Lucia Yoga Retreat - Stretch Your Limits

I decided to follow my yoga teacher, Kristel Khagaya, to a beautiful Lucia Yoga retreat center in April 2025 without consciously realizing how far the adventure would stretch me outside my comfort zone. Physically I had been doing weekly yoga for the last 4 years and walking about 45

Eye-level view of a serene landscape with a calm lake and mountains in the background

minutes maybe about every other day. Given my current location in The Netherlands (Paesi Bassi, the low country, as the Italians appropriate name it) where it's pretty flat, my hiking skills left a lot to be desired. But I love how being immersed in nature makes me feel energetic and alive and I was quite confident that my yoga teacher would get me through the challenge.

As we climbed two hours from the city of Malaga into the Andalusian Mountains near the sweet town of El Gastor, I felt a bit car sick and mostly quite unsure if I could handle the four classes plus hiking every day. Though participation was totally voluntary, knowing me I would not be too keen on saying I was opting out - that's the competitive little girl still inside me.

Upon arrival I was assigned a lovely private room in the tower and when I opened my window I was greeted with a gorgeous view of the grounds and mountains. After one regenerating yoga class and a delicious, home-style vegetarian dinner prepared by our very own Spanish chef and eaten family-style around three big tables, I began to realize that my ambitious goal to get through the five day retreat was within reach.

Each morning we rose at 6:30 to start yoga around 7:30, a delicious buffet style brunch at 10:00 with lively discussion about where to hike and visit in the coming days. One memorable excursion went out to Ronda. With more than 20,000 steps that day, we enjoy fantastic views above and below the viaduct and I returned with colorful Spanish pottery I enjoy in my kitchen today.

And before heading back to The Netherlands on a late afternoon flight we enjoyed almost a full day in Malaga.

Like to join me on my next trip to Lucia Yoga Retreat in Malaga where I will join forces with great yoga teachers and offer group coaching? Say YES! and send me a message to meet our group there in 2027.