Yogatraveller.com

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 5th September 2009 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2009-09-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

With: Inna, Yvonne, Colum, Louise, Nicola, Melissa, Fionnuala and Nora & Ramon.

September starts with a vivacious group of yoga vixens. (Don't be jealous I'm usually surrounded by fit, gorgeous women - just come on a yoga holiday.) We spent the week yoga-ing, biking, walking, swimming, exploring, eating, wine-tasting and just spending time together.

Sunset yoga.

Yvonne's beautiful smile.

Our mascot, and camera-man, Ramon.

Inna (my professional advisor) and I on Comino Island.

Melissa proves yoga does a body good.

Nicola and I (on Louise).

Gratuitous water shot (sorry, everyone at home).

Me being brave or stupid (up for debate).

Yvonne and Colum.

Ramon and Nora.

Xaghra festival - last big feast of the summer!

The gorgeous Nicola and Melissa.

Our very happy and content posse.

One more yoga week to go for me in Gozo ... stay tuned for our new, wonderful teacher... Michelle Bartolo (below with me).

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 22nd August 2009 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2009-08-24T04:59:00.001-07:00

With: Lavinia, Ute, Deirdre, Linda and Claire.

Bring my favorite month (and my 29th year) to close with an intimate group of wonderful women to talk about yoga, philosophy and life seemed quite apropos! We spent the week doing the things we love doing most... yoga, scenic walks, swimming, dining out, getting massaged and becoming fast friends...

Above Otter's on Marselforn seafront.

Going on a cliff-side yoga/hike.

3,000+ year-old temple! (That's about as old as yoga.)

Comino Island's Blue Lagoon.

Cheers to new chapters for us all... and thank you for everything.

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 15th August 2009 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2009-08-24T04:58:00.000-07:00

With: Ingrid, Morgan, Mary, Patricia, David, Tamara, Claude, Francesca, Pia and Karen.

If you've ever met someone who is fairly serious about their yoga practice (or maybe you've been fortunate enough to meet a group of people who are), you might have noticed there's something different about them... (if you're reading this, maybe you're one of 'them' yourself.) You can pick these people out of a crowd not by how they look, but by how they carry themselves, physically and spiritually. There's an enigmatic element to yoga that can't be explained in words, but can be picked up by your intuitive antennas. If you can get this part, the physical part will come much easier....

Lined up for evening yoga.

Ingrid, heading to Comino.

Ladies on deck.

This week's group brought together lots of new faces, friends and perspectives. I enjoy hearing about all of them. One of the most exciting parts of life (at least according to me), is hearing other people's stories - if you're lucky enough to meet the kind of people who are willing to share them with you. Fortunately, yoga teachers get to hear a lot of interesting things.

Practicing yoga with a big group of people is always exciting because you get to ride off the room's energy (and create your own). There's nothing more beautiful than hearing a room consciously breathing together, or seeing everyone in a different expression of the same yoga pose...

Striking a pose at Azure's Window.

It's a wrap.

Thanks to my late summer posse for continuing to make this work so fulfilling and for your personal contributions.

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 1st August 2009 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2009-08-12T12:12:00.003-07:00

With: Irene, Ian, Dorothe, Olga, Ton, Stephanie, Peter, Chandra, Dinusha, Sinead, Lisa, Sangeeta and Catherine.

August opens with such an amazing mix of people... including another parent/'child' (this time father/daughter, so sweet), an amazing husband/wife couple who I want to adopt me (sorry, mom and dad), Irene and Ian (returning students from last week who I dubbed my 'mascots'). And, 2 doctors in the house! Incredible.

Group on Comino cliff.

Our private boat (thanks, Xavier).

The gorgeous Sangeeta, mermaid-style.

Chandra, our in-house physio!

Dinner party at Jeffrey's.

My ladies.

Dinner at Ta Furnar.

Ian's imaginary saccharin friend, 'Kinnie'.

Stephanie and Peter.

Stephanie under the sunset.

My most amazing mascots... I missss you.

Sangeeta, just because.

Sometimes saying good-bye is the hardest part... but I've already seen one of you since and I hope to see more of you again soon!

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 25th July 2009 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2009-08-12T12:12:00.001-07:00

With Irene, Ian, Juliette, Verner, Simone (and baby Verner/Simone).

A beautiful mix of some very special people I won't forget... including a Yogatraveller veteran (Irene) and my first Yogatraveller in utero (Verner/Simone baby)! (I love teaching pre-natal yoga, and I look forward to the possibility of having my own baby one day. Now if I could just find a boyfriend first - or maybe a lunch date to start...). Readers, anyone?

Dinner at Ta Furnar.

Ian puts equestrian activities aside for rock-climbing (inside joke).

Verner encouraging from below.

Irene, looking very natural!

The rock-climbing gang.

Beautiful Juliette sunbathing on deck.

Verner waving, Gozo ferry caught in background.

Verner snorkels.

Juliette and Simone get playful on a rope.

Oooookay.

Juliette tests her balance on board.

Simone (and baby)!

Gratuitous dive shot.

Any opportunity to 'fly' a trapeze artist!

And to be 'flown' by one.

Thanks, lovely friends, for enjoying the beauty of Gozo, yoga and good company as much as I do. And for your light-heartedness when I'm taking it all too seriously. You are my teachers.

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 18th July 2009 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2009-08-12T12:09:00.001-07:00

With: Nina, Ann, Oi Ling and Natalie.

Beautiful summer days and nights coming and going in Gozo, with yoga to start and end each one. I always love when I have a mother/daughter in my group... partly because it makes me think of my mother, who inspired me to start yoga 5 years ago (and who has a beautiful yoga practice, I might add...). I also love when I meet someone a little younger than me who teaches me a hell of a lot about life. I am a lucky girl to meet so many interesting people and get to call it 'work'.

We spent most of our days soaking up the perfect mid-summer weather by the pool, going on trips to town, taking walks, dining together and, of course, getting twisted in the yoga studio. These ladies had a thirst to learn!

At Jeffrey's restaurant.

Boat trip to Comino.

Aubrey (that's me) goes on a fun dive!

Ann enjoys the perfect summer ocean.

Showing off our moves at Azure's Window (we are not poseurs!).

Our sweet group.

All yoga lessons aside - laughing, sharing stories and making new friends makes these holidays. That is our yoga.

Yogatraveller week at La Source 12th July 2009

2009-07-24T03:31:00.000-07:00

There were 14 guests at La Source this week, full capacity! Considering we only started in May, things are going swimmingly. We were honoured to have our very first clients from the deep South, USA! Quentin is South African and arrived on a big shiny red motorcycle, Ralph came from Dublin, Sarah came from Geneva, and the rest of the crew were from the UK.

There seems to be something that yoga people have in common. They are well read, well travelled (at least in spirit), and open. I think we love our yoga weeks as much as our guests.

On the first night, everyone was a little shy but we put into practice our new pre-dinner ritual (it is top secret!) and by dinner the conversation was flowing…. And it was torrential by the end of the week. Everyone had so much to say to each other. Friends for life were formed this week.

There was a mix of yoga virgins and advanced yoginis. We had 18 hours of yoga ahead of us, so started gently in the dojo and worked up throughout the week to quite a rigorous flowing practice. In the morning we started with a little awareness meditation, pranayama, a good warm up and then a Hatha based series of asanas. Everyone progressed very quickly. In the evening, we did a more spiritually focussed practice with meditation. Eva, who was a little quiet at the beginning of the week, and struggled with some of the postures requiring arm strength, stunned us all with a perfect headstand!

A lot of the guests came to relax and relax they did. I think our library was very well used and appreciated. Some people came to be active, and they went on some 9 hour hikes and rock climbed.

On our last night we went out to a Yurt for a fondu dinner. We celebrated Duncan and Agniezka’s birthday (Duncan is my husband, and a climbing coach and Agniezka is our climbing instructor and hiking guide). Our lovely guests gave us all presents to thank us for the week.

Here are a few comments that people have e-mailed us:

I owe you much from this week - a good rest, good company, good spirit, good inspiration, good healing, good yoga, good heart, the right place to be at the right time, and a good welcome.... thank you so much.

I thought it was all perfect.

I just wanted to thank you all for last week. It was very easy to stay with you, I never felt awkward and I haven't laughed or cried so much in years. What you're doing is very special.

I think all of my 120 staff could benefit from what you gave me!!! They can't believe how much better I feel and how I am hitting the ground running............that's the magic of La Source xxx

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 4th July 2009 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2009-07-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

With: Katrina Perrin, Paula Hockley, Emma Johnston, Melissa O'Hea, Maria Brady, Andrea Schulze, Carmel O'Reilly and Therese Noonan.

What can I say about another amazing group I haven't said already? Lots. The week started out with our town's feast/festival - how apropos! This is the time of year when all the individual towns in Gozo have their annual feasts, which basically means each town honors their saint (or saints) of choice by decorating the town center, letting off very loud fireworks, parading marching bands and making general merriment.

Gharb church during festival week by day...

Gharb church during festival week by night.

When we weren't hanging by the pool, getting spa treatments, sight-seeing and exploring local restaurants, we were getting seriously playful in the yoga studio. This week's group was very strong and experienced, so we pushed the boundaries of Hatha Yoga - totally appropriately, of course.

Comino Island boat trip!

The gang and I, basking.

My ladies are fit!

Sunset yoga.

Meditating on the sunset.

Nature.

Sunset yoga at Azure's Window (strike a pose).

Our last night together was very special because it was Katrina's birthday, and we had a lot to celebrate. So we took our tribe (11 in tow) to Ta Funar in Xaghra (one of my favorite restaurants in Gozo), pushing the boundaries of food/wine/laughter/desert - again, totally appropriately (wink wink).

Gorgeous students.

Happy Birthday, Katrina!

People sometimes ask me if I ever feel burned out teaching so many yoga retreats. And, for the first time in my working like I can honestly say (making full eye contact) that I never do because each week is different, each group has a different lesson and gift for me. This group left me feeling especially fulfilled.

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 13th June 2009 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2009-06-27T07:46:00.000-07:00

With: Beverly Brough, Jill Dowling and special guests, Michelle Riordan (Yogatraveller owner/much more), Frankie Parker (Michelle P.A./nanny extraordinaire/much more) and Conor (Michelle and Michael's son/much more to come).

Summatime... and the livin' is eeeeeeasy. Fish are jumpin'...and the prickly pear cactuses are in bloom! Even if your daddy's not rich, you can still come on a yoga holiday. Okay, that was corny, I admit. But check out the prickly pear cactus blossoming in my backyard. Gnarly, right?!

Prickly pear cactus in bloom.

This was an exceptionally exciting week for me as one of Yogatraveller's owners, my boss and my friend, Michelle Riordan was coming from Ireland to attend the holiday with us! I couldn't wait to catch up with her, share some meals and chat about yoga (she is a teacher too) and get to teach her some classes. It's such a treat to occasionally be able to teach fellow yoga teachers - I love the vibe. There's this sort of unspoken comraderie in the room that adds to the energy, probably like when a musician goes to see a band.

Since the weather's been absolutely amazing, we couldn't miss a trip to Comino...

Jill taking a contemplative seat.

Jill steers us to shore.

Sunset yoga at Azure's Window (crazy colors!).

Beautiful Michelle and Conor.

My class 'raising the roof'.

What a setting for meditation practice.

Outdoor pizza party after class.

The week cumulated with healthy bodies, healthy minds and many more friendships made. And, I got to go to Capri for a little mini-break - lucky me! It's tough work taking a holiday from a holiday, but someone's got to do it...

Until we meet again.

