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Woke culture, wellness retreats, magic medicines and more – seeking spirituality in Ibiza can be a minefield of woo-woo if you don’t know where to look. Seek and ye shall find however, specifically in the peaceful and picturesque countryside of Santa Agnes this season, where a new series of grounding yoga retreats uses a practical approach to inspire, empower and transform those seeking greater meaning from life. Hosted by experienced international yoga teachers (and island residents) Blair Hughes and Malvina Kang Hughes, the Journey into Consciousness retreats at Es Cucons are based around a powerful-yet accessible vinyasa yoga practice, pranayama and mediation – tools you can take back into everyday life and live your true purpose.
“Journey Into Consciousness is a yoga retreat for people who are willing to explore their true nature,” explains Blair. “We’re capable of so much more than we are often doing, and we want to empower people to uncover, unfold and transform – to really get to know themselves, to question the narrative and to live consciously without being afraid.” It’s a retreat where you’ll delve deep into the physical, emotional and mental foundations of yoga in order to experience the spiritual benefits of observing the mind, the body and the breath. “I’m often mindful about using the word spirituality as it can make people feel un-grounded, when in fact, we use a very practical approach,” he continues. “But there’s still a lot of magic and insight in it as well.”
Highly accomplished yoga teachers Malvina Kang Hughes and Blair Hughes host a series of six-day immersive Ibiza yoga retreats at Es Cucons.
The intention behind Journey Into Consciousness is pure love and dedication – both Blair and Malvina are living, breathing examples of the benefits of their practice and lifestyle. They’ve long dreamt of sharing their experiences, expertise and knowledge with like-minded yogis in a special location like Es Cucons. It took just one gloomy, rainy yet joyous winter weekend to inspire the couple to relocate their young family to Ibiza in 2022 – originally the trip was meant to be a quick island hop from their former base in Mallorca to check out the neighbouring Balearic Island. From the minute they drove off the ferry however, there was no question that they’d found a new home. “I turned to Blair and said: ‘Can you feel that?’ We both agreed there was a beautiful energy here,” Malvina recalls. “It’s so still, grounding and centring, full of light and clarity. There’s no hype in winter – we saw it for its true nature.”
From that moment on, integration into island life was serendipitous – the dream house on thriving farmland appeared at the right time, usually hard-to-secure spaces at the right school opened up immediately for the kids, and they discovered the ideal location to host their dream yoga retreats just a few minutes away from their new home in Santa Agnes. “Running retreats has been in our field of consciousness for the last five years or so,” says Blair. “We knew when the time was right, we’d do it. And when we got to Ibiza, everything fell naturally into place.” Journey Into Consciousness found its home at Es Cucons, a gorgeous family-run Agroturismo hotel exuding a down-home luxury with a penchant for wellness that resonated perfectly.
Unlike other wellness retreats, there are no distractions like hikes, massages, beach trips or late-night cocktails throughout Journey Into Consciousness. “We’re going to practice, and we’re going to go deep with it – it’s very powerful,” says Blair. Groups are limited to a maximum of 20 guests to ensure personalised experiences. A typical day starts at sunrise with meditation and pranayama (breathwork), with two vinyasa yoga classes, workshops on yogic philosophy, holistic health, herbal medicine, hydration, sleep, soul guidance and much more taking place over the course of the day. An evening Satsang (a reflection circle) brings the night to a close before students retire to their beautiful single or double dwellings to reflect on the day’s learnings and observations.
The signature vinyasa classes at Journey Into Consciousness are described as dynamic, strong and transitional but also very accessible – you don’t need to be the most bendy or flexy student to get the most out of it, but you do need to have a determined mindset to give your best, along with the willingness to get to know yourself better. “The way we teach can challenge someone advanced, but can also encourage a beginner,” explains Blair. “We always make our vinyasa classes very inclusive, which comes from our many years of teaching experience.” Between them, Blair and Malvina (both E-RYT 500-hour certified yoga teacher trainers) have over three decades of practical teaching experience, crossing continents from Australia and Asia to Europe.
The spring and autumn retreats are designed to deepen your practice, connect you with your true self and uncover your unique gifts and talents.
Born into a family of healers, Malvina spent much of her life surrounded by ancient yogic practices (she began practicing herself at the age of 12), natural medicines and a general holistic way of living. She is the founder of the renowned Hom Yoga studios in Singapore and is also a certified herbalist, with natural supplementation, herbal medicine, flower essences and kinesiology all coming into play within her teachings. Her deep knowledge and understanding of her practices help her to connect with students on a soul level, helping identify their own purpose and meaning. “Malvina has a very impactful, influential and direct voice when teaching,” says Blair. “She’s a very, very clear and strong communicator and can command positions with clarity, whereas I bring a little more philosophy and feeling into the room.” Students at her trainings and classes are always very empowered by her – she really lives it.”
When asked to describe Blair’s teaching style, Malvina almost echoes his words – it’s clear their methods are complementary on the Journey Into Consciousness retreats. “Blair is very intuitive and impactful,” she says. “He weaves in this potent yoga philosophy into a very powerful, dynamic and rhythmic session—his classes are very influential. He gives people the space to grow and trust in themselves, to follow him as they transform and evolve.” Blair’s gentle nature and Scottish lilt create a commanding yet gentle presence – one honed over several decades of practicing sports visualisation, meditation and his true passion, yoga – that guides his students beyond the physical space and into the realm of transformational.
