Check out all meditation reviews.
Very disappointing. I don't work in central london so had to make a special trip into holborn for each of the 4 sessions. The venue was in a basement which was quite cold and noisy.
The first week, the main instructor Julie was on a retreat so someone else covered for her so we had to listen to her background and introduction. Then on the second week when Julie returned, we had to hear about her background. Not the best start to have two different instructors on consecutive weeks hence differing styles time spent on going their intros as well as each of ours.
The sessions themselves were more like self-help then meditation. Whilst I appreciate that one can learn through the experiences of others, I did not travel for 1 hour each way to hear about how the others in the group were stressed, couldn't sleep, etc. I went there to learn how to clear my own mind and to be still.
Very disappointing.
If you like talking about how you feel then you'll probably be ok with this as it was like a self help group. I was expecting it to be more like a yoga class so didn't enjoy it. I especially disliked the instructor's request for feedback after every exercise, of which there were only two ten minute exercises in the hour and a half session as the rest of the time was taken up with everyone expressing how they felt.
I was lucky enough to visit lifehouse twice last year and was pleasantly delighted by their new holistic approach to spa, having been to many other uk spas over the years. The cuisine was excellent, the best I have had at a spa, and the whole setting is fantastic. I went with a friend the first time and my 20 year old daughter the second. Both times were happily memorable and I am now booked in for my spring visit this year. No expense has been spared at this spa. The lakeside gardens are a lovely bonus and even the beginners boot camp is highly recommended! Go on, treat yourself now that their offers have begun!
Thank you for the healing time at this place -
Have good times -
Karl - Josef - Leopold - Wolfgang / Vienna
A nice location which is easy to find. The building is nice and also welcoming ,the the rooms are clean, tidy and well set up with lovely soft cushions on the floor an the chairs.
The pace of the session is just right allowing time at the start to check in and time after each meditation to process your experience of it. The therapist is welcoming , friendly and approachable and I felt at ease. Helpful tips on dealing with distractions, suggestions, and tools to help enhance your own meditaion experience at home an also dealing with stress is also given. All in all a good experience and no complaints.
First session was excellent; the leader really got us into the right mood, most people in the class were able to get into the meditation. Very relaxing and encouraging session. Facilities could have been quieter, but were quite comfortable. Good follow-up with emails on helpful tips.
Julie is an inspired and friendly teacher. The four week classes covered a range of meditation tools and tips and were really easy to follow. Each week different methods were explored with two types of meditations at each session. It's left me in the habit of regular practice and definitely feeling more relaxed.
Would highly recommend the four week course
I loved it and found it really helped me. From being sceptical I'm totally converted and would recommend meditation to anyone. The ladies who ran the classes were amazing, put everyone totally at ease and really helped. I just wish I could afford to do more...
When I recently had a series of colour therapy treatments with Natalie, I noticed a huge shift in my energy. Now I feel positive, relaxed and balanced! The Bioptron Lights she used had an instant effect, relaxing my body and melting away the pain I have had for months in my right shoulder. The results have been long lasting and more effective than previous courses of physiotherapy I have had. Natalie is an excellent therapist with a caring approach to diagnosis and treatment - you can feel she is sincere in her beliefs and approaches to treatment.
IT was a fantastic location in the countryside and a really good weekend - perfect balance of exercise and very useful workshops. I've loads of new info to take home and work on and feel like I've shifter my backside! Although those who are already quite fit may feel like they could be pushed a bit more, if you speak up they WILL do that (don't be afraid to speak up).
I'd thoroughly recommend this to kick-start a healthier lifestyle though if you want a bigger kick the 5-day option would probably be more effective for you.
The team are BRILLIANT.
This venue is lovely, uplifting and personal. Both teachers I took classes from were excellent and very hands on. I will continue taking their classes as well as attending some of evolves lectures and events. The two I attended were very worthwhile. A great place when you need to be a bit nurtured.
The location and the facilities were good for the price paid. The PT who did the classes with us was good and overall it was fun. However it should have been stated much more clearly that there were only a few hours exercise a day and that those exercises were at a very low intensity level. The retreat is well suited for people who have not done any exercise in a while and want to kick start a new regime but not really for people who want a weekend of intensive sport.
