Friday, March 14, 2014

Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness Retreat at Suleyman's Garden, Turkey September 29th - October 6th, 2014

Click on any photos to view as an album 

Mon 29th September - Mon 6th October    
One Week Yoga and Meditation Retreat at Suleyman's Gardens, Turkey
From £745 


Come for a week of yoga, meditation and mindfulness in the sun at absolutely delightful and  charming Suleyman's Garden, in the area known as Turkey's Turquoise Coast.  

Recent feedback 
'Thank you Aki for SUCH an inspiring retreat -the setting was breath-taking, the food was divine, and the group of people were so lovely.  With your energy, words and guidance you created a supportive environment in which we could immerse ourselves in meditation, pranayama, asana and philosophy.  I returned home feeling grounded, rested, revitalised and inspired. An amazing experience.  Thank you for everything.  Looking forward to the next one!'  (Natalie, yoga teacher)
Dear Aki, I just wanted to write to say thanks again for making such a wonderful retreat.  In actual fact, it hasn't beenhard coming back to 'real life' - I've got such a lot of happiness in me that it's all just quite alright.  (Alison, yoga teacher)
 Aki's yoga retreats put you in a different world and once you are back in your normal life, you wonder 'have I been there at all?' - BUT, then you notice all the benefits which make all the difference.  You are back but not where you were!!  Thank you Aki!  (Kristina, art journalist)   
I just wanted to thank you all for a wonderful week - fro all the conversations, sharing & support, early morning, silent & chatty meals and much much laughter.   (Alexandra, Curator and project management consultant)

The Place
Sulyman's Garden is a charming, small traditional farm set on the Mediterranean "Turquoise" coast, with terraced vegetable fields, orchards, beautiful gardens and stunning sea views. 
It is just a five minute walk through the forest to reach a beautiful rocky swimming cove. 
It offers accommodation in simple wooden cabins with verandas, set in lovely flowery gardens and swathed in vines. 
It is located on an undeveloped and beautiful stretch of coastline, and yet is only 20 minutes by local bus from the small resort of Olu Deniz with Turkey's most famous beach.  
It is in a very unspoiled area, on what is known as the Lycian Way, a marked trail, which is wonderful for walking on the dramatic mountainous coastline. 
Suleyman's Garden is in a stunning location overlooking the mediterranean, with swimming from a rocky cove a five minute away.  

The local owners grow all their organic vegetables and fruit for the kitchen to make the delicious meals.  Suleyman and his family, who cook, clean and garden, are very welcoming and helpful. 
Staying at Suleyman's Garden is very much like being a houseguest - it's a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere.  

As well as being able to dive into the sea near by, there is also a lovely swimming pool in a natural setting, with breathtaking views of the ocean. 
Massage service is also available daily upon request.  (not included in the price)   

Accommodation
The accommodation is in simple, comfortable wooden cabins with verandas, and traditional stone and thatched huts, set amid lovely flowery gardens. 
Bathrooms facilities are shared, and conveniently located around the site, with ample showers, toilets and hot water.  There are limited number of en-suite twin rooms available with an additional £45.  All room types are offered in first come first served basis.  Please specify your preference at the time of booking.  

Yoga Shala 
The wooden floored and shaded yoga shala is set amid the vegetable gardens and fruit trees, with lovely sea views and has space for 16.  The shala is fully equipped with mats, belts, blocks, bolsters and blankets.  So you don't need to bring anything.  

Cost:
Early bird price    £745pp  Twin / Double share  
                            £795      En-suite Twin (Limited numbers only) 
                            £795      Single 
(If booked before May 14th)  

Regular price:    £795pp  Twin / Double share 
                           £845       En-suite Twin (Limited numbers only) 
                           £845       Single 
(If booked after May 15th)

All accommodations are offered in first come first served basis.  
Please ask for availability at the time of booking.  

The price includes all the practice sessions, accommodation and food. 
It does not include flights, airport transfers (see below), massage sessions and travel insurance. 