To keep guests fuelled up for each day’s practices, organic meals are provided three times a day by the beautiful in-house restaurant at Es Cucons – holistically curated by Blair and Malvina – with much of the produce used coming fresh from the fertile land of Ibiza. Expect cleansing, nourishing dishes filled with colour and real authentic flavours. “We see Journey Into Consciousness retreats as an extension of our lifestyle,” says Malvina of the menu, and additionally, the alcohol-free experience. “We’re sharing the way we live.” There’s plenty of me-time available plus the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with Blair and Malvina, alongside the fluid, organically led group sessions. “No retreat is ever the same,” says Blair. “Of course, we work from an outline but the flow is dependant on the dynamic and energy of each group.”
The first Journey Into Consciousness retreat at Es Cucons takes place from May 07 to 12, 2023 – coinciding with the beautiful warm spring weather in Ibiza, with further retreats slated for the autumn season. Immersed in the countryside, beneath Balearic blue skies and golden glow of the sun, it’s the perfect time to tap into your potential through the power of yoga, meditation and breathwork. You’ll emerge from your week in Ibiza filled with positivity, confidence, a settled mind and a strong sense of self-awareness. “We want people to leave the retreat feeling empowered,” says Blair. “And to have the tools to really implement a daily meditation and movement practice into their lives – it’s a compelling ritual they can bring into their day, wherever they are.” Your Journey Into Consciousness starts here…
Advancements in wellness are being made at astonishing rates. Thanks to scores of scientific discoveries and technological capabilities that can transform knowledge into action, these days, the process of ageing is no longer as inevitable as it once seemed. With certain techniques and treatments, it’s now possible to slow the rate of ageing, putting the focus on renewal and biological age reversal. RoseBar at Six Senses Spa Ibiza is at the forefront of this age-defying movement, putting a quiet corner of the island’s northern landscape at the epicentre of seismic change with the bold statement: ‘We believe that a year from now you can be younger.’
Based on the pillars of science, spirituality and longevity, RoseBar fits perfectly within the hallowed walls of the internationally famed Six Senses Spa Ibiza – renowned as a leader in the wellness field. Relaxation is inevitable here, from the very second you step foot into the Cala Xarraca resort. As you cross the stunning grounds and then descend a staircase that unfurls to reveal a calm, peaceful sanctuary with stunning panoramic views of the Mediterranean, previously conceived ideas about anti-ageing treatments are left at the door. A restful state naturally follows, allowing you to soak in the benefits of bespoke treatments and à la carte therapies designed to upgrade your health, lengthen your lifespan and elevate your appearance.
Pioneering RoseBar’s vital and life-changing practices at Six Senses Spa Ibiza is a team of medical and wellness experts hailing from across the globe. The onsite team is led by Medical Director Dr. Tamsin Lewis, a UK-trained specialist in neuroscience, the biology of ageing, psychiatry and sports medicine, alongside leading Energy Medicine practitioners who work on integrating physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Combined with world-beating technology and a preventative approach, the team are spearheading a shift in belief systems rooted in the dual action of scientific and spiritual methods.
There’s also a world class scientific advisory board behind the new generation of treatments, therapies and programs available at RoseBar at Six Senses Spa Ibiza, ranging from pharmaceutical experts, medical anthropologist, researchers, clinical developers, professors and much more. This is not your average spa, and these are not your average treatments. Backed by science and underpinned by the ethos that ageing does not have to be a predefined destiny, RoseBar specialises in advanced diagnostics, used to make an unrivalled analysis of every client’s rate of ageing. Uncovering prewritten codes that are buried within our genes, blood and biomarkers (unique to everyone), this deep dive assessment provides a blueprint to study, learn and analyse from.
Once your diagnostic results have been evaluated, the RoseBar team begin to implement treatments and therapies that are tailored to suit your needs. A series of Longevity Programs are available – holistic memberships dedicated to slowing the ageing process and improving health span. These include Assess & Restore – a program available in three or seven-day blocks that supports natural healing by combining biohacking therapies, IV infusions, cryotherapy, sleep programming, personal training, and energy medicine; Live better for longer, a course that’s comprised of personalised retreats and programs; and Regenerate – a year-long program that slows your pace of ageing and provides the essential tools for living optimally. Spanning from in-depth analysis and seven-day immersion programs at Six Senses Spa Ibiza to monthly coaching, treatments and therapies, this membership evolves as you do for maximum results.
Additionally, a range of Advanced Longevity Packages are available to choose from, depending on your desired outcome. The RoseBar Essential includes a comprehensive blood test, health screening, pace of ageing analysis and detailed consultation with the experienced medical team. The RoseBar Advanced DNA adds a DNA test and an additional medical consultation to that list, while the Bio-Age is designed specifically to root out how quickly you age, with detailed results and subsequent consultations given four to five weeks after analysis. The 360 Hormonal Consultation focuses on weight and metabolism, sex and sleep hormones, and blood sugar, while the Nutritional Wellbeing provides diet and lifestyle guidance to address specific concerns.
