Health & Yoga Holidays
"One of the best holidays and yoga experiences I have ever had. An amazing introduction to beautiful Turkey." Magenta
Introduction
These well established and popular Yoga holidays with experienced teachers offer a wide range of Yoga styles from Astanga and Hatha Yoga, to Iyengar or Yin Yoga. All offered in the natural setting of a seaside village, with forest and mountains as an idyllic backdrop. Small classes allow for individual attention and are ideal for beginners and the more experienced alike.
Lodging
Most guests stay at a friendly local hotel near the sea. It has a pool and the rooms have French windows opening onto the garden.Guests can also stay at a family-run hotel on the seafront which has a sheltered swimming pool at the back.
Both hotels have twin ensuite rooms and air-conditioning.
Location
The Yoga Centre perches on a hillside on the edge of a pine forest, amongst olive and carob trees, its garden blooming with bougainvillea and geraniums.
The nearest village is 20 minutes' walk away – a cluster of white houses in a valley of olive, citrus and fig trees. At one end of the village there are shady tea-gardens, sunbathing jetties, bars and restaurants.
The ancient town of Bodrum is 20 minutes away by minibus.
Nearest
....airport: Bodrum/Milas airport which is about 45-minute drive from the holiday centre. Conveniently, most charter flights to Bodrum are on a Monday and cost (May to Oct) between £139 and £249. Turkish Airlines fly twice daily to Bodrum changing at Istanbul. BA and EasyJet have cheap flights to Istanbul where you can take an internal flight to Bodrum. BA also flies to Izmir (from £139) from where there is an hourly bus service to the village (a 3-hour ride).
Before booking your flights please check availability and confirm your booking with us.
...swimming facilities: Paradise Bay is only a 10-minute walk away. The village beach stretches half a mile along the bay. Sea swimming is possible April through to December.
...shops: There are local markets to discover on different days of the week and shops in Bodrum are open till as late as 1am as many people go promenading in the warm evenings.
...restaurants: Some of the best restaurants on the Aegean are in the Bodrum area. You can choose from local, earthy, inexpensive restaurants or others offering seductive, chic fusion cooking.
...other attractions: Walk into Bodrum – through the forest where nomadic goatherders set up their tents, across the untouched hillsides, and down a dried river bed. In the past this was the main route into town.
Venture into a hamam, the Turkish bath. Get exfoliated with a kese and have a foam massage on the marble slab. Follow this with an oil massage to feel totally relaxed. There's a complimentary minibus service from the Yoga centre.
Cruise the Aegean for a day in a traditional Gulet. Swim in otherwise inaccessible bays of crystal clear waters.
Go diving for a day, or take a Jeep safari inland to a typical Turkish village and visit carpet weavers.
Take a day trip to the marble streets, library and theatre of Ephesus, the most intact ancient city, or to Pamukkale, the white, cotton-cascade thermal spring basins, 'Aphrodite's bathing place'.
Activities and prices
Note: All holidays run Monday-Monday and you can arrive any time after noon on the Monday. The first yoga session is on the Tuesday morning at 10am (following session times are decided with the teacher on the holiday). Mondays are the travelling and rest days.
Here is the provisional 2009 programme – please check with us before booking on 0844 888 5050:
| 11 May - 18 May | Flowing Yoga, Walking & Shiatsu with Michael Cullingworth | £415 |
| 18 May - 25 May | Anusara inspired Yoga with Susan Desmarais (tbc) | £415 |
| 25 May - 1 Jun | Align to Balance: Hatha & Anusara Yoga with Michael Stewart & Todd Tesen | £415 |
| 1 Jun - 8 Jun | Align to Balance: Hatha & Anusara Yoga with Michael Stewart & Todd Tesen | £415 |
| 8 Jun - 15 Jun | Resting week | |
| 15 Jun - 22 Jun | Astanga Vinyasa Yoga with Abby Hoffman | £415 |
| 22 Jun - 29 Jun | Flowing Yoga with Pervin Hakimoglu (tbc) | £415 |
| Jul & Aug | No holidays offered | |
| 31 Aug - 7 Sep | Astanga Yoga with Nawajyoti & Salsa with Norberto (tbc) | £415 |
| 7 Sep - 14 Sep | Flowing Yoga, Walking & Shiatsu with Pervin & Michael Cullingworth (tbc) | £415 |
| 14 Sep - 21 Sep | Hatha Yoga with Neville Cregan (tbc) | £415 |
| 21 Sep - 28 Sep | Yoga (teacher tbc) | £415 |
| 28 Sep - 5 Oct | Yoga (teacher tbc) | £415 |
| 5 Oct - 12 Oct | Flowing Yoga, Walking & Shiatsu with Pervin & Michael Cullingworth | £415 |
Programme and prices may be subject to change.
Prices include: yoga tuition, accommodation for seven nights in a hotel with breakfast, all lunches and four evening meals*; exc flights and transfers.
