YOGA & AYURVEDA HOLIDAY TO BALANCE THE DOSHAS
Explore with us the elemental concept of Yoga & Ayurveda and connect with nature in the beautiful surroundings of the Olive branch and El Chorro.
According to Yoga & Ayurveda, the elemental Theory explains that everything in life is made up of 5 major Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether.
These Elements are intelligence, vibrating on different levels and combine into three Doshas or tendencies of the individuals body, thinking and behaviour.
By knowing and understanding your unique Doshas you can create a blueprint for more balance in your life.
Key aspects of both - Ayurveda and Yoga are to enhance our awareness, strengthen physical digestion through Asana practise and emotional digestion through Pranayama Breathing practise & Meditation.
With yoga & meditation we can fine tune our inner core frequency (our nervous system & mind), so we are able to shed emotions and tune in with suitable and healthy life choices for better harmony.
Spending time in nature adds to heighten our self-awareness and helps us to tune into our intuition.
Learn more about the Tendencies of mind and body according to Ayurveda and how you can balance your doshas through Yoga, mindfulness, food and spending time in nature.
Explore what could be blocking your vitality and how to thrive with a Yoga practise that suits your needs, lifestyle tips and foods to eat or to avoid.
Susa and Johanna will guide you through a Dosha balancing practise for each of the three Doshas, that will help you to tune into your intuition and boost your vitality.
Our practise will include:
Dynamic Morning Hatha & Vinyasa Yoga, Somatics & Movement
Grounding & Restorative Myofascial release practise and Yin Yoga.
Practical & energetic work with Pranayama, Mudras and Bandhas to stimulate Elements, Doshas & Chakras.
Movement practises & Group work.
Outdoor activities in nature.
If you are a yoga teacher, registered with Yoga Alliance you can earn 25CE credits for this Retreat. Please get in touch to find out more.
OUR RETREAT PROGRAMME **
Thursday, 2. july - ARRIVAL & GROUNDING
15:00 – Check-in & Arrival
Settle in, rest, and arrive into the space.
17:30 – Opening Circle
Welcome & intention setting
Introduction to Ayurveda & the three doshas
18:30 – Gentle Yoga (Arrival Practice)
Soft, grounding movement with breath awareness
20:00 – Dinner
Friday, 3. july - KAPHA: Grounding & Stability
”Earth + Water → Rooting into presence”
08:00 Grounding Hatha Yoga & Somatics to arrive in the here and now
Muladhara & Svadisthana Chakra awareness, Pranayama & Meditation
10:00 Breakfast
11:30 Workshop: Understanding Kapha
• Elements of Kapha (Earth & Water)
• Balance vs. stagnation
• Floor work: softness, rooting, and support
13:30 Lunch (free time)
16:00 Mindful afternoon walk in the mountains to establish a deep connection to earth and stability
18.30 Myofascial release to clear stagnation
20:00 Dinner
Saturday, 4. july - PITTA: Transformation & Power
”Fire + Water → Energy, heat, and direction”
08:00 Energising & Dynamic Vinyasa Yoga to connect with Manipura Chakra and stimulate a healthy digestion
10:00 Breakfast
11:30 Workshop: Understanding Pitta
• Fire energy & transformation
• Somatics: compression & expansion
• Strength-building & controlled power (organic strength, explosiveness)
• Eye movement practices for focus and direction
13:30 Lunch (free time)
16:00 Afternoon activity: Kayaking for rhythmic movement and core activation & cooling through the water element
18.30 Yin Yoga - Fire & Water element
20:00 Dinner
Sunday, 5. july - VATA: Expansion & Expression
”Air + Ether → Creativity, flow, and freedom”
08:00 Hatha-Vinyasa Morning practise for flow and expression for Heart & Voice connection
10:00 Breakfast
11:30 Workshop: Vata & Creative Expression with free intuitive movement
• Playfulness and self-expression
• Voice work & mantra chanting
• Mandala creation
13:30 Lunch
14:30 Closing circle for Reflection & sharing
• Integrating Kapha, Pitta, and Vata
16:00 Check-out & Departure
Please note:
* Our Programme might vary slightly - depending on group dynamics and weather conditions.
*Max. capacity limited to 19 participants!
WHAT'S INCLUDED
3 x nights accommodation in single or shared room - find all options below
Daily Yoga lessons (including Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin Yoga)
Movement, Somatic & Myofascial Release practises
Daily morning or afternoon activities - aligned with the topic of the day
3x breakfast, 3x lunch, 3x dinner - all meals are vegetarian, freshly prepared, nutritious and delicious to balance the Doshas according to Ayurveda.
(Please get in touch for any food allergies or restrictions)
Booking OPTIONS & INVESTMENT:
Private room - ensuite bathroom: €700 (€650 Early bird until 26th of April)
Twin room - ensuite bathroom: €650 (€600 Early bird until 26th of April)
Twin room - shared bathroom: €600 (€550 Early bird until 26th of April)
Private room - shared bathroom: €650 (€600 Early bird until 26th of April)
Camping in your own camper van: €450 (€400Early bird until 26th of April)
Pre-payment of a deposit at time of booking 350EUR, remaining fee to be paid 1 month prior to the retreat (until 2. June).
Please note: If the booking is made after 2. June, full payment is required.
Payment options:
Bank transfer:
Name: Johanna Hellinger, Banco CTT
IBAN: PT50 0193 0000 1050 4607 8126 9
BIC/SWIFT: CTTVPTPL
MbWAY (Portugal only): (00351) 910/166898 (Johanna Hellinger)
Revolut: revolut.me/@themovingsusa
CANCELLATION POLICY
The deposit is non-refundable if you have to cancel your reservation for any reason. We recommend to also book travel insurance.
