Spend six days immersed in the rhythm of Ashtanga Yoga. Wake before sunrise. Practice Mysore each morning. Share breakfast with a community of dedicated practitioners.
Spend your afternoons exploring one of the world’s most extraordinary landscapes before returning for thoughtful workshops designed to deepen your understanding of the practice.
This is an opportunity to step away from everyday life and experience what becomes possible when your only responsibility is to practice, learn, explore, and simply be present.
There is something special about stepping away from your daily routine and giving yourself the time and space to simply practice.
For six days, your mornings begin on the mat. Your afternoons invite exploration, learning, and rest. Your evenings offer the chance to slow down, share a meal, and connect with a community of dedicated practitioners.
Centered on the traditional Ashtanga Yoga method, this retreat combines daily Mysore practice with thoughtful workshops, individualized instruction, and the opportunity to deepen your understanding in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Whether this is your first retreat or one of many, my hope is that you’ll return home with a stronger practice, meaningful friendships, and renewed inspiration that stays with you long after you’ve left Cappadocia.
There is something special about stepping away from your everyday responsibilities and allowing your practice to become the rhythm of your day.
Without work, errands, schedules, and constant distractions, you have the opportunity to experience Ashtanga in a different way. Each morning builds upon the last, giving your body and mind the time to absorb new understanding through consistent practice.
It’s often the small refinements—made day after day—that create the biggest changes. With time, thoughtful instruction, and the opportunity to practice consistently, concepts that once felt confusing often begin to make sense in an entirely new way.
Between classes, there is space to rest, explore, reflect, and simply enjoy being present. The conversations over breakfast, the shared experiences throughout the day, and the friendships that naturally develop become just as meaningful as the practice itself.
A retreat isn’t about escaping your life. It’s about creating the conditions to deepen your practice so you return home with greater understanding, renewed inspiration, and a stronger connection to the work you’ve already begun.
Choosing the right location for a retreat is about much more than finding a beautiful destination.
I wanted a place that would naturally encourage people to slow down, become present, and fully step away from the pace of everyday life.
Cappadocia is unlike anywhere else in the world. Ancient cave dwellings, dramatic rock formations, quiet valleys, and hundreds of hot air balloons rising with the morning sun create a landscape that feels both peaceful and extraordinary.
Our days will begin with Mysore practice before setting out to experience everything this remarkable region has to offer. Whether we’re hiking through the valleys, exploring underground cities, wandering historic villages, or simply enjoying a leisurely meal together, Cappadocia invites you to slow down and experience each day with curiosity and intention.
Late May is one of the most beautiful times of year to visit Cappadocia. The weather is comfortably warm, the valleys are green, and the peak summer crowds have not yet arrived. It is an ideal time to enjoy both the practice and the destination, with pleasant temperatures for hiking, sightseeing, and exploring throughout the week.
Every Ashtanga retreat includes daily practice. What makes a retreat memorable is the quality of the instruction.
My goal isn’t simply to help you complete more postures. It’s to help you better understand your practice.
Each morning, you’ll receive individualized guidance based on where you are that day. Through traditional Mysore-style practice, every student works at their own pace while receiving instruction that meets them exactly where they are.
Throughout the week, we’ll build on each day’s work. Small refinements are revisited through consistent practice, allowing new understanding to develop naturally over time.
Rather than simply learning what to do, we’ll explore why we do it. My hope is that you’ll return home with practical tools, greater confidence in your practice, and a deeper understanding that continues to support you every time you step onto your mat.
This retreat is designed for students who want to deepen their understanding of the traditional Ashtanga Yoga method in a supportive, individualized learning environment.
You’re welcome here.
If you’re newer to Ashtanga Yoga but genuinely interested in learning the traditional Mysore method, this retreat can be a wonderful place to begin.
Because every student receives individual instruction, you’ll practice at your own pace while receiving guidance appropriate to your experience.
If you’re unsure whether the retreat is the right fit, I’m always happy to talk with you before you register.
You’re looking for a fast-paced vacation, a retreat packed with scheduled activities, or a program focused primarily on achieving advanced postures.
