Training, Vancouver, Canada
- Vipassana 10 Days Silence and Meditation Retreat, Canada
- John Stirk, Scaravelli Inspired Yoga Retreat, Italy
- Sarah Powers Yin Yoga Level 2, Teacher Training, London, UK
- Sarah Powers Yin Yoga Level 1, Teacher Training, Thailand
- Sarah Powers Silence and Meditation Retreat, UK
- Astrid Van Dam, Yoga Teacher Training, the Netherlands
- Association for Yoga & Meditation Teacher Training, Rishikesh, India
- Practitioner and Master NLP, Arcturus, Belgium
- Traditional Chinese Medecine, the Netherlands
- Young Management Program, Vlerick Business School, Belgium
- Economical Sciences Master Degree, Belgium
What matters to me
There is no yoga snobbery on my retreats.
No competition.
And no pressure to perform.
People of different ages, levels of fitness and experience are welcome. Practices are adapted. Guidance is personal. Care is constant.
I believe retreats work best when people feel safe enough to be themselves.
What comes next
Throughout the year, I guide a small number of retreats in Morocco and beyond.
Some take place earlier in the year and focus on grounding, clarity and reconnection, offering a deep reset without physical strain. Others, such as the Mount Toubkal retreat in May, combine physical challenge with recovery and integration in a fully supported mountain environment.
Each retreat expresses the same core principles: small groups, strong guidance, all inclusive logistics and space to meet yourself honestly.
If you are curious about upcoming retreats and want to sense which one fits you best, you can explore them here.
If you have questions or would like to think together about timing or suitability, I invite you to reach out directly.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Rachel
