Gabriela Bozic, MA, an internationally renowned yoga teacher, holds a master’s degree in linguistics and advanced certification in Jivamukti Yoga. She leads workshops and trainings internationally and is an established presenter at yoga conferences worldwide.

Her classes integrate both physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of yoga into modern lifestyle without losing sight of the ancient and universal goal of the practice-liberation. Gabriela is known for her dynamic, passionate, life-loving and thorough approach in teaching, skillfully blending mystical and practical teachings of yoga in her classes. Her optimism and vivaciousness are contagious; therefore, you may find yourself laughing, dancing and singing in her classes too. Her personal goal is to inspire and motivate students to live an empowered life in truth, understanding and non-judgment and by integrating yoga into their lifestyle to make this world a more joyful, more peaceful and more loving place.

This week 20.-22.04.2012 she is heading to Switzerland with stops in Bern at Daya Yoga, Zurich at Yoga for Life and Byoga in Basel. In May I will be spending more time in her home town Munich teaching some classes at Jivamukti Munich.

Wellicious is proud to support SOS Children’s Village in Peru – a social enterprise which is close to our Founder’s heart. Today there are eight SOS Children’s Villages in Peru which are home to over 850 children. In addition there are fifteen projects attached to the villages providing education, social and medical care for the local communities.

Each of us in the Wellicious team is proud to sponsor an individual child from SOS Children’s Villages in Peru.

This is Aleja’s child from the Arequipa Village. At 6 years old, he is the youngest in the family and the centre of attention… amongst his siblings. He loves food and eating and gets very excited when his adopted mother is making chicken for dinner : ) He loves dancing, Judo and playing on the swing. He gets very excited about going to school in the morning and in the evenings likes to play with his little car and teddy bear.

SOS Children is the world’s largest orphan charity, caring for children with no one in 123 countries. Read more and sponsor a child!

This spring our Wellicious Fan Ariadna went to Bali. Delving into what Bali is all about - all things health & spirituality. Luckily, there are plenty of places on the island of Gods to do that.

As a dedicated Spa junkie, she decided to test out a different kind of healing resort just outside Ubud, called Fivelements. The fact that this newly opened sanctuary of holistic health has already won the Destination Spa of the Year Award made the place even more desirable.

Every single aspect of Fivelements is designed to bring the guests in line with the resort’s two guiding principles. The first one, Tri Kaya Parisudha, encourages you to align your thoughts, words and actions. The second principle, called Tri Hita Karana, is looking at harmonising you relationships with other people, the environment and the Divine. Sounds like quite a task? Well, the resort has all the right tools at hand to guide you through that journey of transformational change.

It starts immediately as you arrive and sink into the resort’s ambient energy of care and support. A deep sense of comfort is all over you, and no wonder; the property’s design goes in line with the Balinese feng shui and is similar to that of a traditional Hindu temple. It has the “head” turned towards Bali’s sacred mountain (the reception area); the “body” where all the activities happen (dining and treatments) and the “feet” where the resort’s seven accommodation rooms are located, with the generous amount of space in between.

Pretty much the entire place is made out of bamboo with plenty of symbolism woven in. Just a little example: the biggest yoga hall resembling an oyster-shaped mountain has two roofs that come together towards the top, representing the duality of life. Its entrance points towards the water and the exit towards the mountain symbolising the cycle of life.

An ambient sound system throughout the resort playing devotional music adds to the meditative atmosphere.

Now, that’s just the surroundings. The actual programme at Fivelements is three-fold, combining traditional Balinese healing, Sacred Arts and Living Food.

The process starts with identifying your challenges, which may involve analysing the patterns from your past, looking at pitfalls in your current lifestyle, and setting the goals for you to achieve during your stay. Based on the “diagnosis” the therapist recommends appropriate healing rituals, most of them being a combination of meditation, mantra chanting and energy work. Surrender in capable hands of native Balinese healers and enjoy Holistic Massage with Prana combination, Deep Healing Reflexology, Acupressure, Invigorating Bodywork and Muscle Release, Chakra Balancing, Prana Healing… the list goes on.

Having spent some time in this oasis of nourishment and transformational healing, not only do you leave rested, rejuvenated and quite possibly free of some deep-seated conditions and shifted mindset. You also get equipped with some tips and tools that can bring about some profound changes in your daily life.

