5 amazing effects of Pilates in Ibiza to empower your body & mind this week!

Pilates with Anne-Marie in Ibiza

Empowering Pilates with Anne-Marie in Ibiza

Anne-Marie Petash, possibly the most highly qualified Pilates teacher in Ibiza, shares the top 5 benefits of Pilates as she experienced them.   She welcomes you to enjoy the magic too – for plenty of empowerment in body and mind.

“I discovered Pilates through a friend of mine who danced with the Royal Ballet & had sustained an injury.  She invited me along to her Pilates session in the late 1980’s with Alan Herdman in his studio in Marble Arch, London. I watched her receive the Pilates instruction through a series of controlled graceful movements, on some very alien looking equipment based on springs & pulleys that I had never seen before.  And in my heart and my body…. I immediately knew that this was what I had been searching for.
After 2 months of doing Pilates 2- 3 times a week, I started to experience the amazing effects it was having on my body:

(1) I discovered deep intrinsic postural muscles that I didnʼt know existed

(2) I began to feel the internal strength I craved.

(3) My movements became more controlled, fluid & responsive.

(4) I was standing straighter & feeling more energised than ever

(5) I could see the effects of bulky muscles elongating & my flexibility increased tenfold.

Having trained for thousands of hours I have watched the magic of this method unfold before my eyes both in my work & in the work of my clients.

The beauty of Pilates is that once you understand the core of its philosophy, its movements can be translated into any format..  Over the years Pilates has taken on many different shapes & forms as it has passed from teacher to teacher. Some styles have taken on a genuinely therapeutic approach & are taught in a slower more deliberate manner,others have maintained an athletic & more dynamic approach focusing more on movement & rhythm  For me its about tailoring the session for my clients needs, working on the machines and using small apparatus, combined with mat work & plenty of hands on stretching. This is why I strongly suggest a few private sessions to grasp the essence of the technique so that one can feel more confident about joining in a Pilates mat-work class. Pilates can & does change the way you relate to your body & the way you carry it into the world.”

Anne-Marie reminds us that Pilates is all about empowerment. “Joseph Pilates in his teachings made it clear that his method was meant to propel us forward to becoming responsible & in control of our bodies & our health. He sought to enlighten,invigorate & empower us.”

For private classes with Anne-Marie – either in her Pilates studio with full equipment or in a mat class in your private villa or retreat – please contact us info@ibizaretreats.com

‘retreat of the week’ – Mother love! A 2 day retreat 1st and 2nd June

Mother Love! Retreat: Mother Love! @ Casa Corazon (the house of the heart!) with Larah David and Ann Randrup + special guests… x

RE-FIND your strength and your softness. 2 days of nourishment for your body, your heart and your mind. A space for you to relax and reflect. WITH or WITHOUT your baby – come as you are!  

Date: 1st and 2nd June non-residential – 10am – 6pm.

Cost: €395 per mother and baby

Location: Casa Corazon – the house of the heart. A beautiful restored finca in Santa Gertrudis, the heart of the island!

* Yoga, Massage, Reflexology, Walks in nature, Gentle sharing, Organic food, soft coaching and short guided meditations *

ENQUIRE NOW

3 of the most beautiful places for tailor-made retreats in Ibiza

We adore Ibiza’s soulful chilled out Fincas in our cherry-picked selection of bed and breakfast hideaways for wonderful tailor-made retreats and relaxing home-stays. 

Why? They are all “homes with a heart”.  Created, evolved, renovated and annually cared for with passion, creativity and lots of positive energy.

1. Each place is luxurious – in its own unique way. From luxurious villas to sacred hideaways high on mountain tops.  From original scented sabina-wood ceilings to infinity pools for sunset sun salutations, the luxury you feel is as much about the peace and tranquility as the white cotton sheets that are scented with fresh lavender.

2. You can let go and be who you are… Barefoot bliss is standard and your hosts, mostly therapists, who have lived vibrant, international lives, really have “seen it all”.  This helps you relax even more… from watching the sunset, to lazing by the pool.

3. The details make the difference! For us at Ibiza Retreats, the beauty resonates in the details that are delicately and lovingly put into place by the owners…  including the fresh Rosemary & lemon tea with Ibiza honey! Served with a genuine smile.  Can you put a value on this?  For us it is… priceless.

 

Casa Corazon bed and breakfast for tailor-made retreats

1* We adore Casa Corazon – the home with the heart where Valerie, your host, infuses your stay with island wisdom, in-love-with-life laughter and flowers and herbs which have been perfectly positioned between the rustic stone walls and on your bedside table.   Just 5 minutes from the relaxing restaurant-mecca of Santa Gertrudis village, yet nestled amidst beds of purple morning glory flowers, this is a bed and breakfast that gives you a refreshing taste of real, colourful, authentic Ibiza.  With a sunset dipping into the sea on the horizon, watch this amazing soft-light show from your pool-side (salinated! not chlorinated), through the fruit trees, to the sound of the frogs chirruping their happiness-harmonies.  Valerie’s breakfasts are lovingly served, totally organic and, for those in the know, legendary.  Her background, from Byron bay to the USA to Ibiza from the 70’s to the present day, is as colourful as the vibrant flowers that you can enjoy throughout the different seasons.  Boho chic at its best – ask Valerie for one of her deep and transformational guided meditations, 1:1 sessions or, over a glass of organic red wine, some life-stories that will inspire you fully!