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 6th June 2009 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2009-06-27T03:34:00.000-07:00

With Gloria Howe, Pamela Lewis and Poppy Choudhury.

Do you have skeletons in your closet? Great! So does everyone. (And I bet mine are more shocking than yours, not to burst your bubble.) Another cool thing about yoga is realizing all human being share similar stories - and your story (however sad or tragic you might perceive it to be) is probably more comparable to mine, or theirs, than you think. The knowledge everyone shares similar stories is not only hugely comforting but also makes you more compassionate which helps better connect you to everyone you meet.

There's a word in Sanskrit which I love - 'kula' - which literally means, 'clan'. In other words, your chosen group of friends, your clique. In the ghetto they'd call your 'kula' your 'peeps' or your 'homies'. One of the coolest things about a kula is that anyone can be in it, as long as they're equal contributors. I couldn't help but consider this week's yoga group to be a kula because of each person's ability to be totally open-minded, honest and candid about their lives (refreshing, thank you!) no matter what their background.

In my book, life becomes interesting and engaging when raw communications happens - the rest is just filler fluff.

Gloria in front of our pool

Poppy being very devoted.

Gloria soaking up some rays.

The group exploring Comino.

Gratuitous water shot.

Start 'we are amazing' scenic yoga photo shoot...

Poppy snorkeling!

Fun at Azure's Window.

'Happy ending' to week with delicious dinner at our friend Tony's restaurant, Ta Funar... love to my kula.

2009-06-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

Another special Yogatraveller week at La Source… We had 4 wonderful Irish women across 2 generations, and a lovely American traveller. Back at base, there was also a group doing rock climbing and hiking and 2 journalists. From the first night, everyone was excitedly chatting as though they had known each other for weeks!

Rain was forecast for 3 days, but every morning, we woke up and the sun peeped through the clouds until after our morning yoga practice by the lake. We were only forced indoors one morning and the dojo is so calming that it was hardly a sacrifice!

So, as always at La Source, the weeks are spontaneous and adventurous. We skipped the overnight in a refuge due to the impending storm, but the girls did a day hike up instead. It was only the promise of hot lemon tart and Gina’s Reike that got everyone to the top and it was well worth it for the views and satisfaction. It was also good training for Sarah and Miriam’s little involuntary adventure… They ended up getting lost one afternoon and hiking miles up a canyon!

By the end of the week it was close to 30 degrees in the sunshine. The Irish gals were in bliss and could not get enough warm rays.

My cousin John – mountain legend and free spirit was here leading the rock climbing. He spent 10 years studying White Crane – a healing form of martial art so we did a White Crane yoga session by the Lake one morning. A lovely old French woman passing on her bicycle stopped and started to mimic our actions. We invited her into our circle and she practiced with us for a little white. We had other guests, like the neighbours cows, and a few goats. Of course Java, our dog, showed us all up doing downward dog.

Everyone made great progress with the yoga. The grass really helped give confidence to those a little anxious about headstand. The group were experienced yogi’s and we managed to get quite experimental with postures and in meditation. We drew upon Deepak Chopra’s 7 daily spiritual laws of Yoga.

After some serious hikes and 3 hours of yoga a day, the girls decided to have an afternoon treating themselves to Shiatsu massages by our local Tai Chi master. He kindly offered to lead us in an interesting Dance of Shiva – a sort of a meditative Tai Chi Dance which was a novel experience. It is amazing what you come across deep in the countryside!

Lots of love, Saskia

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 23rd May 2009 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2009-05-31T02:54:00.000-07:00

With Michelle Hickey, Desney Erb, Gillian Murray and Mary McCabe.

Our theme of the week was, 'What does Yoga mean (to you)'? To me, 'Yoga' means the ability to be conscious enough to navigate fluently through life in a way that's most optimal, healthy and enjoyable for you and those around you. Everyone has their own definition... my students' beautiful definitions included: being present, mind/body/spirit alignment, physical and mental relief of everyday stress and the ability to 'see' with ones' eyes closed. Wow! If that's what yoga is, I'll take some.

Apart from daily doses of yoga and sun, our week was filled to the brim with activities including temple visits (Megalithic and Ta Pinu Shrine), hiking, day at Ramla Beach, wine vineyard tasting/tour, cinema, scuba-diving, spa treatments and, of course, lots of delicious dinners. Because, what is Yoga if it's not balanced with other pleasures?!

'Stations Of The Cross' hike in front of Ta Pinu Shrine.

Amphitheatre at the top of hill!

Why is our silly yoga teacher always downside-up?

Wine tour/tasting of Ta Mena vineyard with co-owner, Phil.

We almost lost our Gillian to crushing grapes.

Vin and Vinyasa!

Yoga and wine connoisseur - me.

Gillian practicing her scuba diving skills in Xlendi.

Yogis are naturals at diving, as Gillian proved.

Michelle's birthday dinner at Otter's.

The birthday posse.

Dinner at Jeffrey's.

Champagne time!

Sunset yoga at Azure's Window.

Desney, head-standing on rock.

Final savasana.

Thanks to another lovely group for helping me explore the treasures of Gozo and the different interpretations of yoga!

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 9th May 2009 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2009-05-19T02:04:00.000-07:00

With Kristina Bolger, Katie Morrison, Sarah Coughlan, Pippa Miller and Cathryn Priest.

Magical time of year with an equally magical group of people. This was the first real HOT week in Gozo, so between yoga classes bikinis came out and a little vitamin D put a smile on everyone's face, along with some incredible tans. Who said there's no vanity in yoga?

Our stunning pool (sunbathe-zone).

Sarah catching some rays - and reading.

Kristina and I (reunited after Thailand).

Since I was blessed with another super fit, open-minded group, the yoga classes were our time to play, learn, explore and reflect.

Kris and Katie.

My students are flexy.

Kris, showing us some sunset yoga.

Inversion practice.

During the day (when we weren't sunbathing) my students biked, ran and walked all over the island - I couldn't believe they still had enough energy for yoga in the evening!

Sarah starting an island tour.

Katie, also embarking by bike.

As usual, we fed ourselves extremely well (you have to when you're doing so much exercise during the day!). In one week we managed to eat at Jeffrey's in Gharb, Il Panzier in Victoria, Tatitas in San Lawrenz, Otter's in Marselforn and D-Bar in Qala. We also went to see a local band at Zeppie's 'Art Box' on our last night and got our groove on.

Waterfront dinner at Otter's.

Dinner at Tatitas.

Kris and some local ravioli.

Sarah, with an impressive sense of humor (and sun burn!).

Our night out to see the band.

Like peas in a pod. Or, Mojo's.

As we speak I'm trying to figure out ways to see these ladies again (London yoga, anyone?)... so signing out 'till next time!

Yogatraveller, La Source, Samoens, France - June 2nd, 2009

2009-05-11T03:12:00.000-07:00

WoW! We have just come to the end of our first La Source, Alps - Yogatraveller week. Expectations were high! La Source is nothing like a hotel - more like a '21st Century Commune'! La Source and the mountains around us carries a magic energy that effects people deeply. Our guests often comment on it… ‘One of the most amazing experiences of my life so far…’ ‘..the amazing energy..’. This was our first ‘facilitated’ holiday and energy ran higher than ever. It was amazing!

The sun shined and the mountains gleamed. The spring flowers were sprouting colour before our eyes. We started off our yoga practice inside the beautiful dojo, but once we had established a rythmn and flow, we moved outside. We practiced under the Magnolia tree, in a field, by a lake and in the woods. We practiced asanas, pranayama, relaxation, meditation, laughter yoga, silent yoga….. The practice became more spontaneous and expansive as the week progressed. Not only were we becoming more flexible and strong in our bodies but in our mind – we shed layers and took steps towards greater potential.

Our wonderful guests came from all 4 corners of the earth – Dubai, Nimibia, Canada (via Indonesia), Italy, Russia and the UK (via Switzerland). ‘Bring on’ the solar plane!! We were an eclectic group but we laughed and learned a lot together.

Miriam was an Iyengar yogi, and there is no doubt that acclimatising to a much more fluid form of yoga can be a challenge - although I have just heard that she has been inspired to find a more energetic class back home. Simona had only ever practised in front her Nintendo DS, and was very happy to have a ‘real life’ teacher and has gone back to Milan to find one to perfect her headstand! Hanneke had to do the wheel barrow to realise her arms were strong enough to carry her body weight – and is now happy to see the world upside down. Marijke brought us lots of laughter and joy and had relentless energy. Natasha, aka, KGB, has gone back to Moscow with wings ready to quit her job and go travelling. Nicola brought us some mind-expanding ways of looking at life and ourselves…. Everyone contributed to the richness of the week!

During the day, there was a lot going on. Some hiked, rock climbed, visited the glaciers in Chamonix, went white water rafting, and shared mind expanding books.

We were all happy to meet back at La Source for a delicious wholesome meal and interesting conversation (Hannecke was most relieved that we were not austere purists running a regimented retreat.) On the chefs night off, our lovely Italian, Simona, offered to cook and has introduced coconut chocolate balls which we will become a highlight every holiday!

A few words from our guests:

'During this week you guys gave me so much, I can barely imagine how I will continue my life the way I have got used to living and working, etc.. Thank you so much for this experience.'

'This week at La Source was certainly one of the best experiences in my life'

There is nothing like a lot of laughing and the mountain air to get you in touch with your SOURCE!

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 18th April 2009 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2009-05-07T06:03:00.000-07:00

With: Barbara Schmolke, Gemma Hancock and Shanti Das.

One of the big differences between the more traditional 'yoga retreat' and the more modern 'yoga holiday' is, on yoga holidays we encourage balanced participation in all the pleasures of life - including food and wine. (Relief, you think!) So, while we work our yoga bums off during the day, we certainly know how to eat at night. I am the hostess with the mostess when it comes not only to yoga, but to food as well. (Ask anyone who's seen me polish off a three-course meal - and finish theirs.) Yes, when it comes to fasting, cleansing, dieting, etc. I'll support it as long as you're doing it responsibly with good intention - but I'm not that kind of yogini myself. I prefer tasting all the (healthy) pleasures of life in moderate doses... and I encourage you to join me. Lucky, as it was, I was handed three lovely ladies who shared these views. And, straight to work we went.

As for the yoga, I knew I was going to be able to get creative with these ladies from the very start. Great body/mind awareness, strength and flexibility makes for a creative yoga classroom. So we explored with some fun poses, balances and sequences.

On the lawn at sunset...

When we weren't learning new ways to move our bodies and breaths, we were exploring every facet of the island - cathedrals, museums, old ruins, rock-climbing, boat-trip, spa and, of course, restaurants!

Boat trip to Comino Island:

Shanti, Gemma and Barbara.

Comino Island blue lagoon.

'This big.'

Rock-cliimbing in Mjarr ix-Xini:

Barbara scaling the rock.

Shanti makes a perfectly graceful descent.

Proof I can do things other than yoga!

In just one week, we managed to eat at four restaurants together - Rangers (in Gharb), Jeffrey's twice (in Gharb) and Otter's (in Marselforn):

That smile...

Our romantic waterfront dinner at Otter's.

Jeffrey's - our favorite.

Ta Pinu Shrine:

I think I can speak for everyone when I say we all left this week feeling well-exercised, well-centered and well-fed! Thank you to another beautiful group.

Wengen, March/ April 2009 Springtime in the mountains! Becky Wickham

2009-04-30T06:20:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to all my guests for such a lovely time in Wengen. The yoga and skiing went so well together and we all had a great time. The place is magnificent and a day on the slopes with yoga morning and evening fills you with such positive energy, its perfect!

