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We run two retreats in Cyprus - one for yoga students and one for yoga teachers.

About the Location

Based in Polis, a small & relatively peaceful resort (in April, almost sleepy still), on the North Western coast of the Republic of Cyprus.

At this time in late Spring the air is filled with freshness and the scent of flowers. 4km along the coast to the West are palm-dotted beaches and a small fishing harbour and marina (inc a wide range of water sports and boat hire facilities) called Latchi. Beyond is the Akamas peninsula, a tranquil conservation area of grassland and forest filled with the sounds of birds and the unmistakeable tolling of goat bells! To the East of Polis, the shoreline is largely undeveloped with mile after mile of sand or pebble beaches and blue sea. To the South the road to Paphos (35km) winds up and down through the low western foothills of the Troodos, with dozens of tiny villages scattered amongst them.

To the East of Polis, the shoreline is largely undeveloped - mile after mile of sand or pebble beaches and blue sea. To the South the road to Paphos (35km) winds up and down through the low western foothills of the Troodos, with dozens of tiny villages scattered amongst them.

WHAT'S CYPRUS LIKE?

It's very much like Greece, only warmer!, and most Cypriots speak English to varying extents; driving is on the left (Cyprus was a British colony) and some phone kiosks trigger nostalgia! April in Cyprus is late Spring/early summer, but can be a little unpredictable. Average temperatures in April are 10c (min) and 24°C max. The average rainfall is 18mm. Evenings can get quite cool after sundown (approx 7pm) and mid-days can climb into the 80s (i.e. 27C+). (See centre pages for more details)

The apartments

The apartment complex is in a secluded yet central area of Polis; within 200m of shops, cafes and tavernas, and only a 15 minutes stroll to the beach - past villas and apartments surrounded by bougainvillea and jasmine, through heady-scented orange groves and pungent eucalyptus Individual accommodation is in good quality studio or 1 bedroom self-catering apartments; extremely well-equipped inc. fridge, cooker, toaster, kettle etc, TV, phone, air conditioning/heating in all bedrooms, balcony or terrace - in a small complex around a pool.

Both Retreats include the following 'holiday elements':
Accomodation in a studio or 1 bedroom self-catering apartment.

• Communal breakfast provided each morning.
• 3 half day excursions (one of which may be extended to a whole day to make a trip to the Troodos Mountains possible),
  
• 2 evening meals,
• one to welcome everyone on Day 1, and
• a farewell dinner on Day 7.

FAY BEDDOWES is well known throughout Britain as a dynamic teacher of yoga. She trains Tutors and Teachers in the BWY style, yet has an eclectic approach, which draws on a sound understanding of many traditions. She is creative in her modifications of asana for individual needs and particularly for needs related to disability, based on her sound knowledge of anatomy and physiology, which she brings to bear in a safe approach to asana.
Fay has a deep insight into the historical and spiritual aspects of yoga and is renowned for her skills in weaving rich threads of yogic philosophy through her asana work in most inventive, thematic patterns. She also works experientially with prana, mudra and bandha to develop self knowledge and awareness.

HEIN BRAAT is an internationally respected professional musician, whose long-term commitment to yoga has led to a fascination for mantra chanting and singing. From these experiences Hein has experimented with the 'properties' of sound and has developed a variety of insightful approaches enabling voice tones & sounds to focus awareness & energy within the body. Hein applies these techniques to improve levels of concentration, enhance meditation, develop self-esteem and gain a greater sense of personal harmony. His powerful and melodious singing voice once heard is never forgotten. As well as being keenly interested in rock and jazz music, he has recorded many mantras -in the original Sanskrit.

RICHARD BROADLEY has worked in the guidance, counselling and psychotherapy field for many years both as an accredited practitioner and, for over 25 years, as a trainer of other professionals. He has organised & facilitated many short courses, workshops & retreats related to personal development, sensitivity training, and self-exploration.

The Yoga Retreat elements will include:

• 15-18 hours of 'class-time' with Fay Beddowes (predominantly morning sessions, over 5 days) embracing a variety of issues highly relevant to practising teachers. Some content will be negotiated within the group in response to declared needs and preferences.
  
• 5-6 hours of personal development seminars and workshops with Richard Broadley who will offer a variety of optional, participative and non-threatening self-exploration sessions.
  
• 5-6 hours of mantra chanting, working with sound and simply listening to the magnificent voice of Hein Braat. He prefers to lead or perform in the evenings so, depending on the weather, we may well find his Sanskrit singing or popular song recitals happening around the pool or at the beach

The Holiday elements will include:

• Individual accommodation in good quality studio or 1 bedroom self-catering apartments; extremely well-equipped inc. fridge, cooker, toaster, kettle etc, TV, phone, air conditioning/heating in all bedrooms, balcony or terrace -in a small complex around a pool
  
• Communal breakfast provided each morning
  
• 3 half day excursions (one of which may be extended to a whole day to make a trip to the Troodos Mountains possible)
  
• 2 evening meals -one to welcome everyone on Day 1, and a farewell dinner on Day 7.
  
