TEA TALKS: meet Kevin - professional ballet dancer and yoga teacher on the Fiji island retreat

let’s slow dawn and have a cup of tea. Yes, we invite you to meet a big heart, wild spirit and adventurous soul - professional ballet dancer and yoga teacher Kevin Yee-Chan who is organising a yoga retreat in paradise - Fiji islands. 

Kevin has been an activist from an early age and has fused that with movement through a 10-year career as a ballet & modern dancer and a dedication to the art of yoga. His passion for expression of the soul through movement has carried him around the world- dancing f

or companies such as Smuin Ballet, BalletX and Zhukov Dance Theatre in the USA as well as Stadttheater Bremerhaven in Germany and most notably Ballet de l’Opéra National du Rhin in France. As a yogi, he has had the opportunity to train in places steeped with tradition such as India and Bali while continuing to teach for communities in Bali, San Francisco, Australia and Fiji. He holds a RYT-500 certification with Yoga Alliance from Janet Stone Yoga as well as a Shi Ba Shi Qigong teaching certification from Forest Rock Monastery. He is also a co-founder of the LAB community - a holistic development space throughout the Global South and a platform through which he shares his experience using physical movement as a tool for manifesting change and living fully and mindfully.

When did you start practicing yoga and why?

I started practicing yoga at the age of 20 as a way to supplement my dance career. At first I was drawn to yoga by the physical asana practice, but over time what drew me in deep and what still holds me is the way it allows me to experience the full spectrum of life with gratitude and a smile.

What is a retreat to you? 

A retreat is sacred. A retreat is healing. A retreat is fun! A retreat is where we can drop the obligations of daily life and find new layers to our self and our love.

We’ve heard you chanting & your voice is amazing, it’s so touching and powerful. Can you tell us more how chanting crossed your way? 

I have always been deeply connected to music. When I first chanted with Janet Stone there was some apprehension with Sanskrit and insecurity about how I sounded. But what I found quite quickly was that the vibration of sound coupled with mantra has the power to touch the body, soul, and space around on a visceral level. I began to feel the way sound can actually change the vibration of our bodies. When I chant now, it's a way to extend my natural spirit- my natural vibration- past the limits of my skin. It's a way to share my devotion and my love.

What drives you? / What most inspires, most motivates and most charges you up?

The thing that drives me the most is that feeling of being in rhythm with the flow of life. It can be while I'm dancing, practicing asana, in meditation, teaching, at the grocery store... but it's a sensation of ease, comfort, and freedom that allows me to dream big and fly.

What advice would you give a practicing yogi to take their practice to the next level? 

Keep showing up. There are so many levels and layers to this life, to this yoga. Just keep showing up every day in whatever way you can and follow the breadcrumbs. Sometimes they will lead you to a barren desert, sometimes they will lead you to a lush oasis. But they always lead you exactly where you need to be.

Would you like to share another cup of tea after a morning yoga class with Kevin, talking more about your passions, yoga or beautiful world? Join us on a Idyllic island escape - Awaken to the Elements Yoga Retreat in Fiji, which starts on the 14th of December. 

More about Fiji retreat and booking follow the link 

Wellness holiday - priceless gift to every woman!

…Did you realize how easy it is to get lost in your daily routines? There is a lot of pressure on us women to do and achieve more. Does it ever seem like time is speeding up and your to-do lists never end? Or maybe you more and more often realize that you don’t have time for YOURSELF. We are all very busy – with the demands of work and a fast pace life, it is really hard to make time for what matters most – our health, our loved ones, our passions – so often they end up taking the backseat. 

And it doesn’t matter you are dreaming about better, yet unexperienced life or you are living your perfect life you always dreamed about, you still DESERVE time for yourself - for a Wellness Retreat designed specially for woman. 

