LINES OF BREATH

Yoga & Writing holiday in Andalucía, 4-10 May 2026

with Mary Jo Thompson and Liz Nilsson

Breathe. Move. Write. Reconnect.

Escape to the tranquil hills of Andalucía for an inspiring six-night retreat where yoga meets creative writing. As spring turns to summer, awaken your writing voice, deepen your yoga practice, and step into a space where inspiration flows and creativity blooms.

Join Mary Jo and Liz for a six-night retreat at Almond Hill House, a secluded farmhouse retreat center with breathtaking views of the Alpujarra Valley, 1.5 hours from Malaga Airport.

From the welcome dinner on Monday, May 4, 2026, to the final brunch on Sunday, May 10, you'll reconnect with your breath, your body, and your story in the company of a small like-minded group. Throughout the retreat, you'll be nourished with delicious, chef-prepared vegetarian meals.

Expect to return home with lighter breath, greater strength, and a toolkit of writing practices to help transform life experiences into poems, stories, and lyrics.

The mornings are dedicated to yoga and structured writing exercises, while the afternoon is self directed.

Does this sound exciting?

Could this be a retreat for you?

Well, then continue to read below.

Almond Hill House

Tucked into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Almond Hill House is a peaceful retreat owned by a mother and daughter team. Surrounded by almond trees and olive groves, it offers sweeping views of the Alpujarra valley. From the house, you can wander small walking paths, take a dip in the lovely outdoor pool, book a massage, or simply sit and soak in the stillness. About a 35-minute stroll away, the town of Órgiva offers a glimpse into local life, featuring cafés, small shops, and everyday essentials. Along with farmhouse charm, the fabulous grounds, pool, as well as indoor and outdoor living spaces, Almond Hill provides modern amenities like fast WiFi, AC, heat, and a cozy fireplace. (https://almondhillhouse.com)

Yoga with Liz

Each day begins with a gentle 90-minute yoga practice held outdoors, where the fresh mountain air invites you to arrive fully in your body. With the breath as a guiding thread, the sessions blend mindful movement and yoga asanas to build strength, increase mobility, and nurture a sense of inner calm and confidence. Each practice will be adapted to the group and to each individual’s needs. After morning practice, enjoy a colourful, nourishing breakfast to ground and energise you for the day ahead. In the evenings, we slow down with meditation and restorative yoga—an opportunity to unwind, reset the nervous system, and integrate the day with presence and ease.

Writing with Mary Jo

A playful and engaging two-hour writing session takes place each morning after breakfast. Mary Jo will lead a writing warmup, reading, and discussion, and then introduce an exercise and writer’s tool to try. You'll learn to tune into the images, emotions, and sensations held in your body and begin to translate them onto the page. Whether you’re drawn to poetry, journaling, storytelling, or song, Mary Jo will help you find your voice and build confidence in your creative expression. Further personal writing can be practiced in the afternoon, when it is also possible to have conference on a work-in-progress with Mary Jo. There is also a short journaling session after each morning yoga class and a sharing session of your work after dinner.

What’s the Connection Between Yoga and Writing?

Both yoga and writing are all about breath and the body. Your breathing body contains stories waiting to be told.

Both yoga and writing use metaphors and images—like "happy baby" or "child’s pose."

They help us and our bodies stay in the present moment.

They create a space where we can enter a flow state, with permission and support.

Both are more enjoyable with regular practice. (And, they have a way of coming back to you if you haven't done them in a while.)

They heighten our senses, including proprioception, also known as "mind’s eye," which allows us to understand our body's position and actions in space and time.

During the retreat, both yoga and writing are offered in a non-intimidating way. Every effort is a good effort.

Accommodation and Pricing

Holiday price: €1250 -€1400. Price vary depending on your chosen room

The price includes: 6 nights accommodation and full board ( three meals per day ) daily yoga classes, daily writing workshops, and daily group sharing sessions. Each participant may also schedule a feedback session on their individual writing during the week.

Flights, airport transfers, and massage sessions are not included.

