La Crisalida Retreats

An intention is something you want or plan to do, according to the definition in the dictionary. It implies conscious will. In our intention creativity workshop we connect with one intention we have and use imagery and colours to connect to that intention. Painting this image onto a stone can act as a simple reminder of that intention.

Some guests paint their stones and leave them at the retreat in our garden - their intention to return and focus on their health and wellbeing. Other guests take their stone home, maybe placing it onto their bedside table as a visual reminder every morning they wake up. What is your intention today?

If you have muscle pain in your body, you might like to go to our muscle pain relief workshop with Juan - he´s part of our talented programme team, as well as a masseur and expert on fascia release (as well as other things!). He shares some practical tips on what you can do to help to reduce pain, plus strategies to calm down the pain system.

Our vinyasa flow yoga is an intermediate class, designed to provide more challenge. Flowing from one asana to another, with sun salutations, standing asanas, as well as a few downward dogs (and more!), this class moves and works your whole body. Combined with the breath, this class can also help you to feel connected, strong and balanced.

For beginners or those new to yoga, you are welcome to attend intermediate classes - we encourage all our guests to listen to their body, to rest when you want to rest.

Sometimes guests ask us about how they get to the retreat. We make it as easy as possible for you - book your flight to Alicante airport and we arrange a transfer, dropping you off outside the front door of the retreat. On departure day the transfer will take you back to the airport too. The transfer is included in the price of your retreat (3 night min stay required).

Transfers can also be arranged to and from Alicante train station, as sometimes guests like to add on a few nights in this lovely Spanish city.

More information: https://lacrisalidaretreats.es/about-us/location/ (Full T&C on website, as times apply for transfers).

Sunday is a good day to relax and take a dip into the magnesium pool, in between a yoga class or walk, and some delicious plant-based food. We have some last minute availability to come and join us on a retreat this August - feel free to message here or email us [email protected]

Finding quiet time, to connect with your intention(s), is the theme of our "weave your intention" creativity class. As our area here on the Costa Blanca in Spain has experienced some high temperatures recently, we held the class inside, in the air conditioned activity room. This is a lovely class, to be present, get connected and feel creative!

Light, fresh and crunchy is just what you want for a hot Summers day. These are our cucumber slices filled with pea puree. Scoop out the middle of the cucumber. We make the pea puree by cooking peas, with some onion, herbs and lemon, leaving to go cold then blitzing. We´ve popped a few sweet chili flakes on the top, for extra zing. Simple, tasty and nutritious, ideal as part of any Summer or picnic lunch.

Our local beach here in Albir, Spain, is a short walk from the retreat. It has a European blue flag, for cleanliness and during the warmer months has life guards on patrol. We walk along the beach a couple of times each week, on our beach walk. In the background in this photo (which we took a little while ago), you can see the Sierra Helada natural park, where we walk to the lighthouse, enjoying spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea.

At this time of year, the beach can get busier later in the day, with families and people enjoying the light sea breeze, but when we walk, before breakfast it is usually calm as the day gets started.

Boat pose (Navasana) in yoga works into the abdominal core muscles. Regular practice can help to build and maintain core strength and also spinal strength. However, when starting out a yoga practice, or if you have lower back pain or are recovering from abdominal injuries or surgery, this pose can be adapted in a nunmber of ways, so that not too much strain is placed on these areas. Starting out with bent knees, keeping hands on the floor, and using a strap around the feet can all help.

We are often asked for recipes for our fab juices, so here is one that is popular with our guests: Spinach zinger!
Spinach zinger combines the heartiness of the spinach, with courgette, apple, broccoli, lemon and a chunck of ginger to give it the zing!
This juice recipe is published and freely available on our health and wellbeing blog, here is the link: https://lacrisalidaretreats.com/juice-recipe/spinach-zinger-juice-recipe/ Feel free to add more ginger if you love it.