Yoga retreat in Zanzibar

You'll benefit from experienced, attentive teaching with Patricia and Antoine.
The teaching of one or the other will alternate between dynamic practice, contemplative moments, breathing exercises and guided meditation.

You'll come back from this immersion regenerated, long-lasting and surely transformed.

The location

The Mangrove Lodge is managed by Hadji and Marina, he is Zanzibari and she is Italian. It's an eco-lodge that respects nature and the people of the village of Chuini.

The site is a large, carefully tended garden planted with local species. It offers a unique and authentic aesthetic.

Mangrove lodge is bordered by a beach where, at certain times of the day, locals and visitors live together. The lodge's swimming pool overlooks the ocean.

The proximity of Stone Town and its historic city - around 30 minutes by car - makes it easy to explore the town and return.

For yoga, the chilling room welcomes us for morning practices. This space adjoins the restaurant and faces the harbour, where you can watch the tides change. Evening practice takes place on an outdoor platform, facing the ocean and spectacular sunsets.

Meals can cater for different diets: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free. Of course, Zanzibar has fish and wonderful fruit.
Brunch is served with your feet in the sand, gazing out over the Indian Ocean.
And dinner is served in the restaurant facing the port.

The team is warm and friendly. The gentle atmosphere promises to touch your heart.

Respecting the environment and helping the local people at Mangrove Ecolodge

At Mangrove Ecolodge, every decision is taken by weighing up the costs and benefits for the environment. Marina and Haji, the creators of this magical place, aim to protect and preserve the surrounding nature, respecting the native flowers, fruit trees, lush vegetation and all living creatures: butterflies, birds, bees, pretty insects and the galagos that come out at sunset. The bungalows are built to blend into the landscape, using only natural and locally sourced materials. Waste is reused and never thrown away.

Waste water is collected in septic tanks far from the ocean. Waste is separated for recycling or composting. Beach cleaning is part of the staff's daily routine. The aim of the ecolodge is ‘zero waste’: only recyclable bottles and reusable straws for drinks are allowed.

Soaps, detergents and of course local food products are used rather than imported ones. No plastic and no packaging wherever possible. Mangrove Lodge is naturally linked to the community, local businesses and projects, as Haji's family was one of the founders of the village. So his aim is to leave a positive legacy for all those who have helped him from the start.

Guests at the ecolodge are encouraged to discover the local culture through guided tours of surrounding villages, traditional activities or simply by listening to Haji's stories about Zanzibar. A visit to the local dispensary and school will be offered, and you can donate clothes brought from France if you wish.

The responsible holidays promoted by Vawanda are a way of opening minds, raising environmental awareness and learning to appreciate the differences between cultures.

The practice of yoga

Kundalini and Yin Yoga with Patricia

The aim is to renew energy and calm the nervous system, as well as acquiring simple tools to maintain this energy.
In the morning, kundalini yoga cleanses the body of stress and toxins by combining repetition of postures and coordination of breathing.

This is an energetic practice derived in particular from certain Eastern medicines that stimulates meridians - muscles - organs. It restores the balance of our nature by circulating vital energy.
In the evening, under the stars, yin yoga, which complements kundalini, invites you to deep relaxation. By staying in simple postures for a few minutes, the body releases deep-seated tensions. The deep connective tissues and fascias are hydrated for greater mobility and relaxation.

Meditation then becomes an obvious choice.

Vinyasa and meditation with Antoine

The term vinyasa translates into French as ‘placed with the breath’ or ‘placed in a special way’. This way of practising yoga invites you to move to the rhythm of your own breath. Guided by Antoine, this practice first gives you the opportunity to understand the movements, alignments and joint functions of specific postures (gaining ease) before gradually moving to the rhythm of your breath.
Meditation, however mysterious it may be, is extremely simple. The context of the course lends itself particularly well to this. In the exceptional context of our experience, this proposal is an optional extra for anyone wishing to explore the simplicity and regularity of a contemplative practice without the headaches. Just breathe!

The practice of our two teachers is accessible to all.