Retreat to Advance

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hot yoga holiday, summer yoga holiday, yoga Algarve, yoga holiday Cyprus, Yoga Holiday With Paul, Yoga With Paul

In a matter of weeks we’ll be setting off for the Yoga Holiday With Paul retreat in the Algarve, which takes place 21-29 June.

And in September, Yoga Holiday With Paul heads to Cyprus for 13-20 September.

Ground, connect, expand…

I got to thinking about the word retreat. It has a positive connotation of getting away from the stress, distraction and bustle of our daily routine. On the other hand, it has the usually negative meaning of giving up or backing away from a conflict.

It is easy to list the ways that yoga can be viewed as a positive retreat:

• Relaxation
• Mindfulness
• Meditation
• Flexibility
• Balance, etc

But is yoga a negative retreat too?

When you look at it from that angle, yoga can be seen as a retreat from things that harm us. For example, yoga helps us retreat from:

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Attachment
• Expectations

In fact, yoga can help us remove ourselves from all sorts of damaging behaviour and thought patterns. This retreat is really an advance, a giant step forward to achieving the balance, harmony and well-being we seek.

If you want to experience a yoga retreat, in all the wonderful meanings of the word, drop me a line at YogaHolidayWithPaul@gmail.com to join us in the Algarve or Cyprus.

Onward!

Questions about the retreat? Tweet me at @YogaWithPaul or email!

Yoga Retreat: 4 Months, 4 Reasons

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Bikram yoga retreat, hot yoga retreat, summer yoga holiday, vinyasa yoga retreat, yoga holiday abroad, yoga holiday Algarve, yoga holiday Portugal, Yoga Holiday With Paul, Yoga With Paul

It is just four months till the Yoga Holiday With Paul retreat in the Algarve on 21 June – 28 June  2019. June seems like a long ways away, but that time will fly.

A lot will happen in our busy lives between now and then, so I just want to take a moment to focus on four reasons why dedicating a week to yourself and your practice is so critical. It will truly change your life.

Time to reflect

Despite our best intentions it is almost impossible to switch off and disconnect in our daily lives. There is always something to do, an app to look at, an email to answer. Yoga Holiday With Paul creates space for deep reflection.

Time to practice

Needless to say, we do a lot of yoga. Some students come not sure if they are strong enough to do multiple yoga sessions in a short period of time. What they find though, is that yoga itself is energising. Much of what we experience as tiredness in the studio is what we’ve dragged in from our busy lives outside. When we dedicate the time to yoga, it invigorates and strengthens us.

Time to connect

Have you noticed how hard it is to connect with new people? Everyone is running a hundred different directions, loaded up with responsibilities and worries. Yoga Holiday With Paul is a space where students have time to relax and get to know each other. Humans are social animals. We want to befriend, and be friends. This is a wonderful opportunity to tap back into that basic desire and form great new friendships.

Time to play

We often take ourselves too seriously and even feel guilty if we’re not totally focused all the time. On our yoga retreat, we let go of these expectations and make the time to play. We do yoga with music, we dance, we go to the beach, explore the town, hang out by the pool. Basically, we give ourselves permission to have fun and experience the world in a free, spontaneous playful way. You’ll be amazed how it lightens your spirit!

To reserve your place or for more information: YogaHolidayWithPaul@gmail.com

 

 

Yoga Retreat Prep: Clear Your Mind

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daily yoga, yoga abroad, yoga holiday, Yoga Holiday With Paul, yoga mindfulness, yoga retreat, yoga retreat Portugal, yoga retreat tips, Yoga With Paul

The annual Yoga Holiday With Paul retreat is coming up fast. In the final weeks and days before a retreat can get crazy with everything you have to do before you go.

Starting a retreat with a frantic, busy mind, however, just means it takes longer to engage with the mental and spiritual elements of yoga. These five steps to clear your mind will help prepare you to gain the maximum from the retreat.

Keep a mental energy diary

It is really easy to get caught up in small things that take up a lot of mental energy. Whether it’s compulsively checking social media, or getting anxious about work, ordinary stuff can gobble up a lot of head space. Over the next day or two take note of what you spend your time thinking about. You may discover habitual thought patterns which you can mindfully eliminate.

