Our dream, our story.
A Transformative Approach
Founder Harmke Bijker established Meka Yoga in 2016, inspired and supported by her husband Michaël Bijker.
While teaching at various yoga retreats across Spain and Portugal, Harmke observed that existing retreat programs often fell short in delivering profound and lasting transformation in people's lives. She felt compelled to create a retreat program that went far beyond offering relaxation.
Together with Michaël, and her passionate team of international teachers, hosts, therapists, and chefs, she enables participants to not only unwind, but also learn to work with the power of the mind and breath, cultivate sustainable healthy habits, and rediscover joy and purpose in life.
Our mission is to guide you on a transformative journey to unleash your full potential and rediscover your innate joy.
In today's fast-paced world, many individuals experience overwhelming stress, persistent anxiety, a lack of purpose, and a sense of disconnection. We understand these challenges, and our specialized retreats are designed to facilitate deep relaxation, empower you to take charge of your mind and body, and facilitate a profound reconnection with nature.
Surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Portuguese nature reserve Costa Vicentina, we are committed to supporting you every step of the way, and our authentic and beautiful yoga villa provides the perfect sanctuary for your journey.
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During her Master's Degree in 2013 (Applied Ethics), Harmke struggled with a heart muscle infection. It caused her to stop taking life for granted, slow down, and reflect. After finishing her degree, she decided to buy an old VW van and drive to as far south and sunny as the roads would take her in order to take a gap year to slow down, reconnect with nature, and simply enjoy life and the ocean. The journey brought her to the most SW corner of Europe: Sagres, Portugal, and the gap year simply never stopped. She married Michaël Bijker in 2017, and they were blessed with the birth of daughter Samadhi in the same year, and with their son Bodhi in 2019.
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Harmke had to reassess her lifestyle in order to recover from her infected heart muscle. Although she had been practicing yoga for several years, it became more prominent in her life and served as a daily reminder to live a life that was nourishing to her heart, mind, and soul. By focusing on slow, meaningful living, connecting with nature, maintaining a balanced diet, and regularly practicing yoga, meditation, and breathwork, she managed to bring her heart function back to normal against the odds of several doctors. Being able to share the tools Yoga offers, while daily being reminded of the lifestyle that her body needs, motivated her to travel to India to deepen her Yoga studies and practice.