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Yoga With Rumi
Konya, Turkey
May 19-25, 2026
Compassionate embodiment with yoga, Zikr & poetry in the Ka’aba of Lovers
“What if the body is not a cage but the home we’re meant to return to? And, what if the key to seeking up is in grounding down?”
Konya is an enchanting place with undeniable beauty.
Exquisite mosques, mausoleums, monuments, and museums attest to endless layers of culture and civilization but, for those inspired by Mawlana Rumi’s message of divine love, Konya’s real appeal—its magic!—is the Rose Garden.
For 6 nights we’ll take up residence in a boutique hotel directly overlooking the Rose Garden and delve into a bottom-up approach to wellbeing, self-enquiry, and spirituality.
Guided and independent practices will invite you to slow down, ground, and inhabit the body with compassionate awareness as we discuss and explore what it means to make the body a home, live from the heart, and learn to foster intimacy and safety in your relationship with you.
In a word, Yoga With Rumi is an embodied experience that invites you to come home to yourself with presence and compassion.
“What is the body? That shadow of a shadow of your love, that somehow contains the entire universe.”
—Mawlana Rumi
The practice is comprised of an experiential component—which is to say, the time we take actually relating to the body, breath, and heart—and an educational one to empower you with an understanding of your nervous system and how to negotiate a felt-sense of safety so you can continue holding space for yourself. Following are the core elements of this practice:
Hatha Yoga
Our daily yoga class is, above all else, approachable.
We start with grounding exercises from a seated position before mindfully building up. It’s an opportunity to slow things down, turn inwardly, ground, celebrate your breath, feel your strength, and relate to your body with loving-kindness.
The sequence emphasizes right-breathing, alignment and intentional rest. And, sometimes, I weave in a poem or Zikr.
Rest assured that the practice is rich but simple and suitable for all levels including absolute beginners.
Somatics
Somatic means that which is “of or related to the body.” This includes invitations to notice what’s happening in your body, relate to qualities you may be craving (e.g. lightness, safety or ease), practice containment, and support your nervous system’s innate capacity for self-regulation.
These pauses to check-in or feel and invitations to be curious pop-up beyond scheduled sessions; we bring them along on outings, play with them at the park and, sometimes, even make use of them while we wait for dinner.
Heart Practices
Beyond a vital organ and the chakra that goes with it, the heart is a sacred space we’ll look to connect with and seek guidance and inspiration from.
Heart practices include conversations around the themes in Mawlana Rumi’s poetry, recitation of Zikr, reflection exercises, guided meditations, cultivating compassion, and sharing in the presence of like-hearted humans (or what we call Sohba).
Alongside Zikr, we’ll work with sound and mantra to regulate and discharge the energies and emotions in our body.
“No monastery can provide sanctuary to the one running away from him [or her] self.”
—Wu Hsin
Konya
The Ka’aba of Lovers
The Rose Garden is the spiritual center of the city and the destination for millions who make their way to the Ka’aba of Lovers each year seeking inspiration and heart connections. We’ll meet some of them, count ourselves among them, and stay at the finest boutique hotel in town overlooking the Rose Garden and Rumi’s maqām, or resting place.
When we’re not in practice, we’ll visit the shrine, wander the medieval streets, and engage in sightseeing with intent as we uncover the beauty and mysticism of the town that once served as the seat of the Seljuk Empire. A favorite of every group I’ve brought to konya is the Sema, or whirling ceremony and, if we’re lucky, we’ll also get to meet Mawlana’s 22nd generation granddaughter who carries the mantle of his teachings.
“Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving. It doesn't matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times. Come, yet again, come, come.”
—Mawlana Rumi
Schedule (tentative)
7.45AM | Morning yoga
10.00AM | Breakfast
10.30AM | Free time
12.00PM | Daily walk / sightseeing with intent
2.00PM | Free time
3.00PM | Afternoon practice
5.00PM | Free time
6.00PM | Dinner
8.00PM | Poetry and/or Zikr circle
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
—Viktor E. Frankl
The Investment
Double room | €1,750
Single room | €2,200
✓ The first 5 bookings save 10% (valid until March 12)
✓✓ Refer a friend and save a further €150 each
What’s Included?
Just about everything!
