Journey To BLISS 2024
YOGA RETREAT SPAIN
HURRY, ALMOST SOLD OUT!
Andalucia, Spain
Suryalila
Matt Giordano
Rejuvenate and Immerse yourself in the Yoga Practice
May 4-11 2024
Get away from the hustle of daily life treat yourself to a deserved vacation in paradise. This is the perfect opportunity to recharge your emotional, mental and physical body. You will advance your physical yoga practice, while learning the rejuvenating practices of breathwork and meditation. Each day provides you with something new for your practice while offering a luxurious open schedule after brunch to allow you to explore relaxation by the pool, massage, horseback riding or trip to one of the incredible surrounding cities such as Ronda!
Journey to Bliss is a carefully crafted immersion providing you with a path to unwind, untangle and release mental, physical and emotional patterns that cause stress, fatigue and burn out. This experience is designed to bring you back to the core state of being, Ananda (Bliss). As the yoga tradition teaches, we all have a powerful source of energy within us that gets muted by the business of our day to day agenda. During this retreat you will learn the tools to get reconnected to the Bliss within you, and you will learn how to maintain it through specific practices that can be utilized when needed.
Together we will practice the trifecta of yoga practice: Asana, meditation, and breathwork. You will receive careful instruction for all three practices in order to provide you with the utmost proficiency and efficacy.
“A retreat with Matt is like nothing else, he creates a safe, nourishing space for you to indulge in amazing yoga, live music, fantastic food, yoga philosophy, meditation, breathwork and wonderful people in great surroundings.
I had the most beautiful week making life long friends, enhancing my yoga practice beyond belief and developing some daily practices that I continue to uphold 2 years later.
Matt retreats are a complete journey inwards, there is humour, tears and sweat all in abundance! Matt is a wonderful human and his generosity of spirit is boundless and I can’t wait to go on retreat with him again.
Andreana Bateman @andreana.kyriacou
THE EXPERIENCE
Rejuvenate your mind, body and soul with a powerful immersion into the heart of yoga. This 8 day retreat style immersion provides you with space to relax, replenish and release, while you dive fully into your yoga practice. The experience is designed to support you in your development on and off the yoga mat. Journey To Bliss is an all levels appropriate adventure that will advance your physical practice, and provide you with tools and practices for breathwork and meditation. This immersion helps you get away from it all so you can focus entirely on you. This is the perfect way to show yourself the love you deserve.
The Physical Practice: Each practice will be full of techniques to advance your body awareness, strengthen your muscles, and increase your functional range of motion. Journey to Bliss is a thorough exploration of the body, educating you on all areas including your spine, core, back, shoulders, hips, lower legs, arms, wrists, and neck. You will gain access to a wider range of postures including Hip Openers, Forward Folds, Side Bends, Heart Openers, Arm Balances, Inversions, and Shoulder Openers. If you are looking to fully transform your asana practice, this is the event for you!
Meditation: Simple yet highly effective meditation practices will be provided to cleanse the mind, increase focus and attention, and reset/release unwanted thought patterns. Meditation tools are accessible for everyone regardless of your prior experience or not. Like the physical practice, you will receive step-by-step guidance to build confidence and proficiency.
Breathwork: There is no better practice to help manage energy levels, reduce stress, increase vitality, and bridge the gap between mind and body than breathwork. Together we will practice foundational breathing skills that are appropriate for everyone. You will learn to modulate your nervous system from calm to awake and back to calm again. You will learn which breathwork practices are appropriate for you based on your desired energy state.
“Attending Matt’s retreat was hands down one of the very best gifts I have ever given myself.
RETREAT SCHEDULE
Day 1
- Fly into Seville, Spain by time TBA
- Optional Complimentary Shuttle, Time TBD
- Arrival Time to Suryalila TBD
- Check-in begins after 3p
- 6:30p Welcome Gathering
- 7:30pm Dinner
- Settle in and sleep.