Booking:
You can secure your place by sending a non-refundable deposit of £250 to Aki either via bank transfer both from the UK and other countries (details available on request) or by sending a cheque. 
Please contact Aki for details.   mail@akiomori.com 

Flights and Airport Transfers: 
There are several companies flying to Turkey.  The local airport is Dalaman. 
Transfers from the airport will be arranged by request.  
Please see below for the information on transfer information and prices.  

TRANSFERS 
The transfer cost varies with the number of people on each trip, which will hopefully encourage people to arrive, if not on the same flight, at similar times. We set the prices as one-way, as people may return to the airport in different combinations, so the return may be a different price.

SULEYMAN'S TRANSFER PRICES (ONE WAY)
(Turkish lira prices) (£1 = 2.75TL)
1 passenger 160TL
2 passengers 80TL each
3 passengers 55TL each
4 passengers 45TL each
5 passengers 35TL each
6 passengers 30TL each
7 + passengers 25TL each

Visa: 
Anyone traveling to Turkey is now required to purchase an online visa before entering the country.
This can be purchased from the following website.  www.evisa.gov.tr
The fee is $20 USD (around £12)
The visa needs to be printed and taken with you to show at passport control.

Travel Insurance: 
Please make sure you will acquire your own travel insurance.

About Aki's Retreat: 
Following my teacher, Clive Sheridan's footsteps, I run yoga retreats and not holidays.
The difference is mostly in spirit:  our intention is to deepen our practice.
It means that we see these few days away as a conscious 'retreating' away from busy-ness of life to dive into yoga, have some moments of quiet to properly rest and reflect, cultivating mindfulness, giving yourself a chance to contemplate what's really going on in your life and start making clear choices rather than being carried away by the momentum of unconscious, habitual thinking patterns and being lost in the conditioning that is no longer serving your true values.  You will learn tools and resources to help you get through difficulties and challenges of your life and make steps toward lasting peacefulness and joy.

The week will be a combination of dynamic and quiet practices; a cocktail of yoga asana, pranayama (breathing excercise), meditation, restorative and mindful practices which will give you the strength and awareness needed to explore your own inner journey.
We will keep part of each day in silence to give ourselves space for deep restfulness and contemplation.

There will be 3 sessions on most days (one morning meditation & pranayama, one morning yoga asana to invigorate the body and an afternoon practice where we explore variety of practices, including restorative yoga, simple body-work sessions, movement study) and some talks on yoga and mindfulness practice to support our mind.

You will of course also have plenty of free time to have fun and enjoy the beautiful surroundings, including cooling down in their lovely pool or swimming in the gorgeous mediterranean sea which is just a few minutes walk away, or enjoy the quiet moments, reading in a shade or walk in the nature and more....

The retreat is open to most levels but not for complete beginners who are unable to sit through meditation and pranayama practices.
It requires your willingness to commit yourself for a week of deep practice, rather than how 'advanced' you are in your asana practice.

The practice will gradually build over the course of the week, so you can acclimatise your body and mind and develop good foundation that give support when you meet your learning edges as the practice progresses.  Everyone will always be encouraged to work in their own pace that is right for each person.
A part of learning process is to be able to discern what is right for yourself, without becoming complacent or overly ambitious - which I would call an 'advanced' practice.

At the end of the retreat, you will feel the difference and go home with renewed energy in your body and more clarity in your mind.

Looking forward to welcoming you to my retreat and sharing the practice together.

Aki

























Next Retreat / Workshop

Retreat:


September Friday 19th - Sunday 21st SOLD OUT

A weekend in Surrey

Limited space available.

Please email me for details.

mail.akiomori.com


September 29th - October 6th

Suleyman's Garden, Turkey SOLD OUT


Next Workshop

Friday 12th September @ Triyoga Primrose Hill

"Adventure in Primitive Reflexes"

7:45-9:45pm

Book Here


Next Class

Friday 6:15-7:30 Restorative Yoga

@ Triyoga Primrose Hill