6 nights at HICH Hotel
Breakfast each day & a couple of dinners
An unforgettable whirling ceremony (Sema)
Guided tour of Konya
Visits & meditations in special sites
Airport pick-up and drop-off
Tools, insight & support to empower your journey of wellbeing
An unforgettable experience in the Ka’aba of Lovers for a small group
About Me
I’m a seasoned yoga teacher, trauma therapist, and permaculture designer as well as a student of various wisdom traditions. My approach is founded in coming back to basics, which, for me, means looking to the body, breath, and nature as avenues for connection.
For the last 15 years, my life’s work has been to heal the chronic pain in my body, rewire my mind, ground my open heart, and grow my capacity to hold a safe and compassionate space for myself and others.
As a therapist and retreat facilitator, I look to inspire heart-centered humans who seek to slow down, be more present, regulated, safe, and purposeful in their existence. And, I empower them with the very tools and insight that have served me on my path.
I love this program as it combines key elements from my own journey and practice in a town that feels like home.
“I found the world to be woefully lacking in safe places. So, I became one.”
—J. Warren Welch
HICH Hotel
HICH Hotel is a multi-award winning boutique hotel comprised of 2 historic houses renovated to modern standards.
It’s comfortable, charming, located at the heart of Konya’s old town and overlooks Rumi’s Rose Garden.
HICH has just a handful of rooms including a select few with views of the Rose Garden and 2 suites available upon request.
A Seamless Experience
I plan and execute my Conscious Travel Experiences with plenty of care and attention to deliver seamless and nourishing experiences. Here’s some key info to help you make your travel plans and get the most out of the program:
Plan to arrive in Konya airport by 3PM on the first day, settle-in and then meet the group for dinner at 6PM
We conclude on the morning of the 25th.
If your circumstances permit, I recommend staying on in Konya to further integrate your experience and take in some more of the town’s magic.
In 2017, YWR drew a beautiful & diverse group of heart-centered humans from Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Paris & London.
Whirling ceremony captured by Meriam Smyej on retreat in 2022
Poetry circle overlooking the Rose Garden
Meeting Esin Çelebi, Rumi's 22nd generation granddaughter, in 2019
The minbar and mehrab at the Aladdin Mosque where Rumi gave the Friday sermon and led prayers.
A whirling ceremony is a wonder to witness. This shot was captured by Meriam Smyej, from Morocco, in 2019.
The Whirl captured by Meriam Smyej
A lesson in whirling given by a woman whirler, June 2019
"This is the Ka'aba of Lovers, whoever comes here broken leaves whole."
Sheikh or Dede presiding over the whirling ceremony (photo by Meriam S)
The year I took my Mother to Konya was a special one.
At the Mevlana Foundation in 2017
The first group I took to Konya in 2015
Plaque at Rumi's Maqqam
HICH Hotel, our home in Konya
Caligraphy workshop
Another poetry circle
Sema at the Mevlana Cultural Center
The Ka'aba of Lovers feels like home
“Look carefully around you and recognize the luminosity of souls. Sit beside those who draw you to that.”
—Mawlana Rumi
FAQ
Are flights included?
Flights are not included but I can put you in touch with my travel agent to assist you, if you like. Complimentary airport pickup and drop-off will be provided for all participants.
I’ve never done yoga. Is that OK?
Absolutely! My yoga classes are super approachable, as are all the practices I lead. Every retreat begins with a foundational class, I make a point to explain things clearly, and I always offer plenty of support to my students, as well as modifications for those who have injuries and/or health conditions. For more about my Hatha Yoga classes, check out this video.
Can I pay the program fees in a different currency?
Egyptians and residents of Egypt are welcome to pay half the program fees in EGP. The fees are, otherwise, requested in Euros.
I don’t live in Egypt. Can I still join?
Yes! This retreat draws heart-centered humans from all over the world and Konya’s easily-accessible by flight via Istanbul.
What about the visa?
Most nationalities can get the Turkish visa online.
Egyptians 20 to 45 years must apply for the Turkish visa in-person and obtain a permit from the Egyptian government to travel to Turkey.
How can I book my spot?
Please register here to get all the info as soon as it’s ready to be announced.
Do you offer a couples discount?
Yes, I offer a discount for nuclear family members and married couples sharing a room. After registering, please contact me via WhatsApp on +201211277710.
