Yoga Holidays

I teach yoga weekends and yoga holidays in Devon, Turkey and India several times each year. I have been leading yoga holidays and longer yoga retreats for 8 years now and in my opinion they are an ideal way to immerse yourself in yoga practice for a period of time. People often come away amazed at how they feel after a more intensified experience of yoga in conducive surroundings without life's normal pressures or chores.

the tone and structure of weekends and holidays

The tone of the holidays is that they are a holiday with a yoga focus, as opposed to an intensive retreat whereby the whole day is structured. There is generally between 3 and 4 hours yoga practice a day, depending on the venue, split into two or occasionally three sessions.

There is a longer active morning session in the form of a led class and a shorter early evening session. Both sessions will form a balanced practice, though the early evening session will sometimes take a more workshop format and/or will include more on breathing practices, relaxation and simple meditation. There will be some time for discussion of our practice.

After the morning session and breakfast/brunch there is plenty of time to hang out with like-minded people or spend time quietly on your own. Depending on the venue other activities maybe possible including walking, swimming, the use of a spa, shopping, sight-seeing or painting. Whilst some like to be occupied I also recommend allowing yourself some 'just being' time.

yoga experience

All yoga holidays and weekends are open to students of all levels of experience from beginners to those teaching yoga. If you have any significant health issues it would be wise to check with your doctor or health professional that yoga is a suitable activity for your condition. Please feel free to e mail me as well if you like.

venues and accomodation

Everywhere I work has comfortable accomodation but the venues do vary in their standards according to the country and facilities available. Prices reflect the standard of facilities.

I have selected beautiful places that are 'real' and reflect something of the character, culture and quirks of their country/region whether that be Kerela in South India or Dartmoor in Devon.The venues are not all inclusive sanitised spa experiences, but they are all comfortable and relaxed and some of them do offer additional facilities and services such as a swimming pool and massage treatments.

There are a variety of venues, countries and activities, so hopefully something for everyone. Some further information on the venues and centres is provided below through web links or downloadable information and booking forms. If you have any further questions about which would be a good centre for you, please feel free to e mail or phone.

Further down the page are some photos of some of the venues whilst others are available on the relevant websites.

food

Food is always great in residential yoga centres! It is usually vegetarian, though some places may offer fish. On some courses all meals are provided, e.g. on Devon weekends and in Turkey, whilst in India an extensive breakfast is provided but other meals are taken in the excellent range of local restaurants and cafes.

booking

UK courses are booked directly through me while Turkey and India courses are booked either through the centres directly or through Free Spirit Travel who will assist you with flights and other travel arrangements. All details are listed below. If something doesn't make sense or you need to know more then feel free to e mail or phone.

article on golkoy in turkey

If you would like a students eye view of a yoga holiday experience, below is an article on my 2009 course in Golkoy, Turkey, written by Stephanie Wienrich, writer and yoga student. It is split into 3 easy to download PDF documents for technical reasons:

yoga_turkey_page1.PDF

yoga_turkey_page2.PDF

yoga_turkey-page3.PDF

keep up to date

The best way to keep up to date with courses, holidays and weekends is to e mail and join the mailing list.

Up coming holidays and weekends

DESTINATION	DATES	DESCRIPTION	DETAILS

Yoga holiday in Turkey. Golkoy near Bodrum	September 13^th – 20^th 2010	A one week course in a quiet village near Bodrum on the Aegean coast of Turkey. Also possible - local markets, Turkish Baths, boat trips and Bodrum.	From £460 excluding flights. Booking and more details on the course and venue on www.yogaturkey.co.uk
Yoga weekend in Totnes, Devon. (Totnes 'city break')	22nd - 24th October 2010	A non resedential weekend course in the Totnes Natural Health Centre. There are lots of possibilities in Totnes including riverside walks, a wide variety of independent cafes and restaurants plus the opportunity to have a natural health treatment as part of your weekend.	£85/£75. Further information on Totnes and accommodation at www.totnesinformation.co.uk and www.totnes.com Please Contact me for detailed course information and a booking form. Or download the booking form here totnes_weekend_2010__accommodation.pdf. The form includes suggestions on accomodation.
Yoga holiday in Kerela, India.	January 2^nd – 15^th - 2011	An extensive two week yoga course at Kailasam in a beach area of Kerela, south India. Staying at Kailasam is an 'easy' way to be in India. The wonderful staff look after all needs and Ayurvedic massages are available on site. There is a more developed beach area and some easy-to-get-to very quiet ones. People often take this course as two week period by itself, or as part of an extended trip to India.	Cost £590 excluding flights. Booking through www.freespirituk.com under Kailasam in the winter section. Further venue details on Kailasam on their own website www.yogaindia.co.uk
Yoga weekend on Dartmoor, Devon.	First May Bank holiday Friday 29th^th April – Monday 2ndMay 2011	Weekend yoga course at Bala Brook retreat centre on Dartmoor in Devon. Four days of Yoga in a beautiful setting on South Dartmoor. Led walks and painting are also possible here.	Go to www.balabrook.org.uk for some more information on the venue. Prices and details to be confirmed.
Yoga holiday in Turkey. Grenadine Lodge near Dalyan.	May 23rd - 29th 2011	A new venue for me - offering an equally wonderful but different taste of Turkey from the Golkoy venue, near Dalyan. There is a swimming pool on site.	For all details on the venue and booking go to www.freespirituk.com and look under summer, Turkey and Grenadine Lodge.
Five day Yoga course on Dartmoor, Devon.	July 13th - 17th 2011	Five day yoga course on Dartmoor, Devon. An extended yoga break on at a vibrant time of year on Dartmoor with some led walks included.	Go to www.balabrook.org.uk for some more information on the venue. Prices and details to be confirmed.