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

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.