MBY Ayampe, Ecuador Yoga/Adventure Retreat 2018

An inspiring retreat location connecting us to nature, yoga, sustainability, permaculture, peace & BLISS:

While in Ayampe, Ecuador this past spring I found a tribe that is doing some incredibly progressive work.

The Retreat Centre is called Wild Child Village, founded by Brett Mazurek: dj, director, editor, photographer,  (notably Future of Energy & surfer. Brett’s partner in WILD is Kylie Ann Love who is a goddess of all things; especially healthful FOOD.

Kylie will be our own personal Chef, preparing all the tastefully fresh local food so if you have any specific dietary needs please share.

Kylie & Brett will be hosting you to make sure you’re stay here is a memory you’ll want to share.

An incredible couple making a difference, living with passion & keeping it simple.

I had the opportunity to go to Wild Child Village while it was still under construction and I was pretty blown away at the whole vision:

Wild Child Village is a conscious community grounded in permaculture, artistic expression, traditional and modern spiritual practice, and a commitment to co-create new understandings of self and tribe.

The foundation of our ethos is based on non-linear self-organizing systems – Nature. We are continually in progress, sculpting and creating our village so we may resonate, revise, harmonise, help and heal people’s lives.

Wild Child Village believes and operates on the ancient system of cooperation and communal evolution. Our tribe lives within the harmonic hierarchies of resonance with family and the family of nature — Brett Mazurek

The site is set up on a hill in the jungle with great views of the Pacific Ocean. Ayampe’s town is only a 20 minute walk away, and so is the beach which attracts a lot of surfers. Wild Child Village will provide a shuttle up & down the hill at specific times.

This particular town really drew me in.

I found out that there is a strong community of locals & foreigners here who are protecting this community in relation to keeping it ethical and community based. I was also impressed that considering it’s a surf spot there’s only 1 bar in the town.

Ayampe sits just off the Route of the Sun, or Ruta del Sol, with the Pacific Ocean on the west and rain-forested mountains on the east.  Most of the Ecuador beaches on the southern coast are very dry.

But Ayampe is in the middle of a micro-climate where the rainforest comes down to the ocean.  This gives it a unique climate not found anywhere else on the southern Ecuador beach coast.

They stand for Nature & Community. Yoga supports that.

MBY YOGA/ADVENTURE RETREAT @ WILD CHILD VILLAGE  / AYAMPE, ECUADOR 

10 DAYS : MAY 5-14TH / 2018

Your Retreat will include:

  • A Vegetarian Welcome Dinner on arrival day
  • 2 hour Morning Yoga/Meditation class (energy & heat building pranayama, chanting, vinyasa flow, kriyas & meditation)
  • 2 hour Evening Yoga/ Meditation class (restorative asanas & kriyas & a 30 minute guided meditation)
  • 10 days/9 nights accommodation at Wild Child Village
  • 3 pescetarian and/or vegetarian meals/day
  • Daily shuttles to and from Ayampe Beach
  • Community and private compost toilets & jungle showers
  • Los Frailes & Ayampe River Basin Hike

Cost:

$ 1500 US – Single

$ 1300 US – Sharing

  • 50% non refundable deposit secures your place
  • Balance due March 4th / 2018

MichelleBartoloYoga & Wild Child Village are pairing up to design a Yoga/Adventure retreat in the outmost of natural enviornments with forward thinkers & visionaries for a journey that will be memorable, healthy, educational, FUNNNNN & relaxing, all in one.

If you’re eager to learn more about Wild Child Village : Facebook  Instagram: 

Please Note:

This retreat is limited to 12 guests, so if this retreat creates faster beats in your heart space drop me a message and I’ll book you in asap!

FindYourTribe

NamasteSatNamShantiShanti

MichelleBartoloYoga

WildChildVillage Media:

 

 

 

 

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A Yoga Teacher Explains What Yoga is all About

“Yoga provides a pose for most ailments and moods. It’s helped me and many others cure numerous issues in body and mind. It helps one to make wiser choices that are in line with what one wants to create in their life.”

