What It's Really Like to Work at Momoyoga?
A Look Inside Our Team's 2025 Retreat

Last month, our team embarked on an inspiring journey to the Avani Retreat Center in Helvoirt, in the nature of Southern Holland, for the Momoyoga Retreat 2025, a two-day experience designed to deepen our connection, foster team spirit, and step into the shoes of you and your beloved yogis.

As a company rooted in the values of mindfulness, balance, and community, this retreat was more than just a getaway—it was a meaningful dive into the heart of what you do every day to align with you and your needs as a business too.

Why Does a Yoga Software Team Go on a Retreat?

This year's retreat was crafted to give us a taste of the daily practices we support our clients with—yoga, meditation, sound healing, and moments of genuine connection. We kicked off with a calming sound healing session led by Pleuni Apollonia. Her transformative sound bath helped us sink into a state of deep relaxation, opening pathways to intuition and inner wisdom. As Pleuni informed us, sound acts directly on our body, helping us rest beyond thinking and connect with our true feelings.

Lorena, our Growth Marketeer, and member of Momoyoga for nearly six years, noted how especially meaningful this year's retreat was as we connected more with yoga and wellness than ever before

For the first time in my life, I participated in a sound healing bath and a cacao ceremony. Being fully immersed in a yogic lifestyle for 48 hours brought me even closer to our amazing community of yoga teachers.

How Does a Retreat Foster Connection in a Company?

One of the highlights was a playful and meaningful team-building workshop with Teun Kapteijns. We stepped outside into nature for a three-hour session that involved walking, sharing stories, and engaging in fun activities that built trust and camaraderie. Rita, our Sales Specialist, yoga teacher and most recent team member, reflected,

I truly loved the team building activity where we took a lovely walk, played games and shared experiences. This really built my trust with everyone and since I haven't been at the company for long, it truly helped me open up also about my own experiences. I felt I could just by myself completely without any judgment.

What Surprised us The Most? The Cacao Ceremony

The final event of the retreat, a cacao ceremony with Jolande van der Wal was a profound experience, blending yoga Nidra with heart-opening cacao. Jolande guided us into a space of rest and reflection, emphasizing the importance of listening to our hearts. “Connecting with our heart space allows us to approach our work with compassion and authenticity,” Jolande shared. This serene moment set the tone for the rest of our retreat.

Letting The Yogis Among Us Lead The Way

Our mornings began with gentle yoga and meditation led by Joost, Momoyoga's very own CEO, Joris, one of our cherished developers, and Pinar, our lovely Medior Developer and fellow yoga teacher. Their guidance helped us awaken our bodies and minds, cultivating peace and balance. These practices reminded us of the importance of integrating mindfulness into our daily routines—something we feel inspired to do by you too.

Connecting In-Person to Work Better From Afar

Momoyoga's CPO Ingo Oszkinat beautifully summarised the essence of the retreat:

For me, this experience is about stepping into the shoes of our yogis. It’s a lovely chance to slow down, reflect, and understand what our community values most. Sometimes, we might be surprised or even bored for those who aren't used to practicing yoga in their own lives—but that’s okay. What matters is that we gain empathy and insight, which ultimately helps us create better products and experiences for our clients.

This retreat was a reminder that creating space for genuine connection and mindfulness not only benefits us personally but also enriches the way we serve our yoga community. When we understand the importance of balance, trust, and authenticity, we bring those qualities into our work and the support we provide to our clients.

Why Retreats Matter—And How They Can Benefit You and Your Yogis

For yogis and companies alike, retreats are more than just a break—they are an opportunity to reconnect with oneself and others, fostering a sense of community that extends beyond the retreat and can dictate the energy within the group for the rest of the year. As we experienced firsthand, stepping outside of our usual routines allowed us to see things from new perspectives, ignite inspiration, and strengthen the bonds that make our work meaningful, all while understanding how important you are to your students and your own community. 

As Maxim, our Junior Designer, shared

Participating in this retreat has boosted my motivation at work. Connecting with colleagues on a deeper level makes our team feel connected in our mission, and that energy translates into everything we do. What's more, I now consciously want to invest time into myself exploring avenues such as sound bath healing and yoga Nidra more often, so my passion for Momoyoga and what we represent has grown too

What's more, we connected with the wonderful facilitators in a new way, deepening our connection and trust with them too. The more time we spent with them, the more open we became, and the more loyal we felt to them as teachers. 

Thinking About Hosting Your Own Retreat?

What we've learned: 3 tips to help you create or find the perfect retreat

1. Organisation is Key  

Whether you’re planning a retreat or simply attending one, early and thorough planning can make all the difference. Securing a suitable venue, structuring the schedule thoughtfully, and coordinating with facilitators well in advance helps create a smooth, stress-free experience. Detailed planning ensures that each activity has its place, and it allows for flexibility and spontaneous moments without feeling rushed. Taking the time to prepare sets the stage for meaningful connection and deeper engagement. 

Our team received an invitation 6 months ahead of time, allowing everyone to make necessary plans and fostering a sense of excitement leading up to the retreat.

2. Less is More  

Our two-day retreat struck the perfect balance—it was rich in content yet manageable, leaving us refreshed rather than exhausted. In the past, we experimented with longer retreats of five or more days, which sometimes felt overwhelming and none-the-more impactful. This experience reinforced that a shorter, well-curated program can provide enough depth for growth and connection while respecting everyone’s energy levels. Remember, not everyone is comfortable being with that many people in one space. 

Prioritise spaces for organise interactions, and don't underestimate the power of simple shared experiences like walks, campfires or group breakfasts. These are oftentimes the moments that create lasting memories and deepen your connection, both on and off the mat.

3. Balance is a Must

The combination of physical mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation with outdoor activities and communal moments created an ideal environment for bonding and authentic communication. Engaging in movement helps open the body and mind, while outdoor interactions and shared experiences foster genuine connection and conversation. This balance not only deepens individual practice but also strengthens team bonds, making the retreat both restorative and relational.

We hope these insights inspire your next retreat or deepen your appreciation for the power of mindful gathering. Whether for your team or your students, thoughtful planning, intentional simplicity, and a harmonious mix of activities can transform your retreat into a truly meaningful experience. 

Here's to many more moments of pause, play and profound connection - on the mat and beyond. We certainly hold the most wonderful memories of our time together at our Momoyoga Retreat 2025.