Hacienda Retreat

Join us in the stunning and secluded hilltops of southern Spain as we lead you through a week of illuminating, enriching depth coaching and energising, cleansing, restorative yoga. Be School’s founders, Ellie and Rachel, are hosting this unique yoga and coaching retreat in the gorgeous, expansive Andalusian countryside this Autumn. The week will give guests an opportunity to slow down, reflect on life decisions, reconnect with nature and embark on deeply transformative work.

The retreat space
Set in 5 acres of private woodland and olive groves, and just an hour’s drive from Granada, our retreat venue is inspired by the Moorish culture of the region and provides a beautiful, rustic setting in which to retreat from city life and find nourishment in the natural world.

With stunning panoramic views of the Spanish countryside, it’s the perfect spot from which to enjoy sunrise and sunset with just the sound of the wind and birds in the trees. We’ll be enjoying the main house all to ourselves with its cosy, Moroccan-style interior, an indoor and outdoor yoga shala, infinity pool, meditation temple and wood-burning sauna. All meals will be prepared by local chefs using the freshest and most colourful of ingredients.

During your time here we’ll be connecting with the elements of nature to realign and rebalance. We’ll do this through daily rituals, energising and restorative yoga, deep therapeutic coaching, nourishing food, and meaningful connections with inspiring people.

Fifteen minutes away is the centuries-old town of Montefrio, framed by natural vertical cliffs and recently voted one of the Top 10 Most Beautiful Views by National Geographic.

What to expect
Our mornings will open with a traditional Hatha practice designed to open the mind and energise the body. We’ll focus on gently stretching the body, releasing tension and waking up the nervous system. After a shower and/or short nap we’ll enjoy a delicious al fresco brunch together. Then you’ll have plenty of time to soak up the sun, walk the hillsides and olive groves, enjoy a sumptuous massage, relax by the pool with a book or delve into a private coaching therapy session. There’s also a wood-burning sauna and meditation temple should you wish to enjoy some quiet time.

In the late afternoons we’ll gather for a group coaching session on topics around self care such as acceptance, self trust, courage, self worth, vulnerability and resilience. After that we’ll lead a nourishing restorative yoga session with meditation, to wind down and soothe the nervous system.

You’ll have time to relax, meditate, nap or have a wander to savour the sunset before dinner. We’ll connect over arrays of beautiful, colourful, nourishing dishes and a glass or two of wine if you feel like it. The evening is yours to enjoy however you wish, before retiring for a most satisfying slumber.

Halfway through the week we’ll offer a day off for local excursions should the group want to explore the exquisite medieval palaces of The Alhambra in Granada, or book a horse riding trip following local picnic and tapas routes.

Some of the many areas of inquiry we’ll explore during this extraordinary week:

Who are you?

What do you really value?

What makes you feel alive?

How to take care of yourself and live in alignment

The relationship between the mind and body

How to harness happy hormones

How to use the breath to calm a busy mind and feel more peaceful

Who is this retreat for?
We know it can be hard to ask for and receive support. Perhaps you think you should have it all worked out by now, or you feel trapped by the hamster wheel and the endless demands of unfulfilling work or under-par relationships. This retreat is for you if you’re ready to learn how to take better care of yourself and accept that you are enough. You have permission to relax, get curious and fill your cup here at the Hacienda.

Whether it be your work, relationships, self esteem, sense of purpose or work-life balance, wherever you are right now might feel like something big has to change – and you could be right. Equally it could be a more subtle inner change of who, and how, you are being in your life. Whatever feels sluggish and sticky, this retreat will help things to start moving for you in a clearer direction with simplicity and ease.

We’ve created this unique space for you to combine the invigorating and healing effects of Ellie’s soothing yoga, with the insight and emotional support of Rachel’s therapeutic coaching.

We teach a yoga practice that helps you to stay mindful, calm and grounded when life feels out of control.

Our coaching gives you the insight and resources to take care of yourself while moving towards where you want to go.

Immersion in a retreat setting, free from the tasks and duties of everyday life, is a beautiful way to nourish mind, body and soul, and to deepen your trust in who and how you are.

Suitable for everyone, regardless of your yoga experience, we will use this time to intensely nourish the body and mind, relax, strengthen our systems and reflect.

Why Be School?
We think we make a pretty good pair – combining years of practice and study with a humorous touch and a down-to-earth, practical approach to life. Our work is about sharing a mutual love of people, psychology, philosophy and spirituality, and teaching practices that are cognitive and physical, backed by neuroscience and practically helpful in everyday life. We’ve both lived what we teach and have come together to share our wisdom and insights, confident that what we share works. We also happen to believe in having fun while we learn and like to emphasise that a balance between being and doing is the key to a fulfilling life.

Be School is here to provide you with what you most need, when you most need it. Deeply nurturing support, guidance and rest along with lots of laughter and play in inspiring natural surroundings. This is a place for deep acceptance, discovery, celebration, self expression and growth.

We’ll look at how to build the skills and resources so you can centre and motivate yourself. We’ll do this through evidence-based and inclusive group exercises, building simple, actionable habits and rituals as well as sharing experiences and connecting with each other.

The skills you’ll learn are practices and strategies you can integrate into everyday life to help you to better cope with the stresses and strains of modern living, and to better understand the connection between mind and body.

This Be School Retreat will give you the space and time you need to just be. There are no demands. No responsibilities. Find clarity and contentment through movement and self inquiry. Chat and laugh over a glass of wine in the evenings or cocoon yourself to rest or read in one of the many beautiful, cozy spaces.

Welcome back