Shift your perspective

Make an “essentials” list

Do you really have to do all the things you think you have to do? Chances are, no. Your friends/partner/children/co-workers/pets/neighbours/etc will all be okay without you for a week. Make a list of what you must do, sort that, and don’t worry about the rest.

Do your travel prep

This might sound more like a physical task, but believe me, there is something very cleansing about knowing you’re set and ready to go. Get your passports, papers, etc organised and packed. Fill your suitcase with your favourite yoga clothes, a journal, and whatever else you need. Set your out-of-office and deal with any routine appointments, and so forth, so you aren’t trying to get it all done in the last 24 hours.

Set an intention for the retreat

Spend some time thinking about why you’re going on the retreat, and what you hope to gain from it. Are you looking to push your practice to the next level with challenging classes? Are you hoping to try new kinds of yoga? Are you eager to relax in the sun and make new friends? Setting an intention will help you be focused right from the start, helping you receive the maximum benefits.

Accept imperfection

Approach the retreat with a relaxed, open mind. Be kind to yourself. Not every class or posture will be your best ever, you might not feel as relaxed, or social, or inspired as you hoped. You might get a cold (though hopefully not!) Remember, the point of a yoga retreat is not to add more pressure to perform or meet a set of expectations. We go to learn and practice how to be more accepting, more flexible, softer and kinder.

Now, and always, remember the essence of yoga is unity and compassion — for yourself, others and all living things.

Questions? Thoughts? Share in the comments!

 

It’s Yoga Holiday Time!

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hot yoga retreat, vinyasa yoga retreat, yoga holiday abroad, yoga holiday Algarve, yoga holiday Portugal, Yoga Holiday With Paul, Yoga With Paul

Today is the day, friends. We’re off to the beautiful Algarve for the annual Yoga Holiday With Paul retreat. Those of you who are with us will be hearing a lot from me over the next few days, leaving you little time to read the blog.

Those of you following along from London, or anywhere else, can dip into the archive to experience the joy and benefits of a yoga retreat right where you are now.

Yoga Holiday Countdown 

Get super(food) powers

If you’re already eating clean you can amp up your diet by adding nutrient-rich superfoods. Eat more of the following

• Vegetables: Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Beets, Garlic, Cauliflower, Leeks
• Fruits: Blueberries, Strawberries, Watermelon
• Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, Pistachios, Quinoa, Chia
• Herbs & Spices: Green tea, Ginger, Turmeric

What Not to Bring on a Yoga Holiday

Worry

Yoga Holiday With Paul is the ideal time to disconnect from your worries. You probably don’t even realise how much you worry – about work, family, money, friendships, even yoga. Make a conscious decision to put aside worry and focus on being in the present moment. You are enough. You have enough. You are cared for. Let yourself relax.

Yoga Holiday Prep Steps

Meditate (just a little bit)

Making time to meditate when you’re rushing around trying to get everything done before your holiday might seem impossible, but you don’t have to spend half an hour a day in lotus position to get the benefits. Set aside five minutes in the morning or evening (or both, if you can manage) to sit quietly and breath. You don’t have to adopt a particular place or posture, just be still where you are. This will help your mind and body relax, and get you used to switching off from external stress.

Stay in touch by commenting or Tweeting @YogaWithPaul !

 

Yoga Holiday – 10 Day Countdown

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holiday preparation, mindfulness, stress-free, superfoods, yoga books, yoga holiday, Yoga Holiday With Paul, yoga retreat

It’s just 10 days to Yoga Holiday With Paul. Are you ready?

If you follow the blog you read 3 Yoga Holiday Prep Steps. Now we have just over a week till the Algarve it is time to complete the process to get your mind and body prepared.