  • No flexibility required

You don’t have to be vegetarian, earthy, wear beads or tight leggings, bandanas or tattoos. You can drink, smoke and still practise yoga. What yoga tries to teach us is balance and to do more of what makes us feel good. Most people who are attracted to yoga are looking for some kind of balance or change in their lives, to feel more connected to themselves. Yoga will provide all of this and more with some effort.

  • Why practise yoga?

The benefits of the practice are numerous. You must feel them to believe them and for that to happen you must practise. The connection you create to yourself becomes strong and true and you enjoy being you – with all your quirks, strengths, weaknesses and all that inflexibility. Self love is served ‘a la carte.’

  • Mind is the arrow, Body is the bow, Breath points you back to the soul.

If you’re feeling depressed, insecure, disconnected, inflexible and/or physically and mentally weak and you’re looking for an escape route that simultaneously digs deeper to your true connection, then DO YOGA. COME BACK TO YOU!

 

Michelle Bartolo (www.michellebartoloyoga.com) is a Canadian yoga teacher who is currently travelling around South America. She discovered yoga 17 years ago, when her life was a blur of work and partying. Yoga allowed her to let go of many unhealthy addictions and relationships and she decided to make a career out if it almost immediately. She did her teacher training in India and has since taught all over the world, hosting retreats in Morocco, Malta and Mexico. 

Her next retreat will be held in Gozo from 9 – 16 September. It includes 12 classes, accommodation and healthy breakfasts. An additional retreat will be held in Gozo from 29 September – 1 October.

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Bye for now Malta

Thanks to all of you on Malta & Gozo for supporting my love and practise of yoga over the past 10 years.

My next ‘plan’ is to practise my preach of fluid flow as I leap into the great unknown to see what’s in store for this soul in me that is craving more growth & big change.

I have now left the islands for an indefinate amount of time hoping to resettle on the West coast of Canada at some stage.

No plan is my new plan 😉

I will always come back to Malta and when I do I will be hosting some retreats and/or classes so feel free to stay connected.

Wishing you all a beautiful journey into your self

Sat Nam

xxxx

 

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108 Sun Salutations for Spring Equinox / Sunday March 20th / Malta

,

The changing of the seasons – time to plant new seeds in fertile soil 😉 So here we have 108 Sun Salutations to open us up for new growth. Divine Sound will be filling the air with some bhakti beats.

The March equinox marks the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator – the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator – from south to north and vice versa in September

The word equinox is derived from the Latin words meaning “equal night.” All over the world, days and nights are approximately equal. Today, the Sun rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west.

At the equinoxes, the tilt of Earth relative to the Sun is zero, which means that Earth’s axis neither points toward nor away from the Sun. (However, the tilt of Earth relative to its plane of orbit, called the ecliptic plane, is always about 23.5 degrees.)

Enjoy the increasing daylight! See how your day “grows”

Why 108 Sun Salutations?

* To find FLUIDITY in repetitive movement without having to pay too much attention to instruction which allows us to draw inwards more
*MENTALLY you will feel more focused, disciplined, resilient, and committed to your yoga practice & self development
*PHYSICALLY you will feel stronger, more capable, more fluid and the connection to your body & mind will be much stronger
*ANAHATA (HEART) CHAKRA: The chakras are the intersections of energy lines, and there are said to be a total of 108 energy lines converging to form the heart chakra. One of them, sushumna leads to the crown chakra, and is said to be the path to Self-realization.
*DANCE: There are 108 forms of dance in the Indian traditions.

( for more information read this article: http://www.elephantjournal.com/2010/02/why-108-sun-salutations/ )

I will be guiding the sun salutes and keeping count as we all tune into the same rhythm. We will begin with a warmup and then dive into the salutes. The ‘class’ will end with a bit of a cool down and a restorative meditation session.

