A Haven for Yoga and Spiritual Retreat
in the Mountains of Malaga

Imagine wild orchids and lavender in abundance. Imagine little white dots of farmhouses nestling on green hillsides. Imagine lost tracks that wander, aimlessly beautiful. Welcome to Casa Mayor, an idyllic yoga retreat all of 45 minutes door-to-door from Malaga airport, located in the Montes de Malaga in about 60 acres of its own mountainside. So imagine that too! Take the wrong turning and 45 minutes by car could easily land you in Torremollinos heartland - tawdry and tacky - but no, head straight up into the hills and, instead, you discover all that is bright and beautiful.

Casa Mayor provides a retreat where people from all walks of life can come and feel free to be however they want to be.

Our trip was a pioneering one - we were the first yogis in as the plaster was still drying on the walls of the dedicated yoga and meditation studio. Our group made up eleven, including our teacher from the Cambridge Buddhist Centre, and a fellow-yogi whom she had asked to come as organiser and cook. We were a jolly mix, and an encouragement to budding male yogis as we had three in the group. Everyone was dedicated to getting the most out of a rare opportunity to go deeper in their practice, but the earnestness of the practice was more than offset by plenty of fun and laughter outside of the studio. And there was enough space for people to withdraw if they felt the need for quiet time on their own.

The daily routine created the perfect balance of rigorous yoga coupled with a much-needed chance to relax and do your own thing. We rose at 7 am. started with meditation at 7.30 am, had a short break and then asana practice from 8.30am for two hours. Brunch was at 11am, out on the terrace at the front of the farmhouse if the weather allowed - we visited mid-April - and then a work period from 12.30pm to 1.30pm when lunch was cleared, supper prepared and odd jobs done around the place. A simple rota stuck on the dining room wall ensured the jobs were shared out fairly and that everyone knew what they were doing when. The work period was short-lived and helped to create a warm sense of community so no one seemed to begrudge it. Indeed, it was while helping to erect a shower rail or chopping vegetables for dinner that you got the best chance to get to know your fellow yogis.

A period of free time until 4pm ensured enough of a breathing space to balance any intensity in the communal activity. You could sleep, curl up in front of the log fire with a book on cooler days, sunbathe by the pool on the hotter ones, or take one of several different paths from the farmhouse door either along or up the hillside to explore local plant and wildlife - including wild almond and olive groves - and to appreciate the stunning views and peacefulness of the place.

At 4pm we would gather again in the studio for a quieter practice, including pranayama and meditation. The days programme would close around 5.30pm, giving you an hour before supper, and then talk and cards by the fire. The farmhouse is very well equipped and comfortable with plenty of hot water so, while the living was simple we did not lack for anything. We had two or three sleeping per room, but for those preferring privacy, half a dozen ensuite doubles will also be available shortly. Our party ate vegetarian, a small chore even for the meat-eaters given the sweet-tasting plump freshness of the local produce.

We did allow ourselves a day off, when some of the party split to visit the old town of Malaga, others to go on a scenic tour of the immediate area and others to walk to the nearest village, Comares, about a two hours stroll away, if you took, the time to stop for coffee en route and to enjoy the beauty. There is certainly plenty to see and do in the area and you have all the delights of Andalucia on your doorstep should you want to take the time to explore further abroad, perhaps as an extension to your retreat.

Most of us had arrived tired and stressed, filled up with the usual daily pressures and concerns. It was amazing how quickly these melted away after a day in this beautiful place. Its a sanctuary away from the business of the world, but yet so accessible from it. The yoga practice was very beneficial, in particular for me the twice daily meditations. The group I shared this experience with provided great company. The food was delicious. But, more than anything, I came back home with my sense of perspective restored and something of the peace of the place in my heart. Casa Mayor had worked its magic.

Yoga Retreat Review by Ruth Shaw