Yoga at a retreat
We talk to the owner at Chateau Lou Casteou’s Cultural Retreat Morag McClaren Baxter and find out why yoga on holiday can mend the mind, body and soul!
Top 5 Principles of Yoga for travel
1) EXPLORE
“The concept of exploration is intrinsic to yoga. So whilst away, have fun trying something new; like cooking or painting. Dare to explore and break out from your daily rhythm. This takes a little courage and promises growth and an expansion of your horizon,” says Zimmermann.
POSE: Ustrasana/Camel
This pose is a back-bend and needs a little bit of courage opening the chest, shoulders and heart, reaching into the unknown.
How to get into it:
Pad your mat and set your knees hip distance apart, start with putting your palms into your lower back as support (fingertips upwards). Draw your shoulder blades and elbows together, lift you sternum and inhale deeply. For beginners; stay right here.
If you’re more advanced in your practice, start bending back till you can reach your feet.
Tip: Curl your toes under, so your heels come up and you don’t have to bend so far. Don’t forget to breathe…
Benefit of the pose: The Camel pose stretches the entire front body, stimulates the organs of the abdomen and neck. It opens the lungs and so encourages deeper breathing, lifts the mood and creates energy. Furthermore this pose builds courage and strengthens the back muscles for good posture. Good for people who sit a lot.
2) BALANCE
“Holiday time is the perfect moment to focus on more balance in life. Yoga is built on the idea of the ying and yang aspect of our existence. We all need motion and stillness, using the right and the left of our brain. The next Holiday may be the perfect time to dedicate a few days in a beautiful surrounding to sing and dance, or simply meditate,” says Zimmermann.
Pose: Vrkasana /Tree
This is an asymmetrical standing pose demanding focus and concentration. It strengthens thighs, ankles and the muscles along the spine as well as improves a sense of balance.
How to get into the pose: Stand with your feet hip distance apart on a hard surface (wood floor, or thin yoga mat). Make a solid platform with your right foot, then bring the left sole of the foot to the inside (inseam) of your right leg, keep your left knee out. Hands can be in front of your chest in prayer pose, on your hips or for advanced practitioners, up above framing your head.
For beginners: The left foot can be against the calf and/or one of your hands may find support from a wall.
Tip: Push the foot against the leg and the leg against the foot, so you’re hugging the “midline” and focus your gaze onto something steady. For an extra challenge, try to close your eyes…
3) BOND
“Yoga is so often practised in groups, and one main principle of yoga is bonding with others. Take the time to deepen relationships with loved ones on your next holiday, or make new friends, sharing the fun of being abroad with others. Take the time to listen, really engage in a conversation, and so create quality time and new friendships,” says Zimmermann.
Pose: Partner Baddha Konasana / sited forward fold
Fun and easy position. As one person folds forward, the other bends back and helps safely to elongate the spine of both, getting a nice shoulder opener at the same time. Excellent for thigh shoulders and lower back pain.
How to get into it: Sit on the floor back to back, feet in front. Knees are bent and soles of the feet together, creating a diamond shape space. Interlock elbows letting both spines touch. As one is gently folding forward with torso over legs, the other is bending back, resting the head between the shoulder blades of the partner.
Tip: To deepen the shoulder stretch, open the arms and holding onto the wrists, palms turned up.
4) STRENGTH
“Strength is a principle of yoga – as it is needed to hold oneself in positions for a period of time. Strengthen your body, mind and character by eating fresh local produce whilst on holiday,” says Zimmermann.
Pose: Virabhadrasana II/ Warrior II
Stretches and strengthens all parts of the legs and ankles. Increases stamina, good posture and relieves backache.
How to get into it: Set your feet about 4 feet (1.2 metres) apart, toes turning forward. Turn the right foot out on a 90 degree angle, then open your arms wide (wrists should be over the ankles). Bend your right knee working towards a right angle and turn your head to the right, softly gazing over the right fingertips.
Tip: The bent knee has the tendency to want to collapse inwards, so rotate the front thigh and knee out toward the little toe side.
For beginners: place your hands into your waste.
