Heart Waves Montenegro

7-14 May 2023

Price: starting at €1125

Rejuvenate, rejoice, and dive into the fullness and freedom of your heart at our first co-ed retreat in a gorgeous seaside sanctuary surrounded by mountain vistas in beautiful Montenegro. 8 Days & 7 nights of creative exploration and inspiration through daily movement and meditation practices, sacred songs and storytelling, delicious vegan cuisine, nature excursions and artistic workshops to connect with and celebrate the abundance of your own heart alongside a loving community from around the world.

What Makes This Retreat Special

Daily Yoga Asana & Meditation

Daily all-levels embodied yoga asana practices and themed meditations guided by your facilitators Tiana, Sophia & Adam. Discover speciality classes such as Creative Vinyasa, Partner Yoga, Bhakti Flow, Candlelit Restorative, and Cold Plunge Pranayama & Meditation at the beach.

Workshops & Special Events

In addition to daily morning and evening practices, we will be offering optional workshops and special events, such as: Ecstatic Dance, Kirtan (sacred songs and storytelling), Mandala Drawing as Meditation, and a Nature Art atelier.

Plant-Based Cuisine

Enjoy two daily nutritious, homemade vegan buffets. The Mahakala menu is crafted with love by Dr Vesna Lemm, a detox and nutrition specialist, and two big meals a day is based on intermittent fasting philosophy.  At each buffet, there is always something for everyone, with a variety of delicious dishes, from freshly-made pastries to homegrown vegetable salads.

Community of the Heart

Be embraced by a community of like-hearted people from around the world. This is our first co-ed retreat, open to all! Bring your partner, your friend, your parent, your daughter or son. A variety of accommodation options are available for you to stay together and save.

Time to Disconnect

During the retreat, we encourage you to take time off your screens, especially your phone. While we will not be enforcing a strict digital detox, we ask that you do not bring your phone to practices and meals and that you be conscious about your screen time to fully be here.

Connect to Nature

Enjoy breathtaking views of the wild Montenegrin landscape, from mountains to the Adriatic sea, and get up close to nature through optional excursions to hike along the lush hills, visit the nearby beach (15 minutes walking), swim in the crystal clear waters and explore beautiful hidden caves.

Continuing Education for Yoga Teachers

This retreat offers 30 Hours of Yoga Alliance Continuing Education to yoga teachers for an additional €30. Participation in certain retreat activities will be mandatory, as well as the completion of a small special project. Send us a message if you are interested. Prerequisite: having completed a 200 YTT.

What’s Included:

  • 8 Days/7 Nights Accommodation at Mahakala Retreat Center in Montenegro

  • Daily Yoga and Meditation

  • 2 Large Vegan Buffets Daily

  • Fruit, Ginger & Herbal Teas, Lemon Water, Spring Water During the Day

  • Cacao Ceremony

  • Specialised Workshops: Ecstatic Dance, Kirtan, Mandala Drawing as Meditation, Nature Art Atelier

  • Group Activities: Boat Tour Along the Coast, Guided Hike in the Mountains, Trip to the Beach Yoga Platform

  • Access to a Fully-Equipped Yoga Shala (Manduka Mats, Blocks, Bolsters and Straps, Music Instruments)

  • Access to All Facilities at Mahakala: Dining Room, Outdoor Areas, Yoga Terrace, Outdoor Lounge, Restaurant, Zen Garden, Vegetable Garden, Infra-red Sauna, Rooftop Jacuzzi

  • Access to the Free Wifi

  • Group Airport Shuttle from Podgorica Airport to Mahakala on Arrival Day (07/05)

  • Welcome Gift <3

What’s Not Included:

  • Flight Fares

  • Tourist Tax Needs to be Paid Before the Retreat (€1 per Day per Person)

  • Travel Insurance (Recommended)

  • Visa (If Applicable)

  • Additional Excursions

  • Independent Ground Transportation (Bicycle, Car Rental, etc)

  • Transfer back to the Airport on the Last Day: Group Shuttle or Taxi from Mahakala to the Airport can be Arranged at an Extra Cost

  • Massage and Spa Treatments Offered at Mahakala (€50 for a 50 min massage)

  • Outdoor Magnesium Bath Experience (€15)

The Place: Mahakala

In the small seaside village of Buljarica in Montenegro, Mahakala Retreat Centre is on a steep hill nestled amongst local houses between the mountains and the Adriatic sea. In this peaceful haven, we will be living in harmony with nature and surrounded by the four elements of earth, air, sun and water. Only a 15-minute walk from the local beach, Mahakala is ideally located and fully equipped with a spacious yoga shala with mountain & sea views, plant-based restaurant, rooftop relaxation area with jacuzzi, zen garden, outdoor bathtubs, lounge area and spa area.