Best way to embark upon a new healing journey at Fivelements is to do a Pancha Mahabhuta retreat for at least five to seven nights.

If you want to read the full article: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ariadna-bakhmatova/transformational-healing-_b_1418789.html?just_reloaded=1

Yoga can be a great activity. It is the perfect way to boost your body and mind and can have significant health benefits. However, if you want to make the most of this discipline, it’s important that you have all the right gear and it is worth it to invest in yoga accessories e.g. thick yoga mats for more comfort.

For example, you must feel comfortable and confident when you take part in the sessions. Therefore, investing in gorgeous yoga clothing is a must.

Also, it’s key that you have the best quality of yoga mats. These items are a crucial piece of kit. Many of the positions you are required to adopt while taking part in the discipline involve sitting or kneeling on the floor and if you don’t have the right level of padding, you may find this to be uncomfortable.

Luckily, it’s now easier than ever before to find the ideal mats. Here at Wellicious we appreciate the importance of these items and go out of our way to offer the best around.

One of our most popular creations is our Eternal Yoga Mat, which certainly lives up to its name! The mat is ethically made in Germany and meets the very highest specifications. It is produced using premium materials and is thicker than standard versions. Therefore, you should benefit from optimum comfort when using it.

This can make completing your yoga classes much easier and more pleasurable.

Meanwhile, these yoga exercise mats also look the part. They come in vintage rose colour and have a gorgeous infinite print of Mandalas, which is the Buddhist symbol for religious rites and meditation. This can help you to get into the mood. Have a look at our competition page and take the chance to win an Eternal Yoga Mat.

Being pregnant is not easy. While you may be excited by the prospect of becoming a mum, you may also be feeling considerably worse for wear at the moment. Carrying around all the extra weight and coping with the hormonal changes, tiredness and so on can really take its toll.
However, there are ways in which you can boost your body’s resilience and ensure you are as well prepared as possible to deal with the arduous task of giving birth.
For example, you can invest in gorgeous yoga clothes and start taking part in this superb form of exercise. Alright, so heading off to keep fit sessions may be the last thing on your mind right now, but yoga is different. You can select a version that is ideal for someone at your stage of pregnancy and the routines are meant to instil in you a sense of peace and control.
Also, rather than tiring you out, yoga and Pilates can invigorate you and loosen you up.
Meanwhile, donning your maternity yoga pants and other such garments and heading off to classes helps you to strengthen your muscles, which is very important for the latter stages of pregnancy and for the birth itself.
And, when your baby has been born, you can keep up your exercises to help you recover your pre-pregnancy figure.
So, purchasing yoga or Pilates workout clothes and accessories may be one of the smartest things you can do right now to help you get through this physically demanding time of life.

The Alpine Yoga Retreat will take place in The Peak hotel which is a newly built property in the heart of Sainte Foy. It includes eight yoga sessions with the local Alpine yoga specialist Charlotte Saint Jean. Enjoy plenty of free time to simply relax or explore the stunning tranquil surroundings in the wonderful summertime atmosphere the French Alps. For people who want to do some other sportive activities you will find a broad range of choices between e.g. rafting, biking or mountain walks. For more information please visit: http://www.premiere-neige.com/downloads/yoga.pdf

We would love to announce that Thich Nhat Hanh will guide a sitting meditation on Saturday 31 March at Trafalgar Square, 2.30pm. This is a free event and everyone is warmly invited to join in this celebration of peace. Sitting meditation is one of the ways to contemplate peace. You are invited to sit together in silence, generating the energy of peace, solidity, and freedom. This event is open to everyone, all ages, from every path, experienced or not. Watch a clip of June 2011 Flash Mob meditation at Trafalgar Square here. RSVP to Facebook event invitation here.

You can see Wellicious stylish Nice Cropped Tank in the Beauty Book Spring/Summer 2012 of the ELLE April issue. The fabric of the tank contains up to 92% organic cotton and shows once again that it is possible to combine Green and Glamorous. You can wear the Wellicious Nice Cropped Tank in Hot Yoga or intensive Pilates classes and all sorts of sporty activities, including the gym. It’s also great to team up with fashionable transparent tops like our Button Beauty V-Neck Top. The variety of colours offers numerous combination possibilities.

At last, the worst of the winter weather is largely behind us and it is now time to look forward to warmer and more pleasant conditions. Temperatures are starting to rise, the days are getting longer and flower beds, hedgerows and so on are beginning to awaken after their chilly hibernation.

