Blue Sky Yoga Holidays

Yoga, Qi Gong & Pilates Holiday in Greece, a life changing experience, join us!

When: 24th - 31st May 2012 with qualified and experienced teachers Hilde Eiselen & Linda Breistig. Hilde has been organising this yoga holiday for some years, bringing groups to Greece, to the beautiful Milelja Centre, just outside the picturesque village of Molyvos on the island of Lesbos. She carefully picks exceptional teachers to ensure you have excellent Yoga, Qi Gong and Pilates classes and a great holiday experience! In May, Linda Breistig is the guest teacher; she is originally from Scotland, but now lives in Norway with her husband and sons. She is a physiotherapist, Qi Gong and Pilates teacher. Hilde and Linda qualified with Ruth White in Iyengar Yoga and have both also trained with Paul Grilley in Yin Yang Yoga in the US. Both teachers have over 3,000 hours of training and decades of practice.

Where: Lesbos (Λέσβος), or Lesvos, is the northest of the East Aegean Island of Greece, projecting out of the Asia Minor mainland. This magical Greek island is just off the Turkish coast. The Milelja Centre is purpose-built and situated on a hillside overlooking the medieval fort and the harbour in the distance - a short walk from the ancient and beautiful village of Molyvos.

Weather: During May the sea is warm, the island is quiet and the weather is balmy. This yoga retreat is a perfect, tranquil place to find peace and allow the mind and body to be recharged and revitalised.

What: Do as much or as little yoga as you choose. Or skip the yoga and enjoy beaches, pools, boat trips and walks. There are archaeological sites and a petrified forest to explore, a world heritage geological museum, delightful dinners of fresh fish and local fruit and vegetables by the harbour, and of course great company.

You are invited to enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating week of yoga on the island of Lesbos, Greece. This wonderful week-long yoga retreat will be presented by Hilde & Linda, two knowledgeable and experienced yoga teachers, who have visited the island many times and come from Ireland and Norway, respectively.

This yoga holiday is suitable for everyone - from seasoned yogis to complete beginners. If you are an experienced practitioner, we offer you the opportunity to deepen your practice and go beyond where you think is possible. For beginners, this is an ideal introduction to yoga; within the week you'll know the basics and be confident enough to find a class you enjoy back home, as well as understanding self-practice.

The Milelja Centre is run by a German couple, Gisa and Detlef, who cannot do enough for their visitors! The accommodation is extremely comfortable, with attention to detail in that they anticipate what you might need, and already have it provided. The food is delicious, locally grown, organic and vegetarian. It is a calm, peaceful and nurturing environment conducive to relaxation, rejuvenation and unwinding. Set in terraced gardens with olive trees, featuring cultivated and wild flowers, it has a natural spring water infinity pool with views of the breathtakingly beautiful Mediterranean Sea and the town of Molyvos, which is within easy walking distance.

Lesbos is a truly magical island where you can swim in the warm sea, dip into the nearby healing hot springs at Eftaloe or enjoy water sport in Petra. You can visit the traditional villages, some are tiny, all are charming and always feature eateries offering excellent local fare! This is a friendly island, the locals are welcoming and always ready to stop and chat. If you are a walker/hiker, there are plenty of stunning trails to explore and for the beach lover, there are sea pools and beaches on which to laze, loungers and umbrellas at the ready.

Molyvos features a huge castle, originally Byzantine, which dominates the hill top in the centre of the town. The town itself consists of stone houses and shops, which surround the castle and follow the coast to one of the most beautiful harbours in Greece. Dinner at sunset at one of many harbour cafes is an experience to cherish. There are many wonderful restaurants and shops and the pace is relaxed and sophisticated. People come to Moyvos to do yoga or explore Greek Mythology and history. The tourists are interesting, so you can sit down with one and have a decent conversation on a balcony, while enjoying sweeping views of large yachts gliding on the Aegean Sea.