Our week is intentionally centered around consistent practice, thoughtful instruction, meaningful conversation, and exploring Cappadocia at a relaxed pace.
The goal is to build a stronger relationship with your practice that continues long after you return home.
Imagine waking just before sunrise as Cappadocia slowly comes to life.
You’ll begin the day with Mysore practice—a chance to settle into your breath, move with intention, and receive individual guidance in a calm and focused environment.
Following practice, we’ll gather for breakfast before the day opens up for exploration, rest, or simply enjoying the slower pace that makes retreat life so refreshing.
Later in the afternoon, on three retreat days, we’ll come back together for a workshop designed to deepen your understanding of the Ashtanga method. Together we’ll explore the principles behind the practice, answer questions, and build upon what you’ve experienced during your morning Mysore session.
As evening arrives, enjoy dinner, reflect on the day, and enjoy the conversations and friendships that naturally develop when a group of people spends a week practicing together.
Each day follows a familiar rhythm, creating the space to learn, recharge, and fully immerse yourself in both the practice and the experience.
The retreat is more than six separate yoga classes. Each day has the opportunity to build upon the one before it.
Every morning begins with traditional Mysore-style practice in the Alden Hotel’s dedicated yoga room. You’ll move through your practice at your own pace while receiving individualized guidance based on your body, your experience, and what you need that day.
Across six mornings, questions have time to emerge, refinements can be revisited, and understanding develops through repetition rather than pressure.
On three afternoons, we’ll gather for workshops that explore the principles behind the practice. These sessions will be practical, conversational, and directly connected to the work happening in the Mysore room—giving you time to ask questions, understand the why behind the method, and return to your morning practice with new tools.
The Alden Hotel is more than where we’ll stay—it’s where our retreat unfolds.
Chosen for its beautiful yoga room, warm hospitality, and peaceful setting, it provides the perfect place to practice, rest, and experience the beauty of Cappadocia.
Throughout the week, this will be our home—a place to gather each morning, unwind after our adventures, and share the experience together.
One of the greatest joys of retreat is having the freedom to experience Cappadocia in your own way.
Whether you’ve always dreamed of floating above the valleys in a sunrise hot air balloon, hiking among ancient rock formations, exploring underground cities, wandering historic villages, relaxing in a traditional Turkish bath, or simply lingering over Turkish coffee with new friends, unforgettable experiences await just beyond the yoga shala.
Some students spend every free afternoon exploring. Others choose to slow down, enjoy the hotel, read a book, schedule a spa treatment, or simply take in the extraordinary landscape.
There is no right way to experience retreat. Create the week that feels right for you.
One of the most meaningful parts of every retreat isn’t something you can schedule. It’s the community that naturally forms along the way.
There’s something special about sharing morning practice, lingering over breakfast, exploring a new place together, and ending the day around a dinner table filled with conversation and laughter. Those everyday moments often become the memories people talk about long after the retreat has ended.
Our retreats bring together students from different backgrounds, different cities, and often different countries, all connected by a shared love of Ashtanga Yoga. Some are attending their very first retreat, while others return year after year. By the end of the week, those differences tend to disappear as everyone settles into the same rhythm of practice, learning, and exploration.
There is no expectation to be outgoing or to know anyone before you arrive. One of the beautiful things about retreat is how naturally friendships develop when people spend their days practicing, learning, and sharing new experiences together.
Many students arrive on their own. Very few leave feeling like they did.
Everything has been thoughtfully planned so you can spend your week focused on your practice, connecting with an incredible community, and experiencing the beauty of Cappadocia.
Travel insurance is strongly encouraged to protect against unexpected cancellations, delays, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances.
If Cappadocia has been calling to you, we’d love to have you join us.
Retreat spaces are intentionally limited to create a more personal learning environment where every student receives individualized instruction throughout the week.
Choose the reservation option that works best for you.
A non-refundable deposit reserves your place on the retreat. The remaining balance may be paid through scheduled installments, and a personalized payment schedule will be provided after registration.
Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the retreat reaches capacity, a waitlist will be started.
All major credit cards and other secure online payment methods are accepted through the Glofox registration system.
