Yoga

Allow yourself to calm down and unwind through daily yoga practice in our tranquil surroundings.

Come to La Crisalida Retreats to find balance, strength and flexibility through our varied yoga classes with our fantastic teachers. Enjoy your practice outside on our stunning yoga terrace or indoors in our restful yoga studio. Through regular yoga practice you start to develop inner peace, connecting with the authentic you.

Each week our teachers cover many styles including Hatha, Yin, Restorative, Hatha flow and more, so you have the opportunity to try yoga styles that you might not have experienced before. Although all our teachers offer different yoga styles, one common thread is we all encourage you to experience becoming fully present in your body, and to practice with a calm centred mind.

The practice of Yoga is centuries old, and scientists today are starting to research and document many of the health benefits that come with a regular practice. When you begin to connect with your body and mind you can start to notice the positive effects and changes happening in your overall health. Yoga is an important part of the La Crisalida holistic programme for health and wellbeing. Whilst it works and moves your body, yoga can also influence your physiology through focused breathing.

Activities yoga hatha on terrace yoga retreat Spain

Yoga classes

Our programme of yoga classes varies from week to week, but we always offer a minimum of 12 classes and there is at least one yoga class every day of the week.

Each of our yoga teachers are highly trained and experienced and they each offer different styles of classes. Some classes are more of a workshop, where we might focus on alignment for particular asanas. Others classes are more general practice, where we work with the whole body and a wide range of asanas. Individual adjustments are offered, where appropriate and possible.

We offer two lengths of classes: 90 minutes (at least one per day) and 60 minutes.

Each class is designed for either “all levels”, or “intermediate” practitioners. You are welcome to attend all classes. The “all level” classes are suitable for both beginners as well as guests who have been practicing yoga for many years, as options and different levels are provided. This means that beginners can learn yoga and feel supported, whilst additional levels of instructions are given for people who are more practiced. “Intermediate” level classes are open to all guests, however they are stronger and designed to provide more challenge. If you are new to yoga we recommend attending the “all level” classes first.

Each week we also offer one Yoga Nidra, designed to relax your body and connect body, mind and spirit, plus a guided visualisation. Meditation sessions are also available most days of the week.

Yoga teachers

We currently have five teachers leading the yoga classes at La Crisalida each week

Lisa

Lisa combines mindfulness in her classes to encourage you to become present in the yoga asana and in the moment. Lisa first took up yoga many years ago to help relieve lower back problems, build core strength and to find a release from stress. Lisa has been practicing yoga for more than 15 years. She trained with the Mindful Yoga Academy (Alicante, registered Yoga Alliance UK and USA), with Sarah Powers (Insight Yoga) and is also qualified in therapeutic yoga. Lisa is one of the owners of La Crisalida Retreats.

Tania

Tania has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. Her learning and teaching journey has taken her all over the world, including Bali, India, Australia to study with a wide variety of teachers from different backgrounds. She has a particular interest in making yoga practices sustainable throughout our lives, and the therapeutic benefits of yoga. She has worked with people from all ages and backgrounds, and her particular interest in the mental benefits of yoga led to her authoring the first book on Yoga for Dementia. Tania teachers a range of styles of yoga including Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, and Restorative. In her classes Tania combines techniques to develop awareness, with detailed technical instructions and philosophical reflections to take students on a journey inwards, to come home to themselves.

Amanda

Amanda’s yoga journey started in 2001. After attending her first class, Amanda knew she wanted to help others through yoga. She completed a 500 Hour yoga teaching training under Ruth White (who was a student of BKS Iyengar). Amanda´s teaching style has a gentle and grounded approach. In her Hatha classes she focuses on strength and flexibility through deep awareness in the posture and precision alignment. She also brings a sense of fun into her classes. Over the years she has attended many workshops with a variety of teachers and loves to teach restorative yoga.

Lauren

Lauren is one of our bubbly energetic yoga teachers. Her yoga journey started after a doctor recommended it to help with a knee injury (MCL – medial collateral ligament). Lauren trained in Barcelona, with Yoga Body, focusing on Vinyasa and Yin yoga styles in particular. The main goal in her yoga classes is to make it as easy going and energised as possible. She likes to make classes challenging but also fun. Lauren also enjoys sharing relaxation and quiet time in restorative yoga and loves the combination of Yin-Yang classes.

Raphaela

Raphaela teaches varied styles of yoga, with heart and passion. Over her many years of teaching and practice Raphaela has trained with many teachers including Amrita Yoga (Kerala), Integral Yoga (Tao Prajñananda-Ananda Vir Kaur), Om Shree Om Yoga Children (Christine McArdle), Kundalini Yoga (Ambrosio Martínes-Andrea Märtens), Therapeutic yoga (Gisela Vázquez), Anusara Yoga (Gisela Vázquez), Sridaiva Yoga (John Friend) and Yoga history & Philosophy (Carlos Pomeda). Outside from La Crisalida, Raphaela teaches workshops in childrens yoga, mantra and vibrational gong meditation and is a Reiki master.