• Collection from and return to Paphos airport (Larnaca airport is 150 kms further and would necessitate a supplementary charge)

A ONE-WEEK YOGA RETREAT/HOLIDAY FOR YOGA STUDENTS
with Lina Mookerjee, Hein Braat and Richard Broadley

Combining personal development and recuperation- physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual -for those with Yoga experience who recognise their own needs for multi-dimensional nourishment

CYPRUS: 5-12 APRIL each year

This Yoga Retreat/Holiday is intended to provide participants with a range of opportunities for yoga students

• To extend your understanding of the many facets of Yoga, both practical and philosophical, through discussion and practice of asana, pranayama, and meditation; to use this 'time-out' to reflect on your current experience and practice, and deepen your awareness of your own needs and goals to be gained through Yoga
• To explore a variety of approaches to increase your self-awareness and enhance personal development
• To explore your own capacity to recognise, express and release feelings through the use of sound and appreciate the effects of mantra from both active and receptive perspectives
• To relax and enjoy the restorative qualities of the peace and beauty of Cyprus in late spring - and the hospitality of local people
• To make new friends, and possibly meet old friends, in a community of shared common interest

Facilitators

LINA MOOKERJEE gained her Teaching Diploma through the British Wheel of Yoga, under the tutelage of Fay Beddowes. Having been brought up in a Hindu Bengali Brahmin family, she is able to bring to her teaching a depth and richness of Yoga experience which only such a cultural and philosophical heritage can provide. Lina was an engineer for almost 10 years, but her increasing involvement in integrating her learning with a Western humanistic perspective has meant that she is now a full time yoga teacher. Her practical grounding in the western world, combined with her understanding of an Eastern belief system that has underpinned a Yogic approach to everyday living for millennia, has created an holistic style of yoga which is particularly responsive to the physical and spiritual challenges of modern western life. At the root of her teaching is a fundemental respect for and acceptance of each of her students - for who they are and whatever stage they have reached. Through her teaching, her aim is to facilitate students' self-exploration and enable their insightfulness to enhance their daily lives. Her Yoga is truly a living Yoga, and Lina is an emphatic example of this.

HEIN BRAAT is an internationally respected professional musician, whose long-term commitment to yoga has led to a fascination for mantra chanting and singing. From these experiences Hein has experimented with the 'properties' of sound and has developed a variety of insightful approaches enabling voice tones and sounds to focus awareness and energy within the body. Hein applies these techniques to improve levels of concentration, enhance meditation, develop self-esteem and gain a greater sense of personal harmony. His powerful and melodious singing voice once heard is never forgotten. As well as being keenly interested in rock and jazz music, he has recorded many mantras - in their original Sanskrit.

RICHARD BROADLEY has worked in the guidance, counselling and psychotherapy field for many years both as a registered practitioner and, for over 25 years, as a University-based trainer of other professionals. He has organised and facilitated many short courses, workshops & retreats related to personal development, sensitivity training, and self-exploration.

• 15 hours of 'class-time' Lina Mookerjee. Some content will be negotiated within the group in response to declared needs and preferences.
  
  
• 6+ hours of personal development seminars and workshops with Richard Broadley who will offer a variety of optional, participative and non-threatening self-exploration sessions.
  
  
• 7+ hours of mantra chanting, working with sound and simply listening to the magnificent voice of Hein Braat. He prefers to lead or perform in the evenings so, depending on the weather, we may well find his Sanskrit singing or popular song recitals happening around the pool or at the beach.

Lina Mookerjee's contributions will be exclusively to this group. Other facilitators will contribute to both groups, sometimes in joint sessions during the three days of overlap.

The Holiday elements will include:

• Individual accommodation in good quality studio or 1 bedroom self-catering apartments; extremely well-equipped inc. fridge, cooker, toaster, kettle etc, TV, phone, air conditioning/heating in all bedrooms, balcony or terrace - in a small complex around a pool
  
  
• Communal breakfast provided each morning
  
  
• 3 half day excursions (one of which may be extended to a whole day to make a trip to the Troodos Mountains possible)
  
  
• 2 evening meals - one to welcome everyone on Day 1, and a farewell dinner on Day 7.
  
  
• Collection from and return to Paphos airport (Larnaca airport is 150 kms further and would necessitate a supplementary charge)