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OVERVIEW

FORM + FOCUS

We are so excited about this special collaboration and enhancement to our Luxury Marrakesh retreat. EAT.PRAY.MOVE will feature Julian Hyzler from EASEL&LENS to combine a look at creative focus with art projects in sketching and "ifonography" (smartphone photography) throughout the week. Yoga and meditation classes will be held daily to prepare our bodies and minds to find the 'calm in the chaos' of the sensory-overload that is Morocco - and then these art projects will help us find news ways of seeing - both yoga and art working together to find FOCUS in the many layers of smells, sites, and sounds that abound in exotic Marrakesh. *NO PREVIOUS ART OR YOGA BACKGROUND REQUIRED. All levels are welcome, and participation is voluntary. Projects and classes will be offered as a completely exploratory, unintimidating and personal experience.

GIVE BACK RETREAT

This retreat is part of our GIVE BACK initiative, where EPM will donate at least 10% of profits to a humanitarian partner in the community where each retreat is held. Our partner in Marrakesh is PROJECT SOAR who works with underprivileged communities and young women to empower with design, clean-up projects, and creative ventures.

THE PAVILION

This fantastic yoga retreat will take place at the fabulous Peacock Pavilions boutique hotel. Located in Marrakesh on 8.5 acres of land, including 5 acres of olive grove, this stylish and eco-friendly abode has been featured in worldwide publications, including National Geographic Traveler.

Breathtakingly beautiful and luxuriously designed, the living quarters where guests will stay during the retreat features gorgeous fireplaces and a glamorous bathrooms in each room. Each bedroom also has its own private terrace - "just the right place to enjoy a minty tea or a zingy cocktail"!

The entire pavilion property has been decorated with care and "loaded with art, special fabrics, and exotic good stuff from all around the world...A swanky place to relax, the salon/great room has a stunning lacy plasterwork that took weeks to complete. There is also seating and dining areas for intimate discussions and cozy meals. A spiral staircase leads to a catwalk high in the air, where you can sit on vintage embroideries and admire the view." Not only is this place gorgeous, but it's also eco-friendly. Observing "green" building and gardening techniques, you'll feel good about the organic bounty served to your plate, and the hot water you use heated by the solar panels! Spend some free time at the lovely, inviting pool and patio, or join us for a henna and cocktail party in the painted tent, or perhaps an outdoor cinema night on the lawn.

Peacock Pavilions is owned by Maryam and her husband Chris, both recently featured on HGTV's House Hunters International. Chris is an architect, and Maryam a freelance photographer, travel and lifestyle writer, and the author of the award winning blog, My Marrakesh. Both make a perfect team in putting this amazing estate together.

CUISINE

Healthful, vegetarian food is part of the retreat experience, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily either hosted at Peacock Pavilions or out and about in town. Some even come with a side dish of belly-dancing! Plus, there is a wine-tasting, a cocktail reception, and even a meal at the night market. The cuisine is simple, delicious and Moroccan, using fresh ingredients from the on-site organic gardens or local markets. Selection may include tempting dishes and libations like stuffed dates, almond couscous, vegetable terrine, avocado dip, leek tarts, mint tea, pomegranate martini, rose water, and more. Selection is seasonal, and you can guarantee to love and appreciate each bite.

SURROUNDING AREA

Guests will not only enjoy the grounds of Peacock Pavilions, the outdoor areas including a lovely pool, patio, private terraces, and covered yoga platform, but the retreat includes some amazing day-trips to the surrounding sites. A guided day in Marrakesh will lead guests through an introduction to Souks and visits to sites such as Jardin Majorelle and Ben Youssef Medrasa.

A full day will be spent exploring the nearby Atlas Mountains with a base at the Kasbah Tamadot Hotel with a traditional mule trek to the nearby village of Asni followed by time at the beautiful grounds of this 5-star location overlooking the vistas with a cooking demo and tasting menu dinner. An afternoon will be spent at the luxurious La Mamounia Hotel in Marrakesh enjoying the pools. One day we'll visit Yves St. Laurent's famous Jardin Majorelle and berber museum. The final full day entails a trip to the famous Bains de Marrakesh, a luxurious spa facility, where guests can be pampered to their heart's content with a full program of various treatments. What better way to wrap up a week of yoga than a day of pure relaxation.
 

YOGA

Daily meditation and yoga classes will be offered in a way to relax, stimulate, and help guests grow in their own personal practice. Classes are open to all levels, beginner to practiced, and can range from gentle, restorative, and more vigorous vinyasa flow and ashtanga styles.* Style and class levels will be determined and moulded to fit participating students' needs, and with a small intimate retreat class size, students will be able to get personalized attention and comfortability to deeply explore their practice. Depending on each retreat location, classes will be held in a dedicated indoor yoga space and some also offer outdoor options as well for us to use if the weather is agreeable.

Certified yoga instructor and EPM founder, Erin Lewis, will facilitate the classes, helping each student focus on improving their practice and gaining new insights into their bodies and movements. She's studied various types of yoga disciplines since 1998, concentrating on the Ashtanga discipline since 2008. She received her teacher certification in Florence, Italy and has continued her education with various specialty certifications throughout the years. She now combines powerful movements with more anatomical-based core vinyasa flow and restorative movement in her personal practice and teaching style.

• * Participation in classes and activities is optional throughout the retreat. All levels welcome!

DETAILS / PRICING

• 7 days / 6 nights (March 13 - 19, 2016)
• Inclusive Retreat Price = $2,695
• Deposit to hold space = $900
• Max # Guests = 10
• * Prices based on shared occupancy. Single supplement available upon request.
• ** Final balance due 45 days before retreat start date.
• Read full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions.

INCLUDED*:

• Villa accommodation (spacious bedrooms each with private bathrooms, linens)
• Daily Breakfast at Peacock Pavilions
• Dinner at Peacock Pavilions or in town
• Champagne Brunch
• Afternoon and pool/spa pass at La Mamounia
• Tasting Menu + Wine Pairing at Kasbah Tamadot in the Atlas Mountains
• Beverages - including selected wine, cocktails
• Airport Transfers
• Transportation to/from day trips
• Daily meditation and yoga classes (mats provided)
• Daily art classes
• Use of estate premises (terraces, pool, etc.)
• Tour guide on various day trips
• Welcome Reception
• Henna & Cocktail Party
• Farewell Dinner Party
• Wine Tasting
• Mule trek in Atlas Mountains
• Spa Treatment at Le Bains de Marrakesh
• Entrance fees to sites in Marrakesh
• Taxes

* airfare not included ** all meals are vegetarian. special dietary restrictions can be accommodated

DAY TRIPS:

• Guided Shopping Tour of the souks of Marrakesh
• Visits to sites in Marrakesh Medina (Ben Yossef, Photography Museum)
• Visit to La Mamounia for afternoon at their gardens and pools
• Visit to Atlas Mountains and Kasbah Tamadot Retreat (mule trek, chef's tasting menu + wine pairing)
• Afternoon at Yves St Laurent's Jardin Majourelle and Museum
• Le Bains de Marrakesh Spa Day

TRAVEL:

13km outside the old city (Medina) of Marrakesh Nearest airports: Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) Nearest train station: Marrakesh Transfers between airport or train station and villa will be provided. After signing up, we will guide guests on best options for flights and travel to Marrakesh.

SUGGESTED PACKING:

Besides the basic packing and travel needs, here are a few things to think about bringing with you.

• Yoga mats and some props such as blocks provided
• Art supplies will be provided
• Smartphone or digital camera
• Bathing suit (on-site pool, spa)
• Layers of clothing for weather changes
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Plug adaptors / converters