At time of booking we will ask you for a €300 deposit to secure your place.

Rooms:

There are two small private rooms and three twin rooms for two people to share. Please contact us for more info about each room + price.

Reservations and room assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

Almond Hill House accommodates 8 people + facilitators.

Travel Logistics & Flights

When making your travel arrangements, please plan to arrive at Almond Hill House on Monday May 4th between 15.00-17.00. Almond Hill House is located about ninety minutes from the Malaga International Airport. Transfers are not included in your fee. We can help you arrange them, however. Almond House has a team of professional drivers with a variety of vehicles available to pick up and drop off guests.

On your departure day from Almond Hill House, allow 4 hours to travel to the airport. .

Recommended Flight

If you’re coming from Dublin, this flight to Malaga is optimal: Monday 4th May: Aerlingus 08.50 - landing in Malaga 12.55

This could be the start of your own longer retreat:

Before or after our week together, feel free to extend your stay and explore more of Andalucía and Granada’s attractions independently. We can provide informational resources if you need taxis, routes, or local knowledge about available experiences.

A typical Day on the retreat

07.30 The day begins in silence. Tea and fruit are available before class.

08.00 Liz leads a 90-minute yoga session.

09.30 Journalling: Short prompt for writing, 20 min.

10.00 Breakfast

11:30 Mary Jo leads writing session, 120-180 min.

14.00 Light lunch, followed by free time to siesta, continue writing, sketch, read, walk, or

conference on a work-in-progress with Mary Jo. Help yourself to tea.

18:30 Dinner

19.30 Sharing of pieces in progress.

21.00 Meditation and reflections.

22.00 Bedtime

About Mary Jo

Poet and veteran teacher, author of Stunt Heart (Backwaters Press, 2017), Mary Jo, is fascinated with how things mean. In her workshops you’ll practice capturing images and sensations from life and transform them into poetry and prose. Bring a project idea and expect to come away with a toolkit of writers’ strategies for transferring your experiences onto the page in poetry and prose. Mary Jo speaks conversational Spanish.

Mary Jo lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

About Liz

With over 30 years of experience as both an artist and a yoga practitioner, Liz brings creativity and mindful energy to her teaching. She grounds her approach in slow alignment centred Hatha yoga. Asanas are held for several breaths, and transitions are made with attention. Props are often used to help each individual find the most beneficial position in each asana. For Liz, breath awareness is central.

Liz lives in Dublin, Ireland and Beddingstrand, Sweden

Can you resist? Is this a holiday for you?

Contact us as soon as possible if you are interested in this special experience, as there are only eight places available. Click on the yellow button below to get more information about the rooms and prices.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Andalucía and Almond Hill House for a memorable and inspiring week, one that leaves you feeling renewed and creatively recharged. Our wish is that you’ll return home not only with beautiful memories, but with tools and practices to support both your yoga and writing.

You can contact us directly with questions.

Mary Jo: mjthompso@gmail.com (WEB: www.maryjothompson.com)

Liz: liz@lizinspires.com (WEB. www.lizinspires.com)

Welcome! We hope to see you at Almond Hill House.

Mary Jo and Liz

Yoga & Culture

Holiday in Kerala,

This trip is unfortunately fully booked.

South India, January 2026.

Experience colourful India in a friendly group setting.

I am thrilled to once again be able to invite my wider Yoga Community to an enlivening winter journey to Kerala — a place with rich traditions of yoga and ayurveda, beaches with golden sand and serene backwaters where time moves slowly. 

Arrive in Kerala on the 24th January 2026

8 nights by the sea + 5 nights extension to the city of Kochi

This unique holiday combines daily yoga and meditation with the chance to explore South India’s vibrant culture, cuisine, hospitality and natural beauty. 

Have you been dreaming of a trip to India but feel overwhelmed to organise it on your own? Are you someone who likes yoga, new cultures and spending time with like-minded travellers in a relaxed and supportive environment. Then this trip may be for you...

