20-24 August 2025
5 days of personal yoga, breath, nature, and real connection in Amara Valley, Spain

What would happen if we took all the struggle and striving out of our yoga practice… and out of our life? That is the question we will explore together on this 5-day gathering in the hills of Catalonia. This gathering is not about knowledge-gathering, but about a shared immersion in the breath-centred, devotional yoga practice Mark has taught around the world for over 40 years.

“We start with an intimacy with our body and breath: the merge of above/below, left/right, inhale/exhale, strength/receptivity, inner/outer, male/female. This sensitivity to our own life quickly develops into sensitivity to all of life, including to our nearest and dearest. So do your yoga and then reach out, connect, and enjoy your relatedness to everything and everyone. Merge with your experience. Notice how your Yoga empowers your life of relatedness in profound ways and let that bring you to the mat. This is a promise from the wisdom traditions.” — Mark

Together we will enjoy:

  • “the yogas of participation”: asana, pranayama, and natural stillness

  • natural dialogue and group enquiry

  • personal guidance and room for one-on-one discussion

  • swimming, walking, resting in the green realm and the summer sun

  • live music with sitar and vedic chanting

  • gourmet plant-based meals hosted by our extremely culinarily talented friends at Amara (they have become famous for this)

  • excellent company… community, laughter, support and sharing

Who is it for?

  • experienced yogis or those new to yoga: the practice meets all where they are at

  • no prior asana (postures) experience necessary

  • devotees of all cultural traditions or religious backgrounds are warmly welcomed

  • these retreats are noted for a genuinely diverse and fascinating range of humanity… what do they share? sincerity.

  • anyone longing to meet life more directly

  • anyone touched by the lineage of Krishnamacharya and Desikachar, wanting to explore the yoga they taught more deeply

Our Hosts

Amara Valley Retreat is a visionary forest sanctuary in the hills of Catalunya, established by dear friends. An off-grid holistic retreat centre, Amara is surrounded by an ancient oak forest and founded on the principles of community, co-creation, creativity and sustainable regenerative living. “We are powered by renewable solar energy and love.”

We are looking forward to their green spaces, wooden and stone buildings, salt-water swimming pool with a view, sauna, and all the beautiful thoughtful details of this healing sanctuary.

Amara is also set up to accommodate a variety of budgets, with shared accommodation through to private suites.

Dates

Wednesday 20th August to Sunday the 24th August
Arrive any time from 3pm onwards on Wednesday. Depart lunchtime on Sunday.

Cost

From €620 depending on room choice, see images below… Prices are all inclusive (tuition, accommodation, food).

Single bed in quad room

There are 4 quad rooms in the main house, which can host up to 4 people in bunks. There are shelves for personal items & individual lights for each bed. The rooms share 2 bathrooms located on the same floor.

€620 per person

Rustic suites

There are 2 spacious Rustic Double Suites with en-suite bathrooms. These are completely independent from the main house, with private entrances. Perfect for couples or people wanting more personal space. 

€975 each per person (couple) or €1190 for one person

Single bed in twin room

There are four of these: they share two bathrooms located on the same floor. One is a bit larger and has a double bed AND a single.

€750 per person / €875 for room to oneself

Cabin Suite

A more intimate double room, with en-suite bathroom and private entrance. Its cozy furnishing and minimalist design provide the perfect nest for an individual or couple wanting more privacy.

€840 per person (couple) or €980 for one

All rooms include bedding, pillows and heating. Towels are not provided, except in the Suites, but are available to hire on demand. 

SUMMARY

Costs are all-inclusive: tuition, materials, facilities, accommodation, and gourmet meals. Only thing not included is your own transport to and from. Total depends on bedroom choice:

Single bed in a shared quad room: €620 per person
Single bed in a shared twin room: €750 per person / €875 for the room to oneself
Rustic suites: €975 each per person (couple) or €1190 for one person [2 available only]
Cabin suite: €840 per person or €980 for one [1 available only]

Tenting / camper options may become available after the rooms are filled.

Asana, pranayama and the later limbs as a seamless process

Natural salt-water pool with a view

Find your own yoga, that is right for you.

YOUR TEACHERS

Mark Whitwell & Rosalind Atkinson

Mark had the privilege of studying with T. Krishnamacharya, the “teacher of the teachers” and his son TKV Desikachar, since meeting them in 1973. He is most interested in sharing the principles of authentic breath-focused yoga with people in every part of the world.

Rosalind has a background in mystic poetry (specialising in William Blake) and environmental activism, and has been teaching with Mark for the last seven years.

 

GETTING THERE

Find us on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/spFgPGH8u5wn3jkU6

To avoid incorrect routes, we recommend first arriving in Banyoles and then following the directions to Amara.

AMARA IS LOCATED:

  • 15 mins from Banyoles

  • 45 mins from Girona

  • 100 mins from Barcelona

CLOSEST AIRPORTS:

  • Girona-Costa Brava Airport

  • Barcelona Airport

Bus from Barcelona/Girona to Banyoles
There are reliable Teisa bus services running daily from Barcelona and Girona to Banyoles, the nearest town to Amara.
You can find the bus timetables here: www.teisa-bus.com

Taxi from Banyoles to Amara
Taxis cost around 20€ per trip (depending on time of day and week), which can be shared between participants. We can help you organize shuttles from Banyoles closer to the time of your booking, if needed.

Questions?

Please email studio@heartofyoga.com with any questions, or you can book a short video call with Rosalind here.