September 26 – October 2, 2020
POSTPONED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS – NEW DATE SOON.
Purna Yoga Retreat
–
Align with Radical Self Acceptance
with Sandra Carson
Grazalema Natural Park, South Spain
“You are the point the Universe is trying to make”- Douglas Brooks
Purna means Perfection. Completeness. Fullness.
The definition of perfection in our culture is “being absolutely flawless,” the state of completion of the highest potential.
But in a tantric view, perfection means “fullness”. It means that all potential is fulfilled in every given moment and nothing is lacking. Purna is not a fixed state of absolute perfection but a moving, ever changing reality, a radical acceptance and celebration of what is.
You are Perfectly Imperfect
In this wider context Purna means everything is complete as it is. And that makes you “embodied perfection”; the flawless messiness of being human, the imperfect perfection of who you are.
During this retreat, you are invited to take Purna into every moment; every thought, every feeling and every action.
All it takes is your awareness and practice. It invites you to the uncomfortable place of radical acceptance, of yourself and of reality as it presents itself.
Acceptance is something we all long for deep in our heart, because it is the essence of inner peace. As you become more aligned with living in harmony with the perfection of your authentic self and life as it is, you begin to cut the chains of suffering and step into a life of Love and Freedom.
THE PROGRAM
This week is for you if you are looking for a retreat that offers daily yoga and deeper inner work. If you are interested in diverse yoga practices (including meditation, breath work and deep relaxation) and following a program that involves some contemplation, writing and sharing exercises.
Sandra’s yoga teaching is a real mix of movement (flow and intuitive movement) and alignment. Her alignment work is knowledge and sensory based. Sandra will offer techniques so you can find and feel the alignment that fits your body.
During your stay there will be space for stillness, time to write down insights and share and simply to be and enjoy the beautiful private farm with several salt chlorination pools.
There will also be time to explore one of the most beautiful Natural Parks in Andalusia, Grazalema Natural Park, enjoying unique trekkings inside the protected Park area (excursions are included)
We will be served delicious vegetarian foods that are low in sugar and carbs so that you enjoy your natural energy, feel relaxed and increase your clarity.
THE EXCURSIONS
We propose a total immersion in nature, where we can absorb the benefits of breathing, walking and exercising our body consciously.
In our excursions and trekkings, we would enjoy the the Grazalema Natural Park, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
It is made up of a huge karst complex with peaks reaching 1,600 meters and seventeen mountain ranges. Its peculiar forests of “pinsapos”, a kind of fir tree that are only found in some areas of Russia and northern Morocco, make it practically unique in the world.
In some of the trekkings, we will reach amazing caves and gorges, as the ” Green Gorge”, an area of a special natural protection.
At end of September, the number of tourists is low, so we will be able to benefit from silence walks and feel closer the healing power of nature.
All excursions and transport during the trips are included.
THE TEACHER
SANDRA CARSON

Sandra Carson is a knowledgeable and insightful yoga teacher who has been teaching internationally for the last 18 years.
Her teaching style is rooted in alignment and the cultivation of body awareness through the sensory body. Sandra’s background is Vinyasa Flow, Anusara yoga, therapeutics and Tantra.
She became a Yoga Alliance certified teacher in the USA in 2001. She is also a Anusara® certified teacher and an Experienced Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance (E-RYT500). She teaches workshops and retreats in different countries, Yoga Teacher trainings and Advanced Yoga Teacher trainings.
Her unique yoga classes are a mix of flow and alignment and mostly dynamic and energizing in nature. They invite you to step up and curiously explore your abilities while respecting your boundary. Sandra encourages you to listen intimately and choose what serves you in every moment by offering modifications and variations throughout the practice.
Over the past years, Sandra has been specializing more in the pelvis and psoas.
Sandra teaches classes in Amsterdam and for online yoga studio EkhartYoga.com, with more than 800.000 students all over the world.
You can find her on LivingAlignmentYoga.com and EkhartYoga.com
WHERE
For this retreat, we have chosen a quiet and large farm with all the comforts, surrounded by mountains, located at the northeast of the province of Cádiz and an hour and a half from Malaga airport (transport included)
The property, with more than 25 hectares, spectacular views and five outdoor swimming pools that are available most of the year.
