Luxury New Year yoga retreat, near Marrakesh, Morocco

About Tigmi

Tigmi, situated 24km south of Marrakesh, is set within a magical desert landscape. On the brow of the Berber hamlet of Tagadert, its labyrinth of narrow alleyways and flat-roofed village houses has a timeless, biblical feel to it.

'Tigmi', meaning 'my house' in the local Berber dialect, was built in 1840 for the local judge. As with many North African dwellings, the interior is all: a step inside, and the peaceful beauty of Tigmi is revealed. The first impression is of a lovely garden laid to lawns and paths, with banana palms, citrus and olive trees and a swimming pool with soft, jade-coloured water. The scents and colours of orange blossom and roses assail the senses. Fifteen tortoises live in this garden, adding to the unhurried feel of this tranquil oasis.

There are two swimming pools, one of which is heated throughout the year. There are sun-loungers around the pool and shaded areas in the gardens, furnished with comfortable divans for those of you who prefer to laze around out of the sun.

Daily programme

There will be two yoga classes daily with Raquel. Each day will begin with a morning yoga class which will include meditation and movement focused on asanas, attuning the mind to the breath. The evening class will be more gentle and restorative. Classes will be progressive and inclusive for all levels.

For the New Year Celebration, there will be an opportunity for those that would like, to journal a letter of what they would like to let go of in 2020, in order to make space for new intentions in 2021. These will then be thrown into the fire just before the clock strikes midnight, letting go of the old and creating space to welcome new intentions into our lives.

A breakfast of delicious home-made juices, honey, yogurts, pancakes, cheeses, locally made breads, fresh fruit and cereals will be served after class. There will be a salad buffet lunch. All evening meals are traditionally North African dishes, with vegetarian meals also wonderfully prepared on request.

For New Year's Eve there will be a banquet. Moroccan champagne. smoked salmon, oysters and many varieties of salads will be followed by Tanjia Marrakchia, a traditional lamb dish cooked in a special pot with various spices for one full night in the ash of a traditional hamam. For dessert there will be New Year cake and cheese. Vegetarian alternatives will be available on request. It promises to be an evening of fun and celebration with live entertainment from a local three 'Gnaoua' band, similar to the bands that play in the Jemaa el Fna Square with a very rhythmic and ethnic African vibe.

Non-yoga partners are welcome to join the retreat and celebrations. Please get in touch for rates.

Things to do

Days can be spent lazing Moroccan style; lounging, reading or swimming in one of the two pools, playing backgammon or chess in one of the many gardens and courtyards or popping into Marrakesh on the hotel's free mini-bus service.

Tigmi also has its own hamam, spa treatments and massage therapists on hand. There are a few bicycles available for the more energetic to explore the local area.

Outside of Tigmi there are local sporting activities such as horse-riding and golf. Cultural treats are plentiful with mosques, museums, a visit to the famous Jemaa el Fna square with its acrobats, dancers and magicians, the Majorelle Gardens and the grove of 150,000 palm trees at La Palmeraie. A visit to one of the souks in Marrakesh's old city is an art form in itself, with busy market stalls and colourful displays of the traders' wares - local crafts, satins, silks, glittery shoes, leather wares, paintings, spices and food.

There are various day excursions further afield, arranged by the hotel such as a visit to the Atlas Mountains or coastal Essaouira.

Accommodation details

The bedrooms are authentically Moroccan with generous, comfortable beds, cool sheets, hand-woven covers and cushions, large en-suite bathrooms and a traditional seated area. Many of the bedrooms have fireplaces and private terraces.