Meditations in Portugal
A very happy Hello from Gili Meno island in Indonesia! It has been a whirl wind month and a half of retreats. We started with my White Light Yoga “Equinox” retreat at the end of September in beautiful Somerset. Wild bonfires, gong baths, lots of yoga and new moon goddess circles. It was epic! From Somerset I then travelled to Olhao in Portugal for a week in the sun on my “Most Authentic You” retreat, see pic above! We ate delicious plant based food, cooked up by my resident WLY retreat chef (The bondi kitchen) We lived in one of the most incredible houses I have ever stayed in (check out my youtube video from the retreat HERE just to see for yourself, it was insane!)
Our rooftop practices
There was lots of elemental yoga up on the roof, overlooking magical sunsets and sunrises. Pranayama, workshops and really good company. The thing I love most about my yoga retreats, is, well everything. It has to be a balanced mix of all the right things to really make an unforgettable experience. The sharing, the community, the incredible WOW factor venues, connection to nature, transformational yoga and breathing, support and guidance, playful practices and good good goooooood food. It has to all work and I am very pleased to say, it always does.
The streets of Olhao
Olhao was special because I loved how REAL it was, hence why I chose the theme of authenticity to compliment the authentic feel of the local town. I loved teaching up on the roof to see all the locals up on their roofs, enjoying the sunsets, enjoying family time, connection at it’s best. It really taught me a lot and it was nice to feel the huge abundance of simple living and the joy that it brings. Within a ten minute boat ride from the house we were exploring deserted, raw, untouristy islands. Honestly, it was so magical.
Wearing TinyOm around my wrist
In Olhao I was blessed to have a beautiful group of women and men with me, the practices were strong and the days were relaxed. In the evenings I would teach yin yoga with chakra philosophy underneath the stars. The yogis would get all wrapped up with blankets and eye masks and it was really, truly unforgettable. I love teaching chakra philosophy and together with yin it can be a really really deep practice and opportunity to investigate all corners of yourself.
Because there was a lot of emphasis on the chakras and the subtle body, explaining the archetypes of each chakra and how to find balance in them, I was so delighted when TinyOm and JewelStreet wanted to work with me. TinyOm create beautiful spiritual jewellery that symbolise balance and connection to the subtle aspects of the self.
I gifted all my yogis an individual chakra bracelet or necklace to remember their time on the retreat and their personal journey. A beautiful reminder to all the work they had done and a reminder of inner guidance to wear when we feel lost.
One of the yogis wearing her TinyOm around her neck
I love symbolic jewellery and wearing items that have meaning. TinyOm create just that, I was gifted a beautiful Swadihstana (the sacral chakra) bracelet. Swadisthana represents the element water and shines the colour orange.
Orange svadhisthana bracelet by TinyOm
Svadhisthana chakra is all about creativity and finding a state of flow. It is our chakra that represents pleasure in our lives and how we allow ourselves pleasure, cake, yoga, sex, fun, holidays etc. Are we scared of letting go and allowing pleasure into our lives or are we someone who consumes so much pleasure we feed on it. This is the chakra linked to addiction and our sexual relationships. Too much, too little or just right. Each chakra represents a different element, archetype and part of you. Meditating on the chakras helps me to feel more balanced and aligned and gives me a good signal of where I am in my life and what I am working on. Massive huge love and thanks to TinyOmand JewelStreet for being so kind and delivering such special gifts for us all to remember our time together.
Get your TinyOm at JewelStreet
Book my next retreat in Olhao HERE