Gozo

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

With: Nina, Ann, Oi Ling and Natalie.

Gozo Background Image

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

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.

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

With Gloria Howe, Pamela Lewis and Poppy Choudhury.

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

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?!

Gozo - FAQs

FAQs

What is the weather like?

The summer is hot and sunny with no rain, and the evenings are warm. This warm weather can continue right up until Christmas though evenings tend to be cooler and it's wise to bring some warmer clothes if coming in Autumn. Rain, although not common, is also possible so a rain coat is a good idea.

What do I need to bring?

Gozo - Getting There

www.ryanair.com - have now started reasonably priced flights from London and Dublin

www.airmalta.com - have now reasonably priced flights from the UK

www.cheapflights.co.uk - also has good deals on flights to Malta

www.ba.com - often have great deals too

We include return transfers from Malta Airport to our centre on Gozo for 2 or more guests. If you are arriving alone, a supplement of €30 is charged. When possible, we will pair you with another guest for transfer when travelling alone.

Weather: March, April & May – The weather can get very hot and sunny during these months but the temperatures do tend to drop in the evenings. Likewise a wind can sometimes lower the temperatures of an otherwise sunny day. Bring clothes for the sun but do pack warmer clothes for evenings. Sea temperatures are colder but not unpleasant, most Maltese would avoid swimming in the pools at this time of year but we recommend it! Outside of public holidays the apartments are quiet and we have them mostly to ourselves. Heaters are provided in the apartments if necessary. The temperatures tend to be higher in May than March. Activities such as cycling, hiking, kayaking and rock-climbing are perfect at this time of year.

June, July, August & September – The weather is hot hot hot! During the peak months of summer heat-waves are not uncommon and temperatures can get up to

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the 40’s. You will understand why the Gozitans take their 4 hour siesta! The accommodation is not air-conditioned, but the walls are stone and there are fans in each room. The subterranean yoga studio is air-conditioned and is a perfect, quiet place to focus on your yoga. Bring summer clothes but do pack light covering shirts and a sun hat if you plan to walk around in the sun. You can always pick things up on Gozo. During the summer the island is popular with local Maltese coming over for weekends. The apartments tend to be busier than other times and there can be families staying. Activities tend to be centered around water: sunbathing by the pool, visiting beaches, swimming holes or seaside villages, taking a trip out to Camino and the Blue Lagoon.

October, November & February – It’s hard to tell what to expect with these months. Temperatures have reached up to 30 degrees and above in November but there are occasional rain and thunderstorms. October is generally hot and sunny, as sometimes November is, but it would be wise to pack for colder weather just in case. The sea is still quite warm after the summer, especially in October and the pools are still refreshing when the sun is out. The temperature definitely drops at night and heaters are provided in the rooms. Activities such as cycling, hiking, kayaking and rock-climbing are perfect at this time of year. The accommodation tends to be quieter too.

Gozo - Activities

Snorkelling

Snorkelling is excellent in both Thailand and Malta. In Thailand, with much of the coral formed on the breaching sea-cliffs, many of the divesites are suitable for snorkelling too. You can snorkel off the beaches, hire a longtail or join a tour.

Snorkelling excursions are arranged in and around the Malta and Gozo areas.

Diving

Gozo lies in the heart of the Mediterranean as part of the Maltese Archipelago.

Its limestone cliffs rise up to an impressive 150 meters above sea level and drop down to 100 meters below. This creates a unique topography, offering a huge variety of world-class dive sites to choose from.

Gozo is known as one of the best diving destinations in the Mediterranean. You can dive wrecks, caves and tunnels, shallow reefs, drop offs and archways, which are unforgettable due to a 20 – 40 meter visibility.

Dive sites can be reached from shore or a dive boat.
The marine life around the Maltese Islands is abundant with a variety of species. This ranges from large schools of barracudas and jacks to small shy seahorses and octopus. If you are lucky, moonfish, eagle rays and even sharks can be seen.