SUGGESTED TRAINING PRIOR TO EVENT:

********DAY 1*****2 **** 3 **** 4 *** 5******6

WK 1: *4sets*****8 *****12****16 ***20****24

WK 2: *24 ******24 ****24 ***24****24 ***24

WK 3: *36 ******36 ****36 ***36 ***36 ***36

WK 4: *48******48 **REST **4 ****54 ***54

***DAY 7 : REST WEEK 1, 2 & 3. WEEK 4 do *54 Salutes.
( I can’t seem to get the chart straight so hope you can make it out ok!)

Cost: 15 euros payable in advance to secure space and numbers.

Location:
*Buskett Forest
-park in the main parking area and walk straight through, past the orange trees and you will see a big open space with grass on the left. We will be there. I will post some signs to lead the way.

Date:
*Sunday March 20th/ 2016

Time:
*13.00 – 15.00

*THIS EVENT IS WEATHER PERMITTING SO PLEASE CHECK HERE IF UNSURE. WILL POST CONFIRMATION BY 11AM ON SUNDAY MORNING.

*Please bring your own mat. If you don’t have one please let us know and we will bring one for you.
*This event is best suitable for those with an intermediate level of practice, not suitable for beginners.

Be sure to bring some cosy clothes to relax and feel warm in. Once we start moving the heat will build up. We’ll be surrounded by GREEN once again, hitting the heart chakra.

1 = Higher Truth
0 = emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice,
8 = infinity or eternity

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Yoga Weekend Retreat // November 27-29th // GOZO

Refresh your body & mind before the festive season kicks into action. A weekend Yoga retreat in a beautiful farmhouse in Gharb/Gozo.

Retreat program:

Friday:
* 15.00 – Arrivals
* 18.30 – Welcome vegetarian dinner
* 20.00 – 30 minute guided mindful meditation

Saturday:
* 8-9.30 – Kundalini & Vinyasa Yoga
* 10.00 – Healthy Buffet Breakfast
* 11.00-14.00 Free time for relaxing, walking, exploring or perhaps book in a massage and/or spa treatment (must book in advance)
* 14.00 – Healthy Vegetarian Lunch
* 17.00 – 18.30 – Grounded / Restorative Yoga includes 30 minutes of mindful meditation
* 19.30 – Light, healthy vegetarian dinner

Sunday:
* 8-9.30 – Kundalini & Vinyasa Yoga
* 10.00 – Healthy Buffet Breakfast
* 11.00 – 12.00 – Departure

Cost:
*300 euro shared room
*400 euro single room

* The cost includes the whole program: accommodation, yoga, breakfast, lunch & dinner. Towels for showers and the pool area are provided as well as bathrobes.
*Yoga mats & blocks provided

*Retreat is limited to 8 guests only.
* Bookings via email:
info@michellebartoloyoga.com.
*Full payment required to secure your space.

*If you have any further questions please email me and ask ask ask….

CONDUCT:
*Please note there will be NO WIFI in the home. Mobile phones are not allowed to be used in the retreat home. Finding the real connection to yourself.
*No alcohol and/or smoking within the retreat home

PRACTISING PRESENCE
‘In modern Yoga retreat means to leave everyday business for a few days (weekend-retreat) up to weeks. The goal is to let go of daily stress and problems, which is for some people more easy when concentrating on yoga-practice & meditation. Retreats are also good places to meet others who are interested in Yoga.’

Namaste 🙂

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How does Meditation = Happiness?