The sun shone and the snow melted, perfect for forest walks and barefoot sunbathing.....

Beautiful Lauterbrunnen valley, with it's waterfalls and huge rock faces and little heidi houses like this one! Great for walking and gawping at the views.

Hatha in Sanskrit means the sun ( Ha) and the moon ( Tha) , so these photos show the awe inspiring full moon over the mountains ( we climbed up to watch it rise ) and below, the sun appearing in rays in the morning. Yoga in Nature....

By the last week in Wengen, the snow was totally melted down in the village, so skiing down was a joy, with stunning views in all directions. The ease of being able to ski back into the village through gorgeous pine trees add to this being the best ski resort ever!

Here's Nick in action, putting his balance to the test on his snowboard!

And having a rest! Its a tough learning curve, and we both spent a lot of time sitting on the ground! Luckily it was so sunny and warm, it was quite nice.

Hugh at the Start Bar. The top of the world famous downhill Lauberhorn race.

Hugh skiing down Black Rock, a fantastic piste with incredible views and hardly a soul to see! Bliss.

]The Eiger

Top of the world! Coming out of the cable car on a sunny morning like this is enough to fill you with joy... such fresh air and bright light, its really spectacular.

A daytrip to Interlaken was well worthwhile...the colour of the lake ( Lake Brienz) is magic, a walk by it is highly recommended.

Here's the view coming out of the hotel one morning....to give an idea of how high up we are there, the clouds are in our midst!

I hope the fun and yoga stays with you all....namaste....Becky x

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 11th April 2009 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2009-04-18T06:59:00.001-07:00

With Kylie Twible and Janna Blizeeva:

Traveling around the world alone teaching yoga in a variety of exotic locations (some more remote than others) certainly has its perks! But it can also be a little lonely at times - even after doing lots of 'I am happy being alone' matras. So it's such a treat when my students also become my friends, which happens most of the time because our Yogatravellers are so cool!

Hanging with Kylie and Janna this week was an example of this. We shared special times together both inside and outside of the yoga studio. I continuously feel so lucky to be surrounded by successful, independent, open-minded and spiritual people with my work.

Shoulder-standing in our cozy studio.

Practicing outside in the evening.

Smiling is part of the pose.

Janna, Kylie and I at dinner at Karolina's in Xlendi.

The beginning of the week started out blustery and cool, but then the sun came out just in time for a stunning boat trip to Comino island...

Aboard our private boat to Comino.

A familiar view.

Janna and I on roof of WWII memorial on Comino.

And, to play yoga outside.

Janna's first solitary headstand - caught on camera by Kylie!

Play-time (don't do this at home).

We even met up with a couple fellow yoginis traveling on the island, who joined us for a fabulous dinner at Il Panzier in Victoria one evening.

Janna, Kylie, Me, Tish and Helen at Il Panzier. Delicious!
www.yogatraveller.com

Yogatraveller, Clare, Ireland - April 10th 2009

2009-04-16T08:58:00.001-07:00

With Simon, Anne-Marie, Kathryn, Fiona, Antonella, Laura, Nicky, Teresa, Aine and Shelley
Easter Weekend - Special 3 night Yogatraveller weekend in West Clare, Ireland.

Ireland is possibly one of the most beautiful places on earth and the West of Ireland is probably the most beautiful part of all. All resting on one small, yet important condition, weather! We really get it all, 4 seasons in one day, and as I write this my house feels like it's about to blow away. So when we do get calm, sunny and clear days we feel truly worthy. We bask in the sunshine (albeit under warm clothes) we gaze out at the panoramic views, no longer obscured by the clouds and the rain and we really make the most of it.

So when we bring a group of people together, especially some who have never been to Ireland, we secretly hope that the sun shines. Externally we show that the weather does not bother us, that we are open to the grace of whatever Mother Nature throws at us, but when she sends us weather fit for the southern hemisphere, especially on a yoga weekend, we rejoice!

Easter Weekend was one of these weekends. The sun shone, the mornings were bright and so we brought this focus into our practice. To be thankful and grateful for what we don't expect but are granted nonetheless. These are reasons to celebrate. So we did this with surfing, hiking, eating, listening to traditional Irish music and doing lots and lots and lots of yoga!

For anyone who knows anything about surfing, they will know that an off-shore breeze is where its at. When the wind is blowing on-shore, the water is a mess with white, choppy and churned water. But when the wind is blowing off-shore, it forms perfect, clean and green waves, ideal for surfing, from beginners to advanced. Not only did the sun shine, but the wind blew off-shore and our little group of yogis took to our boards and braved the waves of the Atlantic. It was amazing!

Most of the weekend was spent in the studio however, we did so much yoga over the 4 days: each day we had 2 x 90 minute class of asana and we also did a 2 hour yoga workshop on Easter Monday.
We did some advanced postures, Headstands, The Wheel. We did some partner yoga and worked on a sequence of standing postures throughout the weekend as a foundation for the whole practice. We talked about Prana and Apana and tried to identify it in our stance (feet turned out, weak core, hunched shoulders - Apana, Feet turned in, chest rising, strong legs and core - Apana). We learned to let go of any pre-conceptions of our bodies or our 'level' and to be happy and focused on where we are, which may be different everyday.

And all the while the weather was kind to us. It was kind to us when we took a trip into the Burren to see the famous Dolmen, it was dry as we walked around. The weather was kind to us when it stayed clear and we drove up to the highest point to look at Galway, The Burren, The Aran Island and Doolin and could see for miles and miles. It was kind to us and the sun shone brightly as we visited the famous Cliffs of Moher. It was kind to us as we took our morning meditation, walking in the early sunshine, the waterfall shimmering in the light, the sound of the water in our ears. The weather was kind to us as we surfed the cold waters of the Atlantic looking up at the green sloping hills above, bathed in yellow light. The weather was kind to us when we ran, laughing out of the pub, in the lashing rain, excited about the live music we'd seen, mindful in the rain that the whole weekend could have been like that. Grateful for everything we did receive, that we didn't expect.

Thank you, all of you for a special weekend. I enjoyed the adventure, I enjoyed the conversations (especially the ones about books), I enjoyed the weather. But mostly I enjoyed teaching you all yoga, I hope you enjoyed it too

Michelle
x

www.yogatraveller.com

Yogatraveller, Taghazout, Morocco 4 - 15th April with Thilo Keller

2009-04-16T07:15:00.000-07:00

***** Yoga Deluxe

by Thilo Keller
With Sarah Hoodsdally and Sue Brown

Those lucky ones who decided for a Yogatraveller holiday in Morocco for Easter were rewarded with a truly luxurious yoga week. Each of them had six personal yoga classes with one on one tuition. Add to that the fantastic accommodation at La Source, hearing the waves even in your bedroom, perfect eweather, refreshing swims in the ocean, breathtaking views the trips and from the terraces of the apartments as well as delicous Morroccan cuisine. Five Star Deluxe. But what would all this luxury be without some Arabic and yogic adventures...

Adventure 1: Why does he always ask me to do difficult poses?

Adventure 1: Because it makes me feel good. Our Yoga playground overlooking the sea

The reward: sunset at La Source as seen from the apartment terraces

I have heard many people saying that Morocco was way too hot in summer, but I think that along the coast it will be a very pleasant climate all year. So far I have had the perfect temperatures here, the coolest was such that I needed a light jacket or sweatshirt in the evening and the hottest was perfect to lie on the beach.

Adventure 2: left or right? Hmmh, I better learn some Arabic

I thought it would be hard to find green scenery and flowers here. There are beautifiul flowers, trees and thistles everywhere. We even saw turtles and pink flamingos.

Adventure 3: My first donkey-asana! It was a bit difficult to get into the posture but I managed a smile while holding it...

This is where the fish-eaters' dinner is getting caught - brave!

Adventure 4: my first crow - hurray! Sarah got a big boost for her own practice: within her week she learned headstand, crow, wheel (Chatransana) and a very difficult warrior variation. I could hardly keep up with her learning speed.

Adventure 5: apart from the yoga Sarah learned how to surf and she managed to stand on the board 3 times!!!

This is probably why the surf instructor wouldn't mind her to become his second wife - if it only wasn't that expensive to keep several women: Moroccan men are allowed to marry up to four women. But all four women have to be treated equally: if one gets a pair of shoes, the other women also have to get a pair of shoes. This is why only very few rich Moroccans marry more than one woman... so all those who love really big families and unusual family constellations: marry a married married married Moroccan - hehe! I couldn't figure out yet whether the number of kids from each woman has to be equal too. But the amount of time he spends with each wife should be balanced. Hmmmh!

Those who do get married might live in a very big Moroccan house like this one - it is a Berber restaurant which serves yummy traditional food in the middle of nowhere, somewhere between Agadir and the Sahara desert, next to the Souss-Massa National Park.

Adventure 6: Our trip to Essaouira was exciting, beautiful and hilarious. A very big thank you for being there with me: Mohamed (my Moroccan friend who helps me understand the Moroccan culture), Me (Thilo, pronounce Teelo), Sue and Sarah (both showing us their sunglasses and their dentists work).

Essaouira is dreamlike, ethereal and exciting. We loved it!

Adventure 6: the owner of the spice shop and his Chameleon (a lady whose name I have forgotten) invited us for an invigorating tea with virility enhancing ingredients... well, the day ended with a long and steamy night, but we spare you the details here :-))

the photo shows the Chameleon lady walking on the ingredients of the tea: liquorice, rose petals, cardamom, cinnamon, ginseng and juniper berries to name but a few of those magic herbs...

Adventure 6: the tea tasted very good, the Chameleon was very well behaved and the grin on the faces got bigger with each sip...

Adventure 7: the trip to Immouzer and swimming under the waterfalls
Sue has until then had never swam under a waterfall...

Adventure 7: the waterfalls are beautiful, the drive to Immouzer through the Paradise Valley has spectacular sights... althogether: a very worthwhile trip to do. the water is nice and refreshing, Sarah insisted it was f...... freezing. Jumping in the water is an adventure by itself. We loved it and we felt sparkling fresh and invigorated afterwards - YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!
Sue went in the water AND: she was delighted with her first swim in a waterfall, something she had not done in her 60 years in this incarnation.

I thank Sarah and Sue for my first Yogatraveller week. Seeing them learn and develop and going on trips to Essaouira, to the waterfalls of Immouzer and to the Souss-Massa National Park turned my week into a rich, beautiful experience which I will enjoy remembering for a long time. Inshallah (so god wants!)

www.yogatraveller.com

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 4th April 2009 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2009-04-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

With Caroline Le Barbier, Antje Meier, Denise Dowling and Anita Meier.

Another beautiful Yogatraveller week in Gozo. The weather is just starting to make its final lunge towards a hot sultry summer - and we've all been waiting patiently!

Between juicy yoga classes in our awesome subterranean studio, we rented bikes, went on hikes, explored the neighboring villages and the capital city, Victoria (Rabat), went to delicious dinners, had treatments at freespirit spa, went rock-climbing and just chilled out.

Anita demonstrating her beautiful balance.

A few in my sweet class.

Us in front of the pool.

Caroline dancing in front of Azure's Window.

Caroline, Anita and Denise.

Anita's Warrior 2 in front of Azure's Window.

Yogis like being upside-down.

I consider myself quite a sporty person, but I had never been rock-climbing before. So I was thrilled to find out one of my students, Caroline, is an experienced rock-climber and wanted to get to know the rocks in Gozo. We called over to Xavier from Gozo Adventures to guide us to the best rock-climbing site in Gozo, and next thing we knew we were dangling from a breathtaking cliff in Mjarr Ix Xini!

