Back from a yoga retreat in heaven!

‘It is the eye that discovers the mystery of light, not only the moon and the stars and the vast splendours of the Aurora, but the endless changes the earth undergoes under changing lights’ - Nan Shepherd

I’ve just come back from teaching in an amazing 7 night yoga retreat in Chamonix, France. This year we’ve teamed up with Bluerise Retreats and organised a yoga, hiking and spa holiday in a luxurious chalet with a stunning view of Mont Blanc and the Bossons glacier.  The weather was so great that we practiced yoga outside overlooking the magnificent mountains next to a stream with lots of wild flowers. Spring is so magical in Chamonix!

The chalet had large outdoor Jacuzzis, a steam room and sauna which was especially nice after the alpine hikes. Suzi, our hike guide was lovely and very knowledgeable about the local wildlife. I even managed to see ibex and a golden eagle! We also practiced yoga in the mountain during one of our hikes.

We had a lovely mix of people from different age groups, nationalities and experience of yoga. Some people were training to be a yoga teachers but we also had a beginner that’d never practiced before. He said he really enjoyed yoga and wanted to do some more when he got home. We did an energetic class in the morning and restorative session in the evening. We had time to explore different practices such as Yin yoga, Yoga Nidra, Pranayama, chanting and mudras. I really enjoy teaching mixed abilities students and knowing that everyone can do yoga together.

The food at the retreat was exceptional. Lisa, the chef is a vegetarian and lovingly prepared 3 course meal for us every night even though she was heavily pregnant with twins. You could see that she loved cooking! I don't think I've had such a creative and delicious vegetarian food before. Her breakfast, lunch and snacks were equally exciting and tasty.

Bluerise retreat team made every effort to make us all feel at home. They were so friendly and delightful people to be around. They even arranged a luxurious Spa day out in Italy and a movie night with popcorn!  

There were lots of organised activities but we also had free time to do other things. Some people went climbing together or just relaxed and enjoyed the Spa facilities!

On the last day of the retreat, we had an air hockey tournament and they organised some live music for us too! Eleanor, the founder of Bluerise Retreat, is a well known musician in Chamonix and sang and played guitar for us. Anna who looked after our every need also had a fantastic mesmerising voice too. It was such a perfect way to end an amazing holiday. Suzanne, one of the retreat goers said ‘this has been the best yoga retreat I’ve been on and I’ve been on quite a few!’ Uta, another student said ‘thanks for all the laughs!’

We talked about doing another yoga retreat in Sri Lanka together so watch this space! It will be lovely to work with Bluerise Retreat again.

In the meantime, Bristol Yoga Centre has organised another wonderful yoga retreat in France from 20-27th June 2018. We are currently offering 10% off, please see here for details.

5 Reasons To Go on a Yoga Retreat

Yoga retreat season is on its way now that spring has arrived! I’ve found the following benefits from attending and teaching at a yoga retreat.

1. Improve Yoga Practice

In yoga retreat, you’re usually offered two daily classes: more energetic class in the morning and restorative/meditative session in the evening.  

Because there is more time available, you will get to learn lots of new techniques and improve your practice.  As one of my yoga students from last year’s retreat said, ‘"It was fantastic to have so much time to explore different yoga practice which normally there would not be time for in a weekly class’.

By practicing yoga everyday, you’ll be able to see the benefits more clearly and often people get inspired to carry on regularly after the retreat.

Some people worry that it might be too much practice in a retreat but our yoga schedule is carefully constructed so that everyone can participate. As Lorna explained, "The yoga was so good for me, I had expected to be at a loss, after not doing it for so long, but your excellent way of teaching reminded me what an important and restorative thing it is to do ". Lorna told me that the retreat has inspired her to find a regular yoga class once she got back home.

2. Stay in a beautiful place

Yoga retreats are usually located in beautiful locations and they are selected for their peaceful and relaxing vibe. It’s really important for our health and wellbeing to allow some time to relax and rejuvenate. What better way than to do yoga every day in lovely surroundings to really appreciate the nature around you.