After your flight and arrival to Trivrandom airport, you will be picked and transferred to our yoga hotel by the sea. For nine nights, we will base ourselves in a fishing village called Odayam and stay in a small yoga hotel only 150 metres from the ocean.

During your morning yoga practice you hear unusual birds and sounds from the sea and feel the warm air against your skin. It is bliss!  After the 90 min morning practice led by a wonderful Indian yoga teacher, you will be served a traditional Keralan breakfast on the large roof balcony with view of the sea. A wonderful way to start the day.

During the days you are free to explore the surrounding area; take a walk to Varkala Cliff with craft shops and cafes, enjoy Ayurvedic massages and other treatments or just rest with a book in the shade on the beach or on the shared terrace of our accommodation .

Just before sunset we gather in the Yoga Shala for a workshop led by Liz with meditation, pranayama or asana practice. Some evenings we will all eat together, on others you are free to explore one of the many restaurants nearby. 

The trip also offers a few excursion trips to the beautiful Keralan countryside as well as an afternoon with a Cooking workshop.

Extension to Kochi: 

The trip offers an optional 5 day extension to Kochi, home of the spice trade and this year also the exciting Kochi International Art Bienale. (A bit like the Venice Bienale, but much smaller).

We take the train from Varkala to Kochi and will stay in my favorite heritage boutique hotel. Yoga is of offered every morning by an Indian teacher.

The days in Kochi are self-directed, with no organised activities after yoga and breakfast. We are of course very happy to help with suggestions of where to shop, excursions, guided tours, cooking classes and places to eat. You can wander Kochi’s winding streets lined with colourful shops filled with fabrics, spices and other interesting artefacts and stop for a cup of chai in one of the many cafes.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Small group of total 14-15 people.

• Unwind with daily on-site yoga & meditation.

• Enjoy free time on the long sandy beaches where you can take a swim in the warm Indian Ocean and watch the local fishermen bringing in their catch of the day.

• Visit to the back-waters for a boat trip and swim.

• Explore the nearby village of Varkala with craft shops, cafes and local restaurants.

• Introduction to Ayurvedic medicine and access to Ayurvedic treatments and massage.

• Nurture the body as well as the mind with delicious vegetarian Keralan food.

• Experience train travelling in India.

• Possibility to Visit the Cochin Art bienale.

• Wander Kochi’s winding streets lined with colourful shops filled with fabrics, spices and other interesting artefacts.

Would you like more information, prices and dates?

Email me by pressing the button below and I will send you an info back.

Welcome to your yoga and winter-sun holiday in Kerala.

I am looking forward to hear from you.

Liz

“The Yoga holiday was very well thought out in advance by Liz, and was ably assisted by Brian. Both made every aspect of the trip go smoothly, and the initial welcome at the First Place engendered a great spirit and enthusiasm for what was to follow.

It was very helpful that Liz and Brian knew the location, the shops, nearby towns, and also that they organised the day long trips, and the train travel to Kochi from Varkala, making it all seamless for us.

We really enjoyed this well tailored yoga holiday to Kerala.”

Previous holidays that might come again….

Morocco Yoga and Culture Holiday 27March - 5th April 2025 - Sorry now fully booked

Discover the vibrant colors, rich history, and serene landscapes of Morocco on a 9-night yoga and culture holiday. Begin with three nights in the bustling city of Marrakesh where we will stay in a traditional Riad in the Medina. 

You’ll immerse yourself in a vibrant blend of ancient traditions and modern energy. Continue your journey to a peaceful, rural retreat outside Essaouira, where yoga and mindfulness meet Morocco’s natural beauty.

3 nights in Marrakesh

6 nights in a rural Yoga retreat near Essaouira

This holiday offers a balance of adventure, cultural immersion, and rejuvenation.