Immune boosting IV Infusion Therapies also play a major role at RoseBar at Six Senses Spa Ibiza. IVs include blends such as The Morning After – a hydrating electrolyte fusion charged with magnesium, vitamin C and Vitamin B complex designed to relieve hangover symptoms. An energy boosting detox comes courtesy of Revival, loaded with key replenishment minerals including antioxidants, vitamin C, glutathione and mitochondrial enhancers. Alternatively, there’s the soothing Restoration, bursting with vitamin B12, magnesium and amino acids to reduce anxiety and balance brain health while enhancing mood and cellular energy.
Another key thread of the RoseBar experience is biohacking, which unleashes the body’s limitless potential by hacking its natural recovery system. The Hypervolt treatment uses a percussion massage device that increases blood flow, in turn assisting mobility and flexibility, increasing circulation and reducing muscle soreness. Meanwhile, Pulsed Electricmagnetic Field Therapy helps to improve athletic performance, reduce pain and inflammation and stimulate cell performance – it’s also great for injury recovery. Compression therapy comes in the form of Normatec Boots, a set of full-length slide-on leg covers that enhance blood flow and lymphatic fluid removal. And the Venom biohack uses digitally controlled heat and vibration are used to soothe sore back muscles and relax stiff joints.
Expert Energy Medicine allows guests to release tension or past trauma and nurture the body through consultations with the team’s impressive Energy Experts, including visiting RoseBar practitioner Boniface Verney-Carro, an osteopath and acupuncturist who specialises in resetting the nervous system. The Expert Energy Medicine package promotes balance, ridding the body of energies that no longer serve it, while the Integrated Holistic Approach improves mobility and function and enhances wellbeing using osteopathy which is based on the belief that all systems of the body work together.
Away from the framework of permanent treatments available at RoseBar, special guests will also be making their mark. In November this year, facialist-to-the-stars Sarah Bradden will be hosting sessions for hotel guests and island residents to experience her transformative facials, dubbed The Bradden Method. Combining Chinese practices with modern technology, the results are both physical and emotional, often described as a spiritual reset alongside a facelift. With years of experience, Sarah uses acupuncture, LED light therapy and an innate understanding of the individual’s story and symptoms to evoke visible changes to mind and body. Rest, relax and in the process, revive — thanks to RoseBar at Six Senses Spa Ibiza, our futures look brighter than ever.
The world of wellness is never static; it’s a constantly evolving field that’s researching, learning and developing all the time. And with some of the brightest minds in the world at its forefront, the industry has moved forward at a rapid pace in recent years. Not only has our understanding of the inner workings of body and mind expanded, so too has the scope of new technologies – the inevitable collision between the two means now is the best moment to embark on a life-changing journey for body and mind. In Ibiza, The Longevity Suite is spearheading that movement.
It’s a story that starts in Italy, where The Longevity Suite already has more than 20 outposts of its ground-breaking spas in locations including Capri, Rome and Bologna. The concept, created by cardiologist Dr. Massimo Gualerzi, has been so successful that the brand is now expanding into Europe and beyond, with over 40 branches planned in the coming years. In Ibiza, the high-tech space is located within Marina Botafoch, home to super yachts and high-end boutiques, and it’s already treating a slew of clients hoping to achieve anti-ageing aesthetic improvements, bodily enhancements, changes to mental health or in some cases, a combination of all three.
At the beating heart of all The Longevity Suite protocols is cryotherapy, the ground-breaking treatment that centres on controlled exposure to cold temperatures. The process involves stepping into a specially designed chamber and withstanding temperatures of up to -95 degrees for a period of three to five minutes. The scientifically proven results are staggering: a reduction in inflammation; quick recovery from high intensity activities; a quickened metabolism, and better mood, among many more. A session helps to reduce oxidative stress (an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body), which is pivotal to a longer, healthier life.
It’s for this reason that Dr. Gualerzi developed an approach to anti-ageing that has a strong focus on cryotherapy. The Longevity Suite Method concentrates on three primary pillars: cold, detox and awareness. Cryotherapy is naturally the first step on that path thanks to its proven benefits, but it coincides with nutritional and supplement intervention and intermittent fasting to help eliminate toxins, and finally, mindfulness techniques like meditation and breathwork to reduce stress. The idea is to implement changes on a multi-level basis so that body and mind can improve in unison — with concrete results — one step at a time.
Individual cryotherapy treatments are available in abundance at The Longevity Suite. Whole body sessions are core to the menu, but there’s also the opportunity to embark on a range of other specific sessions dependent on need. Localised treatment, for instance, can reduce muscle and joint pain and lessen swelling in particular areas; cryo fast recovery, in which cryotherapy is given in addition to a specific connective tissue massage, stimulates the mechanical and functional restoration of the musculoskeletal system; and an array of targeted facials mitigate the signs of chronological ageing, sculpt and redefine shape, and add much-needed moisture to the skin.
