YOGA RETREAT

With this retreat covering Valentine's day, which celebrates romance and love, I'd like to invite you to some loving days of wellness and pampering, exercise and stillness, as well as nature and culture. In Malta we are at one of the warmest spots in Europe at this time of year, and Mulberries hotel will be opening only for our intimate group of yogis at this time.

Our yoga programme will comprise of pranayama, meditation and asana (vinyasa yoga) in the mornings. During the sunny afternoons you can take time off to explore the surroundings, or stay at the hotel on a terrace, in the garden or in the spa area with pool, sauna and a stream room.

We are located within walking distance of the "Three Cities" and a short car ride from beaches and the coastline, allowing you to get to know Malta with its rich history and beautiful architecture as well as soak up sea views, ocean air and maybe even take a short dip in the waves.

After an early dinner you can join relaxing evening activities such as yin yoga, a reflexology massage workshop, reiki and evening pranayama. If you stay on the island before or after the retreat, you may choose to explore the island Gozo, the cities Mdina or Valletta, fascinating megalithic temples, and much more.

LOVING BODY & SOUL

PROGRAMME

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MULBERRIES HOTEL

Mulberries is a "labour of love" designed and built by its architect owner using sustainable materials and a great eye to detail. It has been optimised for practical, aesthetic and also energetic benefits. For example, the courtyard is designed to optimally let in sunlight in winter; there are many curved forms like arches that feel soothing; and stones were sourced in a way to minimise quarry "scars" by reusing them from other buildings or using slabs that were taken from land used for agriculture. You can read more about the background of the building here.

We will have the options of practising yoga in the central courtyard or in a light indoor room. The courtyard was designed to let in the low-standing sun on winter days while protecting from wind. As we will be the only users of the hotel, we will be completely undisturbed in this central space. The hotel also boasts an underground cave with a calm feel for meditations and moments of silence and stillness.

The bedrooms are tastefully and individually furnished to a high standard. You will see the images below and can also click through the rooms here. Many have their own little terraces and outdoor seating areas. There is also a spa area with an indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room as well as treatments (massage etc.) which you can book.

Out the back there are the gardens which are partly used for growing vegetables and partly as a green seating area. In February this area should be in bloom and in particular there may be fresh citrus fruits like oranges on the trees.

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FOOD

Mulberries will be spoiling us with breakfast, lunch and dinner. These will be buffet style using many local ingredients, partly from their garden, and catering to any dietary requirements you inform us of. The food will mostly be vegetarian.

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Pranayama
In pranayama (translated as "directing life energy - prana") we modulate the breath e.g. through holds, active or passive in- and exhales and through the depth, speed and rhythm of our breathing, to influence our energy. Depending on the type of breath, pranayama can have balancing, activating or winding-down effects. Our morning exercises intend to energise and balance; while the evening pranayama workshop will introduce you to strategies that can help quiet the mind and wind down for a relaxing night's sleep.

Vinyasa yoga
In the mornings we follow pranayama and meditation with vinyasa yoga, a dynamic yoga style where we warm up, practise some sun salutations, and continue with a range of forward and back bends, inversions and balances, side bends and twists. I give detailed alignment cues so that beginners learn to set the poses up and experienced practitioners can fine-tune their positions. I take into account the group's wishes and levels - so if there's something specific you want to learn, a body part you'd like to work more with, or you're feeling particularly active or more like something relaxing - do let me know and I'll make sure to integrate it for you. :) You'll find a bit more about my teaching style on the Teacher page.

Yin yoga
For sure a favourite among yogis! - this yoga style differs a lot from vinyasa in that we hold each position for a few minutes. Instead of targeting muscles, we are targeting connective tissue like fascia here. Energy lines (like those we work with in reflexology) are said to run through the fascia, so this is also a practice that intends to facilitate energy flow in our bodies. It is also relaxing, "yin" being associated with the dark element, rest, night, the moon, letting go and the feminine.

PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES

Meditation
Meditation is an integral part of yoga to me and doing so before dinner gives us a chance to enter the evening more mindfully and aware. The meditation practices I will focus on in the daily classes are usually more "active" styles in the sense that they require concentration; as well as those that allow you simply to "be". :)

Reflexology self-massage
Foot reflexology is wonderfully soothing, and especially if you've taken some longer walks or a hike, you may enjoy releasing any tension in your feet with some targeted pressure. :) In reflexology massage we assume that different body parts are connected through energy lines and applying pressure to one area of the body can be healing to additional body parts. We will look at a map of our feet showing which spots are related to which organs etc.; and practice techniques that feel good and are said to promote a healthy energy flow in the body. :) You can choose oil or body lotion but feel free to bring any lotions/oils you particularly like to use on your body.