Julie is very welcoming, friendly and passionate about meditation and the benefits of it for every day. It is underlined that it spiritual and religon based practices that are taught. If anyone in the class has questions or particular problems then Julie is happy to talk during or after the class. Membership allows you to take a guest on occasion and access online videos to help practice outside of the class. I've found different techniques that work for me in managing stress and helping with my bp. Definitely worth trying and being patient to see the results, not a quick fix.
The practitioner is a really knowledgeable and inspirational lady who runs a great course at Dragon Hall. She is always keen to find out how you are getting on with meditation and takes time with each person to suggest what she thinks would be the best route to gaining the most from meditation.
I have found the classes very relaxing and therapeutic. Julie is a great teacher with this almost visible aura of calmness. I have learned some breathing and relaxing techniques that I can use every day now to find a balance in this busy world. I recommend the classes to anyone who would like to experience something new and make their life less stressful.
What a lovely experience practising yoga under Miska's expert eye is. She is extremely professional and knowledgeable, yet friendly, warm and kind; she makes every effort to ensure her lessons are calm, positive and fulfilling, giving personal attention to all present. I look forward to many other sessions with Miska and feel I can progress in her gentle care. You will leave her studio feeling thoroughly relaxed, confident and nurtured. Bliss!
I PAID 3600EURO IN ADVANCE FOR A 2 WEEK HOLIDAY FOR MY SON AND MYSELF . THE NIGHT OF OUR DEPARTURE I WAS EMAILED THAT I COULD NOT COME. THE OWNER WAS ILL . I GOT NOTHING OF THE MONEY BACK . LATER I FOUND OUT THAT TROUGH YOGA PEOPLE IN IBIZA THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE KNOW AS CON-ARTISTS. THE OWNER , GABY HAMILTON OR GABY HASTINGS , WAS NEVER ILL .THEY CHEAT PEOPLE ALL THE TIME . BASICALLY THIS PLACE DOES NOT EXSIST , AT LEAST NOT FOR THE PURPOSE YOU MIGHT THINK IT WOULD BE . IT IS A SCAM !!!
NICOLA KATZ
Great introduction to meditation by a passionate and experienced tutor. Would recommend to people looking to find out more about the benefits of meditation and learn a variety of meditation techniques. Just what I needed to kick-start my meditation practice. Thanks Julie!
I was surprised by the openness of everyone in the group - we all felt completely at ease. Each time i leave the class i am much more relaxed and calm. I have recommended the sessions to friends and share with them the benefits its had on me.
The offer via Wahanda was excellent. I called and spoke to the Reservations team asking if I could stay for 2 nights and was assisted with great care by 'Chris'.
Location of the Spa was perfect, away from the road. The grounds are very pretty. The room I was initially given was too noisy and I asked to be moved and upgraded by paying more for an another room which was a 'little' better for noise. The treatments by the Beauty team were OK. Unfortunately they seem to be 15mins late for each appointment with no explanation. When I asked the Beauty reception advised 'they were busy'. Facial was not good, I felt the therapist was following a routine. Massage was OK, but I've had better. The Complementary treatment was the just the best! Much care was taken before, during & after -top marks to the Therapist.
Food and restaurant was excellent. It did not matter if you were on your own, you were made to feel comfortable and not left so you were stuck out like a 'sore thumb'.
I made various comments of how I'd felt during my stay on the feed-back form and was advised someone would come back to me by reception. They never did which is a real shame as they've only been open since middle of December.
I have really enjoyed the sessions. The have helped me a lot!
I have learnt new meditation techniques
They are very friendly and are always happy to help
I will definitely come back!
I am a member at Julie's weekly meditation class. I have found both Julie as a teacher and her Meditation Class to be a very healing and empowering experience. Opening up my inner space has charged me with energy and focus to look at my life as a whole and how to change it and I suddenly have the courage to move forward in all areas on my life. It's been amazing in a short space of time and I would highly recommend it to anyone who feels stuck or unsure of what they want and how to get it"
Recently I asked a question on Wahanda about meditation and how to get started with it; I've suffered with anxiety over the past few years and also find London quite stressful - I want to slow down! Inspired by the film/book 'Eat Pray Love' I thought meditation sounded perfect for me and luckily Julie at Nature Meditations offered for us to go along and try out one of her free sessions.
