Silent Retreat
2nd to 5th April and 29th April to 3rd May
The goal of this retreat is to disconnect from the endless distraction of a digital world with its attendant sensation of never having time, and reconnect to the timeless forces of nature. We will bring the benefits of yoga and meditation into our bodies and minds and thus reconnect with ourselves. We then bring that state of natural presence into the wild, rugged and beautiful elements of the Picos de Europa, Europe’s most biodiverse area. This retreat will provide you with peaceful surroundings and the experience of shared and conscious group silence to allow you to go deeper into the yoga-meditation practices, and into being itself. Although short, this retreat goes deep quickly.
You will be asked to hand over your phone on the first day. There is no need even for a watch as wake up and all sessions are announced by a gong. All meals are looked after for you and the silent treks are guided. Your purpose is simply to be, to reconnect to nature, yours and that of the stunning natural surroundings. The silence will enable you to feel the connection between the two.
Each day will include three meditation sessions, guided pranayama and an assisted self-practice yoga session. Each afternoon there will be a guided meditative walk from the doorstep in the stunning natural surroundings on the foothills of the Picos de Europa
The yoga sessions are not guided, but rather assisted in silence. You are welcome to practice whatever style you know , be it Saoirse, Ashtanga, Vinyasa flow, Hatha… you will simply have time to do what is a meaningful practice for you. As asana practice is not guided, this retreat is ideally recommended for those who already have some yoga experience and long for silence and time for contemplation
This Retreat Is For You,
- If you yearn for the opportunity to go deeper into your practice and meditation in a supportive environment;
- If you are ready to disconnect from the digital distractions of the modern era and turn your attention towards yourself;
- If you already have a yoga self-practice (Ashtanga, Saoirse, Hatha, Vinyasa Flow or Iyengar Yoga etc.).
Time Table
Day 1
17:00 Arrival/Orientation
18:00 Introductory Session and Talk
20:00 Evening Meal
21:00 Silence Begins
Days 2 and 3
7:00 Group Silent Meditation
8:00 Guided Pranayama
8:45 Tea Break
9:00 Silent Self Practice
11:00 Brunch
13:00 Yoga Nidra
14:00 Karma Yoga
15:00 Rest
17:00 Guided Silent Walk in Nature
19:00 – 19:30 Teacher Q & A available
19:30 – 20:00 Meditation
20:00 Evening Meal
21:-21:30 Silent Group Meditation
Day 4
7:00 Group Meditation
8:00 Guided Pranayama
8:45 Tea Break
9:00Yoga
11:00 Brunch
12:00 Yoga Nidra
13:00 Silence Ends
14:00 Activity to be announced on day
15:30 Closing Circle
Excursions
Afternoon excursions typically last between 1.5 and 3 hours. Beautiful options are endless and many begin right from the door of the yoga shala. The excursion that we choose on any particular day will depend on the weather (highly variable in Asturias) and the overall inclination of the group. Below are listed some of our most common excursions:
La Gueña Cañon; Jump into Invigorating Water direct from Los Picos
From the Yoga Shala, we will walk 30 minutes to a nearby almost never visited canyon, where you will have the option to jump into a deep pool and have a waterfall “Prana shower”. A great option for a hot day!
Duration: 2 hours Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Cueva de Alda: Subterranean Magic
Cueva de Alda lies 30 minutes walk away from the yoga centre (via view of the Picos and Ocean). Despite its magnificence, it is a little visited cave due to its remote location. We will explore its gigantic main chamber, with stalagmites, stalactites, underground pools and a penetrating silence, interrupted only by drops of water occasionally falling from the roof of the cave. Simon will play a short flute concert to highlight its stunning acoustics.
Duration: 3 hours Difficulty: Medium / Easy
Trekking from the Doorstep to the Peak Above
From the doorstep, we will follow trekking route S9, which will take us on a 500m ascent through old Chestnut forests and high meadows to a peak overlooking the Casaño canyon, Picos de Europa and the ocean.
Duration: 3 hours Difficulty: Medium / High
Food
We provide 2 vegetarian meals per day — large brunch and dinner — along with a snack in the afternoon.. Some of the ingredients come direct from our vegtable garden, orchard and forest forraging. For the reat, we do our best to source our vegetables locally according to the season, use primarily organic and vegan ingredients, and provide many home-made specialties, such as sourdough breads, spicy chai, nettle pesto, mountain spring water, fresh herbs for infusions, and marmelades from our fruit trees. Meals are designed for a nutritionally balanced diet, with foods that are easy to digest, grow in a sustainable way and full of vitality.
If you are someone who traditionally has a large appetite or prefers multiple snacks throughout the day, you may also bring your own food/snacks to supplement. The closest large supermarkets are in Cangas de Onis or Posada, both approximately 20km away. There are various smaller shops nearby in Benia (2km from the yoga center) and at the “Campsite Picos de Europa” (1km down hill from the yoga center).
Retreat Leader: Simon Loughlin
“Since running this retreat for the first time in 2025, it quickly became clear that this is the most effective offering for those seeking an authentic meditative experience. It brings home the intimate connection between yoga and meditation. The tranquil, set-apart location of Asturias Yoga make it an ideal location for a silent retreat. I feel grateful to facilitate this experience, which is a large part of my experience of living alone and practicing in silence in the Picos de Europa mountains.”
Reservations: 4 Days/3 Nights
- Retreat (without accommodation): 430 EUR
- Retreat+Shared Room: EUR
- Retreat+ Private Bell Tent: 470 EUR
- Retreat+ Private Room: 520 EUR
- Retreat+Private Cabin: 620 EUR