YOGA, MEDITATION & culture RETREAT
Nurturing Growth Through Guided Exploration Where Every Journey Finds Its Teacher.
YOUR YOGA EScAPE
Awaken your body through yoga, still your mind in meditation, and open your heart to the rhythm and soul of Moroccan culture.
Yoga, Meditation & Culture Retreat offers a thoughtfully curated space for personal renewal, grounded in daily movement, mindfulness, and meaningful cultural experiences.
Set in the tranquil surroundings of Villa Dar Zitoon, a boutique retreat venue just outside the UNESCO-listed city of Essaouira, this retreat provides the ideal environment to step away from daily distractions and immerse yourself in nature’s quiet rhythm. The peaceful location, open landscapes, and fresh air create a setting where stillness naturally arises, allowing you to slow down and tune inward.
Throughout the week, you will engage in dynamic and restorative yoga sessions, guided meditation, journaling, and breathwork practices that support both physical vitality and mental clarity. In between practices, enjoy wholesome, organic meals and take part in cultural activities that connect you to the richness of Moroccan life, from local music and culinary traditions to guided excursions in nature.
This retreat is designed for those seeking both rest and inspiration — a balance between inner work and outer discovery. Whether your intention is to restore, reflect, or simply recharge, you’ll leave with a renewed sense of calm, clarity, and connection.
INCLUDED
5 nights’ accommodation
4 morning yoga classes
4 evening yoga classes
1 cooking workshop
1 yoga workshop
Nature walk and mindfulness in the Ounagha hills
Day trip to Old Medina & Beach of Essaouira
Moroccan Night with Cooking Class and Amazigh band
5 healthy nutritious breakfasts
3 colourful lunches (one lunch out in Essaouira not included)
5 organic tasty dinners
Assortment of yoga equipment
SAMPLE DAY
07:30 Wake up Moroccan mint tea
08:00 Morning yoga practice
10:00 Healthy nutritious breakfast
11:00 Workshop/Hike/Essaouira
14:00 Colourful lunch
15:00 Free time
17:00 Evening yoga practice
19:00 Tasty dinner buffet
20:00 Night time star gazing & Sacred silence
* We follow the rhythm of nature with our retreat schedule adjusted according to time of the year and weather conditions to provide you the best experience possible.
AVAILABILITY
See our dates in the Retreat Calendar. We can organise affordable group transfers from and to Essaouira, Marrakech and Agadir Airports and other locations around as needed.
Private taxi service is available for arrivals and departures outside of the retreat start dates upon request for an affordable additional cost.
If you are travelling around Morocco before or after the retreat, private taxi service is also available in any other requested location.
RETREAT PHILOSOPHY
At La Vida Surf, we believe transformation doesn’t always come through intensity. Often, it arrives in stillness, simplicity, and presence. Our retreats are designed to guide you gently back to yourself.
Each element of the program, from journaling and yoga to meditation, shared meals, and cultural connection, creates space to slow down, soften, and listen inward. You are invited to move, breathe, feel, and rest without pressure or expectation.
This is a time to reconnect with what matters. To restore clarity. To release old tension, not just from the body, but from the mind and heart. Whether you're seeking healing, insight, or simply the chance to pause, our intention is to offer a space that meets you where you are.
Here, surrounded by nature and held in community, you’ll find the spaciousness to remember what wholeness feels like.
YOUR YOGA CLASSES
Your mornings start slow, with space to land. You’ll ease into the day with journaling and meditation, tuning into yourself before stepping into a dynamic yoga practice. These sessions run for 90 to 120 minutes and take place in our rooftop shala, where the light of sunrise sets the tone for the day ahead.
The classes weave together breathwork, movement, and rest. You’ll move your body, calm your nervous system, and leave feeling both grounded and energised. You will feel more connected to yourself and to the natural world around you.
In the evenings, the pace slows again. After a full day of movement, exploration, or simply being, you’ll be guided through a soothing Yin or Restorative yoga class. Expect stillness, long-held postures, and deep rest. These sessions (75 to 90 minutes) are about softening, letting go, and gently integrating everything the day has brought.