Water temperatures of 25°C in the summer and 15°C in the winter allow all-year-round diving.

Gozo Adventures organizes your individual diving holiday on Gozo. Unaccompanied diving for the independent diver as well as try dives for the novice are possible.

We only work with reputable and professional dive centres. Professional dive guides, with excellent local knowledge will show you the best dive spots on Gozo. Licensed instructors (PADI, CMAS, BSAC and more) conduct all diving courses from beginner upward as well as specialties and professional levels.

All necessary equipment including tanks and weights can be hired and you will be supplied with a comprehensive dive site map.

Diving Courses

DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING

A one day introduction to diving, no experience necessary. Discover scuba diving begins with a short theory session explaining the basics of diving and dive equipment, then out on the boat to the divesite.

The first dive starts in a very shallow bay with some underwater skills to make sure you are comfortable with the dive equipment, then swim off for a dive with the instructor to a maximum of twelve metres. There will be two dives, lasting approximately forty five to sixty minutes depending on your air consumption.

PADI OPEN WATER

Sign up for the most popular diving program in the world. Learn the fundamentals of scuba diving in the classroom and master your diving skills in shallow water.

Then complete 2 day trips with two dives a day, you will learn all you need to know in three to four days to be an internationally licensed diver.

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PADI ADVANCED OPEN WATER

This course consists of 5 adventure dives. 2 must be Deep and Navigation and you can choose the other 3. You can choose from night diving, photography diving, wreck diving, naturalist diving, navigation diving, multi-level and computer diving and peak performance buoyancy. The course can be completed over 2 to 3 days.

Your Advanced Open Water certification will inspire you to more advanced diving activities with a recommended maximum depth of 30m.

EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONSE

This first aid course takes just one day. First aid training is a pre-requisite to PADI Rescue Diver training. Therefore if you do not have proof of a first aid course less than twenty four months old you will need to complete this.

PADI RESCUE DIVER COURSE

Don't learn the hard way! PADI Rescue Diver program perfects the skills for accident prevention and management. Over 3 days instructors will have you performing rescues, diver assists, managing diver accident scenarios and rendering first aid.
All together the program provides you with the skills to anticipate, prevent and manage diving emergencies. All done with fun and enjoyment.

Rock Climbing

Climbing on Gozo and Comino was first developed by the English army with a number of climbers developing a small guide book with traditional routes in the 1970's. Since then it has been forgotten as a climbing destination. In the past few years climbers have been returning and there are new bolted routes within the inland limestone crags as well as on the stunning seacliffs. There are six main climbing areas on Gozo plus the sea cliffs all within a 15 minute drive, each offering a unique landscape as well as a diverse climbing experience.

Bouldering has become popular on Gozo with two main areas around the island including one with standstone boulders next to the waters edge as well as a number of boulders scattered around the island. Gozo offers a good mix of challenge, variety and landing in spectacular surroundings. The majority of routes are on small rocky outcrops, on the bottom of larger cliffs and on scattered boulders in open areas.

There is great deep water soloing around the stunning coastline with both high and low level cliffs and deep water below. Deep Water Soloing, a new and upcoming challenge, is simply soloing above deep water where if you were to fall you would land in the sea. For many advanced climbers, this is the ultimate challenge. No gear, no ropes, pure freedom and a whole lot of thrill.

There are a large number of areas accessible from low-level traverses, from a boat or by swimming. Many sea cliffs are uncharted so that plenty of lines are waiting to be attempted. Deep Water Soloing is best in the summer month from June to November, when the sea is warm and inviting.

Gozo Adventures offer guides, courses and equipment

www.gozoadventures.com

Hiking and Biking

There are great hikes and trails on Gozo, Malta along beautiful coastal routes and through sleepy villages.

Gozo - Accomodation

You will be staying at the Ta Sbejha apartments which are clustered around a lovely swimming pool, surrounded by palm trees. Decorated in the traditional Gozitan old-style with stone arches and wooden beams, each apartment has a bedroom, kitchen/lounge and patio or balcony. The apartments are simply furnished and self-catered, it is not a serviced hotel. We do provide you with recycle-bags and will take your recycling materials to the collection point ourselves.

