Yoga holiday in Malaga, Spain

October 10th – 15th 2011

Please check www.centropuntodeluz.com for further details.

Punto de luz

Venue and accommodation information:

Punto de Luz means Source of Light in Spanish.

Spectacular natural beauty and perfect Feng-Shui combine to create a superb location where one can truly experience living in harmony with nature.

Nestling amongst the Andalucían Mountains, 815 metres above sea level, Punto de Luz is within walking distance from the traditional Spanish white hamlet of El Cañuelo.

One of the many attractions of the centre is its breathtaking views. With mountains on three sides, the centre rests beside an open valley with a grand vista of both Lake Viñuela and the Mediterranean Sea.

Punto de Luz was originally designed for yoga retreats and therefore lends itself beautifully to all activities that require a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere in a secluded location, as discovered by the television series “The Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses” who shot their first season at this location.

Whatever your needs, you will be most welcome and surely inspired at this beautiful house.

Guest rooms are arranged around a central patio area separate from the core building, creating the perfect environment for absolute comfort and relaxation. Each guest enjoys en-suite accommodation and unlimited use of the fantastic salt water swimming pool.

Delicious nutritious vegetarian cuisine of the highest quality is on the menu. Meals are prepared using local seasonal produce and, with a Mediterranean flavour, recipes are a clever blend of modern and traditional fare.

The opportunity to indulge in one of several holistic therapies enhances this Yoga Holiday experience.

Massage, Reiki and healing complement the retreat activities perfectly. Personalised consultations with a nutritional therapist are also available.

Punto de Luz

Additional information:

Rooms

All rooms are single with en-suite bathroom and terrace and all are equipped with a desk with a salt crystal lamp. The décor is rustic with a touch of ethnic. There is a maximum of 10 people to each holiday with Jonathan which keeps things personal.

Core building

The heart of the core building is the Lake room which has a stunning view over Lake Viñuela and the Mediterranean Sea. The Lake room is used for meal times and also as an indoor area for yoga or any other group activities. In winter the room is heated with under-floor heating and a fire place. In a corner there is a juice bar that also serves the usual bar drinks and coffee.

Just outside the Lake room there is a large terrace where one can enjoy food outdoors or simply relax taking in the view.

Work areas

At the centre there are four main areas for guests to use: the Lake room, the central open patio, the yoga platform and the newly extended area around the swimming pool.

The Lake room is a fantastic spacious area for all indoor work. The room is extremely bright and can be used as yoga studio, workshop area, conference room or simply to socialize. The terrace just outside the Lake room can also be used for group work.

The central patio is really the heart of the property and with its relaxing water feature in the middle and beautiful natural terracotta tiles it is the perfect location for calm meditation or evening yoga practice.

The platform, located at the top of the land, is a secluded open space with tiled flooring; its view is different from that of the Lake room and is perfect for morning yoga sessions with its spectacular view of the mountains and the rising sun.

The newly extended 48 square metre wooden platform will add yet another area to practise yoga or simply relax beside the swimming pool.

Swimming pool

Punto de Luz

The salt water swimming pool is always a favourite with guests during the long Spanish summer and it is open for all the guest to use.

With a maximum depth of 1.50 the pool measures 12 metres by 7 meters.

The swimming pool is also a fantastic place to watch the sun set!

Parking

For the guests who arrive at the centre by car, there is free 24 hour parking available just outside the property but the last 100 meters of road is a good-condition dirk track.

The Meals

The venue is a vegetarian centre. The food is prepared using only fresh, seasonal and locally grown ingredients (where possible from within Andalucía).

The centre tries to buy most of the vegetables directly form a neighbouring farmer in order to get the freshest produce and support the local economy.

All food is prepared using olive oil that comes from Periana (4 Km from away) and no other fats so commonly used in restaurants. The use of dairy products and wheat is limited in the dishes and the centre instead has these foods as separate options. Eggs come from a local store and are organic.

Breakfast and lunch/brunch at the centre is normally light and fresh, always includes a raw dish and is accompanied by lots of fresh fruit while dinner is a more substantial affair and always has a pudding at the end!

The menus are carefully devised offering not only a balance of nutrients but an eclectic mix of raw, vegan and traditional Italian and Spanish cuisine.

During the day

At specific times the bar serves freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices and fresh coffee while tea, instant coffee, herbal infusions and snacks are available 24 hours a day for the guests to enjoy.

An honesty bar for alcoholic and soft drinks is also open 24 hours a day.

There is also the chance to arrange excursions by asking a member of staff.

Centro Punto de Luz and the planet

The centre is extremely aware of the impact that every human activity has on the planet so tries their best to minimise the carbon foot print.

For the refurbishment of the centre as much local material as possible was used and, where feasible, old building material was recycled. Unfortunately, it was not always possible so they are committed to paying back the debt to the planet by planting more trees within the property and elsewhere.

Non-toxic products were used for the decoration of all the rooms and communal areas creating healthier indoor spaces.

As part of the refurbishment they also turned the swimming pool from chlorine into salt water in order to minimize the use of chemicals and create a more natural water environment.

In an attempt to preserve the environment, the centre only use highly biodegradable cleaning products such as the ones marked by the European Eco-label eco-label, not just because they end up in the septic tank and in the land, but as sign of respect for the planet as a whole.

While they carefully separate all waste for ordinary recycling, they also make sure that materials that are not accepted in main stream containers reach a proper recycling point called “Punto Limpio”, (“Clean Point”).

All organic matter is instead, recycled directly at the centre on the compost heap.

Even in the office they are doing their best to minimize waste, recycle and use sustainable office supplies dinamo-papeleria.

The centre has a few simple green ideas for the guests during their time at the venue:

“If you wish to help us in our green effort during your time with us, here are some ideas:

Water

Andalucía is an extremely dry region so literally, every drop counts! If you could limit your consumption of water during your stay we would be very grateful.

Recycling

Guests are welcome to help us in our effort by using the big recycling bins at the front of the property where we separate our waste ready for recycling”.

Itinerary:

Punto de Luz

One 2 hour morning yoga asana class suitable for all level of students and a shorter one in the evenings.

During the day there are optional additional classes or meditation sessions held with Jonathan, for those who would like to explore the deeper meanings of silence and sound. These sessions will open you to your creativity using theatrical workshop techniques and will create a childlike presence in the mind. Jonathan’s friendly and fun manner will allow you to access your inner spirit whilst being immersed in beauty and nature at this wonderful venue.

If this is not for you, then there is plenty to do at Centro Punto de Luz. How about a relaxing massage or a stroll into nature?

You could further your Yoga practice in one of the many designated areas or take in the superb view from the juice bar with a refreshing beverage.

Included in the price:

Accomodation, Yoga, all meals and meditation workshops.

Not included in the price:

Flights – Skyscanner is a good place to Google flights and Easy Jet is cheap and easy.

Travel Insurance.

Transfers to and from the airport

Price:

£439 each person.