A range of other facials are also central to the spa’s ethos. Red light therapy has been used to improve skin quality, among other things, for many years but recently its benefits have seen it cross over into the mainstream. At The Longevity Suite, it’s used to reduce signs of ageing by stimulating the production of collagen, elastic and hyaluronic acid in the face. The expert team also specialises in urban face detox, which purifies the skin and counteracts the damaging effects of free radicals. Oxygenating, soothing and purifying, it’s as relaxing as it is impactful.
Other body-focused treatments at The Longevity Suite include the mind and body detox. A 30-minute, multi-sensory session that includes LED therapy delivered alongside aromatherapy, binaural music and manual body movements, it restores the feeling of balance, culminating in a profound sense of wellbeing. Meanwhile, the postural treatment includes fascial manipulations, relaxation techniques for muscle and joint tension, visceral and cranio-sacral techniques and postural gymnastics all in order to rebalance the body. And of course, a range of impressive holistic treatments are also available. Think everything from deep tissue massage and sports massage to reflexology and remodelling.
In keeping with The Longevity Suite Method, there’s also a strong overarching emphasis on nutrition and mindfulness. Tailored programmes include a four-week protocol for effective and lasting weight loss that’s supported by top, clinically proven techniques, and coincides with working towards a long-term strategy for maintaining a healthy body. There’s also a two-week sleep better programme designed to implement better sleep while recovering lost energy that spans across cryotherapy, daily smoothies, detox teas and supplements, as well as fitness and mindfulness programmes. Nutritional, fitness and mindfulness protocols can also all be accessed on an individual basis.
Finally, it should come as no surprise that The Longevity Suite has launched its own range of advanced cosmeceutical products that offer all the benefits of the spa’s treatments in bottle form. The Cryo Gently Cleanser removes impurities, tones and moisturises skin uses emollient and softening ingredients to leave skin feeling radiant; while the Cryo Peeling Serum, enriched with 20% of hydroxy acids, activates synergy in the skin renewal process and accelerates cell turnover, gently exfoliating the skin while smoothing wrinkles and minimising pores. There are specialist rejuvenating eye creams and anti-ageing sun creams too, feeding into every step of your skin care routine.
More than just a spa, The Longevity Suite is about implementing actions that allow its clients to live in full health, beauty and mental energy. By offering support at every stage and guiding people to be the best version of themselves, the aim is to help clients reach their highest form of personal potential, not just in the short term. No programme is suggested until a one-on-one consultation has been carried out to define individual goals, and that means that clarity and purpose are always defined, removing all stress from the process. That in itself, is an anti-ageing tool we can all benefit from.
CBD. Much more than a buzzword or trend for the new millennia, the ever-increasing number of scientific papers surrounding the myriad benefits of this plant-based ingredient have proven its potency time and time again. No longer an under-the-counter product whispered about in health food stores, CBD is now playing a starring role in the beauty industry. This season in Ibiza, it takes centre stage at Open Spa, the sophisticated wellness centre at the heart of Ibiza Gran Hotel. The expert team – led by Wellness Manager Patricia Fuertes – have teamed up with earth conscious skincare brand KLORIS to create an exclusive CBD-based treatment – the KLORIS CBD Complete Restore Ritual.
While hemp was one of the earliest plants to be cultivated by humans, CBD (which stands for cannabidiol and is extracted from hemp) was not scientifically investigated until the mid 1990s. Since then, CBD has been used to treat anxiety, stress, insomnia, epilepsy, chronic pain, PTSD, arthritis and even canine osteoporosis among other conditions. As a resilient, natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, it makes perfect sense for CBD to be included with other active ingredients in skincare products and in treatments such as the new KLORIS CBD Complete Restore Ritual at Open Spa – the superior results speak for themselves. But how does it actually work?
CBD binds to receptors within the endocannabinoid system – which helps to regulate almost every bodily function – preventing it from breaking down. Located within the nervous system, it affects appetite, digestion, sleep, motor control, pain and pleasure, immune function, mood and memory. By applying CBD topically, you’ll quickly feel its soothing and balancing effects across the body, joints and nerves, as the skin is the body’s largest organ and is packed with receptors for the CBD to interact with. If you’re new to CBD, rest assured you won’t get high – there is zero THC (the psychoactive ingredient derived from hemp plants) in the high quality KLORIS products used at Open Spa.
The team behind KLORIS works directly with the very producers in the world to ensure only the highest quality CBD is sourced for their superb product line – the focus is on balance, health and wellbeing, essentially upgrading your massage and facial treatment to include even more restorative benefits. The KLORIS tagline is Let Nature Love You – a sentiment shared by the wellness experts at Open Spa – and this ethos forms the foundation of the partnership between the two brands. Both focused on sustainability, preservation and the pursuit of wellbeing, it’s a match made in heaven. Book in for this treatment if you’re looking for the ultimate stress release coupled with healthy glowing skin.
Your Open Spa experience begins with the divine water circuit. Glide between plush days beds, a variety of pools and showers plus the sauna, hammam, salt room, ice room and low-light relaxation area before your therapist escorts you to your sleek treatment cabin. After a short chat to assess your overall wellbeing and any areas that need extra attention, you’ll be guided onto the massage table where it’s time to surrender to total relaxation. Approaching wellness and beauty with a holistic view that sees the body, mind and soul as one organism, the KLORIS CBD Complete Restore Ritual begins with a meditation.
