Escape for five days of yoga in the mountains
This summer, Grace Belgravia, the “it” networking club for women that’s just a hop away from Harvey Nichols, is inviting members and non-members to its spiritual Swiss holiday home at the Gstaad Palace hotel for two yoga retreats taking place over five days (June 26-July 1 and July 10-July 15, from CHF 3,747, about £2,600). Often not considered a summer destination, Gstaad has some of the most scenic views and walks and clearest fresh air – a particularly evocative setting for a downward dog. (Sorry chaps, women only for the yoga and diet plan, though there's golf, fishing, kayaking and other outdoor pursuits to keep you entertained).
Grace’s very own instructors will be flying into Gstaad for classes in both meditation and three yoga practices chosen for different benefits; Vinyasa, to stimulate the body with energetic flowing movements; Pranayama, to clear the body through breathing techniques; and Kundalini, to challenge thought and energy patterns. A 75-minute Jardin des Monts energising massage in the Palace Spa is included in the trip, but also check out the two-hour hammam experience involving a steam bath and a dip in the flotation pool. On that note, each evening there will be a gong sound-bath meditation – clothes on, in a group, no bathtubs involved – to encourage a good night’s sleep. And for those who’d like to switch up the yoga, there’s also a gym, Pilates studio, tennis and squash courts, mountain biking, hot-air ballooning, paragliding, horse riding, rafting and hiking to choose from.
Guests will also be offered the Grace Belgravia-designed “gut health plan” to balance bacteria, cheer up skin and mood, improve immunity and help with weight loss (save the champagne, cheese fondue and raclette served in the Gstaad Palace’s typically Swiss restaurant, La Fromagerie, for your next visit). Nutritional and fitness workshops will be taking place to help motivate and support yogis in their quest for spiritual and wellbeing alignment.
And guests set their own agenda – strict yoga bootcamp for women this isn’t. Instead it’s fresh air, and yoga for all levels. Ladies, climb every mountain, this one will be a treat.