Taking time to rest fully is just as important as everything else we do. These evening practices are a reminder to pause, to listen, and to nourish yourself on a deeper level.
YOUR YOGA TEACHERS
ISABEL CARPENTER
yoga teacher
September 2025
After training in Bali, Izzy has taught in studios across the world from the UK to Australia to Asia. She is a big believer in the holistic benefits of yoga, and teaches a deeply embodied, spiritual practice. She believes that we must pour into our own cup in order that we can overflow into others, and yoga is the path towards this. From her studies of yoga philosophy, she shares the traditional teachings of yoga, including ancient philosophy and prānāyāma, and āsana to compliment this, allowing her students to delve deeper into themselves and connect with their own truth. She creates a warm and loving atmosphere for her students, allowing everyone to feel supported and encouraged on their own journey.
Elena kokkala
manager
Elena has been an integral part of crafting our retreats at La Vida Surf since 2021 and has shared her passion for yoga for nearly a decade. As both the manager and host, she’s committed to creating the kind of retreat experience she herself would love to attend—one filled with connection, joy, and growth. Elena is especially excited to welcome the women’s retreats, a heartfelt passion project for both the women leading and attending. Her focus is on fostering a space where meaningful connections are formed and deepened, ensuring every participant feels supported, empowered, and inspired throughout the journey.
VANESSA GAGNON
YOGA TEAChEr
OCTOBER 2025
Vanessa, a yoga, meditation, and paddleboard instructor since 2015, promotes love and non-violence in practice. Her inclusive classes focus on exploring each asana for body-mind unity and stress relief. Committed to mindful yoga, she integrates breath exercises, fostering balance. Organizing nature-inspired yoga retreats for three years, Vanessa sees yoga as a holistic journey towards inner harmony.
REBECCA GEISS
yoga teacher
NOVEMBER 2025
Inspired by the wisdom of the body to heal itself, Rebecca enjoys integrating medicinal movements in her yoga classes, such as dance and somatic movements along with other interests that include Ayurveda, TCM and Thai Massage, Shamanism, Essential Oil Therapy, Herbalism, Energy Healing, the Chakra System and Anatomy. Her classes are a fusion of these passions bringing alive the ancient teachings of Yoga in a modern and accessible way. Yoga classes with Rebecca will be well balanced, practicing creative and dynamic as well as soothing and relaxing sequences and meditation techniques.
COMING SOON..
YOGA TEAChEr
DECEMBER 2025 - JANUARY 2026
This could be you..
FELICITY LEE
YOGA TEACHER
FEBRUARY & APRIL 2026
Felicity is a full devotee of the Yogic path, its methodologies, science, and transformative abilities. Natural progression along the path led her to become a Yoga teacher, specialising in meditation and pranayama. In her classes, Felicity loves to create a safe, accessible space for every body, an intention towards inward-focused spirituality, and deep relaxation. She seeks to help others thrive by nurturing body, mind, and soul with yoga, and aims to ensure the practice meets you where you are, softly placing new, evolutionary steps on your path.
With her many years of teaching experience, Felicity has found that sharing this beautiful practice, which she studies, teaches, and loves, has become the meaning of true joy for her; she would love to share this with you.
saturday
NATURE Walk & MINDFULNESS
Embark on a journey of mindfulness with our Nature Hike in the tranquil Ounagha Hills. Wander through nature's embrace, where each step becomes a meditation.
Experience moments of serene silence, allowing the surroundings to guide your thoughts. Elevate your connection with both self and nature as you breathe in the peace of the mountains on a short magical journey through the long established Berber villages.
SUNDAY
Moroccan Immersion with cooking class
Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Morocco during our special Moroccan Night. Dinner is served with a touch of authenticity, as flavorful tajines—vegetarian or fish, depending on availability—are presented in traditional clay dishes. Before the feast, you'll join a hands-on cooking class, where you'll learn the art of preparing these delicious dishes, gaining insight into the rich culinary heritage of Morocco.
