YOGA HOLIDAY WITH GARETH WILLIAMS & CHANTAL RAFFERTY
JULY 7th– AUG 1st 2009 - £575

Gareth & Chantal are based in Gloucestershire. They run a thriving yoga school in Cheltenham, also take classes in Tewkesbury & run regular Thai Yoga Massage practitioner training courses in Stratford upon Avon.

About Gareth

Gareth is a qualified British Wheel of Yoga teacher, with over a decade of experience working with a variety of hatha yoga traditions, although his teaching largely takes a viniyoga approach.

He is also an advanced Thai Yoga Massage practitioner, having trained with Kira Balaskas in London & on several occasions with Asokananda.

About Chantal

Chantal is a Sivananda qualified teacher & has trained in the Bahamas, Canada & the Vivikenanda ashram in Indi a& has practiced & taught yoga for 10 years. She has experience of working with yoga for cancer patients & specialises in the more meditative & gentle aspects of yoga.

She undergoes continuous training and recently completed the Yoga Therapy Foundation course run by the Life Centre through the Bio-Medical Trust. Like Gareth, she is an advanced Thai Yoga Massage practitioner, also taking her training with Kira Balaskas in London & Greece.

About their style of yoga

Gareth & Chantal believe that yoga is a very personal thing. We’re all individuals with different abilities & limitations & that these should be recognised & worked with in a practice. They take their yoga seriously but also believe that yoga can be fun!!!

Typically the practices on the holiday will be a combination of ‘gently’ dynamic sequences, moving through asanas slowly & connected to the breathing, static postures (again, with a focus on the breath), paranayama techniques, to focus more upon the mind & energy plus guided meditation / relaxation.

About the holiday

This week is intended to be a relaxing & interesting experience with the opportunity for people to deepen their understanding & practice of yoga whist enjoying the beautiful French countryside & imaginative - chef prepared - vegetarian food.

Yoga:
There will be a mixed ability class each morning & evening, working with asana, pranayama & guided meditation, plus workshops where we’ll be focusing on pranayama techniques (theory & practice), aspects of yoga philosophy & kriya practice. Plus the deep relaxation of yoga nidra.

Workshops:

Over the course of the week we'll be offering 4x 2-3 hour workshops which will run in the mornings between breakfast & lunchtime. These workshops are likely to include…

Thai yoga massage: exploring the background, theory & application of this ancient, yoga related healing tradition, including hands on experience.
Yoga philosophy; with a practical application to the physical yoga practice.
Yoga Nidra; the theory behind & practical experience of this deep guided relaxation.
Pranayama; including prana theory & theory & practice of the key techniques.

Spare time:
Of course there will be plenty of time to explore the beautiful gardens, or local countryside either by foot or bicycle, visit the local village or just relax by the pool.
In the evenings, if lounging on the decked dining terrace chatting doesn’t appeal there’s always the ‘Moroccan lounge’ where you can play board games, listen to music or watch a movie.
There’s even a local therapist who will visit if an aromatherapy massage or reflexology session sounds good.

What’s included:
Accommodation (shared)
Meals (vegetarian)
Yoga classes & workshops
Massage workshops

What’s not included:
Flights
Transfers (see 'Getting Here' page for options)
Treatments from the local therapist
Bicycle hire
Wine!

We hope you can make it!
For more about Gareth & Chantal please visit www.cheltenhamyoga.com
Contact: info@cheltenhamyoga.com or mobile: 07900 242317