Retreat to the Andalusian countryside ...

We are thrilled to travel to a new destination for our annual autumn retreat. Join us for a cultural and wellness experience in beautiful Andalusia, a sundrenched region known for its olive groves, flamenco music, tapas, and Pueblos Blancos (White Villages); the foothills and mountains of the Sierra de Grazalema; and a laid-back lifestyle. We’ll take time to nourish body and spirit, engage in self-care, and explore some of the natural and cultural treasures of this area. 

Our home for the week is the stunning Suryalila Retreat Centre. Set in the Andalusian countryside with unparalleled views and sunsets, Suryalila (Sanskrit for Cosmic Play of the Sun) is the perfect place for a relaxing, nourishing retreat.

With a focus on sustainability, Suryalila offers exquisite nature experiences among its 800 olive trees; a well-cared-for permaculture farm that supplies ingredients for the delicious organic, vegetarian meals; eco-conscious accommodations; and picturesque spaces for daily movement/yoga practices, contemplation, reflection, connection, and play.

Suryalila takes special care in creating warm, welcoming spaces for our daily practices, a variety of lodging options, and places to share time, walk, and reflect in the countryside, including wonderful indoor and outdoor dining areas. (See a video flyover of Suryalila here.)

Suryalila is within an hour’s walking distance of a sweet Pueblo Blanco called Prado del Rey. If you don’t want to walk the countryside, there are taxis to take us there, too. We are also within driving distance of many beautiful Andalusian towns, of which we will visit a wonderful selection for cultural immersion.

Daily wellness practices complement our adventures and excursions. Each day begins with a sunrise reflection, and most days include one or more additional movement and yoga practices, depending on the other activities planned for the day.

WELLNESS EXPERIENCES include:

• Daily movement, yoga, reflection, connection, and more in tranquil gathering spaces (see more in Wellness Practices below).

• Fabulous organic vegetarian meals to nourish the body

• Access to deeply relaxing massage treatments with Suryalila’s experienced in-house therapists

• A relaxing evening sauna

• Swimming (weather permitting)

• Walks and hikes of varying degrees of challenge

• Access to unique spaces to reflect, connect, and re-envision our wellbeing, individually and collectively.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES include:

• Cádiz — Day trip and guided tour in the seaside city of Cádiz, one of the oldest inhabited towns in Western Europe. Cádiz has a fascinating history and is unique in its charm, with whitewashed walls and pastel-colored streets, traditional Moorish architecture, and narrow streets opening up to beautiful plazas with interesting markets, superb local cuisine, and a bustling street life.

• Ronda — Day trip and guided tour in the mountaintop Pueblo Blanco of Ronda, one of Spain’s most spectacular sites, famous for its dramatic Tajo Gorge, rich history, and diverse cultural tapestry visible in its beautiful palaces, squares, museums, and monuments peppered around a labyrinth of streets lined with tapas bars, shops, and restaurants. “Nothing is more startling in Spain than this wild and mountainous city.” — Rainer Maria Rilke

• Prado del Rey — An evening out in sweet Prado del Rey, where we will dine on tapas and enjoy a tour and wine-tasting at a traditional family-owned bodega.

• Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park — Hiking and picnic lunch in this stunning natural reserve, followed by a visit to the Pueblo Blanco of Grazalema.

• Permaculture farm tour — See how the Danyadara (or Blessed Earth) land stewardship project at Suryalila uses permaculture principles, water retention techniques, and sustainable land management to reverse desertification and generate healthy soil.

• Live Flamenco music performance.

INCLUDED IN THE COST:

• 7 nights lodging at beautiful Suryalila Retreat Centre in the heart of the Spanish Andalusian Hills, an area known for its olive groves, charming Pueblos Blancos, and undulating mountains.

• Daily wellness practices — Movement, yoga, reflection, and more in tranquil gathering spaces (mats, blankets, and props provided).

• 3 organic, vegetarian meals per day* — Enjoy Suryalila’s renowned, locally sourced buffet-style meals (when on site).
  *Note: Lunch is on your own during our two day trips (below).

• Day trip excursion to Cádiz with guided tour — One of the oldest cities in Europe, Cádiz has a fascinating history and unique Mediterranean vibe, with whitewashed walls and narrow, pastel-colored streets that open up into beautiful, bustling plazas.

• Day trip excursion to Ronda with guided tour — This mountaintop Pueblo Blanco, world famous for its dramatic Tajo Gorge, boasts a rich history and diverse cultural tapestry influenced by Celts, Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths, and Berbers.

• Hiking in Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park with a picnic lunch, followed by a visit to the Pueblo Blanco of Grazalema.

• An evening out in the nearby Pueblo Blanco of Prado del Rey, where we will enjoy a tour and wine-tasting at a family-owned bodega, plus a delicious dinner of tapas at a favorite local spot.

• Permaculture farm tour — Learn about sustainable and reciprocal agricultural practices that strengthen our bond with Mother Earth, as implemented at Suryalila’s permaculture farm, Danyadara.

