Teaching in Egypt - March 2011

27 Mar, 2011

Back from teaching a wonderful group of people in Dahab, Sinai.

I am a very lucky person :) Again the Yoga holiday attracted a varied group of people. It has been great to share Yoga, share the experience of Dahab and watch bodies and friendships unfold.

Dahab is set on a lovely little bay. A bit of a diving mecca. It is nestled between beautiful coral reefs and dramatic desert mountains.

Upon arrival we found our very welcoming hotel, Blue Beach, right by the sea. The Yoga room was fantastic. On top of the hotel they built the wooden Yoga shala (house of Yoga), complete with coloured glass and tinkly lights. Being on top of the hotel meant we were spoilt for choice with the view of the mountains behind and the sea in front. We were able to start some of the evening sessions outside on the roof terrace, with the mountains and setting sun inspiring our sense of integration. During the evening class the bright sunny Yoga shala would start to dim as the sun sets and we’d turn on the soothing Egyptian lamplight, often providing a perfect environment for pranayama or mantra.

Breakfasts were huge and delicious. The staff were lovely, looked after us very well indeed. I think pretty much all of us took advantage of the wonderful massages at some point during the week.

Many of the group took advantage of the overnight trip into the desert (on the mid-week day off from Yoga sessions). This really was an experience not to forget, riding out in the back of a pick-up truck to a canyon that once was at the base of the sea, complete with fossilised coral reef, where we walked, climbed or clambered.
Our good humoured host, Mohammed got everyone through the trickier clambers still smiling. Meals we’d join our ‘family’ of Bedouins either at their home or in our camp for the evening. It was cold at night in the desert!..be warned. The meal they cooked up on a little camp fire was amazingly good and just what we needed. The following morning we were taken to our Camel steeds then of we set on a trek (after a rather amusing camel-mount). A fantastic adventure!

Between the Yoga classes there were such difficult decisions to make: what yummy food to have next, where to sunbathe, pool, beach, swim, snorkel or lounge? Perhaps a massage? Wonderful.

Thank you very much Dahab, Blue Beach, Free Spirit Travel and the inspiring group of students.

More photos on Flickr . If you have more photos to contribute, please add to the Facebook page .

Till next year!….