metro extralife OutofOfficeToadvertise call(01)6375979 My own tranquillity base 18 metrolifeextra Tuesday, February 2, 2010 D Yoga in Morocco: LUCY WHITE swaps Sex On The Beach for mocktails, mantras... and mother in Sidi-Kaouki G oing on a yoga retreat with my mum wasnt exactly part of the plan. But when my annual leave fell completely out of synch with my boyfriends, the preposterous idea started becoming a reality. Preposterous because, a) my gym-bunny mother cant sit still long enough for a cup of tea, never mind the lotus position, and b) we havent lived under the same roof since the 1990s the Pearl Jam posters have gone, but the surly teenage daughter blueprint remains. But there we were, together, at Agadir airport. It was late when we arrived at Yogatravellers Hotel Villa Soleil. A converted villa with pretty courtyards, the seaside hotel is basic but comfortable. Sidi-Kaouki village may look like its at the worlds end, with only a surf and riding school to its name. But its actually on the cusp of Essaouira, a rustic, labyrinthine fishing town famed for Jimi Hendrix having smoked a few spliffs there. But we pursued very different far-out experiences. Thilo, our German yoga teacher, co-hosts the programme with his partner Dan (both pictured below with my mum and I), and its thanks to their unerring patience, charm and expertise that we were all in the studio for 7.30am every morning. Warm-up exercises merged into extensive sun salutations into advanced asanas (postures) and again at 5pm, for our second daily 90minute session. Given that my Dublin exercise routine consists of walking to and from the Dart, I felt like Id been bludgeoned by day three. By day four, however, I was infinitely more limber and more focused (the nightly meditation helped), while the locally-sourced, mainly vegan feasts obliterated my bloat. (So impressed was mum that she joined the tagine cookery demonstration). Theres nothing like a bit of downward-dogging to break the ice among strangers, of which there were eight, but any last remaining inhibitions were duly waltzed away by Dans (optional) dance classes. We voted for our favourites swing, salsa, foxtrot and were taught the basic steps of each. Being whirled around the room by young Dan, a superb teacher, was worth the trip alone, as was our stone-cold-sober burst of improvised dancing during an early warm-up. Speaking of booze, alcohol isnt served on the premises but it is allowed. Thats the thing about Yogatraveller, its informal and non- judgmental. Nevertheless, the local hammam was quite the eye-opener; a hot, steamy communal bath (though men and women are separate) commandeered by topless matriarchs who invade your personal space with busy exfoliating mitts. We Europeans stuck out like sore thumbs, clinging on to our bikinis despite the throng of bare breasts and more a paradox, given that more than half of Essaouiran women wear the hijab. Horse riding on the beach at sunset was less culturally stressful, and just a camel poops throw away from the villa. But did mum and I leave Sidi- Kaouki enlightened? I was stretched, shaken and spiritually stirred enough to keep up the morning sun salutations. And while I would avoid the retreat during the cool winter months I would highly recommend this haven and its wonderful hosts to anyone even slightly interested in yoga. And their mums. Yogatraveller (www.yogatraveller.com) is a Co Clare-based company that also runs retreats in Gozo, Thailand, Bali, France and the Swiss Alps. A weeks full-board in Sidi-Kaouki costs 590, including yoga, while Aer Lingus flies Dublin to/from Agadir every Saturday Strike a pose: Yoga can take place in peaceful surroundings at Sidi-Kaouki Picture: Daniel Ludevig TRAVEL DEALS OF THE WEEK Australia Details: Book by Feb 14 for travel from Apr 19 to Jun 25. Price: See Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney from 839 all inclusive. Contact: Call Australian Holidays (01) 435 0049 or visit www.australianholidays.ie California Dreamin Details: 15 days ex Los Angeles. Soak up the laid back vibe of San Diego, discover the Joshua Tree National Park, and marvel at the mighty Grand Canyon. Price: Save up to 145 if you book before Feb 28 Contact: (01) 524 0071 www.intrepidtravel.com Ski Sale Details: Ends 6pm Wednesday. Seven nights at the two-star Chalet Montana guesthouse, Lermoos, Austria departing Feb 6 Price: 259 per person sharing, based on two-share, including flights, tax, transfers, accommodation on a self-catering basis and rep service. 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