THE TRANSFORMATIONAL
RETREATS
2023
The Transform to Bliss
Retreat
ANDALUCIA
SPAIN
17nd - 22nd September
2018
.
Join Transform to Bliss this year & experience the transformative yogic practice of
Transformational Yoga & Meditation in the beautiful Algarve.
A practice to connect to your uniqueness, to come back home, to connect to your 'Bliss'
With various tools, Yogic, Ayurveda, Healing & Ceremonial
Our retreats includes -
(all optional)
Transformational Morning Yoga Classes
Afternoon or Evening Classes, for example..
Meditation, Yoga Nidra & Raja Yoga, Relaxation, Chakra Purification, Cacao circle,
Moon Circle (if over a Full Moon), Transformational Breath work
Personal Ayurveda Consultation (if you would like one)
Ayurvedic massage (+70Euro)
Our retreat 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..
YOGA, MEDITATION, BREATHWORK, AYURVEDA &
CEREMONY IN BEAUTIFUL PORTUGAL
Various date options through 2023
July 2nd-7th
5 Night Self Catered Retreat (includes Full Moon Ceremony)
730 Euro shared (with 1 other)
900 Euro private room
September 1st-4th
Long weekend Catered Retreat with transfer
699 Euro shared
795 Euro private room
October 1st-6th
5 Night Catered Retreat with transfer
950 Euro shared
1195 Euro private room
Alternative Option ~ Anytime!
as long as we are here!
Contact us to reserve your accommodation for you
& then come to what classes you feel, just paying for the classes you attend.
This option leaves you to your own devices, no transfer arranged or food..
but a chance to stay close by & come to what you feel!
All additional information on this page other than the feel of accommodation & the
Yoga classes does not relate to this option.
100 Euro non-refundable deposit reserves your space.
Please read our T&C's before booking.
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
2 0 2 3
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 JULY, SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2023
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 & we will also offer solely meditation practices to connect you to this space if you would like.
This may be ocean meditations, moon meditations or walking meditation.
Guided by Joanne.
'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. We'll go with the flow of the group.
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 included (or can be deducted if you prefer not)
Further treatments, herbs, oils & Ayurvedic massage in addition to our retreat.
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.
We may bring some of our practices to the cliffs for sunset & on the beach, which are minutes away from the Quinta.
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.
SUGGESTED TIMINGS
This is a suggestion & is subject to change, to weather & to what you would like from your retreat
ARRIVAL DAY
YOUR RETREAT DAYS
16:30 Arrive with us for a welcome opening gathering, cleanse & intention set & grounding meditation to invite you to fully arrive.
18:30 Dinner (if catered)
08:30-09:45 Transformational Yoga
10:00-10:30 Brunch @ the Quinta (if catered)
10:30-13:00 Options (day dependent)
Ayurvedic Consultation
Breath work
Beach time
Relax
Cliff walk
Massage
Cacao & Dance
13:00-14:00 Lunch time (if catered) Or the freedom to go out & see what you find
14:00-17:00 As A.M.
17:00-19:30 Options (day dependent)
Chakra Activation Yoga
Raja Yoga & Yoga Nidra
Kirtan
Yoga & Relaxation
Breath work
Ceremony
Meditation
19:00 Evening Meal (if catered)
Or on Ceremony days ~ Ceremony from 19:30 (dinner eaten before)
DEPARTURE DAY
08:30-09:45 Transformational Yoga
10:00-10:30 Brunch @ the Quinta (if catered)
11:00 Closing Circle & shares/hugs
All Classes are optional.
Do as little or as much as feels right.
~ If you would like to omit some of the offerings on your retreat, please let us know with your reservation & we can amend the price accordingly.
FOOD
(for catered retreats)
The Brunch is a buffet style brunch held in the beautiful gardens of our retreat space after a morning practice.
Think juices, coffee/tea, fruit, granola, pastries, salad, yogurt, eggs, toast, croissant, typical Portuguese pastel de nata!
Your lunch & Dinner will be vegetarian & nourishing.
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, on occasion we may go out for lunch/dinner together if you would like
(a vegetarian main meal & a drink included when eaten out together)
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 1000 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
Choose if you would like to book a private room or share with one other.
Then.. Contact us
To check availability & make your deposit
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.
Should we be free & have transport, it may be possible for one of us to collect you/drop you off
at a cost that simply covers our costs or fuel & toll, but this cannot be guaranteed.
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!
Will I be alone?
You will be joining the classes that are on our timetable.
If you choose a catered retreat, we will offer some exclusive retreat experiences.
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 outside of the Quinta (unless we take you out)
-
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 secures your space
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
Payment can be made in 3 installments
Please talk to us if this is difficult - we are very open & flexible
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'
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 & supported every step of the way, 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!