Firstly I think this is a great idea, as in my experience people find meditation quite mysterious so it's great to try it out to see if it's for you before you buy into it. Julie started by explaining how she got into practicing meditation in the first place which was really interesting, and a lot of the points she made were things I could relate to.
We then tried a short meditation exercise, which simply involved closing our eyes and focusing on a word that made us feel good, breathing deeply and then exhaling the negative emotions. This was a good intro to what meditation is all about and was very calming!
We then had a 'de-stress tip' which Julie includes in all her sessions - in this case it was just on breathing properly, and a little technique to help ease anxiety. I found this so helpful and have already used it in the week since the session; it also broke up the class quite nicely.
We then finished with a much longer meditation, where we had to close our eyes, sitting comfortably and focus on one part of our body - the bit just below our nose! - which was surprisingly difficult to do. Julie's voice was very calming and helped keep us focused; any time a thought came into our head (there were a lot trying to surface in mine) we just had to acknowledge the thought but bring our focus back to this one body part, while breathing nice and deeply. I found it interesting that meditation was more about focus than just 'letting go' as I had previously thought, but it makes sense since most of the group were talking about wanting clarity and using meditation to focus the mind.
This was a great introduction to meditation and I can't wait to learn more through the membership - Julie's explanations really made sense to me and it's definitely something I will be continuing!
I attended a free session with Julie to see if meditation is for me. I'd not tried meditation before, only simple breathing techniques, so was really happy to feel that in just that one session I felt calmer and more at peace.
Julie has a fantastic way of explaining meditation and what it's all about, without making you feel silly or that you can't possibly do it. I felt completely at ease and was really interested to hear how meditation had helped her. There were two meditation sessions broken up in-between with a stress tip, with the second being more in-depth. I've honestly never felt so clear and able!
The sessions don't make you feel silly for "thinking". Julie explains that you just need to train your mind to be aware of those thoughts but not indulge them. As someone with a very busy and distracted mind, those sessions really helped me on my way to clearing out all the stress and feeling clear.
Wow that was a surprise! I came to check out the place and end up staying for an Intro. That felt so good -not much of a workout, but very detailed attention to my physical and mind condition, I felt very touched, cause usually don't have much time to focus on me, I released some emotional stress, that I knew was building up for a while. Then I came for a class, they did a Taichi - and I thought I was a yoga person - it was great - very smooth, but felt like a good workout. I'm hooked now and love it!
The centre exceeded my expectations, they met my demands and the therapist was very good, she made me feel comfortable. Me and my friends had a jolly good time and we returned again to have the same experience done- we have even opened up memberships to the fitness suite.
Flow Training came to my office when we were experiencing a particularly stressful time. We experienced a sense of well-being, joy and and an insight into to looking at the world with different eyes. Even now years later my colleagues still practise the exercises.
This class is balanced! Just enough stretching. Great breathing to relax. Peaceful, Quiet meditation! After just a couple classes, I feel much more mentally relaxed and muscle tension is much reduced. The instructors are genuine, caring and not pushy. The class is never the same old routine either. Love it!
Dahn Yoga has provided a life changing experience for me. When I first started I was in an emotionally low place after losing my job and moving back home with my parents. I found Dahn Yoga to be very helpful to relieve my stress and anxiety as well as give me something to focus my mind and energy on. After a few months I realized that I wanted more out of the program and have since taken many workshops and have felt my mind, body and spirit grow to much higher levels. If you're looking for a great yoga studio that focuses one more than just moving the body around you'll love it here!
Needed a much needed break after closing a tough deal but couldn’t take an all-out vacation. Booked myself at the Rafayel for the weekend since I live a couple of miles away and take advantage of their gym and spa that sounded nice. But the whole experience was beyond my expectations. After a run and weight training at a very well-equipped gym, I took an hour long session of yoga. Extremely relaxing and highly recommended for stressed out professionals out there. Hit the Jacuzzi after that. Wonderful. Booked myself for the entire next day for different treatments, massage, mani/pedi and facials. Lovely staff, great products used, excellent service. It was absolutely heavenly. The therapists are very professional and took great care of the sensitive spots. The best part was the whole feel of being out in some exotic resort, at fantastic prices! The hotel itself is lovely, huge rooms, great showers, the comfiest of beds! You can take advantage of the sun (like I did) and lounge in their Japanese terrace garden and soak in the clean crispness of the hotel and the outside and savour the delicious decadent and colourful cupcakes I carted off from the reception. The food at their restaurant was amazing; the lovely chef whisked up a customized dietary breakkie on my request (Thanks again J!). Ended up having both lunch and dinner there. You have to try their all-health Mediterranean-type of rocket/chicken liver salad. Absolutely yum! All in all, a great exotic holiday away from London in London and great value for money! Am already booked for 2 weekends a month until Jan. Highly highly recommended to all.
