Behind the scenes of a Mandala retreat: preparation, team, and intention
Behind the magic felt during a Mandala Project retreat lies meticulous logistics. We take you behind the scenes to understand how every detail is considered: from venue selection to post‑retreat follow‑up. Nothing is left to chance. The goal is to create a safe, inspiring, and transformative environment.
Choosing a place that tells a story
Everything begins with the choice of location. We visit each villa, center, or ashram beforehand. We assess light, the quality of silence, and how nature surrounds the spaces. In Ibiza, we favor perched villas with sea views and a practice room flooded with light. In Kerala, we select retreats surrounded by plantations and close to certified Ayurvedic centers. We meet owners, taste the food, test the rooms. If a detail doesn’t resonate, we look elsewhere. This level of rigor ensures each participant feels welcomed from the moment they arrive.
Co‑creating the teaching team
Mandala Project is not a solo act. Around Mélanie revolves a circle of teachers, therapists, musicians, and chefs. Before each retreat, the team meets via video call to set a collective intention: what theme will guide the stay? What emotion do we want to support? We then define roles: who guides breathwork, who facilitates the women’s circle, who prepares sacred cacao, who holds space during integrations.
We work with local talents to minimize our carbon footprint and honor regional know‑how. In Ibiza, for example, we invite herbalists who know Mediterranean flora. In Kerala, we collaborate with Ayurvedic practitioners and Carnatic musicians.
Imagining the retreat rhythm
The program is built like a wave: times of intensity followed by calm moments. We alternate physical practices, introspective workshops, and free time. Each day begins with a morning ritual and ends with integration. We ensure that food, treatments, and activities respond to one another. If a morning is devoted to emotional release, the afternoon offers a sound bath or a soothing massage.
We also prepare a plan B for weather, a plan C if a team member falls ill, and a transport plan with buffers. This invisible structure allows the group to be carried.
Safety and welcome first
To ensure physical and emotional safety, each retreat has a support team: a logistics coordinator, a wellbeing reference, and local medical support in case of emergency. We collect food allergies, therapeutic contraindications, and specific needs in advance. All participants receive a complete guide with emergency number, address, and practical information.
On the day of arrival, we welcome each person individually. A non‑alcoholic cocktail, a scented towel, a gift kit (notebook, herbal tea, essential oils), and a tour of the place immediately set a climate of trust.
After the retreat: the bond continues
Once the retreat is over, we stay present. A recap email is sent with playlists, recipes, practice recordings, and photos. We offer a virtual circle one month later to check in. Participants can join a private group to share their progress and questions. This continuity is essential: it transforms a one‑off experience into a path of life.
Preparing a Mandala retreat is a bit like weaving a web. Every thread matters. And when participants arrive, we simply invite them to settle into that web and be carried by metamorphosis. That’s what happens behind the scenes.