Ashtanga yoga Retreat "Into the wild Bulgaria" with Marque Garaux and Zornitsa Zaykova 2025
Ashtanga yoga Retreat
“Into the wild Bulgaria”
21-29 June 2025
With Marque GAraux and Zornitsa Zaykova
Gudevitsa, Bulgaria
Marque Garaux is back to Bulgaria!
We invite you with great excitement and joy to a mountain adventure with Marque Garaux and Zornitsa Zaykova!
⛰️We will combine intensive Ashtanga yoga practices, workshops and sessions on pranayama, meditation and philosophy with activities in nature! We will be in the wild! We will wander in the forest, we will light a campfire, around which we will gather in the evening for sharing and singing, we will climb, we will meet deer on the mountain paths…
We will deepen our personal yoga practice and connection with nature!
It is an extraordinary opportunity for all of us to share this time with Marque!


🏡 Where?
Bulgaria, Gudevitsa village, Training Center “Nature School”
In the divine Rhodope mountain, where mystery and reality meet, we enrich the process of personal development and learning inspired by nature!
“Nature school” is located among breathtaking views in a building more than 100 years old, the old school in nearly abandoned village Gudevica, surrounded by
beautiful nature, high in the Rhodopy Mountains. The center is dedicated to sustainable development and the connection with nature. It has an accommodation house built of wood, stone and clay, a spacious practice hall and a close-knit community spirit. This flexible environment in which you can lie, play, sing and laugh during the program is unique and activates all the senses. And through the windows, the mountains and forests peek out!
There are a lot of nature phenomenon around: Springs of Arda River, Uhlovica and
Golubovica caves, Peak Kom and also natural reserves. Today in the village lives only 18 people.
The place is VERY RURAL AND REMOTE.
So you have to be prepared to live very close to the nature, in a small community very far from the city civilization!!!! It will be perfect if you like outdoors and country life.


🧘Who is Mark Garaux?
Marque Garaux, a US Marine Veteran, long time rock climber and overall outdoor enthusiast, discovered Ashtanga Yoga while seeking different ways to alleviate his lower back pain. After noticing an almost immediate physical change, Marque then slowly began to see other positive changes happening in his life as well. With no Ashtanga teachers in the area, he found himself with no choice but to get up early and go through it at home each day. During this time Marque also attended a 200 hour teacher training and several Ashtanga workshops and intensives to deepen his understanding of this beautiful system.
In the fall of 2014 Marque decided to follow in the footsteps of the teachers that he most respected and applied for study at the K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute (KPJAYI). Marque was accepted and spent the first 2 months of 2015 in Mysore, India learning under the guidance of R. Sharath Jois. Having found a true teacher in Sharath Marque committed himself to yearly return trips and received the blessing as an Authorized Level 2 teacher on December 12th, 2017 during his morning practice. Marque’s admiration and respect for Sharath was so strong that there was no question that these trips were a must in order to continue learning, further building the teacher/student relationship, and deepening the connection to self. In December 2023 and January 2024 Marque spent 2 more unforgettable months in Mysore, sadly just about 9 months before Sharath’s untimely passing.
Marque’s journey with ashtanga yoga will not end here. Rather the real work of continuing this tradition is truly just beginning. You can find Marque teaching workshops throughout the US and Europe as well as online and some small classes in the woods in Northeast Ohio.


🗓️When?
21 – 29 June 2025
Check-in: 22.06. (Saturday) during the day. The program starts after 18:00
Check out: 30.06 (Sunday) till 12:00
🔥What practices will be included?
Daily Ashtanga Yoga Practice Mysore Style
Led class Full Primary
Workshops
Chanting
Philosophy classes
Breathing and meditative practices, creative activities, group games
Hiking
✅The practices are also suitable for absolute beginners! No yoga experience necessary!


🚙✈️The transport costs are not included. There are cheap flights fo Sofia, Bulgaria. We will help you with the transport from the airport and we will organise a shared trip to Gudevitsa. We can also help you with a place to stay in Sofia if needed.
💸How much will it cost?
Early registration until 28.02: 720 EUR
Standard price from 01.03: 770 EUR
For the community of Tristana Ashtanga yoga Sofia there is a discount from 150 EUR.
The free spots for the event are limited.
⚠️Link for registration:
https://forms.gle/nrJDWJRhS5qqGswQ9
✉️For additional information about terms, conditions and registration, contact us by private message or by email at tristanayoga@yahoo.com.







