Yogis, Farts and Hare Krishna

Catalunya, December 2022

It‘s been the second time, Tamsin and I had come to this remote place in the mountains, to Amara Valley Retreat Center, two hours north from Barcelona. Our greek friend Ioannis and yoga teacher from Formentera was holding a three-day Yoga retreat and Tamsin invited me to come over, before heading off to Portugal.

We already knew the schedule and enjoyed six hours of daily yoga exercises, including breath work, chanting and meditation. I at least tried to chant and meditate but still failed tremendously. Because my main concern laid in improving flexibility and strength. It takes years, actually decades to become a real yogi, yes. But Tamsin and I don’t care as long as we do something good for our bodies and relax our never resting minds. It is actually very difficult to cut off the thoughts and relax for meditation. Especially when your stomach is digesting those yummy vegan and abundant dishes served three times a day. So much plant based protein and fiber to work on, causing lots of air that needs to get out! We all fart around like hell, whenever and where ever.

It reminds me a little of those yoga sessions in the 80ties our mothers took us to, when aged around twelve. Lots of yogis farting or menstruating around, eating brown rice and vegetables and singing Hare Krishna songs. So, nothing has changed really, besides that we are the old farts now!

The sauna sessions in the evenings are relieving. We jump in the ice cold pool after and feel totally renewed and youthful again. Since this spring, I am trying to convince my boyfriend unsuccessfully to build me a sauna in his garden, beside the lettuce and tomato plants. He has other things to build and repair on the house instead, like the solar system or the big well. Territory and housing are entirely self sufficient and sustainable but since there is a lack of sun due to bad weather, the solar panels are too old to keep up with growing energy requirements.

Meanwhile, Tamsin and I, refilled with energy, drive back to Barcelona sunday afternoon to catch up with her hubby and daughters, spending a lovely family evening together.

Next morning I fly to Seville, drive with a rental car three hours to Faro airport and pick up Joseph arriving from Berlin. We will spend a couple of days together checking on the latest building site of our house.

Back to business!