The Story of the Retreat
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In 2017, nestled in the sacred valley of Madara, I held one of my first week-long retreats — a gathering that would quietly shape everything that followed.
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We stayed in a traditional Bulgarian villa, entirely our own for the week. Old stone walls, wooden beams, modern comforts, and wide open skies. Surrounded by rolling hills and the ancient presence of the Madara region, the retreat felt held by something older than us — something steady and timeless.
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Each day unfolded slowly and intentionally. Morning yoga, afternoon practice, breathwork, meditation, long conversations, vegetarian meals, swimming under the sun, and evenings filled with reflection and laughter. There was no rushing. No pressure. Just space — to breathe, to move, to reconnect.
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It was a week of depth and lightness intertwined. Of strong bodies and soft hearts. Of ancient land and modern people remembering themselves.
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And it was here, in Madara, that I truly understood the power of retreat — not as an escape, but as a return.
Villa Paradise
Our home was the aptly named Villa Paradise, a traditional Bulgarian retreat space nestled between rolling hills and quiet villages.
With a swimming pool, open-air tavern, and views that stretched endlessly, it became our sanctuary for rest, nourishing meals, and heartfelt conversations.
Organic food from local farmers filled our plates daily, reminding us of the simplicity and abundance of life here.
The Sacred Region — Madara & The Horse Rider
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Madara is not just a location — it is a portal into Bulgaria’s ancient soul.
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The valley holds the Madara Horseman, a UNESCO World Heritage monument carved into a towering cliff face from the early medieval period, rooted in Thracian and Proto-Bulgarian history.
The energy of the land feels elevated, quiet, watchful. You sense immediately that this is sacred ground.
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We hiked daily toward the Horseman, walking ancient paths carved through rock and forest. There is something transformative about practicing presence in a place that has witnessed centuries of devotion, ceremony, and human evolution.
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The land itself becomes a teacher.
Daily Yoga & Breathwork Practices
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Twice a day, we gathered to practice.
In the mornings, we flowed through dynamic vinyasa sequences — building strength, heat, and vitality.
Movement that awakened the spine, opened the hips, and expanded the breath. We worked with chakra awareness, cultivating energetic alignment alongside physical strength.
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In the afternoons, the energy softened. Restorative shapes. Deep stretches. Long, supported holds. Nervous systems unwinding.
Our breathwork practices included alternate nostril breathing to balance the hemispheres of the brain, Kapalabhati to ignite inner fire and clarity, and extended pranayama sessions to lengthen and deepen the breath.
Practices were often closed with long Yoga Nidra journeys and loving-kindness meditations — guiding the group into deep rest and emotional integration.
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It was not just exercise.
It was embodiment.
Hiking the Madara Valley
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Every day included movement in nature. We hiked through the Madara plateau, along forest paths and rocky steps carved into the cliffs. Some days were quiet and reflective; others were filled with laughter and conversation.
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Walking together creates a different kind of bonding. No phones. No distractions. Just rhythm, breath, shared experience.
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The land felt expansive. And so did we.
Sunrise Practice at the Ancient Temple
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One morning, before the world had fully woken, we rose at 4 a.m.
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In silence, we walked toward an ancient sacred site once used by Thracian communities as a spiritual temple. As the sky slowly shifted from indigo to gold, we practiced yoga at sunrise — breath visible in the cool air, birds calling, light touching the stone.
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There are moments in retreats that stay with you forever.
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That sunrise was one of them.
Paragliding — Expanding Beyond Fear
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One of the most exhilarating experiences of the week was paragliding above the region.
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To rise into the air, suspended between earth and sky, overlooking the valley we had been walking for days — it was pure liberation.
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For some, it was a moment of courage.
For others, a celebration.
For all of us, it was unforgettable.
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Retreat is not only about stillness.
It is also about expansion.
Food, Conversations & Laughter Together
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Our meals were nourishing vegetarian dishes, freshly prepared and enjoyed slowly around the table.
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Food becomes ceremony when shared with intention.
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We also visited local restaurants to taste traditional Bulgarian cuisine, connecting with the culture of the region and the warmth of my hometown, Shumen.
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Evenings were filled with meaningful conversations — reflections, insights, laughter, stories of growth. The kind of talks that only happen when people feel safe and seen.
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The villa’s swimming pool offered moments of play and relaxation between practices. There was space for solitude and space for sisterhood.
