I am struggling to put pen to paper – or rather greasy sun-lotioned finger to smudgy iPad.
This is not because I am uninspired by Little Cove Yoga Retreat, Goa (first stop on my travels around southern India). Quite the opposite.
I am incapacitated by relaxation.
This is the place where time is forgotten, everything is done for you and nothing is asked of you.
There is a ‘schedule’ but it is voluntary. Yet no one here needs a watch to partake. Awoken by a cacophony of nature (But in a good way! Think: waves crashing over rocks and buzzing birds). Then, the delivery of a fresh mint tea – or hot beverage of your choice – to your varandah with a gentle call of ‘good morning’. But no need to rush … there’s plenty of time before morning yoga.
Lazy sunny days
The day is then left to your (generally lazy) whim. Yet time is marked with a series of events – an amazing brunch in the yoga shala/hut looking out to sea, and arrivals of huge plates of fresh fruit salad, delivered to whichever end of the beach you have chosen to pitch up. Then a gong is sounded for pre-dinner meditation, which is often taken on the rocks of the cliff edge looking out to sea. Oh and the dinner, like all food here, is delicious – my favourite is the butter paneer curry. Yum!
For those who want quiet time, it is available. Despite the numbers (more than I have encountered before on a retreat), there is plenty of room in this secluded private cove in south Goa. For those who want to chat, everyone is very friendly – both staff and ‘retreaters’ (who are a mixture of single travelers, couples and twosomes of friends).
There are around 25 people from all over the world (with a predominance of English or German speakers) on this retreat, and most spend around 5-14 days here. Initially, it seemed like a lot of people when I arrived to see them finishing morning practice in the main shala but since then classes have been separated between beginner and advanced and the two open huts.
‘It’s just yoga’
I’d recommend both classes – there are always different asana (posture) options! Ravi, one of the wonderful teachers, opened the beginner class by pointing out that asana means to hold a posture in the way that’s comfortable for you. A philosophy that rings true here.
The advanced class is challenging but is suitable to all as Pardeshi, who runs this class and the retreat as a whole, offers variations according to ability. Both have a strong emphasis on pranayama (breathing practices) with up to six breathing practices at the start of class – all fully explained and demonstrated – and lots of interesting warm-ups. Great effort is made to explain everything including the health benefits of poses. Your energy levels really do increase after a few days here – and after the exhausted post-travel start.
By western standards, the yoga is a mixture of dynamic hatha and ashtanga styles but Pardeshi says ‘it’s just yoga, all yoga is yoga’, which is true. There are also plenty of opportunities to relax after a challenging sequence. One of my favourite moments here has been lying in savasana (corpse pose) after a round of energetic postures and listening to the sound of Pardeshi singing in Sanskrit, the beat of my heart and the waves rolling on the sea shore.
As I sign off, sat on the beach, I am thinking it will be a struggle not to return to Little Cove. Time will tell.
Little Cove Yoga Retreat offers stays for single travellers from 6,200 rupees per day (around £65), or 4,200 rupees (about £44) per person based on two people sharing. It is open from November to April inclusive.
Stewart
25 Mar 2016Nice opening write up Flavia, clearly it is meeting your objectives and glad that you have not been totally consumed by sloth! 😉 Look forward to the next entertaining instalment.
FlaviaMunn
26 Mar 2016Thanks for the comment, Stewart, which made me smile! I’ve just arrived in Mysore so next instalment will be a few days away, I imagine.
Matt
25 Mar 2016What a place, sounds like paradise! I really like the approach of ‘yoga is yoga’, no pretensions or complications, just focusing on posture and breath. I always felt that from your classes so it must really suit you there.
You look very happy too and that plate of food delicious.
Makes me want to plan for next year!
FlaviaMunn
26 Mar 2016It is wonderful! I’d highly recommend booking it, especially as it’s growing in popularity season by season. Definitely a piece of paradise!
Rebecca Thomas
25 Mar 2016That sounds lovely, and you look so relaxed eating a plate of very good looking food. (I’m just about to make a cottage pie back here in London!). I can’t wait to read the next instalment. xx
FlaviaMunn
26 Mar 2016Thanks! And yes the food is both super tasty and healthy too. I hope the cottage pie was good too xx
Maureen
26 Mar 2016Dad thought the food particularly interesting. Couldn’t see the steak!
FlaviaMunn
27 Mar 2016Yes – all vegetarian, so he would love it! It’s yum! 🙂
Lucy
30 Mar 2016Fab to see (and read!) that you’re having such a lovely time. And the food looks amazing! Any recipes welcome 😄
FlaviaMunn
1 Apr 2016Thanks, Luce! I have been trying to remember (and failing!) to take pics of the food and it is def worth a blog in its own right. Yum! Must try harder to get pics before disappears into my mouth 🙂 x
Ruth
31 Mar 2016Hey Flavamos,
What a wonderful adventure you’ve embarked on! I am so impressed and inspired by your exploration of yoga and mindfulness. Looking forward to reading more about the retreat and your experiences. xxx
FlaviaMunn
1 Apr 2016Aw, thanks Ruth! I’m glad it’s inspirational! I’m now in Kerala though a blog on my journey to here (by bike mainly) will be posted soon. Fx