“YOGA is a poetry of pearls, each containing a secret to silence, stillness and inner peace. Strung together, a circular dance of carefully choreographed moments unfolds. In our shared breath, each pearl is woven into a tapestry that grows the potential for unity and world peace.”
— Yogeswari
La Palmeraie Awakening
Jivamukti Yoga Retreat at La Palmeraie
October 22–26, 2025
Join us for La Palmeraie Awakening, a soulful five-day retreat at the serene La Palmeraie Polo Club in Rehouna, near Asilah, Morocco. Led by Yogeswari, a renowned Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher, and Jutta Ariane Mele-Maurer, co-founder of Jivamukti Yoga Rome, this retreat offers an immersive experience blending Jivamukti Yoga, meditation, and cultural exploration.
What to Expect
Open to both beginner and advanced yoga practitioners, the retreat includes:
Jivamukti Yoga Classes
Guided Meditation & Breathwork
Chanting & Motivational Readings
Ocean Swimming & Massage Therapy
Nature Walks & Folkloric Experiences
Presentations on the work of the AZAHAR Foundation
Accommodation and all delicious, locally inspired meals prepared by our artisanal cook
Enjoy daily sessions in a peaceful setting touched by the ocean breeze, with the warm hospitality and natural beauty of Morocco surrounding you.
MEET YOUR TEACHERS
MEET YOUR TEACHERS
Yogeswari
Jutta Ariane Mele-Maurer
Yogeswari
Jivamukti Yoga Teacher & Founder of AZAHAR Foundation
Yogeswari is one of the world’s most senior Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga teachers and the founder of the non-profit AZAHAR Foundation. With over two decades of experience as a choreographer and professional dancer, Yogeswari performed at renowned venues including the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Spoleto Festival. Yogeswari encountered Jivamukti Yoga in 1994 and quickly became immersed in the method’s blend of activism, spiritual teachings, mantra, and modern culture. She completed her teacher training in 1999 and has since taught globally, co-facilitated Jivamukti Teacher Trainings, mentored numerous advanced teachers, and supported the development of studios worldwide.
In 2007, Yogeswari founded the AZAHAR Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering a culture of peace through yoga, meditation, and the arts. AZAHAR’s primary work is focused in Cambodia and Rwanda. In partnership with Jivamukti Global and Foundation Radika, the organization has offered scholarships and training to yoga practitioners Cambodia, Rwanda, Ukraine, Lebanon, Syria, Colombia, and Ivory Coast.
Yogeswari continues to inspire countless students and teachers through her spiritual leadership, artistic roots, and commitment to service.
Jutta Ariane Mele-Maurer
Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher
Jutta Ariane Mele-Maurer is an Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher and the co-founder and director of Jivamukti Yoga Rome. She holds the distinction of being the first teacher in Italy to achieve Advanced Certification in the Jivamukti method, a milestone that reflects her deep dedication to yoga as both a spiritual path and a living practice.
Jutta has studied and practiced extensively across America, Asia, and Europe, bringing a global depth of knowledge to her teaching. Her classes are known for being physically vigorous, joyful, and playful, while remaining grounded in alignment, breath, and spiritual philosophy. Each session thoughtfully integrates scripture, mantra, and meditation, offering students a holistic experience that transcends the physical postures.
As an internationally respected teacher, Jutta regularly leads workshops, retreats, and trainings and is frequently invited as a guest teacher in Italy and abroad. She has worked closely with senior figures in the Jivamukti tradition, including Sharon Gannon, Yogeswari, and Ruth Lauer-Manenti. She teaches fluently in four languages, making her classes accessible and inspiring to a wide range of students.
Beyond the classroom, Jutta has played a foundational role in shaping the yoga community in Rome, mentoring teachers and helping establish several studios. From 2015 to 2019, she served as a facilitator for the Yoga Alliance Teacher Training, and between 2020 and 2022, she mentored students in the Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training and Teachers Refinement Course. In 2023, she facilitated the first 75-hour Jivamukti Training in Italy, and in 2024, she mentored the first hybrid 300-hour Jivamukti Teacher Training.
Jutta is celebrated for her deep insight, authenticity, and contagious enthusiasm. Her teaching continues to inspire a diverse community of students and teachers, inviting them into a transformative practice rooted in joy, compassion, and self-inquiry.
Choose Your Journey
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Shared Serenity
€2,500 – One person in a double room, shared with another guest (Ideal for friends or solo travelers open to sharing)
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Solo Bliss
€3,000 – One person in a private single room (For those who prefer privacy with comfort)
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Private Sanctuary
€4,000 – One person in a double room for single use (Maximum space and tranquility)
Reserve Your Spot
Spaces are limited to ensure a personalized experience.
📩 Contact: sundas.waheed@azaharfoundation.org
We look forward to welcoming you to this unforgettable journey of yoga, self-discovery, and Moroccan magic.
Need more clarity? Just ask
GIVING BACK
This retreat proudly supports the AZAHAR Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering peace and healing in post-conflict communities through education in yoga, mindfulness, and the arts.
Background and Mission
Founded by Yogeswari, a senior Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher, AZAHAR—meaning “orange blossom”—symbolizes new beginnings and the harmonious fusion of diverse cultures. The foundation envisions a global society where creativity, compassion, and community-building are the pillars of sustainable development. By integrating mind-body practices with creative expression, AZAHAR empowers individuals to embark on journeys of self-love, personal growth, and societal transformation.
Impact and Initiatives
Since its inception, AZAHAR has implemented numerous programs to cultivate a culture of peace:
Cambodia (established 2007): AZAHAR’s initiatives began by teaching yoga and offering supporting education to young people at the Kien Khleang Orphanage Center. The educational process evolved into annual Peace Camps, a comprehensive Peace Curriculum and a local Yoga Teacher Training. Since 2017, AZAHAR operates a Center for Peace, Yoga & Arts in Phnom Penh, where young graduates are supported in professionally practicing and improving their skills. In partnership with Jivamukti Global, one teacher per year receives a scholarship to attend the international 300-hour Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training in India.
Rwanda (initiated 2016): Collaborations with local NGOs have brought yoga and peace facilitation to genocide survivors and high school students, promoting healing and resilience. AZAHAR Rwanda operates a Community Hub in Kigali, where classes in Yoga and Chi Gong and Breath, Body, Mind practices are offered to the community free of charge.
Ukraine (since 2022): AZAHAR has engaged with the Ukrainian diaspora, offering online forums and planning in-person gatherings to support healing and self-care within the community.
Your Contribution
By participating in this retreat, you directly support AZAHAR’s ongoing efforts to empower individuals in post-conflict areas. Your involvement aids in providing access to transformative practices that foster inner peace and contribute to a more compassionate, interconnected world.
To learn more about AZAHAR Foundation’s mission and programs, visit azaharfoundation.org