Experience Morocco’s unique blend of wellness, warmth, and wonder

Immerse yourself in the vibrant colours and heady smells of spices on this Moroccan adventure. Spend three nights in bustling Marrakech, where the scent of fresh tagine and the sight of sumptuous textiles fills the air. Our home will be in a traditional Riad in the Medina where we will enjoy daily morning yoga sessions designed to ground and help us relax into the rhythm of Moroccan life. You will wander through souks bursting with colour and life, take in the beauty of traditional craftsmanship and sip peppermint teas in small cafes.

After three nights in Marrakesh we transfer to the Moroccan countryside just outside Essouria for six nights of peaceful yoga practice on the terrace of our private Riad. During the day there will be walks and trips to explore the neighbourhood and one of the days we will learn how to cook Moroccan Tagine. Here we will have two yoga classes each day including meditation and journaling.

Join me for Journey of Wellness, Discovery & Connection

THE FACTS.

DATES:

27 th March - 5 th April 2025

9 nights accommodation in shared twin room

9 breakfast, 6 dinners, 5 Lunches

Transfer from airport to accommodation in Marrakesh, transfer from Marrakesh to Riad Dar Zitoon. Transfer to airport on our return. 

Yoga / meditation session: every day (13 sessions in total)  

Cultural activities as described, including walks and cooking class. 

NOT IN CLUDED: Flights, Hammam visit and Massages

Does this sound like something that you would like to take part in?

Click on the button below to send Liz an email and receive a pdf with full description of the holiday.

If you are ready to reserve your space click on the botton below saying I want to BOOK

Don’t hesitate- there are only a limited amount of places.

Sunday Afternoon Bliss - a half day Retreat

-Away from it all only 30 min away Dublin city Centre

• dates to be confirmed — Next one-day retreat will be in the Autumn of 2025.

‘‘A wonderful afternoon of rest and nourishment for the body, heart and soul.’’

It is time that you give your self some time, love and care!

Join me for a blissful Sunday Afternoon Retreat in the the lovely Mutton Lane studio, tucked away in the low mountains in Wicklow and only 30 min from Dublin city centre. The place is a little piece of haven.

These afternoon retreats takes place 4 -6 times /year, one for every season.

The day will include:

Yoga Practice: We will slowly move from asana to asana while staying in-tune with our breath.

Pranayama: Breath exercises that will help us too slow down our busy minds.

Reflection time in Silence: Some space for you to write or just contemplate life.

Lunch: Vegetarian three course lunch.

Yoga Nidra relaxation: Also called Yogic sleep, a deep relaxation and led meditation.

Next Sunday Afternoon Bliss’s are planned for 24th March & 12th May 2024 at Mutton Lane Studio, Rathfarnham.

I am taking a break from this retreat this summer. back 2026.

Yoga, Culture and Creativity
Sweden in June/July

A WEEK-LONG RETREAT IN THE SOUTH OF SWEDEN.

This is the ultimate way to relax, get Scandinavian inspiration and meet like minded people.

Imagine a week of yoga, walks, creative explorations and cultural influence in my special paradise, the seaside village of Beddingestrand on the south coast of Sweden.

I invite you to share my summer house by the sea.

Kerala, South India, January 2026.

Yoga, Culture and Creativity,  -

A trip of a life time!  20 th january - 1st February 2025

Please email me if you want to be put on a list for this lovely adventure 2026.

Join me for a trip to the paradise of Kerala!

Have you been dreaming of a trip to India but feel overwhelmed to organise it on your own ? Are you a person that likes yoga, new cultures and spending time with like-minded travelers in a relaxed and supportive enviroment. 

Then this trip may be for you… email me if this speaks to you and I will tell you more!

I have been dreaming of organising this trip for a long time, as I love this part of India and would like to share the experience it with others.

Yoga and the practice of conscious breathing is an essential tool in developing mindfulness - and mindfulness is an essential tool for creative practice. When we are present in the moment, we feel calmer and we are more open to receiving inspiration that can feed our creativity. This is the basis for the pedagogy I have developed and which I use on my retreats.

Click through to the different retreats below to learn more.

I bring my Scandinavian aesthetic to every retreat, regardless of where it is. Retreats are open to participants from anywhere in the world.