09-Jun-2024, this is the second part of my story about the yoga retreat in Mallorca. There are only two more days to go in the retreat but this was too much to include all in the first part of the story.

Thursday ­– I like going to bed early and in Bali I often go to sleep around 10 pm. But during the retreat my habits are a bit different. Instead of going to sleep early, I often hit the sack around midnight because of FOMO (fear of missing out). I don’t want to miss the fun with Uno games and the nightly chats with the girls.

In the second part of the week, it’s getting harder to get up in the morning and my body is sore. As usual we start the day with a flow yoga. The evening practice is where the real challenge lies. We are doing a handstand workshop with lots of core strength exercises. Especially the arms and shoulders are exhausted from two hours of handstand practice. I learned a few new things; different ways to jump into a handstand and trying to transition slowly into a handstand by raising the legs from standstill instead of jumping. This last one is still a bridge too far though. First, I need to improve my arched back, it is still too much of a banana shape instead of a straight plank when I am standing on my hands.

During brunch we are sitting with the Yoga teacher, Svenja and we are having some nice conversations. It’s always good to get to know your teacher a bit better, and for the teacher to get to know the yogi’s. After another delicious meal and a satisfied tummy, our gang (where Chrysti replaces Marina) went back to the beach at d’Alcúdia. With Marina no longer in our presence Chrysti (another friend of Anggina) takes her spot in the car. Today the weather at the coast is absolute stunning! Clear blue sky, white sand and shallow Azure blue water. A day to the beach is not complete with a Sangria under a tropical umbrella. We spent some hours at a beach bar chilling, snacking and relaxing. In the afternoon it is the last chance to swim here in the sea, Konstantina and I take a quick dip before driving back for our handstand workshop.

Friday – A sad day as it is the final day of the retreat. Like every day, I start with yoghurt and coffee before the practice. We practice the same flow a few times (the one we have been working on the whole week). Svenja turns up the music and the flow and energy intensifies. Sparks are flying in the shala and we do it one last time with lots of passion. I enjoy the last flow so much that I just had to make a timelapse of myself (I never thought I would be the kind of person to do something like this but I am glad I did so I can share it). After the flow, the practice was not over yet. The majority of the group, including me, voted for a short continuation of the handstand workshop from last night. Before we know it, two hours have passed and it is time for brunch.

For the entire week it is on my temporary bucket list to hike up a small hill next to the finca and visit the monastery at the top. Chrysti is up for a challenge and joins me on the hike. It is easier and shorter than expected but totally worth it. The views are nice and the Monastery is beautiful and I made a new friend. Chrysti, she is an inspiration to many and shares one of her passion projects, a published book: The Self Hug. A Guided Wellness Journal and planner. She shows me a copy and I am impressed. It’s a very nice and useful book to those who like journaling and who want to take action into growing as a person. I am not trying to promote this book, but the subject is totally in my alley of interest, therefor I like to share it here. In my opinion self-development and journaling is one of the best things you can do in life.

After one hour we are back from the hike but there is no time to rest. We want to do a bit more of yoga and Anggina (also a yoga teacher) guides Chrysti and me another yoga flow. There is not much time so we do a quick, twenty-minute, session. We only have these twenty minutes because at 2 pm we have to be back in the main shala for our final yoga practice. This practice is less intense with slower movements and more, prolonged chest openings. An exercise focused on giving and receiving energy from and to the group, through the heart.

We close the class with a beautiful and calming sound healing session, given by a yogi using a handpan drum. The music stops and we come to an end. We are sad and grateful at the same time. It has truly been a wonderful experience.

We sit by the pool, cheering with Prosecco, wine and cocktails to celebrate a beautiful week. Today the food is not prepared by the chef but the entire group goes to town for dinner. In our little group of five we decide to order all kinds of dishes and share. Sharing is caring! We order a Moroccan salad, black (squid-ink) Paella, white Cod (fish), shrimps and pasta and of course chocolate dessert. It was a real Spanish treat and we have fun night, daddy is taking care of the girls 😀  

The next day Anggina and I take a flight to Ibiza to meet our friends and for Anggina to reunite with her partner. We will go from the yoga shala straight into the nightclub, talking about opposites… a story for next time.

On a final yoga note:

When people think of yoga they might think it’s easy and relaxing with slow movements (and surely it can be), but I can tell you this has not been an easy or slow week. As a matter of fact it has been an intense experience with a lot of difficult body work (stretching) and strength exercises. My entire body and especially the arms and legs are exhausted from the retreat, but my head is full of peace, love and new experiences. It was everything that I had been hoping and looking for. I loved it and want to do it again next year (but I think I already mentioned thisJ )!

To gain more practice and experience I am considering to do the 200-hour YTT (Yoga Teacher Training). I have no desire in becoming a teacher, but doing a yoga practice for 200 hours in 4 weeks sounds challenging and fun at the same time. It will also give me a sense of purpose.

~ THE END ~