Caroline, nearing the top.

Yoga and rock-climbing go together so well!

Caroline and I, post-climbing.

I can't finish this entry without saying the best sport award goes to Antje, who twisted her ankle on a trip into town mid-week (not doing yoga). Despite the great inconvenience this injury caused her, she kept up a positive attitude the entire time which was such an inspiration to all. Sometimes the most difficult part of our yoga practice is learning to roll with the punches and not to let it get us down, which she was a living symbol of... so proud of her. And the rest of my enthusiastic group, of course!

Antje, our mascot.

Gharb church lit up for Good Friday...
www.yogatraveller.com

Yogatraveller, Koh Ngai Island, Thailand 4-11 April by: Vincent Sandee

2009-04-11T08:34:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Welcome to this week’s blog. We had another peaceful, deep, and fun time at the Island. I had the pleasure to meet beautiful people again. We had great time having dinner together and doing Yoga.

Alex, Lovisa and Alison have been incredibly committed to the Yoga session and they all achieved great progress in them. Lovisa was able to perform the advanced sequence of passing from the crow to the headstand. Mmmm, they said they were quite new to Yoga…. Wow!!!
There has been some refreshing rain at times, which has made the experience a little “fresh” since Thailand is usually a hot country, but never dry. We shared lots of talks about the elements and experienced through meditation. Alex has shared his experience as a student of Chinese Medicine and I found it really interesting…. A call I heard a long time ago (to unite Chinese medicine with Yoga).

As usual the holiday developed according to the level of the guests and their interests.

Alison, a woman of very intense will power but also sweet and adaptable (great qualities), has been really quick in catching up with the yoga, showing clearly that she can become really good at it. Her “crow” on the last day was astounding!!!!

Well, thank you for reading again,
Joy to you all,
Vincent Sandee
www.yogatraveller.com

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 21st March 2009 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2009-03-30T02:49:00.000-07:00

With: Fleur Carter, Andree Blouin, Liliane Blouin, Ginette, Teresa MacIntosh, Lindsey Ferries, Marie-Claire O'Brien and Geraldine O'Brien.

I think everyone would agree... this was one of those Yogatraveller weeks where the energy was just inexplicably ON. Totally illuminated from day one. I couldn't have asked for a kula of such open hearts and minds. When everyone in the room is a 'YES!' person, the opportunities are endless.

Our yoga studio, our playground.

Gozo is still flirting with summer season, so our week was sunny but breezy and cool. Because of this we were able to be really active between yoga classes, doing activities that will be a bit more exhausting when the temperatures begin to sky rocket. The island is still blessed with its springtime carpet of luscious green grass and flowers, so we took advantage!

Fleur in tree pose atop WWII watch tower on Comino Island.

Lindsey... blissed out.

Between morning and evening yoga classes we were busy bees... we rented bikes and rode them all around the island and into the center of town, went on a breath-taking hike along a cliff's edge to a 3,000 year-old temple, took a trip to the famous Ta' Pinu Shrine, had lunch in the seaside town of Xlendi, went on an idyllic boat trip and walk all around stunning Comino Island, practiced sunset yoga over-looking Azure's Window (famous rock formation), had a group dinner at Jeffrey's restaurant, etc. The list goes on and on!

Boat trip to Comino!

Rock window (great cave diving!).

I've seen more beautiful things, just can't remember where ...

Group in front of Comino Island church.

Our abundance of adventurous activities aside, the real magic (for me, at least) took place in our yoga classroom where I was able to absorb and reflect the magnetic energy of each of my students. I was so moved by this particular group, I was inspired to teach an impromptu invocation, the 'Om Namah Shivaya Gurave' passage. Before our mediation session each evening we gathered together and recited this entire passage together until it started to roll off of our tongues. Not only were we chanting one of the most beautiful and auspicious Sanskrit invocations together in unison, but we were doing so in five different accents of the English language... One of my students pointed out to me that within our group of 9 (including myself) we had a melody of accents from America (me), Australia (Fleur), Scottish (Lindsey and Teresa), Irish (Marie-Claire and Geraldine) and French-Canadian (Andree, Lily and Ginette). Beautiful.

Ginette and Andree striking a Warrior 2.

Aubrey being silly upside-down.

We spotted this wild bird perched on a cactus plant! (National Geographic moment.)

I hope to see you all again in another gorgeous corner of the earth - maybe even back here in Gozo. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

www.yogatraveller.com

Koh Ngai, Thailand 21-28 March by: Vincent Sandee

2009-03-28T06:42:00.000-07:00

This week was a quite peaceful an intimate kind of experience. Our group was very small for this time: 2 guests plus me, the instructor/host. But, obviously, I came to know that this is what the guests, Alison and Morten, were hoping for... they asked and they received!

We had a great time talking about the Mystical Elements that influence us and applying all that we talked into Yoga Postures! The level of Yoga was quite the same therefore the week went smooth and easy. We had more than one laugh fantasizing about the lizards that surround our environment, creating stories and possible situation that could might be good for comic-fiction. Yogi Morten and Yogini Alison had the luxury of having Thai Massage everyday and, especially Yogi Morten, sometimes for 2 hours in a row! A perfect combination with Yoga. We loved it, loved it and loved it! Then, relaxed enough, the day has come to come back to our city-busy lives once more, certainly enriched again and with lots of energy mixed with awareness.

Joy to you all,

Vincent Sandee

Yogatraveller, Koh Ngai 21 Feb 2009 by: Vincent Sandee

2009-03-26T05:27:00.000-07:00

Wow! This week was amazing. The group was particularly quiet and peaceful. All of them were committed to yoga and learning. At the same time they largely enjoyed the Thai massages available at the islands well as the special treatments, pools at night, en relaxing peacefully in front of a book (reading it, I suppose J).
The beauty of everything is that you get to know people intimately as they show their most authentic beauty.

In this group all the people had already had some experience in yoga, pilates, fitness and martial arts. It was beautiful to see how they grew in their yoga and meditative practice. I tried my best to serve people’s needs as they arose. And we were able to balance between relaxation and a little challenge (giving relaxation a much wider advantage…seen the beauty of the place). And, to great surprise to me, I found myself becoming a natural morning person.
This week reawakened in me the freshness of the spiritual teachings of yoga, as well as allowed to expand my practice and relation to the students at a physical, human and soul level.
Thank you to all of you! I wish you all Great Joy, and hope the light of Yoga will shine in you heart, mind and soul for the rest of your life.
Vincent Sandee

Yogatraveller, Koh Ngai, Thailand 7th March 2009 by: Vincent Sandee

2009-03-22T23:44:00.001-07:00

What a great week! Again new people, new ways of connecting and having fun! We had such a great time. Yoga and meditations went perfectly well. I was astonished how by the middle of the week all the yoginis where totally aligned correctly with the postures! Congratulations for the effortless discipline. I suppose this comes out naturally in such amazing surroundings, especially when cradled by the sound of the sea.

What has been most incredible this week is that everyone had life-changing news! Teresa had three job offers in one day, and a fourth at the end of the week. Nicola got a confirmation from a new job. Finally, Rebecca, right after the end of the week got into Harvard. There is something magic in these yoga holidays, obviously we can’t be certain, but it seems like this is fertile ground for our progresses in life. JUST BEAUTIFUL.Yoga practices were deep, and after a few days, even the most hard sequences seemed quite easy compared to the beginning. And let’s not forget the amazing dinner that we had… I think this is the week where I got to eat the most! The fish was too fresh and tasty to say “no”!

I am so glad to go back there, a perfect combination of yoga practice, relaxation, peace and fun. Thank you, Nicola, Teresa and Rebecca. You have enriched me with your life experience. Hearing you talking about the most interesting (!!!) subject has been enlightening.
Joy to you all
Vincent
www.yogatraveller.com

Yogatraveller, Wengen,Switzerland 14-21 March By: Becky Wickham

2009-03-20T04:16:00.000-07:00

My first week in Wengen, Switzerland was filled with sunshine and awesome views.

My group of 8 people from around the globe arrived and we spent the week on the mountain skiing, and in the yoga room bending and stretching out those muscles!!

This is the view of the valley from above the hotel, where I walked on the first day up through the forest path.

Our group had a great time, and here we are at the Baren restuarant enjoying a delicious pumpkin cake!

Left to right- Me, Becky, Rene, Arran, Frankie, Evonne, Sophie, Gino, Scott and Katie

We stopped in Brandegg while skiing down from Kleine Scheidegg at the base of the Eiger mountain for a hot chocolate, apple donuts with custard ( yummmm) and some yoga fun off piste. Here we are in a row of trees...a Yogatraveller forest.

Scott and Katie in Dancer pose on the way down the mountain- the pistes in Wengen are stunning, cruising through forests and wide mountain vistas that make your jaw drop!

Yoga and skiing are truly integrated here in this image... Awesome!!!

www.yogatraveller.com

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 22nd February 2009 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2009-03-16T07:59:00.000-07:00

With Lizanne Joubert, Helen Willis and Gillian Orrell.

Last I spoke to you all (last month) I was up to my knees in fresh powder in the Swiss Alps putting our balancing skills to the ultimate test - on and off the yoga mat. After our wintery wonderland retreat had come to a close, I was beckoned by Yogatraveller to yet ANOTHER magical vacation spot I had never been to before... to which I was compelled to answer a prompt: 'Yes'. (If only every life decision was so easy.) A few trains, a plane and a ferry ride later, I was transported onto the Mediterranean island of Gozo (just 5 km north of Malta) where I would spend my foreseeable future involved in more treacherous activities like yoga, scuba diving, hiking and rock-climbing with my students under the balmy sun. (Excuse the sarcasm - I know it's not very yogic.)

Ferry from Malta to Gozo.

Ta Sbejha resort.

My first week in Gozo was spent doing the following:

-making local friends (always a first must-do!)

-exploring every nook, cranny and cave I could access on this beautiful film-set inspiring island (note: scenes from, Troy, The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexander and Gladiator, among many others, were all shot here).

-eating enormous amounts of fresh pasta with local vegetables, cheese and wine

-getting used to the fact no stores are open during 'siesta' time, 12pm-4pm

-negotiating the delicate art of driving down 2-way roads narrower than a city sidewalk, whilst dodging oncoming vehicles flying towards you as if on 4 lane motorway

-getting pampered by Martin at the best spa in Gozo, freespirit. (And trying to figure out how I can live there without anyone noticing.)

-celebrating the year-round anticipated Gozotan Carnivale!

Gharb center church.

Aubrey (that's me) at Azure's window.

The beautiful Erinbell Fanore, my Yogatraveller Gozo predecessor, and her little angels.

Carnivale in Nadur!

freespirit spa's own Martin Rorris in costume.

After experiencing these local essentials, I was ready to host my first yoga group in Gozo - 3 lovely ladies living in England: Lizanne, Helen and Gillian.

Lizanne, Gillian and Helen.

Between the 21 hours spent learning yoga and meditation, we also managed to get around the rest of the island! We visited the 5,000 year-old megalithic Ggantija Temples in Xaghra, hiked to a 4,000 year-old cave temple hidden on a cliff's edge behind Victoria, biked and walked all around Gharb and the nearby towns, had a few dinners out on the town and saw some live music (cover music, albeit, but still live).

Dinner at D-Bar in Xala.

As we all know, so often the best memories happen spontaneously and close to home. I have to say my favorite night with my students happened on one of our first evenings together, when they invited me to join them in a little impromptu dinner 'party' in one of their rooms. And there I was with 3 women I had only met a few days' prior, cooking dinner and exchanging 'skeletons in the closet' stories (sans booze!) like we used to in middle-school sleep-overs. Absolutely brilliant... Proof best things in life are free.