Magical, full of contrasts Ibiza island and personal development couch Leonora invite You to a week full of discoveries. Spend a week off the beaten path, in the luxurious, private villa with serene sea view and sunsets, where comfort and style await you. You’ll get a chance to immerse yourself into the new experience while you dive deep into the creativity and potential dwelling inside of you. In most beautiful surrounding you will learn and practice how to create harmonious life and delve deeper into feminine nature. This unique retreat is a perfect combination for the both intense and relaxing week where you’ll reach the balance between body, mind and soul.  

What‘s waiting for You in Inspiration Within You retreat:

• Beautiful Ibiza island with its mountains, perfect beaches, sunny days, fruit gardens. Oasis of tranquility in a luxurious private Villa.
• Daily work with your mind, body and soul guided by professional spiritual teachers and trainers.
• Deep meditations, inner soul journeys, women energy practice, walks.
• Healthy lifestyle tips & tricks given by special guests.
• Light and delicious vegetarian cuisine from fresh, organic products. Additionally detox program with professional guidance and support upon request.
• A small, cosy groups of exceptional, like-minded women.
• Individual consultations.
• Special massages lead by professional therapist will give you physical and emotional detox.
• Innovative techniques combination in one retreat: NIA dance practice under open sky lead by certified trainer. NIA (Neuromuscular Integrative Action) movement technique, a fusion of physical and spiritual techniques: yoga, taichi, aikido, jazz and modern dances, etc. Will help you connect with your body. More info: www.nianow.com
• Hemi-Sync meditations. Hemi-Sync (hemispheric synchronization) is an audio-guidance technology working with binaural sounds that by synchronizing the two hemispheres of your brain help you to relax deeply, focus your attention, improve performance. More info: www.hemi-sync.com

With the help of unique methodology:

You‘ll understand who you are. You‘ll answer to yourself, why you are the way you are.

You’ll learn how to use and act from your inner „source“. With such state of mind you‘ll never loose your determination, confidence and energy.

You‘ll grow as a women, overcome inner blocks.This methodology will help you use your femininity daily, feel light and be open to yourself.

After Inspiration Within You retreat You will be:

• Rested
• Surprised by yourself
• Open to yourself and others
• More free and… lighter
• Full of energy and inner peace
• Full of feminine beauty, happiness and strength
• You’ll accept yourself as amazing as you are
• Free of fears, knowing how to overcome stress, tiredness and other obstacles
• Ready for changes
• „Juicy“ and passionate for life!

Wellness Retreat Inspiration Within You is a unique transformational experience, an experience you couldn’t find anywhere else. Explore the magic of a tailored holiday designed specially for woman which starts 21st of November, 2015 (8 days). 

For more details and booking Inspiration Within You Retreat follow the link

Top autumn wellness escapes

Fall is full of nostalgia and romance when time seems to have slowed down. Take a journey of tastes and colours to discover beautiful places and great people who host retreats with love. We all dream about a little wanderlust, so choose your well deserved escape from our fall & winter collection.

Fall / winter wellness holidays that can't be missed this year:

Hill Yoga - Vinyasa & Iyengar Inspired Yoga, Seville, Spain

Remotedly located on 3,000 acres of wild, unspoiled landscape Hill Yoga retreat in Spain offers entirely authentic yoga holiday experience. A privately owned and family-run historic 16th-century house turned into something magical, reminding how luxurious simplicity can be. For a peaceful escape from the stresses of modern life, enjoy morning yoga classes, home cooked food with love, a walk through the tree-filled surrounding acres on one of the marked walking paths. Horse riding and visits to nearby cities can also be arranged. If you’d rather stay to admire the abundance and natural beauty, you can unleash your inner artist with painting. Spend a week off the beaten path enjoying your yoga holidays with a great sense of tranquility.