Day 2
- Wake Up, Sunrise, Optional coffee/tea
- 8:00-9:30a Practice Foundations & Travel Tension Release
- 9:30am Breakfast
- 10:30a Shower/Personal time
- 12p Welcome Circle & Ice Breaker Name Game
- 1:30p Lunch
- 5:30-7p Hip Opening Practice with Intro to Breathwork
- 7:30pm Dinner
- After Dinner: Optional Eco Sauna Session
Day 3
Monday
- Wake Up, Sunrise, Optional coffee/tea etc.
- 8:00-9:30a All Levels Practice including Arm Balance fundamentals
- 9:30am Breakfast
- 10:30a Pool Time, Hike, Optional Excursions, Horse Back Riding, Free Time, etc.
- 1:30p Lunch (for those not on excursions)
- 5:30-7:00p Practice “Balance and Bliss”
- 7:30pm Dinner
- 8:30-9:30p Group Q&A and Discussion
Day 4
- Wake Up, Sunrise, Optional coffee/tea
- 8:00-9:30a Heart Opening Practice
- 9:30a Breakfast
- 12p Handstand Foundations Instructional by the pool (optional, casual, playful, safe)
- 1:30p Lunch
- 5:30-7:15p Neck Release, Forward Folds, Guided Stress Release Meditation
- 7pm Dinner
- Eco Sauna Session (optional)
Day 5
- Sunrise Wake Up. Optional coffee/tea
- 8:00-9:30am “Shoulders Revelation” Practice
- 9:30a Breakfast
- 10:30a Good day for a longer excursion
- 1:30p Lunch
- 6:30p Light Practice/stretch Pre-dinner Group Meditation
- 7:30pm Dinner
- Early Sleep or Optional Game Night
Day 6
- Wake up, enjoy your morning routine
- 8:00-9:30am Practice: Spinal Awakening “Twists”
- 9:30am Breakfast
- 10:30a Great Day to Relax and Recover
- 1:30p Lunch.
- 5:30-7p Practice: Journey to Bliss Masterclass
- 7pm Dinner
- 8:30p Group Meditation
Day 7
- Wake Up, Enjoy your morning routine
- 8:00-9:30 am Practice: Advancing Through Technique
- 9:30am Breakfast
- 10:30am Last Day for optional excursions or local activities
- 1:30p Lunch
- 5-7p Yogis Choice Workshop
- 7:30p Goodbyes, hugs, photos, tears, smiles and everything in between
Day 8
- Wake Up, Enjoy your morning routine
- 9:30am Breakfast
- Goodbyes, hugs, photos, tears, smiles and everything in between
- 11am Check-out
- Departure
NOTES
- All Classes: all levels appropriate, modifications and variations will be provided based on your practice
Schedule Subject to Change
- The schedule is subject to change based on the group’s needs.
Optional Attendance
- All classes are optional though to get the full benefits of the immersion you will want to attend all.
The Perks
- All levels yoga for everyone
- Accessible meditation techniques to destress.
- Breathwork guidance to manage energy levels
- Meaningful conversations with great people
- Incredible home cooked organic meals
- Literally Farm to Table, See your food grow!
- Easy and Beautiful Hiking on Premises
- Amazing Pool area
- Relaxation spots: hammocks and lounges
- World class yoga practices
- Community building and life long friendships
- Optional Excursions (see optional add on’s)
- Local, magnificent cities near by
- The Pets: Goats, Donkeys, Horses, Alpaca, etc.
What is Included
- All Yoga Practices/Workshops
- 8 Days/7 Night Accommodations
- All Scheduled Q&A, and Discussions
- All Meditations and Breathwork Sessions
- Complimentary Shuttle to and from Retreat Center for arrival and departure (must arrive within the time frame – further details will be emailed to attendees)
- Available All Day: Fruit, Coffee, Tea
- Daily Breakfast
- Daily Lunch
- Daily Dinner
- Pool and Lounge Area
- 2 Nights: Eco Sauna Session’s
Optional Add On’s
- Private Yoga: $100/30 min Session (subject to availability)
- Local Excursions and Adventures
- Horse Back Riding
- Local Hiking
- National Park: Sierra de Grazalema
- Massage On site
- Stunning Cities like Sevilla, Cadiz, Tenerife, Ronda and more
- Flamenco Classes
- Local Wine Tasting
- Waterfalls and Natural bathing Pools
Accomidations
ROOM OPTIONS
VERY LIMITED ROOMING AVAILABLE • EARLY BIRD ENDS Dec. 15th
LUXURY SINGLEEnjoy the luxury or having your own room & bathroom in a larger room with lounge seating. If luxury is your priority than go for this one! SOLD OUT!