what i love about this place was the brainwave vibration! this is so true! i have severe lower back problem, sometimes i couldn't even move because of the intensity of the pain. I just did simple taking, moving my spine, hips, and shook away all my pain. It was an amazing experience! At the end of class i was getting better and better!!! I highly recommend this to everyone!!!!!
Great yoga experience. It really helped me reduce my overall pain. I feel great now! I was surprised at how simple the techniques are. And it's also fun!
Marina is a blessing in our lives. Her healing energy combined with knowledge and compassion makes her an amazing teacher and healer. She has helped my husband and me to regain balance in our lives after a very stressful time dealing with health issues. I can't thank Marina enough for all she has done. The best I can do is refer others to her and hope they will discover what we were able to find.... that balance and healing can be achieved in a joyful manner when a consistent commitment is made with the desire to improve one's well being.
****Great Ayurvedic Doctor in New York City, The Real Deal trained in India! ****
I wish I had met ayurvedic doctor, Dr. Reetu Rudra, 18 months ago, shortly after I turned 50 and just wasn't feeling myself. For 18 months, I had spent so much time and money going from one medical doctor in NYC to another, getting nowhere. Although I knew and was so thankful to be "healthy" on paper, I was low on energy, not sleeping well, was anxious and had various symptoms that couldn't be attributed to anything "medical" according to the MDs in New York City.
Over the years I had heard about Ayurvedic medicine, the ancient medicine practiced in India for over 6000 years.
I understood that Ayurvedic medicine probably held many answers, given the wisdom intrinsic in a 6000 year-old science.
Then a friend told me he was working with a wonderful Ayurvedic doctor trained in India.
Of late, he was looking so much better and full of energy, so I wanted to see this doctor!
He told me about her academic accomplishments -- that she had graduated at the top of her ayurvedic class, then became a naturopath and spent a year working in a hospital, that she had an Ayurvedic center in London before coming to NY -- and that she was devoted to the art of healing with natural means.
Dr. Rudra immediately understood the issues I was dealing with, and knew how to help right away.
She explained that I was in a state of imbalance called by too much "Vata" and gave me three things I could do to immediately start feeling better:
1) Based on my ayurvedic body type, she told me how to adjust my diet and which foods to eat at specific times of day -- she said this was 50% of the problem
2) She taught me a specific type of yogic breathing exercise called pranayama that would bring vitality and energy into all my organs, and
3) She gave me specific herbal supplements and herbal medicines that would restore balance over a period of a few months.
I was so excited!! Finally a doctor had understood my complaints and gave me the tools to help myself.
Immediately I changed the foods I ate, began pranayama and meditation in the morning, and started Triphala and other herbal medicines to restore balance.
I began to feel better!
Because I have a "vata-imbalance" which happens to many people after age 50, Dr. Rudra suggested that I go through a detoxification called "Panchkarma".
My panchkarma has involved a series of medical massages -- using a variety of herbal-medicine oils rubbed into specific areas of the body-- as well as some herbal home treatments.
Also Dr. Rudra, who is a yoga teacher as well and lifelong practitioner of the ayurvedic lifestyle, have given me various yoga exercises to also help my condition.
What I like so much about Dr. Rudra and her NYC clinic is her common sense approach to natural healing. I've always believed that the body can heal if given the correct support and treatments. I've always believed herbs were much more healing than pharmaceutical medicines because of their subtle qualities.
There's still so much to learn about the science and art of Ayurveda -- so much common sense, everyday practices and guidelines for living a holistic and peaceful lifestyle.
Every step of the way, Dr. Rudra has been there to answer my questions and facilitate healing.
