The Art Of Unfolding- Where Practice Meets Life
1 week of discovery with Yvette Sanderson
10 April to 17 April 2027
What will you gain from the retreat?
Ashtanga yoga offers us a powerful physical practice, but the postures are only one part of the wider practice of yoga. Throughout the week, we will explore Ashtanga, Meditation, Ayurveda, Yoga Nidra, Rest and Self-inquiry as practices in their own right, giving each the time and attention to be experienced rather than simply talked about., We will explore how meditation can support and inform our physical practice, how Ayurveda offers us a way of understanding ourselves and the rhythms that shape our lives - from day to day, season to season and through the different stages of life - and how Rest and Yoga Nidra can become an essential and nourishing part of practice rather than something separate from it. Through self-inquiry, we will have the opportunity to become curious about our own patterns, tendencies and responses, and to notice what changes when we meet ourselves with greater awareness rather than judgement.
The intention is not to offer one prescribed way of practicing, or to suggest that there is a perfect practice to achieve. Instead, we will build our understanding of these different practices and discover how they can support and enrich one another. What nourishes one person may not be what another needs, and what supports us at one stage of life may change as we do. Whether you are taking your first steps into Ashtanga or have an established practice, there is always another layer to explore. The week is an invitation to listen, experiment, learn and discover what genuinely supports you, so that you can begin to develop a practice that is as individual as you are.
You will leave not with a formula for how to practice, but with a richer understanding of yourself and a collection of practices that you can carry home, adapt and continue to make your own. There is no single practice that looks the same for everyone. The art of unfolding is in discovering your own.
- Guided mindfulness meditation to start the day.
- Mysore style Ashtanga yoga where Yvette supports your practice.
- Meditation
- Yoga Nidra and rest to regulate your nervous system
- Ayurveda applied to everyday life
Course Content - The Art Of Unfolding
- Six mornings of Meditation and Mysore self-practice
- Four afternoon workshops exploring Ashtanga, Ayurveda, Self-enquiry and the relationship between practice and life
- Three evenings of Yoga Nidra and Rest
Our final evening together to share and be present to what has unfolded.
Daily sessions
Each morning will begin at 7.30am with meditation, creating a space to settle, prepare and become present. This will be followed by Mysore-style self-practice. During the first few mornings, Yvette will lead the group through the standing sequence before students continue with their individual practice, offering guidance and support according to each person's experience and needs.
Across four afternoon workshops, we will explore different dimensions of yoga and how our practice can support us through the changing circumstances of our lives. We will look at how an Ashtanga practice can be adapted and tailored to the individual, rather than expecting ourselves to fit into a fixed idea of practice, alongside explorations of Ayurveda, Self-inquiry, Rest and the wider subject of ‘Practice through life”. Through discussion and practical exploration, we will consider what we need at different times and how we can develop a practice that is responsive, sustainable and uniquely our own.
Evening session: Yoga Nidra and Rest
On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evening we will finish the day with Yoga Nidra, creating time for deep rest, awareness and integration.
On Friday evening, we will come together informally to reflect on the week, share experiences and explore what we might carry home with us. (This may be just sitting together in silence)
Retreat Schedule
7:30 - 8am Meditation
A period of quiet meditation to settle the mind and prepare for the day's practice.
8 - 10am - Mysore Style Assisted Self Practice Ashtanga Yoga
A supportive Mysore-style self-practice for different levels of experience. During the first few mornings, Yvette will guide the group through the standing sequence before students continue with their individual practice.
Afternoon Workshops
4.00 – 6.00pm — Sunday, Monday, Wednesday & Thursday
Four workshops exploring the wider practice of yoga, including adapting practice to our individual needs and circumstances, Ashtanga, Ayurveda, Self-inquiry, and how we can bring our practices into everyday life.
Evening Sessions
8-8.30 pm Monday, Tuesday & Thursday
Yoga Nidra — a guided practice of deep rest and awareness.
About the Teacher
Yvette Sandersen has been practising Ashtanga yoga for over 25 years and teaching for more than 20 years. Although her dedicated Ashtanga practice began in adulthood, her relationship with yoga and movement reaches much further back, to childhood. Alongside Ashtanga, she has maintained a long-standing meditation practice rooted in Samatha Vipassana in the Theravada tradition, and her personal inquiry has continued to take her into the many different dimensions of yoga and contemplative practice.
Over the years, Yvette has had the privilege of studying with teachers including John Scott, Manju Jois, David Swenson, and more recently, Chuck Miller alongside many other teachers who have influenced and enriched her understanding of Ashtanga. Her studies have also extended into Ayurveda, including study with the School of Ayurveda and Hale Pule, deepening her understanding of how our individual nature, daily rhythms, seasons and changing stages of life can influence the way we practice and care for ourselves.
