Sacred Soul Sanctuary is an ethos.
It will mean different things to different people.
For some it will be the silent expansion of breath and mind in meditation;for others, flowing asana (yoga postures) and movement, and for someone else chanting or singing from the heart.
It is our offering to you.
Space to connect with your highest self. Space to connect with others through shared interests and experiences.
It is refuge from the busy-ness of daily life that masks the exquisite beauty of ahuman existence.It is a place for you to heal, to come home to what is real andtrue and blissful.
OUR VENUE
Tigmi,meaning ‘my house’ in Berber, is a boutique riad hotel 25 minutes from the centre of Marrakech, on the outskirts of a traditional Berber village. The Atlas Mountains provide a stunning backdrop to this tranquil retreat hotel which is set in a rural rustic location. As well as supremely comfortable bedrooms, a viewing terrace from which to take in views across the hamlet of Tagadert and the Haouz plain, the hotel features stunning gardens, 2 swimming pools, plunge pools and secret, shady terraces, all with the spectacular Medieval city of Marrakech just a short taxi journey away.
Tigmi has an outstanding spa where you can relax, rejuvenate or get a massage on those knotted muscles - a Hammam and Steam Bath is a Moroccan tradition and an experience not to be missed! Spa bookings can be done on arrival, or in advance if you prefer to get organised, and are paid for direct to Tigmi.
ACCOMMODATION
Your accommodation will be in one of the hotel’s authentic Berber Rooms. Intimate and quirky in their design, each room is individually decorated with locally
woven cushions, covers and wall hangings, and stocked with specially made bath, shower and body products.
If you’re looking for an even more luxurious experience, several Suites are available and feature a private terrace or courtyard, separate sitting room and an open fire place.
YOGA
Any form of movement can be considered Yoga if it is linked to the breath and carried out with mindful awareness.
With this in mind, our yoga for the week will involve a variety of practices. Traditional flowing asana (posture) sequences - including morning Surya Namaskar based flows to energise, and deep, transformational lunar flows to relax - will be interwoven with deeply embodied practices, informed by cutting edge experiential movement anatomy, designed to release the web of connective tissue that runs through the body, thus fostering healthier movement patterns. We will also explore the softer practices of restorative and yin yoga, instill trust, connection and a felt sense of Sangha (community) through partner yoga, as well as pranayama (breathing exercises), mudra (energetic and symbolic hand gestures), sound and mantra (chanting and singing).
YOUR TEACHERS
Amanda and Nathalie’s friendship began in 2012, when Amanda attended Nathalie’s classes. Over the past 3 years their shared love of Yoga and desire to live empowered and fulfilling lives has brought them ever closer together. They attend one another’s classes, practice with other teachers together and create collaborative Yogic magic, supporting each other through their adventures along the way. They are beyond excited to be creating the Sacred Soul Sanctuary Moroccan Retreat, their first collaborative retreat offering.
Amanda Wilkes is a Vinyasa Flow Yoga teacher with a deep passion for yogic philosophy and how these ancient teachings relate to our modern day lives. Her classes focus on helping the individual realise their own potential, by practicing in a way that is appropriate for their body in that particular moment, regardless of what they have done before
(or would like to do in the future!). She believes that the asanas we practice are simply a means for cultivating the tools we need to skilfully navigate our lives - balance, strength, flexibility of mind, courage and acceptance.
Nathalie’s teaching offers a nourishing, empowering journey into true Yoga. Through the lensof mindful, exploratory vinyasa flow sequences, imbued withcutting edge movement
anatomy insight, she aims to guide people into a state of presence. Tailored to meet the physical, mental and emotional demands of modern lives, her classes are an embodied journey of self-discovery. She encourages a deep level of mind-body awareness to unravel restrictions
and overcome adversity, in order to access liberation and inner fulfilment.
SCHEDULE & OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
Our Welcome Satsang takes place on Saturday 25th June at 6.30pm with dinner at 8.00pm.
The first full yoga practice will be on the morning of Sunday 26th June, followed by breakfast.
Our final practice and Closing Satsang will be in the early afternoon of 2nd July followed by lunch before your departure.
There will be 2 yoga and meditation practices daily with the exception of one day mid-week when we will have just one meditation/yoga nidra class. On the same day there will be an optional trip to the beach resort of Essaouria, once rumoured to be Jimi Hendrix’s favourite seaside hangout!
