The Atlas Mountain range is one of the most tranquil and untouched spots in Morocco. It hosts a broad range of diverse climates, terrains, and wildlife and is dotted with picturesque Berber villages. A perfect location to explore the remote Mountain villages of the Berbers or enjoy the view of snow-capped mountain peaks and never-ending valleys, you really can lose yourself in the breathtaking and tranquil Atlas Mountains, the perfect place to find your balance in yoga and relaxation.
Are you looking for relaxation and serenity? Enjoy this wonderful 8 day yoga retreat into the Atlas Mountains and rejuvenate yourself. This retreat is suitable for anyone who'd like a short break away with activities and relaxation in equal measure, for those who enjoy wellness, healthy food and Yoga. Join us in the beautiful Atlas Mountains for an 8 day deep dive into yoga into the Mountains to re-connect with nature and experience local culture and delicious long meals will feed us with nourishment. With the intention that you will leave feeling revitalized, inspired, and balanced.
Welcome to Morocco! Upon arrival to Marrakech airport you will meet your tour guide and photography leader. After welcoming formalities, you will drive to the city of Marrakech to check in at the hotel. Afterwards, you will have a briefing provided by your Yoga teacher. You will relax and spend the overnight with dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Dinner included.
Today you will escape the bustling Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains for the purpose behind your trip with is the Yoga and meditation. You will have the opportunity to enjoy a scenic drive into the National Park of Toubkal. On the way, in the verdant valleys with several Berber villages, one can admire the vast countryside covered with green oaks, cypresses and other typical vegetation of the Atlas. The route of the Asni Ouirgane offers you a variety of overwhelming landscapes. You will check in at the hotel and meet a local Mountain tour guide to take a walk around Toubkal area. On the evenining you will enjoy dinner at the hotel and discuss the schedule of your Yoga classes with your teacher.
Meals: Dinner & Breakfast included.
Today you will start your first Yoga and meditation class with your professional teacher. The Yoga Practice will take place either on the terrace of your hotel overlooking the verdant valleys and Berber villages of the Atlas Mountains. There will be a morning and late afternoon class: In the mornings a 2 hour flowing yoga practice invigorates cleanses the body, focuses & calms the mind. You will have healthy lunch at the hotel. Evening yoga gently explores the asanas (yoga postures) + pranayama (breathing techniques). Yoga nidra (yogic sleep), relaxation + meditation will also be practised during these evening sessions to help cultivate inner balance, harmony + awareness. Spend the overnight with dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Dinner, Lunch & Breakfast included.
Today you will enjoy your second class with your Yoga instructor. The Yoga Practice will take place either on the terrace of your hotel overlooking the verdant valleys and Berber villages of the Atlas Mountains. There will be a morning and late afternoon class: In the mornings a 2 hour flowing yoga practice invigorates cleanses the body, focuses & calms the mind. You will have healthy lunch at the hotel. Evening yoga gently explores the asanas (yoga postures) + pranayama (breathing techniques). Yoga nidra (yogic sleep), relaxation + meditation will also be practised during these evening sessions to help cultivate inner balance, harmony + awareness. Spend the overnight with dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Dinner, Lunch & Breakfast included.
You will continue your Yoga courses and attend the third class with your Yoga teacher. The Yoga Practice will take place either on the terrace of your hotel overlooking the verdant valleys and Berber villages of the Atlas Mountains. There will be a morning and late afternoon class: In the mornings a 2 hour flowing yoga practice invigorates cleanses the body, focuses & calms the mind. You will have healthy lunch at the hotel. Evening yoga gently explores the asanas (yoga postures) + pranayama (breathing techniques). Yoga nidra (yogic sleep), relaxation + meditation will also be practised during these evening sessions to help cultivate inner balance, harmony + awareness. Spend the overnight with dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Dinner, Lunch & Breakfast included.
Today you will start you’re the last session of your Yoga and meditation classes before breakfast. Today Yoga Practice will be on the terrace of your hotel overlooking the verdant valleys and Berber villages of the Atlas Mountains. You will have 2 hour flowing Yoga practice invigorates cleanses the body, focuses & calms the mind. Meet your driver to drive back to Marrakech. Check in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Spend the overnight with dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Dinner & Breakfast included.
