Q & A
1. What style of yoga do you teach on the retreats?
Please see our style page
and retreat method.
2. What does the daily schedule look like?
We start the day with tea followed by your 90 minutes morning yoga class. A hearty and healthy breakfast follows the morning class. Then you have some time to rest, enjoy a Hammam or a massage (depending on your location), explore Marrakech and its surrounding areas. Also you may swim, book one to one sessions, wellness treatments and other activities and or excursions. After the 90 minutes evening class around sunset a tea or a juice will be served and followed by a dinner around 7.30pm. On the arrival day, there is an evening class scheduled as the first lesson. On the departure day a morning class will be the last lesson.
3. How many classes will I attend on a Yoga with Perumal Retreat?
If 2 or more participants are attending the retreat Perumal teaches two daily 90 minutes classes. In the morning before breakfast and in the afternoons. If you are attending a retreat on your own Perumal will teach only once a day a 90 minutes class, but certainly you will enjoy the one-on-one tutoring as it will be tailor made for your needs and condition.
4. What is incuded in the retreat package?
Lodging, breakfast and dinners (excluding New Year’s Evening Dinner), daily yoga class/classes. The airport transfers are eventually offered to you by the venue or by Yoga with Perumal and are not included in the package.
5. Are the lessons held indoor out outdoor?
Normally from spring to autumn the yoga classes are held outside. But in case of cold weather wind or rain the yoga classes are held indoors.
6. How do I know if there are places available on a retreat?
Please email us to inquire about the date of your choice and/or complete the online inquiry format to secure your place. In the unlikely event that the retreat is already fully booked we will refund your deposit in full or transfer it to another retreat date as per your preference.
7. How do I secure a place on a Yoga with Perumal retreat?
Please complete our online enquiry form for the retreat, to secure your place on the retreat we will process your application, sendd you an invoice of the deposit and/or final invoice. Once the payment is settled you will then receive a confirmation email. Please see our Terms and Conditions.
Payment Terms
a. Deposit - 50% payment is required upon confirmation of booking.
b. Full Payment -100% payment is required two (2) months prior to departure.
Payment Terms
a. Deposit - 50% payment is required upon confirmation of booking.
b. Full Payment -100% payment is required two (2) months prior to departure.
8. When is full payment for a Yoga with Perumal retreat due?
The balance of the retreat fees are payable eight weeks before the retreat commencement date. If you book within eight weeks of the retreat commencement full payment will be due. Please see our Terms and Conditions.
Payment Terms
a. Deposit - 50% payment is required upon confirmation of booking.
b. Full Payment -100% payment is required two (2) months prior to arrival.
Payment Terms
a. Deposit - 50% payment is required upon confirmation of booking.
b. Full Payment -100% payment is required two (2) months prior to arrival.
9. When will I find out if I have been accepted into the retreat?
After you submit your completed online inquiry format and have paid the deposit you will receive our confirmation e-mail.
10. Do I need a Visa to visit Morocco?
Travelers from most Western countries (EU, North America, Australia) only require a valid passport for a stay of up to 90 days. Additional information can be found at the consulate websites of your specific country of origin.
11. Do I need a vaccination to enter the country of Morocco?
There are no mandatory vaccinations for entering Morocco. Some Foreign Ministry recommends hepatitis A hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies immunization and, for longer stays in the region. Travelers should only consume bottled water and avoid swimming or bathing in bodies of standing water. Mosquito protection is recommended for stays near oasis, rivers or lakes. Medical care in Morocco is generally adequate in the major cities, but does not comply with Western standards, particularly so in rural areas."
12. When are the Yoga with Perumal retreats scheduled?
We offer retreats throughout the year. In rare case we are not available, but we will update our news section if fix dates for one or the other retreat will be scheduled.
13. What is the difference between a yoga holiday and a yoga retreat?
Yoga holidays exist with more offsite experiences such as sight seeing trips to the town center visiting monumentes, excursions to the nearby Atlas mountains or shopping. A retreat is typically spent onsite relaxing poolside, swimming, walking and bike riding around the venue. Spa services with hammams and massages are the core experiences outside the yoga classes. In a retreat time spent is simpler and relaxing for the mind. Alcohaul, coffee, sugar and meats are avoided.
14. Are Yoga with Perumal retreats suitable for yoga beginners with no yoga experience?
Our retreats are suitable for people of all levels including beginners. You may want to re-connect with or develop your yoga practice or gain a more holistic understanding of yoga. Our retreats are suitable for everyone with an interest in yoga. People with a foundation in the basic yoga postures as well as the more advanced are encouraged to join our retreats. An advanced practitioner is not necessarily a person who can move deeply into advanced postures; an advanced practitioner is someone who comes to the mat with a level of maturity, a willingness to learn and an understanding of the limits of their own body.
