Yoga and Meditation Retreat at Shanti-Som

About Audrey

Audrey is our resident Yogini. Originally from France, Audrey discovered yoga whilst living in London and rapidly felt the benefits on her physical and mental wellbeing. Fascinated by the impact yoga had on her own life, how it was helping her to deal better with stress and life challenges, Audrey decided to dwell deeper into it: she left her job and travelled to India to certify as a Yoga Teacher at Trimurti School of Yoga (specializing in Hatha, Ashtanga and Vinyasa), she spent time in ashrams to learn from spiritual teachers and develop her knowledge of yoga philosophy and meditation.

Since then, Audrey has dedicated herself to the teaching of yoga and meditation, first in Cambodia and now in Spain. Her wish is to introduce more people to yoga and meditation, to empower her students to use these as ‘a vehicle for transformation’.

In her classes you will develop your flexibility, balance, posture and vitality using various styles of yoga to explore and challenge your body and your mind whilst respecting each one’s abilities.

Styles of Yoga

HATHA YOGA

Gentle and slower practice ideal for beginners to stretch and develop flexibility, find balance and improve mental focus. Hatha yoga is an alignment-based class to develop awareness of one´s own body and explore basic postures.

VINYASA YOGA

More dynamic and faster pace style of yoga. It is a flow connecting one posture to the other using the breath, like a choreography. Great for developing strength, flexibility, grace and vitality. Because it is more energetic than most traditional forms of yoga, it burns more calories.

It is also an opportunity to learn more challenging postures to advance your practice.

YIN/RESTORATIVE YOGA

This class is all about relaxation and deep stretch for ultimate zen!

It is a more passive style of yoga: postures are primarily done on the floor and held for longer to allow for a deeper, grounding and more restorative practice. Most poses are supported with props like blocks, bolsters and blankets to so that you can sink deeper and release tension accumulated in the muscles and free your fascia memory. A practice for deep releases into tight spots and areas of holding, a deeper connection with the breath, slow down your heart and calm the nervous system.

An Introduction to Yoga Meditation Retreat with Audrey

Audrey teaches 3 basic meditation tools to quiet your mind, feel more relaxed and find your inner peace:

• Breath Awareness
• Third Eye Activation
• Body Relaxation / Scan

TRATAKA MEDITATION

In this meditation you will learn about a traditional yogic meditation called “trataka” or “candle gazing”.

A trataka is a different type of meditation, where you keep your eyes open and focus your attention on the flame of a candle.

Because this meditation is done with the eyes open, it’s a great introduction to meditation and a great option for people who have trouble containing their wandering mind.

A candle gazing meditation helps open the third eye, improves concentration and memory. It is also an essential preparation for all visualization-type meditations.

If you’re struggling with meditation, you should definitely try this meditation!

CHAKRA MEDITATION

Chakra meditation is a specialized form of meditation that targets blocked chakras and is designed to cleanse, clear, and balance your chakras.

You will gain a basic understanding of the chakras (wheels of energy in our body) and be guided to visualize each chakra in turn.

LOVING KINDNESS-METTA MEDITATION

Loving-kindness meditation (sometimes called “metta” meditation) is a popular form of Buddhist meditation and a great way to cultivate our propensity for kindness and compassion. It involves visualisation and mentally sending good and warm intentions towards ourselves and others by silently repeating a series of mantras.

This meditation has been proven to increase positive emotions, such as joy, gratitude, contentment, love and compassion.

MINDFULNESS IN NATURE

Mindfulness is the cultivation of moment-by-moment awareness of our surrounding environment. It is a practice that helps us better cope with the difficult thoughts and feelings that cause us stress and anxiety in everyday life and instead boost your wellbeing.

For this workshop we will go outdoors and enhance our connection to nature and our senses to feel more fully present using exercises such as mindful breathing, mindful observation, mindful listening, mindful appreciation.

A powerful practice that you can easily add to your life!

VISUALISATION

Visualization is a meditation where your mind is being guided in a specific direction for a desired result such as a mindset, a feeling, or a body sensation.

It will then lead you through mental images and visualizations

It is rooted in visual images and other sensory experiences.

We work, with this meditation, for:

Emotional healing and spiritual awakening.

Gaining a new perspective on stressful situations.

Building skills to manage your stress.

Increasing self-awareness as well as patience and tolerance.

Focusing on the present.

Reducing negative emotions.

Increasing imagination and creativity.

PRANAYAMA

Pranayama are specific breathing techniques that teach us how to control, regulate and enhance our life energy: the breath.

These exercises help us clear our physical and emotional blocks and have various effects on our mind and body: some are energizing and detoxifying, others are relaxing and balancing.