• Refreshing outdoor saltwater swimming pool.

• Complimentary fruit, tea, coffee, and filtered water all day.
  

NOT INCLUDED:

• Airfare

• Airport transfers (we will help arrange ride-sharing)

• Lunch on two day trips

• Alcoholic beverages (except for one group wine-tasting)

• Extra activities, such as massage or horseback riding

• Travel insurance (highly recommended; see below)

• Gratuities

OTHER THINGS TO DO:

• Relax in the warmth of the sun by the beautiful saltwater pool.

• Regroup, enjoy some quiet time, or hammock-hang in one of the many relaxation areas around the property.

• Enjoy an invigorating deep tissue or Thai massage with Suryalila’s on-site therapists.

• Take a horseback ride in the countryside.

• Shop Suryalila’s Shakti Boutique, where you can find books, gifts, cards, organic products, yoga clothes, travel essentials, and more.

• Visit Amrita Cafe for refreshments, including coffee, cold-pressed juices or smoothies, and a variety of snacks and other drinks like kombucha, wine, beer, and coconut water.
  

LINDA’S VISION FOR THE RETREAT: My vision for this retreat is that each person tap into what she, he, or they might need or want to feel grounded in all bodies and for their heart to expand. I will offer a range of practices, and you are welcome to participate in as many or as few as you wish, depending on what calls you.

Movement offers benefits for brain health and an enhanced sense of well-being, including feelings of being grounded and relaxed. I love to move and to experience movement in new ways, learning about myself in the process. I bring this passion to how I teach, and my hope is that we each come away from this experience with tools to support us on our journey.

The following are my offerings for our week together. These will vary day to day to accommodate our cultural experiences and excursions.

Sunrise Reflections: For those who wake early, we will meet for sunrise reflections. These reflections may point your attention toward a positive focus for the day. You are also welcome to come and do your own quiet practice in a collective space. Weather permitting, we will meet outside—wear layered clothing to keep warm. Otherwise, we will meet inside.

Wisdom Flow Yoga: In this slow flow style practice, we tune into the wisdom of our own bodies. Breath, internal alignment (bandhas), and functional movement are in sync in this themed class. Attention to stabilizing, grounding, and regulating our bodies is emphasized throughout. It is a naturally invigorating practice that mindfully builds and reaches a peak pose (shape) or sequence. Options are always offered to allow for individual abilities and preferences. Participants may come away feeling centered, stronger, and more empowered.

Whole Body Therapeutics in Movement: This session is exploratory in nature as we build proprioceptive skills (understanding where our body is in space) and interoceptive skills (understanding what the body is communicating to the brain; understanding internal cues). We delve into functional movement; joint activation; dynamic stretching; core stability; slow, fluid sequencing; pausing; and reflection. Come with curiosity and nonjudgment, leave with connection and embodiment.

Rest Practice: Late afternoon or early evening practice with the possibility of slow, fluid movement; yin yoga; resting asana; guided imagery; or yoga nidra. These sessions are sprinkled throughout the week and offer all of us time to integrate and rest as we move through and take in new experiences on this journey.

Play Sessions: A few play sessions are planned for our retreat. In these sessions, there are simple improv games, fun play, and ways to build trust within ourselves and each other. Challenge yourself to try something new!

There are a number of options offered daily. Please do not feel pressure to do it all. You may participate in as much or as little as you wish. This is your retreat, so make it what it needs to be for you, no one else. Please allow yourself the time and space to relax and renew in body, mind and spirit. Go at your own pace. Honor your inner nudges and let them guide you to an appropriate level of activity, striking a healthy balance between community time and time on your own.

Take time for yourself and take advantage of all this place has to offer — open spaces, breathtaking views, peaceful solitude, and nature's bounty all around. Let it refresh and nourish you!

CLOSEST AIRPORTS:

• Seville [SVQ] — 75 minutes by car

• Malaga [AGP] — 2 hours by car

• Jerez de la Frontera [XRY]: 50-60 minutes by car

MAJOR AIRPORT TO CONSIDER — MADRID (MAD):

• Flights may be cheaper.

• Itineraries from U.S. may be better.

• Take a train from Madrid to Seville (~2.5 hours); from Seville, take the ground transfer to Suryalila (see below).

NEAREST BUS STATION:

• Villamartin: 20 minutes by car to Suryalila

SUGGESTION —
TIMING YOUR TRAVEL INTO AND OUT OF SPAIN:

• ARRIVAL: Consider arriving a day (or more) early — If your schedule allows, we highly recommend you arrive in Spain at least one day before the retreat starts to allow for unexpected travel delays, recovery from jet lag, and extra touring time on your own.

• DEPARTURE: Consider staying an extra day (or more) — We suggest staying over Saturday night after the retreat in the city of your departure airport and flying out on Sunday (or later), so as to not feel rushed, and to ease your transition from “retreat” mode back into your everyday life.

