ON THE ROAD WITH US – LACI'S EXPERIENCES FROM OUR RETREATS - Dharmaral Adventure

Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions about yoga retreats is that only girls attend them. However, nearly 30% of our travelers are boys. It's been a long-held dream of mine for this ratio to one day be 50-50, but even so, I'm grateful for the masculine energies that travel with us. My favorite trips are definitely those that include boys; the atmosphere of the camps completely changes, and as a result, the mood becomes a lighter, more relaxed experience. One day, Laci walked into the studio to do yoga with me, and he was very open and extroverted from the very first moment. After the practice, I told him that he should consider taking a course, as he performed the exercises so wonderfully, and his AUM mantra filled the entire space. He said he hadn't started today, but you can learn that story from him. One thing is for sure: he stood on a surfboard for the first time with us, and I must say, I was right about that too. He stood up at the first opportunity and just "shredded" the waves.

Get to know Laci's story.

**If a close friend had to introduce you, what do you think they would say about you?**I asked one of my friends about this and asked them to describe honestly what they thought of me. Here’s their answer:

“A truly inspiring, honest, and cheerful person. Someone who loves and lives life, and is a really good friend. Brave enough to go on a 10-day silent retreat to face himself, but if needed, he'll also just sit down with me and enjoy the evening.”

**How did you start practicing yoga, how regularly do you practice, and what does yoga mean to you?***In 2016, I spent two weeks in Sri Lanka, where our tour guide was a yoga instructor. After a wild night out, he invited me to his morning practice, and although I wasn't in ideal condition, I immediately felt a deeper calm and presence. That's when I decided to start practicing yoga.*Since then, it has become part of my daily life: if I don't have time for practice, I still do breathing exercises and meditation. For me, yoga provides the simplest “being” experience, and I carry this with me in everyday life.

**Which was the first trip you took with us, and why did you sign up for this camp?**I first joined you in Tuscany in 2025. Before that, I had never traveled alone with unknown people, but from the very first moment, I was able to fully immerse myself in the experience. The morning yoga sessions, savasana under the scorching Italian sun, the sound of the bells, the flavors, the coffee, carbonara, and chianti remained especially memorable. This trip also brought a kind of internal closure: I felt as if I had finally let go of an old, painful part of myself and returned home with a new perspective. A few months later, the desire for a camp resurfaced in me. One morning, while having coffee, a peculiar dream came to my mind: surf, sand, waves. That evening, I received a message from Rafi from Morocco, and when I saw the pictures, I immediately knew: this is what I dreamt of. Within minutes, I booked my spot for the next trip.

**You surfed with us for the first time, and I remember how much you enjoyed it – I could even hear you and the others encouraging each other from the shore. What did surfing give you, and to whom would you recommend it?**While we were in Morocco, we got to know each other very quickly, we laughed together, and sometimes we even cried together, which quickly bonded the team. With this special connection, we went into the cold water every time to explore the waves together. I remember on the first day I got a wetsuit one size too big, so the cold water flowed in everywhere, in at my ankles, out at my neck, chilling me to the bone. And in the meantime, a thought was running through my mind: “no one is going to solve this for you now.” This gave me immense strength and motivation. When I first managed to stand on the board and glide a few meters, it was a huge experience. It felt like I had boarded “the rocket of my life.” I would recommend surfing to anyone who wants to step out of their comfort zone and experience something utterly elemental.

Were you afraid before your first group trip, and what are your thoughts on group travel? I was excited, definitely not afraid. I was curious who life would bring together for a week.

Was there an experience or situation at our camp that surprised you and you hadn't expected at all? For me, it was surprising and very uplifting to see the team supporting each other in the water. When someone stood on the board, everyone cheered together, sometimes watching silently, sometimes shouting at the top of their lungs. Sometimes I really felt like the whole beach was ringing with our voices. Good relationships quickly developed with the surf instructors; they were very laid-back and energetic. On the last day, one of them gave me his wave-shaped ring, and I was so touched that I immediately hugged him. It had been a very long time since I felt so proud and liberated. I hadn't expected that at all.

**What changed in you by the end of the trip, and is there anything you've been doing differently or seeing with different eyes in everyday life since then, thanks to it?**Since then, I'm even less worried about what others think of me. This gives me great freedom and liberation in everyday life. Since then, I can identify much better with myself and, through that, with others as well.

**What was the community like that you joined? Was it easy to connect?**It was an incredibly good team, I loved my little spontaneous 'family'! We genuinely paid attention to each other: if I needed help, or just wanted a good photo, there was always someone willing to assist. And on the way home, everyone selflessly joined our little impromptu party on the plane!

**To whom would you recommend communal travel, and what would you say to someone who is currently considering traveling with us?**To anyone who is pondering whether to go or not, I would briefly say that in 4 years, they will remember going somewhere with you, but they definitely won't remember if they just sat at home on the couch! So, get your suitcase ready and go with you! Anywhere!

Is there a trip you are already considering, what is that bucket list destination or experience that attracts you the most right now? I would really like to surf again this year. I have a 17-year-old daughter whom I would like to show this feeling of life and freedom. So I have plans.I would really like to go back to Morocco again. I really liked the dualitythat was there. On one hand, its puritanism, on the other hand, how full of vibrancy and life the**country is!

**Why do you think it's worth it for a man to go to a yoga camp?**It's obvious, because of the cool company, no question!

It brings me special joy to see that not only women, but more and more men are open to these paths, and how deeply they can experience them. Laci's story also demonstrates this: strength, openness, and true presence all at once.

It's worth following her journey too, which you can access by clicking on the icons below. Who knows, maybe she will one day share all the deeper knowledge she has gained through yoga and meditation over the years. And perhaps one day we can practice in her class.