rom my mat on the floor of a cosy whose work I admire, and had Our yoga instructor was Beatriz rustic setting of an intimate tapas Fyoga studio in , high in also registered for an intensive Hoyos, whose combination of and wine bar that occupies three 's Mountains, I yoga course. Both were organised Raja and Hatha yoga emphasises small rooms previously home to look up at the whitewashed stones by All Ways Spain of . I techniques to aid breathing, con- the owner's parents. The bar was and timbers overhead. The tradi- looked forward to learning from centration and the channelling opened just for us, providing an tionally built ceiling somehow suits Daniel, but was apprehensive that of energy, not just yoga's physical ideal setting to get to know Daniel the India-inspired decor of this my scribblings would not pass exercise. Could eight yoga sessions and each other. eclectic space. As the session draws muster with him or with the other crammed into five days be a way All six participants came to the to a close, the instructor's quiet strangers who would dissect what I to ease back into the practice I course well-travelled and expe- 'namaste' wafts past on an agreeable wrote. I would need a clear mind had lazily abandoned several years rienced in some aspect of media whiff of incense, bringing me back and abundant energy to turn out before? It was worth a try. work. Four Brits, one American to full awareness. readable prose, no matter how The travel-writing course ran (me), and one plucky Romanian, I was in pain for a course in inspirational our instructor might from Thursday evening to the fol- we were all in Capileira to learn trawl writing with Daniel Scott, be. So I looked to yoga for help. lowing Tuesday. After climbing the how to .•"rite travel stories that spiralling road from Granada and settling into a family-run lodge overlooking Capileira, we joined Jonathan Lord of All 'Nays Spain for an orientation to the village. He brought to life the history of this corner of the , showing us whitewashed houses built in the low-slung, weather- defying style brought long ago by the . Termite-mound chim- ney top buildings with thick walls that have sheltered hardy moun- tain dwellers for everal hundred ."l:

The group set 00 work in the Span ish su nshi ne; yoga at sunset

40 Writers'FORuM WRITING HOLIDAYS 'I

people are eager to read. low the body's needs. We practised reassuring and less challenging The next morning, Daniel soon positions to ground the body and than I had feared, a real confidence had us writing story introductions. promote balance, others to build booster. The critique seemed to He th n set about broadening concentration and patience, and come from caring friends and not our understanding of structures still others to enhance tenacity from strangers, after a week of for story-telling, From day one, and receptivity and build steadi- close work and enjoyable evenings Daniel's single most important ness and stamina. I discovered that together in atmospheric Capileira message was to 'find your own yoga's more generalised release of restaurants. voice'. His love of travel and his tension could also help me reflect On Tuesday, after the final yoga enthusiasm for writing about it was objectively on my writing. session and a lively poolside discu - HOWTOBOOK infectious and it was a steep but On Saturday, Daniel focused on sion of travel writing markets and enjoyable learning curve for those several 'rules' of travel writing and lessons learned in the course, it was HISTORY All Ways Spain is of us with similar aspirations! gave us structural models for set- time to exchange contact informa- a small. personalised company ting the scene and propelling our tion and say our goodbyes. based in Granada. Its holidays n the yoga side, Beatriz pro- stories forward. He suggested that Daniel's parting advice to us aim to give clients insights Ovided guidance in building we give storyboarding a try. We also was: Just keep writing - no matter into Spain. while introducing strength and flexibility and at every booked appointments with him to what, how long, or in what form, them to new skills. hobbies session, just as Daniel exhorted us review individual progress. Before just write!' and interests that will last to find our own ways of self-expres- mine, I spent a shoulder-scrunch- Beatriz, who had coupled her long beyond the trip itself. sion, she stressed the need to listen ing afternoon hammering out a yoga samplers with enough rep- Tailor-made holidays include to our bodies, to recognize and fol- first draft of my article, muttering etition to help establish our own Activity Weekends. Freestyle under my breath: 'So this is what routines back home, also reminded Breaks and courses such as the pressures of a working writer us that regular practice is essential Travel Writing. In May 2007. feel like.' But Daniel's advice was to obtaining and sustaining the the travel-writing course spot-on and thoughtfully given. benefits of yoga. included a yoga option. That evening, yoga not only helped Inspired, my challenge now is to release the tension of writing under write daily, and to roll out the yoga PRICES Week-long courses. deadline, but also energised me to mat for a few minutes every morn- including half-board accom- complete my piece. ing. I have not experienced the modation, start from £836. Sunday we were free to work on same frisson as when I completed our articles or enjoy the abundant my article in Capileira, or when TRAVEL Both Ryanair and natural beauty around us. I opted I relearned how much I enjoy a Monarch fly to Granada from for a restorative walk through the shoulder stand. But it is rewarding several UK airports, with nearby Ravine, with to find a fit for both writing and prices from £50 return. its views of terraced fields and yoga in my daily life. Flights from Madrid and streams cascading to the canyon Did the combination of travel Barcelona allow for connec- floor below. writing and yoga practice work tions to airports worldwide. The opportunity to read our as I'd hoped? For me, the answer articles aloud to the group came on is yes. I also learned that in travel CONTACT For more infor- Monday. Although there remained writing as in yoga, the practice mation or to book, visit www. much for me to do to ready mine itself is the reward. This could be allwaysspain.com for publication, the reactions were the most important lesson of all.

Writers'FORUM 4 I