Dinner over-looking the ferry harbor.

Thank you, Lizanne, Helen and Gillian for helping me set the tone for an exciting Yogatraveller year on Gozo! You are all hysterical and brilliant. Between 'flying crows' and political dinner banter you certainly won't be forgotten.
www.yogatraveller.com

Yogatraveller, La Source, Morocco December 27-January 3

2009-02-10T05:02:00.001-08:00

Week Two in Morocco!
The second week was also quite an experience. A very different group but again full of special people. Who over the week grew dearer and dearer to me. It's hard when the weeks run back to back like this because I am only just saying good bye to one set when the other's are already arriving. My heart can be a little overloaded at first, but as the days moved on I was showered with smiles and warmth and laughter from this group.

Like the first it was a large group of 18 people full of different yoga levels from absolute beginners to more advanced yoga practitioners. I did my best to give everyone their individual attention and to build up the level of the class so that by the end of the week everyone is being challenged.

We brought in the New Year after a roof top dinner in town. I was a good teacher and in bed early but some yogi/nis were celebrating until morning taking evening dips in the Atlantic and all. Needless to say, the morning class on Jan. 1st was small. Those that made it loved the extra attention!

This was also an important week for me as it was my last with Yogatraveller. Time has come to move on. So as I said good-bye the wonderful people at the end of the week, I also said good-bye to Yogatraveller.

I wish you all peace and happiness,

May our paths cross again somewhere on this big, beautiful, mesmerizing world,

Erinbell Fanore

www.yogatraveller.com

Yogataveller, Wengen, Swiss Alps - 31st January 2009 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2009-02-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

With Nancy Huffman and Michaela Rebbeck.

After sadly saying good-bye to Thailand in December and heading home to the US for a rejuvenating holiday hiatus, come January, I now find myself in yet another idyllic corner of the world with Yogatraveller: Wengen, Swiss Alps. Stepping off the quaint little green and yellow ski-gear-equipped train at Wengen station (about a 3-hour ascending train trip from Zurich Airport), it was clear I couldn’t be anywhere more different than where I was teaching the month prior… Instead of the deliciously chaotic, sultry hot, tropical sandy frenzy that is Thailand, I was now in the most pristine, powdery snowy-white, impeccably manicured little ski town that resembles the inside of a snow globe come to life.... As I marched my way up the winding hill leading to our quaint hotel, The Alpenruhe, joyous-looking people busily towing skis, snowboards, groceries and bundled up children on sleds whizzed by me.

Train to Wengen.

Wengen train station.

The Alpenruhe Hotel.

My Alpenruhe Hotel room.

View from hotel room (!).

Since yoga is so closely connected with nature, it should always be geared towards your environment. I recently had a conversation with my beloved yoga teachers/friends, Tracy and Mitchel Bleier, while we were on a trip to Los Angeles a few weeks ago... Having spent most of our time living, practicing and teaching yoga on the East Coast (mostly in and around New York City), we were bemused to learn most yoga classes in Los Angeles invariably start with rigorous abdominal exercises (not associated with traditional yoga asana) accompanied by very loud music, reminiscent of a night club. (We joked that to be a yoga teacher in L.A., all you need to be is a good DJ.) However, that's what they want - that's the environment - so, in a way, it makes sense; L.A. is a casual place, people don't take themselves too seriously (though they certainly want to look good and have washboard abs!). L.A. yoga mirrors that philosophy, which makes it appropriate. New Yorkers, on the other hand, take themselves very seriously. Our yoga classes tend to be more traditional, more structured, we are all front-row students of what we do. We are professionals during the day, yogis in evening, foodies and winos at night - that's how it goes. We would never settle for club music during yoga class - that's for after class. We compartmentalize and multi-task. Again, yoga mirroring life. Which leads me to my point...

Mitchel taught me that one of the countless questions yoga poses is, 'What's appropriate for any given situation?'. (Clothing and food that is appropriate in Thailand, for example, is not appropriate for Switzerland. Just as the person you dated in high-school might not be appropriate for you now.) Similarly, yoga in the Swiss Alps is very different from yoga in Thailand (and yoga in L.A. or New York). Taking the environment into consideration, Thailand is hot, the body/muscles are already warm and open and classes are usually held outside near a beach under the sky. The teacher doesn't need to set and mood as much - the mood is already set. It's appropriate for yoga poses to be deeper. In contrast, the Swiss Alps in February is cold, the muscles are contracted and tighter. People are skiing/snowboarding during the day (mostly leaning forward and sometimes falling) which makes the muscles even more fragile. It's appropriate for yoga poses (or, 'snowga', if you can forgive me) to be more slow, gentle and opening. Heat needs to be built, but built gradually. Muscles exhausted on the slopes (feet, legs, hip flexors, back, etc.) need to be restored and stretched. Yoga is practiced in the comfort of a warm room, the teacher needs to set the mood more. Another reason teaching for Yogatraveller is so fantastic - you get the skills to be totally adaptable (and appropriate).

Me, at our December 2008 Yogatraveller retreat in Koh Ngai, Thailand (showing skin).

Me, at our January 2009 Yogatraveller retreat in Wengen, Swiss Alps (all bundled up).

After my students arrived, almost every hour of our seven days together were filled with yoga and skiing (snowboarding for me) when we weren't eating our way through this delectable town. I don't care what anyone says... the absolute best things you can do for yourself after a long day on the slopes is a hot bath, a yoga class, a hot meal (a glass of wine, if you twist my rubber arm) and a good night's sleep. We followed this schedule almost everyday, starting the day with a heat-building, strengthening yoga class and ending the day with a restorative, deep-stretching class. My students often remarked on the benefits they noticed the yoga made to their ski balance, stamina, awareness and recovery.

Cable car to Mannlequin Mountain.

Picturesque.

Local church.

In a recent article from Yoga Journal, Baron Baptiste and Kathleen Finn Mendola explain, 'Where skiing is fast and risky, yoga is slow and thoughtful. The two sports' philosophies diverge, yet the physical demands of skiing call out for the counter movements of yoga. Perhaps the biggest benefit yoga can bring to your skiing is injury prevention... Skiing asks a lot from the body - cold muscles are called upon to perform a variety of functions, while dexterity, balance, and high levels of concentration are also a must. For those skiers who hit the slopes sporadically, these athletic requisites are often too tough, and they can end up injured and disillusioned with the sport. By observing your body's imbalances, brought on by the particular movements of skiing, and employing a yoga program to bring your body into a state of equilibrium, you can avert injury and participate in the sport for years to come'.

Which is no surprise considering athletes from all sports fields have recently been turning to yoga to help them with strengthening and stretching, body-awareness, concentration, breathing and injury prevention; Interestingly, the majority of this new demographic is male (men have typically been resistant to learning about yoga in the West, though yoga was founded by men in India, dismissing it as a 'chick sport'). I'm glad it's starting to catch on with the fellows. When touting yoga to skeptical men I always start by posing the rhetorical question - why not participate in a sport comprised mostly of fit, single, open-minded women who are only going to think you're 'cute' for giving it a go? That always gets them.

As the week neared a close we had a delicious group dinner at a local Swiss fondue restaurant (The Bernerhof) where we dined on cheese and beef fondue (when in Switzerland...). The next evening we dined at Da Sina's where we had a variety of pastas (not so traditional, but the body craves carbs after a long day on the slopes!). After dinner we went up to The Falken Hotel to watch Al Copley, pianist extraordinaire, mesmerize his audience with his deft dexterity for jazz and 'boogie-woogie' piano and singing.

Fondue dinner at the Bernerhof.

Dinner at Da Sina's.

Ask anyone who's been lucky enough to visit the Swiss Alps... you can't find anywhere with more idyllic natural skiing/snowboarding conditions and atmosphere. (We even got about 8 more inches of fresh snow on our last few days here!) I think we all left this magical town feeling a bit achy, yet strong, centered and refreshed. Not to mention, excited to return again.

Nancy leaving our hotel in snow 'limo'.

www.yogatraveller.com

Yogatraveller, La Source, Morocco December 20-27

2009-01-25T08:34:00.001-08:00

La Source and the beach surroundingYoga Yoga Yoga!!!!
Me and the very good kind Surfing Coach Imad
Iza's handless downward facing dog.
More surfer girl

Camel Riding on Christmas
Iza's Birthday PartyThe hike up into the hills behind La Source
Sunset Yoga on the beach

Two weeks in Morocco! Wow! It was full on and amazing! The groups were big, 18 people each week, which meant I was surrounded by so many individually incredible and stunning people. Each and every person gave me special gift from their unique personality. I am thankful to have met each and everyone of you. I've on recently got back from Morocco but the sunshine and the warmth from the groups are still deep within me keeping me glowing.

Over the two weeks I experience many new and wonderful things:

I taught yoga to large very mixed level classes in I think the most stunning location I have yet to teach. It is a sweet pagado on the edge of the Atlantic which in Taraghzout is full of surfers (and sometimes even a camel).

I went Camel riding on Christmas day.

I went surfing for my first time ever and even stood up on the board over and over again. I have since been dreaming of surfing.

I went to a hammam with Iza and was amazed at how big her eyes can stretched in wonder.

I learned to live with miscommunication as for of communication. I spoke French, they spoke French yet at the same time we were speaking or hearing very different things. I learned to smile and laugh and take it as all part of the experience.

I ate Tajine for Christmas Dinner.

I ate Tajine for New Years Dinner.

I watched the sun turn to a big beautiful red ball of fire and sink into the Atlantic Ocean night after night.

I watched my kids perform their yoga for the guests in the pagoda, on the grass, at the beach...

I celebrated my daughter's birthday in incredible company and below the shining sun.

I thank you all for the lovely two weeks and I hope to meet up with each and everyone of you again somewhere, somehow.

Peace and happiness and Yoga,

erinbell.
www.yogatraveller.com

Yogataveller, Koh Ngai, Thailand - 15th November 2008 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2008-11-24T02:47:00.000-08:00

With Brett Penfil, Louise Dockery, Shelley Atkin, Mark Kennedy, Patrick Kaiser, Curt Wichert, Julie Hardie and Linda Widman.
By: Aubrey Lampkin

I feel like I’m starting to sound like a broken record with all the gushing about how much I love my job. So, just know I love my job - a lot - and I’ll save you the rest of the banter. What could be more amazing than arriving on a little paradise slice of island in the south of Thailand (straight from a mini-break in Melbourne, to boot) doing the thing you love most for a week? Being with eight fascinating people to share it with.

My United Nations of a yoga group was comprised of eight men and women from the England, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Germany, New Zealand and the US. I was so proud and humbled to have such a broad global representation sitting before me everyday. Just goes to prove no matter where you’re from, we’re all the same at the core. Makes the world seem much smaller and accessible. Oh, and did I mention we even had a member of the press amongst us? Yes, we're going to be written up in one of the top Swedish newspapers soon ... I'm not giving anything away until we get to send you the link. (I'm excited.)

We were warmly welcomed back to Thanya Resort on Koh Ngai by perfect weather, a doting hotel staff and - a massive new infinity-edged pool. Not that we need a pool when we have the translucent bath-warm ocean water right on our doorstep, but we certainly weren’t complaining about the luxurious new addition! That said, you won’t be surprised to learn we spent the first few days of our week between yoga classes alternating between ocean to pool, pool to ocean. (Oh, the torture of it all.)

Most of our nights we spent taking full advantage of the recent rebirth of high-season by scoping out the island’s best new beach restaurants (we collectively decided Koh Ngai Seafood BBQ won for best food and service and Koh Ngai Villas won for best bar and underage fire-show).

