PERSONALISED
TRANSFORMATIONAL
YOGA RETREATS

The Transform to Bliss
Retreat

ANDALUCIA
SPAIN

17nd - 22nd September
2018

Join us in the Transform to Bliss Studio & Shala this year for a transformative, relaxing &

expansive experience in the beautiful Algarve.

The beauty of our personalised Yoga Retreats/ Holidays is that you get to decide your schedule, how little or how much you join, even holidaying with your family/partner (who may or may not be a yogi & join our practices), if you wish!

You tell us when you'd like to come (minimum 3 nights), we arrange your accommodation for you

(self catered for you to create your own dining experience or eat out if you prefer),

you arrange your flights, we can help with the organising of a taxi from Faro if you wish,

& then you decide what classes & events you would like to join

(we can communicate the schedule before you reserve if you wish)

Your retreat may include -
(all optional & individually priced)

Transformational Morning Yoga or Hatha Yoga Classes (outside Shala or inside Studio dependent on time of year)

Afternoon or Evening Classes, for example.. Yoga Nidra & Raja Yoga, Relaxation, Chakra Purification, Yin Yoga
Cacao Ceremony

Moon Circle (if over a Full Moon)

Transformational Breath work
Kirtan

Ayurveda, options of a personal Ayurveda consultation & an Ayurvedic massage
Other events to be advised on booking

A retreat with us is an invitation to TRANSFORM to the the optimal you..
Physically by releasing tensions
Emotionally with techniques to let go of negative emotions
Connect to Calm, by soothing mental chatter
& make space for clarity, calm & increased energy to take with you..

A practice to connect to your uniqueness, to come back home, to connect to your 'Bliss'

YOGA, MEDITATION & AYURVEDA
IN BEAUTIFUL PORTUGAL

Join us anytime!
(as long as we are here!)
Contact us to reserve your accommodation for you

& then come to what classes you feel, which can also be private & personalised.

Would you like to release to relax , restore & find peace, whilst supported in a beautiful

natural environment, minutes from the ocean?

T R A N S F O R M T O B L I S S

We are so happy to offer Transform to Bliss retreats in the expansive space of the Algarve.
Our Studio is surrounded by lush nature gardens & a few minutes walk from the ocean & from your accommodation.

A beautiful nature connected environment to support you in that transformation to your original state of bliss.
Letting go & releasing all the tensions, the patterns & the conditions that prevent us living our best lives as we connect deeper to Mother Nature, the beauty & wildness of the South West Algarve & to ourselves.

Join Joanne & Marco Merlini & their Transform to Bliss team in the Algarve, South Portugal.

Joanne, a Yoga Alliance Grand Master of Transformational Yoga & Meditation, Reiki practioner & Ceremony space holder & Marco Merlini ~ Ayurvedic Consultant & Practioner to support your health in a holistic way.

We are within walking distance of 2 beautiful sandy beaches & villages.

Our location,combined with our offerings will encourage a feeling of joy, calm & bliss.

RETREAT WITH US IN THE ALGARVE

OPTIONS ON YOUR RETREAT

TRANSFORMATIONAL YOGA

Transfomational Yoga is a classical Yoga system originating in Tiruvanamalai, South India. This integral practice brings awareness to the chakras (energy centres), the elements that make up our bodies & to the present moment.

A practice blending the Asana element of Yoga, with Pranayama, Meditation & Mantra to feel more centred & more bliss!

Joanne has been practicing Yoga for almost 20 years & trained to Grand Master Yoga Alliance level with Swami Vidyanand in 2015 & regularly visits the roots of her lineage (spending the Winter 2023 in India)

1 or 2 of your classes may be taken by Amie, our other lovely Yoga teacher.

MEDITATION

Meditation is the aim of our Yoga, to bring us to stillness, to peace, to centre.
Each practice will hold an element of meditation.

'To realise the Self is to be still'

~ Ramana Maharshi

CEREMONY

Ceremony & ritual is a integral part of what we offer, both in classes & on retreats in our light filled studio.
A beautiful way to come together in candle lit circle, honouring where we are & diving deep into our subconscious.
This may connect to the Full or New Moon (timing dependent) & include releasing dance, pranayama, conscious enquiry, journaling, oracle cards, grounding or future self meditations, cacao & healing songs.