Yoga nidra & Reiki
Yoga nidra has also been described as "yogic sleep" and is a form of guided meditation that can lead you to a very restful, "partially awake" and close to sleeping state. We will link this with a Reiki experience, that starts with a guided visualisation. Reiki is considered a healing and very relaxing energy that can be transmitted by anyone who has been trained. I'm looking forward to passing on this beautiful energy and experience to anyone who wishes it in this workshop.

Jump to: Overview • Programme schedule • Venue • Programme activities • Meals • FAQ • Pricing • Contact

FAQ

How large is the group?
We will have a maximum of 9 yoga participants as this is the capacity of the indoor yoga room. Additional partners and friends who wish to join the location but do not wish to practice yoga are welcome!

Is the retreat suitable for singles, couples or friends?
I have designed the retreat to cater to all three. :) As a single you will have a programme that caters to the body, mind and heart with like-minded individuals which should be a beautiful way to enjoy this season. As a couple you have activities to share together and you can also take time off for an separate afternoon and dinner on Valentine's day if you prefer. As friends you also have the opportunity to be in a setting where you share interests and activities with the group as well as have time to spend individually with each other.

Who's the teacher?
Kat (me). Find out more about my yoga background and teaching style on the "Teacher" page. Also feel free to reach out to get to know me in a chat or with other questions; I realise how important it is that you "vibe" with the teacher. :)

Is the retreat suitable for my yoga level?
Anyone is welcome to join and we will cater to each participant's yoga needs. I am used to teaching mixed-level classes and sessions are tailored to make sure beginner yogis have thorough explanations and cues as well as alternative poses to more advanced ones in the flows; and that advanced practitioners have the opportunity to work up a sweat and challenge themselves with trickier poses.

I recommend that beginners are willing to challenge themselves and try to reach their edge, as it can lead to a beautiful sense of accomplishment. Feel free to let me know your yoga level and expectations while booking, or reach out to discuss if you have any questions. Anyone can always take a break during a yoga class or choose to skip yoga classes if they prefer partaking only in the meditation, pranayama and more relaxed parts of schedule.

How do I get to the location?
You can fly into Malta Luqa International Airport. From there you can take public transport (2 busses) or a taxi (around 20 minute ride). I recommend taking a Bolt taxi for reasonable rates and a comfortable journey. :)

What else can I do in Malta if I extend my stay?
There are a wealth of activities to satisfy very different interests in Malta! Ben's free (tip-based) walking tours of Mdina and Valletta are excellent. The arts & crafts village has many cute souvenirs, jewellery and pieces of art you can buy and watch being made (e.g. glass blowing). There are countless beaches, rocky coastlines and cliffs to walk along and drink up the fresh sea air. Of-course there are dive sites, you can swim (or take a short cool dip) and boat tours to caves and "lagoons". Visiting the megalithic temples reminds us that there is a lot we don't know about other civilisations! And museums like the archaeological museum or other sites around the island speak to the long and exciting history of Malta under the influence of many different cultures.

Jump to: Overview • Programme schedule • Venue • Programme activities • Meals • FAQ • Pricing • Contact

EARLY BIRD PRICES until 13 January 2025

915€ for 1 person in a double room, single occupancy (instead of €985)
1525€ for 2 people in a double room (instead of €1645)
1250€ for 2 people in a double room, only 1 retreat participant, e.g. 1 yogi + 1 partner or friend. The partner/friend who does not participate in the yoga programme would have accommodation and all meals included (instead of €1300)

Please see the "Rooms" section to see images of each room category. :)
All rooms have an en-suite bathroom.

Early bird prices are valid until 20 January 2025.

Included:

• 3 nights accommodation at Mulberries (13-16 February 2025)

• full board: dinner on the arrival day, breakfast on the departure day, and 3 varied and nutritious meals each day on the full retreat days, all catering to special dietary requirements

• 4 yoga classes of 60-90 minutes each

• 3 pranayama sessions

• 3 meditation classes

• 1 each of:
  - yin yoga
  - yoga nidra with Reiki experience
  - evening pranayama to wind down
  - reflexology self-massage workshop

• daily access to indoor pool & spa area

Not included:

• Insurance

• Travel to and from the retreat venue

• Massages & other treatments at the hotel

Jump to: Overview • Programme schedule • Venue • Programme activities • Meals • FAQ • Pricing • Contact

ENQUIRE OR BOOK

To enquire about any- and everything about the retreat, please send a message using the contact form on the right, email katharina.kunze@gmail.com or send me a message using the number +49 1523 8131 548 on WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal.

To book, please also send me a message with the package you have chosen and I will confirm the spot for you.

I'm looking forward to you reaching out,
Kat

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