How does Meditation = Happiness?
That big H word is all the hype these days. I’ve read copious amounts of articles with various titles such as:
How to achieve Happiness
What happy people do everyday
Do these 10 things and you will be happy….. Really? It’s that easy? Happiness these days seems to come with an instruction book!
The word meditation is floating around loads as well, but this one I can vouch for. It’s effective. It deals with what’s real, what’s happening NOW. It strengthens the team effort between your mind & body, the best ‘business’ partners you will ever encounter. When we live in the past it brings on depression, the future brings on feelings of anxiety and stress, the present equates PEACE. I think it’s a no brainer as to where we all want to be….
Happiness is a work in progress, a life long journey that is sometimes present and sometimes not. Meditation teaches us to sit with that. Meditation allows us to sit with whatever we are feeling and to feel that emotion and every layer of it with open arms. I’m big on using visualization techniques, when I ‘sit’ I like to pretend I’m an astronaut discovering my ‘inner space’.
So how can meditation make you feel happier?
I’ve been meditating pretty regularly for 8 years now. On average I do 30 minutes / day. In saying all of this please keep in mind that everyone’s experiences are different. That’s what makes us who we are. That’s what makes us feel happy. Being true to you. Not striving for perfection, but honouring honesty. Connecting with who we are, how we feel and what we believe in. We follow all of those things to be sure we are living a life that sets our soul on fire, that feeds our passion.
Meditation heightens your instincts & helps you find more security within yourself and what you want for yourself. It makes you feel calm because you’ve given the mind & body some time to listen to what they’re saying & how they’re feeling. No distractions. Through meditation we discover ourselves by developing this intimate relationship between your mind & body. The breath is all about that connection. If there’s no breath there’s no relationship.
I was dumbfounded when researching the effects the mind has on our whole lives that Western science has only JUST starting studying the effects of the mind on the body 50 years ago. Ayurveda ( based on the idea Hindu tradition of balance in bodily systems and uses diet, herbal treatment, and yogic breathing) started their studies with the mind thousands of years ago. These ancient traditions stand strong & wise.
Many people have all of these ideals around the whole subject of meditation. All it’s about is being PRESENT. Sitting & committing to some silence and listening. Listening to all things PRESENT cause that’s where we find PEACE. You listen to the sounds around you, to your breath & to your body. You sit and LISTEN as if you were with your best mate. Ears wide open. This is a mindful meditation technique which is more practical and grounded, it’s very useful in our everyday lives. Most people’s lives have become so busy, so unconnected with the use of social media and the focus on where we’re going as opposed to where we are. The mindful meditation practice allows us to observe where we are and to learn to flow through life’s waves, finding a balance between the action & the stillness. The ironic thing in my experience of teaching meditation is that people find it the hardest thing to do, when all they have to do is NOTHING.
You can do 5 minutes/day, you can do it while waiting in a que. Make your time work for you. It’s part of the self care we need in this day & age. I can’t sell this technique, you have to find the courage to stick through the unravelling of the mind and come out the other end with more space & freedom. It has to be tried & tested.
“There’s so much noise in the world today that we’ve forgotten to hear the beautiful sound of silence”
 Presence brings peace….what are you choosing?
Thanks for taking the time to read, all the knowledge in the world means nuthin without practice….
Shanti, Shanti
***************
*Meditation mornings will be starting up @Lily Agius Gallery this coming Spring.
 For further information please email me: info@michellebartoloyoga.com
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Yoga & Sailing Holiday / Malta to Sicily / May 16-23 // May 23-30th 2015

A Mediterranean adventure: discover the beauty of the Sicilian and Malta coasts! In a week immerse yourself in two countries, hundreds of years of history, blue Mediterranean sea, amazing food and wines and … yoga on the beach every day!

Costs & What’s included:

  • Double en-suite: £1,537 per person
  • Single en-suite: £1,999 per person

What is included in the price

– Accommodation in a double-bedroom cabin with en-suite bathroom. Or single occupancy of a double bedroom.

– All yoga sessions.

– All activities

– All meals in local amazing restaurants to discover the real Mediterranean cuisine (Breakfast on board)

– All drinks: herbal teas, mineral water, when on board.

– All transfers

– Tour manager 24/7

– Professional skipper and crew

– Professional yoga teacher

 

What is not included in the price
– Extra Wines and Drinks during meals

NB: In each yacht there are only 4 en-suite double bedrooms, so it would be easier and cheaper for our guests to have a friend/partner to share the room with. I hope our guests understand that this kind of accommodation is pure luxury and it is for a limited number of people.