To bring ritual & ceremony into our practice & into our life is the celebration of life, a deep grounding practice to ourselves, knowing we are part of a greater whole. A deep surrender in grace.

CACAO

Cacao gives the opportunity to tune into the beauty of your own heart,
Cacao can give access to stuck emotions, clearing & tuning deeper to our inner truth.

A powerful Plant Medicine that helps us to release emotional blockages, find forgiveness, love and may give insights of our future path.
Cacao is known for its many health benefits & also contains anandamide, the 'bliss molecule'.

You may experience Cacao if part of a Moon Ceremony or with Paula during her Cacao & Dance ceremony.

BREATH WORK

Breathwork is an active healing breathing practice held to music.

The session invites you into an altered state of consciousness to release blocked emotions,stress and supports the body to clear toxins. A powerful experience offering profound shifts to encourage clarity, relaxation & a deep sense of Bliss.

The session is held by the lovely Maaike who has been working with us since our opening.

AYURVEDA

Ayurveda is the 5000 year old holistic healing system of the East. Ayurveda meaning life science is considered to be the Sister science of Yoga. Ayurveda aims to bring balance back to the system to prevent & treat imbalance, illness & disease, treating you as a holistic individual.

A natural therapy of lifestyle changes, diet alterations, herbs, Ayurvedic massage & marma point therapy, hot poultice & steam room are able to treat many health problems.

Marco, a practitioner of Ayurveda, gives consultations & therapies to bring you back to balance & health.
Consultation & massage possible if you wish.

LOCATION

Our Algarve retreat is set in the lush gardens of The Quinta do Mar da Luz overlooking the

Ocean in the South West of the Algarve where your accomodation is also located.

Quinta Do Mar da Luz translating to Light & Ocean Country Estate.

From the palm tree grounds there are views to the blue ocean & breath taking walks along the cliffs & beautiful light!

The gardens have the feel of Bali or Thailand, beautiful flowers, palm trees, banana trees & exotic birds singing at sunset.

We are within walking distance of the fishermen villages of Luz & Burgau with their cafe's & restaurants &
within 1 hrs drive of Faro airport.

There are walking trails from villages to villages (known as the Fisherman trails) along the coastline, the choice of some amazing secluded coves, sandy beaches & so much nature & beauty all around.

You will stay in a bungalow/apartment or a Portuguese style room, with a terrace or balcony, a private en-suite bathroom.

The extensive grounds are perfect to sit and enjoy the sun, with 3 swimming pools to choose from, a tennis court & different terraces & cabanas to relax & enjoy the sun going down.

The 'Transform to Bliss' light filled Studio has garden views where we offer most sessions & ceremonies

We also have the option of the outdoor wooden Yoga Shala with sea views for the occasional practice (month dependent)

The location of our retreat space means you have the opportunity to be as anonymous as you feel,

attend as many offerings as you feel & really connect to the nature surrounding you.

TIMINGS

Please see our reservation page to see our current offerings & timings

Do as little or as much as feels right.
Work around what else you'd like to do.
Bring the family or partner & retreat yourself when you'd like.

How can I reserve?

MEALS

As we suggest Self catering apartments or Studio apartments, you will have kitchen facilities to
create your own meals at times that feels right for you.
There are many choices of cafes & restaurants in the area, should you wish to eat out.
There is also a breakfast area that serves buffet style breakfast every morning

(this is included should you prefer a B&B option, or additional €12/ppn should you wish to have the occasional brunch 'out')

This is a buffet style brunch held in the beautiful gardens of our retreat space, after the morning practice.
Think juices, coffee/tea, fruit, granola, pastries, salad, yogurt, eggs, toast, croissant, typical Portuguese pastel de nata!

We live within 3 minutes drive (or 20 min walk) to the nearest village
with a choice of restaurants & cafes should you wish to explore the area for meals.

Should you wish your retreat to be catered, where we cater for you individually & to your needs
(this may be ayurvedically aligned meals should you be following an ayurveda protocol), please message us for more details.

ABOUT US

JOANNE & MARCO MERLINI

TRANSFORMATIONAL YOGA TEACHER
REIKI I CEREMONIAL SPACE HOLDER
AYURVEDIC PRACTIONER

Having held Retreats in the South of Spain, Portugal & the UK for the last 6 years, we chose to make Portugal our home in November 2020,

or rather Portugal chose us.
We'll share more of our story with you when we meet..