The private pool at Can Dream – one of our tailor-made retreat spaces

2* Can Dream is just that… a dream of a retreat location.   In the very heart of the island, this elegantly detailed yet, still understated, casita sits next to the main Finca with panoramic views of countryside, light, white and straight out of Elle Deco yet with true international panache.  Experience Ibiza as it has been for hundreds of years, with almond trees, olive and carob trees dotting the rolling fields and the mountainous north hugging the horizon with pine-topped hills.  This is a bed and breakfast that feels just a little like Babbington House, yet with the delicious privacy of being the only person – or couple – in residence, alongside your hosts-in-the-background, living in the main house, Jonathon and Shaki.   Shaki is a yoga teacher whose expertise spans over 25 years of guiding students through the ancient art.  She specialises in breathwork and also bodyrolling… so you have body-mind beautiful wellness on tap!  We recommend, reading your books from cover to cover in the super-comfortable loungers surrounding the pool.   Step inside the ancient “Lion” tree and meditate with mother nature.

Your natural swimming pool of Benirras beach

Your natural swimming pool of Benirras beach

3* Can Sunsets – where the sun sets into Benirras, your natural “swimming pool.”   Family-style hosting from both a talented intuitive coach and wonderful interior designer with a magical realism touch that ensures your private retreat will be true escapism.  High on a mountain top, Can Sunsets is truly a room – with a view.  The converted stables (corales) offer an ensuite and whilst it is self-catering, the nearby supermarket of Can Currune has an excellent organic section.  Walk down through the valley to Benirras, a relaxing half hour mini-hike, swim in possibly the most beautiful turquoise water swimming pool in Ibiza… and then return by taxi or car.   Lie back in the balinese day-bed and toast the setting sun.  Salute!

Read more about our homes-with-a-heart here for fabulous bed and breakfasts and relaxing homestays in Ibiza.

We look forward to welcoming you here soon!

 

‘Retreat of the Week’ – Harmonic Yoga Retreat in stunning villa!

The sunset over the pool at Can Skye - Harmonic's Ibiza Yoga Retreat villa

Retreat: Harmonic Yoga & Healing Retreat with Samanta Duggal all the way from Mumbai, India

Following six years in Goa, we are honoured and very excited to welcome Harmonic to Ibiza! Continuing with the essence of Harmonic, this retreat will offer a full range of classes and treatments. Twice daily yoga, as well as sanskrit chanting, meditation and Bollywood dance. Music, healing, massage and numerous other therapies are also on offer to help you relax and get the most from your stay.

 

Date: 2nd – 9th June

Cost: From €910 for shared twin room. Single occupancy available.

Location: A stunning retreat villa (think of a boutique ashram) near the sleepy village of Sant Carlos and the sparkling waters of Cala Nova beach…

What’s included? * 7 nights accommodation * Delicious, home cooked local vegetarian food including: pre-yoga fruit, post yoga brunch, afternoon snack, evening meal (tea, coffee and water available throughout) * Twice daily yoga, 2 classes in meditation, 2 classes in Sanskrit chanting, 1 Bollywood dance class * Consultation and support throughout as well as an evening of acoustic music *

ENQUIRE NOW

5 Reasons why Ibiza is the best place for Tailor-made Yoga Retreats

Yoga on Playa Las Salinas

Ibiza is an island where tailor-made yoga retreats are enhanced by the magical energy that you can feel all over the island…

1. In Ibiza you feel free in body and mind… enabling you to deepen your yoga practice and “connect” with yourself 

Our wonderful white island has been attracting spiritual seekers and yogis for decades! Drawn by the open-minded attitudes, the free-thinking people who come to live here and share in our community that welcomes you to relax and be who you are.  Yoga is a spiritual science that recognises the importance of honouring your own, personal needs.  Here in Ibiza, you feel free to be who you really are, which enables you to open your heart and to reach a deeper level of connectedness, in body, soul and mind.

 

2. Ibiza has attracted top yoga teachers specialising in many different forms and schools of yoga.

Ibiza is a yoga hotspot that has the same vibrant and colourful international feel as the spiritual communities in Goa, in Bali and even Byron Bay.  Whether you are looking for Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Kundalini Yoga or an integrated Vinyasa Flow, we can tailor-make your retreat to bring in the teaching and guidance of experts in many different yogic fields. And Ibiza attracts teachers from all over the world – bringing their expertise to the island via their passage to (or home from) India for us to enjoy!

 

3. You can enjoy many different incredible types of retreat accommodation

From sumptuous, luxurious agroturismos ( boutique hotels that were former farmhouses) to rustic and bohemian barefoot bliss, the architecture is soul-ful, with Sabina wood beams and ancient Fincas that nourish your being, just by “being” there. So whether it’s starry skies from the comfort of your Moroccan bell tent – or boutique-hotel style  luxury villas, we have got it all and can bring those day dreams to a reality!

 

4. Ibiza has over 50 gorgeous beaches…

… with miles and miles of sand and sparkling turquoise waters.  So you can begin your day with a morning meditation by the waters edge, continue with sun salutations and then complete your practice with a swim in pristine pools of emeralds and blues.   And every beach is so different – there is so much diversity to suit every mood and every sand-style

preference. There is tremendous natural beauty here in Ibiza and within the yoga retreats, your itinerary can include trips to unspoilt beaches, boat trips to hidden coves, sunset hikes and cliff-top meditations at “Heaven’s Gate” and many more exquisite places and spaces where practising yoga ignites your inner-smile and generates a lasting peace that will permeate your reality.

 

5. We have over 320 days of sparkling sunshine in Ibiza every year

For a vitamin D injection… look no further! Whilst enjoying flowing yoga asanas in the beautiful outdoors, you can feel the warmth of the suns rays bouncing off the soil, bringing the pine scent to life.  As you inhale the fresh invigorating rosemary that grows wild throughout the island, your mind is refreshed and you can feel yourself being revived here. We promise!

ENQUIRE NOW