Living is giving - the blossoming of yoga
3 February to 10 February 2024
A retreat with R. Alexander Medin and Ellen Medin

Join Alexander and Ellen on a journey of finding inner wealth and joy through the deeper practices of Yoga. During this week you will be invited to find and explore your inner most gentleness and self love.


Retreat schedule
The morning classes are divided in two. One led class for the beginners and traditional Mysore classes for the experienced crowd. The classes will be followed by meditation and gentle breathing exercises. The afternoon workshops will focus on various aspects of yoga philosophy, principles of joy, inner wealth and how we can be gentler with ourselves in order to bring out the best in us.
3pm. Arrival
6pm Welcome meeting and practical information
6.30pm Dinner
Sunday
7.30am. Led class and Mysore class followed by meditation and breathing exercises
10.30am. Brunch
4pm. Core principles of Yoga
6.30pm. Dinner
Monday
7.30am. Led class and Mysore class followed by meditation and breathing exercises
10.30am. Brunch
4pm. Gratitude, acts of Kindness and the elevated state of mind
6.30pm. Dinner
Tuesday
7.30am. Led class and Mysore class followed by meditation and breathing exercises
10.30am. Brunch
4pm. Afternoon off
6.30pm. Dinner
Wednesday
7.30am. Led class and Mysore class followed by meditation and breathing exercises
10.30am. Brunch
4pm. Resilience, how to manage the challenges of life
6.30pm. Dinner
Thursday
7.30am. Led class and Mysore class followed by meditation and breathing exercises
10.30am. Brunch
4pm. Living is Giving. The blossoming of yoga.
6.30pm. Dinner
Friday
7.30am. Led class and Mysore class followed by meditation and breathing exercises
10.30am. Brunch
4pm. Afternoon off
6.30pm. Dinner
Saturday
9am. Breakfast and check out


Teachers
R. Alexander Medin
R. Alexander has been teaching yoga around the world for the past 25 years. In 2002 he was certified by Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois in the ashtanga yoga tradition. Alexander has an MA in Sanskrit and Indian Religions. He founded the charity organization Back in the Ring in 2012 that brings yoga to the prisons in Norway and help with drug rehabilitation programs. In 2015 he took over a derelict mountain lodge and made it into a full fledge Yoga hotel, where they now host annual yoga festivals and yoga teachers from all over the world.
Ellen Marie Medin
Ellen Marie Medin, a mother of three wild boys and a yoga and primary school teacher. She has been studying yoga intensely for the past 15 years. She uses yoga as a tool in the practices of life and her teaching focuses on softness, honesty and deep presence in the moment of now. Ellen is a part of the Back in the ring project where she guides women with former substance use in how to live a life in acceptance, self-love and forgiveness of the self. Ellen is also the grounding pillar the daily operation at Nosen Yoga hotel
Practical details about the retreat center
Currently the internet at the retreat is not reliable. If you are dependent on internet for work, we ask you to bring your own data on your phone, to which you can connect your laptop, if needed. Phones work very well. There is also a cafe 10 minutes from the retreat with good internet, however, it is a busy cafe and not very suitable for work.
Finca Naranjas (former Cristoforo), our retreat centre is a very simple yet beautiful place, built by an architect named Denis Devaris, who had an intention to create a meeting point for Spiritual seekers. Built slowly over 30 years using volcanic rocks from the island, the rooms are all unique with their own distinct personalities featuring beautiful details and personal touches. Given the nature of these types of buildings, imperfection is to be expected with a plumbing system not quite up to modern standards! However, set right into the land with a wonderfully lush garden, Cristoforo really is an oasis in South Tenerife. When packing for your retreat, make sure you add warmer clothes. From December till March the mornings and evenings can be quite chilly. The rooms are not heated, but are equipped with cozy duvets and hot water bottles for the beds. All rooms are equipped with a water kettle.
The meals
The food served at the retreat will be mainly vegan and completely vegetarian, prepared freshly everyday by our wonderful retreat chefs. We try were possible to use local and organic products. We sometimes use eggs or dairy in the kitchen. If you have food allergies/sensitivities, please let us know. Gluten free options are available. We have a self service tea & coffee station for guest use and try to provide fruit for snacking during the day.
You have the option to enjoy your food either inside or outside in the beautiful garden.
The practice
Maximum number of students is 25.
Morning classes will be taught with maximum 16 students in each class.
Practice will take place inside the beautiful wooden garden Shala. Savasana is usually taken outside to make space in the Shala, especially during full retreats and occasionally afternoon workshops will take place outside. Make sure you pack warm practice clothes for Savasana.
Arrival day and check out.
The rooms are available after 3pm. The retreat starts with an introduction meeting at 5pm, followed by dinner at 6.30pm. All students should aim to arrive for the introduction meeting. The first practice is on Wednesday morning and the last practice is on Friday in the morning. The check out is on Saturday at 9am.
Accommodation
We have 4 different accommodation options. The list below shows the rooms that are available to book.
Premium rooms
The premium rooms are the largest rooms at the retreat. These rooms have attached indoor bathrooms.
Shared: 1250 GBP
Currently available: Venus, Casa Blanca
Single: 1550 GBP
Currently available: Danae 1, La Granja, Casita 1, Casita 2, Palmera
Standard
The standard rooms are smaller than the premium rooms. These rooms have attached, indoor bathrooms.
Shared: 1050 GBP
Currently available: Ficus, 5 Peldanos
Single: 1350 GBP
Currently available: 6 Peldanos
Budget
The budget rooms are the smallest rooms at the retreat. Some of the rooms share bathrooms, a few of them are outdoors bathrooms. In a few of the rooms there may have disturbance from the road.
Shared: 900 GBP
Currently available: Consulta 1, Fuente 2, Peregrino, Pino de Oro, Bella Dormiente
Single: 1200 GBP
Currently available: Consulta 2, Fuente 1
Dormitory ( 3 persons sharing)
The dormitory is a spacious room for 3 persons. It has an attached bathroom.
Shared: 780 GBP
Currently available: Danae 2
The accommodation price is all-inclusive (includes accommodation, all meals and yoga). There is an option to pay a deposit of 50% of the full amount to secure your place. The deposit is non-refundable and the balance must be paid at least 4 weeks prior to the start date.
Please note that we have a limited amount of single rooms for this retreat. Before booking a single room confirm availability with us on info@yogagoa.com.
To book this retreat, follow the link below and complete the form to make your payment.

Book this retreat
To book this retreat, complete the form on our Make A Payment page