Paella and Practice: A Yoga and Meditation Retreat in Southern Spain (Andalucia) 

A day in the life

Each day will begin with a guided meditation followed by qigong. After a light breakfast, we will have an extensive active practice in an elegant yoga studio with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The classes will have a different physical and philosophical theme each day. There will be options given for all levels of yoga practitioners. 

After a nourishing lunch, there will be free time to take a siesta as well as to read, sit in the salt-water pool, chill out on a sun bed, play paddle tennis, or take a taxi to the beach which is just 7 km away. The afternoon yoga sessions will be relaxing and quiet, including a combination of restorative, yin, guided meditation, and poses using the wall ropes. As Santillán has a new fully equipped yoga studio, we will be sure to relax deeply over the brand new bolsters! 

At the end of the day, we'll come together and culminate with an Andalusian feast, a moment gazing at the stars, and finally, tucking into your comfy bed.

As these six days are about meeting your personal retreat needs and practicing svadhyaya (self-study), all activities are optional.

ACCOMMODATIONS

The beautifully decorated Spanish rooms at Santilán accommodate single, double, and triple occupancy. We will match you with roommate/s if you are coming by yourself and would like a double or triple room. There are also deluxe suites, each with a king bed for 1 or 2 guests. These suites have underfloor heating in the bathroom, two basins and hydro massage in the bath tub!

All rooms are spacious and complete with a bathtub and shower, toiletries, hair dryer, air conditioner and/or fan, kettle, TV and DVD player. There are telephones for internal use, a safe deposit box, and a desk. Each room has a balcony or patio with sea, garden or mountain views. 

CUISINE

The meals at Santillán are lovingly prepared and are influenced by the Spanish and Italian cuisines. There are free-range chickens which lay fresh eggs that can be enjoyed daily.  Tea, coffee, and still water are available 24 hours a day.  Complimentary soft drinks, beer and wine are available on the first and last day.  Other times beverages can be purchased at the bar; pay on check-out.  

All dietary restrictions will be honored.

THERAPIES AND TREATMENTS

Many therapies and treatments are available and can be booked on arrival and payable in euros directly to the therapist. These include: 
•  Facials
•  Massage
•  Thai yoga massage
•  Shiatsu massage
•  Osteopathy
•  Physiotherapy
•  Regression

PRICING + PAYMENT INFORMATION (please read carefully)

Prices start at US$1205

THERAPIES AND TREATMENTS

Thai Yoga Massage, Deep Tissue; Swedish Massage and manicures and pedicures all available on site.  Treatments happen poolside or in your bedroom. Prices and booking available once at the retreat centre. 

Transportation » Arrivals and departures

Arrival day is June 9. You are welcome to check in at 3:30pm or after.

Santillán is about 36 km east from Malaga international airport which is serviced by a number of international and budget airlines.  We will have a minibus departing at 3:00pm at the Malaga airport on June 18. The cost will be 15 euros each way. Alternatively, taxis are available for 50 euros one way, and can be shared by up to 4 people. This can be booked in advanced, and we can organize this once we have your flight details. 

From London and the UK: 
From London and the UK: 
We recommend booking a flight that arrives at before 2pm. For returns, we recommend a flight that leaves anytime after 2 pm.  Check www.easyjet.com,  expedia.co.uk, or cheapflights.co.uk. 

Suggested Easyjet flight
Departs Sat 9 June 2018, from London Gatwick to Malaga
EZY8603, Dep 08:00 - Arr 11:50

Returning Sat 16 June 2018, from Malaga to London Gatwick
EZY8608, Dep 16:50 - Arr 18:40

Suggested British Airways flight
Departs Saturday, 9 Jun 2016, From London Gatwick (LGW) To Malaga (AGP)
BA 2714, Dep: 09:45 – Arr 13:35
2h 50m, Direct

Returning Sat 16 Jun 2018, from Malaga (AGP) to London Gatwick (LGW) 
A2715, Dep: 14:20 – Arr 16:10
2h 50m, DirectVisit Expedia or CheapFlights for more detailed flight info. 

From the US (San Francisco, New York, Chicago): 
There are direct flights from several US cities (JFK, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas) to Malaga.  From JFK, we recommend Delta flight #214 that arrives at 12:55 pm on June 9. Please note that because of the time change you will need to leave the US on June 8th to arrive in Spain on the 9th. Good websites to check for flights are expedia.com, kayak.com and cheapflights.com. 

ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS

Included in the cost of the retreat is a group excursion to the historic city of Granada. Other options for free time include:

• horseback riding
• go-karting
• the beach (you can see the beach from Santillán but it's 7 km away by taxi)
• swimming in the salt-water pool, or lounging in the sun beds
• playing paddle tennis
• a visit to Malaga, Marbella, Alhambra, Cordoba, Sevilla, Alpujarras, Ronda, Nerja, Frigiliana, Gibraltar or Morocco with an English-speaking guide. The staff can help arrange this.

ABOUT MIMI KUO-DEEMER

Mimi is a senior teacher at triyoga and a faculty member on the triyoga teacher training diploma course. She champions meditation as the answer to just about all of life's most pressing questions. Her two main teachers in the yoga world, Erich Schiffmann and Donna Farhi, continually humble her with the idea that yoga is the art of living, listening, and learning to embody a deeply spiritual tradition. In 2002, Mimi co-founded Yoga Yard, Beijing’s first and leading yoga studio, which she co-directed for seven years. She now lives in London, and teaches classes, workshops, retreats and teacher trainings in the UK and internationally. She is the author of the DVD “Vinyasa Yoga: A Steady Mindful Practice.” and a contributor on the online yoga and wellness website. For more information, visit her website. 

payment

Your room will be confirmed once we receive your non-refundable $300 deposit and registration information. 

Bank details or information on sending a cheque for paying your deposit and balance will be provided to you upon registration. 

There are two options for paying the balance of the retreat:

1. Send a check to Margi Young, 5156 Shafter Ave, Oakland, CA 94618 or via Paypal to margi@downtowndog.com. Bank transfer, cheque and Paypal are accepted (if paying by Paypal there will be an additional £20/$35 processing fee to your total balance). 

2. Full payment before March 15, 2018 entitles you to an early bird discount (see prices). If paying after March 15, the remaining balance needs to be paid 30 days before start date of the retreat. If booking within six weeks of start date payment in full will be required upon booking.