15. Are Yoga with Perumal retreats suitable as a step to teacher training?
No, we do not offer pregnancy yoga classes.
16. Are Yoga with Perumal retreats suitable for pregnancy?
No, we do not offer pregnancy yoga classes.
17. Are Yoga with Perumal retreats suitable for children?
Our retreats are almost alway participted by adults. Children are welcome to participate as long as they are participating with one or both parents.
18. Are the Yoga with Perumal retreats suitable for vegans, vegetarians, gluten free and or other dietary necessities?
Yes they are. Please tell us in 48 hrs in advance your dietary necessities.
19. Can I smoke or drink alcohol on the retreat?
We do not expect you to quit smoking when participating on our retreats. Simply consider to reduce smoking while participating in the retreat. For smokers endeavoring to quite can find the retreat environment ideal for this. Spending time stress free void of working along with yoga and a great diet makes it an ideal environment to quit or cut back. Always consult with your doctor on such matters. For those who wish to drink alcohol we require that any drinking is only done after the last lesson of the retreat is completed by you that day. Please do not drink before a class. For example please do not drink over lunch and then come to the evening class unless you planned on not attending the evening class. In this manner we avoid injuries. Please be mindful of others who do not smoke by smoking outdoors.
20. How many participants enroll into Yoga with Perumal retreats?
Our retreats average 2-14 participants. We average dozens of bespoke retreats for yoga studio and fitness groups. If you are a group of friends wishing to share a retreat then organize with us as we not only organize into great locations but we also acquire discounts with suppliers from quad biking, transport to mountain biking and hot air ballooning when reserving with us.
21. Can I join on my own a Yoga with Perumal retreat?
Absolutely because this is a norm within yoga history. Yoga for thousands of years was taught within 1 – 3 persons. Large groups is a modern phenomena. We welcome and always work with large groups but we are aware of and find pleasure in the quality experience stemming from what is individualized.
lots of our retreat guests come on their own. Our Palmeraie Luxury Retreat and Oasis Retreat are available as one lesson a day when you are alone. A second lesson is provided at a 33% discount from our private yoga lessons as long as it is not already reserved.
lots of our retreat guests come on their own. Our Palmeraie Luxury Retreat and Oasis Retreat are available as one lesson a day when you are alone. A second lesson is provided at a 33% discount from our private yoga lessons as long as it is not already reserved.
21. Can I join on my own a Yoga with Perumal retreat?
Absolutely because this is a norm within yoga history. Yoga for thousands of years was taught within 1 – 3 persons. Large groups is a modern phenomena. We welcome and always work with large groups but we are aware of and find pleasure in the quality experience stemming from what is individualized.
lots of our retreat guests come on their own. Our Palmeraie Luxury Retreat and Oasis Retreat are available as one lesson a day when you are alone. A second lesson is provided at a 33% discount from our private yoga lessons as long as it is not already reserved.
lots of our retreat guests come on their own. Our Palmeraie Luxury Retreat and Oasis Retreat are available as one lesson a day when you are alone. A second lesson is provided at a 33% discount from our private yoga lessons as long as it is not already reserved.
22. Can I share a room with someone else that has enrolled a Yoga with Perumal retreat on its own?
We do not provide this option. You have to either already be coming with someone to share with or choose a single room on your own.
23. I would prefer a single room, is this possible?
Yes please view our Single Occupancy rate on all packages.
24. What is the typical age range of the participants?
Participants generally range from 30 to 60 years of age.
25. What is included in the price of the Yoga with Perumal retreat?
Our yoga retreats include twin sharing or single occupancy lodging, half-board of breakfast and dinners, two daily yoga classes (For 2 or more participants enrolled) and most retreats have airport pick-up and drop-off included. Simple confirm at reservation about your pick-up and drop-off.
Wellness treatments from massages to Hammams, private yoga sessions can be arranged by the venue during the retreat as optional extras.
26. What do I need to bring to the retreat?
We recommend you bring a mixture of lightweight and warm, comfortable yoga clothing, layers are best, light shoes/sandals, trekking shoes/ sneaker, swim wear, sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a first aid kit, insect repellent, eventually a torch (a must for the retreats in the desert) You are welcome to bring your own yoga mat, however we provide yoga mats.
27. Do you provide yoga mats?
You are welcome to bring your own yoga mats, however we provide yoga mats. Please let us know in advance, especially in the case that you are a group 15+ people..