Yoga, yoga, yoga. I eat, sleep and breath it - especially on Koh Ngai. As usual, everyone did such an amazing job while holding our downward dogs, plank poses, arm balances, twists, inversions and backbends. It's so rewarding as a teacher to see one of your students get up in an arm balance, a headstand, etc. for the first time, and when they come down there's a new ray of light shining in their eyes as if to say, 'I get it! I get it!'. Love that.

Come Thursday we were itching for a little action but, alas!, our perfect weather had turned a bit grey. Light showers when it's mostly sunny and balmy isn't the worst thing in the world... but it isn't great for boat rides, which is what we wanted. So we did it anyway! Through light showers and warm ocean breeze we longtailed it over to Koh Mook to have lunch at a different resort, which was good fun. Not to mention our handsome boat captain. Eh, hum. So you could say the sun was always shining!

On our second to last night we had a little celebration for Brett and Mark's birthdays at our favorite seafood shack. Then, I had the brilliant idea to try to light blessing candles for them (which, when launched correctly, float up into the night sky like a shooting star) on a night when the wind was at its most powerful. Needless to say that didn't go over too well - but it was a fun spectacle almost setting myself (and the neighboring restaurant) in flames. We eventually let off some innocuous fireworks in lieu of the candles. Lesson being: when the natural stuff doesn't work - default to the surefire strong stuff. Only kidding, we like it the natural way.

As the end of the week approached, I did my best to fully soak in as much of the island as I could... not knowing when I'd return again (I'm leaving my post in Thailand in a few weeks to teach at a different Yogatraveller spot - location to be announced!). But, as we all know, the tighter you hold onto something the faster it slips through your fingers. So abandoning my idea of soaking everything in to form an indelible mental imprint, I decided instead to peacefully rest in the moment - whether or not I would see it again. Hey, yoga teachers have to practice what they preach. Or at least try.

Tropical locations, fancy resorts, activities and yoga classes aside, the bottom line is what makes these trips are the people. And I've never consistently met cooler people - who I want to teach AND hang out with - anywhere else. Individuals from every corner of the earth with open hearts and open minds converging outside their comfort zone to flourish even more. Folks who know how to choose one hell of a holiday. (There I go again.)

So, floods of humble thanks to my Koh Ngai 'Kula'... I would be a lucky lady to run into any of you again, which I certainly hope I do.

www.yogatraveller.com

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta – 15st November 2008 - By: Erinbell Fanore

2008-11-22T02:34:00.000-08:00

With Patrick, Sara, Lydia, Katharina, Katie and Monica

Dear fabulous yogi and yoginis,

It was a pleasure spending the week with you and sharing my passion for yoga with you. It was great to observe how you all got much stronger and flexible as the week went on. Your planks shook less. Your downward facing dogs found more extension. Your balance postures wobbled less and less. And your warriors bloomed. It was amazing to see each and every one of you get up into a headstand on Friday morning! The whole class no exceptions, wow! Well done.

Besides the yoga, you all gave a lot to the week You shared your warmth and humour so openly. Your consideration for each other and friendliness was so comforting and heartening. Thank you for being exactly who you are.

Here are some shots from the incredible sunset yoga we did. Plus a shot of one the critters we met along the hike. Mr. Beetle. I’m sure the bird and hedgehog that Bernard rescued are sunning themselves as I write. They’re probably looking out at the blue sea and the Comino tower smiling away at how beautiful it is here.

I hope our paths cross again someday, maybe here or Morocco or somewhere else…

Much peace and happiness to you all,
Erinbell.
www.yogatraveller.com

Yogataveller, Koh Ngai, Thailand - 1st November 2008 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2008-11-10T04:09:00.000-08:00

With Cecelia Ho, Liz O'Donnell, John Hudson, Nicola Gladwellbeck, Evelyn Hamilton, Megan McCabe, Laura-Beth Power and David Cahill.

I left Koh Samui where it was pouring cats and dogs, looking forward to meet up with my next Yogatraveller group in Koh Ngai, Trang and hoping for some sunnier skies - which is exactly what we were handed. I met my lovely group of 8 on Saturday morning and we all piled onto the traditional Thai longtail boat together to make the picturesque trip from Pak Meng Pier to Koh Ngai Island (where I readily refer to as 'paradise'). It was as if the clouds parted upon our arrival and we were promptly greeted by breezy blue skies and crystal still water - always a gift at the start of a beach-side yoga week.

I'm reminded how much I love Koh Ngai every time I come back, as do I always recall the magical moment I first set foot on the island (wading through the bath-warm transluscent water from the longtail boat to meet my future colleagues for the first time). There must be some magnetic force on that island where the moment you step foot on it everything just... slows ... down ... and ... doesn't ... matter ... as ... much. Yup, everyting is irie.

Approaching high season in Thailand, Koh Ngai island was almost back to full swing from the past few months of down-time. New resorts had opened, resorts were filling up and different people swept the beaches everyday. New energy rising. Which also meant ... new restaurants and new spas for us to frequent (very important for small island)!

We passed the first few days reading on the beach and soaking in the delicious sun, interrupted by the occasional Thai massage as a brief break and, of course, lots and lots of yoga. Come Wednesday, we decided not to take the perfect weather for granted and scheduled a boat/snorkelling trip to Emerald Cave (Tham Morakot) and Koh Muk to take full advantage of the clear skies and silky seas. I'm fairly certain the creators of the film, 'The Beach' were inspired by Emerald Cave because I can't imagine any natural wonder more similar to what was depicted in that film... and I was thrilled to finally get to experience it with my students for the first time. Emerald Cave is a white-sand beach lagoon hidden at the very center of the island but exposed to the sky. The cave entrance is a narrow passage on one side of the island, accessible by boat only during low tide. We got dropped off at the cave entrance and then (very bravely) swam for about 80 meters in the pitch black (our guide had one flash light to lead us) to access the lagoon, which spilled open onto a pristine white beach with an emerald colored open pool surrounded by high cliffs and jungle vegetation. So absolutely stunning we were all rendered speachless (can't wait to post the photo from Nicky's water-proof camera!). After that, we all went for lunch at a fancy new resort on Koh Muk island with a panoramic view of the ocean, then back home to our island.

No matter how many exciting activities we do, yoga is always the highlight for me. Teaching is such a joy, especially to a mixed level group. Beginners are always especially fun to teach since they're always so open and eager (as opposed to all us old, jaded yogis - only kidding!). The more you practice yoga (or anything else, I imagine) the more you discover there is to learn. So it's impossible to be a jaded yogi if you are a true yogi. Check out some of our yoga photos:

Other highlights from the week include group seafood dinners at Koh Hai Seafood (my favorite restaurant on the island), a casual little beach BBQ shack serving up fresh catches of the day, Thai massages with the illustrious Miss Mon (who calls herself my 'Thai mama') at Mayalay Sp, to-die-for reflexology and facial treatments at our Thapwarin Spa, 'Warin', a final Thapwarin group dinner on our last night and a boat/mini-bus trip back to Krabi where we all had to say our good-byes... I was off to gorgeous Melbourne for my week off, but excited to come back to my little paradise the following Saturday for my last group there.

So much thanks and respect to Ceci, Liz, John, Nicky, Evelyn, Megan, L.B. and Dave for another euphoric week in the Land of Smiles.
www.yogatraveller.com

Yogatraveller at The Yoga Show!

2008-11-10T02:50:00.000-08:00

The Yoga Show

Friday 31st - Sunday 2nd November 2008
The Olympia
London
Featuring (among others!) Yogatraveller

What a weekend! Michael and I travelled to London to exhibit at the massive Yoga Show, a 15,000 strong crowd of yogis and yoginis all there to live, breathe and sample yoga!
There were 100's of stalls offering information on yoga styles, studios and retreats, shops selling yoga products: clothes, books and even mugs, and many many other strange and wonderful stalls with things ranging from the Yoga Chair to tarot reading. All around The Olympia's Grand Hall there were classes, workshops and demonstrations being held and I defy anyone to be bored and not a little lighter of pocket leaving that place (Yes, I spent, boxes and boxes of Pukka Tea's I can't get here, some natural shampoo and conditioner, a chakra poster, Yin Yoga DVD, a Shiva Rea DVD and two nice pairs of yoga pants, we even splashed our on a Vitamix, naughty!)

There were many well known teachers there and classes were so popular it was difficult to get into any of the paid workshops, not to mention the free classes. I had brought my new 'eco mat' with me in the hope of attending some on the Friday morning (when I assumed I would be quiet) but how wrong I was! We didn't have even a minute to spare and were on our feet and chatting away about Yogatraveller the whole time!

We ran a raffle to win a yoga holiday for two to Gozo and we took hundreds and hundreds of names as people stopped by our stall to chat, enter the raffle and discuss everything from yoga holidays to superstar yogis (not sure I'm too comfortable with that one). It was a huge experience. There were representatives from Sivanada, Iyengar, The Special Yoga Centre, Yoga Bugs, Kundalini Yoga and many many others. All over the place there were friendly faces waiting to chat to you about their yoga thing what ever that may be. I was there for 3 days and even though I was at my stall most of the time, even with all the breaks I went to explore (and shop!) I still feel like I didn't see half of it!

It might not be for everyone and could definitely be interpreted as a commercial event, everything that yoga isn't. I have to admit that svelte babes in micro-lycra doing advanced postures does have a touch of the ego attached to it, but it was all a bit of fun at the end of the day. For us, yoga isn't just a lifestyle, it's become a business too, so being at the Yoga Show was very important for us.
We had quite a few past customers stop by to say hi which was lovely, it's always nice to either meet them again (on holidays we ran) or put faces to the names. Thank you for that.

We will definietely be back at The Yoga Show next year, watch this space!!!
Namaste,
Michelle
www.yogatraveller.com

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta – 1st November 2008 - By: Erinbell Fanore

2008-11-07T08:43:00.000-08:00

With Sam, Angela, Martha, Adrianna, Orla, Carol Ann, and Rachel too!

Dear positively stunning yoginis,

Thank you for a week full of positivety and laughter. Your open spirits to try new things and just go for it was inspirational. I very much enjoyed your company.

The hikethis week was once again a special experience. We took a different route: Xlendi to Sannat. The cliffs and the blue blue sea wowed us. Orla pointed out all the subtleties of colours to be seen in the rock faces, purple, pink, ochre… After the hike, our guide, Bernard, brought us to a local bar, Maria’s Bar. The place is covered in massive pictures of Elvis and guitars hanging on the walls. It was a tiny pub and reminded me of Ireland’s wee country pubs. We were quite an attraction: six beautiful women accompanied by one man. The locals (or foreign American local with a few too many beers in his belly) got talking to us about politics and cultural diversity (Obama had just won the presidency). Well, one thing led to another, and suddenly I found myself upside down doing a headstand in my hiking boots in this wee bar. Orla told me after that the bar maid said she could do that too without any classes, but when asked to demonstrate she claimed her jeans skirt wasn’t appropriate. The group filled the bar with much much laughter and a breath of fresh air (the same words the American used for Obama). The headstand and Elvis. The beautiful yoginis and our hike guide, Bernardm, at the Elvis bar! Just before we set off on a beautiful boat trip around Comino Island.

Lunch on Comino. A glass of wine, sunshine and many smiles...

Sunset yoga...always inspirational.

Fungus rock at sunset yoga.

Much peace and happiness to you all,
Erinbell.