One final word: do not be fooled when you meet Dr. Rudra, for she is young and unassuming. But she is an old soul with a deep gift for healing and has a heart overflowing with compassion and good humor. This young woman, with high academic honors and a life devoted to the art of healing, has travelled very far from her home in India -- to bring ayurvedic healing and wisdom to those of us in NY City. She puts all the older gray haired medical doctors I've met with to shame, for she knows how to heal imbalances that these men do not even come close to understanding. For ayurveda is 6000 years full of wisdom, and the medicine practiced by western doctors is less than 300 years old. Now that you know about Ayurvedic medicine and Dr. Rudra, it should be obvious where true healing can be found in New York.
I have been involved with the Special Yoga Centre for nearly 3 years now. I feel quite fortunate to be a part of such a loving and caring environment.
The warm welcoming building reflects the amazing work that goes on inside. A truly special place which hosts a wide variety of yoga classes, and more to suit the needs of absolutely everyone.
It may take an hour and a half to get there from my home in Croydon to Kensal Rise, but it is a journey I happily take.
If you are looking for a retreat that is great value for money in beautiful, picturesque, tranquil surroundings then I would highly recommend Lake Isle Retreats. The retreat is held on the island of Inis Rath, the ideal location for a weekend to rejuvenate oneself. It was well organized and every effort was made to ensure everyone was getting the most out of the retreat and enjoying themselves. Guided Yoga classes, medidation and hikes were all part of the retreat with holistic treatments offered at an additional cost. All the food was also included in the cost and the food was absolutely superb. The retreat is run by Tim and his wife Champa who made everyone feel right at home as soon as everyone arrived. Like myself, most other attendees were there on their own also and by the end of the weekend, everyone was great friends. I came home feeling totally relaxed, rejuvenated and 100% ready to face the world again. I'll definitely be going back.
My husband joins me in attesting to the importance of having Charym in our community and spiritual world.
Maureen is amazing teacher and the entire staff is so near at hand. We consider Charym a great resource for us, and for everyone here in the Litchfield area.
I left LeSport, after a week’s detox, thinking that this was the best I remember feeling – ever. Which is wonderful, and also a little terrifying, because when one knows what feeling "amazing" is like, how can you ever go back to "fine"?
A bespoke programme was put together for me by Dr Abishek Jain, who is the spa manager at LeSport. He’s a doctor, and an Ayurvedic practitioner, and I wish he was based in London, not St Lucia.
Before I went, I emailed Dr Jain a rough breakdown of my current state of health. Basically, felt very stressed, had an addiction to caffeine, insomnia (not surprising), mood swings, and wasn’t getting much from my workouts or my diet. I felt I was firing on only one cylinder, and turning into an automaton. I work in a creative industry, but found I didn’t have any…
Every day of my seven-day stay was packed with treatments and therapies, from Iridology and nutrition consultations, to reiki, one-on-one yoga sessions, MLD, tai chi, and treatments such as udwarthana, shirodhara and body wraps.
Everything was tailored to my needs, by Dr Jain, and some where tweaked and adapted as the week went on, and he got to know my body, and mind, better. The standard of treatments is super-high, and the therapists knowledgeable, and incredibly friendly.
Dr Jain’s attitude to detoxing is surprisingly relaxed. Nothing was banned, or forbidden. He said it would ‘be better’ if I could go without coffee, for example, but that it shouldn’t feel like a chore or painful. And because nothing was forbidden, I found I could go without – and did. Which was nothing short of a miracle, actually.
I had one day of feeling terrible, but thereafter, and thanks to two sessions of MLD, I began to feel better than I ever thought possible. I was energised, found I was getting up a full hour earlier, my skin looked amazing (still does), and I lost 5lbs without even trying (in fact, I am pretty sure I ate more at LeSport than I do at home).
I can’t recommend it enough. I’ve traveled extensively, and visited dozens of spas across the globe, and while this isn’t the most polished, or luxe, it is for me, thus far, the best I've visited in terms of effectiveness.
If you like to travel alone, as I do, then you can choose to enjoy total solitude, or join in with a raft of activities, from morning walks and yoga sessions, to more sporty pursuits such as watersports, and hiking.
The number of people who visit LeSport only once is few, and I can see why. I flew with Thomas Cook Signature, who I’d also totally recommend as they know their stuff, spa-wise…
I suppose you can tell how good a spa is by how you feel three weeks or so after the event, and I am happy to report that I’m still off the coffee, the white wine, eating better, getting more from my workouts, and have got my creativity back, to boot… and oh, still haven’t gained a pound.
