A very warm invitation to those that long to connect to their essential  life flow and the expansive power in the universe. Sink into the rhythms  of nature while exploring the culture and experiences that Morocco has  to offer. 

The surrounding countryside provides a backdrop  for beautiful walks every day and the pool is available for those who  enjoy swimming. The benches, deckchairs, umbrellas, and Moroccan  ‘zellij’ tile tables offer an authentic and local character to the  terraces and places of relaxation. The magic of this wonderful site is  enhanced by the changing light during the day and the clarity of the  starry sky at night.

You are a sublime mirroring of the elements of the world. Earth,  Water, Fire, Air, and Ether are the yogic elements that make up the  Universe. Cherish your human connections! Treasure those splendid  memories... that you are going to make!
 

We will explore yoga practice, meditation, and Ayurveda concepts.  Ayurveda identifies the human body as a combination of the 5 vital  elements in varying proportions, impacting the layers to our being, and  thus making an individual unique.

Enjoy the opportunity to explore your inner nature - each day being dedicated to one element:

• Earth - solid, dense and foundational
• Water - liquid, flowing and dissolving
• Fire - energy, transformation, and creation
• Air - breath, motion, and lightness
• Ether - space, expansiveness, and emptiness
• Add the 6th element: Friendship 

Following the current research of Gauri concerning pre-Asana moves and their organic effects we will explore:

• Purpose of the precise movements in asana
• How to explore Sthirata in Asana
• How to Connect the Asana practice to yoga sutras? The Asanas are a  series of body movements that give a very clear way to understand the  human body from outside in
• How are these body actions done? Through specific moves, with  intimate communication between body and breath, and with a particular  purpose. Every human body needs stretching, elongation, turning,  twisting, bending and inversions
• With these moves, one creates a pathway to reach the roots of  organic body and psychological body, with simple or complex Asana and  with accuracy
• But why such accuracy? That is the key question, which we like to explore in every move in an Asana
• What is achieved by Asana or what is the aim behind the precise  body moves? There is a frame of Asana which is given, but some different  movements might be required according to each person.
• So ”what”, “how”, “why” are we searching in our practice? How to invite that particular Asana in our own body?

Saturday, October 10, 2020:

Welcome to Bab Zouina

• 8.30 pm Dinner and information

Sunday, October 11 to Wednesday 14, 2020:

• 7-7:30 am Early morning tea, coffee
• 7:30-9:30 am Asana class
• 9:30-10:30 am Light breakfast
• 10:30-12 pm Guided practice
• 12:30-4 pm Lunch & break
• 4-5 pm yoga
• 5-5:30 pm meditation
• 7 pm Dinner

Thursday, October 15

• 8 am Breakfast
• According to schedule, departure to Marrakech airport

All meals are cooked  with fresh local produce. You will be served 3 meals/day - the meals are  prepared with local products and fresh bread is baked daily in a  traditional earth oven. The Moroccan cuisine is a delight in itself. 

Meals are served on low tables (Berber style). Fruits, mineral water, coffee & tea available.

• 6 days, 5 nights accommodation ~ the rooms are warmly decorated in  Moroccan style, with Berber futons on beautiful carpets and cushions
• 3  meals/day ~ the meals are prepared with local products and fresh bread  is baked daily in a traditional earth oven. The Moroccan cuisine is a  delight in itself.
• Teaching during the retreat
• Yoga shala/outdoor terrace ~ mats & props available
• 1/2  day private trip • excursion to cultural and historical sites of  Marrakesh with local guide ~ explore, visit to Medina and time for  shopping
• Wifi connection
• Daily yoga classes
• Daily meditation classes
• 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals
• Welcome drink
• Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day
• Free excursions to sites of interest
• Free time/other optional activities
• Water, Fruits, Coffee and Moroccan tea available at all times 

Nicoletta Paun

Nicoletta  will be guiding you through the sessions. The yoga that you will  practice is an interactive, recreational and relaxing one, which  includes yoga positions, breathing exercises, meditation but also a lot  of joy, socialization, free expression, laughter and good mood.

• The meals outside Bab Zouina
• Non-program transport
• Flights to Marrakesh 
• Travel insurance
• Additional activities not included in the itinerary 

Bab Zouina is an ode to nature.
The workshop will take place in Bab Zouina, a beautiful traditional  Moroccan villa situated in the Ourika Valley (30 km from Marrakesh) in a  magnificent property surrounded by olive trees.
Far from urban stress, Bab Zouina has kept an authentic and serene spirit, respectful of the environment.
The main house is ecologically built with cut stone and the new  buildings with natural mud bricks. The material used is entirely  traditional: tadellakt on the wall, zellij on the floor and cedar and  acacia for the woodwork.
The estate is full of terraces and peaceful places to recharge your  batteries. The botanical and aromatic gardens surrounding the property  give the place a poetic charm and invite to a gentle meditation.
The amazing Swedish artist and landscape designer, Catharina von  Unge, conceived and designed the ornamental garden surrounding the  property. She managed to combine British aesthetic taste with rusticity  and simplicity of the place.
With the Mexican corner and its incredible varieties of cactuses,  Catharinadares hints at the Majorelle garden by Yves Saint Laurent and  the neighboring garden by André Heller.
www.bab-zouina.com