Michele Benton’s Bulgarian Yoga Adventure (2024)

Blending culture with connection and nature with yoga.

Unlike any place that you have ever been to or even imagined, the foothills of the Balkan mountains in Central Bulgaria are home to the Stone & Compass Center. A 16th-century home and barn that blends history with modern conveniences. The “Center” as we call it, was designed to be a cultural retreat space for college students and adult groups. It has expanded in 6 years to an extraordinary place that can host large groups with many interests including yoga, Eastern European culture, hiking, writing, art, history, archeology, food, and much more.

Om Sunshine Yoga has partnered with Stone & Compass since 2019 to create unique yoga retreats around the world with yoga led by Michele Benton ERYT-500 and travel organized by the staff of S&C. Set aside your expectations of what a yoga retreat should be and travel with us to experience adventure, hiking, yoga, a new culture, and harmony with like-minded people in this singularly beautiful location surrounded by lovely locals.

Your adventure begins upon arrival in the capital city of Sofia which was at one time one of the largest Roman cities in the world. We will follow the canary cobblestone road, the inspiration for the magical “yellow brick road” in “the Wizard of Oz”. You will then head to the Stone & Compass Center where you can call its 2200-acre center home. At the Center, you will open your body, mind, and spirit at whatever level is right for you through yoga and several other Health and Wellness modalities with Michele.

We have 5 incredible days planned for you at the Center in Stolat that include yoga every day. There will also be hiking, foraging, waterfalls, massages, conversations about history, pool parties, fireside chats, Roman ruins, a castle, and remarkable scenery.

Let us show you beautiful places and wide open spaces.

As a special treat, we are going to the Black Sea for a 3-day excursion to the ancient seaside town of Sozopol on the coast. Sozopol is a fortress cobblestone street town. This quaint architectural and archaeological sanctuary with white sand beaches is a perfect way to wind down from this adventure. You will also be able to visit the Unesco World Heritage site of Nessebar with ruins from the Byzantine era.

From the Black Sea, we will head back to Sofia for your journey home.

Your epic adventure does not have to end there. Let Om Sunshine Yoga or Stone & Compass know if you want to extend your trip to another country.

Reserve your spot soon! There are limited spaces. Rooming is single unless you are traveling with a spouse or friend that you would like to share a room with. Bathrooms are shared at the center, not in Sofia or the Black Sea.

The price is mostly inclusive. Feel free to contact us with any questions.