The Yoga Abode team travel to the fabulous Chateau Mcely outside Prague - setting for annual summer yoga holidays and a planned 42million euro Spa, which will nestle in surrounding woodland.
Think of Eastern Europen and you're unlikely to conjur up visions of castles, yoga and Spas. So it's a wonderful surprise to find my presconceptions shattered with a visit Chateau Mcely - a luxurious five-star retreat barely an hour outside Prague.
Yoga and castles aren't natural bedfellows - despite thegrowth of luxury yoga holidays, they are often still associated with strictly vegetarian food, punishing dawn starts and a strict ashram-style philosophy.
Nothing wrong with that, you may well say - and you'd be right. Increasingly, however, 'time-poor' consumers (and yogis) are looking to be pampered.
Former glory
Chateau Mcely does a great job at turning these expectations neatly on their head.
Predominantly known as an exclusive venue for weddings, conferences, corporate events and uber romantic getaways, the impressive building was bought by the Cusumano family in 2006 and dramatically restored to its 17th century glory.
Now a member of Small Luxury Hotels, the 24-room castle is imposing and impressive - with chadaliers, sweeping drive-way, family portraits and tapestries the outward theme is opulence and romance, and it's easy to imagine a wedding taking place in the grounds or stately dining room.
But there's also a more subtle strand to Chateau Mcely - a powerful mind/body focus that owner Inez Cusumano is keen to expand on.
Cusumano is an avid yoga fan and for the last two years, the chateau has hosted annual yoga weekends that incorporate healthy, gourmet cooking (though vegetarian options are currently limited) and plenty of chill-out time.
New spa
At the moment, the yoga takes place in the grounds or upstairs in the large Gold room - but from June 2010 retreats will take place at the chateau's new spa.
Plans for the Spa are in the early stages, an EU grant has already been given towards the 42m euro centre, which will total 1,000m square, including 600m of space dedicated to accommodation.
The Spa and new bedrooms will nestle in the forest outside the chateau and will boast and indoor pool, a double-height yoga space and five treatment rooms.
Cusumano is keen that the building will take place in an environmentally sensitive way, using artisan materials where possible and a broader range of therapy oils and products made from local herbs.
Despite the focus on no-expense-spared luxury in the furnishings and décor, a low-key but distinctive holistic thread runs through the hotel.
Cusumano is a deep believer in the psychological and therpeutic effects of essential oils and a complementary lifestyle - a focus that reminded me strongly of ayurveda, with an eastern european twist.
Large, plush bathrooms are equipped with pure, locally sourced bath oil - think cinnamon and orange blossom - prepared by Chateau therapists.
The products used in the spa are along the same lines, and unique to Chateau Mclely.
The massage menu includes a deep anti-stress cococnut therapy and a detoxifying honey pampering massage, including a detoxifying herbal bath, foot bath and langurous hour-long massage.
All this takes place in an atmospheric, candle-lit room on the ground floor. I emerged feeling pampered, renewed and horizontal.
The yoga
The Yoga Abode team were given a taste of the yoga offered by Chateau Mcely during its retreat weekends. We agreed the class was one of the strongest, thoroughly taught classes we had attended.
We were guided patiently into half an hour of lying-down twists, starting with a focus on the lower lumbar spine and working slowly up. Most yoga classes include only one or two spinal twists, so this focus on long, precisely held twists came as a surprise and challenge.
The territory was more familiar during the next part of the class, which comprised back and forward bends before a final focus on standing postures and inversions.
All the while, instructor Dr Aruna Singhvi led us through the poses with patience and detailed expertise. Singhvi, owner of Yoga Studio Prague, rightly refuses to be drawn into a discussion about what kind of yoga she teaches.
'It's all yoga to me', she says with a smile - and certainly I would hesitate to describe it as being closer to one style than another: the precision and depth of instruction meant that I almost felt like a beginner in the class, despite a decade of yoga practce behind me.
Born to a Hindu Jain family in Western Rajasthan, Singhvi grew up steeped in the yoga tradition, her father having devoted his life to helping the poor and sick and her mother being a bhakti yogi. She teachers, she says, from direct experience, and from a classical training resulting in a PhD in Life Sciences.
Once in a while it's valuable to practice some yoga that makes you look freshly at your own habits and physical capabilities - Singhvi's teaching reminded me that yoga is a continual journey of self-discovery. It gently reminded me not to become complacent.
When, in 2010, Chateau Mcley offeres retreats that combine Singhvi's teaching with a brand new, forest Spa, I expect this will be a yoga weekend to remember.
Chateau Mcely will be running a Ritual Cleansing Weekend from March 27 to March 29, 2009 to include a consultation with a nutritionist; Mind Body Spirit lecture; a herbal wrap treatment; and candlelight dinner. For details of the summer yoga retreat 2009, email reception@chateaumcely.com or see www.chateaumcely.com
.jpg "Baddha Konasana - Bound Angle Pose")