Yoga styles

Our talented yoga teachers offer a range of different styles of yoga across each week for you to experience during your retreat. The yoga classes available at La Crisalida include:

Hatha Yoga and Hatha Flow Yoga

Hatha yoga includes a variety of classical yoga positions ranging from seated, standing, twisting, balancing, and supine (lying down). You will build strength and flexibility through regular practice. Most classes tend to have a theme and in some we have a particular focus. For example, in some classes we might focus specifically on hip opening, or legs, or balancing. In other classes we might practice mindfully with the breath, using a wide range of asanas. Hatha flow is similar to hatha but includes some more movement between asanas (positions). Most Hatha and Hatha flow classes will starts with breathing exercise(s) and all finish with relaxation.

Yin Yoga

Yin is a delightful slow style of yoga based on the Taoist concept of yin and yang, opposites in nature. Muscles are Yang, whereas bones, joints and connective tissue are Yin. Yin Yoga is practiced to stretch connective tissues, and we practice with relaxed, passive muscles. Slow, deep stretches are held for 2-8 minutes, with a moment in between each posture to reset.

Restorative Yoga

Find deep relaxation in one of our restorative yoga classes. A super slow class, you will take a journey into stillness. Much of the class uses supine (lying down) positions, which are held for upward of 10 minutes. This is one of the most relaxing yoga styles around. We use props, like bolsters, blankets and blocks to support your body, allowing your muscles to truly let go. The goal here is complete body, mind, spirit, relaxation.

Essentials Yoga

We offer one “essentials yoga” class each week. This class is ideal for beginners to gain an understanding of yoga and learn how to do key poses. It also serves as a fine-tuning class for seasoned practitioners. You will learn some of the key postures and their specific alignments.

Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa yoga is a flowing sequence of poses that is dynamic, and can be physically strong. The emphasis is on flowing smoothly from one movement to the next. The base tends to be Hatha, just practiced in a different way. We also offer a slow flow Vinyasa, which is similar but has slower transitions between asanas.

Kundalini Yoga

Once per week we offer Kundalini yoga, a style of yoga that is focused on the energy in the body. It can be very energetic and might include yogic chanting at times. Specific yogic breathing techniques are also used.

Anusara Yoga

Once per week we offer Anusara yoga. This class takes a workshop style, and is focused on alignment of the body. The teacher will help to focus your attention to detail in the asanas (poses).

Common yoga questions

Q: I have not done much yoga before and am concerned that I will not be able to keep up in the classes. Can you reassure me?

A: If you are new to yoga then this is a safe environment in which to try it out. Our approach to yoga is based upon listening to your body. To us, yoga is not about achievement or looking “good” (standing on your head, putting your feet behind your neck or attaining difficult poses). Yoga is a personal journey and as such is part of the holistic approach to achieving and maintaining health. Most classes are generally suitable for beginners, with more advanced suggestions given to those who practice yoga more regularly. We also offer intermediate level classes, these are stronger and designed to provide more challenge to people who are more practiced at yoga. If you go to any class and prefer not to do something, then you are welcome to rest and join in when you feel ready. Have a chat with your yoga instructor.
Q: I have a back problem, or other injury, can I join in?

A: Yoga is great for helping to reconnect to your body, which is important after injury. We ask that you tell us in advance of your retreat, if you have any major health issues, and then speak to each of the yoga teachers before your first class with them. Some yoga classes may be less suitable, depending upon the type of injury that you have, so please speak to one of our mentors when you arrive. All our teachers are highly trained and can offer alternative asanas during most classes. Developing a regular yoga practice is great for building back (and core) strength, so can help to prevent back ache in the longer term. If you need any further information then please contact us.
Q: I usually practice Astanga or Bikram yoga, do you offer these styles?
Q: Can I go to any yoga class or other activity, without signing up?

Q: How many people are usually in a class?
Q: Can I book a private class?

A: Yes, you can book a private yoga class with any of our teachers. Ask at reception and a time can be arranged. Private classes are usually 60 minutes long, for one or two guests, and there is an extra charge, payable locally. You can choose to focus on specific asanas, to go deeper into your practice, ask for help designing your own practice for when you go home, whatever you like.
Q: I have a regular yoga practice, is this retreat suitable for me?

A: If you want some dedicated time to practice yoga daily, then our retreat is a great place to visit. We offer a range of classes designed for different levels – some classes are intermediate level, which will include more challenging yoga asanas or sequences. Other classes are suitable for all-levels, so there might be some beginners present. In these classes, most of our teachers give instructions beginner level upwards, so there are instructions for people who are more practiced, so they can be more challenged.