What a treat Fresh Moves Yoga retreat held at Balenbouche Estate ...

Anya Hawkes owner and yoga teacher of Fresh Moves Yoga St Lucia held her second retreat of the year and James & I had the privilege of going along to enjoy a long jam packed weekend of yoga, healthy delicious food, fantastic company, fresh air and staying at the enchanting Balenbouche Estate which is south of the island ...

http://www.balenbouche.com/

Check out the Balenbouche website and learn about the estate and it's amazing history it's worth a read....

We were welcomed with a chilled rose water flannel to cool us down, some healthy snacks and fresh juice. And then introduced to our yoga studio which was an old barn full of character which was once used for drying cotton ...

The barn is rustic and tranquil perfect for yoga  ...

We also had a friend in the barn, a cat that would not stop meowing and for some reason enjoyed the yoga classes as well. Here she in relaxation pose

Saturday - It was now 5.30pm and time for yoga for energy - Revive, Replenish and Restore ...

As we come to the end of our first yoga class we sat energised, relaxed and replenished ... Namaste

7.30pm now time for dinner at the Balenbouche House ...

Uta, Verena & Anitanja own, live and work on the Balanbouche Estate. We had a chance to meet Uta and Anitanja and what delightful women. Everywhere you looked you could see the love, care and hard work they put into the estate and the food they prepared was amazing.

Uta

Anitanja in her funky headphones

 In the main house seated outdoor a lovely setting for dinner

At this point I should be showing you what was on my plate but I will be honest and say it was so delicious I just tucked in and forgot to take pictures but let me take this opportunity to introduce you to some of my yoga buddies ...

Anya our Yoga teacher 

Carol

James my husband

Derek, Anya's partner who was great at clearing up after us, you're a gem!

We had an early start the next day so it was early to bed ...

Sunday - 6.30am Dynamic flow class. 8.30am followed by yoga - practice balance and intention, effort and mindfulness ... lovely!

Om Om Om ...

Namaste ....

It's 10am time for brunch!

We were welcomed with a wholesome delicious brunch

Fresh beetroot juice so beautiful presented

Delicious oats and a lot more ...

After brunch we had some free time on our hands so James and I decided to have a look around the estate.

The plantation house is about 180 years old and it had its own sugar estate with its own sugar mill and there is evidence of it still today as you walk around the grounds. The history of the estate is better explained on the website link above ...

Entrance to the Mill

Mechanism Wheel

Walk way 

We also found a lake abundant with beautiful lotus flowers ...

And here are a few more of my yoga buddies ...

Amandine and Irene they were lots of fun

Sals looking stunning

Johanna so relaxed

2.30pm Light lunch anyone ... freshly made by Anya

Wholesome salad

Wheat free brownies yum!

4.40pm Face Yoga ... the natural botox!

Another fun buddy Pattie enjoying the relaxing face yoga class

Anya showing us how it's done ... "kiss the air"

Even James gave it a go

We had some laughter therapy thrown in funniest jokes came from Pattie ...

There was more yoga at 5.30pm Uddlan Banda - working the core 

7.30 Dinner then Bed

Monday -  6.30 Herbal teas, fruit and healthy snacks for the early birds

7.30 Dynamic Flow class

8.30am We partnered up ...

Anya & Pattie make it look easy 

Yep its time for brunch!

Anatanja serves us the very nutritious green Juice made with Moringa which was freshly picked from the gardens at Balenbouche. 

The benefits of Moringa are amazing- 

1. Increases the Natural Defences of the body

2. Provides nourishment to the eyes and the brain.

3. Promotes metabolism with bio-available ingredients

4. Promotes the Cell structure of the body

5. Promotes natural Serum cholesterol.

6. Lowers the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

7. Promotes the normal functioning of the liver and the kidney.

8. Beautifies the skin

9. Promotes energy

10. Promotes proper digestion

11. Acts as an antioxidant

12. Takes care of the immune system of the body

13. Promotes healthy circulatory system

14. It is an anti-inflammatory

15. Gives a feeling of general wellness

16. Supports the normal sugar levels of the body.

Not only does Anitanja make amazing food she also makes beautiful jewellery too!

It's 2pm and time for the beach

 for a detoxifying body scrub and to wash off in the waves

 It's such a beautiful spot you just have to look at the sea and take it all in ... Wonderful

Home made body scrub made by Anya and our friend Patricia Lee-Cozier owner of the the natural beauty company Green Papaya

Scrub on now take a  pose in the sun...

Then run in sea and wash it all off...

Leaving your skin nice and smooth.

Then its back to the estate 

For a glass Bucks Fizz!

to celebrate our time at the Fresh Moves Yoga wellness retreat

Anya and Me

The retreat has been amazing time for yoga, time to relax, socialise and hang out in enchanting surroundings perfect

Myself and James enjoyed it all.

My Yoga Buddies.

Happy Days!

The next Fresh Moves Yoga retreat will be held at the Balenbouche Estate at the end of November so why not become a group member on the Fresh Moves Yoga St Lucia Facebook page and get updates on classes and retreats.

Namaste