Luxury New Year Yoga & Meditation Retreat

This New Year yoga and meditation retreat in Lanzarote, in Spain's Canary Islands, is led by yoga teacher Ladan Soltani and runs for five nights over the turn of the year. It suits beginners and experienced practitioners alike, including solo travellers who would like to meet people and start the year in the sun. Days begin with Hatha and Ashtanga-influenced yoga and close with yin yoga, yoga nidra, breathwork or guided meditation, with a cacao ceremony on New Year's Eve.

What to Expect

The retreat opens with check-in from 3pm and a welcome meal and group introductions at the villa by 7pm on the first evening. After that, each day follows a gentle rhythm:

- 9:00 to 10:30: yoga class
- 10:30 to 11:30: brunch
- 11:30 to 17:30: free time for the beach, a massage, private yoga or excursions
- 18:00 to 19:00: guided meditation, breathwork, yoga nidra or yin yoga
- 19:00: dinner
- 20:30: a sound healing session on one evening

Every session is optional, so you can join as much or as little as you like and spend the rest of the time resting.

New Year's Eve is the centre of the week. Guests share a dinner together, honouring the year behind them, and then gather for a cacao ceremony using ceremonial cacao, a quiet ritual for setting intentions for the year ahead.

Brunches are vegetarian and made with locally sourced ingredients by one of the island's plant-based chefs, who also runs a school for healthy eating. Vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free and dairy-free needs can all be catered for.

About Ladan Soltani

Ladan Soltani is a yoga, meditation and breathwork teacher and health and well-being coach based in Ealing, West London. She began her career in 1989 teaching studio fitness classes and working as a personal trainer, training clients and teaching at many of London's health clubs. She later studied weight-loss NLP, hypnotherapy and time-line therapy. After some 30 years of teaching she leads yoga and wellness retreats in the Canary Islands and the UK, runs an online membership and teaches corporate wellbeing sessions, all under the name "meditation is my medication".

On this retreat she draws on training in Hatha and Ashtanga, blending styles into a rounded practice. She describes herself as an intuitive guide who tunes into the energy of the group, adjusting postures for individuals, offering modifications, and giving more demanding variations to those who want them.

The Villa and Island

The retreat takes place at The Villa, set on a 6,000 square metre plot in Lanzarote. The house has been recently renovated, and its bedrooms are en-suite, modern and tastefully decorated. Towels and hairdryers are provided. The grounds include a heated swimming pool, a tennis court, gardens, and an experience room with sunrise and sunset views. There is free parking, WiFi, and a kitchen with teas and coffee. Yoga mats, blankets and props are supplied.

Room options are a triple room, a shared twin or double, a single-occupancy double, and a rustic self-contained one-bedroom apartment with limited availability. Ladan can help pair solo travellers who wish to share a room.

Lanzarote is a volcanic island. Timanfaya National Park, the lava caves of Cueva de los Verdes and the green lake at El Golfo are all within reach, and the beaches at Puerto del Carmen and the town of Tías are 8 to 10 minutes away by taxi. Snorkelling, surfing, cycling, horse riding and hiking are available on the island.

Before You Go

Lanzarote Airport (ACE) is about 10 minutes from the villa by taxi. Before the retreat, Ladan sets up a group chat so guests can share taxis or cars if they wish.

Included are daily morning yoga, daily guided meditation, evening yin and yoga nidra practice, the New Year's Eve cacao ceremony, brunch and evening meals, a sound healing session and five nights of accommodation. Flights, transfers and massages are not included, nor is an optional extra night before or after. One-to-one yoga and coaching sessions are also available. Guests are responsible for their own comprehensive travel insurance.