This holiday experience will show you the possibility of extending yogic practices and awareness into your everyday life. Applying yoga in this way can make your day to day activities more fulfilling and less stressful. Students of all levels of experience and all ages are welcome. This is an ideal holiday for you to enjoy on your own, as there are many group activities - or bring a friend, relative or partner. Non yogis are also welcome!

Book your place now and indulge in a holiday you will remember fondly, always:

Centre: Retreat to a gorgeous and special place, where one can develop a deeper connection with oneself, emerging rejuvenated and focussed.

Yoga: Two experienced Yoga teachers giving expert tuition in Yin & Yang Yoga as well as Qi Gong & Pilates. All built on a thorough foundation in Iyengar Yoga.

Afternoons: Explore anything that takes your fancy, from nature/flower walks and archaeological sites to shopping in the town of Molyvos, which has plenty of boutiques and interesting shops.

Relax and Sunbathe: If you feel really lazy the Centre has its own pool and Jacuzzi. Or you can walk the 15 minutes to the beach or visit the sea-water swimming pool with cafeteria at the Delfinia Hotel.

Hot springs: We visit the thermal baths at Eftalou beach on the north side of the island, about 5 km from Molyvos. You can cool off from the hot water by going in the sea, and go back and forth as often as you want. The ancient healing properties of these waters are still sought by locals and tourists alike. A quick dip in the sea followed by 10 minutes in the hot springs x 3, promises, at the very least, to leave you feeling revitalised, and or at most, cured of all ailments!

Walks: There are still functioning monasteries and convents deep in the hills and visitors are welcome. Excellent trails in the surrounding hills and beautiful historic ruins to visit. Or just walk along the beach at sunset and find stillness in your heart and marvel at nature's majesty.

Bicycles, Scooters or Cars for Hire: In your spare time, tour and explore the stunning island coastline or travel to nearby villages for lunch, dinner or just a swim.

Therapies: The Centre has a Beauty and Massage Therapy studio on site, run by Anna, the daughter of the owners. Many other healing and beauty therapies are also available, so both men and women can be thoroughly pampered. Healing massages can be arranged by a master yogi nearby.

Site-seeing: The Geological Museum in Sigri is one of the best museums in Greece. The small picturesque fisherman's village of Skala Sykamineas at the north side of the island can be reached by road or boat. We take a boat trip there on Sunday evening, stop for dinner, and return by moonlight!

Fees: From €695 per person for the week. Price includes: * Accommodation, based on 2 persons sharing. * All Yoga Classes (3 most days). *Fabulous Brunch, every day at 10h30. * Unlimited local sage tea, teas, coffee & natural filtered spring water. * Bed linen and bath towels.

Flights: Direct flights available on Thursdays (First Choice Travel) from London Gatwick or Manchester airports (in the UK) to Mytelene, Lesbos. Flights also available via Athens. Cost of flights not included.

Gentlemen: Please note that men are especially welcome on this holiday. If you would like to get in touch with any of guests from previous holidays, we would be more than happy to put you in touch.

Reserve your place now with a €150 deposit (non-refundable). Balance is due by 1st May 2012.

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South African Yoga Safari

When: December 2012.

Where: Hilltop Camp, Hluhluwe Game Reserve, South Africa - Winner of the British Airways 'Tourism for Tomorrow Award'. Superb thatched lodges in beautiful natural settings. Experience the heights of the mountains and the tropical savannahs of Kwa-Zulu Natal where the 'big five', elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard roam.

Weather: It is always warm in Kwazulu Natal and the sun shines every day!

What: Yoga in the shade, outdoors! Fascinating expert talks on African culture & spirituality by guru Brother John. Guided safaris and game viewing trips. Visits to World Heritage sites, from mountain tops to the white sand beaches and coral reefs of the Indian Ocean. Fabulous fresh fish and fruit. Stunning buffets of hot and cold cuisine prepared by chefs with Indian, African and European roots, offering a gourmet feast for the senses!