It feels as though recently, yoga has become a thing for the girls of Instagram. Contorting their bodies into figures of eight, whilst balancing on their heads, perfectly filtered with Valencia. But of course, it's so much more than that. With a history spanning across centuries and religions, these days yoga is, to me at least, respite from modern life.
When I was away last year, I decided that in 2016 I wanted to visit India. Mum had been on about doing a yoga retreat for her 50th for ages and had always said I could tag along. We looked at a few different ones. Ones in Ibiza and Italy and Bali, but couldn't settle on one we really liked. Then a client handed mum a card for a yoga retreat in Kerala, South India and before we could say 'Om' it was booked.
Run by the fabulous Elisa Williams and set in stunning north Kerala, our group of 21 took over the whole resort. Naturally, we were a little bit apprehensive as we set off. Was it going to be a week of head stands and wheels (neither of which I can do) and would there be food that was actually edible? Would it be all green smoothies and power juices? Would we get the dreaded Dheli belly? Mum and I had no idea what to expect.
As with most things, we really shouldn't have worried. Our group ranged from complete beginners to the uber bendy, and Elisa was able to create fun, dynamic classes that offered something for us all. One of the ladies had recently undergone surgery following an accident last year, but she still took part in almost all of the classes, adapting where necessary. We also shouldn't have worried about the food. It's been amazing. Freshly made curries and dals, grilled veg and plenty of fish (for mum, not me), plus a Keralan breakfast is something to be marvelled at. A large pancake type of thing made with rice flour (called a 'Dorsa' but I've definitely spelt that wrong) topped with a fried egg and chillies... Foolishly, I thought I'd lose weight this trip. I haven't stepped on scales yet, but I would assume I was wrong.
Our first class would start at around 8am and last for approximately two and a half hours. Each day was different and (with a little assistance) I managed both a wheel and headstand by the final practice. These classes started slow and built up before coming to a cooling down period of rest at the end. Each person was catered for. Elisa always clearly explained the various levels that you could take each pose to and encouraged us to listen to our bodies. You could be practising for 15 years and still find that on some days, your body will scream at you to keep it simple. That's life.
We would the have the days to ourselves, to venture into the nearby towns or make the most of the pool and beach, before our evening classes began at 6pm. These were much less physical, but required a more mental kind of strength. I rapidly discovered that meditation was absolutely NOT something that came to me naturally and initially branded these sessions as 'dull'. Obviouly, they were in no way dull, I just have an untrained mind. Elisa would take us through guided meditation, which by the end of the week I was much better at following. The evening sessions also included plenty of 'yin' style poses (Yin is a type of yoga where poses are held for much longer, allowing the body to work into the connective tissues and fascias around the body). I'll be honest, I would float out of evening classes and could have gone straight to bed following them. I suddenly understand why so many people rave about the benefits of meditation to ones mental health. There's nothing like feeling like your own oasis of calm.
More people should do yoga. More people should meditate. More people should do things just beyond their comfort zones. I honestly thought I'd hate yoga before I tried it. Mum had been on at me for ages to join her at one of the classes at the studio where she went, but I always argued against it. What would someone who talks as much as me do with a hour's worth of silence?
Little did I know. Yoga offered me a chance to silence my racing mind, space to work out answers to questions that puzzled me; a place to retreat to when life gets too much.
I am leaving Kerala inspired, humbled and absolutely dreading my commute come Tuesday...
But at least I'll have my mat.
-xo
When I was away last year, I decided that in 2016 I wanted to visit India. Mum had been on about doing a yoga retreat for her 50th for ages and had always said I could tag along. We looked at a few different ones. Ones in Ibiza and Italy and Bali, but couldn't settle on one we really liked. Then a client handed mum a card for a yoga retreat in Kerala, South India and before we could say 'Om' it was booked.
Run by the fabulous Elisa Williams and set in stunning north Kerala, our group of 21 took over the whole resort. Naturally, we were a little bit apprehensive as we set off. Was it going to be a week of head stands and wheels (neither of which I can do) and would there be food that was actually edible? Would it be all green smoothies and power juices? Would we get the dreaded Dheli belly? Mum and I had no idea what to expect.
As with most things, we really shouldn't have worried. Our group ranged from complete beginners to the uber bendy, and Elisa was able to create fun, dynamic classes that offered something for us all. One of the ladies had recently undergone surgery following an accident last year, but she still took part in almost all of the classes, adapting where necessary. We also shouldn't have worried about the food. It's been amazing. Freshly made curries and dals, grilled veg and plenty of fish (for mum, not me), plus a Keralan breakfast is something to be marvelled at. A large pancake type of thing made with rice flour (called a 'Dorsa' but I've definitely spelt that wrong) topped with a fried egg and chillies... Foolishly, I thought I'd lose weight this trip. I haven't stepped on scales yet, but I would assume I was wrong.
Our first class would start at around 8am and last for approximately two and a half hours. Each day was different and (with a little assistance) I managed both a wheel and headstand by the final practice. These classes started slow and built up before coming to a cooling down period of rest at the end. Each person was catered for. Elisa always clearly explained the various levels that you could take each pose to and encouraged us to listen to our bodies. You could be practising for 15 years and still find that on some days, your body will scream at you to keep it simple. That's life.
We would the have the days to ourselves, to venture into the nearby towns or make the most of the pool and beach, before our evening classes began at 6pm. These were much less physical, but required a more mental kind of strength. I rapidly discovered that meditation was absolutely NOT something that came to me naturally and initially branded these sessions as 'dull'. Obviouly, they were in no way dull, I just have an untrained mind. Elisa would take us through guided meditation, which by the end of the week I was much better at following. The evening sessions also included plenty of 'yin' style poses (Yin is a type of yoga where poses are held for much longer, allowing the body to work into the connective tissues and fascias around the body). I'll be honest, I would float out of evening classes and could have gone straight to bed following them. I suddenly understand why so many people rave about the benefits of meditation to ones mental health. There's nothing like feeling like your own oasis of calm.
More people should do yoga. More people should meditate. More people should do things just beyond their comfort zones. I honestly thought I'd hate yoga before I tried it. Mum had been on at me for ages to join her at one of the classes at the studio where she went, but I always argued against it. What would someone who talks as much as me do with a hour's worth of silence?
Little did I know. Yoga offered me a chance to silence my racing mind, space to work out answers to questions that puzzled me; a place to retreat to when life gets too much.
I am leaving Kerala inspired, humbled and absolutely dreading my commute come Tuesday...
But at least I'll have my mat.
-xo