Her own practice has travelled through many seasons of life — through grief, illness, change and uncertainty, as well as joy, connection and some of life's happiest moments. Through all of it, the mat has remained a place to return to, to listen, to explore and to meet herself honestly. Our practice doesn't exist separately from our lives. It evolves alongside us, holding us through whatever life brings and giving us the space to discover what we need next. This lived experience has shaped the teacher Yvette is today: passionate, compassionate, curious and deeply interested in how practice can support us as whole human beings.
Yvette is the founder of Yoga Sangha Manchester, a vibrant and welcoming yoga community in the UK, home to a diverse group of teachers, practitioners and visiting teachers from around the world. Her teaching is grounded in the traditional roots of Ashtanga while remaining open, curious and responsive to the individual. She believes there is a place for each of us in our practice, and that our practice should evolve with us rather than asking us to fit ourselves into a fixed idea of what yoga should be.
Her intention is to help each student explore with curiosity, build understanding and discover a practice that is uniquely their own — one that can support them not only on the mat, but throughout their lives.
Practical Information About The Retreat Centre
Our retreat centre, Finca Naranjas (previously known as Cristoforo), is a simple yet deeply beautiful sanctuary nestled in the heart of South Tenerife. It was lovingly designed by architect Denis Devaris, who envisioned it as a meeting place for spiritual seekers. Built slowly over the course of 30 years using volcanic rock from the island, each room carries its own unique charm, full of character, thoughtful details, and personal touches.
Our meals are prepared with love by our wonderful retreat chefs, offering fresh, wholesome dishes that are entirely vegetarian and mostly vegan. Wherever possible, we use local and organic ingredients to support both your wellbeing and the surrounding environment. Occasionally, eggs or dairy may be included in some meals.
If you have any food allergies or sensitivities, please let us know in advance. Gluten-free options are available.
We also have a self-service tea and coffee station available throughout the day, and we do our best to provide fresh fruit for light snacking between meals. You’re welcome to enjoy your meals either indoors or outside in the peaceful beauty of our garden.
Our retreat offers an intimate practice setting, with a maximum of 25 students and morning classes limited to 16 participants for a more personal experience.
Sessions are held in our beautiful wooden garden Shala. During full retreats, Savasana is often enjoyed outdoors to create space in the Shala, and some afternoon workshops may also take place outside.
Please pack warm layers for practice, especially for Savasana, as mornings and evenings can be chilly.
Rooms will be ready from 3:00pm on arrival day. The retreat begins with a welcome meeting at 6:00pm, followed by dinner at 6:30pm. We kindly ask all students to arrive in time for the introduction.
Our first practice session takes place on Sunday morning, and the final practice is on Friday morning. Check-out is on Saturday at 9:00am.
Accommodation
Please find below the available accommodation options, along with the pricing. You can find pictures of the rooms by following the link in room category titles below.
Premium Rooms
Premium Rooms are the most spacious and comfortable accommodation option at the retreat, featuring larger interiors and private indoor bathrooms.
Single: 1600 GBP/week
Available: Palmera, Casita 1, Casita 2, Tao
Shared: 1350 GBP/week
Available: Danae 1, Casa Blanca
Standard Rooms
Standard Rooms are more compact than the Premium Rooms while still offering a comfortable stay. Most include attached indoor bathrooms, while Bella Durmiente and Ficus feature outdoor bathrooms. La Granja consists of two rooms sharing one bathroom.
Single: 1500 GBP/week
Available: Pino de Oro, Bella Durmiente, 6 peldanios
Shared: 1250 GBP/week
Available: 5 Peldaños
Budget Rooms
Budget Rooms offer a simpler accommodation option with shared bathroom facilities and may experience some light noise from the nearby road.
Single: 1400 GBP/week
Available: Fuente 1
Shared: 1200 GBP/week
Available: Fuente 2
Community Rooms
Community Rooms accommodate up to three guests of the same sex in a shared space designed for a more social and affordable retreat experience.
Shared: 1100 GBP/week
Week 1 - Available: Danae 2 (3 spots)
Week 2 - Available: Danae 2 (3 spots)
Shared: 1000 GBP/week
Week 1 - Available: La Huerta (3 spots)
Week 2 - Available: La Huerta (3 spots)
The accommodation price is all-inclusive, covering your stay, all meals, and yoga sessions. To secure your place, you can pay a 50% deposit of the total amount. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable, and the remaining balance must be paid at least 4 weeks before the start date.
Please note that single rooms are limited for this retreat. Before booking, kindly confirm availability by contacting us at info@yogagoa.com.
Please use the link below to reserve your spot for the retreat!
Book this retreat
To book this retreat, complete the form on our Make A Payment page