Welcome to The Heart, a 10-day yoga retreat designed for those who are ready to let go of what is holding them back and embrace their full expression of creativity, wisdom, and vitality. This is a space where you can open up and reconnect with your inner self, allowing compassion, love, and equanimity to emerge naturally into your life.

Through the practice of asanas, pranayama, and kriyas, you will begin to release any emotional and energetic blockages that are preventing you from living your fullest life. But that's not all. This retreat will also focus on more subtle energy practices such as dynamic meditations, Chi Gong, and Flow Practice. These practices will help you to connect with your inner compass, allowing you to embrace your true self and let go of what you are not.

As you move through your practice, you will learn to listen to your body, mind, and spirit. You will discover the power of your breath, and how it can help you to open up and release any tension or stress that you may be carrying. With each practice, you will feel more connected to your innermost truth, allowing you to fully open yourself up to the world.

The Heart is a journey of self-discovery and transformation. It is a space where you can let go of your fears and embrace your full potential. As you learn to connect with your heart, you will discover that compassion, love, and equanimity are not something that you need to strive for. Instead, they will emerge naturally in your life, as you let go of what you are not and move towards your true nature.

So, take a deep breath and allow yourself to fully embrace The Heart. Let go of your fears and trust in the process. By the end of this retreat, you will feel more alive, more connected, and more in tune with your true self. You will have everything you need to continue on your journey of growth and transformation.

Invaluable benefits you will gain from this training:

• A cleansing of the temple of body and mind

• A clearer understanding of yourself

• Alignment with your life towards awakening

For whom?

You can participate in The Heart with any level of experience. Most important is your motivation, dedication and commitment to your own personal growth. For any doubts to participate please contact Delight at info@delightyoga.nl

or the teachers Satya & Sahaj directly at: puramrita108@gmail.com.

What you will learn

During this retreat, our senior teachers Satya and Sahaj will draw from several wisdom traditions to offer you 100 hours of practices ranging from asana, pranayama, meditation, healing, Taoist chi-kung, shamanic healing, and Buddhism, to chanting, rituals, and philosophy. Together with The Body and The Mind programs, The Heart presents the core of their Sva Dharma teachings.

We will begin exploring and realigning the physical body with the breath, experiencing the connection between the body and mind. We will then be ready to introduce the more subtle body/energy practices. The philosophical ground of practice will be based on the Bhagavad Gita.

We will be using more advanced yoga practices that help us to decode, uncover and, in a way, break down the walls of what is keeping us from being aware of our true wisdom nature. This practice will affect the nervous system, and this will change the patterns of the energy flow in the body.

We will learn how the energy in the body works, and how the energy body and mind are intimately connected. The subtle body is composed of energy pathways called nadis, and areas of focused life energy called chakras. When these channels are clear, our awareness is clear like the sky.

Through the deep immersion in the teachings of these very gifted and experienced teachers, you will come out as a different person, with a clearer understanding of yourself, your practice and your dharma - this retreat will literally open your heart and blow your mind away.

Typical Daily Schedule

06.30 - Guided Meditation

07.00 - Kriyas and Pranayama

07.30 - Asana Yoga Practice (Hatha, Vinyasa)

09.00 - Breakfast

10.30 - Lecture: Living Philosophy

12.00 - Subtle Practices and Dynamic Meditations

13.00 - Lunch

14.30 - Lecture: Elements and Breathing Practices

16.00 - Tea Time

16.30 - Energy Practice, Chi Gong or Flow Practice

18.30 - Dinner

19.30 - Meditation, Chanting or Yoga Nidra Practice

21.00 - Bedtime

Why go on a retreat?

Joining The Heart for 10 days is a chance to immerse yourself in a supportive community of like-minded individuals who are all seeking to reconnect with themselves and live from the heart. It's a unique opportunity to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, live close to nature and tune in to your innermost being.

The Heart offers you the time and space to let go of distractions and focus on yourself in a beautiful and peaceful natural environment. It's a time to disconnect from technology and reconnect with your body, mind, and spirit. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a beginner, The Heart is a chance to deepen your practice and explore new techniques.

But perhaps most importantly, a The Heart offers an opportunity to connect with a community of like-minded individuals who share your values and aspirations. It's a time to form deep and meaningful connections with others who are on a similar journey of self-discovery and growth. So, if you're looking to reconnect with yourself and others in a supportive and nurturing environment, The Heart may be just what you need.

D’Alijo Yoga Retreats Center is a yoga retreat in the midst of beautiful Portuguese nature. It sprawls across three hectares of land consisting of terraces, olive fields and hills with large rock formations

The accommodation consists of wooden chalet-style houses, cabins or rooms which are tastefully decorated, positioned in rural parts of the grounds at walking distance from Yoga Studio, swimming pool and the main house. All rooms have outside verandas.

The main house which was rebuilt with huge granite rocks from centuries ago is now the cosy “heart” of the retreat centre. Surrounded by large terraces and undisturbed views of the area and premises. It offers 5 guest rooms. The centre offers a heated swimming pool, water features, and a peaceful meditation cave and the surroundings invite tranquil walks.

D'Alijo Retreat Center is located 1 hour away from Porto International Airport. Transfers from/to the airport can be arranged on request.