Heart Waves

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Heart Waves 〰️

Sustainability and taking care of the earth is one of Mahakala’s main values. Our kitchen is fully plant based with a no waste policy, we our grow food in our own organic garden and source the remaining from local organic farms, we source all of our water from the mountain springs, have a bioseptic sewage system, use solar to power our hot water system and have also created our own recycling and compost system. Additionally, we have decided to put our profits into building a conservation project in hopes to conserve the beautiful Buljarica Cove which serves as a sanctuary for the local wildlife. — Mahakala

How to Get to Mahakala

The closest airport is Podgorica Airport (TGD). We will provide a shuttle service to Mahakala from Podgorica Airport on Sunday 07/05 at two set times. This shuttle is included in the price of the retreat. If you prefer to take a taxi or bus, you may do so at your own cost.

If you are not able to fly into Podgorica, there is also another airport in Tivat. You can take a taxi from Tivat airport to the center for around €40. You may also be able to travel by bus, which may be slightly cheaper. It is also possible to come from Dubrovnik airport. It usually costs around €100 by taxi.

Transportation from Mahakala on the last day of the retreat will be at your own cost as everyone’s individual travel plans may vary. Depending on where you will be heading to, we can help you arrange a taxi, bus, etc.

 

Meet Your Teachers


  • Co-Founder

    A devoted student on the path of Bhakti yoga, ever-enchanted by nature and inspired by the thrill of life, I see yoga as a loving conversation and believe in teaching, learning, and living in fullness from the heart. In my yoga classes, expect explorative experiences of creative movement and meditation woven with sound, chanting, storytelling, and poetry, to inspire both playful and profound heart-connection.

    I am a graduate of White Peacock Yoga School’s 300-hour Bhakti Academy, Yandara Yoga Institute’s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, and am an ongoing student of Hindu Mythology and other yoga philosophy Continuing Education courses through the School of Indian Wisdom, Yogic Studies, and Samāveśa School of Yoga. I love adventure and travel, and have taught yoga in Peru, Spain, France, Morocco, Guadeloupe, and Canada.


    I'm also a certified educator (Bachelor of Education: Artist in Community Education, Queen's University) and dance teacher (British Association of Teachers of Dancing), and am passionate about fostering community and connection through educational, artistic, and spiritual offerings.


  • Co-Founder

    Sensitive and curious, always ready for an adventure, often in search of beauty, special places in nature, and large bodies of water to submerge myself in. You may find me by rivers, rocks, waterfalls, and long point breaks, most probably muddy and barefoot.

    I am a yoga facilitator with a deep love for movement, whether that's creative vinyasa sequences, embodiment dance, animal movement, or arm balance play. I believe that moving our bodies in different, fun, and creative ways can spark even more inspiration and joy both on and off the mat.

    I studied yoga in North Sumatra, Indonesia with Flying Elephant Yoga (200h) and in Costa Rica with Authentic Movements (300h). I am always looking for new ways of expanding my knowledge about this never ending journey to the self.

    My origins are a yummy mix of Russian, Ukrainian, Moldovan, Polish, and Azerbaijan roots. Russian is my mother tongue, I lived in Russia and the Moldovan countryside for the first 10 years of my life, before moving to Paris, France with my mother.

    I speak Russian, French, English, and Spanish.

    I cannot wait to dance with you!

  • Teacher & Special Guest

    Adam is a devotional character exploring the path of love! He understands that the intensity of life requires practice along with loving support. His journey is to learn and teach these practices from a place of child-like curiosity. Adam has lived with shamans in Mexico learning and facilitating Temazcal Sweat ceremonies and traditional medicine experiences, studied traditional hatha yoga and meditation at an eco-ashram in Mysore India (RYT 500), has lived off-grid in the mountains of Baja growing his own food through permaculture practices, and coaches Kids gymnastics (Gymanstics Ontario) and yoga (Rainbow Kids Yoga).