3 Month Payment Plan
Regular: $1200/Month
Discounted Single: $1133.33/month
Pay in Full
Regular: $3600
Early Bird Luxury Single: $3400
PRIVATE ROOM PRIVATE BATH
Enjoy the luxury or having your own room & bathroom. If privacy is high on your priority list be sure to grab this option right away as there are SOLD OUT!
3 Month Payment Plan
Regular: $1067/Month
Early Bird: $967/month
Pay in Full
Regular: $3200
Early Bird: $2900
PRIVATE WITH SHARED BATHROOM
Luxury of your own room at an economical rate – shared bathroom. This can be a private room for 1 person (pricing listen below), or it can also be shared by two people – Sign up first to secure your spot and then please email theyogimatt@gmail.com to request to add your guest. Price for two people is $2000 each – your payment will be adjusted accordingly. To avoid over selling this option only the payment plan is available – secure your spot via payment plan and you can request to have the rest paid today via email. SOLD OUT!
Payment Plans Per Person
Regular: $934/Month
Early Bird: $800/month
Pay in Full
Regular: $2800
Early Bird: $2400
SHARED ROOM
Enjoy your own bed in a shared room. Each Room includes a shared bathroom. You will be assigned a room mate. Most ecconomical choice if you are attending by your self or with a friend but want separate beds. If you are signing up with a friend you must notify Matt using the contact form at the bottom of this page after you sign up. SOLD OUT!
3 Month Payment Plan
Regular: $767/Month
Early Bird: $634/month
Pay in Full
Regular: $2300
Early Bird: $1900
FOR TWO: PRIVATE ROOM AND BATHROOM
Share a private room and private bathroom with a friend or loved one. Two beds (can be pushed together), for two people at $2100 Each. SOLD OUT!
Payment Plans Per Person
Regular: $1800/Month
Early Bird: $1600/month
Pay in Full
Regular: $5400
Early Bird: $4200
HIGH END GLAMPING
ECO-CASA PRIVATE ROOM SHARED BATHROOMS
Privacy of your own room at the most economical rate – shared bathrooms and showers in a separate eco-facility steps away from your room. This is high quality “Glamping” as you can see from the photo of the room above. can also be shared by two people – please email theyogimatt@gmail.com to request. SOLD OUT!
Payment Plans Per Person
Regular: $934/Month
Early Bird: $700/month
Pay in Full
Regular: $2800
Early Bird: $2100
ECO-CASA – SHARED ROOM
Enjoy your own bed in a shared room at the best price. This is a High quality “Glamping” option as you can see from the photo above. Bathrooms and showers are in a separate eco-facility shared with other eco casa trainees. You will be assigned a room mate. This is an economical choice if you are attending by your self or with a friend but want separate beds. If you are signing up with a friend you must notify Matt using the contact form at the bottom of this page after you sign up. To prevent from over selling this room, only the payment plan is available – you can secure your spot and request to have the rest paid in full after you have paid. SOLD OUT!
3 Month Payment Plan
Regular: $700/Month
Early Bird: $534/month
Pay in Full
Regular: $2100
Early Bird: $1600
GLAMPING FOR TWO: PRIVATE ROOM & SHARED BATHROOM
Glamping like you have never experienced before! Enjoy the privacy of your own room and an excellent price. The Glamping bathrooms are clean and the showers are hot. This is great to share with a friend or loved one – you have the option to have one shared bed or two twin beds please email theyogimatt@gmail.com after sign up. ONLY 1 ROOM LEFT CAN BE FOR 2 OR SCROLL DOWN FOR ONE PERSON PRIVATE!
Payment Plans Per Person
Regular: $1400/Month
Early Bird: $1200/month
Pay in Full
Regular: $4200
Early Bird: $3600
GLAMPING SINGLE: PRIVATE ROOM SHARED BATHROOM
Glamping like you have never experienced before! Enjoy the privacy of your own room and an excellent price. The Glamping bathrooms are clean and the showers are hot. 1 ROOM LEFT!