SCHEDULE FOR RETREAT START DATE -- Saturday, Oct 28, 2023:

• 3:00 PM — Room check-in opens at Suryalila

• 5:30 PM — Optional “Travel Recovery” therapeutic practice.

• 7:00 PM — Dinner in the Suryalila dining room

• Ground transfers from airport or bus/train station to the retreat venue — We will help coordinate ride-sharing to Suryalila. As people register for the retreat and begin to book their air travel, we will share itinerary information among retreat participants to help them align arrival times and locations to facilitate ride-sharing from the designated pick-up points (see chart above).

SCHEDULE FOR RETREAT END DATE -- Saturday, Nov 4, 2023:

• Early morning practice

• 9:30 AM — Breakfast

• 11:00 AM — Room checkout time

• TDB — Departures from Suryalila

• Ground transfers to airports or bus/train stations — We will help coordinate ride-sharing back to designated group transfer drop-off points (see chart above). Departure times and cost-sharing will be determined once we have received all guest travel itineraries.

***SOLD OUT*** Ananda Laxmi Deluxe King

The most spacious room at Suryalila, with a European king size bed, ensuite bathroom, and own sitting area with working fireplace.

DOUBLE Occupancy Only.

Cost: $2,795 per person.

Deluxe Double (Private Bathroom)

Room with one double bed and private bathroom.

DOUBLE Occupancy: $2,495 per person.
SINGLE Occupancy: $3,295 per person.

Superior Double (Shared Bathroom)

Room with one double bed and shared bathroom (shared with 1 or 2 other people).

SINGLE Occupancy Only.

Cost: $2,895 per person.

Superior Twin (Shared Bathroom)

Room with two twin beds and shared bathroom (shared with 1 or 2 other people).

DOUBLE Occupancy only.

Cost: $2,295 per person.

4-Person Dorm Space

This lodging is housed on two floors. The second floor has one large space with eight twin beds. The ground floor has one dorm-style bathroom (2 showers, 2 toilets, 2 sinks).

Occupancy is limited to 4 people unless you bring your own group of more than 4 people.

Cost: $1,995 per person.

Glamping: Yurt or Mini-Dome — Double or Single

These beautiful and unique spaces have all the comfort of Suryalila’s regular rooms, with two twin beds or one double bed and a space heater. The yurts and mini-domes use shared bathroom facilities in the glamping area, including the choice of indoor or outdoor showers and flush or compost toilets.

DOUBLE Occupancy: $1,995 per person.
SINGLE Occupancy: $2,495 per person.

Glamping: Honeymoon Yurt (Private Bathroom)

This beautiful and unique space has all the comfort of Suryalila’s regular rooms, with one European king-size bed (equivalent to an American queen), private external bathroom, space heater, and private patio.

DOUBLE Occupancy only.

Cost: $2,495 per person.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE: 

• If registering before July 28, 2023, a $500 Nonrefundable Deposit at a minimum is due with your completed registration form. You are welcome to pay the Full Retreat Fee if you wish. Any remaining balance is due July 28, 2023. 

• If registering on or after July 28, 2023, payment of the Full Retreat Fee is due with your completed registration form.

• After you submit your registration form, you will receive an electronic invoice within 48 hours, payable online upon receipt.

ALL PAYMENTS ARE BY CREDIT CARD:

• VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover

• After you submit your registration form, you will receive an electronic invoice within 48 hours, payable online upon receipt.

CANCELLATION and REFUND POLICY:

• A Cancellation Fee of $500 applies to ALL cancellations, regardless of the reason.

• Cancellation requests must be made via EMAIL to info@lindameacciyoga.com.

• If you cancel on or before July 28, 2023, your payment(s) will be refunded, minus a $500 Cancellation Fee (the $500 Nonrefundable Deposit covers this fee).

• After July 28, 2023, no refunds will be given UNLESS you find someone to take your spot, in which case your payment(s) will be refunded, minus a $500 Cancellation Fee, after payment has been collected from the new registrant. If you are unable to find someone to take your spot, no refund will be issued.

An insightful and compassionate teacher and facilitator, Linda creates a supportive and empowering learning environment, welcoming student participation and self-exploration. She honors the great potential within each individual and encourages students to contemplate the forces at work in their lives, open up to possibility, and strive to reconnect with the power, love, joy, and wisdom within.

Linda specializes in therapeutically oriented yoga, alignment-based vinyasa flow, and accessible practices, drawing upon her background as performing artist, athlete, and yogi to design rhythmic, fluid practices that incorporate physical asana, therapeutic movement, yogic philosophy, spiritual themes, and personal attention.

Linda comes from deep roots of embodiment practices and creative expression. She attended her first yoga class in 1990 and in the years since has studied numerous movement modalities, including Feldenkrais, somatic practices, dance, and theatrical and creative movement.

Off the mat, Linda thrives on her love of nature, travel, and her spiritual path, Surat Shabda Yoga.