At this time of year, you might start to enjoy a renewed sense of optimism and drive. To complement this spring feeling, you may benefit from slipping into some stylish and attractive and colourful yoga clothes and taking part in such exercises.

This ancient discipline can be the ideal way to enliven your body and mind and it can provide you with a sense of rejuvenation and vigour.

There are many different versions available and so you shouldn’t struggle to find a class that suits you. Whether you want to participate in more spiritual styles of yoga or wish to don your yoga pants for more active and fitness-boosting sessions, there should be the perfect classes for you.

And, if you do not want to head to group sessions, there is always the option of making use of DVDs at home instead. By following the instructions provided by the on-screen instructors, you can make the most of what yoga has to offer.

Of course, to get the most from this discipline, it is important to ensure you have the perfect women’s yoga clothing. This enables you to look the part and feel completely relaxed and comfortable.

Here at Wellicious we have the perfect garments for you and your yoga or Pilates class. Our products are superb quality and look simply stunning. The SS12 collection comes in a variety of colourful, fresh and vibrant designs.

Enjoy reading Wellicious Fan Claire Finlay´s diary in three separate blogs on our website about her experience of teaching on Vamizi.

Claire is packing it all in for a fabulous getaway to teach on an exclusive retreat on a private island called Vamizi…

Part 3

Wednesday

The morning yoga session flows well with everyone easing into the routine effortlessly. Working with such a small group means I can give plenty of individual attention and be very hands-on with adjustments. We focus on standing postures and the warrior series in particular seems like a firm favourite.

The rest of the day is allocated to diving, snorkelling and kayaking. Although Vamizi Island is lauded as one of the top 10 dives sites in the world, I’m struck by the fact that you don’t have to go very deep to see the eye-catching marine life that’s on offer. Snorkelling opens up a beautiful world of colour-rich coral and darting shoals of fish. Kayaking at the lagoon on Muntu Nkulu leads us to a beautiful driftwood inspired lunch on a hidden beach. Wow! It is quite simply stunning.

We finish off with yin and yang yoga. A dynamic sequence to warm up and then more meditative postures using our breath held for 3-5 minutes to help us focus. The silence was eerie but what a session… I read a lovely passage from my favourite Poet Rumi and play some soft Adele songs to keep the awareness HERE AND NOW!

Thursday

It’s our last day today. We all join in to chant ‘bhumi mangalam’ and its magic resonates, leaving everyone beaming from ear to ear. The class flows with ease; we slow it down and finish the class off with headstands. A few float up with ease while others find a wall for support. I offer guidance to one guest who finds her balance and slowly adopts an impressive headstand. I later find out that it’s the first time she’s been in an unsupported inversion and I am thrilled to be able to share her achievement.

I close the class with big thank you and share my feelings on the whole experience. I have to avert my eyes a few times as it all gets a wee bit emotional… for everyone!

There is a hive of activity at breakfast with everyone exchanging addresses and numbers. Favourite juice and smoothie recipes are being discussed. Wellicious clothes are being tried on guests are delighted with the 20% voucher that guests found in their welcome gift pack. Compliments are flying around about the great time that everyone has had and feedback forms are passed around and completed. I make sure that there’s still enough time for an afternoon on the beach and lunch before we depart.

We leave Vamizi Island on a high and board our plane ready for the flight over to Dar Es Salaam. We stay overnight at the staggeringly elegant Oyster Bay, which I hear is a favourite haunt of Cheryl Cole and is the perfect end to a wonderful launch retreat. Reviewing the feedback forms words such as energising, pampered, relaxing, liberating, beautiful, rejuvenating and pure. Someone mentions that the staff were supreme and the teaching great. I sleep with a big smile on my face looking forward to the next retreat on Vamizi in November.

Life after Vamizi

I arrive back home on Friday evening, overjoyed to see my family again but not exactly over the moon to find London grey and drizzly. After reminiscing with my tales of Vamizi, I head to bed as I’m back to work at 7.30 am with my London clients. The next day, even though my Fulham studio doesn’t quite match Kipila Shala the island’s yoga studio, the thoughts and energy of Vamizi are with me. To say it has left a long lasting impression on me is an understatement and I thank my lucky stars that I’ve been given the opportunity to experience it.