Payment Plans Per Person
Regular: $900/Month
Early Bird: $767/month
Pay in Full
Regular: $2700
Early Bird: $2300
DORMING
DORM ROOM FOR FEMALE ONLY
The dorm room at Suryalila is absolutely stunning and has plenty of space for your personal belongings. This is the most affordable option and is an excellent price to enjoy a vacation and yoga retreat. If you would like a private dorm room for 3-4 friends please inquire asap: theyogimatt@gmail.com SOLD OUT
Payment Plans Per Person
Regular: $633.34/Month
Early Bird: $534/month
Pay in Full
Regular: $1900
Early Bird: $1700
I cannot speak highly enough of the experience I had with Matt. He not only taught almost everything I know and love about yoga in a wonderfully unique way, but with the most genuine sense of passion and dedication. I was blown away by Matt’s knowledge and broad range of retreat activities from the yoga to a handstand workshop, meditations and a satsang. My favorite aspect of this experience was how personal it all was. Matt interacted with all of the yogis from start to finish – meal times, downtime in between yoga classes and after dinner. It was so fun and down to earth and the connection is felt instantly.
Information
Amenities
Free WiFi
Wifi is free and it is accessible throughout most of the retreat center.
Farm to Table: Vegetarian
Suryalila is a thriving farm and features some of the best vegetarian food you will ever experience in your life.
Pool
The amazing saline filtered pool is accessible at all hours.
Check-in & Checkout
Check-in after 3p at Suryalila Saturday May 4th 2024. Check out on Saturday May 11th, 2024 is at 11am. If you plan to make use of the complimentary shuttle service please do not book your flights until you are emailed with finalized details.
Free Airport Transfer
A complimentary shuttle will be arranged for you providing you arrive at the appropriate airport and at the correct time. Further details will be provided after sign up. This will be arranged by the retreat center, please wait to book your flights until you are given the go ahead via email from Matt.
Cancellation Policy
This retreat is non-refundable for any reason unless canceled by the instructor due to covid restrictions or otherwise. If you are not able to attend for any reason we will do our best to help you find a replacement retreat goer, however this is not our responsibility it is yours. In the event that we are able to find someone to take your place you will receive a refund minus a transaction and administrative fee of $500. If you find a suitable replacement you will receive a refund minus a $300 transaction and administrative fee.
Please take precautions leading up to the trip, if you cannot attend for any reason including due to covid you will be responsible for the full payment of your spot unless you find a replacement as mentioned above.
Plan Your trip
Transportation Information
Information
AIRPORT
There 3 nearby airports, but the complimentary shuttle will be leaving from Seville airport. If you plan to rent a car or get a taxi then you can fly into any airport of your choice, otherwise plan to be at Seville on Saturday May 4th. Seville is 1 hour from Suryalila retreat center. Jerez is also 1 hour, and Malaga is 2 hours. More details about flights and suggested times will be provided after sign up.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE WAIT FOR CONFIRMATION before booking flights. You will receive the go ahead email when it is time to book your flight. With Covid restrictions it is recommended to book with travel insurance.
Vaccination & Quarantine
Be sure to follow all protocols according to your country and Spain’s travel restrictions. It is your responsibility to quarantine prior to the retreat to avoid contracting covid, no refunds will be given, though you can send a friend in your place.
Passport
Common protocol is make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your departure date.
International Flight
Prior to booking your flight please wait to receive an email from Matt notifying you that it is time to book your flight. You will fly to Seville if you are wanting the complimentary shuttle. otherwise you may choose any of the airports near Suryalila.
Complimentary Shuttle
Optionally you can take the shuttle from Seville to Suryalila. We will set a meeting time and meet at the airport. You will be asked to take a survey after signing up so we can arrange the group shuttles. You can of course find your way via taxi, private car, rental car, etc.
Seville Airport and Hotels
Seville (1 hour from Suryalila) is an easy airport to get to from most of the U.K. and Europe. You may find it hard to get a direct flight to Seville from the U.S., typically you will transfer in Madrid or Barcelona. There are many hotels and air Bnb’s in Seville, you can take a taxi into the city easily. Seville is an amazing little city with tons of spirit and excellent places to eat, drink, dance, and much more. If you have a few days to spare, spend some time here, you will not regret it!
