Affordable Yoga retreats: find yours in Turkey

Affordable Yoga retreats: find yours in Turkey

Flavia Munn is a London-based health journalist and yoga teacher, and friend of travellivelearn.com. Last year she sought affordable Yoga retreats and found her self on an adventure to Turkey.

If you’ve ever thought of combining international travel with the chance to further your creative or spiritual interests, then read on for Flavia’s best tips and details on why you need to do a yoga retreat in Turkey…

When did you travel?

During May (2015) for seven days.

Affordable Yoga retreats: why Turkey?

Life had been really busy and I knew from past experience that this kind of break away was exactly what I needed to reset and relax.

Most people probably decide on a holiday based on destinations they want to visit, but with yoga retreats I think it’s fair to say many students base the destination decision on what kind of yoga they want to practice and with which teacher.

I booked my trip through Free Spirit Yoga because I had heard many good things about the company. I made my final decision based on the description of the teachers who I carefully cyber-stalked (‘researched’) beforehand.

The teachers were Zoe Martin and Gary Ward, of Yoga Leicester who are inspired by the teachings of the legendary T. Krishnamacharya and his son T.K.V Desikachar.

They also brought their very sweet baby daughter along, who entertained everyone at mealtimes! I liked the description of Gary and Zoe’s yoga on the Free Spirit and their own website, particularly their emphasis on yoga’s therapeutic qualities and working with movement, breath and sound. I thought they looked like kind, friendly people – a warm smile can be a deal-clincher when deciding who to spend a retreat with, particularly when travelling alone. I also liked the idea of having two different but complementary teachers.

Flavia Turkey yoga mats travellivelearn 1500x

Where exactly did you go?

The retreat was based at Grenadine in Dalyan, about an hour or so drive from Dalaman airport (about a four-hour flight from London Stansted).

Grenadine Lodge is situated on the outskirts of the small town of Dalyan and within a conservation area. Photos simply do not do the location justice. It really is peace and paradise on earth! Imagine waking up to the sounds of nature (OK, sometimes the birds were interspersed with a dog barking but not an aggressive one). Then you wander across the dewy lawn to one of the two yoga shalas (or huts) for an hour and a half’s yoga – a more energetic style taught by Gary in the morning – before a traditional sweet and savoury Turkish breakfast, eaten beside the pool which is the focal point of the garden.

Next up is the highly stressful decision of what to do with the rest of the day – a lounge beside the pool ordering fresh salads, ice creams and juices; or a 15 to 20 minute walk into town to the shops and market and where you can catch a river boat to the Iztutu turtle beach. Or you could have a hamman, a traditional Turkish bath, which includes a good scrubbing.

Flavia Turkey yoga travellivelearn 1500x

For those who have never been to a yoga retreat before, what’s on the itinerary?

How much yoga you do on a retreat is entirely up to you. Don’t feel you can’t come as you don’t think you’ll be able to do two classes a day (which can mean three or four hours of yoga a day).

The yoga is at both ends of the day – before breakfast and before dinner. Gary’s morning class was energetic while Zoe’s evening one was soulful. They both were on the same theme of that day, based on the chakra system. The body’s seven chakras – or energy centres – is a common and effective theme for retreats.

How you spend the time in between is entirely up to you. There are many options for group trips, be that to a hamman bath or the twelve island boat trip, or a massage or other holistic treatments in the solitude of Grenadine Lodge (all very reasonably priced).

Want more on wellbeing travel? You might like to read about how to book a wellness or creative retreat🧘‍♀️

 

 

Personal highlights from this retreat?

The location was divine and the entire group was friendly and funny. In fact, I spent many times laughing to tears! More seriously, it was an incredibly supportive environment and while Zoe and Gary were also on hand for anyone who needed to talk, the amazing staff at Grenadine would literally sort out anything you desired.

The yoga, of course too. It was a different approach for me and I loved it.

The twelve islands boat trip was stunning. We had a boat to ourselves and we could jump into the sea for a cooling swim, and had delicious barbecued food on board.

Flavia Turkey yoga setup travellivelearn 1500x

One big lesson you came away with from this particular trip?

Suspend your judgement. I was a bit uncertain when I saw most of the group were of quite different ages to me and many knew each other from Leicester, but I put that aside and I was right to do so as they were so much fun and incredibly welcoming, warm people.

How many retreats have you been on?

This was my third yoga retreat. Previously, I’ve booked through Yogatraveller and have been to Morocco and Gozo (Malta) with them. I chose the first trip to Gozo based on their website and emails I’d exchanged with Michael Moroney, who runs the business with his yoga teacher wife Michelle. He was very helpful and put at rest any apprehension about travelling alone.

Flavia Turkey travel signs travellivelearn 1500x

What tips do you have for people who are interested in seeking creative, yoga and/or meditative experiences around the world?

Do your research and ask questions – this gives you an idea of the kind of people who run the retreat and whether it’s for you or not.

I’ve recently booked two retreat centres in India based solely on Tripadvisor and other review sites, and my email exchanges with the teachers who run them.

As a yoga teacher, why do you think retreats are a good idea?

They give you a chance to try something different. I never go on a retreat with a teacher I already practice at home with – no offence to them but I like to use retreats to try a different teacher and approach.

Retreats give you the time and space to explore your practice, learn and develop in a supportive, relaxed environment. I’d attend a retreat three or four times a year if I could (work and finances permitting).

Flavia Turkey photo travellivelearn 1500x

Top three essential items required for a trip to Turkey?

Mosquito repellent, sun cream and a good camera.

What’s next on the travel bucket-list for Flavia Munn?

