6 Days Pilates and Yoga Retreat in Alicante, Spain

Yoga and Pilates, when practiced together, create a strong toned body, excellent alignment and increased flexibility. You’ll feel stretched without being pushed beyond your physical limits.

Each day includes a session of yoga and a session of Pilates. No-one will feel out of place or under pressure as there is a class for keen beginners and a class for intermediate / advanced. The teachers are dedicated to their chosen field of yoga or Pilates and so what you’ll receive is the pure form of both disciplines not a "yogalates" blend.

Pilates sessions are mat-based with a variety of efficient Pilates movements and equipment to build a strong toned body. Yoga sessions include the deep stretches of Hatha with the warming flow of Vinyasa flow yoga to stretch muscles and open joints whilst synchronizing breath with movement.

In addition to the daily yoga and Pilates, there are five workshops to help deepen your practice. There are two "Essentials" workshops where you’ll run through the elementary basics for yoga and Pilates, two "Intensive" immersions one each for yoga and Pilates, and a calming meditation workshop. Together, yoga and Pilates create a strong toned body, excellent alignment and increased flexibility.

Program overview

Each day begins with a cup of herbal tea and fresh fruits while you slowly awaken. At 8.30 a.m. you’ll head to your 90-minute yoga or Pilates class. Get ready now for some nourishment from the buffet table with seasonal fruits, wholesome cereals, egg dishes, yogurts, locally grown tomatoes, Spanish cheeses and cold cuts, freshly squeezed orange juice, assorted breads and pastries, preserves and homemade breakfast cakes. Then, depending on the day, you could be :

• Heading out into the countryside on a 13k guided walk
• Relaxing poolside with a good book
• Exploring Altea to soak up the sea views and browsing the lovely little shops
• Joining the "Essentials" Yoga and Pilates workshops to help you brush up on the basics
• Go a little deeper in the "Intensive" yoga and Pilates immersions for those with a little more experience
• Other activities such as guided bike ride, mountain hike, healing therapies, and Aerial yoga session are available starting from 30 EUR

Late afternoon, you’ll have another yoga or Pilates session before supper. There’ll be a meditation workshop on Sunday evening instead of yoga and Pilates class.

This yoga and Pilates holidays take place near the sea in the charming town of Altea, an hour from Alicante airport. Altea lies on the Mediterranean Sea, close to stunning mountains and with a beautiful "old town" with a warren of cobbled streets and white washed houses, alfresco restaurants and little boutiques to explore during your free time. This is the Costa Blanca region known for its Moorish influence, quiet mountain villages, amazing scenery, exceptional beaches and an abundance of underground springs that give life to lush Mediterranean fruits and vegetables.

Distances

• Altea - 10 minutes

To help you slowly awaken before your morning class, there are fresh fruits and herbal teas at the tea table which you can take out in the garden (if you like!) whilst listening to the world waking up. Then, after class, help yourself to the buffet breakfast of fruits, wholesome cereals, Spanish tortilla, yogurts, eggs, sun ripened tomatoes, Spanish cheeses and cold cuts, freshly squeezed orange juice, assorted breads and pastries, preserves and homemade breakfast cakes. Gluten free and dairy free options are always available.

Suppers are three-course delicious plant based meals using locally sourced seasonal produce. You will dine at the hotel on all but two evenings when your taste buds are free to explore local restaurants. On one of these free eves they will organize a meal at a local restaurant which you are most welcome to join if you like.

When you’re not doing yoga or Pilates, there are a few other activities you might like. There’s a guided walk in the countryside, a guided bike ride, an Aerial yoga class, a hike in the mountains, and lots of lovely healing therapies. Or, you could just laze in the sun by the pool, snooze, chat, read or venture into town and explore Altea’s little streets.

Yoga Breaks Spain likes their retreats to be super relaxed, so if you want to skip a class or two, please do. They just want you to listen to your body and do what your soul asks.

• Daily 90-minute Pilates class with experienced teacher
• Daily 90-minute yoga class with passionate caring teachers
• 90-minute meditation workshop on Sunday in place of the evening yoga and Pilates classes
• Yoga and Pilates "Essentials" workshops
• Yoga and Pilates "Intensive" sessions
• Guided 13k hike in the countryside on your first day
• 5 nights accommodation in a spacious double or twin ensuite room. Yoga Breaks Spain doesn’t ask nor expect solo travelers to share and so all solo guests are given their own ensuite room for an extra 75 GBP for the week
• Welcome gathering and refreshments on day one - a chance to meet everyone
• Morning fruits and herbal teas to help you slowly awaken
• Bountiful brunch each day after morning class, help yourself to as much as you like
• Nourishing plant based suppers at the hotel on all but two evenings. Fish is offered one night for those that would like it
• Services of an experienced retreat manager to ensure everything goes smoothly
• Unlimited herbal teas throughout - do away with the caffeine!
• Plenty of time to relax by the pool, read, snooze and explore the local sights
• Lots of juicy conversations with like minded people!

• Private group airport transfer service at selected times (40 EUR)
• Optional Aerial yoga workshop, guided bike ride, mountain hike, and therapies (from 30 EUR)
• 2 evening meals allowing your taste buds chance to sample the local dining options (On one of these eves we'll organize a meal at a local restaurant which you are more than welcome to join if you wish)