08 Sep 2014
With a love for simple elegance, travel, culture, food and activities in nature. Your personal journey.
Mindfulness Journeys passion is to share the profound tools and practice of mindfulness meditation with anyone and everyone, while enjoying and exploring our beautiful world. Our wish is that everyday lives will be enhanced by a new found ability to cultivate deeper presence in love, friends and family, work and play.
Mindfulness Journeys is delighted to announce a new venue for winter sun retreats near Marrakesh, Morocco. Boutique hotel Tigmi, will be our home for long weekend and weeklong retreats. Tigmi is situated 24km south of Marrakesh, within a magical desert landscape on the hilltop of the Berber village of Tagadert, overlooking an oasis and backed by snow-capped peaks. It's alleyways and flat-roofed village houses, with periodic calls to prayer, evoke a sense of exotic North African adventure.
'Tigmi', 'my house' in Berber dialect, was built in 1840 for the local judge. It's peaceful beauty is revealed behind it's thick mud walls where you wander the gardens of lawns and paths, banana palms, citrus and olive trees and swimming pools with cool turquoise waters. Orange blossom, deep pink bougainvillea, hibiscus and roses are a feast for the senses. Gentle tortoises meander, adding to the unhurried feel of this tranquil oasis. You will find many secret terraces and a myriad of quiet corners in which to relax, read and recharge mind and body.
There are two swimming pools, one is heated to 26 degrees year round. There are sun-loungers around the pool and shaded areas in the gardens, furnished with comfortable divans for those who prefer to laze around out of the sun. Enjoy spectacular views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and distant lights of Marrakech as your backdrop.
The rest of the day can be spent lazing Moroccan style: lounging, reading or swimming in one of the two pools, playing backgammon or chess in one of the many gardens and courtyards or visiting Marrakesh on the hotel's free daily mini-bus service. There are interesting walks of varying distances, from a walk to the ancient Kasbah in Oumnass to the wide open terrain leading towards the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains.
Tigmi also has its own hammam, spa treatments and massage therapists on hand. There are a few bicycles available for the more energetic to explore the local area.
Outside of Tigmi there are local sporting activities such as horse riding and golf. Cultural treats in Marrakesh are plentiful with mosques, museums, a visit to the famous square Jemaa el Fna with its acrobats, dancers and magicians, the Majorelle Gardens and the grove of 150,0000 palm trees at La Palmeraie. A visit to one of the souks in Marrakesh's Medina is an art form in itself, with busy market stalls and colourful displays of the traders' wares – local crafts, satins, silks, glittery shoes, leather wares, paintings, spices and food. Bartering is part of the tradition of the souks.
There are various day excursions further afield, arranged by the hotel such as a visit to the Atlas Mountains or coastal Essaouira. Music lovers may have heard of the Festival d'Essaouira which hosts four days and nights of African gnawa music, world music and jazz. For the more energetic skiing can be enjoyed in the small resort of Oukaimeden in the Atlas range (subject to snowfall).
The bedrooms are authentic, traditional Berber style with generous, comfortable beds, cool sheets, hand-woven covers and cushions, large bathrooms supplying specially made bath, shower and body products and a traditional seated area. Some of the Berber bedrooms open onto the garden pool – a dream for those who enjoy an early morning swim. Many of the bedrooms have fireplaces and private terraces.
Our days start with vigorous Lujong exercises followed by breakfast and Mindfulness Meditation teachings. We break for a healthy salad lunches followed by free time to enjoy the swimming pools, gardens, spa or just time for reading. We regroup for discussions and Mindfulness practice before yet another sumptuous Moroccan dinner and time with new friends.
Led by highly qualified teacher, Brian Hilliard, a close student of Tibetan Masters over the past 36 years, Brian takes his deep personal mindfulness/awareness meditation instruction way beyond current trends of meditation retreats.
Co-founder, Shannon van Staden worked as a hospitality coordinator on luxury yachts, as well as a host of National Geographic's global private jet expeditions and has been a fashion stylist to well known luminaries. Shannon fundraises for non-profits and is a Meditation Guide to students.
Mindfulness Journeys is affiliated with destinations that are elegant, meaningful, uncompromising in quality of food and ecology offering the opportunity to connect with local culture and nature as well as deeply with oneself. Think excellent simple cuisine, stylish interiors, a balance between elegant not opulent and finding relaxation and techniques in the teachings of Mindfulness/Awareness.
Marrakech Berber Village Retreat Dates
15 – 22 November 2014
18 – 25 April 2015 25 – 29 April 2015 31 October – 7 November 2015 Cost from €800
“What excites us most about our Marrakech Berber Village Retreat is the blend of the mystical Moroccan culture with the exquisite teachings of Mindfulness Meditation, not to mention a Winter Sun escape”, say Brian and Shannon.
Contact
Shannon van Staden
[+33 (0)6 38 02 73 03]