Availability and booking

Please give us a ring or drop us an email to check availability and request a booking form.

Please email me on: info@michellebartoloyoga.com for further information.

This is your itinerary:

Saturday

– 1.00pm Airport private transfer service collects you from Catania or (even closer) Comiso airports. Transfer to Marina di Ragusa where the yacht is moored.

– 5.00pm Welcome Meeting with Yoga Instructor and organizers
+ info about activities
– At 7.30pm A delicious, vegetarian Welcome dinner & early night if you need to recover from an early start/flight

– Night tour of the Baroque town of Ragusa Ibla

Sunday
– 1.00am Starting sailing overnight and waking up near Malta!!! Awake to a refreshing, cleansing fresh lemon & ginger tea before the uplifting morning Sun Salutation yoga session.

– 8.00am Yoga session in the Blue Lagoon beach in Malta. Amazing!!
– 9.30am A nourishing breakfast of fresh juices, sun ripened fruits, eggs, cheeses, cereals, yoghurts, bread, croissants and herbal teas.
– 10.30am All day to relax, sun bathing, swimming, snorkelling, meditation, reading…basically feeling that Life is good!!

– 4.00pm Yoga session
– 5.30pm Sailing to La Valletta
– 7.30pm Dinner in one of the typical restaurants of La Valletta

Monday
– 8.00am Each day begins with the morning tea ritual of lemon & fresh ginger tea to help you awaken from your slumbers. Morning tea is always followed by an inspiring, uplifting Sun Salutation and yoga session in one of the beaches nearby.
– 9.30am Breakfast
– 10.30 Sailing back to La Valletta, Full-day sightseeing around this amazing city
– 6.00pm Yoga session on the beach
– 7.30pm Dinner in one of the typical restaurants of La Valletta

Tuesday
– 8.00am Yoga session.
– 9.30am Breakfast.
– 10.00am Sailing to the small island of Comino.

– A dip in Comino fantastic beaches. Time to relax, snorkelling, sea swimming, ….. usual ‘Life is good!’-feeling day!!
– 6.00pm Yoga session on the beach
– 7.30pm Dinner in one of the typical restaurants of Comino

Wednesday

– 8.00am Yoga session.
– 9.30am Breakfast.
– 10.00am Sailing to the island of Gozo.

– A dip in Gozo fantastic beaches. Time to relax, snorkelling, sea swimming, …..usual ‘Life is good!’-feeling day!!

– 2.30pm Visit of Victoria the ancient capital of Gozo
– 6.00pm Yoga session on the beach or on the boat
– 7.30pm Dinner in one of the typical restaurants of Rabat.

Thursday
– 8.00am Yoga session.

– 9.30am Breakfast.
– 10.00am Sailing around the island of Gozo to discover amazing bays, coves and secluded beaches

– A dip in Gozo fantastic beaches. Time to relax, snorkelling, sea swimming, ….. usual ‘Life is good!’-feeling day!!
– 6.00pm Yoga session on the beach
– 7.30pm Dinner in one of the typical restaurants of Gozo

Friday
– 8.00am Yoga session.
– 9.30am Breakfast
– 10.30 Sailing back to Sicily
– 4.30pm Arrival in Marina di Ragusa
– 6.00pm Yoga session on the boat

– A stroll around Marina di Ragusa
– 8.30 Aperitifs and goodbye dinner in a typical Sicilian restaurant

Saturday
– Leaving day: rise & move slowly, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a final wander into this little town before our airport return transfers. Bet you feel fantastic!
– Transfer to Catania/Comiso Airport after breakfast

 

 

 

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Yoga & Meditation Weekend Retreat // GOZO // March 13th – 15th 2015

If you’re feeling like you need to break away from it all and indulge in a bit of self care & peace then this weekend has your name all over it.

