DAILY PROGRAMMA: MORE THAN YOGA
We start each day with yoga, pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation.
After savasana, we enjoy breakfast in the sun and you might have a massage, all part of your package of course!
In the afternoon you will have some time for yourself, take a dip in the pool, enjoy a rejuvenating massage or read that book that’s been waiting for you for a while.
We will go an explore some of the amazing beaches in the neighbourhood and have lunch in the most typical place you can imagine.
There’s a silence day on the program: Let the silence dazzle you and experience its strength. Many people are hesitant about this part of the program but afterwards, our participants often tell us that it was one their favorite moments of the holiday.
Sunset is the time for the evening yoga classes. They will balance body and mind and above all, will give you a deep sense of peace and rest. After class you can enjoy, another wonderful dinner.
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.
Here is an example of a typical schedule. We like to be open to the unexpected and our schedule can change according to weather conditions, overall group preferences, etc.
07.30 Hatha yoga class
09.00 Wonderful Breakfast
11.00 Your Included Massage
13.00 Revitalising Lunch
14.00 Time for the Pool, Relaxing, a Stroll on the beach
17.30 Yin yoga class
19.30 Heartwarming Dinner
20:30 Free time
Everything That Makes A Yoga Holiday Special, The Massage, The Excursion, all Meals, The Extra Classes: It is ALL Included!
OUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME
We found a hidden paradise for this unique Christmas retreat in the Alentejo region in Portugal.
Paraiso Escondido has everything you need to fully relax on a retreat. Berny and Glenn have made their dream come true and have created the perfect location to slow down and recharge. Quality and luxury are the key words to describe this venue.
With just 10 rooms, the atmosphere is personal and relaxed. The invitation is there to completely feel at home. And believe me, you will not want to leave after a week.
Berny has an incredible eye for detail and art which clearly reflects on the interior design of the rooms. All rooms are different and allocation is on a first come, first serve basis.
Flights & Transfers
The sooner you book your tickets for Xmas, usually the better, price wise.
Airport to fly into is FARO.
Transfers from and to our venue are included in the price of the retreat, if you can make the shared transfers. We like you to fully relax and not worry about a thing anymore, after your arrival at the airport.
We have one Faro airport pick up at 11AM on the 19th of December.
There is one shuttle going back to the Faro airport at 9:30AM on the 26th of December.
If you can’t make these times, we’re happy to arrange for separate transfers for you, at extra cost.
On the 19th, the earliest check in is 2PM.
The airport to fly into is FARO. This is about 1h30 minutes from our venue.
The Lisbon airport is almost 3 hours away, consequently, this will be a much higher price for a transfer.
You can stay at Paraiso Escondido after your retreat, depending on availability or we’re happy to recommend nice places in the area.
Flight are NOT included in the retreat price.
Ideally, you arrive before dinner on the 19th so before 7PM-ish. As people are flying in from all over the world, we will start our lessons on the 20th. Our closing class is on the 25th in the evening and our all inclusive package as such ends on the 26th of December, after breakfast.
UNLESS you make the combination and ALSO stay for our New Year’s Retreat!
Contact me for the special price if you would like to book both weeks!
If you have any questions about flights or transfers, or if you want to come earlier or leave a couple of days later; please don’t hesitate asking. My pleasure to assist and share some of my favourite hotels in Lisbon or Faro!
Cuisine
Nutritious food is a very important part of the Revealing Vajra yoga retreat experience.
Chef Yuki will spoil us with incredibly delicious meals! Joining just for the food is an idea 🙂
Yuki is a plant-based chef and a certified nutritionist from the Plant-Based Institute for Culinary Arts in Berlin.
Her origins are from Bavaria and as a kid from the „Alpes“ – her connection to nature has always been profound and source of life energy.
She’s a former audio-visual designer, based in Portugal and she works as a Private Chef for seminaries, events and yoga retreats.
She believes in the ethical & energetically quality and the positive effects of pure, plant-based, wholesome food. When carefully prepared with creativity & love & joy, foods are directly connected to our inner and outer health and well-being.
“With food we can share and communicate our emotions. It´s that mind-set of sharing that is really what you are eating.” – Buddhist chef Jeong Kwan
All meals will be balanced and, support you in every step of your journey this week.
Our diet will be vegan and Yuki can cater for all allergies and intolerances. Just let us know in advance.
One day, we will go out to a local restaurant for lunch (or dinner), depending on weather and regulations.
Yoga
Daily meditation and yoga classes will be offered in a way to relax, stimulate, and help you grow in your own personal practice.
Our yoga retreats typically attract both people who have never done yoga before and very experienced yogis.