All deposits are non-refundable. Any refund after final payment depends on whether the costs associated with your reservation can be recovered.
Comprehensive travel insurance with cancellation and interruption coverage is strongly recommended.
This retreat is open to anyone who wants to enjoy a yoga getaway. Whether you are a longtime Ashtanga Yoga practitioner, transitioning into Mysore-style practice, or a complete beginner, we welcome you to share this incredible week with us in Cappadocia.
If you’re unsure whether the retreat is the right fit for you, we would be happy to speak with you before you register. Email Alisia at [email protected].
No. While many participants already practice Mysore style, students who are newer to the method are welcome. Because instruction is individualized, everyone practices at their own pace and receives guidance appropriate for their experience.
Daily breakfast and the Welcome Dinner & Orientation are included in the retreat price. All other lunches and dinners are not included, giving you the flexibility to explore local restaurants or choose the meals that work best for you.
Cappadocia is served by Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV) and Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR). Nevşehir is closest to the hotel, while Kayseri offers a larger selection of flights. Most international travelers connect through Istanbul. Guests are responsible for arranging their flights and transportation to and from the retreat.
Transportation to and from the hotel is not included. The Alden Hotel can assist guests with arranging airport transfers from either Nevşehir (NAV) or Kayseri (ASR) before arrival.
Absolutely. If your spouse or partner would like to attend the retreat, they are welcome to register. If they are traveling with you but not participating, please contact me before registering so we can discuss accommodation options.
Absolutely. You’re welcome to extend your stay in Cappadocia or continue exploring Turkey before or after the retreat. You’ll be responsible for arranging any additional travel and accommodations.
Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance that covers cancellations, delays, medical emergencies, and lost luggage is strongly recommended. International travel always carries unexpected variables, and travel insurance provides valuable peace of mind.
Bring comfortable yoga clothing, layers for cooler mornings and evenings, supportive walking shoes, and clothing suitable for sightseeing. You may also want swimwear for the hotel’s spa or wellness facilities. Please check the forecast and your airline’s baggage requirements before traveling.
Yes. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
All deposits are non-refundable. You may transfer your reservation to another participant with prior approval.
If you cancel after making your final payment, any refund will depend on whether we are able to recover the costs associated with your reservation. If your space is filled or those costs are otherwise recovered, we will refund the recoverable portion, less the non-refundable deposit.
More than twenty-three years ago, I stepped onto an Ashtanga Yoga mat for the first time. I had no idea then how profoundly the practice would shape my life—not only as a teacher, but as a student.
That journey has taken me back to Mysore, India, many times to study the traditional method with my teachers. Each visit has deepened my appreciation for the simplicity of the practice and reminded me that meaningful progress comes not from rushing toward more difficult postures, but from returning to the fundamentals with greater understanding.
Today, my greatest joy as a teacher is helping students discover those same moments of understanding. My goal isn’t simply to teach you what to do next, but to help you understand why you’re practicing. Every student arrives with a different body, a different history, and different goals, and I strive to meet each person where they are with thoughtful, individualized guidance.
Leading retreats has become one of my favorite ways to teach because it gives us something that’s difficult to create in everyday life: uninterrupted time. Time to practice. Time to ask questions. Time to slow down, connect with one another, and allow understanding to deepen naturally over the course of a week.
Whether this is your first retreat or your tenth, I would be honored to share this experience with you and welcome you to Cappadocia.
I hope you’ll join us.
A retreat is more than a week away from home.
It’s an opportunity to step outside your daily routine and give yourself the time to practice with intention, learn with curiosity, explore an extraordinary part of the world, and connect with a community of people who share your love of Ashtanga Yoga.
I hope you’ll leave Cappadocia with more than beautiful photographs and unforgettable memories. I hope you’ll return home with a deeper understanding of your practice, greater confidence in yourself, lasting friendships, and the inspiration that comes from dedicating an entire week to learning, growing, and simply being present.
Questions before registering? Contact The Yoga Shala.
The Yoga Shala is a body movement studio with a specialized approach, customizing each client's class experience, based on their goals and needs. Our goal is to foster a lighthearted, non-dogmatic, warm and encouraging environment.
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