Mindfulness Yoga, Hiking and Cycling Retreat

Daniela de Girolamo specialises in Chi Kung and Yoga and is as enthusiastic about teaching a willing learner as she is to practise it herself. Having spent the last 18 years studying and working as a Shiatsu therapist, Ayurvedic massage therapist, Yoga teacher-trainer and Chi Kung and Yoga instructor, she firmly believes in the goodness of holistic healing. So, regardless of age, gender or concepts, all you need to do is enrol for Daniela’s class to embark on the process. What renders Daniela truly accomplished is her in-depth understanding about how the elements of nature manifest, and more importantly, how they are represented in the human body. Every human being experiences a different level of energetic vibration and these manifest through the body, emotions, mind, and spirit. It was while working as a Shiatsu therapist that Daniela was attracted to Chi Kung, and immediately developed a bond towards this ancient Chinese practice. Initially she would attend 4-5 sessions a day to remain healthy and energetic. But given its positive impact, she decided to continue, and went on to complete two years of training. Based on the concepts of Chinese Traditional Medicine, Chi Kung aims to stretch and streamline the body’s energy channels in a fluid and harmonious way. Regular Chi Kung practice makes you strong both internally and outwardly. Not only does it build muscles, but also strengthens the internal organs, improves digestion and enhances the quality of sleep. Menstruation/menopause, respiratory and cardiovascular rhythm and inherent immunity are other areas that benefit from Chi Kung. Because all movements and exercises work directly on the energy channels of the body, they are related to a specific organ/viscera which represent thoughts and emotions. For example, if you work on an exercise that targets the energy channel of the stomach, there will be an improvement in digestion and muscular strength and elasticity. You will also slip into a state of relaxation and would be better prepared to handle stress and anxiety. There are a series of exercises, and while some are meditative and static, others involve movement and provide a great physical workout. All exercises are associated with a breathing technique and aim to cultivate harmony in movement. Breathing consciously causes the body to re-align naturally and find its balance. Chi kung encourages self-healing and creates a feeling of well-being, thus prompting a feel-good factor. When Daniela sees the positive impact of her classes on different segments of the community, it brings her joy and contentment. A farmer once told her that after two months of Chi Kung he was able to harvest his olives again after years of his back not allowing him to do so. A person with depression told her about the feeling of vitality that floods him every time he practises Chi Kung. A woman weaver and entrepreneur told her that her creativity at work was awakened after a class. Another person with heart and circulation problems said that on days when she practised Chi Kung, she was able to relax and sleep much better at night. All this and much more is what motivates Daniela to share her knowledge and practice every day with passion and enthusiasm.

Emily’s passion for her work is based on people accessing their fullest potential by connecting to their fullest expression of self. Breaking down what may have held us back and stepping forwards and upwards into a beautiful expansion of our lives. Using a variety of breathwork techniques you will find tools that help you move through your days with more ease and flow. On longer journeys with the breath, you can delve deeper into the power that is within YOU accessed through the simple yet powerful breath. Breathwork is an amazing way to drop down from the mind and into the body. Our incredible, beautiful bodies. The breath gives us a way to move from the conscious quickly and easily to the unconscious and open the doors to what lays within us. Opening these doors means moving beyond the self and social limits expanding to our fullest, most tangible life experience. What often causes our general discomfort in life is not fully being who we want to be, living how we want to live, not risking enough or being as creative as we want to be. We can be held back by both fear and numbness and the way out of this is through it. She wants to help you see it all, to reveal it, revel in it, rage in it, weep in it, celebrate it, rejoice in it, feel the whole thing, that is the way to get there! She creates a safe space for you to drop into your bodies, for your embodiment from the inside out, to express it and deepen your connection to your Self and to all of the beauty of life around you.