5) UNPLUG
“Yoga is all about unplugging from the world for an hour or so, to reach an inner harmony. Reach this change of pace on holiday as you un-plug from the daily routine. Put your phone, electronic gadgets and to-do lists to the side for a few days and tune into silence, and as you rejuvenate body mind and heart. We are human beings not human-doings after all,” says Zimmermann.
Pose: Lotus
How to get into it: Sit comfortable with your knees bent and legs crossed. Make sure that the back is straight and the shoulder soft. Hands can be on knees or in a prayer pose in front of the chest. This poses opens hips, lungs and the chest, back muscles are strengthened. As the breath slows, stress subsides and intuition flows. This is a great base for a meditation practice.
Tip: if you have a tight lower back, sit onto the edge of a folded blanket.
Why is yoga and a holiday the perfect combination?
WE HAVE MORE TIME DURING A VACATION TO START OR ENJOY A NEW OR ON-GOING ACTIVITY. YOGA IS A PERFECT MORNING PICK ME UP, GOOD STRETCH TO HELP US RELAX AND UNWIND AND THEN GET THE MOST FROM THE REST OF THE DAY.
Why should you be relaxed when you are away, why is it important?
OUR USUAL DAILY LIVES ARE VERY HECTIC AND STRESSFUL, JUGGLING FAMILIES AND JOBS THAT PERIODS OF RELAXATION ARE RARE. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR A HEALTHY MIND AND BODY TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RELAX ON HOLIDAY AND FORGET THE DAILY STRESSES
Why is exploration key to having fulfilling trip away?
PARTICIPATION IN NEW ACTIVITIES HELPS US TO GROW AS INDIVIDUALS AND CAN PROVIDE GREAT SATISFACTION. LEARNING NEW SKILLS CAN BE VERY REWARDING AND ENJOYABLE.
So many people don’t have a balance to their lives, so why should they aim to get this on holiday?
IT IS BECAUSE OUR DAILY LIVES LACK BALANCE AND RELAXATION THAT WE NEED TO TRY AND ACHIEVE THIS ON HOLIDAY IN ORDER TO REPLENISH OUR BATTERIES PRIOR TO RETURNING TO OUR HECTIC DAILY LIVES. THIS PERIOD OF RECUPERATION WILL HELP US RETURN HOME WITH RENEWED VIGOUR AND FOCUS.
How can bonding with other like mined people on your travels be beneficial to you?
IT IS ALWAYS ENJOYABLE TO SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH LIKE MINDED INDIVIDUALS WHO ENJOY SIMILAR INTERESTS, PARTICULARLY WHEN DOING SO IN A BEAUTIFUL AND RELAXING ENVIRONMENT. THIS HELPS TO REINFORCE OUR BELIEFS AND CHOICES.
What are the benefits of eating fresh local produce to the body and mind?
A DIET RICH IN FRUIT AND VEGETABLES WILL ALWAYS ENHANCE OUR FEELING OF WELL BEING AND THE VITAMINS WILL PROMOTE A HEALTHY GLOW, IMPROVE DIGESTION AND ENCOURAGE QUALITY SLEEP. FRESH LOCALLY CAUGHT FISH IS RICH IN OMEGA AND FISH OILS AND VERY GOOD FOR SKIN AND HAIR CONDITION AND IMPROVING FOCUS AND CONCENTRATION. IT IS ALSO FUN AND TASTY TO TRY LOCAL SPECIALITIES.
Why should you be unplugged from the during a yoga session and while you are abroad?
WE ALL SUFFER FROM DAILY OVER STIMULATION FROM TEXTS, EMAILS, TV ETC AND THIS CAN RESULT IN A FEELING OF EXHAUSTION AND INABILITY TO SWITCH OFF. IT IS VERY BENEFICIAL TO TURN OFF PHONES AND PCS DURING A YOGA SESSION AND TO FIND AN INNER CALM WHILST ON HOLIDAY.
Please can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background.
MARRIED WITH 2 TEENAGE BOYS AND RUNNING AN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SPORT IN A CHATEAU IN PROVENCE, FRANCE. MAIN ACTIVITIES AT THE ACADEMY ARE YOGA, TENNIS, MUSIC, ART AND COOKERY. PREVIOUSLY I WORKED FOR MANY YEARS IN IMPROVING THE MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES AND DIET, EXERCISE AND GLUCOSE CONTROL.
www.loucasteou.com