Daily yoga practice
“Joyful steadiness in the body free from tension and manifesting the infinite beyond duality is asana.”
When we first go to a yoga studio or buy a book or watch a video, we may do so because on some level we recognise we are under strain. Mental, physical or emotional. We practice a little and feel loosened, at greater ease. Some of the stress we carried before our practice seems to abate enough so that we may move into our life with assurance. Yoga is healing and offers us a return to a state of equilibrium. So we devote a little more time to ourselves, just for ourselves.
The teachers at Vale de Moses trustfully imparted their experience of yoga, as personal practitioners and as students. They employed the teachings of many styles, sharing their treasured love of this ancient practice in an earthy, simple, kindly and compassionate manner. Classes varied from flowing and energetic, inspired by Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow and Dynamic Hatha Yoga to Yin Yoga, focused asana exploration, playful unintimidating partner or Acro Yoga and some quiet contemplation. Together we artfully cultivated in the shala, a love of personally empowered practice and sowed seeds of self understanding so we could move more gracefully into a state of integration, wholeness and ultimately, relaxation.
Right now, you may be in the early tentative days of this yoga romance, or entirely certain that what was once a sporadic practice has now become a way of life. Whatever stage in your relationship, a retreat at Vale de Moses is an invitation to deepen the love affair with yoga and with yourself. Removed from the normal stresses and responsibilities of life, surrounded by the stunning wilderness of the Portuguese forests, nurture yourself, without distraction. Be romanced into yoga. Free from intimidating complex drills, open slowly, sweetly, squeeze and savour all the juice out of your practice and digest every drop of the nutrients.
Through the gentle compassionate guidance of experienced teachers who we now host rather than employ, be taken inward to connect with the harmonious rhythm of your breathing and from this rhythm into your body. Broaden, lengthen and soften into each asana, into your day, into your week and into your life. The indulgent luxury of time loosens and dissolves nervous tension. From this calm space, a confidence in ourselves and our personal experience grows. Return home with a stronger desire to cultivate a personal practice that encourages a little more contentment and ease in your world.
Yoga is a love affair. Practice yoga. Feel delicious.
Bend, stretch, ground, bind, flow, cry, invert, balance, fold, open, relax, tuck, twist, release, close, experience silence, contemplate, walk, broaden, sing, dance, digest, taste, consolidate, stand, swim, sit, lengthen, soften, calm, laugh, live, love, lie down.