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Relax with a Thai Massage with Johanna or Susanna
Take a walk around the area - hiking option: Caminito del Rey
Climbing
Kayaking
Horse riding
Relax by the pool and enjoy the gorgeous views
Connect with other participants in the cosy community areas
Please note - certain activities are not included in the price.
Our Venue
The Olive Branch
The Olive Branch in El Chorro is a bustling guesthouse with varied accommodation to suit all needs and budgets.
We are situated at the base of Las Encantadas crag, just 10 minutes walk from El Chorro village and close to the Parque Natural of Andalucia. Our rustic property and garden are typical of the area, giving it lots of character and creating a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere for our guests.
If you are looking for a quiet, tranquil retreat away from it all, then our accommodation in El Chorro is perfect.
The Olive Branch guesthouse is ideally situated within easy walking distance of one of the world’s premier climbing destinations in El Chorro!
Our guesthouse is only 45 mins train ride from Málaga and perfectly suited to those who enjoy an active, outdoor lifestyle. The most popular activities include: climbing, walking, kayaking and mountain biking, but with mountains and lakes all around, the possibilities are endless.
Address: LOS ROMERALES, EL CHORRO, ALORA, MALAGA, SPAIN
website: https://www.olivebranchelchorro.com
Accomodation & Rates
Single bedroom - private bathroom
700 EUR per person - all included (3 meals per day and all practises)
EARLY BIRD until 26th April - 650 EUR
Twin bedroom - private bathroom
600 EUR per person - all included (3 meals per day and all practises)
EARLY BIRD until 26th April - 550 EUR
Triple Room - private bathroom, 1 double, 1 bunk bed
Double bed 650 EUR per person - all included (3 meals per day and all practises)
EARLY BIRD until 26th April - 600 EUR
Bunk bed 550 EUR per person - all included (3 meals per day and all practises)
EARLY BIRD until 26th April - 500 EUR
OTHER OPTIONS:
Shared Apartment - sleeps 4, 2 Twin rooms, kitchen & bathroom
2 Twin rooms 550EUR per Person - all included (3 meals per day and all practises)
EARLY BIRD until 26th April - 500 EUR
Cubo shared Accomodation - sleeps 5, includes 2 Twin rooms, 1 double room, kitchen, living room & bathroom
2 Twin rooms 550EUR per Person - all included (3 meals per day and all practises) - EARLY BIRD until 26th April - 500EUR
Double room (private) 620EUR per Person - all included (3 meals per day and all practises) - EARLY BIRD until 26. April - 570EUR
CAMP and stay in your van
Parking at the venue, shared toilets, showers & bathrooms - 450EUR per Person
EARLY BIRD until 26th April - 400 EUR
Get in touch for bookings or additional information
Your hosts & teachers
JOHANNA HELLINGER
Johanna is an E-RYT 500 certified Yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance and is working as a Yoga teacher and Thai Massage Therapist since 2015.
She lives in Portugal since 2014 and teaches Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin Yoga integrated with Myofascial Release techniques, Qi Gong and mindfulness meditation. Her teachings are based on Hatha Yoga, Tao and Buddhist Philosophy, Anatomy, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Since 2022 she also provides continuing education for Yoga teachers based on Yin Yoga, TCM, Ayurveda and the practise of self myofascial release with the Roll Model Method. She is leading yoga teacher trainings in Portugal and Spain with La Casa Shambala since 2024 where she teaches Asana Clinics, Anatomy, Philosophy, Ayurveda and Teaching Methodology.
Johanna is passionate to share her experience with people that want to create a change in their life, are open to learn and continuously improve their self awareness. When she is not teaching or training you can find her out in nature, surfing, walking her dog or working on her land to build a sustainable Permaculture Farm with her partner.
SUSANNA BOLOGNA
Susanna is a registered E-RYT 500 Yoga Alliance teacher who likes to define herself a practitioner before anything else and approaches the art of teaching as a channel to share what she’s learned over almost 10 years of studies and regular practice.
She complements the practice of yoga with techniques coming from her background in performing arts and the extensive studies she took in the field of movement.
She integrated yoga as part of her daily life and is constantly looking for ways to expand the boundaries of her practice exploring other forms of movement to get an even deeper understanding of the incredible potentials of the human body.
She firmly believes that the body is the entry point for self discovery and self development and that the best thing we can do as human beings is to try and learn something new every single day.
Prepare for your Retreat
TO BRING:
Comfortable clothing and layers (i.e. shawl or warm jacket, socks)
Moskito repellent, sun cream, sun hat
Comfortable shoes you can hike with, house shoes or flip flops
Water bottle and a small backpack for outdoor activities
Mats are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own yoga mat
How to get there?
Public transport
Getting to the Olive Branch El Chorro by train from Malaga public transport is a convenient and scenic way to travel. The journey takes approximately one hour, and the train runs regularly throughout the day. View Timetable
The train journey from Malaga to El Chorro passes through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Andalusia, including rolling hills, olive groves, and stunning mountain ranges. The Olive Branch El Chorro is located about 20 - 25 mins walk, uphill all the way, from the station in El Chorro, if you require a pick-up from the station please get in contact.
The train service is reliable and affordable, with tickets costing just a few euros. Passengers can enjoy comfortable seating and air conditioning on board, as well as stunning views of the countryside.
PRIVATE PICK UP
We can provide pick ups from either the airport or from a local train station for a small fee or if you are coming by train.
By car
From Malaga its a 45min drive to the venue.
If you come with your own car, please let us know if you would like to carshare with other participants, traveling from Malaga or other areas of Andalusia.
We will be happy to connect you!