Zoë Reason - Iyengar Yoga Teacher

Iyengar Yoga on Paxos, Greece

Classes take place on a shady terrace that looks out over the sea. Paxos, the smallest of the Ionian islands, is an unflawed gem lying a short sea journey to the South of Corfu. Seven miles long by two miles wide, the island’s east coast is dotted with small coves and bays whose clear water is perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Inland, the hills are covered with olive trees, more than 200,000 of them, which produce one of the world’s finest olive oils. Walk among the olive groves in May, before it grows too hot, and discover the old Paxos, where goats wander among abandoned stone houses, and the ground is carpeted with wild flowers.

The word Yoga derives from the Sanskrit, meaning to join or union. It has the same root as the english word yoke. The union referred to is the union between one’s true self and the universal (being “at one with the world”), and also to a joining between one’s body, one’s thinking and one’s soul. When we practice on Paxos, touched by the clear water, clean air and simple life, this union becomes palpable.

Who is Iyengar Yoga suitable for?

Anybody – all ages, sizes and different levels of fitness can benefit from practising yoga. However, some conditions may be more safely taught in a medical class. Please discuss any health issues with Zoë prior to booking.

Beginners: 16-23 May

We encourage anyone who is new to yoga or who has practiced other forms of yoga to come to the beginners’ week. The morning class will build up to two hours by the end of the week and there will be gentle restorative classes on three afternoons.

General: 9-16 May

Those who have been attending Iyengar classes for a minimum of one year are welcome on the General week. The morning classes may last a little longer and we will work towards more complex asanas at the end of the week. There will be an afternoon class every day.

If you’re unsure about which week would be best for you please call Zoë on 07956 616934.

Where will I stay?

Loggos is the smallest of the three main villages on Paxos, an enchanting, graceful old fishing port on the northeast coast. With its pastel-shaded buildings huddled around the harbour, it combines relative remoteness with an adequate range of facilities. You will stay in traditional Greek villas and apartments shared with other yoga students – from The Manor House it is just a short walk down to the harbour in one direction and the beaches in the other. Paradisos is a little further away – but nearer to the most beautiful beach on the island.

The yoga takes place on a terrace at the Manor House (which overlooks the sea) or (depending on the weather) at Paradisos, a villa nestled in the olive groves about 15 minutes walk away.

Generally, most students have dinner in one of the tavernas dotted around the harbour, but the the village also has three small supermarkets and a bakery. All the villas have kitchens and a living area – with somewhere outside with a view to gaze at as you eat your breakfast.

Holiday price and travel arrangements

Yoga Week

The basic price of the holiday is £330 (Beginners) or £355 (General) to include transfers (hydrofoil between Corfu to Paxos), self catering accommodation (in a twin room shared with one other person) and yoga classes.
Depending on availability some rooms may be available for single occupancy (£100 supplement).

The holiday is organised by Travel a la Carte, a small Anglo Greek family company who specialise in holidays to Corfu and Paxos. They have been running yoga holidays for 15 years.

Getting there

Thomas Cook and Easy Jet fly to Corfu on Fridays. Flights tend to get more expensive the longer you leave it – early bookers get better deals.

See the following websites:
www.easyjet.co.uk
www.flythomascook.com

You should expect to pay from £150 – £200 for your return flight (but it will depend when you book).

Last year several students (and Zoë) travelled to Paxos by train and by sea. The easiest (and most beautiful) route is via Venice. Please do ask for more information if you’d like to avoid flying.

For more information

www.travelalacarte.co.uk
Zoë Reason:
Phone: 07956 616 934
email: zoereason@btinternet.com

What happens on the holiday?

The day starts early before the sun gets too hot. The level of the asana class is tailored to meet the needs of the students we have (asana means posture). The class takes place on one of the shady terraces at the Manor House, looking over a helpful wall that faces straight out over the sea (not that yoga is about getting distracted by how beautiful the world is).

Our morning class sets us up for however we want to spend the day. There’s generally someone else whose idea of a perfect day is exactly the same as yours – but although Paxos is tiny it always seems big enough to make escaping in splendid isolation a complete delight.

The heat of the day can be idled away lazily on the beach, or exploring the island across the many footpaths and donkey tracks that link the pretty coves and beaches of the West Coast to the impressive white cliffs of the East Coast, or pottering from bay to bay in a little boat. Sometimes the larger group splits up into small groups, sometimes we all converge (a boat trip to the sandy beaches on the even tinier island of Anti-Paxos is always popular). Each group tends to have its own distinct quality – we remember years as “the one where we cleaned up the beaches”, or “the one Spiros and Barbara played the saxophone and the accordion all night”, or “the one with the synchronised swimming”. It all depends.

In the late afternoon the group comes together again for a quieter yoga practice. The afternoon lesson allows us to take time in restorative postures and to begin to pay close attention to the breath. It’s in these sessions that it makes perfect sense that Paxos means peace, and Loggos (the name of the village we stay in) means the word, or knowledge.

Typical schedule (open to negotiation):

08.30 – 10.30 Asana class

10.30 – 4.30 Free time

4.30 – 6.00 Restorative class

Zoë will be happy answer any questions you may have about whether this is the right yoga holiday for you. Specifically, if you have any medical conditions we would encourage you to contact us before booking to discuss whether the yoga holiday will be appropriate for you.

You can reach Zoë by email on zoereason@btinternet.com
or by phone on 07956 616 934

You will need to bring a sticky mat with you. Yoga equipment can be purchased from the following suppliers:

Yoga Mad
Yoga Matters