Soothe the system with watermelon smoothies

Watermelon & fresh mint – with a twist of lime. Ibiza is an abundant island – full of goodness and some island secrets too. Right now it’s watermelon season – the “sandia” can be found for a really fair price at any fruit and veg stall you come across. Just make sure you are careful when you carry it as they are super heavy! So mother nature has ensured that watermelon’s grow here for a reason… and here’s why:

* Juicy watermelon is the ultimate summer beauty food, since it carries antioxidants like lycopene which helps skin cope with too much sun exposure.

* Watermelon also hydrates with electrolytes, thereby keeping us dewy and glowing.

* Fresh mint has cooling properties while aiding digestion.

* Lime has more vitamin C than an orange.

How to make it: watermelon, ice and a dash of water or so, for extra roughage keep the pips in, add fresh lime and mint for extra vitamin c lift and cooling mint for the mouth and nervous system.

Tip: Freeze the watermelon first for an icy touch to your smoothie.

Sip throughout the afternoon: or as a healthy precursor to your evening out.  Great as a lunch alternative or early evening sugar-lifter (yep they are pretty naturally sweet!)

Enjoy! x

Tailor-made retreats for body, soul & mind

September, October... or some future winter-sun? seize the day and book last minute summer-wellness escapes, experience the soul of the island, staying in romantic retreats, magnificent villas and hidden homes-with-a-heart. SOS for the Soul Retreats – MOTs for body, mind & spirit – or relaxing getaways and rejuvenating wellness experiencesi We search for the perfect space to rest your head and tailor-make a soft and flowing itinerary, with massages on arrival to release the travel tension and a personalised prescription to meet your stress-release & holistic wellness needs….  email us with your dates, home-from-home-requests & rejuvenation brief… skypes are welcomed and.. if it is last minute feel free to call us directly!

The art of staying cool…

“If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs…” (Rudyard Kipling.

By choosing a yogic way of life, we choose to live by certain principles. As one season flows into another, we look at those changes and with a slight shift of our techniques and practise – we commit to keeping our bodies and minds fit and adapting to the changes.

We asked the team here at Ibiza Retreats and here are our favourites.

#1: Breathe yourself cooooool…  Sheetali pranayama:
1. Stick your tongue out and curl the sides of the tongue upward towards the center of the tongue.
2. Breathe in through the mouth, hold the breath and slowly exhale through the nose.
Repeat five to 10 times.
You’ll find your body temperature cooling down.

#2: Stay hydrated – water is life! 
Our bodies are over 80% fluid… we need to keep it this way. Drink plenty of fluids. If you find plain water difficult to swallow – make thirst quenchers with added flavour (and nutrients!). why not try:
* A squeeze of lemon & fresh mint
* Pomegranate and grapefruit – the sweet and sharp is super refreshing
* Fresh Coconuts including the delicious juicy flesh are nature’s best way to hydrate
* Fresh mint tea – just hot water and fresh mint – then cool it and ice it!

#3: Slow flow yoga
* Adapt your usual flow to the change in temperature. Focus on lengthening your breathing and practice gently and meditatively to balance the mind and body
* Practise these very early or later than usual when it’s cooled down.
* Avoid excessive or overly-strenuous asanas when it’s extremely hot. Or even more reason to practise earlier or later if you need your strong practise. Be kind though to your body!

#4: East Consciously
* Don’t rush – take your time over your food and set time aside to avoid putting undue stress of your digestive system and organs.
* Reduce the spicy food, caffeine and sugar which can all stimulate the systems of the body
* Fatty food ensures the heart and digestive system have to work harder, so go light with your food. Salads, fresh veg are abundant this time of year and are perfect stay-cool foods.
* Yoghurt (dairy free if possible) is a wonderful sweet or savoury stay-cool snack. Easy to digest and cooling as you swallow. x

#5: Our absolute favourite – Viparita Karani
So many of our Clients find peace in this beautiful posture and we swear by it! After a long day – especially when it’s hot, it’s so important to calm the systems of the body down – including the mind!

Basically – the translation of Viparita Karani is “legs up the wall”.  We call it “legs up the wall (or anywhere else we can find)”. This pose helps the old blood and lymph fluid drain from the feet as well as asking gravity to help the heart return the blood back to be oxygenated. It also calms our old friends the adrenals.

Cover your eyes with an eye-bag sprinkled with a few drops of lavender oil. Add a blanket or bolster under your sacrum to really give the kidneys some love. This pose can be done anywhere, yet soft music and low lighting can add to the soothing experience.

Namaste…x

MOTs for mind, body & spirit

Burning out? Life-tired? Over-worked or…. simply stressed out?  MOT’s are Ibiza Retreats’ signature holistic wellness escapes  designed for hearts to heal and minds to calm, to rebalance your body, so your nervous system can go “aaaaaaaahhhhhh” with longer-lasting vitality. Tailor-made to meet your personal (& professional) needs, by our Wellness Experts, with Life & Wellness Coaching, Revitalising Yoga, breathwork & meditations, Massages, Reflexology and an A-Z of holistic wellbeing therapies.  Release deeply held tensions, reconnect with your centre, let go of time… enjoy the space to just be, breathwork at the waters edge, meditate in beauty.   Revitalise in Ibiza’s magical nature. Re-boost your positivity with fresh inspirations.  Receive soothing massages and reiki energy release.   Relax and allow us to help you set your spirit free.   From 795 gbp / 915 euros*

Including your preferred combination of: Life & Wellness Coaching to re-empower and redefine a healthier, happier life path with practical back-to-reality strategies, rejuvenative Yoga and Pilates. Add Osteopathy, Nutritional Consultations, Dance, Qi Gong Tai Chi if you feel the need. Experience inner-strength, new life insights, greater body-mind awareness and confidence in yourself, in your purpose, so you can enjoy walking (or dancing!) along your life path.

* prices depend on choice of retreat accommodation, treatments & therapies and number of nights’ stay.

Read more here or email us to book your you-time.