We usually have some yoga teachers as well, who are there to rejuvenate and enjoy the receiving part instead of the giving.
Style and class levels will be determined and adjusted to fit everyone’s needs.
We will start with gentle hatha and yin classes to start relaxing body and mind. We slow down, releasing tension and tightn. ess in shoulders, hips, the back, face, abdomen, … Taking our time to unravel and soften, to diffuse the knots in body and mind.
Slowly building up towards a more Vinyasa inspired class. There’s always a class that focuses more on alignment and a Kundalini class.
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.
Your Yoga Teacher and Host, Rachel Bonkink
What I bring across is much more than bending forwards and backwards in a pretty location.
As I have a worked both as a COO and consultant before founding Revealing Vajra, I know what stress is. I know what deadlines are, and I know how much you need your me time to relax.
It is this unique combination – a deep understanding of corporate life and the corporate ladder, alongside a vast experience of mind-body trainings and many personal retreats, plus the expertise of organising over 60 of my own yoga retreats – that gives my yoga holidays and retreats a very POWERFUL edge.
The program I offer will completely relax and rejuvenate you.
On my yoga retreats, you will focus on enjoying your practice and gaining new insights into your body, mind and the yoga philosophy.
To me, these holidays are so much more than just a getaway. These retreats can be truly life changing and empower you to become a more healthy and happy person.
Asana wise, I started my own journey about 10 years ago with Ashtanga. Later on, I got very inspired by Iyengar trained teachers like Gustavo Ponce and John Stirk. Over the years, I’ve taken several 100 and 200 hour teacher trainings in India, the Netherlands, Thailand, the UK and the US. Currently, I enjoy receiving teachings by Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers, Bernie Clark and Alan Wallace. Every year, I go on at least two to three (silent) retreats or trainings myself to recharge, rejuvenate and broaden my knowledge on yoga and meditation.
My meditation journey has mostly been inspired by my retreats with lama Alan Wallace, Jack Kornfield and Rick Hanson.
I am happy to discuss your expectations and see if this holiday is right for you. I welcome any and all questions or concerns you may have and invite you to email me at: rb@revealingvajra.com or just give me a call on +32 476 204 121.
WHAT TO DO NEXT? BOOKING THIS “CHRISTMAS YOGA RETREAT”
Prices include full board accommodation, all drinks, yoga lessons, a workshop, a day out, beach shuttles, one full-length treatment and a really cool art class.
per person for shared accommodation for one week – this is for couples only or close friends – 1 bed in the room
per person for private accommodation for one week
If you are a single traveler, no worries, most people are …
THERE ALSO A NEW YEAR’S RETREAT! WHY NOT BOOK BOTH WEEKS!
CONTACT ME FOR THE COMBO PRICE.
BOOKING & CANCELLATION POLICY
As these are such challenging and insecure times, we are all taking a bit of a risk when booking this retreat. With these conditions in place, we can go forward with the retreat bookings, book our flights and, I can be responsible in managing my small business.
You can secure your booking with a 500 Euro deposit.
The remaining amount is due 3 weeks before the start date of the retreat.
In the event Revealing Vajra needs to cancel this retreat because of government regulations, not enough participants or simply not being able to have the retreat in Portugal at this venue for whatever reason, in this case, there are 3 options:
1. Revealing Vajra refunds everything you have paid within 3 weeks.
2. You agree with moving your booking to a new date in 2021-2023.
3. You accept a voucher that can be used for any of the retreats till 31/12/2023.
In the event that you need to cancel the retreat, less than 3 weeks before the start date of the retreat, Revealing Vajra can not refund. I wish I could but costs where made by now and in this time span it will be difficult to find a replacement. No exceptions, sorry.
I strongly encourage you to take a travel insurance to cover the costs of possible cancellation or illness.
There are no refunds for arriving late, leaving the retreat early, flight cancellations, travel delays or illness.
Any refunds allowed will incur a 3% processing fee.
Flights are not covered and not included in your retreat price.
At any time you can provide a replacement participant.
The perfect getaway from it all. You will find yourself in a breathtaking setting in which you experience a harmonious balance of well being by the truthful guided yoga and meditation classes of Rachel combined with the state of the art gourmet vegan menu of chef Yuki.
Portugal October 2021
Nicole Meijer, Belgium
If you need a getaway, this is it!
This Christmas Retreat was the best thing I have done for myself in a long time. Perfect blend of yoga, meditation and relaxation. My body and mind feel so much lighter and the tension in my back and chest is finally released after a year. Thank you, Rachel!
Looking forward to my next retreat with you, just not sure when yet!
