You have to admit: The popular and often preached "Dolce far niente", the "sweet idleness", certainly has its charm. Nevertheless, the question arises as to why luxury boot camps are springing up like mushrooms around the globe, why there is hardly a location (from the beach to high peaks) where yoga is not practiced - or why one is confronted with the agony of choice and a huge abundance of sports offers in most luxury hotels. Probably because it's in demand; loosely based on the motto: "Active relaxation and renewed energy are better than lying bored in a deck chair." And this trend is really becoming more in demand. Sports while travelling or travelling for the purpose of exercising - both are possible, as is the integration of personal sports rituals into holidays. In any case, sports away from familiar surroundings can be liberating and also offer a successful change of pace. Boot camps are perhaps the extreme form of a sports holiday: sweat and lots of drill are included. Numerous providers dedicate themselves to exactly this form of sports holiday. The advantages are clear: you can get your body in top shape while being inspired by beautiful surroundings and testing your personal limits thanks to this offer. However, boot camps usually focus not only on hard training, but also on perfect culinary coordination and relaxation. In practice, this means that during the day you can train your body with yoga, hiking or boxing, while in between you can relax by the pool and enjoy the culinary delights or a cocktail - in this case even without a guilty conscience.

Best of Coaches

Kim Ingleby

Kim Ingleby from Bristol is a multiple award-winning "Mind & Body Coach", as she calls herself - so she's not just a classic personal trainer, her range of activities goes far beyond that. Incidentally, she was also once quite officially voted the best personal trainer out of 1500 applicants from 43 nations. "Unlock your
potential" is the credo of her work. Ingleby is not only a coach for body and mind, she has also often appeared as an author and speaker. She penned the paperback book "30-Day Challenge. Get fit inside and outside", a guidebook on how to achieve greater physical and mental well-being in just one month. The Brit founded her company Energised Performance in 2004, coupled with a sincere desire to help people improve their fitness, wellbeing and performance. Ingleby is definitely the place to go if someone wants to pursue a specific goal.

kimingleby.co.uk 

Fitness Bootcamp Berlin

They see themselves as "the outdoor alternative to the gym": Fitness Bootcamp Berlin is, as the name suggests, located in the German capital and also offers small group training throughout the year. Guided by professional trainers, strength, endurance, coordination and flexibility are trained. Head of the bootcamp (and trainer himself) is Harald Klotz, a Crossfit Level 1 trainer, medically certified personal trainer and functional and athletic trainer. He also has expert knowledge in the field of mobility and fascia training. A passionate athlete, Klotz enjoys infecting others with this enthusiasm. He guarantees that his customers are motivated to give their all and push their limits. By the way, anyone can participate, whether beginner or advanced. Among other things, a distinction is made between boot camp training and circuit training.

fitness-bootcamp-berlin.de

Barry Jay

Barry Jay, the man even the stars rely on, is a personal trainer who has built a global network over the years. In the early 1980s, Jay moved from the East Coast (New York) to Los Angeles with the original plan of becoming a songwriter in his luggage. Officially, the American started his career as a customer service representative at a gym in West Hollywood - until he discovered the myriad benefits of a fitness career for himself. "I freely admit that I didn't choose the fitness world, the fitness world chose me," he says of himself. The startup trainer now runs studios in all US states as well as Canada, Australia, many countries in Europe, Qatar, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. By the way: Barry Jay is the favorite of many world stars, including the Kardashians, the Beckhams and many Victoria's Secret models.

barrys.com.

Engadine Fit

Thanks to Engadin Fit, the benefits of targeted training can be skilfully combined with the scenic and climatic advantages of the Swiss high valley. The low-oxygen air allows guests to tickle reserves out of themselves quite fundamentally; the owner of Engadin Fit, Erik Vliegen, is at the same time the one who accompanies his customers on the path to personal well-being. The qualified
Physiotherapist, personal trainer and medical masseur offers personal training alone, in pairs, in small groups or also for companies. In terms of training locations, Engadin Fit also stands for plenty of flexibility - whether indoors or in the great outdoors. And the reason for choosing personal training at Engadin Fit can also vary: Therapeutic personal training is recommended for example
in case of health problems or after surgery; but the motivation can of course also be different: With personal training, you can also get to the dream figure, the personal desired weight, the targeted treatment of problem areas and much more. Athletes are also in the right place here, especially athletes in the areas of popular, competitive and endurance sports. The "Silver Ager" target group (i.e. people aged 60 and over), who want to maintain or improve their fitness, mobility and independence, is also being promoted.

