YOGA & Adventure Retreat
A Journey of Culture, Community, & Connection
October 12-18, 2025
The Retreat
Join SJY Founder Jordan Ashley and yoga teacher and Reiki practitioner Joanne Silver on a transformative journey through Morocco. This yoga retreat is designed to provide a unique blend of cultural immersion, adventure, and relaxation. Together with Itran Travel, we’ve crafted an unforgettable experience that takes you through the vibrant streets of Marrakech & the scenic nature of the High Atlas Mountains. All while supporting local communities & empowering women throughout our journey!
Our accommodations are carefully chosen to reflect the beauty and authenticity of Morocco. From the serene, lush oasis of Villa Ishtar to the mountain retreat of Ksar Shama, you'll stay in locally-owned, intimate settings with stunning views of the Atlas Mountains.
We are deeply committed to giving back through our collaboration with Association Amal. We will be donating directly to supporting their vocational training programs, helping women in Morocco gain valuable skills to rewrite their stories and enter the workforce with confidence. go directly to supporting their vocational training programs, helping women in Morocco gain valuable skills to rewrite their stories and enter the workforce with confidence. We’ll enjoy a hands-on baking class while learning about the organization’s women’s empowerment initiatives.
In addition to daily yoga, you’ll enjoy unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences, including a cultural walking tour of the medina, a hot air balloon ride over the stunning Atlas Mountains, walking through the lush Jardin Majorelle (YSL Gardens), and a visit to a peaceful farm home to rescue animals. Meet Kai, a lovable pygmy goat who made history as the first goat to run in the Marrakech Marathon, along with her animal companions—rabbits, horses, dogs, a tortoise, and more!
On our Atlas Discovery Day, you'll journey through the breathtaking Atlas Mountains with your private driver and local guide, Youssra, the first woman from her village to graduate high school. After sharing tea with her family, you’ll explore deeper into the mountains and visit the Azzaden Valley, near Mount Toubkal. At a local woman’s home, you’ll learn to make tannourt, traditional Amazigh bread.
This retreat is more than exploration; it’s about ethical travel and forming meaningful connections with the people and communities we encounter.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech
Airport transfer
Welcome drinks and snacks
Sunset yoga session and welcome circle
Dinner at Villa Ishtar
Accommodation: Villa Ishtar
Day 2: Marrakech Discovery Day
Pre yoga coffee and juice
Morning yoga session
Brunch at Villa Ishtar
Cultural walking tour of the medina with a female guide
Free time for shopping or exploration
Dinner at Atay Cafe
Accommodation: Villa Ishtar
Day 3: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon & Relaxation
Sunrise hot air balloon ride with breakfast in Amazigh tents
Afternoon relaxation with spa treatments, pool time
Optional visit and countryside walk at a small farm of rescue animals
Sunset yoga session
Dinner at Villa Istar
Evening Traditional Henna Party
Accommodation: Villa Istar
Day 4: Association Amal
Coffee and juice
Morning yoga and breakfast
Visit to the Association Amal to meet the women and participate in a baking class
Traditional Moroccan tea ceremony and meal preparation
Dinner at L’Mida
Accommodation: Villa Ishtar
Day 5: Nature in the Atlas Mountains
Coffee and juice
Morning yoga and breakfast
Visit to YSL Gardens
Drive to Ksar Shama, with a light lunch upon arrival
Guided 2-hour hike through the Atlas Mountains
Dinner at Ksar Shama
Accommodation: Ksar Shama
Day 6: Atlas Mountains Discovery Day
Breakfast
Journey to the remote Amazigh village with local guide Youssra
Tea with Youssra’s family and a traditional bread-making workshop
Traditional Moroccan cooking class: tagine and salad preparation
Sunset yoga and closing circle at the Ksar Shama
Dinner at Ksar Shama
Accommodation: Ksar Shama
Day 7: Departure Day
Breakfast
Departure to Marrakech airport or later exploration of the city before your flight (luggage storage available)
Meet your Guides
Jordan Ashley
While embracing New York City’s fast-paced and driven yoga culture, our founder, Jordan Ashley, recognized a need for service-based yoga; a need for experiences which give perspective to the self through selflessness. Feeling extremely blessed to not only be given the opportunity for education, but to have a voice in society, she felt it was imperative to raise both awareness and funds for girls all over the planet who are denied such essential human rights.
Joanne Silver
Joanne Silver has been certified in both reiki & reflexology since 2000 and vinyasa yoga since 2002. After training in vinyasa yoga, she went on to become qualified in prenatal, restorative, therapeutic yoga, Urban Zen and anatomy for yoga teachers. She teaches yoga to private clients around Manhattan, as well as at corporations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small startups. Joanne has taught and mentored in well-known teacher trainings and leads yoga retreats to places both near and far.
Important Info
PRICE: EARLY BIRD (until May 1)
*Sharing: $2,675
Single: $2,950
PRICE: (After May 1)
*Sharing: $2,900
Single: $3,175
INCLUDED
6 nights in handpicked, locally-owned accomodations (4 nights at Villa Ishtar/2 Nights at Ksar Shama)
All Meals (Breakfast, Brunch/Lunch, and Dinner)
Cultural immersion activities, including a baking class with local women at the Association Amal, a hot air balloon ride over the Atlas Mountains, Jardin Majorelle, and more!
Daily Yoga & Meditation designed to ground and inspire.
Guided tours and excursions, offering an in-depth look at Marrakech, the High Atlas Mountains, and the indigenous Amazigh way of life.
$200 donation per participant to Association Amal to support their educational programs for women.
Goody Bag including products from Mad Hippie
NOT INCLUDED
International Flights to Marrakech (RAK)
Spa and Hammam Treatments
Gratuity for guides and services
* PLEASE READ & FILL OUT THE FOLLOWING FORMS TO PARTICIPATE *
TERMS & CONDITIONS | SOULJOURN YOGA WAIVER | MOROCCO RETREAT WAIVER
*Two Separate Beds – Perfect for friends, family, or let us match you with a new travel buddy!
**Note that your $500 deposit is a nonrefundable to hold your space. Thank you!
*** Please note that we ask you to keep and open mind and a “go with the flow” attitude as we will be in a different country and things sometimes can get delayed or adjusted due to circumstances out of our control. So, embrace the spirit of adventure and enjoy your epic journey that awaits you!