The ping of manjeera – miniature Indian cymbals – echoes around the space as an experienced Open Spa therapist leans in towards your ear, murmuring an incantation and a blessing that encourages you to sink into the folds of the comforting bed. As their whispers wash over you, every muscle and bone descend deeper into bliss. And just as you feel yourself slipping into the space between wakefulness and sleep, a hot wheat pack is gently placed along your spine, conveying warmth throughout the body and further relaxing the mind.
Next, the full body massage begins, incorporating lymphatic drainage, shiatsu and acupressure techniques, plus guided stretching to release tension. An array of deluxe KLORIS lotions and oils are used throughout your experience at Open Spa, including The Lotion for Hand and Body – infused with neroli, moss, cedarwood, aloe vera, avocado, camellia and hemp seed oils, plus 1% CBD to deliver an all-over sense of relaxation – and The Uplifting CBD Body Oil, gently heated before being poured down the spine. This oil contains blood orange, vanilla and oud, all of which combine to create an enchanting scent and deep hydration. Finally, the award-winning CBD Balm High Strength – an all-purpose balm blended with 1.33% CBD, shea, cacao and mango seed butters – directly targets the cannabinoid receptors reducing inflammation and pain.
Throughout the blissful massage, your Open Spa therapist deftly wields a set of jade gua sha disks across the body. An ancient Chinese modality, these smooth, round-edged stone tools are used to gently ‘scrape’ the muscle, loosening blockages, tightness and pain while also promoting the flow of qi energy through the body. Enhancing the benefits of the CBD in KLORIS products, the gua sha technique can also be used to treat stress, fatigue, perimenopausal symptoms and circulation. The sensation connects directly with your nervous system, electrifying your inner energy reserves and deepening a feeling of wellbeing.
Next, your Open Spa therapist prepares the face for treatment with a deeply relaxing warm washcloth and heated eye pad. Here, three KLORIS products are combined for optimum results: The Face Cream, The Eye Cream and CBD Superboost Face Oil. The rich cream is packed with deeply hydrating and plumping hyaluronic acid and chaga mushroom extract and boosted with 1% CBD – it strengthens the skin barrier and supports natural collagen production, leaving skin bright, moisturised and protected. The same formulation is used to minimise dark circles in the delicate lotion for eyes. Meanwhile, the oil is supercharged with 2% CBD plus cannabis sativa seed oil and packed with omegas and squalene for hydration and protection plus cucumber seed oil for cell regeneration. These powerful phytonutrients, antioxidants and botanical oils boost luminosity, fortify the skin barrier, improve skin tone and protect against free radicals.
As the products work their magic, your feet are slipped into a pair of heated booties to help you relish the peace and slip into a dream world – even if just for a little while. After your treatment is over and you float back down to earth with an extra glow, browse the KLORIS range available at Open Spa, where the educated team can talk through any questions and make well-informed recommendations to incorporate CBD-enhanced skincare into your daily routine. Committed to zero waste, each KLORIS unction is presented in beautiful 100% recyclable glass and metal packaging, 95% of which is biodegradable, meaning not only does your skin benefit but the planet does too. A true pioneer when it comes to cutting-edge treatments in Ibiza, Open Spa’s commitment to beauty, wellness and global wellbeing knows no bounds.
Ibiza Retreats founder Larah Davis led a restorative and calming evening yoga practice live from Ibiza, in collaboration with White Ibiza and Transformation Station on Wednesday January 27, 20121. Now, tune into the grounding, laidback and relaxing 25-minute class at any time you like – magical Ibiza vibes streamed into your home on-demand. The perfect way to wind down after a long day.
If you’ve enjoyed practicing with Susie and would like to delve deeper into your practice, Ibiza Retreats are hosting HUMAN R’EVOLUTION: an online retreat from January 29 to 31, 2021 – a three-day deep dive into wellness that includes one-to-one wellness coaching, grounding morning practices, inspirational afternoon workshops and restorative evening sessions.
White Ibiza readers receive a special discounted rate of just 99€ (reduced from 295€) to take part in this very special, community minded experience – a chance to connect with your like-minded tribe, practice and learn live with experienced teachers and professionals and feel completely supported throughout your journey. Visit the link below to find out more and sign up – enter the code WHITE at checkout to receive your discount.
Yoga on-demand: Awake & ariseIbiza Retreats co-founder Susie Howell led an energising and awakening morning yoga practice live from Ibiza, in collaboration with White Ibiza and Transformation Station, on Wednesday January 27, 2021. Now, tune into the tranquil, relaxing and gentle 25-minute class at any time you like – beautiful Ibiza vibes streamed into your home on-demand. The perfect way to start the day.
If you’ve enjoyed practicing with Susie and would like to delve deeper into your practice, Ibiza Retreats are hosting HUMAN R’EVOLUTION: an online retreat from January 29 to 31, 2021 – a three-day deep dive into wellness that includes one-to-one wellness coaching, grounding morning practices, inspirational afternoon workshops and restorative evening sessions.
