Yogalovin´Retreats Balkan & Beyond

If you are searching for a quiet authentic place surrounded with spectacular mountains, steps away from a medieval fortress, and only 2 km away from the beach – then this retreat is for you! Besides daily yoga, you ´ ll have the possibility to explore the local mountain paths, peaks, and meadows, hike to a hidden river pool, get lost and found in the narrow streets of the old town, visit the spectacular Skadar Lake National Park, or have a chilled day at the beach.

Dates:

12 – 18 May 2023
17 – 23 September 2023

Accommodation and Food:

The accommodation is an old olive mill turned into a stylish hostel, located inStari Bar, just below the impressive fortress. It features spacious private rooms and dorms, huge common area with a fireplace, modern open kitchen, luscious garden with a plethora of trees and plants, and a plunge pool.
The seven private rooms have en-suite bathrooms and can be booked as double or single rooms, while each of the two dorms has one bathroom. Dorms are shared by up to three people.
There are two vegetarian buffet-style meals a day – brunch and dinner, which will be served as full hearty meals. The meals will be freshly prepared by the retreat cook with local ingredients, even the bread is freshly baked every day. You ´ ll taste the difference because most of the products on Balkan have a natural organic quality.

Yoga, Meditation & The Yoga Teacher:

On most days, you will practice two times a day either in a beautiful garden or on a yoga deck inside the hotel. The experienced yogateacher Marija teaches Hatha Yoga, focusing on mindful movement, body awareness and the proper alignment,  rather than on achieving certain postures. The classes are organized as workshops, during which you ´´ ll explore different physical, mental and spiritual aspects of the practice. The primary aim of these classes is to gain a better understanding of your body and of the underlying principles of yoga and meditation practice. The retreat is suitable for all levels. Beginners will have the chance to get the taste of yoga and build a strong foundation for their yogic journey. More experienced yogis will deepen their understanding and get some inspiration to further develop of their practice. ​

Marija started practising yoga while still a university student. She had a chance to learn from many wonderful teachers from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, USA, Turkey and Serbia, all of whom influenced her teaching style. She teaches Hatha Yoga, infused with elements of Iyengar and Vinyasa Flow, with an emphasis on proper alignment, breathing, and focus. For her, to touch the essence of asana practice is to move mindfully, to develop body awareness and learn how to listen to our bodies with kindness and understanding. Meditation is an essential part of her classes, and there’s always a guided sitting meditation at the end of each class, following the simple techniques of just observing what is – observing our breath and the sensations in our bodies. Apart from the obvious love for yoga, meditation and travelling, she finds a lot of joy in dancing, Haruki Murakami’s books, philosophy podcasts, Thich Nhat Hanh’s poems, avocados, Tibetan singing bowls, and randomness of any kind. 

Program:

You‘ ll have an early start with about 2 hours yoga. Freshly prepared brunch awaits you right after yoga.
Afternoons are filled with various activities like hikes into the mountains with stunning views, or visit a tucked away river pool. Skadar Lake is about an hour away and there will be a day of kayaking, swimming, bird watching, visiting some of the historic monasteries on its shores or ruins on an islet.
Adriatic Sea is merely 2km away, in June and September, the beaches will be still quite empty.
In the evenings there will be another, shorter class (1-1.5 hours) before delicious dinner and free time. All activities and classes are optional.

Prices (6 nights, 7 days retreat):

€ 500.- 1 place in a 3-bed dorm
€ 580.- per person in a double room (double bed) – suitable for 2 persons booking
€ 620.- per person in a double room with twin beds
€ 680.- single room

Included:
– accommodation
– daily brunch
– daily dinner
– coffee, tea in the retreat venue
– morning and evening yoga & meditation classes (organized as workshops)
– hikings
– local tourist taxes

Not included:
– bike rent, transfers to some excursion spots and activities like kayaking, guided sightseeings etc.

Inquiry: