RECONNECT, RESTORE, RENEW

Join us in November 2024 for another transformational spiritual journeys into the birthplace of Vodun and discover its people, rich histories, and spiritual heritage. The retreat is curated around deep rest and will begin with 3 full days focusing on collective napping and spirituality workshop by an Orisa Priestess on Ifa cosmology, a visit to Ouidah, a serene and spiritually-charged coastal town in the south of Benin. The retreat will be based in Cotonou, the capital of Benin, and a visit to zangeto ceremony in Grand-Popo generously shared by the community, followed by a visit to Ganvie, one of the largest lake towns in Africa. We will meditate on the Black River Adjarra followed by a tour in Porto Novo. As the retreat progresses, we enter Abomey, the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Dahomey, home of the legendary Mino, the Dahomey Amazons. Our journey culminates in Cotonou, where we will integrate all the teachings and wisdom learned throughout the retreat and welcome our renewed and joyful selves.

Dates: 11-20 November 2024.

Price: Option 1: 4888 Euros - shared double room (2 pax)
Option 2: 6868 Euros - for single room (1 pax)

Deposit: 888 Euros (this deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable)

JOYFUL INVESTMENT

The investment for Reconnect, Restore & Renew retreat is €4888. If you bring a friend along, you each receive a €100 discount.

If you want a single room, your investment is €6868.

Once you make the €888 deposit, which symbolises your willingness and desire to attend the retreat, we will send you a retreat brochure and an intentionality questionnaire, asking you to fill in some details about yourself, and most importantly, what you are hoping to explore in and receive from the retreat. After that, we will arrange a call to get to know you a little more, as well as discuss all logistical questions that might not have been addressed, as we ready ourselves to receive and host you.

There are only 8 spots available for this retreat, so make sure to register in advance as the spots get filled quickly.

A monthly payment plan is available and will be shared soon but in the meantime, you can secure your spot by paying the deposit.

The full payment must be completed by August 2024 for the retreat in November 2024.

Cancellation and Payment Policy

The €888 deposit is paid by each participant, even those receiving the friend discount on the total, to reserve your spot. It goes towards the total payment.
The deposit is non-refundable or transferable.

Secure my spot

MEET YOUR RETREAT GUIDES

**Adéolá Naomi Adérèmí** is the founder of Ayo Retreats, a Yorùbá-Greek raised in Niger, Nigeria, and Greece and is currently living between West Africa and Western Europe. She is a multilingual, multi-local and multi-format creative, scholar, policy analyst, and healer. Her work and activism focus on the intersection of social justice, health, Black feminism, class, and race. She is a passionate advocate on issues concerning Gender-Based Violence, human trafficking, gender equality, women's health and equal representation for voices of women of African descent in the media.

**Iyalorisa Omítonàdé Ifáwèmímo** is an Orisa priestess and has made it her life's work to teach and preserve the African traditional religion. Omítonàdé Ifáwemímo proudly identifies as an African traditionalist and a custodian and priestess of Yemoja, the Yorùbá water deity. She is a healer, spiritual guardian, and counselor. She was born and raised in Ibadan, her ancestral land, and Adéolá’s ancestral land, her upbringing was rooted in Yorùbá Òrìsà Ìṣẹ̀ṣe. She is Adéolá’s spiritual mother (Iya) and teacher. Iya Omotonade studied economics at the Obafemi Awolowo University in ile ife before devoting her life to the spiritual renaissance of all Yoruba people through the teaching of Yorùbá Òrìsà Ìṣẹ̀ṣe to the youth of her generations and reconnecting us all to our ancestral practices and technologies.

10-day retreat in Nov 2024

- 10 nights and 11 days accommodation: There will be several room options in our beautiful selected homes for the retreat. WiFi will be available.
- Airport transfers: We will pick you up and dropping you off from and to Cotonou airport on arrival and departure days.
- All in-country transportation: Private vehicles will be available throughout the retreat for our various activities.
- Two Daily meals: Delicious local meals for an extraordinary culinary experience. Dietary requirements are taken into consideration.
- 3 days of deep rest: During the retreat, 3 full days will be dedicated to deep rest with collective napping and meditation.
- Mindfulness practices: The early morning starts with guided meditation, yoga, and pranayama (breathwork).
- Yoga mats: We will be providing yoga mats during our mindful practices.
- A study session: A curated study session focusing on African literary works that explore spirituality will be held. The books and other materials will be provided.
- Herbs and essential oils for workshop: A sensory workshop to deepens our connect with our senses and bodies.
- Entry to all historical and cultural sites selected for the retreat: We will immerse ourselves into the historical and cultural heritage of Benin in order to have a better understanding of the country and embrace the richness of Benin and its people.
- Gift bag: You will be given a special offering as a token of appreciation and gratitude.
- Visa for entry into Benin: Each participant is responsible for all the paperworks (incl. COVID requirements) needed to be granted access in to Beninese territory. We will assist where possible.
- Ifa appeasement, initiation, consultation: We are not offering any Ifa activities during the retreat. We acknowledge the potency and seriousness of African spiritual traditions and prefer leaving the choice to the participant who is ready to travel this path.
- Round trip to Benin: Each participant is responsible for their air fare.
- Travel insurance and medical care: Each participant is responsible to insure their air fare, belongings and anything that is necessary to insure a pleasant and stress-free retreat. We will do our best to assit where possible.
- Any additional activities which are not part of the retreat & souvenirs: We do not offer stipend for the retreat, each participant is responsible for their own finances. However, we would offer guidance for money exchange.
- Tips & gratuities: This is left to your discretion.
- SIM card and airtime: We do not offer these options but we will happy to assit with getting this sorted out.