OurYoga & PilatesTeachers

There are many styles of yoga but, generally, all use the same asanas (postures) and breathing techniques (pranayama).   So if you're a devotee of a particular style of yoga, you will be able to easily follow the classes on our yoga holidays & retreats.   

Our twice daily yoga classes combine Hatha, Vinyasa Flow and Yin Yoga to improve your strength, flexibility and range of movement.    Morning sessions focus on simple flowing sequences to stretch muscles and open joints whilst we synchronise breath with movement so that your practice becomes a calming moving meditation.    Evening classes are more restorative where we will hold postures a little longer using the breath to move deeper within, helping you re-connect with your inner peace.   Bliss!

The level is suitable for keen beginners, those with a lapsed practice & intermediate yogis.    Our teaching style is relaxed - no pressure to be perfect.    Likewise there's no room for ego as it's not what we're about.   It doesn't matter what other people  can do,  just work with what you have.  Be patient, keep practicing and your body will open up  & let you back in. 

The complete yoga experience.  Together with your daily yoga classes, we'll also look at some yogic philosophy and spend some time exploring Meditation where one learns to create space and calmness in the mind and body,  amidst the daily chaos of life.   After all, yoga is more than just the physical postures on a mat

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"The yoga was fantastic.   I really enjoyed the variety of classes and different techniques.  We learnt so much in 5 days.   It's been a truly relaxing and indulgent time & I've loved every minute."  Jennifer, Leics

Our  Yoga Teachers 

You will be taught by two yoga teachers on your holiday.   This is a great way to deepen your practice & understanding from two different perspectives.    Here's a little about them. 

Nicole -Yoga Teacher &  founder of Yoga Breaks in Spain.   Nicole qualified with an "Excellent" grade Diploma following a 2-year training course with FRYOG  (Friends of Yoga International).    "Yoga to me is like an incredible secret  I want to share with as many people as possible.   I love the endless benefits it brings into our lives starting with unlocking the physical tension that seeps into our bodies to the tapping into the deep pool of inner peace inside us all when we become still and simply breathe.    Every time I roll out my mat I feel like I've come home."    

Nicole's classes are suitable for everyone she encourages students to explore yoga from the inside out.    It doesn't matter if you can't touch your toes, stand on your head or squeeze into pretzel positions!     Having studied with many inspiring teachers including Shiva Rea, Claire Missingham and Liz Lark, her sessions infuse  Hatha, Vinyasa Flow and restorativeYin Yoga with breath and meditation to explore and quieten the mind.    

  Jenna - Yoga Teacher.   Jenna was bitten by the yoga bug whilst working in real estate in Dubai before being inspired by a great many teachers during her yoga travels to San Francisco, India & London.   On returning to London Jenna trained as a yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance specialising in vinyasa flow yoga.  Believing that yoga should be accessible to all, Jenna founded a donation based community class in London where she & her colleagues give their time voluntarily whilst the demand for her private, group & corporate classes continues to grow.   Jenna can't resist weaving her passion for the Chakras into her yoga classes where her teaching style is described as warm, welcoming & down to Earth - the perfect mix for students of all abilities to never feel afraid of making mistakes!

Francesa -Yoga Teacher.   "After practicing yoga for 20 years, I realised that it had helped me tremendously through two marathons and triathlons, and so I decided to teach yoga to other "sports" people like me.    After qualifying in 2006 from the Yoga Center in Madrid, I begun teaching yoga immediately.   I find great joy in seeing the transition in my students lives - both on & off the mat.   What excites me most about yoga is that, for me, it touches a place deep inside that exceeds any other form of exercise I have come across."  Fran is also  a Rosen Method bodywork practitioner and an NLP practitioner, bringing this knowledge of body and mind into her yoga classes.  

Sara - Yoga Teacher.   Sara's passion for yoga begun as a student of  Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga whilst living in London.   Shortly after returning to Spain she trained to be a yoga teacher, studying at the Yoga Center of Madrid.    Having made the move from 'student to teacher' and after teaching for a number of years, Sara became interested in the concept of using Yoga as therapy  to help alleviate specific medical & physical needs of her students.    So, having successfully completed in-depth Yogatherapy training in 2008, Sara is now able to call upon her extensive knowledge to help you enjoy a yoga practice that is right for you & your body. 