Practicing yoga outside is simply magical and there can even be spectacular views from the practice area. It makes learning meditation and relaxation techniques much easier in these settings.  There will be plenty of time for people to relax and simply enjoy being there too!

3. Eat healthy food

We often end up eating lots of rich heavy food while we are on holiday but in a yoga retreat, you’ll get a healthy balanced diet that’s nutritious and delicious. In fact, it’s often the talking point of the retreat as the food tends to be so wonderful.  Meals are lovingly prepared using fresh local ingredients or from their own organic gardens! They are exceptionally good at accommodating different dietary requirements too.

It’s wonderful to be able to eat outside with everyone. 

4. Make new friends

Yoga holiday is a great opportunity to meet like minded people and make new friends. In my last yoga retreat, people were from different age groups and backgrounds but they all got on so well with each other. We had brilliant time together at meal times and on trips but seem to instinctively respected each other’s space too. Some of them have kept in touch with each other and still go climbing together!

5. Feel energised and relaxed

Every time I‘ve been on a yoga retreat, I've felt incredibly energised and noticed everyone with a healthy glow! I think its combination of healthy delicious food, beautiful surroundings, daily practice and good company. As Robina and Carolyn similarly expressed, "Thank you for such a memorable week. We've loved every minute - the yoga practice in a perfect setting, amazing food and wonderful company. We hope you organise another retreat next year!".

Bristol Yoga Centre have organised two wonderful yoga retreats this year and written this blog to entice you to come along! Our retreat in May is now full but we have spaces in our lovely retreat in South West of France in June!

My first Yoga Retreat

Last week, I ran my first yoga retreat for a week in Tarifa, Spain. It was in a gorgeous villa with a beautiful sandy beach only 10 minutes walk away. It also had a lovely large garden with an indoor swimming pool as well as an outdoor paddling pool.  View from the house was just stunning! It over looked a long stretch of the beach and you could even see Tangiers on a clear day. It was just a magical place to stay!

The retreat was fully booked and it was with mostly my students. Some brought their family along too.  We ate two meals together every day and the food was delicious, varied and healthy. In particular, smoked grilled aubergine with goat cheese was a major hit! You could really see the work that chefs put to make each meal memorable.

Everyone got on well with each other and we really had a great time. We did a trip to the Roman ruins and went on Whale watching tour and saw Pilot Whales! Some people even went climbing, horse riding on the beach and to see flamenco music.

There were students of all levels from a pupil studying to become a yoga teacher to beginners.  I planned the week to cover whole spectrum of yoga practices such as meditation, pranayama, chanting, mudras and kriya. I also read relevant yogic texts such as Upanishads and Yoga Sutra and inspirational quotes in the sessions. We did partner yoga as well as group work, which really helped to bring everyone together. It was really lovely to be able to spend more time going into depth with these practices. Tracey, a student teacher, taught one of the restorative classes too. I got to be taught for a change!

All of these combinations of factors made the experience so wonderfully relaxing. In fact, one of the participants said to me during the retreat that he never felt so relaxed and settled before.  It was great to see people opening up and enjoying themselves.

During the retreat, I hardly went on the laptop or phone. One of the things that I noticed when I got back is just how much time I spend on devices and being in doors. Because the weather was so good, we did yoga and ate outside every day. It’s amazing being able to spend lots of time outdoors!  

Even though we were going to bed late (the dinners lasted 2 hours or more for most evenings) and waking up early, I felt really healthy, balanced and energised. I even managed to rescue and adopt two abandoned cats!

I received so many positive comments and they even bought me flowers and gifts at the end of the retreat. Here is feedback from Lorna Brown, one of the retreat students:

Thank you both so much for organising the Tarifa yoga holiday. I really enjoyed it all so much, it was just wonderful, and a great part of it was meeting you and the others, very good companionship.

The yoga was so good for me, Naomi, I had expected to be at a loss, after not doing it for so long, but your excellent way of teaching reminded me what an important and restorative thing it is to do, and convinced me to continue.

The venue was really great, the setting, accommodation and nearness to the sea for swimming, and the food! Walking, whale watching, flamenco, just brilliant, and all with such a good group of new friends.

I’m sure we will be running more yoga retreats in the future so watch this space!