The evening comes alive with the soulful sounds of a local band. Guests are invited to join the rhythm, learning traditional Berber dances and even trying their hand at playing the instruments. This lively and interactive evening is a celebration of community, culture, and joy.
TUESDAY
ESSAOUIRA DAY TRIP
Experience the magic of Essaouira on a day trip from our yoga retreat. Wander through the charming medina, explore the bustling souks, and soak in the coastal vibes.
Savor a delicious lunch at a local restaurant of your choice, indulging in fresh vegetables, seafood, and Moroccan flavors while immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this coastal gem.
For those seeking extra adventure or relaxation, the day also offers the opportunity to visit a traditional hammam for a rejuvenating spa experience, ride the waves with a surf session, or explore the beach on horseback.
YOUR PLANT-POWERED MENU
At La Vida Surf, you will be served meals with a purpose. You will nourish your body with wholesome, plant-powered breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. The food you eat will be healthy and fresh, handpicked from the nearby region and provided by local farmers, ensuring both quality and sustainability in every bite.
Your menu will consist of delicious vegetarian and vegan meals, inspired by yogic and Moroccan cuisine, with our private chefs adapting their recipes to your dietary requirements and allergies. If you follow a pescatarian diet you will be catered a fresh fish of the day from the local fishermen for one of your dinners.
YOUR HOME AWAY
At La Vida Surf, we host intimate retreats with care and attention to detail, welcoming small groups of up to 16 guests. This allows for a warm, personal atmosphere where you can truly feel at ease.
You'll stay in one of our eight boutique rooms, private or shared, each uniquely styled with authentic Moroccan touches and equipped with its own en-suite bathroom for comfort and privacy.
Our retreat home, Villa Dar Zitoune, is a traditional Moroccan riad nestled in a peaceful Berber village. With a private pool, lush garden, and a rooftop terrace offering open-sky views, the villa combines contemporary comfort with a deep sense of local tradition. It's a serene space where you can unwind completely, embraced by the quiet rhythms of nature and the village’s gentle, welcoming spirit.
MORE THAN A YOGA ESCAPE
There are numerous things to do in our region and La Vida Surf team will introduce you to what we are passionate about. Surf, windsurf and kite surf adventures in the Atlantic Ocean, purifying hammam and massage treatments, conscious walks and hikes, mesmerizing horseback adventure along the picturesque shores and more.
These small journeys deepen your connection not only to this place, but also to yourself—reminding you of the magic that lives in curiosity, movement, and new perspectives.
SURF ADVENTURES
During your retreat, you’ll also have the opportunity to connect with nature in a more dynamic way, through the power and rhythm of the ocean. Whether you’re curious to try surfing, windsurfing, or the exhilarating experience of wing foiling, this is your chance to explore something new.
With the guidance of experienced local instructors, you’ll learn the fundamentals of each sport and begin to understand the ocean’s language—how to read its movements, respect its power, and move with it. It’s not about performance, but about presence, play, and discovering new ways to feel alive in nature
Exploration TRIPS
We love to explore this country of contrasts and mysteries, and we’re always excited to bring our guests along for the journey. Morocco is a land that invites you to look deeper, offering raw beauty, rich culture, and unexpected moments of connection around every corner.
Ride horses along the windswept Atlantic coastline, or stand among the hauntingly beautiful ruins of the Sultan’s Palace in the dunes of Diabat. For those drawn to flavor, a visit to the nearby Val d’Argan vineyard offers a taste of Moroccan winemaking surrounded by rolling hills and olive groves.
Hammam Rituals
One of the most cherished traditions in Moroccan culture is the ancient ritual of the hammam—a deeply purifying and grounding experience that has been practiced for centuries. Rooted in community, cleansing, and self-care, the hammam ritual uses time-honored ingredients such as beldi black soap, rhassoul clay, and Argan oil, all known for their healing and nourishing properties.