Our Schedule:

FRIDAY:
*3pm onwards ARRIVALS
*6.30pm Vegetarian dinner
*8.30-9pm Guided meditation

SATURDAY:
*9-10.30am Yoga (Vinyasa & Kriya practice)
*11am Healthy Breakfast
FREE TIME
(massages can be booked if interested)
*5-6.30pm Yoga & 30 min meditation
*7.30pm Healthy vegetarian dinner

SUNDAY:
*9-10.30am Yoga
*11am Healthy Breakfast
*FREE TIME
*3-3.30pm Guided Meditation
*Check out 4pm

COST:
*300euros/ sharing
*350euros/ single

Our accommodation is simply stunning. Set in the quiet village of Gharb, overlooking the sea, sunset and a lovely garden. If the weather permits we can do our yoga outdoors by the pool.

Yoga mats and blocks are provided. The accommodation also provides towels and bathrobes which is all included in the fee.

*If you have any special dietary requirements please advise me upon booking.

This retreat is kept intimate with a maximum number of 8 guests. Full payment secures your space.

For bookings and/or further information contact:
info@michellebartoloyoga.com

Shanti Shanti

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108 Sun Salutations / Spring Solstice / Saturday March 21st @ 13.00

Why 108 Sun Salutations?

* To find FLUIDITY in repetitive movement without having to pay too much attention to instruction which allows us to draw inwards more
*MENTALLY you will feel more focused, disciplined, resilient, and committed to your yoga practice & self development
*PHYSICALLY you will feel stronger, more capable, more fluid and the connection to your body & mind will be much stronger
*ANAHATA (HEART) CHAKRA: The chakras are the intersections of energy lines, and there are said to be a total of 108 energy lines converging to form the heart chakra. One of them, sushumna leads to the crown chakra, and is said to be the path to Self-realization.
*DANCE: There are 108 forms of dance in the Indian traditions.

( for more information read this article: http://www.elephantjournal.com/2010/02/why-108-sun-salutations/ )

Myself and Dini Martinez will be guiding the sun salutes and keeping count as we all tune into the same rhythm. We will begin with a warmup and then dive into the salutes. The ‘class’ will end with a bit of a cool down and a restorative meditation session.

SUGGESTED TRAINING PRIOR TO EVENT:

********DAY 1*****2 **** 3 **** 4 *** 5******6

WK 1: *4sets*****8 *****12****16 ***20****24

WK 2: *24 ******24 ****24 ***24****24 ***24

WK 3: *36 ******36 ****36 ***36 ***36 ***36

WK 4: *48******48 **REST **4 ****54 ***54

***DAY 7 : REST WEEK 1, 2 & 3. WEEK 4 do *54 Salutes.
( I can’t seem to get the chart straight so hope you can make it out ok!)

This event will be donation based and 50% of funds will be donated to a charity ( we are still deciding on which one!)

Location:
*To be announced

Date:
*Saturday March 20th

Time:
*13.00 – 15.00

*Please bring your own mat. If you don’t have one please let us know and we will bring one for you.
*This event is best suitable for those with an intermediate level of practice, not suitable for beginners.

Be sure to bring some cosy clothes to relax and feel warm in. Once we start moving the heat will build up. Keep in mind that we will be in a glass structure so nature is in view all around us. As is the colour GREEN, the heart chakra’s colour, inviting in all that LOVE for 2015.

1 = Higher Truth
0 = emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice,
8 = infinity or eternity

2015 – WE SALUTE YOU 🙂 Hope you can all join us. Please spread the word! We have a very large venue in high hopes to get lots of practitioners together to welcome Malta’s first 108 Sun Salutes!