Other airports you can fly into: Jerez (1 hour) or Malaga (2 hours). These are also nice places to visit. I suggest staying in Tarifa if you fly to one of these.
Cash?
Spain operates on the Euro, and while most places take credit card many of the cities still require that you have cash with you.
Retal Car
If you decide you would like to rent a car you can do so from Seville, Jerez or Malaga.
Reviews
Testimonials
This retreat was my very first w/Matt Giordano.
Everything about this adventure was stupendous! to list a few highlights; bonfire and dinner on the beach ; a picturesque sunrise over the water every morning; yoga and meditation led by a warm and welcoming yogi teacher who manages to guide me to places I haven’t been before; perfect weather for any activity ; a naturalist every morning who knows exactly where to find the abundant wildlife right on the property, delectable meals , gracious hosts and I could go on and on. I am truly grateful to have shared this experience with Matt and a group of beautiful like minded yogis. Cannot wait to return!!!
I am not sure I can even put into words how AMAZING this Retreat was. If you have been on the fence about doing a retreat as I have been for the past few years, this retreat is a MUST. It was a life changing experience. Matt was an incredibly caring, inspirational, and giving host. Doing this was completely out of my comfort zone, but I left with so much growth and my heart is so full. I met new like-minded people, deepened existing friendships, truly advanced my yoga practice through Matt’s creative workshops, and grew personally through self reflection and facing fears. Adding to the Immersion Retreat was being present with the Retreat group at the community dining table, eating outstanding local foods, getting to know each other better, and reflecting on our retreat experience. This was a once in a lifetime adventure…
I had an amazing yoga retreat with Matt, “Journey to Bliss”. It was nourishing, enriching and a humbling experience. I have known Matt through social media and follow his practice and so happy that I grabbed the opportunity to partake in his retreat. Well organized, well balanced and i went home with so many wonderful memories, tips and yoga flows to continue on and a bunch of yogis I call friends who I still keep in contact with. Love Love Love!
This retreat was absolutely perfect from start to finish. Matt has a way of immediately making you feel welcomed and seen and comfortable; on an international retreat with many people you may not know, I think that is important. The yoga was great as always; a theme is incorporated throughout the week so there is purpose to each and every session. Matt’s instruction is clear and concise and his knowledge base is something that I find inspiring as a fellow teacher.
The iguana lodge as a retreat center is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. The yoga deck(s) are stunning, the pool, the plants and flowers, monkeys all over the place. The staff was incredibly welcoming and happy and helpful, they spoke good English so it was easy to communicate. The food was amazing; I felt spoiled from start to finish. Can’t say enough good things about the whole experience; I’d go back year after year.
Attending Matt’s retreat was hands down one of the very best gifts I have ever given myself. Aside from spending a week in a most stunning and relaxing environment, enjoying new friendships and delighting on the delicious cuisines offered daily, I left the retreat with the complete reset and revitalization I felt my mind, body and spirit were needing.
Matt’s vast knowledge and passion for anatomy and understanding the body’s ability and potentiality to flex, bend, strengthen and align under its optimal efficiency is really felt in his classes. He brings and holds a beautiful and spiritual space and presence for his students and his passion and reverence for being a teacher is greatly felt. His care and dedication to teaching from a very pure and anatomically inclined space encourages his students to tune inward and become more conscious, aware and curious with their own anatomy and approach to various asanas. Through being encouraged to examine what I was feeling and what did I want to feel, I gently felt old physical patterns that weren’t serving me anymore unwind and melt away. Leaving me with so much more freedom in my mind and body space. His classes will challenge, inspire and grow you and his fun and humble spirit at the helm, will provide for an all encompassing yogic adventure. I give this retreat a 10! It’s one not to be forgotten and it might just become a yearly tradition in your life like I hope for it to be in mine.
REady for a nourishing adventure?
Looking forward to seeing you in Andalucia, Spain!
Thanks for treating yourself to the practice of yoga.
Need Something Else?
Send Matt an email below with your questions!