Today you will end up your Yoga and meditation vacation with a sightseeing tour of Marrakech city starting with a visit to Jack Majorelle gardens, a peaceful spot in the Ville Nouvelle, contains botanic and exotic plants brought from all over the world, with dominating indigo blue to paint. You are going to visit the 19th Century Bahia Palace, built by the Grand Visir of Marrakech with its incredible mosaics and stucco and hear some interesting stories about his 4 wives and the 24 concubines!!. Admire the extraordinary architecture and streets of the old medina strolling through the labyrinths. Spend some great time in the famous souks of Marrakech with different smells, colors, items before reaching the square of Jemaa lefna, a bustling place where snake charmers, monkeys, food stalls and musicians, the most animated square in Marrakech. The rest of the day is at leisure. Today you will have a gala dinner with a local show in a local Restaurant.
Meals: Dinner & Breakfast included.
Transfer to Marrakech international airport for your return flight with plenty of tales of Arabian and Berber days and nights with a memorable Yoga and meditation Retreat.
If you’re new to yoga and even if you’re not - you might be confused by the words that you hear in class. That’s because :
1) Like all disciplines, yoga has its own lingo.
2) Yoga’s root language is technically Sanskrit. In most cases, a good yoga teacher will incorporate plenty of non-Sanskrit instructions, as well as the words’ English-language translations, as you go through the class.
And, ideally, said class will take place in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment. But still, it can help to know a few of the most common yoga terms so that you’re not constantly looking at the person next to you for visual cues.
That’s why we’ve rounded up ten yoga terms that you’re likely to hear in class or in your Aaptiv audio workouts.
Take a look below so that you feel better-equipped the next time that you step onto your mat.
Asana :
The word asana simply refers to the physical poses and postures practiced during yoga. It is one of the “eight limbs” of yoga, with others including breath and meditation.
In common usage, asana may describe the general style of yoga that incorporates movement. Or it can mean one single pose. For example, downward-facing dog (described below) is an asana.
Vinyasa :
Vinyasa is a style of yoga characterized by stringing together poses into a flowing sequence. This is different from Hatha yoga, a slower-paced practice that focuses on holding one pose at a time.
Pranayama :
This Sanskrit word refers to breath work or breathing techniques. Prana translates roughly to “life force,” and yama means “to control.” So pranayama, then, is to control your breathing through various exercises.
Ujjayi :
It is also called “ocean breath” or “warrior’s breath.” Ujjayi breathing involves breathing in and out of your nose with deep inhales and exhales. On the exhale, pretend like you’re trying to fog up a mirror.
Drishti :
Drishti is a focused gaze meant to draw awareness, concentration, and intent to your yoga practice.
Sun Salutation :
This is a specific sequence used often in a variety of vinyasa-style yoga practices. It begins in a standing position. Then it takes you through a high plank, an upward-facing dog, a downward-facing dog, before returning back to standing.
Downward Facing Dog :
This might be the best-known yoga pose there is. Even those who’ve never tried yoga are likely familiar with the term. You know that pose where your body is shaped like an inverted V, with your hands and feet on the ground and your back straight? That’s downward facing dog.
Chaturanga :
Chaturanga is a movement that begins in the high plank position. From there, you bend your elbows straight back, slowly lowering yourself toward the ground—but not all the way there—into a low plank. This pose is typically used as a transition into upward facing dog, which involves dropping your hips toward the ground and pushing through your hands to raise your chest to the ceiling. Only your palms and the tops of your feet remain on the floor.
Savasana :
Savasana is also known as “corpse pose,” but don’t let that dissuade you. It’s a resting pose that involves lying flat on your back with your arms at your sides, palms up, and legs stretched out. It can be employed at any time during yoga practice, but is often the final pose of a class.
