[re]connect
Yoga & Dance Retreat
11-18. August 2024
Hungry for some peace of mind?
Close your eyes and breathe in...Dip in the tranquil of the mountain. Imagine a cosy cottage with charming views and delicious home-cooked vegetarian meals. Breathe out and open your eyes...
You are in Trinity Retreat Center in the charming village of Apriltsi in the middle of the Bulgarian mountains with us,
Sofiya and Helena.
Schedule
Embrace the opportunity to nourish your body, mind, and soul as you explore various yoga styles, engage in dynamic dance sessions, and partake in meditative practices.
Class Types & Rituals
We have prepared a large range of classes. From dance and yoga, to massage and body-mind connection.
Let's connect on Instagram!
See photos and videos from last year's retreat on our Instagram channel.
Welcome to the world of yoga and dance in the Bulgarian mountains!
Let us take you on a journey of self-discovery and creative expression. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a beginner dancer, our retreat is the perfect place to tap into your inner creativity and find inspiration. Unwind and find balance as you connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for movement and mindfulness.
Helena and Sofiya will guide you through a variety of classes and workshops designed to unleash your true potential.
Give yourself the gift of tranquility and transformation, as you leave behind the stresses of everyday life and embrace a week filled with self-discovery, joy, and personal growth.
Methods we use to [re]connect you…
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DANCE
Improvisation, Dance Meditation, Armwork, Footwork, Floorwork, Anatomy
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YOGA
Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga, Pranayama Yoga, Morning Yoga, YogaDance
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MINDFULNESS
Massage, Meditation, Body-mind Connection, Self-love Rituals, Mindful Eating, Star-gazing
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& MORE
Franklin Method®, Ayurveda, ESSENCE OF BELLYDANCE™, Functional Anatomy
Meet your Hosts
Helena (right) is a yoga teacher and masseuse, trained in different types of yoga, Ayurveda and Reiki techniques, and continues her education continuously. She is also a dancer and blends fantastically yoga and dance, creating a yoga dance experience.
Sofiya (left) is a dancer, dance teacher, and movement coach. She loves merging anatomy and movement and is trained in the Franklin Method® and the ESSENCE OF BELLYDANCE™ methods. Sofiya also teaches healthy movement connected to the back, spine and pelvic floor.
“Hey there! We are Sofiya & Helena - two women, dancers and teachers from very different backgrounds. This year we are combining our strengths to create a rejuvenating retreat journey in Bulgaria for you.
A blend of yoga and dance techniques, we will help you connect to your inner self and nature, release whatever you need to and build a new stronger self.
We are excited to meet and connect with you in person.
Are you coming?”
What People Are Saying
“Helena is an awesome teacher - she has a laugh which permeates through her session. She’s such a warm, creative, constructive, and enthusiastic teacher!”
— Shakira
“The retreat was a great place to communicate with your body through dance in a safe space, where all emotions and moves are welcome and where you can just relax and dance yourself."
— Kristina
“Joining Sofiya´s retreat on the gateway to the Balkan mountains has truly been a game changer in my dance practice and body awareness.
I came with emotional blockages, I left relieved with increased body intelligence, a stimulated mind and a deeply rested soul.
Sofiya and Helena are energetic and passionate teachers that understand how to convey their own craft of Yoga, Dance and Anatomy theory to their students. Sofiya also makes sure to bring you closer to her own Bulgarian culture, through food, music and dance, which for me closes the experience cycle towards wholesomeness. ”
"Sofiya is a very knowledgable, patient teacher who creates a very welcoming, comfortable atmosphere in her lessons. I always feel so great after her classes!"
— Georgia
Welcome to your mountain retreat
Get ready for an unforgettable experience in the Bulgarian mountains.
Why dance and yoga?
Yoga & Dance are vast practices based on spiritual connection, physical health, creative expression, body mind and breath unity & community. Yoga & Dance interrelate in the foundations of breath connection and body awareness.
Dance can help you be more creative in your yoga practice. And yoga can connect your body and mind, improving your movement through new cognitive pathways.
Nothing is wasted and all is useful.
Location
The retreat will take place in the Trinity Retreat Center, which is located in central Bulgaria, close to the longest mountain in the Balkan Peninsula - Stara Planina.
The center is one of the best places in Bulgaria that specialize in the organization of retreats. They have many years of experience and work with a lot of love and care.
The host, Moksha, is very welcoming and always there to support us in any way.
Space
The classes will take place in a beautiful space prepared especially for dance and yoga events. The space provides mats and is adjusted to fit your needs. The big windows allow for all the light to enter from both sides of the room, so you can enjoy the sun.
When the weather allows, we will dance outdoors in the garden, where we can connect to nature and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
Everything is prepared for you to enjoy the relaxation and calmness of our retreat.
Food
The food is vegetarian/vegan and is prepared with a lot of love and care. Everything will be organized according to your dietary and allergy restrictions.
Some traditional Bulgarian dishes will be offered, so that you can explore the culture and cuisine.
The first evening there will be a special welcoming dinner with traditional Bulgarian food, traditions, and dances.
Rooms
Trinity Retreat Center has 7 rooms, divided in three floors, and there is a separate bungalow in the garden, accommodating a total of 15 people. Each room has its own bathroom and toilet. The rooms contain single beds, allowing for privacy while still connecting to people.
We have 2 rooms with double bed for single accommodation in additional price.
Every room also has a balcony with a view of the mountains, and chairs and space to enjoy the peace and quiet.
Area
The retreat center is located at the foothills of the mountains, which allows us to enjoy the clean fresh mountain air, calming walks in the woods and beautiful views.