Joanne Merlini (Jitendra Mayee)
Grand Master Transformational Yoga & Meditation Teacher
Over 1200 hrs of Teacher Training hours
Teaching for 8 years & connected to Yoga for the last 18 years

Marco Merlini
Ayurveda Consultant & Practitioner
Consultations can be held in Dutch or English

BOOK WITH US

Contact us & let's make your retreat possible..

The Options & how to book?

CHOOSE..

1. Date & Length of retreat

2. Accommodation type

B&B, Studio, 1 or 2 Bed Apartment (prices advised on enquiry - type & month dependent)

Then.. Contact us
To check all this is possible..

TYPICAL QUESTIONS..

How do I get to you around?

You are very welcome & encouraged to hire a car & see more of the beautiful Algarve.

Should you need a transfer from Faro airport, please ask & we can pass on our trusty airport drivers details.
Currently a one way trip to Faro airport is 80 Euro ~ this can be divided if you share the ride.

There will also be the option of a collection from Lagos which you can reach by bus or train.

Once you arrive, there are options of hiring a moped, catching a local bus or an uber should you not hire a car.
We are also walking distance to 2 villages & beaches, local cafes & there ae some beautiful cliff top walks.

What can I do outside of the retreat?

We are so blessed to live in the most amazing location where there are so many
opportunities to experience a range of offerings.
Locally there are often ecstatic dances, sound sessions & satsang.

There are beautiful beaches to swim & 3 swimming pools at the Quinta.
We also have a tennis court on site & have rackets should you wish to play.

There are opportunities of Kayaking, Surf or Stand Up Paddle locally.

There is so much on offer, yet we are nestled in a quiet location deeply connected to nature!
There is a traditional village called Burgau a few minutes away (known as the Santorini of the Algarve)
5-10minutes drive away is Praia da Luz, a larger village.
Both have sandy beaches, supermarkets, cafes & restaurants.

Will I be alone?

You may join classes that are on our timetable or you may wish for a personalised experience (also dates dependent)
We will leave you to your own devices, but of course we would love to interact &
share some beautiful moments with you also should you wish.

What's not included?

Flights
Transfers to & from Faro
Visa's
Insurance
Food and drink (unless requested)
Massage or other treatments you would like

Please also note, dependent on where you are travelling from a visa may be required.

Please read our terms & conditions prior to booking.

How do I reserve?

100 Euro non refundable deposit will secure your accommodation.

Payment is possible by bacs transfer or Paypal

BACS
Deposit by Bank Transfer to -

Joanne Merlini

Sort Code - 40 40 22

Account Number - 11417290
Iban Number - GB60HBUK40402211417290

PAYPAL

paypal.me/transformtobliss

The remainder can be paid on arrival with us.

YES, PLEASE BOOK MY RETREAT

Need more convincing?

Read some of what the 2018, 2019 & 2022 Retreaters said at the end of their beautiful Retreats -

'I am at the airport full of salt & sand..and taking so many beautiful memories of this week with me, it's been a really special time.

Thank you so much for everything xx'

'So much more than a Yoga Retreat. Everything was so carefully thought out from
adventure to meditation - A joy!'

'100+ - A beautiful retreat, very relaxing. Leaving feeling refreshed.

Great new friends made & enjoyed many new experiences.
Thank you - life changing in fact'

Book your space

On our retreats we'll go deeper into Transformational Yoga, to the connection to you, releasing in a fun supportive way & explore ways to connect with our dormant energy.

To allow us to be our best selves, to feel calm & present, to stop the chattering mind, release blockages in our
bodies, emotions, minds & hearts, connect with our hearts & inner guidance & to hopefully
touch that place of bliss.

Encouraged by a beautiful setting, come & Transform to Bliss with us.

~ We have seen real magic happen on retreats since we started our offerings in 2017.
Big releases, realisations, life changes (incl a lady in her 70's moving to France to renovate a farmhouse,
job changes to step into self employment, shifts in priorities & even the decision to start a family)
everything is possible when you take some time to go inwards!

PERSONALISED
TRANSFORMATIONAL
YOGA RETREATS

The Transform to Bliss
Retreat