Get super(food) powers

If you’re already eating clean you can amp up your diet by adding nutrient-rich superfoods. Eat more of the following

• Vegetables: Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Beets, Garlic, Cauliflower, Leeks
• Fruits: Blueberries, Strawberries, Watermelon
• Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, Pistachios, Quinoa, Chia
• Herbs & Spices: Green tea, Ginger, Turmeric

Seek inspiration

Prepare for a week of yoga with a book that will inspire and enlighten you. If you need some ideas, check out the Best Yoga Books post. Ground yourself in yogic wisdom with The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Swami Satchitananda or The Secret Power of Yoga by Nischala Joy Devi. Or focus on meditation and mindfulness with Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness by Sharon Salzberg or A Path With Heart: A Guide through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life by Jack Kornfield

Increase the ZZZZs

Resist the temptation to run around frantically to “get it all done”. The world will not end in the week you take for holiday. Work will be there when you get back. Cleaning the house will be there. Getting your dog to the groomer will be there. Whatever it is, it will be there. Part of the gift and challenge of a yoga holiday is it can help us break out of our habitual behaviours. Get a head start on this practice — and arrive rested and ready for yoga — by making sleep a priority before the holiday.

 

Share your pre-yoga-holiday tips or questions in the comments.

 

 

Yoga Holiday With Paul 2017

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Portugal yoga retreat, vinyasa yoga retreat, yoga abroad, yoga holiday, Yoga Holiday With Paul, yoga retreat, yoga summer, yoga vacation

We’re getting near the end of 2016 so it’s time to start thinking about our practice in 2017.

Yoga Holiday With Paul is scheduled for 23-30 June 2017 in the Algarve. If you have been on previous retreats you know what a rewarding, rejuvenating week lies in store. If you haven’t… this is your opportunity!

Every Yoga Holiday With Paul has core elements:

• Yoga
• Meditation
• Music
• Sunshine
• Delicious vegan food
• Beaches
• Laughter
• Friendship
• Self-discovery

It is a chance to deepen and expand your practice, challenge your body, open your mind, and experience true relaxation and joy.

You can email YogaHolidayWithPaul@gmail.com to reserve a spot, or for more information. Early bird booking applies!

 

Yoga Holiday With Paul 2016

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Bikram retreat, hot yoga holiday, vinyasa retreat, yoga holiday Algarve, yoga holiday Portugal, yoga holiday Turkey, Yoga Holiday With Paul, yoga meditation holiday, yoga retreat, yoga vacation, Yoga With Paul

I am running two Yoga Holiday With Paul retreats in 2016 and now is a great time to book.

YHWP is fantastic way to develop and deepen your practice, make new friends, reset your eating patterns with delicious wholesome food, and get some essential vitamin D!

The first is 24 June – 1 July in Portugal; the second is 5-12 September in Turkey.

Both retreats include Bikram and Vinyasa flow classes, yoga with music, meditation, terrific catering, social outings, and plenty of free time for beach/pool/sunshine and relaxation. Each year brings together a wonderful group and we leave with a lots of happy memories. Get in touch if you want to join us!

To reserve your place or for more information email: YogaHolidayWithPaul@gmail.com

 

View the Algarve gallery

View the Turkey gallery

To reserve your place or for more information email: YogaHolidayWithPaul@gmail.com

The Yoga Holiday With Paul Experience

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best Bikram holiday, Bikram for beginners, Bikram yoga, Bikram yoga abroad, Bikram yoga retreat, holiday yoga, hot yoga holiday, hot yoga retreat, yoga holiday Portugal, Yoga Holiday With Paul, Yoga With Paul

Yoga Holiday With Paul 2015 is coming soon: 19-26 June. If you’d like to be part of a sun-drenched week of Bikram yoga, beaches, delicious food, new friends, meditation and inspiration email: YogaHolidayWithPaul@gmail.com

Yoga Holiday with Paul

Here is what some of the class of 2014 had to say:

It made me think more about alignment rather than relying on the mirrors and thinking about
other postures that are not covered in Bikram. ~Su Pang

Love love love Vinyasa flow as this is what I have started doing at home. It was brilliant to take

A gorgeous evening meal

a class with Paul. ~Jane Sharp

The Vinyasa flow and yoga with music classes truly highlight the beauty in practicing as you can
feel your soul in your movements. ~Claire Farrell

Bikram with music was awesome! I am not sure why it isn’t used all the time. The choice of music was great. Now when I hear those songs my mind wanders off to remembering the retreat and
I always am smiling. ~Nikki Taylor

To reserve your place or for more information email: YogaHolidayWithPaul@gmail.com

YHwP Class of 2013