Morocco, December 2019
Trine Bejerholm, Denmark
This is my second retreat with Rachel and once again, I really enjoyed myself. The venue was beautiful, the people I met were amazing, and the food was fantastic.
A great escape from the everyday life. I would definitely recommend this retreat to others!
Morocco, December 2019
Linda Tran, Canada
Awesome yoga retreat in a very special location close to Marrakech.
Beautiful resort where you can be social with the other yogis or find your own spot to be by yourself and can read or just relax.
Yoga on the rooftop outside, with a view on the mountains is just "breathtakingly awesome". Different kind of yoga styles, so each class is different and never boring.
I would recommend this place and yoga retreat with Rachel and would do it again. That would be my third retreat with Rachel :)
Morocco, December 2019 (previously joined our Scotland retreat in 2019 and 2018)
Alex, Germany
It was the perfect break form a hectic/stressful life where 'down time' is luxury. Exactly the right way to unplug from obligations, get in touch with what matters (perspective) and celebrate me! Rachel is thoughtful, caring, fun and her guidance and energy created a special space to explore ourselves.
Morocco, December 2018
Jill, USA
Trust your feelings and my comments!
The whole experience has been a wonderful one.
Rachel has organised a tailor made schedule for each of the participants – different types of yoga classes, meditation, silent day, visits and track.
The experiences I shared with this group of people in a week, have been stronger than with people I meet in my daily life! I was amazed on how it is possible to connect on a different level, away from the social labels we usually introduce ourselves by – I still do not know what some of the other participants' jobs are, and honestly, I do not care – as I appreciated all of them so dearly.
Rachel made this magic happen, in her gentle and humoristic way. No pressure.
Everyone one is free to follow his/her own will, thought. At all times, Rachel has been kind, equanimous and friendly.
The mental benefits and physical well being are still lingering with me – Revealing Vajra experience has allowed me to start an inner transformation toward peace of mind and inner balance that are greats support in a busy daily life.
I am looking forward to a another retreat with this trustful teacher!
Morocco, October 2016 and March 2017
Scotland August 2018
Marie-Pierre Zanusso, France
What a wonderful holiday! Rachel thought of a really great program. With lots of variety but also enough time to simply relax. We did so much more than just yoga. I will remember the lovely excursions to Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains, all so very well organised so that we could be 100% worry free. And not pay for anything extra. For sure, I will return as I became very curious to see the other Revealing Vajra locations around the world!
Morocco, March 2017
Anne, the Netherlands
Wonderful retreat in a great location. I had such a good time, and I wish I was there was one more week to come! The yoga classes were creative and very interesting. After a week of practising with Rachel, I can feel the benefits of daily meditation. It helped me to create space and look at my thoughts and emotions from a distance. There is still a lot to sort out, but I feel that I am becoming stronger and with an open mind. Thank you so much for that!
Morocco, March 2017
Ewa Paluszkiewicz, Poland
Rachel is a great host and teacher. She makes everyone feel at ease and safe. The yoga sessions are suitable for all levels and you get back what you put in. I also enjoyed meeting fascinating and kind people from all over the world and diverse backgrounds. A wonderful trip!
Morocco, March 2017 and Scotland, August 2018
Nicole Berry, USA
This week has been a totally unique experience for me. I have taken away so many wonderful things and experiences which will stay with me for the rest of my life. Thank you Rachel!
Morocco, March 2017 and Mallorca, April 2018
Carole Vinycomb, UK
This retreat was excellent for people who are new to yoga as it incorporated different styles of yoga. All given in a gentle way, allowing people of varying physical ability to participate fully in all classes. The location was perfect, providing serenity and relaxation, while offering quick trips to the bustling Marrakech. I chose this retreat because it was a good combination of yoga and the opportunity to get a taste of Morocco.
Rachel’s style is very laid back and non-dogmatic, giving people the space to do whatever they enjoy and be themselves. Also, this retreat is some of the best value for money you will get on any yoga retreat!
Morocco, May 2015
Vania, Switzerland
I was not experienced with yoga at all, but I was looking for a structured and healthy, relaxing holiday. The retreat has surpassed my expectations. There was so much variety in the yoga and participants had varying levels of expertise. After a week, I feel relaxed and refreshed. If you want to travel solo and really unwind, Rachel’s retreats are a great way to do it!
Costa Rica
Stacey Sprinkel, USA
OUR PROMISE TO YOU
We know that too often, you go on a retreat but then have to pay for all the nice “extras”… things like transfers, excursions, … sound familiar?
Not with us though!
We promise that everything will be included in the price.
We believe that the nice extras aren’t “optional”.
They help turn a good retreat into a great one.
We want you to have a great christmas yoga retreat!