For those that wish to visit the vibrant city of Marrakech, we have organised an evening excursion where you will have a chance to experience the delights of the Jamaa el Fna, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, browse the souks and maybe haggle for souvenirs in the souks!
Marrakech, also known as The Red City due to the colour of the pink mud walls has much on offer, from the historic Koutoubia Mosque with it’s 70m high Minaret to the Bahia Palace, a wonderful example of 19th Century Eastern Architecture; to the Bar at the Mamounia Hotel, rumoured to be Winston Churchill’s favourite drinking spot when in town! Tigmi run a free shuttle bus to and from Marrakech allowing you to explore this magical and mysterious and colourful city under your own steam and there will be plenty of free time in the schedule
should you wish to do so...in fact we positively encourage you to!
Yves Saint Laurent famously visited and fell in love with Marrakech in the 1960’s and sometime later bought the run down Majorelle Gardens, renovating and updating what has become one of Marrakech’s most visited sites. Combining Moorish charm with Art Deco styling, the Gardens are lush, cool and breathtakingly beautiful. We will have the opportunity to visit them one afternoon during our stay (exact day to be confirmed).
The full schedule will be emailed to you prior to the retreat.
FLIGHTS, TRANSFERS AND ADDITIONAL NIGHTS
Easyjet fly from London Gatwick to Marrakech with early booking flights at around £120. We would advise taking the 12.20 outbound flight which arrives in Marrakech at 16.00, and on
the return journey, we will be finished in plenty of time for you to catch the 16.40 flight.
Please note the check in/out times at Tigmi are 1pm/12pm, with some flexibility available upon request. If you wish to arrive earlier or stay longer please contact the hotel directly
and let them know you are with the retreat and they will make the reservation for you.
Transfers can be arranged through the hotel at a cost of 125dh (approx. £22) each way (shared transfer), or 250dh if travelling alone.
PRICES & ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Shared Berber Room (twin or double) £800 per person Single Occupancy Berber Room £1030
Shared Suite (twin or double) £900 per person Single Occupancy Suite £1180
The cost of the retreat includes:
Early morning tea and coffee, buffet breakfast, light buffet of salads for lunch,
three course Moroccan dinner, water all day long*.
2 daily yoga & meditation practices
*Please note all meals are vegetarian*
Accommodation
Flights, airport transfers, optional excursions, wine and soft drinks at lunch/dinner and spa treatments at Tigmi are not included in the price
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
(to be paid for in cash at the retreat)
Day trip to the beach resort of Essaouria (pronounced Essa-weera) £22.50 (packed lunch included)
Evening visit to the Marrakech Souks followed by a 3 course dinner with soft drinks at Cafe Arabe £45
Afternoon visit to the Majorelle Gardens £20
YOU CAN BOOK BY EMAILING INFO@AMANDAWILKESYOGA.COM
Please specify which room type you prefer i.e. single, shared double/twin or suite and if applicable, the name of the person you wish to share with
A non-refundable deposit of £200 is required to secure your space
The remaining balance is due on 1st April 2016
In the event you need to cancel once you have paid the balance, a 15% administration fee will be applied up to 2 weeks before the retreat
If you have any questions please get in touch, either on the email addresses above or by phone, we would love to talk to you! Amanda can be reached on 07985 598463
and Nathalie on 07854 455397.
And lastly.....concerned about coming on retreat on your own?
Please don't worry! You will find that you get to know everyone very quickly through your shared love of yoga and will probably discover that most other people were nervous about
being on their own too! And just because you’re coming on your own don’t feel that youshould have a single room.... we will do our best to pair you up with someone you will get
on with like a house (or Riad!) on fire!
Last updated March 11, 2016, 10:30 a.m. UTC
I first practiced yoga when I was pregnant with my second child, but it didn't leave a lasting impression on me. I came back to the practice some years later and after establishing a strong alignment based foundation with Iyengar and Hatha I eventually found my yogic home in Vinyasa Flow, instantly loving the fluidity and grace of the practice and the use of music to enhance the experience. I am passionate about creating a safe, friendly and welcoming space for my students to explore the multi-faceted practice of yoga so they may connect with their inner guru, reach their highest potential both on and off the mat and experience the transformation that is possible through a dedicated, conscious practice.
