Yoga Retreats That Excel With Style
by Susan Greenwood
Since its opening in 2005, Les Passeroses near Angoulême in south-west France has gradually become the retreat centre of choice for an eclectic mix of yoga teachings, ranging from Iyengar to freestyle. Accommodation is boutique all wooden oak floors, lush fabrics and stone fireplaces. Perfect if throwing yourself into the sparse side of yoga doesn’t appeal just yet. While the yoga is taken seriously a typical retreat will include two yoga sessions a day plus a two-hour meditation session there is also time to enjoy relaxing by the pool, long walks and tucking into the vegetarian food. With wine! passeroses.com; typical price for seven days start from around £550 to £700, including accommodation, teaching and food
Simon Low is one of the founders of Tri-Yoga in London’s Primose Hill and now runs the teacher-training Yoga Academy, both of which put him at the forefront of yoga teaching in the UK. A yoga teacher friend of mine described his training as one of the most intense experiences of her life, helping her develop an acute awareness of anatomy and physiology as well as a dynamic Asana practice. He runs yoga holidays in various locations, but the chance to experience his teaching in Goa shouldn’t be missed. The trip takes place at the Lotus Yoga Retreat on Patnem beach with two classes a day and accommodation in beachfront bamboo huts. lotus-yoga-retreat.com; the next 12-day retreat starts on 19 February and costs £795pp (or £370 for a non-yoga partner), including teaching, brunch, a dolphin-spotting trip and unlimited herbal tea
If it’s full immersion yoga you’re after, this ashram in the foothills of Kerala’s Western Ghats will provide that and then some. On its two-week yoga holidays, participation in all aspects of life of the ashram is mandatory, including an alcohol-free vegetarian diet, silent mediation, lectures on yoga and participation in karma yoga which involves an hour a day of helping with tasks around the facility. The idea is that giving yourself up to the timetable in this manner is extremely relaxing and can lead to a deep spiritual awareness within your yoga practice. sivananda.org//neyyardam; accommodation varies from tents and dorms (both around £5pp pn) to twin rooms with air conditioning (around £18pp pn), with a minimum stay of three nights
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