Yoga & Swim Retreat

Why yoga and swimming? Because they complement each other so well!

Due to my hip-osteoarthritis, I rediscovered swimming as a complement to yoga. Initially only intended as a therapeutic measure, I became more and more enthusiastic about it. I was in a swimming club as a teenager and swam competitively, but then for decades I only swam on vacation. Crawling was not my discipline, but is recommended for hip-osteoarthritis. So I just started crawling and more or less struggled through the water. The revelation came when I discovered the Shaw method, with which I have now learned to crawl no less than 2000 m easily and smoothly in the sea. 

It’s a real pleasure for my body to stretch out in the water — to feel how it carries me, yet also challenges me as I pull my arms through and sense its gentle resistance propelling me forward.

Through my Ashtanga practice, I develop the strength and body awareness to move with grace and control — learning to defy gravity on the mat, and then to flow effortlessly with the water in the pool.
It’s a beautiful balance between power and surrender, between effort and ease.

Program:
6 Morning Yoga Classes
The morning Ashtanga sessions will be led by Heike, mainly in the Mysore style, allowing for individual guidance and personal adjustments.
On a few mornings, there will be guided classes focusing on sun salutations and standing postures — perfect for beginners.
To close the week on Friday morning, we’ll practice a traditional Sanskrit-led Primary Series (optional, depending on the group’s experience level).

6 Afternoon Swimming Classes
After the morning yoga practice, we’ll enjoy a delicious vegan brunch and some time to relax before the swimming sessions in the afternoon.

Kathrin and Heike will be teaching using the method developed by Steven Shaw —  preparatory exercises on land, followed by pool training and four or five (depending the weather) afternoons guided open-water swimming in the sea. Beginners and experienced Shaw-Swimmers are welcome.