Namaste :
This word can be a greeting or a valediction in certain cultures. But in yoga, namaste is typically said at the end of class—usually while pressing your palms together and bowing your head. It basically translates to “the divine in me acknowledges the divine in you.” But really, it’s just a respectful way for student and teacher to part ways.
These are just some of the most common yoga terms that you’ll come across in your practice or Aaptiv yoga routine.
Tripadvisor previous guests reviews
We were booked and had paid a deposit for a trip late March of 2020, which was canceled due to the pandemic. Said, the owner of MD, went to extraordinary lengths to refund the deposits for our travel group of six from the U.S. Apparently the Moroccan banking system is not "user friendly" when it comes to wire transfers for reasons unclear to me. Nevertheless, Said managed to refund all our money using a very creative approach. We would DEFINITELY travel with MD in the future given this level of honesty and effort; but we do hope that MD will accept credit cards rather than wires in the future. Thank You Said & Morocco Discovery!
Three of use booked a 19-day with Moroccan Discovery Holidays for March, 2020 and paid a 50% deposit. When Morocco closed its borders due to Covid. Initially we put our trip on hold and asked Said to hold our deposit. Said agreed to this. When it appeared holiday travel would likely go on for many months we asked for a refund. Said again agreed but the Moroccan banks, being what they are, refused to release all of our deposit. With some pressure on the bank from us and Said's help we did receive 100% of our deposit.
We planned our April-May 2020 trip to Morocco in the late fall of 2019 and worked with Said at Morocco Discovery. We were taking our adult children and their partners and Said was patient and added everything we wanted and more. One month prior to travel we were surprised by the pandemic, with flights cancelled, borders closed and no idea when we could travel again. Said remained as diligent, helpful and honest throughout the arduous process of refunding our downpayment. We were thrilled with Said, and his company's commitment to customer service and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone travelling to Morocco. As soon as it is safe again it is our intent to rebook with them!
From their already outstanding reviews when I started working with Sayd, this was an amazing experience. I got prompt friendly responses to every question I had and as this was our first trip to Africa I had a lot of questions. The price was incredibly reasonable - I don’t know how they can put the trip together on this budget. We stayed at amazing Riads in every city with excellent food every evening and great breakfasts - our driver was AMAZING- he was always ready wherever we were 1 minute before we needed him. The prearranged guides were the best. If you are going to Morocco - you want to go with Morocco Discovery and you definitely want a driver.
I have to admit, when I first started looking at using a local Moroccan tour company for our trip I was very nervous. After having toured Morocco for 11 days with Morocco Discovery Holidays, I would HIGHLY recommend them without any hesitation. Said worked with me for over a year to come up with a customized trip that included everything we (2 couples) wanted to see and more. Every change I made to the itinerary was completed within hours of my request.. and I made many. Said is very prompt at responding to e-mails and questions. Having a private driver was definitely the ideal way to see Morocco. Our driver, Mohamed was amazing. From the minute he met us at the airport (with sweets to welcome us) until he dropped us off at the port for our journey to Spain, Mohamed could not do enough for us. Mohamed is funny, engaging, very knowledgeable and was totally flexible and I felt very safe at all times, even on the curvy, narrow road. If I wanted him to turn around so I could take a picture, he would…and Did!! LOL Our Riads were beautiful and the meals that were included were some of the best meals we had in Morocco. I cannot say enough about the 5
Mr Said provided us with a very pleasant and safe driver (Mustafa) as well as a new van, so we had a very enjoyable round trip Casablanca-Rabat-Fes- Marrakech-Casablanca. Local guides accompanied us in Fes and Marrakech, and we could have had other tours but we opted to spend more time walking around the towns. The Riads selected for us were very satisfactory and service all round was great. No hesitation at all in recommending Morocco Discovery.
Said arranged an excellent holiday for us. We began with one of the standard trips as our starting point and adapted it to better suit our needs with an added night here and there and starting in Marrakesh rather than Casablanca. Everything went very smoothly from start to finish.The choice of the Riads in which we stayed was great, as were the guides that were arranged for us. Abdoul proved to be a first rate driver - safe, dependable, friendly and very professional. We felt very comfortable being driven by him and we enjoyed his company.