White Ibiza readers receive a special discounted rate of just 99€ (reduced from 295€) to take part in this very special, community minded experience – a chance to connect with your like-minded tribe, practice and learn live with experienced teachers and professionals and feel completely supported throughout your journey. Visit the link below to find out more and sign up – enter the code WHITE at checkout to receive your discount.
Breath in the time of COVIDWouldn’t it be nice if we could treat the symptoms of the pandemic with a tool as simple and accessible our breath… and in less than 30 minutes a day? You might think it sounds a little crazy… in fact, you may even think it sounds impossible, right? Well… think again!
The team at Breath Evolution have created a revolutionary 10-day online course in which you will learn scientifically proven breathing exercises to help you deal with the effects of the current global crisis in addition to specific symptoms of the coronavirus.
In just half an hour (just 30 little minutes!) each day, you will learn about the science behind breathing exercises that improve your mental, emotional and physical health, and enjoy a daily guided breathwork sequence that will leave you feeling calmer and more in control of your breath, your health, and your life.
Obviously, we here at White Ibiza are not professing to be doctors, but if focusing on our breathing for 30 minutes a day is going to help us combat the stress, fatigue, overwhelm, fear – you name the symptom or side-effect of this pandemic and we’ve probably experienced it – and anything else caused by COVID-19, not to mention boost our immunity, well… we think it would be crazy NOT to try! After all – we all breathe naturally for 24 hours a day anyway… this time we just need to pay a little more attention to it!
Click the link below to read more about the online Breath in the time of COVID-19 course by Breath Evolution. If you sign up before February 1, 2021, you’ll receive an exclusive discount as a White Ibiza reader. Enter the code IBIZA2021 at checkout and pay just £69 instead of £99 for the full 10-day course.
Everybody starts off the year with the best of intentions; to get fit, to get healthy, to practice yoga more, to eat less – whatever the plan, by the time spring comes around, it’s fair to say the struggle gets real. Fortunately, that is exactly when the Ibiza retreat season kicks in, and whatever you’re looking for in your life, you can be sure there’s an island escape that’s perfect for you. From fitness and fight clubs, to yoga and gong baths, plus feminine goddesses and nature hikes on mountain tops, now is exactly the time to make the most of the temperate weather and the tranquil island nature as you revive, reenergise, revitalise and regenerate with some well-deserved me-time.
With over 10 years’ experience in holistic yoga healing, and a series of three signature retreats taking place in some stunning mountain top locations across the island, Ibiza Retreats is the island’s original retreat company, facilitating holistic healing for hundreds of yogis and corporate clients over the years. GLOW works on deepening and expanding your yoga practice with a journey through the physical asanas; HARMONISE tunes into mindfulness, and sound healing, while NOURISH develops women’s empowerment, aligning with the natural cycles and rhythms of the feminine. Co-founders and teachers Larah Davies, and Susie Howell bring their life experiences and yoga teachings to the mat and beyond, joined by a selection of the best therapists in Ibiza to personalise your journey. Corporate clients include Hilary Clinton’s ‘Women in Leadership’ initiative and Vital Voices among others, and the team also design and host bespoke retreats within Agroturismos such as Can Lluc and Can Sastre. Ibiza Retreats photography (including main image) by Sofia Gomez Fonzo
Offering a refreshing escape for the soul, Ibiza’s premier Kundalini yoga and healing experience, Soul Adventures, offers magical and intimate retreats in the far north of the island, just steps away from the bohemian beach cove of Cala Xuclar. With four, five and seven day retreats incorporating shamanic practices, transformational healing and plenty of Kundalini-led teachings, teacher Trish Whelan – who has been describe as a ‘shamanic fairy godmother’ – leads small groups of six to eight people in their quest to find inner peace and radiance. Trish’s no-nonsense attitude combined with her rock and roll past brings humour, laughter and lightness to the profoundly personal healing going on during her retreats, while the eclectic and unique vibe of the Xuclar Beach House – also Trish’s home – where the retreats take place, vibrates with a powerful energy, helped along by some spectacular nightly sunsets, and a radiant soundtrack to all those kriyas.
Proving that wellness is indeed the new rock and roll, Pikes Ibiza launches its inaugural three-night, four-day Rockovery Retreat within the laid-back boutique venue on Monday April 27, 2020. Designed for for rebels and Ibiza royalty, guests can expect a holiday of self-discovery, wild exploration and some professional training and nutrition, as the retreat aims to connect guests back to nature while re-establishing a healthy relationship with your body, mind and soul alike. Bringing fitness in the form of a Fight Club is Pikes resident personal trainer Franky Vincentio, while founder of Cosmic Pineapple Kim Booth hosts sound healing sessions.Tthere’s also yoga and breathwork classes from experienced teacher Ksenia Goryainova and guided mountain walks from Toby Clarke. Pikes head chef Lee Milne is joined by Professor James Brown to create nutritionally dense dishes for the duration of the retreat and of course, Pikes being Pikes, guests can also dip in and out of that famous Club Tropicana pool and vibe at will.