engadinfit.com

Yoga and Pilates

Hardly any other sport has conquered the most extraordinary settings like yoga - practicing sun salutations on a picture-book beach in the Maldives, in the middle of the desert or on an impressive mountain peak is no longer a pipe dream. In addition to breathtaking views, there's the best feeling in the world on top of it, namely the unity of body, mind and soul. There is a huge range of yoga holidays on offer, as well as many wellness hotels that have included Pilates in their programme. The somewhat lesser known Pilates is a holistic workout that combines the benefits of yoga (stretching and concentration) and competitive sports. It represents a combination of exercises to increase concentration, coordination and stamina.
Pilates retreats are available in very special places around the world. Of course, the best workouts would only be half as good without the best coaches - working with a personal trainer is also becoming increasingly popular and can give people an incredible advantage in achieving their health and fitness goals. Tip: especially beginners should book personal trainers!

Yoga types

Hot Yoga

As the name suggests, Hot Yoga is practiced in a hot room. Depending on the type of hot yoga, temperatures range from 27 to 38 degrees Celsius. The origin of Hot Yoga is considered to be Bikram Yoga, which Bikram Choudhury made popular in the early 1970s. In Bikram yoga there are even stricter specifications.
Here, the room is heated to an impressive 41 degrees Celsius and has a humidity of 40 percent - Bikram Choudhury wanted to mimic the air conditions in India, so to speak.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is the classical variant for yoga beginners; by the way, the word "Hatha" is derived from the words "Ha" for sun and "Tha" for moon. Symbolically, these terms stand for heat and masculinity as well as rationality and femininity. Hatha yoga is about creating a balance between these two poles. The starting point for spiritual development in Hatha Yoga are the physical postures, the asanas.

Hippie Yoga

Even that exists! The "Gecko Hotel & Beach Club" offers hippie yoga on the island of Formentera - including a view of the crystal clear turquoise sea water and the white sandy beach, of course. The organizers promise: "The casual hippie flair and picturesque surroundings of the island of Formentera are the perfect backdrop for passionate yogis who want to connect between their inner self and nature."

geckobeachclub.com

Flow Yoga

A yoga flow is something like a meditation in motion. What's special about it is that you don't take a break between the individual yoga exercises, but move smoothly from one asana to the next. This in turn means: breathing and movement merge - so
you get into a dynamic flow.

Ashtanga Yoga

This yoga style is considered the hardest of all, because it is dynamic and physically really very demanding. In Ashtanga yoga, the asanas are performed as connected flows, which means that the individual exercises are connected by flowing transitions, and the positions are also changed quickly.

Best of Yoga Festivals

Mountain Yoga Festival St. Anton am Arlberg

The world-famous ski resort is now well known in the yoga scene. Already since 2016, international yoga teachers and nutrition experts meet in St. Anton to practice yoga, hike and sweat with yoga and nature enthusiasts for four days. "Stronger together" is this year's motto of the festival - the fifth edition takes place from
9. to 12. September, the festival pass costs p. P. € 275,-.

mountainyogafestivalstanton.at

Telluride Yoga Festival

Many yoga fans consider the Telluride Yoga Festival to be the best in the world. Surrounded by some of Colorado's most rugged peaks, Telluride is far removed from everyday life, quite literally: Located 45 miles from the nearest traffic light, it's hard not to get lost in solitude and focus on yoga. The Telluride Yoga Festival is a unique and special spiritual experience!

mangalayogatelluride.com.

Barcelona Yoga Conference

Not a classic yoga festival, but a conference - the next edition will take place from 7 to 12 July 2022. The Barcelona Yoga Conference is something of a "yogic celebration" that people of all ages and backgrounds can attend. Guests can expect an open-hearted meeting with the world's leading yoga teachers and music artists, who create a platform for learning, experiencing and discovering - and of course for intensive exchange.

barcelonayogaconference.cat

Best of Yoga Teacher

Patricia Thielemann

Spirit Yoga" in Berlin is her realm - Patricia Thielemann is one of the best-known yoga teachers and can look back on many years of practice in the USA and Europe. She gained national fame especially through the "Spirit Pregnancy and Postnatal Yoga Program", which she created. In addition, Thielemann has also appeared as an author, writing for professional magazines as well as books; she has also produced her own series of audio CDs and DVDs. "Spirit Yoga" itself conveys the ancient tradition of yoga to modern people of today in a true-to-life, free-spirited and lively way. The "Spirit Yoga" style, shaped by the Power Vinyasa flow, as developed by Patricia Thielemann, forms a bridge between traditional and Western-influenced yoga styles.