Inma Carmona is a Senior Dietetic Technician. Her interest in dietetics stemmed from the belief that nutrition can be independent of fad diets and obsessions. At Evolve, she strives to guide you towards eating a healthy and balanced diet and never skips a beat in emphasising its importance. Using nutritional education as an effective tool, she teaches you how to create personalized menus that prioritise foods rich in vitamins and minerals for boosting energy levels. It has been scientifically proven that creating good lifestyle habits is fundamental to achieving overall well-being and remaining protected from illness. Since these habits have a major impact on women’s hormonal health, particularly during menopause. It is important to be conscious towards them and make changes as and when required. To this effect, positive lifestyle habits can help alleviate typical menopausal symptoms by optimally regulating hormones. Despite having completed her education, Inma continued to acquire new knowledge, especially in context of women’s hormonal health. Her work and practice led to interactions with women who suffered from a variety of conditions, like polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, lipoedema, or those who were at the brink of menopause. Given her vast experience, you can look forward to plenty of patience, affection and empathy from Inma, as she coaxes you to build a healthy bond with food. As she says, “My passion is to help you in your best project – YOURSELF!”

Lourdes Bueno is a Sports instructor and personal trainer, social health caregiver and lover of childhood and nature. She entered the world of yoga and this practice helped her open the door to her inner world. In order to consciously live the fullness of life in all its aspects and to feel more consistent with what she wants, what she feels and what she does in her day to day. Lourdes enjoys sharing and learning each step through body awareness to improve posture and understand body mechanics. From self-care and self-knowledge without demands and from the pleasure to gradually integrate the multiple benefits of this practice and at all levels (physical, energetic, emotional, mental, and spiritual) Her aims for the retreat programs that she will be supporting MENOPAUSE In this special stage, of greater serenity, heightened intuition and maturity, yoga can bring us closer to being more connected with ourselves in order to achieve a more conscious transition. We will practice fluid movement and body awareness to mobilise energy and establish a greater connection with our body and its physical, mental and emotional needs in addition to breathing exercises to reduce symptoms and increase energy and vitality. FITNESS The objectives of yoga transcend the integral well-being of the physical body. In this space we will combine sequences of dynamic asanas to gain flexibility, resistance and balance to strengthen the muscles and tone from a conscious practice supported by the breath to deepen in a more precise training adapted to all levels. Working the body, listening and caring to better integrate personal practices and thus regulate the intensity relieving tensions and resistance. WELLNESS Yoga Wellness is a practice with the intention of returning to our centre to act in coherence and harmony in our lives. During the practice we work with pleasure to free ourselves from stress and connect with our body, get to know its energy centres and shape them through the elements. In this practice we go into the depths of the conscious and the unconscious to put it at the service of our evolution.

Born in Utrecht, The Netherlands, Ron describes himself as an optimist, adventurer, epicurean, connector and entrepreneur. His list of successful climbs includes Mont Blanc (4.807 metres), the highest mountain in Europe, Kilimanjaro (5.895 metres), the highest mountain in Africa, and Aconcagua (6.962 metres), the highest mountain in South America. In addition, he has also conquered the highest peaks in Russia and Antarctica. Ron’s proclivity towards walking/hiking stems from scientific evidence that points towards the various benefits that this form of physical exercise. Because walking outdoor triggers the production of the happy hormone, serotonin, not only does it boost health but also enhances overall well-being. A study involving 20,000 people in England showed that people who spent at least two hours a week in natural surroundings seemed to be more content and at peace. This positive impact is evident even if you just sit outside in a park, the beach or the woods. Walking is a proven antidote for overcoming mental stress and its related problems, like anxiety and depression. During the hiking sessions at Evolve, Ron often asks his clients to evaluate their mood before and after the nature walk. Most people admit to feeling calm and balanced following an outdoor walking session. Various ways in which walking improves health are – Strengthening heart muscles and bones, burning calories, reducing excess body fat, and boosting muscle power and endurance; Reducing your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2-diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers; Replenishing vitamin D in the body; Building the immune system by triggering production of white blood cells; Having a positive impact on gut health by encouraging growth of good bacteria; Healing the trauma of pain; While Ron likes to hike on his own, he lets others follow their own preference. You can choose to walk with your family members or friends, or pair up with a walking buddy in case you lack the motivation to venture out on your own. So, all you need to do is put on a pair of walking shoes and step outside for at least 20 minutes every day to appreciate the goodness of nature. In addition to the multiple physical, mental and emotional benefits, an outdoor hike could provide lasting memories, like a beautiful sunset, frolicking squirrels, chirping birds, wild flowers in full bloom, and so on.