14-Day Shaolin Martial Arts & Sufi Meditation Retreat in Marrakech, Morocco

The daily structure at Koom mixes hard physical training with sitting practice. You'll train in Shaolin-derived martial arts — stances, strikes, forms, partner drills, and conditioning — under supervision, and you'll also do Sufi meditation. Sham, the retreat leader, comes from a 32-generation Sufi lineage and teaches from both the Taoist Shaolin martial tradition and the Sufi path. That combination is the reason this retreat exists: the martial work is treated as a way in, not just exercise, and the meditation is treated as training, not just relaxation.

Over 14 days, the programme is layered so that each day builds on the last. Early on, you'll spend more time on basic stance work, footwork, and breath, with shorter meditation sessions. As the weeks progress, the training intensity and technical complexity go up, and the meditation periods get longer. The two-week length means there's time for that arc — you're not cramming it into a weekend. Sessions are supervised, so you get corrections rather than just following along in a group.

This isn't a retreat where you'll be left to your own devices. Sham leads the training and the meditation, and the programme is structured to help you work through your own limitations rather than skip past them. That said, it's open to various experience levels — beginners are welcome, but you should come willing to be uncomfortable and to keep showing up.

The setting matters too. Marrakech is loud, hot, and full of movement — the medina, the souks, the call to prayer. Training in that context, then stepping into a meditation session, is part of what makes the retreat different from doing the same thing in a quiet rural centre. You're in a city with a long history as a crossroads, and the retreat uses that as a backdrop rather than shutting it out.

Accommodation is on-site at the retreat centre, with room options confirmed per booking. You can ask about private rooms, shared spaces, or upgrades. Meals are tailored to the group and dietary needs are accommodated if you tell them in advance. Full directions and travel guidance are shared after booking is confirmed.

What's included

- 14 days of Taoist Shaolin martial arts training - Daily Sufi meditation sessions - Supervised training sessions with Sham - Accommodation at the Koom Martial Arts Retreat Center - Meals tailored to the group (dietary needs accommodated) - Full directions and travel guidance after booking

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Optional upgrades and extras - Airport transfers