holymama | ibiza
photo by anouk van baal / capturing light ibiza
my first experience of a yoga retreat, with both of my children by my side – at holy mama Ibiza, in early summer 2019
A yoga ‘retreat’ with children in tow – isn’t that an oxymoron? Yes and no. HolyMama is one of very few offerings where mamas can both immerse themselves in restful, guided daily yoga practice, and take their children along for the beautiful ride – a concept dreamed into being by founder Claudia Spahr, a mother of three, whose work and home lives are one and the same. The team she has assembled – of deeply caring, intuitive, warm women, who scoop the children up each morning to provide immersive and inspiring activities, from eco-paint making to yoga and nature walks, are HolyMama’s greatest asset. Once happily immersed, mothers gather for yoga on the sun-dappled deck. Our teacher, Sylvie Bader, is exceptional. Focusing on the pelvic floor with subtle adjustments and authoritative guidance, we all feel the benefit – Bader points out that, often, the bigger and more ‘showy’ the movement, the smaller the internal benefits (an analogy for life too, surely).
Once soothed and liquid-limbed, mums get almost two hours to rest and brunch. All food is vegetarian here – and we feast on seasonal soups, fresh, zesty salads, grain bowls, homemade seed breads, dips and wholesome desserts. Then – off to collect the children from the neighbouring villa and hear all about the fun they’ve had (their laughter an ever-present echo around the grounds). From newborns to 10-ish year olds, the kids form an easy tribe. Older children play for hours with the babes, and a happy ‘adoptive sibling’ set-up prevails; safely exploring the beautiful enclosed grounds, with ponds, trees, vines & flowers, collectively watched over by the mums and HolyMama staff. Shoulders drop & family bonds reinforce.
The kids’ meals are hit and miss – those kids with a limited repertoire can struggle (food can feel either distinctly unfamiliar or too child-like in texture), while the weaned babies do well out of it: happily guzzling freshly-made purees, fruits & veggies – but the HolyMama kitchen crew are ever-patient and amenable: wholesome, freshly made pasta and pizza makes an appearance a few times too (met with cheers).
Returning home from an evening women’s circle, to find our children singing and cuddling Ana (a joy-incarnate being, to whom we all became very deeply attached), encapsulates the uniqueness of feeling here: one of universal family, trust & love.