28. Flight Information?
We require you to provide flight arrival and departure details upon reservation or as soon as it is made available for transportation that we may be arranging.
29. Do you arrange airport pick-ups and drop-offs?
Yes we do. Free of charge when you lodge in some of our retreats. On demand (approx €20 each way) when lodging in Palmeraie Luxury Retreat it is €25 each way.
30. How far are the yoga with Perumal retreat venues from Marrakech town?
15 minutes from Palmeraie Luxury , 25 minutes from Marrakech Oasis and 1 hour and 15 minutes from the Mountain Retreat.
31. May I eat before a yoga practice?
Better to eat after the practice, both to get energy for the practice, and to recover afterwards. If you eat a full meal before the practise make sure that you eat 3-4 hours before practising yoga. Obviously you want to have energy, but if you eat too much or too soon before the practice, you might upset your digestive system. Traditional yogis usually have water or an herbal tea and then practice on an empty stomach and eat immediately afterwards. Definitely be sure to drink lots of water before and after the yoga practise to hydrate and rehydrate.
32. Do I have to attend all classes, or is the schedule flexible?
The retreat schedule will be fixed prior to arrival. Here and there we may change the schedule after arrival and talking to the teacher and naturally seeing the availability. We encourage you to immerse yourself in the retreat experience and join in all the yoga classes. Listen to your own body and attend what feels right for you, for many people two classes daily is more than usual and we suggest you find the balance between challenging yourself and being gentle when necessary. Talk to your teacher and discuss with him if or not to attend a class.
33. Is there any free time during the retreat?
Yes, between the classes. During this time you may like to book a cooking class, a massage, visit Marrakech Medina, the souk, or just relax. As the schedule is flexible you can create your own free time during the retreat at other times if you feel this is what you need. Talk to your teacher and discuss if you would like to move a class to another time slot. To move a class is depending on the teacher’s availability and his schedule for eventual local group classes or other private lessons bookings.
34. What do we do during the day in between the yoga classes?
Some people attend a yoga retreats craving some down-time and simply want to spend their free time relaxing or reading whilst others want a non-stop itinerary of activities. We try to offre both options - additional activities such as a guided countryside walk, bycicling to the neighbouring village cooking classes, play tennis or golf, enjoy a wellness treatment, perform some sightseein or shopping the local handicraft, Argan oils, local parfumes, Kaftans, carpets, lanternes. When you book the retreat with Yoga with Perumal we will send you many suggestion of itineraries, shopping and restaurants in and around Marrakech.
35. Where do I exchange my money into local currency?
Most banks exchange US$, GBP, CHF, and Euros for Moroccan dirhams. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. In the cities you will find many banks where you can operate a cash withdrawal.
36. DO & DO NOT
DO:
- Ask permission before you take a Maroccan’s picture. In particular women and devout Muslims do not like being photographed.
- Relax. Moroccan understanding of time and punctuality is different from Western concepts. “Europeans have watches, we have time”, as they say in Morocco.
- Bring tissues when using bathrooms outside of the venue or our recommended restaurants. Some local bathrooms may be unequipped.
- Confirm the taxi fare before entering the taxi. This will save you money and timeloss from lengthy discussions. Consider using the Green Taxi service +212 524 409 494 which charges a fixed minor arrival fee varies between time of day and distance from center of town. This fee is between 10 – 20 MAD.
- Barter when buying within the souk. It is expected and will save you money.
- Use a little French, such as “Merci” or “Bonjour”, as it is widely understood and generally perceived as you making an effort.
- Drink bottled water to avoid upset stomach. Western stomachs are usually ill-suited for unfiltered or tap water.
- Do not show too much skin. As a conservative and Muslim people, Moroccans generally frown upon revealing outfits. This does not just apply to women, but also to men. Cover at least your shoulders and don’t wear shorts. Beach outfits are inappropriate anywhere but at the beach.
- Do not fall for false guides. False guides approach tourists all over the country offering their services. They will stick with you, send you off your path and try to lure you into shops and stores to earn a commission. Book guides and other forms of help through agencies and hotels are best.
- Do not accept, purchase or consume drugs. Do not let it fool you that hashish and marihuana are widely consumed and available in Morocco. Penalties are harsh and the Moroccan police enforce the law.
- Do not panic. Whatever situation you may find yourself in, Moroccans are helpful and friendly people.
37. How much do I tip in Morocco?
A 10% tip is customary in restaurants, 2-5 dirhams in taxis, 1 dirham per drink in cafes. Gratuities for yoga retreat staff is not included in our prices. It is customary to tip maid services when satisfied with roughly 10 MAD per night is typical.
