Yoga - Rock Climbing 1st-9th May 2009

Wow! We have just come to the end of our first La Source, Alps - Yoga and Rock Climbing week. La Source,  a '21st Century Commune' set in an adventure sports paradise, carries a magical energy that affects people deeply and our guests often comment on it… ‘One of the most amazing experiences of my life so far…’ ‘..the suberb energy..’ ...'I feel re-sourced!'...

This was our first ‘facilitated’ holiday and energy ran higher than ever. It was incredible!

The sun shone, the mountains gleamed and the spring flowers sprouted colour before our eyes. Each day began with yoga. We started our yoga practice inside the beautiful dojo, under the Magnolia tree, in a field, by a lake and in the woods.  We practiced asanas, pranayama, relaxation, meditation, laughter yoga, silent yoga….. Each practice became more spontaneous and expansive as the week progressed. Not only were we becoming more flexible and strong in our bodies but also in our minds. 

Our wonderful guests came from all 4 corners of the earth – Dubai, Nimibia, Canada (via Indonesia), Italy, Russia and the UK (via Switzerland). An eclectic group,  we laughed and learned a lot together.

Everyone contributed to the richness of the week!  Marijke brought us lots of laughter and joy and had relentless energy. Hanneke, brought grace, elegance and flair to the group. Miriam, an Iyengar yogi, had to acclimatise to a much more fluid form of yoga - although I have just heard that she has been inspired to find a similar class back home. Simona had only ever practised in front her Nintendo DS, and was very happy to have a ‘real life’ teacher and has gone back to Milan to find one to perfect her headstand! Natasha, aka KGB, has gone back to Moscow with wings ready to quit her job and has already signed up for a 2 year guiding course. Nicola, who had never climbed before, has found her new favourite sport.  She brought us some mind-expanding ways of looking at life and ourselves…. 

 

 

During the day, there was a lot going on; hiking, rock climbing, visiting the glaciers in Chamonix, or beautiful Annecy,  white water rafting, or reading mind expanding books. 

After a full day, we were all happy to meet back at La Source for a  delicious wholesome meal and interesting conversation. Hannecke and Marijke was most relieved that we were not austere purists and that good red wine was on offer!  On the chefs night off, our lovely Italian guest, Simona, offered to cook and has introduced coconut chocolate balls which we will become a highlight every holiday!

A few words from our guests:

'During this week you guys gave me so much, I can barely imagine how I will continue my life the way I have got used to living and working, etc.. Thank you so much for this experience.'

'This week at La Source was certainly one of the best experiences in my life'

There is nothing like a lot of laughing and  the mountain air to get you in touch with your SOURCE!

Rock Climbing - Leading Outdoors 2nd - 7th May

Learning to lead on Rock.

The first climbing course of the spring found some low lying snow providing a beautiful backdrop to some of the cliffs we climbed, notably Le Tuet. Anna Torretta, Mountain Guide and Womans World Ice Climbing Champion 2002, made the short trip from Courmayeur Italy to supervise the course. The first course was an all woman's affair, instructors and clients.

Anna and Miriam, reviewing belay practise on day one at Anton crag.

The course "learning to lead outdoors" found most of those on the course having a mixed bag of experience but a very similar standard of movement over stone. The transition from pulling on plastic indoors to flowing over rock outdoors is a challenge and it is this factor that instructors Anna and Agnieszka focused on for the first two days of the course. Learning not to bring your feet too high, standing on dimples and features on the rock, planning moves ahead and the many key hand hold variations proved to be the biggest challenge.

Nicola on W"ENSA's story , Les Tignes

However, by the end of day one, all were placing gear, whilst top roping and practising the principles of leading.

Anna Torretta just making sure

At La Tuet,  it was lead time! By luchtime everyone had led there first sport routes on rock a great achievement.

Practising Yoga in the mornings and then heading-off to the crags proved to be a good combination, stretching tight limbs and focusing the mind on balance flow and form.

On the 3rd day, bummer it rained, so the team headed off to the climbing wall in Les Houches (Chamonix). Here we practised lower-off transitions and dynamic belaying.

Abseil practise "trust the prussik"

The following days blended into yoga, rock, and flowing over stone, like water not rock!

Natalia on her rest day cruising a tough 6b on sector Rhino, Anton

The goal of the course was to take climbers from the dusty indoors, and turn them into confident leaders ready to explore sport climbing on rock. However it turned out to be a lot more... it became a conversation with nature, harmony between body and stone, with messages of flow and trust all bonded by new found friends.

The May 2009 Yoga and Climbing Course

We were very excited, on our first course, to have people from Nimibia, Dubai, Russia, Italy, Canada and London. Wow! A great mix of lovely and interesting women.

The first night was Andy (our Chef's) 29th Birthday so we brought everyone over to a neighbouring farmhouse where friends had organised a surprise BBQ. It was a beautiful evening and relaxed atmosphere and a great way to start the course.

The next morning we went to the dojo for our first yoga class. We lit the wood burning stove and candles to Om's and started with a blend of Chi Gong and yoga warm ups - mind silencing pranayama (useful to overcome lead climbing fear!) - sun salutations - and a class of 'climbing specific' flowing asanas leading to final relaxation. Most of the team had practised yoga before. The Iyengar yogis were challenged to let go of their habitual practise and Simona, who had only ever practised in front of her Nintendo DS, was excited to have a real life teacher!

The climbers had 2 coaches this week; Anna Torretta, the ex-world ice-climbing champion and Agniezka - the 2 most 'ripped' women in the valley! On Day 3 and 4 everyone was leading. The yoga kept tired arms from stiffening too much. Horray!

Back at base, La Source is full of organic food and mellow red wine, breathtaking views and sneaky fags on the balcony! What do you do... this IS after all a holiday! As Nicola says, it is our intention that matters.

Yoga has now gone freeform. We have moved beyond four walls and practice in front of a Lake with the snowy peaks reflected in the water. We are literally paddling with tadpoles and feeling the dew and spring flowers between our toes. Everyone's practice is really progressing. We used gravity to assist us with headstands and nearly everyone is up! Then we did laughter yoga and could not stop laughing for the rest of the day.