Patrick Broome

He is the yoga instructor of the German national football team and author of the book "Yoga for men". This work is something like a guidebook on how to get the man on the mat - in addition, it reveals why yoga is just something for men. Of course, the book is also worth reading for ladies. Patrick Broome was born in Germany, grew up in California, and now lives in Munich with his two children. He has been teaching for over 20 years, trains yoga teachers internationally and runs the PBY training academy.

patrickbroome.com. 

Sianna Sherman

Sherman is an international yoga teacher and has trained more than a thousand people in her lifetime. "Every woman is a goddess" is a well-known statement of Sherman's, and she always likes to add to that, "When I was growing up, no one showed me what was really inside us women. We're full of energy." Sianna Shermann is guaranteed to discover the "goddess" in every woman - the American has already held yoga classes at the "Stanglwirt" in Going am Wilden Kaiser, among other places.

siannasherman.com

Best of Hotels

Six Senses Portugal

Fresh look in the spa and fiery food concept

The "Six Senses Douro Valley" nestles on the slopes of one of the most beautiful wine-growing areas in Europe: Situated in a picturesque valley (Unesco World Heritage!), surrounded by mountains and the Douro River of the same name, the historic property dates back to the 19th century. Recently, Six Senses Douro Valley surprised with a fresh look in the Six Senses Spa and Open Kitchen. One of the new features in the spa is the water experience in the pool - this has been equipped with many modern elements, making it not only a special but also therapeutic experience. For example, the integrated hydrotherapy circuit features powerful jets that massage the legs, lumbar area and neck. The underwater LED chromotherapy is stimulating, while the underwater sound therapy has a calming effect. The fitness room has also been newly equipped with brand new, state-of-the-art fitness equipment. The indoor yoga studio, with its magnificent panoramic views, is the perfect place to practice Aerial Yoga, a yoga method to relieve pain, refine body balance and alignment, and improve flexibility. Mysteriously, the giant mirror that stretches from floor to ceiling on one wall doubles as a screen: allowing guests to participate in all kinds of workouts online - whether yoga, Pilates or meditation classes, led by health experts from around the world, with live interaction between participants and instructors. Things are fiery in the Open Kitchen - the "Fire Bar Menu" lives up to its name and is the star of the new gastro concept. The philosophy behind it: "Working with fire brings us back to our roots and connects us with life." To complete this concept, a Dry Ager has been installed to celebrate the best dry-aged meat. Price in the winter season from € 190,- p. p. and night in a double room with breakfast.

Six Senses Douro Valley*****, sixsenses.com
Quinta Vale de Abraão, 5100-758 Samodães, Portugal
T: +351 254 660600

Amanjena

A new challenge every day: four days to test your limits

Inspired by the pink buildings of old Marrakech, the palatial "Amanjena", part of the exclusive luxury hotel chain Aman, is located just outside the fabled Red City. The resort boasts shaded courtyards with fountains leading to the central basin that feeds the beautifully landscaped gardens. Within these you'll find 40 spacious, detached guest pavilions with private pools. The architecture is inspired by Moorish heritage, with pisé-de-terre walls, vaulted ceilings and decorative arches. As well as the private pool, relaxation can be found at the Aman Spa, with two marble-clad hammams and four private treatment rooms. Ideally, the decision to visit a wellness oasis is made after an extreme desert and mountain sports programme, which the Amanjena is offering this autumn and which allows guests to experience the resort's tranquil surroundings, the beautiful Agafay Desert and the striking peaks of the Atlas Mountains; in a very special way: For active and adventurous guests looking to test their strength and endurance, each day of the program offers a new challenge, such as a long-distance run in the desert, a 60-mile mountain bike excursion or a mountain trail run. Included in this adventure is a customized meal plan with plenty of balanced carbohydrates and nutrients for renewed energy and strength. Speaking of culinary delights, the Moroccan restaurant of the "Amanjena" is located in a quiet courtyard. Here, exquisite dishes are conjured up from ingredients from the region, juxtaposed with menu creations from all over the world. In addition, private culinary experiences are offered in the midst of the old
Olive grove of the "Amanjena". Price from € 398,- per person and night in double room with breakfast.

Amanjena*****, aman.com
Route de Ouarzazate km 12, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
T: +212 5243 99000