goodthingsmagazine.comLUXURY ESCAPES111Chill Out HOME or AWAY
TRUE BLUE BAY Grenada
by Melissa HobsonO
n entering the yoga studio, I’m
intrigued by the large metal
keyholes spaced evenly across
two opposite walls. I had
imagined yoga in Grenada would be set
against the view of the vivid blue Caribbean
Sea. So what is this contraption?
During my week-long yoga holiday at
True Blue Bay Boutique Resort, owner
Magdalena is incredulous that I’ve never
heard of ‘wall yoga’, and insists I try a class
at nearby Spice Harmony Yoga. Wall yoga is
a system of adjustable straps and harnesses
that can be a
ached to a specially created
wall, using ball and socket joints, helping
students maintain correct yoga poses.
For example, in downward dog,
resistance of the straps helps the harness
under my hips correct my alignment; liing
my si
ing bones higher as if an instructor
was tweaking my posture. I can see how,
within just a few lessons, my yoga would
quickly improve.
Our hard work is rewarded when
instructor Malaika lets us play with
‘inversions’ – in simple terms, going upside
down. I needn’t have worried I might not bestrong enough; not only do I flip myself head
over heels in a few simple steps, even the
grandmother next to me is dangling upside
down with a huge grin on her face.
Aer the studio classes, I take an eco
yoga tour with instructor MitSukha to
explore the island. I’m half asleep as
we leave the resort at 6.30am for the
spectacular Fort George; Grenada’s oldest
fort, located 730 feet above sea level.Outdoor acrobatics
While we had intended to do yoga on the
grass in front of the ancient building,
drizzling rain forces us to shelter inside.
The ocean breeze and the sight of the town
of St. George’s slowly waking up below
us gives a mystical backdrop to our sun
salutations. Once the rain passes, we try
group poses outside – careful not to wobble
too much as we use each other’s body weightto support ourselves in double shoulder
stands and three-person tripods.
Next, we drive to the serene Grand Etang
Crater Lake for a guided meditation against
the picturesque backdrop of this extinct
volcano. Watching the mist dri over the
lake and through the lush green rainforest,
it’s easy to recognise my passing thoughts
similarly floating by without ge
ing caught
up in them as I oen do at home.
The sun now high in the sky, we dangle
our feet in the lake to cool off. While
refreshing, the unbearable tickling of fish
nibbling my toes proves too distracting
and, careful not to make a scene next to the
majestic MitSukha, I quietly whip my feet
out of the water.
To finish the tour, we snack on a picnic
of local pumpkin, homemade hummus and
organic Grenadian chocolate. By the time we
return to the resort, I feel fully awake and
ready to face the day.True Blue Bay Boutique Resort from US$189
per night, based on two adults sharing a
True Blue Bay style room (truebluebay.com).
Wall yoga at Spice Harmony Yoga from
US$20 per class (spiceharmony.org). Eco
Yoga Tour with MitSukha, US$75, including
transportation, classes and refreshments
(yoga.gd). Discover more at puregrenada.comLet it all go with a yoga retreat
in Cornwall or the Caribbean.
Here's where to go to stretch,
breathe, relax and repeatWatching the mist
drift over the lake,
it’s easy to let my
thoughts float by
AWAY
Yoga_MATT ZPCathy ZP.indd 111 04/04/2017 16:25