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52 New Year New You • Health & Fitness Retreats


Escape with yoga


If you’re keen to get away and start the New Year off feeling Zen, a yoga retreat could be the perfect solution. To get you inspired, our writers describe their experiences


Free Spirit Yoga, India Lying in shavasana on the floor of the yoga shala, a thatched eyrie atop a colonial-style guesthouse, I close my eyes and relax deeper into the pose. I’m on a 10-day yoga retreat at Palm Tree, a resort hotel on the Arabian Sea in Kovalam, Kerala. Morning classes involve 90 minutes of vinyasa flow yoga, while sundown sessions alternate between modern, restorative yoga and yin yoga, an ancient practice that involves clearing the mind while holding tricky stretches. Classes conclude with yoga nidra, a form of deep relaxation that encourages ‘yogic sleep’. I try not to drift off as a transcript that encourages mindful visualisations is read out. It seems apt to be studying yoga here in India, where it originated over two millennia ago. And while I’m perhaps only a millimetre closer to enlightenment, between the yoga and the ayurvedic massages I’ve been getting at a nearby spa, I feel Zen. freespirityoga.co.uk Amelia Duggan


Yoga at Free Spirit Yoga, India Lunch at Vales de Moses Yoga pose at Free Spirit Yoga, India


Vales de Moses, Portugal I’ve never tried yoga before (yes, there are still yoga virgins out there), and I’m so grateful to have found Vale de Moses, a blissful refuge in the foothills of the Serra da Estrela mountains in central Portugal. Vonetta, who hails from Barbados, leads the class, radiating warmth and benevolence from the start. It’s a balmy Monday morning in Portugal, and the position of the wooden yoga shala feels like we’re hovering among the trees. The classes take place twice a day for two hours, and begin with freedom of movement — a way to encourage the body to undulate and move in any direction it wishes. After a creak here and a crack there, I feel ready. Vonetta’s methods centre on vinyasa yoga, and she incorporates her own moves into the phys- ical practice, entwining them with philosophical teachings. A dozen sun salutations later, we end the class with a Sanskrit mantra: “lokah, samastah, sukhino, bhavantu” — a wish for all beings everywhere to be happy and free. As far as first-time yoga experiences go, I strike gold. valedemoses.com Farida Zeynalova


These are excerpts from the National Geographic Collection blog, which can be found online at natgeotraveller.co.uk/thecollection/a-z/blog


New Year New You recommends...


Guided yoga in your own time EkhartYoga Learn how six simple yoga poses can help you get a good night’s sleep, and see page 11 to get a free two-week trial with online yoga studio, EkhartYoga. With EkhartYoga you can shape your own practice with online yoga and meditation classes for all levels. Follow classes and guided programmes with top, international teachers, plus receive free in-depth articles, yoga sequences and resources for yoga teachers. EkhartYoga is sharing the love of yoga to create a positive change in the world. ekhartyoga.com


Seaside restorative retreats Sen Wellness Sanctuary If you feel like it's time to leave your old routine behind, Sen Wellness Sanctuary in Sri Lanka hosts transformative retreat programmes in a comfortable and beautiful setting by the sea. Offering restorative treatments and a wholesome healthy diet, the retreat’s gentle approach to wellbeing has guests emerge feeling energised and lighter. If you need an antidote to a busy modern life, this is it. Retreats start from £1,050 for a seven-day programme. senwellnesssanctuary.com


Stretch your back with minimal effort HoMedics From the leading brand in massage technology, HoMedics show you how to prioritise your wellbeing in 2018. Designed to help you de-stress, unwind and simplify your life, HoMedics combine wellness and technology to keep you feeling good. Discover their latest innovation: STRETCH, the back-stretching mat inspired by yoga and invented by HoMedic’s qualified yoga instructor. Lay back, relax and let STRETCH move you to bring the benefits of yoga home with no effort required. homedics.co.uk


Saturday 6th January 2018


Open water swimming holidays for all abilities


10% off for readers


Take advantage of 10% off any 2018 SwimQuest trip. Book before January 31, 2018 and quote ‘New Year New You Reader Offer’ when booking either online or over the phone. Discount applies to SwimQuest standard tour cost only, and doesn't cover supplements or upgrades. Offer is subject to availability, cannot be used in conjunction with another offer, is non transferable, and non exchangeable. A maximum of 2 places per reader can be booked using this offer.


New Year, New You.


ties explore and enjoy the open water, and has recently won the Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award for its outstanding customer reviews. Complete beginners and experienced swim- mers can benefit from SwimQuest’s expert swim coaching and beautiful island-to-island and coastal swimming. Just like a walking or a cycling holiday, this is a fantastic way to explore stunning parts of the world, from a unique, aquatic vantage point, meet like minded indi- viduals and come home energised. Since launching in 2014, SwimQuest have gone


S


from strength to strength and now run tours in 16 locations worldwide as well as UK based skills sessions. Kick back on vanilla-white beaches in Thailand, The Bahamas or the Maldives, improve your technique with SwimQuest's Olympic guest coaches, hop from island to island in Croatia or Greece, or challenge yourself with a solo swim of Lake Annecy. If you are an adult looking to learn to swim, try a SwimQuest "Swim From Scratch" week. If you are looking for advice in preparation for a long distance swim, the Channel & Distance tours in Croatia are ideal. The cold water lovers amongs you may also be interested in a fron- tier swimming adventure in the Arctic Circle, or the extremely popular SwimQuest Scotland Christmas weekend in December.


urprise yourself with a unique type of holiday in 2018. SwimQuest specialises in helping people of all ages and abili-


Kick start 2018 with a detoxifying ‘Glorious Mud’ wrap treatment leaving you energised and ready for what the New Year will bring.


This deep cleansing body mask gives you a full body detox stimulating the metabolism, deeply hydrates and leaves your skin feeling smooth, silky, and glowing.


Begin your detox with a stimulating all over body brush, followed by an application of the Glorious Mud. Whilst the mud gets to work enjoy a soothing face and scalp massage.


Of course you get full use of the spa facilities, including outdoor heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi, aromatherapy room, steam room, monsoon shower, foot spas and Sauna, As well as a delicious one course lunch from our spa menu.


To talk to a member of the SwimQuest team and find out which holiday is right for you, call John on 07951 727 453, Alice on 07825 301443 or email info@swimquest.uk.com


Facebook: swimquestholidays Twitter: @jcrswim Instagram: swimquestholidays swimquest.uk.com


Treatment time: 60 minutes Treatment Includes: Glorious Mud Wrap– 60 minutes Available 2nd January – 4th Feb. Not 1st January £95.00 Monday - Thursday. £105.00 Friday - Sunday


Call our reservations team to book on 01439 772930 or email info@verbenaspa.com


www.fevershamarmshotel.com


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