We will stay in beautiful rural houses very well equipped, with terraces and gardens, each with its own pool. The accomodation options vary from studios with private kitchen to double or single bedrooms, all with private bathroom.
A unique space, from where you can combine the tranquility and silence that nourish the practice of yoga with hiking trails through one of the greenest natural parks in Andalusia.
Sample Daily Schedule (*)
Saturday September 26, 2020
14.15 – Bus leaves from Málaga airport to the retreat veune.
16.00 – Arrival to the retreat venue. Check- in
17.30 – Welcome. Introduction class.
19.00 – Dinner
From Sunday September 27 to Thrusday October 1
7.30- Yoga practice, meditation/breath work
9.15- Breakfast
11.00- Morning session or trekking in the Natural Park (some walks could be in silence and include breathing excercise)
13.30- Lunch (some longer trekking will include a take away healthy lunch)
14.30- Free time /enjoying the venue
17.00- Restorative yoga, TRE or afternoon session
19.00- Yoga Nidra/meditation
20.00- Dinner
Friday October 2
7. 30 Yoga practice
9.00 Breakfast
10.30 Farewell session
12.00 Check- out. Bus departures to Málaga airport
(*) The daily schedule can change depending on the weather conditions and the duration of the trips.
Package Includes
- Accommodation in beautiful double studios or rooms with ensuite bathroom. (Single rooms available with an additional suplement).
- Healthy vegetarian food, using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients prepared by an experienced chef specialized in healthy nutrition. 3 meals per day: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Coffee, teas, water and nuts available all day long.
- Use of the swimming-pools and all the facilities in the farm
- Yoga classes with Sandra Carson in the yoga shala (Anusara yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Breathing and Philosophy)
- Guided meditation.
- Tension release excercises (TRE)
- Conscious energy connections and coaching exercises (indoor ansd outdoors)
- Trekkings in some of the most pure, tranquil and beautiful protected areas of the Grazalema Natural Park.
- Transport and local guides in all excursions.
- Private transport from Malaga airport to the retreat center, round trip. (Please check the timetable of the transport in the program before purchasing your flight tickets)
On request (at additional cost):
- Several types of energy healing (on request at arrival)
Flights tickets are not included
Total Price
Special Early Bird discount, until August 1, 2020.
All prices are per person, all included.
– Bedrooms.
All bedrooms have private bathroom. They are in a beautiful traditional Andalusian house, with terraces, garden and swimming-pool.
- Double bedroom (twins beds or double bed). Shared Use: 770 € (Until August 1) / 890 € (After August 1)
- Suplement for single use: 150 €
-Studios
New little houses, studio sytle, with kitchen, terrace, private bathroom and swimming-pool.
- Double studio (twins beds or double bed). Shared Use: 890 € (until August 1) / 1.010 € (after August 1)
Suplement for single use: 180 €
Booking conditions:
– To secure your retreat booking, we request a 250 € deposit.
– Once you click on “Book your place now”, and send the registration form, you will receive the information for the payment of the deposit.
– Balance payment is due before September 1, 2020. If you book after that date, you will be asked to directly pay the full amount.
– If you are travelling solo, and choose a double room, you will share with a same gender person. If you book a double room, but once the registrations are finished, there wouldn’t be any same gender person to share with, you may have the double room for your own but you will be asked to pay the individual room supplement.
SPECIAL CANCELATION POLICY
– If you cancel your booking at any moment before September 1, the full amount paid will be refunded (included the deposit)
– If your cancellation takes place after September 1, the total payment minus the deposit will be returned. Deposit will not be returned. In such circumstance you could use your deposit for a future retreat or else hand it over to some other person (friend, relative, colleague…etc)
– If we have to cancel the retreat for any unforeseen situation, your payment, including the deposit, will be fully refunded in less than 5 workings days.
Any questions? Write us: info@shamaretreats.com
Note: Airlines
Easyjet, Ryanair, Vueling, and KLM are offering cheap directs flights from Amsterdam to Málaga for the date of the retreat.
Easyjet, Vueling and KLM are offering flexible change conditions (you can change your tickets for another date with no cost)
All of them also offering very affordable travel insurances, that guarantee a full refund of your flight tickets in case of a cancelation.