BalanceJuneIssue2017 - 65

S LU G HEA D ER

DISCOVER

T H E B E ST
O F I B I ZA
There's plenty to
see and do just
a stone's throw
from the villa:

❶
The 'White Isle' is the
perfect place to find
your inner peace

programme for each guest. For example, if
one is suffering from insomnia, she'd suggest
the sleepy yoga sessions and a deep tissue

and I relaxed as the needles got to work. Ross
told me to drink lots of water that evening and
said I'd probably sleep better. He wasn't wrong

massage. If self-esteem is an issue, they
would be encouraged to practise affirmations
and even write love letters to themselves.
There's a wide range of therapies on offer,
from osteopathy and craniosacral therapy
to life-coaching and oracle readings. The
food and drink is also designed to heal. All
meals are wheat, gluten and meat-free, and
guests are encouraged to drink herbal teas
and fruit-infused water. The idea is to treat
the whole person, not just one
aspect - an integrated approach
A LT E RE D
to health that appealed to me.

- I slumbered for seven hours straight.
On the third day, I met Tasha for a core
strengthening class. She taught me how to use
my breath to engage my abdominals and do a
series of slow and controlled movements that
would help knit the muscles back together.
I left feeling empowered.

LEARN AND GROW

Between therapies, I also attended some of
the many workshops on offer, including
a vegan cooking class, where I helped
S TAT E
to whip up a tasty lunch. But it was
To learn more
the one on the ancient healing
about yoga nidra
GETTING PERSONAL
system of ayurveda that I found
practices, check
out the resources
During our session, I told
the most insightful. Those who
at yoganidra
Soulla I was mentally and
practise it believe we are made up
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physically exhausted from
of five basic elements: space, air,
trying to juggle new motherhood
fire, water and earth. These combine
with work. She told me what I needed
in the human body to form three energies
most was nurturing, and booked me in for
called doshas - vata, pitta and kapha - which
the retreat's signature massage - a blend
determine our health and personality types.
of shiatsu, deep-tissue and aromatherapy
Ayurvedic practitioners say we are all a
massage. She also advised me to attend the
mixture of the three doshas, but one is usually
evening yoga nidra classes, a type of yoga
dominant. By balancing them out with the
where you enter a state of consciousness
right nutrition and activities, we can achieve
between waking and sleeping, which
optimum wellbeing. For example, pitta types
is brilliant for calming the mind.
tend to be fiery in nature, so should limit
I was also prescribed acupuncture for
spicy foods and exercise in cooler weather to
abdominal pain and digestive issues, and
reduce stress and anger. Vata types are prone
a session with Pilates expert Tasha to help
to dry skin and anxiety, so activities like yoga
rebuild my pregnancy-weakened core.
and oily foods such as salmon are ideal for
The acupuncture began with a brief
them. It was fascinating stuff.
chat about the stressors in my life, which
There was also plenty of time to relax by the
acupuncturist Ross explained was vital as
palm tree-lined pool or in the candle-lit Zen
'the mind and body are always connected'.
Den, and to meditate, read or watch the sun
Then came the needle-sticking part. The
set over the mountains from the balcony.
tingling in my feet, legs, abdomen, wrists
By the time I boarded my flight home, I felt
and forehead were surprisingly pleasant,
refreshed, rejuvenated and very nourished.

June 2016 BALANCE

Walk 30 minutes down
a rocky pathway and
you'll find the natural
harbour of Es Portitxol
below. With a teardropshaped beach and
translucent blue waters
scattered with fishing
boats, this stunning bay
is one of northern Ibiza's
best-kept secrets.

❷
For a busier beach
experience, Puerto
de San Miguel is a
10-minute taxi ride
away. Nestled in a cove
and surrounded by lush
pine-covered cliffs,
this popular family
beach is still deliciously
tranquil, but it's also
lined with shops,
supermarkets, bars and
restaurants, including
Port Balansat, one of
the best fish
restaurants on the
island. A short walk up
the road leads to the
dripstone caves of
Cuevas Can Marçà.

❸
If you're feeling
energetic, you can go
horseriding or try
sailing, waterskiing,
wakeboarding, jet
skiing, paddle boarding
and scuba diving!

❹

Ibiza is renowned for its
hippy-style outdoor
markets. The nearest to
Can Shui is San Juan,
which showcases
locally-made foods,
drinks, eco-friendly
toiletries, trinkets and
clothing. I took a stroll
around the market,
sampling the organic
food and dancing to the
live chill-out music.
The market, like
Soulshine itself, is as
laid back as a
drunken sloth. B

63
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