NB For guests travelling on their own there will be a single room supplement of £42 per week.
One week excluding yoga classes: £250 (only for guests accompanying course participants).
*During yoga retreats, lunch and four evening meals will be served at the centre. Breakfast will be at the hotel. On Mondays there will be no evening meal provided as this is the travelling day. On the other two evenings, when there is no yoga class, guests tend to like to visit Bodrum.
Please remember to bring mosquito repellant, sunglasses, sun hat, protection cream, walking shoes, a torch and your yoga mat!
Most nationalities need a VISA for entry to Turkey, these can be purchased on arrival. (For British citizens it costs £10.)
Child policy
Young children stay free at the hotels in the parents' room and are also welcome at the yoga centre (although the last bit of stoney road up to the centre is hard work with a buggy). Older children stay half price at the hotel and pay the yoga centre a small amount for food.
There is no reliable childcare facility and unless a young child has been specially trained to accompany a yogi/yogini parent it does not usually work out.
Children of about 7 to 12 are usually fine with supervision but older children may get bored. Morning practice might be OK, but they will probably want to be taken to the beach for the rest of the day.
Green footprint
What is being done for the environment and the local community?
The yoga that is taught is a yoga of service to the community (karma yoga).The holiday centre uses small, family-run hotels, trains local women as cooks, and employs other craftsmen and assistants from the village.
Food is bought from local markets, ensuring freshness, encouraging organic production and supporting the small farmers of the region.
Conserving water is essential as it does not rain for six months of the year. Rainwater is saved and drought-resistant plants such as cactus and bougainvillea have been used in the garden.
Waste and rubbish is recycled or composted. Solar panels are used for water heating.
The holiday centre helped to campaign successfully to preserve the local wetland area as a nature park after the local government wanted to turn it into a golf course.
Guestbook
"Yoga and teacher: brilliant. Food: out of this world. I feel so much more confident in my yoga, Neville is a wonderful teacher and has inspired me to make yoga a bigger part of my life. A lovely mix of people on the course who were all friendly, supportive and kind. Michael and Pervin, your hospitality was overwhelming (in a nice sense!). I also noticed you both took the time to make everyone feel special.” Katrina, Pikl.
“The course tutor was exceptional - found him very inspiring! The food was a real eye-opener! Not a sign of tofu, and delicious. I found the yoga setting a haven of peace and tranquility. So calming.”
“It has been a week that has surpassed my expectations. Pervin and her staff could not have done more to make this holiday special. The teacher was of a very high standard as well as the accommodation. New friends were made with a common bond. Highly recommended.”
“Everyone is so relaxed and easy-going. Turkish hospitality is second to none. You can’t feel stressed here.”
“I really enjoyed the atmosphere and intimacy of the experience. I’d definitely come again.”
“An outstanding week in all respects. Pervin’s hospitality is humbling. Cannot believe how lucky I was to share the course with so many lovely people. Great company, hamam and boat trip - superb.”
“I've had a great time and feel I’ve advanced in my yoga practice. Thanks for making this possible and the generous hospitality.”
“I feel so much more relaxed and at peace with the world. The holiday has been one of the best holidays I have ever had. I certainly hope to come back.”
“I am going home totally refreshed and rejuvenated. It totally exceeded my expectations. Thank you for your wonderful generosity and hospitality!”
Why book through us?
We do not charge booking fees: you pay the same or sometimes even less than if you book direct.
We have been there and to other holidays ourselves and can give you independent advice.
We provide a quick response and a personalised service.
You will be helping us to continue spreading the word about great holidays and resorts.
About the Yoga styles and teachers
Flowing Yoga, Walking & Shiatsu with Michael Cullingworth, 11 May - 18 May 2009
Michael says: "Yoga is cessation of fluctuations of the mind" says Patanjali at the beginning of the yoga sutras. Yoga means union or harmony and when your mind is at peace you can live in harmony with yourself, other people and nature.
The beginning of yoga practice is often the physical side: the desire for a body with poise and the ability to move freely, powerfully and naturally through daily life situations. This will be our starting point, practising asana to find the appropriate physical condition for whatever you want to do. Then, as we concentrate on movement and posture, breathing, energy flow and focus become clarified until we can just sit in peace and harmony.
During this yoga retreat we will practise on the terrace in the mornings. Then on 3 afternoons I will introduce you to our favourite walks across the hills and mountains of the Bodrum peninsula. On the other 3 afternoons, starting at 6 p.m., there will be pranayama and meditation.
My main yoga inspiration comes from Okido Yoga although I have studied Iyengar and love the Astanga practice. In the teaching of Japanese Master Masahiro Oki many disciplines from Zen to martial arts and oriental medicine have been blended with more traditional yoga to form a uniquely fluid and adaptable system. Within it, everyone from beginner to advanced can take each exercise to the right point for their condition and ability."