    He expresses himself creatively through instrumentation, visual art and movement. All of his offerings are taught from a space of fun and patience, allowing these practices to weave themselves into the fabric of our daily lives!

Is this retreat for you? If you are asking yourself if this is the right retreat for you, these questions may help you make the decision: 

• Are you looking for a healthy and complete yoga holiday, with full days of practice and play? • Are you willing to show up without expectations and with your whole presence and heart?
• Are you willing to be part of a community, to share your journey and connect with others?
• Do you like the idea of exploring and expressing creatively, through music, singing, dancing, and art?  • Do you love nature?
• Are you interested in learning more about Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotion and love?
• Do you want to open your heart and connect more deeply to the hearts of others?

If you said yes to all these questions, this retreat is for you!!
If not, feel free to contact us with any questions you may have and we would love to help.

Pricing

Pricing starts at €1125 with several room options (private and shared rooms).

If you are traveling with a partner and would like to share a double bed in a private room with them please contact us before booking.

Ask us for private apartment options (shared between up to 4 people).

*A non-refundable deposit of €500 is required to secure your spot at the retreat.

*The full price of the retreat must be paid 30 days prior to the start of the retreat.

*Please note that when booking with WeTravel additional fees may apply when using a credit or debit card. Additional fees DO NOT apply when booking via direct bank transfer. There is also the option of a direct bank transfer into a euro account, contact us for more information and account details.

 FAQs

  • This retreat is open to all levels, whether you are a beginner or a regular student of yoga,  you will find various benefits from the practices we will share with you. We simply ask you to be curious and to come with an open mind and an open heart. <3

  • Here is an example day at the retreat. Every day workshops, activities, meditations and classes will be different and taught by either Adam, Tiana or Sophia <3

    7:30-8:00 Guided Meditation

    8:00-9:30 Creative Vinyasa Flow

    9:30-10:30 Plant-based Brunch Buffet

    13:30-15:30 Workshop: Mandala Drawing as Meditation

    17:00-18:00 Plant-based Dinner Buffet

    18:30-20:00 Campfire Cacao & Kirtan at the beach

  • We are providing a pretty full schedule of various activities, and you will have free time during the week to either relax, explore, or dive deeper into the practices we would have explored together.

    We would love to see you participate in everything. However, this is a retreat and your time is yours to use however you wish.

    If you are an existing Yoga Teacher and desire to receive a certificate of completion of 30 hours Continuing Education with Yoga Alliance, some of the classes and activities will be mandatory to attend for you, as well as a small project to be completed. A €50 extra fee can be payed during your booking if you are interested in joining the program.

  • The group will be intimate and hopefully we will get to know everyone. At this specific retreat we can accommodate up to 17 participants.

  • Enjoy two daily nutritious, homemade vegan buffets. The Mahakala menu is crafted with love by Dr Vesna Lemm, a detox and nutrition specialist, and two big meals a day is based on intermittent fasting philosophy. At each buffet, there is always something for everyone, with a variety of delicious dishes, from freshly-made pastries to homegrown vegetable salads.

    Please let us know in advance if you have any food allergies or preferences.

  • The closest airport is Podgorica Airport (TGD). A shared shuttle from the airport to Mahakala on the first day (07/05) is included in the retreat price. We will let you know at what time the shuttles will be available as we get closer to the retreat.

    If you are not able to fly into Podgorica, there is also another airport in Tivat. You can take a taxi from Tivat airport to Mahakala for around 40€. You may also be able to travel by bus, which may be slightly cheaper. It is also possible to come from Dubrovnik airport. It usually costs around 100€ by taxi.

    Make sure to check visa requirements for you nationality before coming.

  • For most countries, no visa is required for a short term stay in Montenegro (under 90 days). Click the link below to check for your country:

    https://www.visahq.com/montenegro/

  • Yes, we offer payment plans for all our events. Our payment plans are designed to cost you the exact same amount as if you pay the full amount at once with your credit card or via bank wire transfer.

    For this event, you can pay in 3 instalments. Secure your spot with a deposit of €500 and then pay the remaining balance in two transfers at a convenient time. We only ask you to complete the full payment 30 days before the start of the retreat.

    Make sure to send us an email if you are interested in a payment plan or if you encounter financial difficulties yet still would like to reserve your spot and come to the event.

  • If this retreat is financially out of reach for you, please ask us about scholarship options.