Yogatraveller, Koh Samui, Thailand – 18th October 2008 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2008-10-25T03:29:00.000-07:00

With Ben Lane and Martine Boucher

After spending a relaxing week off, including a few breath-taking scuba dives in Koh Tao (as part of my Dive Master training) and a chance encounter with one of my favorite American actors who just happened to be visiting our humble little town of Bophut Beach, I was all geared up to start teaching my next yoga retreat in Koh Samui. I met Martine (a lovely lawyer from Canada) and Ben (a sweet mining engineer from Australia) on Saturday and, after our first sunset yoga class that evening on the beach, I knew we were all off to a strong start.

Since Koh Samui had just entered a rainy season (mid-October to mid-November) our yoga classes were slightly more damp than usual which no one seemed to mind too much, being a relief from the usual year-round dryness and heat. We met for most of our morning classes in a luscious little private garden in the center town where we practiced our sun salutations and new postures on the grass, amid chirping birds and the occasional curious frog. (Practicing outside always comes with its set of surprises, good for keeping your yoga practice fresh and you on your toes!)

We spent a relaxing day on nearby Chaengmon Beach where we soaked up some sun, got beach-side Thai massages and facials and snacked on some local green curry in one of the little sand-side restaurants. Eating together most nights, we’d start off the evening with a refreshing cocktail at our favorite local bar/restaurant, Karma Sutra, (facing Bophut pier) and then explore the family-owned Thai restaurants in town. Ben and Martine did a little tour of the east coast of the island one day together, stopping at various points on the way. We also tried to take a local boat ride on a traditional Thai long-tail boat, but our excursion was unfortunately rained out before it even started... so we all went for hot chocolates and enjoyed the shower (practicing our very best 'present moment acceptance').

As the week progressed, so did the yoga… I have the propensity to (gently) push my students to where I think they can go, and I think Martine and Ben were a bit surprised by the level we were heading to at first (a few jokes were even made about it). However, by the end of the week they were head-standing, hand-standing, back-bending, twisting and balancing like seasoned yogis! So all their hard work really paid-off - check it out:

We had our last dinner together on Friday night in Koh Samui’s hub town, Chewang, at a Thai restaurant, Chillie’s. Then a drink at the fancy restaurant, Zico’s, where we unsuspectingly walked in on a ‘two-for-one’ happy hour (I swear we didn’t know!). Nothing like finishing a good work out with some local heart-warming food and a cold drink – then to bed.

Thank you, Martine and Ben, for another memorable week in Koh Samui. Where I am always so humbled by my students and their tenacity.

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 18th October 2008 - By: Erinbell Fanore

2008-10-24T11:16:00.001-07:00

With Hilary, Paula, Martina, Ellen, Saskia, Astrid, Joanne, Cecile, Toni

Dear wonderful strong yoginis,
It was a real pleasure to meet you this week and to spend so much time together laughing, singing, discussing yoga, life, and American politics. It was an honour to share my enthusiasm for yoga with you and to watch you all grow deeper, stronger, and taller. I wish you all great happiness and joy today and always.

Highlights from this week:

Two Sunset Yoga Sessions:
One at the beginning of the week with a film set crew milling around (Wickie the Viking, a German film, was shot this week on Gozo and members of my group, after meeting the film crew tried hard to get a part in the film.) Maybe if we squint we’ll see our sunset yoga reflected in their Viking shields!
And a second beautiful cliff top yoga session at the end of the week, with a glass of wine afterwards to celebrate the amazing week.

The Hike:
This week’s hike was completely out of the ordinary!
The hike, from Marsalforn to the red sandy beach of Ramla was an adventure fit for hikings, I mean Vikings!

I had told the group about the steep slope at the beginning and the scrambling over rocks near the end with an option for a natural mud mask and dip in the sea in the middle. What I couldn’t predict on this hike was the weather (the web had told me a slight chance of light rain). I had never had rain on a hike before so it was something for us to experience.

It started off overcast and calm. After some of us lathered up ourselves with Gozo mud, the heavens began to sprinkle refreshing drops on us. After a while the refreshing drops turned into pure adventure with thunder rolling in the background, the odd flash of lightning lighting up the sea and the rain getting heavier. The route got slippier and our shoes muckier.

The group were true yoginis and were positive throughout the adventure: laughing, giving each other a hand, singing songs and getting muddy. The hike turned out to be a mud bath even for those who weren’t too keen on the mud facial. I was touched by the smiles and strength of the group.

We finished off the hike with beer and coffee and much laughter.

As we started out:

The Mud!!!

The Finish!

Boat trip to Comino and Blue Lagoon:
Due to the film crew high jacking the usual boat (oh those Vikings), we were treated to a private boat and captain (exactly what Toni envisioned). Our wish was his command. The sun blazed, the blue water of the lagoon dazzled and a few fish nibbled my ankles is the sea. It was a relaxing and special time on and around Comino.
Wickie the Viking!!!

Much peace and happiness to you all,
Erinbell.

Yogataveller, Koh Samui, Thailand - 4th October 2008 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2008-10-15T05:11:00.000-07:00

With Caroline Early, Lizzie De Bono, Natalie Brown and Monica Ross.

My fifth official Yogatraveller retreat in Thailand and dare I say it keeps getting better? I had so much fun with this group. One British woman, Caroline, one Australian woman, Lizzie, and – announcement! – my first-ever Yogatraveller American students, Natalie and Monica. Where have they been hiding? Ok, don’t answer that one…

I had so much fun with this group. With them it was always, ‘anything goes’. So open minded – like sponges. They made such immediate progress with the yoga and mediation I decided to step it up a level early on, and by the end of the week I realized we’d already done every intermediate yoga pose. They were amazing (pics to prove it)!

The week was also loaded with activities, as usual. We went to Choengmon Beach, got Thai massages, the ladies did a day trip to Eranda Spa for massages, scrubs and body wraps and – the highlight for me! – we did an all-day boat trip with snorkeling off of Koh Samui in my friend’s souped-up Thai fisherman’s boat. Just when I thought the day couldn’t get much better, our captain decided to stop off on a tiny remote island called, Koh Sum, for lunch. After walking across precarious floating walkways to get onto the pier to the island, we were immediately stunned by its natural beauty. Many islands around Koh Samui have been built up for the tourist industry, but this one was still relatively unadulterated. After eating, we were escorted by the island’s friendly host through a forest of coconut and orange trees to a look-out point atop of a rock boasting a an unobstructed panoramic view of the Gulf of Thailand. It was breath-taking and I fantasized about teaching a yoga or mediation class on that very spot. (It’s hard for me ever to really enjoy a picturesque location without conceptualizing it as a yoga spot.)

As the week came to a close, Natalie and Monica left to meet up with friends and family in Bangkok and Caroline and Lizzie decided to stay on in Koh Samui for a few more days (lucky me!). Fortunately, Lizzie was an avid scuba diver and was keen to do a dive with my dive company and I after the yoga week ended. So, early Monday morning we took off to Chumpon Pinnacle with the gang. We weren’t in the water for more than 30 minutes when I felt a sharp tug on my fin – Lizzie had spotted it first! A four meter (about 15 ft) gorgeous whale shark gliding by enveloped by a procession of pilot fish. Most divers patiently wait their entire diving lives to see a whale shark… and here it was for Lizzie and I on our last day together. I can’t really think of a better close to a yoga week. Nope. Blank.

Yogataveller, Koh Samui, Thailand - 20th September 2008 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2008-10-15T05:08:00.000-07:00

With Barbara Felden, Karen Jeffery, Debbie Harry and Jane St. John.

Back to teaching yoga on Koh Samui with all women – fantastic! This time I have one Australian woman and three British women, with the disclaimer that the Miss Debbie Harry is not the former 80’s rocker, Blondie, after due speculation. (I do think my Debbie Harry is quite a ‘rock star’, though!) Despite the blistering heat this week, my ladies were troopers. They were so good at the yoga and mediation – and also good at lounging out at the local beaches (a prerequisite for Koh Samui).

Between yoga, we spent a few days just chilling out at the nearby Choengmon Beach, a gorgeous little crescent moon-shaped white sand beach with spectacular swimming, top beach-side Thai massage and littered with delicious little local seafood restaurants. We also did a local tour of a nearby Buddhist temple which was so ornate it was truly unforgettable.

And, of course, we wrapped up the week with a scrumptious group dinner at Chilli’s in Chewang followed by Christie’s Cabaret which I think the ladies really enjoyed! Thank you so much to Barbara, Karen, Debbie and Jane ...

Yogataveller, Koh Ngai, Thailand - 6th September 2008 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2008-10-15T05:07:00.000-07:00

With Gerard Andrews, Nathalie Diercksen, Claire George, Piero Greico, Carly Kite and Jules (plus a cameo appearance by my sister, Candace!).

I somehow knew this week would be special. Not only had I finally recovered from my Dengue Fever and was rearing to teach again, but my darling little sister, Candace, had just arrived to visit me in Thailand and wanted to come along to my yoga retreat on the west coast of Thailand on Koh Ngai. Fantastic! (Candace had only taken a few yoga classes in the past and I was so excited to have the opportunity to be her teacher for the first time and watch her practice expand.) So together she and I headed off to the west coast from Koh Samui via ground transportation (always an adventure) to link up with my students in Trang town, to then take a ferry to our paradise island, Koh Ngai.

I always love the first moment I meet my students... I relish in that moment because I know I’m going to learn so much about them (and them so much about me) in the seven days we have together. It’s sort of like being away at summer camp. And when you come home you know the experiences you shared with those people will make them your comrades for life. Gerard was an infectiously funny Australian man who’d just sold a business and was looking for a little respite, Nathalie was a stunning woman from Germany on holiday by herself, Claire and Piero were a British couple working for an investment bank in London and Carly and Jules were a British couple on their honeymoon otherwise living and working in Shanghai. I sort of feel like I’m working for the United Nations sometimes! Every single one of them was extremely independent and interesting with a different tale to tell. I could sit and listen to them for hours at dinner. What I found most inspiring was how open-minded they all were about their individual yoga practices. Again, for relative beginners, their open-minds and positive attitudes spring-boarded them to a level I never expected by the end of the week. It really goes to show that having interest in what you’re doing makes you truly successful at it. And these guys were all truly so interested and invested in yoga (especially the men, which I always find extra inspiring!).

We had a little rain on the island this week – okay, actually a lot of rain. Never mind, though, because the group was so happy-go-lucky nothing could have affected their good vibes! During the rainy days we made frequent trips to Thai massage – even had a Thai massage group lesson.

We stayed home and read, just chilled-out and relaxed which is really what everyone wanted to do the most. The Gods must have heard my prayers because the sun came out for our final two days, enough for us to go on an all-day boat/snorkeling expedition to Koh Mook and do some swimming off the beach.

Nathalie and my sister busied themselves shell-collecting most days (rain or shine) and now have stunning hand-made necklaces as result. I’ve never seen prettier shells than on Koh Ngai beach…

Once again, our group had such a good time together we decided to stick together! (I think this might be a recurring theme.) I was thrilled to hear everyone had booked more time in Thailand after the retreat ended and that everyone – yes, all six of my students! – wanted to travel back to Koh Samui with my sister and I to check out the east coast. We looked like the Brady Bunch (forgive the American TV reference) as we all packed onto the little plane from Krabi to Koh Samui together ready for our next adventure. We ended up spending another week together on Koh Samui which was just fantastic - but made saying good-bye even more difficult!

Yogataveller, Koh Ngai, Thailand - 16th August 2008 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2008-10-15T05:06:00.000-07:00

With Grace Lee, Ruth Duncan, Johanna McMinn, Neil Harvey, Francesca Ciccarelli and Wendy Hudson.