Shiatsu: Alongside yoga, Michael has been studying and practising bodywork, principally shiatsu, for 20 years in England and Japan. He is a director of the New Cross Natural Therapy Centre and teaches at the Zen School of Shiatsu in London.
Shiatsu treatments will be available on some afternoons at a special rate for course participants.
Anusara inspired Yoga with Susan Desmarais, 18 May - 25 May 2009
In this yoga retreat there will be 2 classes on most days. Morning classes every day will focus on various arm balancing and back-bending asanas, working both individually and in partners.
Afternoon sessions on 4 days will focus on forward bending, hip openers and twists. Both sessions will include pranayama and meditation. All classes are designed for all levels.
Susan's background in Japanese culture and in Buddhism brings a unique perspective to her teachings in yoga. She has had many years of training and experience in classic Hatha yoga, Sivananda, Kripalu, Scaravelli, Ashtanga and Anusara. She is an Anusara-Inspired teacher, specialising in therapeutics. Years of various personal injuries and pain have inspired Susan to share yoga in a way that is uplifting, energizing, healing, and therapeutic at the same time.
Align to Balance: Hatha & Anusara Yoga with Michael Stewart & Todd Tesen, 25 May - 1 June & 1 - 8 June
The Grace of Ganesha: One of the most well known deities of the Hindu pantheon, the "one who removes obstacles", "the God of new beginnings", or put simply, "Oh, that elephant headed guy."
Life is fraught with obstacles, in both daily experiences to our more elusive inner challenges. Ganesha sits before us as a reminder that life is abundant when we face the obstacles that block us and by doing so, receive all that we require and desire.
Michael and Todd will weave instruction and myth alike, blending the Grace and Dynamism of Anusara Yoga with the depth and introspection of Traditional Hatha Yoga. With their collective experience they create a safe and playful environment to explore and access the abundance of your practice. Asana, Pranayama, Mantra, Bandhas, and Bhakti will be our tools to delve deeply into our conversation of Ganesha, of ourselves, of our yoga.
Each day will begin with a morning practice that will include Pranayama, Mantra and Techniques of Meditation. There will be two asana practices each day. Both practices will have a specific focus including inversions, arm balances, hip openers, twists, and backbends. Each afternoon will be open for reflection and discourse on all things yoga.
Astanga Vinyasa Yoga with Abby Hoffman, 15 - 22 June 2009
This week's yoga retreat will be a gradual and progressive exploration of this dynamic form of yoga. Abby's background in dance and current research into dancer's training regimes inform her approach to the Astanga Vinyasa method. She is interested in finding the essence of the practice, the balance between strength and flexibility and also tailoring the practice to the needs of the individual. Her focus for the week will be to develop self awareness, compassion and to have fun!
She will teach a combination of self practice, led and technique sessions as well as incorporating meditation, pranayama and chanting.
Whilst being respectful to the lineage of Astanga Vinyasa that leads from Krishnamacharya, Abby draws from the deep well of Hatha yoga to offer tools to develop potential in each student.
Abby has a background in dance and Astanga Vinyasa yoga, gaining a BA Hons from Middlesex University in Dance Studies in 1995. She started yoga practices over 20 years ago as a student dancer and has studied with some of the world's most respected teachers from many traditions including Sri K Pattabhi Jois and one of his most senior Western teachers, John Scott. Abby's passion is for bringing the traditional teachings to life, and making them relevant for the Western mind.
Abby runs The Yoga Room in Norwich, a dedicated yoga studio, and teaches regularly in Cambridge for Camyoga: she is one of the region's most popular teachers. She is also nearing the end of her doctorate at Middlesex University which investigates the integration of yoga into dancer's training.
Flowing Yoga with Pervin Hakimoglu, 22 - 29 June 2009
Yoga is first and foremost the discipline of conscious living. When we take charge of our lives we also tap into our inner potential for happiness. The primal joy which transcends the ego or personality wells up in our hearts and infuses our whole being with vibrant energy - and life. When we are in a state full of joy and life we become a healing presence in the world . . . like a high voltage spark your happiness arches across to others igniting their inner joy.
In the morning practice during this yoga retreat we will be doing inversions, balances, twists, back-bends with the addition of meditation, pranayama and relaxation. Some challenging postures will be included, not too hard and not too easy, to keep our practice fun and fascinating. As you overcome these challenges you will give your confidence a boost and you might start wondering what other impossibilities you might overcome in other areas of your life.
Pervin has worked with great teachers such as Ana Forrest, David Swenson, David Roche, Doug Keller, Dharma Mitra and teachers of Jivamukti and Okido yoga and is very grateful to them. She has done teacher training with Ana Forrest. Now her practice follows the intelligence of Forrest yoga.
For Pervin, yoga cultivates a path towards healing and transformation. Her focus is on steering you towards your next level. She will honour the level of your practice and look for the good in it.
More details on late summer and autumn Yoga Holidays to follow soon.