Life coach and women’s activator Kelly Morgan offers 12 fortunate females the chance to give birth to the Venus within themselves at Agroturismo Can Planells in the rural and tranquil north of Ibiza from Saturday April 18, 2020. The Birth of Venus retreat offers a full week of delving into the feminine power to awaken and rebirth the goddess living inside. Through divine initiation ceremonies, massages, hikes, daily morning yoga to embody the changes and ritual dances to embrace the sensual, the retreat aims to liberate you from old traumas and teach trust in the female intuition, in addition to releasing whatever is holding you back in your life’s ultimate pursuit. Highlights include a trip to Es Vedra, Ibiza’s most mystical and iconic limestone rock formation, and a two-hour womb lift massage encompassing mind, body and soul.
Ananda means happiness, joy and a state of bliss, which is how you’ll end up feeling after a stay in the north of the island with Ananda Yoga Retreats Ibiza. The brand’s traditional Ibicenco villa mixes the modern with the magical on top of the hillside just close to the legendary Benirras beach. Tastefully decorated with a home away from home atmosphere, the retreat experience is similarly relaxed, allowing you to dip into as much or as little as you need for your own personal experience. Retreats run regularly from May until September, with different teachers to suit every desire. From Jivamukti and classical Hatha, to Kundalini and Vinyasa Flow, there is something for everyone, while still giving guests the freedom to enjoy a holiday too. Chefs offer a tantalising and healing vegetarian menu of locally sourced produce to aid the journey to bliss.
Conscious creativityA child’s creativity knows no limits. Kids have a natural instinct to learn and discover new things, without any of the judgement or fear that comes with age. Once we become adults, we may feel shy about trying something new, or scared that we’ll make a mistake, but children just throw themselves in to any new experience with freedom and confidence. Instead of holding back, we should be following the leads of our little ones, and with the recent opening of Numero 74 L’Atelier in the centre of Santa Gertrudis, Ibiza families now have a place to come together over new skills, tasty healthy food and endless creativity, inspiring each other in the process.
The bright, airy and open Numero 74 L’Atelier space includes a yoga deck overlooking the village playground, an urban garden growing fruit and vegetables for the kitchen, a buffet-style cafe and juice bar serving breakfast (from 9.30am), brunch and dinner, plus a stylish store selling pieces from the renowned Numero 74 collections, from organic cotton cushion covers and duvets to stylish and chic boho fashion and charming olde world style soft toys. Around the boutique and restaurant, weaving looms, embroidery kits and even a rustic miniature market provide the perfect places for children to play, while their parents are enjoying a meal, a yoga class or browsing in the boutique.
Parisian founder of Numero 74 L’Atelier, Tara Sfez – known to her loved ones, friends and colleagues as Poupy – is an inspiring entrepreneur with a background in children’s events, including working with Disneyland Paris, and running restaurants and working in sustainable fashion. Her vision to create a space where families can take part in workshops, experience healthy food and connect with one another, is part of a much larger dream. “We believe this project can open in cities all around the world,” she explains, when talking about the inspiration for the flagship Numero 74 L’Atelier concept in Ibiza. “It’s a place for sharing family moments, a place to discover, and also a place to provide work for locals.”
Tara’s connection to Ibiza comes from spending summer holidays here, getting to know the true essence of the island and understanding the freedom and magic that comes along with its authentic lifestyle. Introducing her creative passions to the island was the logical next step. Tara created the Numero 74 brand in 2009, and today the label produces over 5000 pieces for retail, from blankets and clothing to toys and creative kits for adults or children. Everything is made from organic cotton, sourced in Sri Lanka and then woven, cut and prepared in Thailand, using a simple palette of colours that has never changed since the brand’s inception. “Our speciality is really the colours,” she says. “We don’t follow the trend for creating new collections every season – we have our basic products that have been the same since the beginning. I’m a very faithful person, when I love something, I love it forever, so that is our belief with Numero 74 L’Atelier”
Nowhere is that faith and love more evident than in the story of how Numero 74 L’Atelier founder Tara’s relationship with Thailand began. After her son was born prematurely, he suffered from medical problems and animals became a great support for him. When he was two years old, on a trip to the East, he met a baby elephant called Duna and fell in love. Tara promised to take her son back every year to visit his elephant, and made good on that promise, returning to Chiang Mai every year. Her son is now 20 years old and studying to be a vet – he’s also still great friends with Duna.
Thanks to this ongoing love story, the family business has grown from there. “After visiting Thailand as much as possible to see Duna, I had a big wish to work with the Thai people – I felt that they had a lot to teach us,” Tara explains. “Over time, we met a tuk-tuk driver who took us to see the elephant every day. He was amazing, so I asked if he could help us find some women to work for us, to support us and make our product.” Fast forward ten years, and that same tuk-tuk driver is now Tara’s business partner, managing a team of over 400 women, working from home to prepare the fabric, weave the cotton and cut the pieces ready to send to Europe. This ethical and sustainable development is at the heart of what Numero 74 L’Atelier stands for.