At the end of March I’m off to southern India for six weeks. I’m very excited about this! It will include two yoga retreats – one in Goa and another in Kerala. In between these, I’ll be cycling around the region including stopping a couple of days in Mysore, which is the yoga capital of India and the home of ashtanga which was taught by Sri Pattabhis Jois until his death in 2009.

I’ll be writing about my experiences on my website flaviamunn.com – do check it out and let me know what you think!

Your advice for a first-timer who is keen to try a yoga retreat but tentative because they feel inexperienced?

Just go for it! You won’t regret it. You will only wish you had done it sooner. I’ve only ever met lovely, friendly people on retreats and had truly amazing life-changing experiences.

Would you recommend this experience in Turkey, and why?

Definitely! The yoga was suitable for all – those with no experience, plenty still for the more experienced and a safe and supportive environment for people looking personal development or healing.

Where can we find you online?

My website and blog is flaviamunn.com and I’m @flavers on Twitter.

 

Vintage travel photography Encounter Overland adventures (circa early ’70s)

Vintage travel photography Encounter Overland adventures (circa early ’70s)

My parents were explorers – avid travellers who were among the original backpackers. They were contemporaries of the Wheelers (founders of Lonely Planet). Although explored varying routes right throughout Africa, South America and Asia. In the ’70s, my parents scored jobs with Encounter Overland (EO), one of the early companies to specialise in international and off-the-beaten-track adventure travel.

Encounter Overland travellivelearn.com lion

EO’s HQ was based in London, although my parents joined the party in South Africa. It doesn’t exist now, but there are plenty of people who had great adventures (or misadventures) on board EO’s famous overlander trucks during its operational period (late ’60s to late ’90s as far as I understand).

Two of the trips my dad, John, and mum, June, embarked upon were some of the very first to mark the Encounter Overland trails through Africa and South America, and would subsequently determine the itinerary for future expeditions.

Travel adventures: Encounter Overland

On Googling “Encounter Overland” I discovered blogs from travellers who toured with EO, and a couple mention “disasters” like dirt flying up at them on the trucks, or getting bogged. These are not disasters. Nearly being thrown in jail as an innocent is. Being held up at gunpoint at border crossings, trapped below landslides, or stalked by rhinoceros’ when you’ve been deliberately left at a camp in the middle of nowhere in Africa, these are “disasters”. And just a tiny insight into the many enthralling stories shared with me as I grew up.

I can confidently say however, that I don’t think anyone on board would trade the experiences – even the scary ones (well, maybe they would trade the examples I’ve mentioned above, but I hope you see my point). In the end, it’s travel – a life-changing adventure.

Some of the places these crews visited 40 odd years ago aren’t even accessible to the average traveller now. Pretty amazing.

I appreciate that EO is in the hearts of many the world over, because of the friends made on these tours – through good, bad, terrifying and exhilarating times. The intriguing local people met, and remote, wonderful, awe-inspiring sights witnessed too, are a reward that lasts a lifetime, and a reason we continue to pursue travel and associated experiences to this day.

Travel Live Learn

For as long as my brother and I can remember, we thought images to accompany our parents’ travel tales hadn’t survived years of humid tropical North Queensland summers.

Fortunately mum has diaries, a good memory and the ability to tell an engaging yarn, so our imaginations did the rest. I’d say these stories mark the origins of my personal interest in travel and adventure.

Recently though, some photos (slides, actually), were discovered by my parents, and for the first time in my lifetime – thanks to modern photo technology accessible at home – we’ve been able to view these images which could be scanned into a computer and colour-corrected (we used PaintShop Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Picasa and SnapSeed).

Here are some of my favourites from the Vintage Travel Photography Encounter Overland Adventures collection.

A few are a little marked but it adds to their character, don’t you think?

If you like these, the full set (over 100 we’ve restored to date), featuring people, places, animals and architecture across most continents, is featured on our Encounter Overland Vintage Photography tumblr blog.

Vintage travel photography Encounter Overland adventures

Original photography by “my” globe trekkers, John & June Blinco.

Encounter Overland TravelLiveLearn.com South America

Mum, making friends in South America

Encounter Overland TravelLiveLearn.com Marakesh

The streets of Marakesh

Encounter Overland TravelLiveLearn.com Bolivia

Life in Bolivia

Encounter Overland travellivelearn.com Turkey

On the road in Turkey

Encounter Overland travellivelearn.com India

India

Encounter Overland TravelLiveLearn.com Durban

Dancers in Durban

Encounter Overland TravelLiveLearn.com camping above Cusco

Camping above Cusco

Encounter Overland TravelLiveLearn.com vintage London

“Vintage” London (Earl’s Court?)

Encounter Overland TravelLiveLearn.com

EO on the road

Encounter Overland TravelLiveLearn.com

Encounter Overland TravelLiveLearn.com Mont Aux Sources, Drakensburg Ranges, South Africa

Mont Aux Sources, Drakensburg Ranges, South Africa

Encounter Overland TravelLiveLearn.com

Encounter Overland TravelLiveLearn.com

Encounter Overland travellivelearn.com vintage travel

Classic camping, UK

Want more vintage travel photography Encounter Overland adventures? View the entire gallery here. Additionally, here’s a blog that mentions a vintage EO adventure late ’60s/early ’70s including an original promotional poster and images.

And if you were part of the crew or you’re a little nostalgic for all that was, you can connect here with others who are keeping the spirit of EO alive. Drop us a line in the comments, and you will want to take a look at Lance Thomas’ site about Encounter Overland.

 

As always, I’d love to hear from you – please do drop me a line in the comments below.

-Sarah