BalanceAprilIssue2017 - 61

F I ND YOUR

BA L A N CE
SUN THERAPY
Clockwise: Puglia
lemons; a heated
outdoor pool;
Cala Masciola's
Pescheria Da Vito,
part restaurant
and part fish shop,
serving extremely
fresh seafood

MI N DF U L
RU N NI N G TI P S
FROM VA I R S PA'S
STE FA N O
B AT TAGLI A
Mindful running is an
accessible way to
meditate and blend
introspection with
activity. Here's how:

❶

Start with a gentle stretch.
Walk before moving to a
slow jog. Connect with your
internal experience.

❷

Feel the breath at all times.
Look at the threshold
between your inner self
and outer awareness.
BITE FEVER

PHOTOGRAPHY: LEANNE BRACEY, ENRIQUE MENOSSI, GETTY IMAGES

Every Sunday in
the main square,
a traditional lunch
is held - a nod to
Italian family
traditions.

hormones - and
mindful exercise is a
way to counter this.
Playfulness is encouraged
in the 'Fure' programme whether in the form
of table tennis or juggling, but my inner
child is most awakened by a dance, song and
music session. It's an hour fusing movement
with Pizzica, an Italian folk dance still
common across Puglia. Teacher Giuseppe
led me in with a tambourine beat, and soon I
found myself following his moves, copying
his breathing and singing my heart out.
The Iyengar yoga instructor was the most
graceful teacher I've ever come across and,
with his sensitive guidance, this is when I
truly connected to every aspect of my body.
My poor legs have spent many years
supporting me with total neglect in return.
Most of the physical movement is done in
the morning, leaving time for an afternoon

❸

Scan your body from
top to bottom. Notice how
it feels. When you're more
in touch with your body,
you're less likely to
feel fatigued.

❹

Remember it's about the
moment you're in, so be
aware of the sounds,
smells and noises
around you. Your mind
can wander but aim to
go back to your senses.

❺

Feel how your feet touch
the ground. Feel your body
weight. Focus on specific
parts of your body, like the
hamstrings or the hips.

❻
Once you reach the
apex of the run, slow
down and notice
your heart rate and
breathing. Remember,
the more in touch you
are with what's inside,
the stronger you are.

April 2017 BALAN CE

of relaxation. The water treatment in the
Roman Thermal baths is a particular treat,
involving a journey through the different
heat stages before a sea salt and olive oil
scrub is applied. Beauty rituals, such as an
emotive face massage, are influenced by the
history of Apulian women with layer upon
layer of angelic hand movements using
natural scents of lemon and rosemary
water, set against a soundscape of
traditional music that is said to work
in conjunction with our brainwaves.

DEVOU R THE DAYS
After an intensive time reconnecting with
my body, I take a walk out to the Borgo
with my camera to observe the play of
shadow in the afternoon light, a mindful
act in itself. There's so much to do here,
from olive oil-making to cooking with a
local. Getting out of your head and stuck
into an activity is a form of meditation. A
simple visit to Alberobello to witness the
cone-roof houses known as 'Trulli' or a
morning spent in Ostuni, the medieval
'White Town', offers a feast for the senses.
Even my hotel room is out of this world,
a multi-sensory haven, with almond oil
scent in the bathroom, subtle lighting,
comforting throws and the sound of
running water from the balcony.
At a certain point in the day from the
arch of the main entrance, the sun and
moon can be seen together and on the
night of my departure, it's a full moon.
An auspicious moment? If I can hold on to
just a small part of Puglia, I'll put on my
walking shoes, take to the UK seafront and
leave my headphones at home. B

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of BalanceAprilIssue2017

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