Ta Sbejha Holiday Village is used by other guests while we are there. There is no air-conditioning but there are fans and your towels will be changed once during the week.

Yoga classes are held in our subterranean yoga studio which is quiet and air-conditioned, perfect to focus on your practice. The studio is located onsite and we supply mats, blocks and straps. With views of the surrounding countryside and distant sea, there is a local shop and complimentary underground parking. *

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The rooms are large twin sharing or double rooms. Each apartment has its own bathroom with bath. There are large areas around the houses and gardens to explore. At night the place is silent and dark with a canopy of stars over head.

The apartments are located just outside the tranquil and picturesque village of Gharb. Gharb is on the West of the Island, and is close to the famous 'Azure window, Inland sea and Blue Hole. Getting around the island is easy, and is best done by car. Rental cars will be delivered to the accommodation. Taxis are also readily available.

*Please note, Yogatraveller do not pair people together on this trip. Guests travelling alone are subject to the single supplement. Thank you

Gozo - Yoga Teacher

Michelle Bartolo

My name is Michelle and I was born in Malta and raised in Canada. I took a keen interest in the Fitness Industry from the age of 17. I certified throught the YMCA as a Fitnees Instructor and have been travelling and teaching various types of classes for many years in various countries including Toronto, Ireland, Australia, Costa Rica and now, Malta.

I was first introduced to Yoga in 2002 and there was no turning back, I realised it was much more than just fitness you attained from doing Yoga, it intrigued me the way it brought the mind and body together, it taught me to read myself from the inside out and helped me move thru the problems in my life very fluidly.

There was no doubt in my mind that Yoga was what I wanted to pursue next, and so I did. I practised under the guidance of Geoffrey Wiebe who teaches in many popular locations in Toronto. I also completed a Beginner Hatha Yoga Foundation Course and an Intermediate Hatha Yoga Foundation Course with Zoya Lu in Malta.

Then one of my biggest dreams became fulfilled, I travelled to Rishikesh, India (Yoga capital of India) and completed a 500hr Teacher Training Course in Transformational Yoga with Swami Vidyanand, a Yoga Alliance Certified course, this course focused on chakra cleansing through chanting.

My classes are a blend of Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Hatha and Transformational Yoga Techniques to give every student a full bodied class.

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My classes begin with breathing techniques to help you neutralize your hormones and glands, cleanse and balance your respitory system, clear the liver and kidneys and heat up the digestive system. Throughout the lessons emphasis is always placed on breathing, reminding students to notice their breath in each pose along with how they feel in each pose. I also incorporate lots of physical yoga(aimed at all levels) to build heat in the body, which in turn burns toxins and speeds up digestion. I will help you detox your body with specific poses aimed at doing so. You will feel stronger, healthier, calmer and clearer by the end of the week.

I also like to emphasis that Yoga is an individual practice, we don't always have to be synchronized, we all move to different rhythms and hold different strengths and weaknesses. YOGA IS LIKE A SKYSCRAPER WITH MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS, AND DIFFERENT ROOMS ON EACH LEVEL, you must find what best suits you! My aim is to teach you how to individualize your practice to best suit YOU! So at the end of your Yoga Week you will feel confident enough to continue your own self practice.

I've always had an interest in helping people and to improve the quality of their lives and this is why Yoga is what I want to be doing. I truly believe in all it stands for and seeing that it is a 5000 year old art gives it much more substance and truth. After each class I teach I feel so great, I never want the class to come to an end and this feeling passes onto my students.

I truly believe Yoga teaches us to observe ourselves as opposed to judging others. Lastly, it's all you need. You can learn to heal yourself with everything you've got from head to toe, becoming completley self reliant, this is the aspect of Yoga that is absolutley priceless.

Inhale Freely, Exhale Forever!