By Daisy Ellison
breathbodybalance.co.uk
For anyone that’s experienced the depth and devotion of Steffy White’s yoga teachings you’ll have no doubt experienced the same resounding message in your mind as you come to at the end of her class – ‘more of that please…’
I was fortunate to meet and work with Steffy in October 2017 whilst assisting and providing treatments on her yoga retreat in Bali, in collaboration with Chaya Yoga Retreats, and I haven’t looked back since.
A pocket rocket and passionately dedicated yogi, Steffy embodies Shakti like no one else I know. She shares her endless enthusiasm in abundance, and her ability to keep things light and playful is the perfect antidote to the all too often seriousness and self criticism that can arise as yogis challenge their edge with new and advanced practises.
So when Steffy invited me to join her yoga teachers retreat in Ibiza last month (helping host and providing breath and body treatments) it was a resounding yes.
Taking place in a beautiful converted farmhouse with breathtaking views across endless Ibiza hilltops, the jaw dropping sunrises made getting out of bed in time for yoga effortless. Set amongst a forest of ancient pines was a geometric dome where the yoga and workshops took place, allowing you to feel like you were immersed in nature without the usual distraction of ants or sand on your mat.
The intention for the retreat was to provide yoga teachers with a 360 immersion in the skills and knowledge that can best support and enhance a modern day yogi. Alongside two daily classes (with class structure and notes supplied post retreat). We explored the art of touch (vital for giving adjustments and supported sivasanas that allow the student to fully melt into the pose), how to navigate the ever changing and growing importance of social media, and how to fly in full trust and support of one another as we played with AcroYoga, amongst much else.
Free time was either spent blissing out by the pool, treating yourself to a healing treatment with yours truly or exploring one of the many gems that the magical island of Ibiza offers in abundance, be it swimming in the crystal clear waters of the beaches, shopping in one of the many boho boutiques of Ibiza Town or getting active with some cliff jumping and Paddleboarding.
Vegan feasts for brunch and dinner were provided by our always vibrant retreat neighbours, Cheeta (a 60 year old healer and chef) and daughter. And Steffy put a healthy supply of raw halo chocolate bars (along with a yoga outfit, Keratise shampoo and conditioner and pen in our beautiful goody bags.
To ensure everyone got full attention Steffy was keen to keep the retreat intimate and inclusive at 12 guests only. Allowing for one shared conversation around the dinner table and getting to discover so much more about the other guests attending than is usually possible. This being even more relevant for a group of yoga teachers who can learn and grow so much from sharing their own yoga experiences with one another also.
Whilst I’ve been in Ibiza for the four weeks following the retreat it’s been great to see a stream of social media posts of Steffy and many of the guests continuing the journey together, be it assisting her class on stage at Lululemon’s Sweatlife festival or practising AcroYoga in London parks.
For anyone wishing to dive deeper in their practise and the art of teaching that can’t afford the time and money required for a fully fledged yoga teacher training course then Steffy’s yoga teacher retreats are the one. I’ve come away informed, inspired and with a network of incredible yogis that I look forward to continuing my yoga journey with.