Booking information

After booking the retreat, you will receive more information on how to reserve your room and transfer. In case of any questions, please contact us at academy@delightyoga.nl.

Arrival/Departure

The Heart Retreat starts on 20 July and finishes on 29 July 2023. Transfer between Porto (OPO) Airport and the retreat location by car takes 1 hour. On 20 July, check-in is open as of 12.00 hrs and the program starts around 16.00 hrs. On 29 July, the program ends after a morning self-practice.

There are many airports with direct flights to Porto, e.g. Schiphol and Eindhoven (NL) and Düsseldorf and Weeze (D). Or consider environment-friendly alternatives like bus or train to Porto and then join the shared transfer from Porto airport. There is also a Flixbus connection to Guimarães from where pick-up can be arranged.

We advise not to arrive after the retreat has started, or to depart before it has ended, as this would mean missing important parts of the program. The transfer from the retreat centre to the airport OPO leaves 3 hours before the flight departure time.

Price

Teaching fees

Individual participants:

• Early bird valid until 30 April 2023: € 1.550 (incl. VAT) if paid in full upon registration

• Regular: € 1.650 (incl. VAT) payable in full upon registration

• Installments: € 1.750 (incl. VAT) in monthly installments (last installment due on 20 May 2023)

Registered students of the Advanced Teacher Training:

• € 1.250 (incl. VAT) if paid in full upon registration

• € 1.350 (incl. VAT) if payment in installments (last installment due on 20 May 2023)

From this total, an amount of €150 is considered as non-refundable booking fee according to our T&C. The booking fee is non-refundable if participation is cancelled or postponed by the student for whatever reason (including corona-related circumstances).

Please note that due to Dutch tax legislation (reisbureauregeling), there is no VAT deductible. Teaching fees including course manual, excluding accommodation/travel.

Accommodation

The costs for accommodation and food are on the basis of 9 nights and full board (3 vegetarian meals per day). The following room types are available on a first-come first-serve basis (please indicate in case you snore/have frequent nightmares):

• € 1.045 shared room with 2 people

• € 1.280 single room with shared facilities (house with 3 single bedrooms and shared living room / bathroom)

• € 1.590 garden suite (luxury single 36 m2, own facilities)

The accommodation is invoiced separately with a due date of 30 April (Early Bird) or 20 May 2023 (Advanced TT students / Regular / Installments).

Not included in the above fees are books, travel costs to- and- from the retreat centre, travel insurance (highly recommended), local tourist tax.

Camping at the retreat location / external accommodation is not possible.

Extra nights can be booked directly at D'Alijo Yoga Retreat Center by sending an email to info@dalijoyogaretreats.com, for a 30% discount on the chosen room rate (stay in same (single) room or upgrade twin to single). This includes two meals instead of three during the events. As an indication, a single room costs 113€ per extra night.

Package price

• Participants following The Body Retreat and/or The Heart Retreat and/or The Mind Retreat directly after each other, receive a discount of €75 per retreat on the Early Bird price (not applicable for payment in installments).

IMPORTANT: After booking your spot through the booking module (scroll all the way down), you will receive a confirmation indicating how to book your accommodation and transfer.

For our cancellation policy, please read our General Terms and Conditions.

Reading Material

Please read the following books prior to the retreat:

1. Bhagavad Gita - Here is the list of the recommended versions:

- The Living Gita by Swami Satchidananda Saraswati; or - The Bhagavad Gita by Swami Nikhilananda/Ramakrishna; or - The Bhagavad Gita translation/commentary by S. Radhakrishnan, Harper Collins translation; or Eknath Easwaran Commentary

1. Breathing Book by Donna Farhi

1. Awakening the Sacred Body by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche

Health & Well-Being

Your current health and health background are very important to us to assess your needs and to be aware of any precautions or adaptations of the yoga practices that may be needed for you personally. The information you provide is confidential and will not be shared with others.

Please let us know if any of the following applies to you (if so, please detail):

• Are you experiencing physical, mental, or emotional issues?

• Are you currently under medical treatment or taking medications for mental or physical conditions?

• Are you currently or have you suffered in the past from depression, burnout, addiction, or any other mental health issues?

Get a taste or prepare

Meeting the Heart - Online workshop

If you would like get an introduction or prepare for the retreat, or if you have joined the retreat in the past and would like to refresh the practices, we recommend joining the online workshop "Meeting The Heart" on 18 March 2023 with Satya & Sahaj. Registered participants of this year's or previous retreats receive a 50% discount. To receive the voucher code, please email academy@delightyoga.nl.

Stay Connected with the Sangha

To stay connected with the Sva Dharma community we offer the Sva Dharma Family Gatherings. This is an exclusive event for everyone who has ever participated in a training or retreat with Satya and Sahaj. We warmly welcome you to gather, re-connect, inspire each other, practice together, share experiences, and thus find support in the Sangha (community of like-minded people).

NOTE: This retreat is part of the 300-hour Advanced Teacher Training of Delight Yoga but can also be followed individually.

IMPORTANT: After booking your spot through the booking module (scroll all the way down), you will receive a confirmation indicating how to book your accommodation and transfer.