Mr. Spider wasn’t the only insect to rear its creepy head at us in Koh Phangang - apparently, in our open-air jungle tree-house of a ‘hotel-room’ I was bitten by a mosquito infected with Dengue Fever. If you’ve never heard of Dengue Fever, it’s probably for the best - though it’s good to be aware it exists. But don’t fear, blog readers; Generally speaking, Dengue is only contracted in jungle areas - and by people who’ve taken semi-permanent residence in the country in which they were infected, having more exposure time to it (like me). The fact is there are always risks wherever you travel – and even in your hometown. It’s better to take the adventure!

That said, this blog entry will be truncated by the fact I very sadly had to leave my first-ever Koh Ngai yoga group prematurely and high-tail it to a hospital to get some blood work done and attempt to regain strength. Thankfully, I was substituted by the lovely Vincenzo who I’m quite certain my students didn’t mind being passed along to… Young, smart, good-looking, great yoga teacher and of the male gender - score! I wish I had the opportunity to spend more time with you, 8/16 group.

Yogataveller, Koh Samui, Thailand - 2nd August 2008 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

2008-10-15T05:03:00.000-07:00

With Antigone (Tigs) Garner, (Dr. ) Sarah Lidstone and Clodagh Hartley.

I keep having to remind myself this is work. I mean I know it’s ‘work’ since I technically get paid to do it and all, but it certainly doesn’t feel like any work I’ve done in the past (thank God). Being employed to travel the world, teach and practice yoga, meet amazingly accomplished, spiritually-minded, interesting and tenacious people, all the while planning and participating in activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, boat tours, beach trips, spa-outings and group dinners with my dear students AND writing about it? Now that’s what I call a job. Ok – I’ll stop the gloating now. Just needed to share that with you.

So just when I thought things couldn’t get any better with my work/life situation, Yogatraveller decided to open a new retreat location in Koh Samui, Thailand (a tropical island I’d been calling home since April of ‘08 after absconding from New York City where I’d formerly been an advertising executive with a penchant for yoga) and I was to be the teacher and host there! Needless to say I was thrilled. Especially when I met our first-ever Koh Samui group on 8/2/08 - three fiercely intelligent, gorgeous young women by the names of Sarah, Clodagh and Tigs. (Sarah is a doctor of neuroscience in Vancouver, Clodagh a top journalist in London and Tigs a tour leader in Vietnam – what a bunch of slackers, hey?) I had a hunch from the start we’d get along like a house on fire. And that we did.

Between morning yoga class (8am-10am) and sunset/evening yoga class (5:30pm-6:30pm) our first few days together on Koh Samui were passed lounging on our idyllic local beach (Bophut) and by the hotel pool, getting Thai massages, manicures/pedicures and eating our way around town. Towards the middle of the week we all decided to take a local Thai cooking class (wonderful, except we had too many left-overs to finish!). We learned how to make Thai Tom Yum soup, green curry and chicken with cashew nuts - all signature Thai dishes. Being more outdoorsy than domestic myself, I didn’t have much faith I’d retain all we learned in the kitchen that day. But the girls seemed to absorb it all in, even taking detailed notes. (I need to work on my domesticity, I guess.)

Another major highlight of the week: We all went scuba diving together off of Koh Tao (best dive site in Thailand) with the internationally renowned Bophut Dive School, headquartered just down the street from our resort. I’ve been on that dive boat countless times (since I’m taking my dive master course with them) and I’ve never had more fun than that day with the ladies. I’m really not sure which was more entertaining - laying out in the beautiful sun on the front deck of the boat with my posse (watching the male dive instructors ogle my eye-catching students) or the actual dives!

My fledgling Koh Samui yoga students did such an amazing job writing about it won’t do it justice. For relative beginner yoginis, they made tremendous progress during the week - both physically and spiritually. I have never felt so inspired and humbled by my students - not to mention the personal connections we all forged. I will never forget them; This week was a life landmark.

As the week came to a rapid close, we decided to have a nice last supper at Dr. Frogs Restaurant followed by a night out on the town in Chewang. We needed to let loose a little after all that yoga and mediation!

Actually, saying good-bye to my new friends was so difficult we decided to extend our time together after the retreat ended (fortunately they had all booked extra time in Thailand following). So, come Sunday, we all headed off to Koh Phangang together by boat to yet another yoga destination called, ‘The Sanctuary’. We couldn’t get enough of yoga and each other, I suppose. What happened at The Sanctuary would require a separate blog entry, so I’ll do you a favor and end this one here. I’ll finish by saying that just when we thought we couldn’t get any closer, a very large spider managed to seal our friendship forever.

Yogataveller, Gozo, Malta - 27th September 2008 - By: Michelle Riordan

2008-10-15T00:29:00.000-07:00

With Mark, Maria, Craig, Jo, Sophie, Ieva, Julia, Anna, Ingemar and Vicktor

Wow, what a great time I had!
I discovered not long prior to the trip I had to take a journey back to Gozo to lead a week. Taking the opportunity to get away from being in front of the computer and being back in front of the sea (and the class!) I arrived to Gozo, very end of September. Of course I was a little bit nervous about leaving my little baby boy for a week, but I was in safe hands with this group, they not only looked after me so well, we kept so busy together I didn't have too much time to be sad...

Our group seemed like the United Nations with 3 of us from Ireland, 1 Latvian girl living in Dubai, 2 Germans, I Swiss, 1 French, 1 Canadian and 1 guy from Guernsey! I can't forget Vicktor, Anna and Ingemar's beautiful little 3 year old boy, who joined us for breakfast (if we were lucky!) I think he enjoyed meeting the yoga group, I know we were probably a bit boring for him!!! We all got on really well and it started off a great week.

With an unusual day of rain to begin the sun came out to play on the Sunday and soon we were swimming in the incredibly warm Med without a care in the world! The week was great. Everyone attended the yoga and meditation and progressed quickly as the week went by. We even had Julia with a broken ankle who managed to do most of the asanas much to the amazement of the group, including myself!

We tried lots of different meditations and built up on them as the days went by. We started with 'Metta' a Buddhist meditation of sending loving and kindness to the world. We silently chant inside our own heads: 'May I be happy, may I be safe. May I be peaceful, may I be healthy. May I take care of myself happily'. Then we start to say it about others: 'May my Mum be happy, may she be safe...' and on like this. We built this up the following day with various Pranayama, breathing techniques and then we started chanting Om. It was interesting to see that different meditation techniques work for different people. I think most in the group found some moments of stillness within the pracitce (At least they told me they did!) I think the most powerful of the meditations was when we were at sunset yoga. Staring at the sun as it disappears below the horizon of the ocean, it's a very special thing...

We did a lot during the week, hiking, boat trips, 2 sunset yoga trips, meals out and the final evening concluded with a meal of locally caught, fresh Lampuki (fish) cooked at mine. It was a great evening, we had Maltese guests and we stayed up way past our bedtimes (it was that kind of early-to-bed week!) but left a ton of wine in our wake which goes to prove that my excellent students were more interested in getting up clear-headed for our last yoga sessions than they were in a big drinking session. Well done guys!!!

It was a teary goodbye and I am wearing my beautiful gift of a Gozo glass pendent given to me by the group. My little baby loves it and can't keep his hands off my neck. Of course I was so delighted to be back with him but I truly had a really special week, getting to know all of my beautiful students. I know I will be seeing Ieva and Craig again in Morocco for New Year's, they booked for that trip the Monday after the week ended and Ieva is bringing her friend! YEAH! See you soon guys...

Thank you Ieva, Julia, Anna, Ingemar, Viktor, Mark, Craig, Maria, Sophie and Jo. Thank you for a very special week.
Michelle
xxx

2008-09-16T04:23:00.000-07:00

Sensory Pleasure

Flower petal pictures
Holy Statues
Marching Bands
Banner lined streets
Fireworks
Lit up churches
Nights of divine pleasure
For the eyes
The ears
The heart

Gharb Festa 2008

2008-09-02T06:19:00.000-07:00

The Gozo hike

Not to be missed

For its beauty, its challenges, the cool refreshing dip in the blue blue sea

and of course for its

MUD

Sunset yoga

Where nature never fails to inspire

2008-08-20T05:52:00.000-07:00

The summer is flying by in sunshine and fun. I can't believe I've been here for a year already. The time has sailed by. I'm really enjoying my life here on Gozo amongst the sea and sunshine and quiet.

Fantastic people are joining me with Yogatraveller for yoga, relxation and adventure. It's a real pleasure getting to meet so many fantastic people from so many different corners of the world.

The sea is warm and clear. The sunsets are dazzling. Life is good. I am a truely blessed to be here on Gozo, sharing my love of yoga and my zest for life with beautiful people.

Ski Group Feb 2008

2008-03-02T00:24:00.001-08:00

Ed, Andrea, Camilla and Diana eating breakfast on their last day. They have skiied and yoga'd for a week and are going home stretched and rosy cheeked. Well done guys, we hope you enjoyed yourselves and we hope to see you again soon. Michelle and Michael x

Living it up on Gozo

2007-10-22T05:02:00.000-07:00

I’m settling in very happily as the yogatraveller teacher here on Gozo. The island is incredible. I often find myself stopping to stair at some breathtaking view or other, and thinking to myself, ‘wow. I live here now!’

The yogatravellers themselves are amazing. It great to meet such fantastic people each week. I am loving learning so much about so many different people. And sharing my passion for yoga with each group is great. It’s so rewarding to see how much each individual progresses throughout the week. I can almost see the yogis and yoginis grow taller right before my eyes.

On top of yoga, I’m been having exciting adventures with the different groups: rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking and snorkelling off a luxurious boat cruise to the Blue Lagoon. And of course there’s the inspiring sunset yoga. Each one fills me with wonder and peace.

So here I am living on Gozo with my family. Loving the slow paced friendly island and sharing what I love to do myself with others. I look forward to each new group and to seeing those of you who promised me you’d be back next year for more…

May you all be happy,
My you all be peaceful,
Erinbell.

Summer on Gozo

2007-09-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

This summer, we started our Gozo retreats and they've been going really well. We've had some amazing people, from all over the world, our guests have come from Canada, Greece, Czech, Ireland, England, the US, Scotland, Spain, Australia and Switzerland.

The weather was amazing, and we had sun sun sun while the rest of Europe had rain rain rain.

We've also taken on a new member to our Yogatraveller family, Erinbell Fanore, who has come to Gozo to host our holidays and teach yoga. Welcome Erinbell!

I've posted a few photos here of our sunset yoga classes on Gozo, one of the highlights of the week.

The mighty Jungfrau

2007-03-15T06:23:00.000-07:00

Heres a panoramic of the beautiful mountain that frames our ski fields. At all times this is looming overhead. Jungfrau means young woman in german.

The Swiss Alps

2007-02-18T09:16:00.000-08:00

Its hard to describe how beautiful this place is. Even the pictures don't do it justice. This was taken right by our house and Yogatraveller base for the winter. We are thinking of expanding our locations to include Switzerland in the summer. Theres a lot to do including rafting, hiking, canyoning and climbing. Not to mention skydiving and paragliding. Watch this space. . .

Apres ski

2007-02-07T10:33:00.000-08:00

The gang at the bar

The snow came!

2007-01-29T07:45:00.000-08:00

Well the snow has finally come which is great as there is a week of guests joining us next week for some winter fun. Here is Kashi in front of a spectacular view of the Alps. It was -20 with a high wind chill factor Freezing! It was 2 great day though, fresh snow and blue skies...

2007-01-10T00:26:00.000-08:00