Dates: 2nd-9th & 9th-15th November, 2015. Price: from 1380 GBP, 7 days

For more details and booking follow the link

Inspiration Within You - Wellness Retreat for Woman, Ibiza, Spain

We invite you to discover inspiring holidays designed specially for woman. Spend a week off the beaten path and explore original charm of unspoiled beauty of magical island of Ibiza. During tailored wellness retreat you’ll get a chance to immerse yourself into the new experience while you dive deep into the creativity and potential dwelling inside of you. In most beautiful surrounding you will learn and practice how to create harmonious life and delve deeper into feminine nature. This unique retreat is a perfect combination for the both intense and relaxing week where you’ll reach the balance between body, mind and soul. 

Dates: 21st-28th November, 2015. Price: from 1295 EUR, 8 days

For more details and booking follow the link 

A Yoga Place For Adrenaline Junkies - Power Yoga & Surfing Retreat, Rincon, Puerto Rico

This is a clear choice for adventure lovers. Get alignment based Power Yoga on the treetop deck and stay in a luxury bell tent, all within a jungle oasis just minutes from the beach. Even more amazing adventures await you each day including 2 days of surf lessons, a day of paddle boarding and snorkeling in a marine reserve, and mountain biking on trails that are accessible for beginners and fun enough to get you hooked! If you’d rather meditate to the sound of the ocean or continue the adventure with a day hike to the waterfalls or window caves, all activities are led by real experts. Go and explore an active holiday dream.

Dates: 10th-17th October & 3rd-10th December, 2015. Price: from 1400 USD, 8 days

For more details and booking follow the link 

Your Personal Piece of Paradise - Yoga Retreat, Fiji Islands 

Kick off your shoes, and prepare to be swept away. A week of discovery and connection will flow just south of Fiji’s main island where a palm-fringed private lagoon provides space to soak in the wonders of nature. During Awaken to the Elements Yoga Retreat we’ll dive into the five elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space... finding their connections within and without in an ideal setting – a totally authentic, fresh and natural Fiji experience. Start your morning with a liver-cleansing juice and guided meditation, followed by a nutritious homemade breakfast and local fruits. Enjoy 1-2 yoga classes per day, nourishing yourself with lovingly prepared meals from fresh, local, organic ingredients. After spa treatments take your time to explore the paradise that surrounds you. Treat yourself and indulge in a idyllic island escape.

Dates: 14th-21st December, 2015. Price: from 1495 GBP, 8 days

For more details and booking follow the link 

Ayurveda Balance - Holistic Weallness Retreat, Sri Lanka

Start your journey of absolute relaxation and rejuvenation from our little discovery situated in the south of Sri Lanka. As soon as you arrive you will feel the unique aura of the place filled up with history. Owners Dainius and Asta did their best to keep this authentic harmony and make you feel home away from home. Here all the focus is on providing personalised Ayurvedic treatment and procedures which are inspired by the ancient and highly efficient Ayurvedic therapy Panchakarma, a therapy cantered on body cleansing, as well as freeing the body and soul from harmful impulses. 

This personal wellness escape is available during all year round so plan your holidays and get ready to enjoy authentic Ayurvedic tranquility and peace. Whatever your intentions are: to maintain, manage or improve health and well-being, regain some balance between body and mind or nourish and rejuvenate your body - you will definitely feel in good hands.

Dates:…..whenever you feel like ready. Price: from 700 EUR, 8 days

For more details and booking follow the link 

Vinyasa Yoga, Matt Pilates, Detox Diets & Weight Loss Retreat, Monda, Spain

Plan your personal escape anytime you desire. The concept which is based on an individual requests and high attention to detail invites you to start your retreat whichever day of the week you feel most ready. Shantisom offers packages of six nights for yoga, detox or intense weight loss; however, everything is customisable and can be changed to your needs. The success of this wellbeing hotel is not only the high standards of the services they offer, but also the feeling that they build around you. If you wish to spend your time in solitude, you will be left to your thoughts and guided only when needed. If you want to get away from all your work but lack courage to turn off your inner wi-fi button, they will be sure to do it for you. There is no need to ask because they already know your answer.

Dates:…..whenever you feel like ready

For more details and booking follow the link 

More hand-picked retreats for you - www.retreatsilove.com