I don’t know about you, but as New Year’s Eve approaches I’m starting to assess last year’s resolutions and what I should do differently this time round.
Sticking with the same old goals will most likely bring the same old results … which is why I’m thinking it’s time to do something a little different this year. And I’m inviting you to do the same.
I’m challenging you to drop the plans for another boozy New Year’s Eve celebration in an overcrowded venue, with people who feel forced to celebrate because “it’s NYE”, and instead consider spending a week focusing on your health, happiness and wellbeing with like-minded people. Did I mention the location is epic?
I’m talking about a week of discovering – or perfecting – the art of yoga. Yes, yoga. Before you stop reading, thinking this isn’t for you, allow me a moment to explain.
This isn’t any regular yoga retreat.
This is LUXYOGA.
This is a holiday in the South of France that will blow your senses as it’s specifically designed for those who want to improve their health and sense of self through yoga practice with internationally renowned teachers while enjoying the finer things in life.
Founder Benjamin Sears describes it as: “Going to stay with your offbeat rich Uncle who will expose you to slightly eccentric practices at his beautiful, fully-staffed property in the South of France.” And by “slightly eccentric practices” he means yoga.
The food at Lux is essential. As Benjamin says: “We all dine together and food matters to me. A lot. Organic, seasonal, local – all that goes without saying. Eating is a sacred pleasure that represents love of life. Here, you will love life because of how you eat. You will savor ingredient-driven cuisine fit for the great dining rooms of the world at a communal table overlooking the Mediterranean coast.”
Ben’s family has a name in the high-end restaurant industry. His sister spent twenty years working for triple Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud before opening her own restaurant, Rotisserie Georgette in New York. His hosting skills he learned from his Mom, who was known for her Cap Ferrat parties in the Seventies!
But aside from being a great host, Ben is also an incredible yoga teacher recently named “one of fifteen teachers to study with now” by Yoga Journal. I did a workshop with him in New York last year and he really strikes the right balance between making the practice challenging but accessible for everyone – even if you’re a complete newbie.
He’s also highly respectful of the body and exploits yoga as a form of healing and to restore balance. Before starting yoga, Ben was suffering from two herniated discs plus multiple tears in both knees from sports and, despite a high level of what is often called fitness (he looked strong), he was in terrible pain.
As he put it, it was either yoga or back surgery. Yoga it was. He developed such a liking for the practice that he dropped a career in advertising and product development and made it his vocation to help others find balance through its practice.
Yoga is an incredible catalyst for transformation. Believe me, I was reluctant to try yoga for a very long time but it’s a truly powerful practice, not just physically, but mentally and spiritually, too.
Yoga has the ability to connect us to our true inner-self, unleashing an empowerment that we can transcend from our mat into our day-to-day life. In doing so, we live in alignment with the essence of who we really are. And that is truly life changing, much more so than a few New Year’s resolutions.
So if I were you I’d just cancel all those crazy New Year’s Eve plans and surrender to being a student to that slightly eccentric Uncle for a week, make a life-long friend or two (a side benefit of going on a retreat) and watch your life shift in a way you never thought possible.
You’ll thank me later.
Maddy is the Founder of Nutrition For Naughty People, aimed at helping individuals find a better balance between the things that keep them healthy and the things that make them happy! Any questions? mk@nutritionfornaughtypeople.com.