Paxos News

YOGA ON PAXOS

Zoë Reason, who attended yoga weeks on Paxos for many years before becoming a qualified teacher leading her own courses here, explains a little about what’s involved:

Yoga in its broadest sense is one of the oldest systems of personal development in the world. It is a complete system for balancing the body, mind and spirit. First systematized by a great Indian saint called Patanjali over two thousand years ago, it has been developed over the centuries by dedicated people who have lived their lives according to yogic principles and ideals.

Travel a la carte has been organising yoga weeks on Paxos for over ten years. The teachers who run the courses are all qualified in what is known as ‘Iyengar yoga',which was developed by the world-renowned teacher B.K.S. Iyengar. Mr Iyengar has evolved precise asana (posture) and pranayama (breathing) techniques based on principles systematized by the sage Patanjali over 2,000 years ago.

The Iyengar system helps individuals to make progress according to their own abilities, and is a methodical, progressive inclusive approach, emphasising detailed correctness and absolute safety. To enable safe progress Mr Iyengar has developed the use of props such as foam blocks, wooden bricks, blankets and belts, which help support the body safely in the different postures to improve ability. Whilst Iyengar Yoga is suitable for all ages, sizes and different levels of fitness, some conditions may be more safely taught in a medical class.

Our yoga day on Paxos starts early before the sun gets too hot. We tailor the level of the asana class to meet the needs and experience of the students. 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. The heat of the day can be idled away lazily on the beach, or spent exploring the island across the many footpaths and donkey tracks that link the pretty coves and beaches of the East Coast to the impressive white cliffs of the West, 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).

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 means the word or knowledge.

Typical schedule (timings open to negotiation):
08.30 – 10.30 Asana class
10.30 – 5.00 Free time
5.00 – 6.30 Restorative class

For more information, do contact us at yoga@travelalacarte.co.uk. I am very happy to talk to anyone who would like to know more about yoga in general and our Paxos yoga weeks in particular.