Yoga - since its creation - has always been taught in a one-on-one setting. The teacher would assess the needs, aspirations and constitution of the student and give them the personal practice that would connect them to their innermost truth. This innermost truth of the individual is unique to that person, and each person’s yoga practice will ultimately be an individual practice, guided closely by authentic teachers and teachings.

A yoga retreat is a rare opportunity to discover what it is to live a yogic life of awakening. It is a time we remove ourselves from our ordinary life and create a new possibility of coming out of our conditioned minds, our emotions, and our body. From early in the morning until well into the evening, we will be immersed in the sacred path of yoga in all its forms. It is an intensive process that will change the way you see your life.

We call this retreat “The Heart” because that is the physical location of our energy and our true Self. It is through the heart that we fully open ourselves to develop pure devotion and longing for liberation.

This retreat is a 100-hour training - which can be followed individually or in combination with the Advanced Teacher Training - where you will have the opportunity to deepen into the yoga that is most suited to your individual needs and will give you the foundational ground, connection, and steadiness to become a living yogi or yogini.

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

During this retreat, 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

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.

Requirements

• 2 years of regular yogic practices including asana

• Experience with meditation and pranayama

• A motivation letter why you want to take part in this retreat

• To be emotionally stable (see note below on Health & Well-Being)

If you are not sure about meeting these requirements but you'd like to join this retreat, please contact academy@delightyoga.nl with your questions or concerns.

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.