Right outside the retreat center is the beginning of the woods. Close by, can also be found a trekking road through the mountain Stara Planina through which one can reach the highest peak in the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina). Nearby, there are also several monasteries and waterfalls offering a beautiful respite.
Where exactly will we be?
Here is a map of the exact location where the Trinity Retreat Center is located. You will be transported from Sofia Airport to the retreat with a special shuttle just for us. And will be returned back to Sofia Airport on Sunday once again with a special shuttle just for us.
Price - all inclusive
The price includes comfortable accommodation, delicious home-made vegetarian food, transport to and from Sofia Airport, all classes and workshops within the retreat schedule, and a special welcoming gift.
Regular Price
999 €
Only 4 left
7 peaceful nights
8 exciting days
3 delicious vegetarian meals per day
Healthy snacks in between
40+ hours of content
16+ types of classes
Transport from Sofia airport
An Open performance night
Special welcoming gift
Single bed in a shared room
Single payment of 999 €
Intnstallments
3 x 370 €
Only 2 left
7 peaceful nights
8 exciting days
3 delicious vegetarian meals per day
Healthy snacks in between
40+ hours of content
16+ types of classes
Transport from Sofia airport
An Open performance night
Special welcoming gift
Single bed in a shared room
6 monthly payments of 190 €
Note: The prices are for shared accommodation. We only have two spaces for single accommodation and it costs an additional price. You will have the opportunity to book a physiotherapy/osteotherapy session with our host Moksha, and we may be able to organise pottery workshops, going to the swimming pool and horse-riding on availability.
FAQs
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A preliminary schedule will be posted in January.
11th August, around 12 o'clock Bulgarian time we meet in Sofia - we will decide on the location in July. A shuttle will bring us directly to the retreat centre, which is a 3-hour drive away. We will arrive approximately around 16 h - we arrive, prepare and then have a wonderful opening celebration and dinner to open up the retreat!
12th August - training, stargazing in the evening
13th August - training
14th August - training
15th August - training
16th August - training, Bulgarian dinner
17th August - training, Open stage
18th August - we have breakfast and prepare for the shuttle to the airport - we should be there around 14 - 14:30 h, so you can book your flight in the evening.
The exact time schedule is yet to be determined, but we will make sure you have regular breaks, with one long 2-h break for lunch time.
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We will come pick you up on Sunday 11th around 12 oclock.
We do recommend you to arrive from Saturday 10th so there are no issues with your transport and you can settle in Bulgaria. Sofia is mostly welcoming to foreigners, lots of people know English, German and Russian. The transport from Sofia Airport to the center is easy through metro.
We will drop you off at the airport on 18th August earliest at 14:30 h (Bulgarian time).
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There are essentially two factors that can change your price - accommodation type and payment type.
The regular price is 999 Euro. That is the price for a single bed in a shared room. If you need to pay in instalments, the amount is slightly higher, with the amount being split in 6 payments of 190 Euro. A single room option costs additional 300 Euros - there is only one room available :)
For questions, just drop them to sofiyamarinova@gmail.com -
Congratulations! We are so happy for you!
If you doctor has allowed you to move and dance, yes absolutely you can join!
Sofiya is trained in pre- and postnatal bellydance and Helena is a very experience yoga trainer who can adjust anything else to meet your needs.
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You can pay by Bank Transfer, PayPal or Card (through Stripe). However, because PayPal, Visa and Mastercard add a big fee on top of each payment, paying through them would require an extra 50 Euro to cover that fee.
You get an invoice for your payment.
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Yes, there is plenty of space where you can park!
The retreat house is located at the end of the village and there is a lot of space around on the street for the guests.
YES, it is safe! Don't worry!
This village is one of the few left in Bulgaria that is so safe that people leave their houses unlocked!
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1. Clothes for warm weather - evenings in the mountain are chilly.
2. Some toiletries would be helpful - toothpaste, shampoo and shower gel. Soap is provided. There is a hairdryer.
3. Also, home slippers would be good so you can go around the house comfortably. The bathrooms don't have a shower cabin, so you will also need these when you shower. There are some common slippers in the house.
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Wonderful question!
We will use English as a preferred language. But we can translate some things in German and Bulgarian if needed.
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Please, book your flight to Sofia Airport. We will come pick you up from Sofia on 11th August at around 12 h and leave you on 18th August around 14-14:30 once again there. We advise you to arrive latest on 10th evening, so you can make sure that you are ready to be picked up on 11th :) We are here to help you choose suitable times if needed.
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We are sorry to hear you have an injury! This surely is stressful both for the body and mind!
The most important question here is - has your doctor forbidden you to move in certain way? Are there any movements you need to avoid?
We welcome people who have injuries BUT have gotten permission from their doctors to move. We are very careful with our students and very body-aware, so we will definitely make sure everyone is taken care of. However, it is important that you yourself feel ready to explore various movements and methods. So, if you got a YES from your doctor on moving, then join us but please indicate in the registration form what injuries you have.
And above all, please make sure you always put yourself first. If you ever feel bad during the retreat let us know immediately and take a break!
If you want to discuss further whether this retreat is suitable for you, please send us an email at sofiyamarinova@gmail.com
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For cancellations received before and including 14th of May, we will refund 50% of the price already paid. After 15th of May no refunds are possible. However, you may transfer your spot to another person if you cannot make it. If you or we find someone ready to take your spot, we are willing to make an exception. To do so, please send us an email at sofiyamarinova@gmail.com.
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As much as we love babies, we want to make sure everyone can focus on the retreat and completely enjoy the transformative experience we have prepared for all of you.
If you have more questions on this, please let us know!
Contact us
Do you have any other questions? Let us know below or book a free consultation call.