Our Pilates Teacher

Nola.   After many years as a professional dancer -  ballet, modern, tap & jazz - Nola re-trained as a fitness instructor and personal trainer where she developed an in-depth understanding of how human anatomy works.   Having suffered her fair share of injuries and through meeting many injured athletes, Nola continued her training and qualified as an instructor with Stott Pilates in 2001 having recognised that proficient pilates movements would help repair injuries through concentrated, focused movements that engaged the deep seated muscles to strengthen weak, injured areas of the body.

Summary of Yoga Styles

Ananda Yoga uses Hatha asana and pranayama to awaken, experience, and control the subtle chakra energies. Its object is to use those energies to harmonize body, mind, and emotions, and attune  with higher levels of awareness.  One feature of this system is the use of silent affirmations while in the asanas as a means of working more directly and consciously with the subtle energies to achieve this attunement.  Ananda Yoga is a relatively gentle, inward experience not an athletic or aerobic practice. It was developed by Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, author of the spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi.

Ansura Yoga®  founded by John Friend in 1997 is a powerful hatha yoga system that unifies a Tantric philosophy of intrinsic Goodness with Universal Principles of Alignment.  Anusara embodies an uplifting philosophy, epitomized by a "celebration of the heart," that looks for the good in all people and all things. Consequently, students of all levels of ability and yoga experience are honored for their unique differences, limitations, and talents. 

Ashtanga Yoga  developed by K. Pattabhi Jois.   Ashtanga is physically demanding. Participants move through a series of flows, jumping from one posture to another in order to build strength, flexibility and stamina. It is not for beginners or anyone who's been taking a leisurely approach to fitness.  Ashtanga  involves challenging sequence of poses with Ujjayi Breathing and vinyasas (a flow of postures).  This Yoga Style uses a system based on six series of increasing difficulty. 

Bikram Yoga is named after the founder - Bikram Choudhury.    Yoga is practiced in a room with a temperature of up to 100 degrees fahrenheit,  thus be prepared to sweat a lot.  Bikram Yoga enthusiasts  perform a series of 26 Asanas, each posture is usually performed twice and held for a certain period of time. 

Integral Yoga  puts equal emphasis on Pranayama (Breathing Control), on Meditation, and on the Asanas (Physical Poses). This Style of Yoga was developed by Swami Satchidananda.   The practice of Integral Yoga revolves around eight main goals: 1. Physical Health and strength; 2. control over all senses; 3. clear, calm and well-disciplined mind; 4. higher level of intellect; 5. strong and pliable will; 6. love and compassion; 7. purer ego, and; 8. ultimate peace and joy.

Iyengar Yoga named after B.K.S. Iyengar who is one of the best-known Yoga teachers.   Iyengar's style is noted for great attention to detail and precise alignment of postures, he also popularized the use of yoga props such as blocks and belts. This great attention to detail, posture, and alignment has also become the notable characteristics of Iyengar Yoga.

Kripalu Yoga  puts great emphasis on Proper Breath, alignment, coordination of breath and movement, and "honoring the wisdom of the body" -- you work according to the limits of your individual flexibility and strength. Students learn to focus on the physical and psychological reactions caused by various postures to develop their awareness of mind, body, emotion and spirit. There are three stages in Kripalu. Stage One focuses on learning the postures, proper breathing, and exploring your body's abilities. Stage Two involves holding the postures for an extended time, developing concentration and awareness of your thoughts and emotions. Stage Three is like meditation in motion in which the movement from one posture to another arises unconsciously and spontaneously while you are in a meditative state.

Kundalini Yoga was brought to the West by Yogi Bhajan in 1969. It focuses on the controlled release of the Kundalini (serpent power) energy which is found at the base of your spine. The practice of Kundalini Yoga involves classic poses, chanting, coordination of breath and movement and Meditation. The emphasis however, is not on the Yoga Poses but on the Chanting and Breathing.   Kundalini rewards Yogis with spiritual transformation and unity consciousness.

Sivananda Yoga was developed by Vishnu-devananda who wrote one of the contemporary Yoga classics, "The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga".   This Style of Yoga focuses on the Pranayama, classic Asanas, and relaxation.  It also centres on diet and positive thinking and Meditation. Sivananda Yoga practice consist twelve basic Yoga Poses that seeks to increase strength, flexibility, Proper Breathing, and Meditation.

Viniyoga is rooted from the principle practiced by Sri. T. Krishnamacharya - that is to develop practices for individual conditions and purposes.    Viniyoga makes use of modified Yoga Poses that are designed to meet the specific needs of an individual and to enhance healing, flexibility and strength of joints. Viniyoga poses also intend to promote the feeling of well-being and strength.