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An interview by Dini Martinez @ The Sailing Yoga Family

http://yogicsailingfamily.wordpress.com/2014/11/11/malta-mondays-with-michelle-bartolo-yoga/

11TuesdayNov 2014

 Wowza! What a weekend. First, survived another 50 knots past our mast during a cozy hot chocolate and movie night with the boys down below. Then productive morning (last spurt of internet before it left us) handing in my final exam of a five year spectacular Ayurveda course and finished editing another fantastic Happy Dancer video (next post… watch out!). Featured in a local video shootage. Fullmoon promenade walk en famille. Sunday morning, lectured 70 psychology students on mindfulness at the University of Malta, followed by a beautiful Yin Yoga class at the Gallery, as usual, on a Sunday after-noon. Couldn’t ask for more.

While honouring its rich history and intriguing culture, Malta feels so alive and contemporary. I’m keen to share it’s aliveness with you, not only through our own experiences, but also by portraying inspirational local people and businesses of the kind that follow their hearts, dreams and passions. The kind of people you meet who make you have hope in the world. The kind who make you feel warm in the heart. The kind who make you go home and pursue your passion also because the sparkle in their eyes is a living prove that life doesn’t need to be mediocre. Life can be ANYTHING you want it to be.

Every Monday when I feel it, I will be asking someone the same seven questions from this i-spot of civilisation in the midst of the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea. What a better person to start this series off with than beautiful Michelle Bartolo, my yogini in crime who I will be running next week’s booked out blissful Yoga retreat on Gozo with.

8

You in a few words
I’m have been an active type of person most of my
life. I’ve always enjoyed working in health & fitness and then that led
into yoga very naturally. It was time to find some peace in my life. Yoga
has taught me more than my years off the mat has. I’m so glad I followed
that path.

Your business in a few words

I host classes, workshops & retreats on Malta & Gozo and have been
teaching now for 10 years. I don’t feel like I’m ‘working’ as such and that
is something I’ve always wished for. There is never a day that passes
where I feel like I’m doing something that I really don’t want to do. My
passion for this ‘work’ has lasted more than other job I’ve had in the
past. You work on a very personable level with people and it can be
incredibly intimate, energising and somewhat overwhelming at times. That’s
the reason why I love it so much.

Your greatest inspiration

My greatest inspiration is humans themselves. We are amazing creatures
and so different in many ways. Through the retreats I meet many people
from all over the world and it never seizes to amaze me all of the
different things people do. I feed off my clients as much as they get from
me, it really is a two way road. I have always ‘felt’ a lot, and somehow
the connections in classes turn into this pretty magical jam session where
we are all involved creating a song as we learn to move to different
beats. Watching how everyone does the same move different and how they
flow in different ways always amazes me. Without them I couldn’t do what I
do.

Your biggest dream

Dreams, ah yes I have lots of those. To pinpoint which is the biggest
dream is the hard part 🙂 I really want to take my teaching to another
level, and am currently trying to get it implemented into the kids
physical education system here in Malta. I just imagine what it would have
been like to grow up with all of this mind & body awareness. That’s top of
my dream’s list as well as taking it to troubled countries where the
people could really use the techniques to find some peace on the inside.

Your favourite quote

My favourite quote…ohhh again, I’m full of clichés. But I think this
one lies very close to the top
IF YOU’RE NOT LIVING ON THE EDGE, YOU’RE TAKING UP TOO MUCH SPACE” ( no
idea who’s words they are though)

Milestone moments on the path to get where you are today

My first yoga class. It connected me to something I hadn’t connected to
before. I was 27 years old at the time. Once I found the teacher who
really resonated with me I knew it was what I wanted to be doing. It was
more clear than anything in my life has ever been. There was no question
about it. That meant a lot to me cause I was always so unsure of what I
was going to do. I just floated with lots of freelance gigs but there was
no focus. The practice really made me feel grounded and that for me was a
milestone I had been searching for. Yoga has always been my answer since
then.

And the future?

Ahh the dreaded question of the future….
I’m very much a here and now kinda gal. I just want my health on a
physical and mental level. To have close friends whom I can trust and
family that I love around me. To continue doing what sets my soul on fire
no matter what.

68

 

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More on Michelle and her yoga at http://www.michellebartoloyoga.com

 

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