After selling online and via wholesale for many years, this pilot project in Santa Gertrudis is the first opportunity for Tara and the Numero 74 L’Atelier team to meet their customers face-to-face. “I realised that something was missing,” says Tara on reflection of the brand’s evolution. “I began to feel it wasn’t meaningful enough, and I realised that I had this dream of a place where we could invite people to discover that they too can be creative. To be creative is the way to heal ourselves, and consequently, to heal the world.” In addition to offering creative workshops for all ages, Numero 74 L’Atelier sells take-away kits you can work on home, from delicate pocket purses to giant wall posters – there’s something for everyone to create.
Through the daily craft or body workshops at Numero 74 L’Atelier, children and adults alike can reconnect, as families and friends. Through weaving, macrame, acro-yoga and a huge variety of other activities, they find pleasure in the art of making something new with their own hands or bodies. Guests enter into the kitchen to taste fresh and authentic homemade food – there are already plans afoot to host after-school cooking classes in the autumn months, adding yet another string to their creative bow. All of the products in the store are sustainable, and ethically sourced, from the weaving loom made of reclaimed wood from houses in Thailand, to the cherry tomatoes growing in pots on the terrace. Authenticity, heart and soul sit at the very foundation of this special and unique place – just step right in and find out how creative you can really be.
In the western world, our relationship with food is complex. On the one hand we’re encouraged to embrace it as a fundamental pillar of our lives – wellness, socialising and happiness supposedly depend on it, and yet on the other, it’s frequently demonised for being the root cause of so much of the discomfort we feel within our bodies. It’s glamourised on social media, yet in reality we all know that too much of a good thing can be detrimental to our health. Small wonder then, that forming a healthy relationship with food can be a confusing prospect, one that Arianna Aunon of The Body Awakening Ibiza aims to dispel.
An award-winning women’s health specialist and founder of The Body Awakening Ibiza, Arianna’s expertise has been honed through both personal experience and extensive studies. The result is a comprehensive knowledge that allows her to advise women (often with problems like thyroid issues, weight gain, brain fog and bloating) on how best to heal their bodies through a combination of considered nutrition, meditation, energy work, journalling, cellular regeneration, detox and frequency treatment among other things. In the process, her aim is to address the misconceptions we have about food today, instead revealing nutrition – in its purest form – as a perfectly complete healing system.
“Everyone’s so curious about food and nutrition and what the truth is on it,” Arianna muses. “The fact is that if we use food in the correct way, the body gets what it needs – we can use it as a portal to come home to ourselves and feel liberated in our own bodies.” This transformation begins with an uplifting women’s only body accelerator group program – a one to one eight-week body reset program – or a three-month integration programme that culminates in The Body Awakening Ibiza six-day retreat led by Arianna here on the island.
Her goal is to aid clients with the release of adopted patterns and behaviours – a process that not only begins with food, but also with how and why we eat it. “We have such a huge emotional attachment to food,” says Arianna. “We store beliefs in our cellular memory and these can be held onto like a safety net. But we can also use food to transform the reality of each cell within our bodies, bringing up these beliefs so they can be witnessed for what they truly are and released.” While clients are letting go of these entrenched patterns, Arianna is on hand at The Body Awakening Ibiza to offer advice and guidance. “Healing can be simple and effortless,” she continues. “But you need to allow yourself to let go of your old ways and trust that there is a way forward.”
The first step on The Body Awakening Ibiza path is to adopt a high vibrational food diet, which for some can seem daunting, especially if they display deeply ingrained eating habits. “Cravings have an emotional connection,” Arianna explains. “But when you bring in high vibrational foods, we’re able to release what’s not serving us. The food helps the body to peel away those layers, and attachments fall away alongside them.” Consequently, Arianna works minimally with food, often in its most natural forms. Fresh fruits and vegetables are essential, along with leafy greens and herbs, some nuts and seeds and occasionally, non-mucus grains like quinoa. “What we’re doing is using food as a daily detox,” Arianna says. “It’s not just something we do two or three times a year at The Body Awakening Ibiza – this is something we want to be present in our lives on a daily basis.” The aim is to remove waste from the body and its cells, a method that allows us to shift physical and emotional stagnation and form a deeper connection to our true selves. “We want to awaken and illuminate the body, healing it at its core,” says Arianna. “The body naturally wants to shed its symptoms, so we allow it to do that by shifting cellular waste and freeing up space in the body.”
Although there may be resistance at first, many who embark on The Body Awakening Ibiza nutrition path soon settle into it. “Because you go into a deep state within the body, removing beliefs and cravings, you start to become satisfied by a simpler way of eating,” says Arianna. “This way of eating alters the neurotransmitters we produce surrounding food and our experiences, and because we feel satisfied, we no longer reach out for food that stimulates.” In other words, coffee, alcohol and processed foods make way for a much more refined nourishment.
There’s no doubt that overhauling how we eat requires patience, a kindness, and a sense of trust, and Arianna is confident that this one small shift that she implements at The Body Awakening Ibiza can go on to totally transform lives. “Your body is always trying to heal itself but we’re led by a health industry that teaches us to fear our bodies,” she says. “Now is the time to remember that our body is our best friend. It’s time to come home – to reclaim your inner power and authority. When you’re no longer running on stagnant energy, you’re returning to a place of purity, living free as who you truly are, and what an exciting journey that is.”
