Based in La Magdelena (which is just inland from Cartagena, Murcia), Tara’s Retreat is tucked away in rustic Spanish countryside, just a short drive away from the coast. Tara, the owner, has been a fitness instructor for 24 years and after originally concentrating on various aerobics classes and dance, decided to switch to yoga and Pilates. She trained with the Body Control Pilates Association in London and has been in Spain for five years.
The history of Pilates is an interesting one, and was started by Joseph Pilates in 1860. Joseph was a sickly child and suffered for asthma and rickets; he was born in Germany and was a teenager when he started with circus training. He learnt about boxing, martial arts and yoga, and this developed his understanding of core strength and fitness.
During this time he began to work with war patients and by applying his knowledge he found that they had a quicker recovery rate than other wounded soldiers. Joseph met his wife and they travelled to New York where they opened a centre for injured dancers and here he developed ‘reformer machines’, a static contraption that allowed patients to stretch and strengthen on their own.
The benefits of the Pilates Reformer exercises are many. The exercises enable building strength in arms, legs, the abdominal and back muscles. Certain areas are easily targeted and often programmes are designed to building strength or change and improving body shape.
Pilates is about developing a strong centre, known as the powerhouse of the body. Joseph Pilates believed that the physical centre of the body is where the energy of the body starts. Hence, the exercises begin from the centre and slowly move outwards to the arms and leg muscles. The stretching and pulling routines are designed to lengthen and soften your body without building bulky muscles in the process.
As the basis for which the reformer was originally built, it is still widely used today for rehabilitation of joint injuries. Hard core professional athletes like gymnasts, tennis players, basketball players and boxers use the Pilates Reformer exercises to strengthen their muscles and improve stamina and cardiovascular fitness.
Tara firmly believes that ‘a strong body results in a strong mind’. Alongside these benefits you can add increased stamina and relaxation levels, a broader spiritual insight, less tension and a stronger, leaner and more toned body.
Another element to the yoga retreat is the mosaic workshops offered by Tara’s partner, Dan. He has built up a solid client base which includes numerous private individuals and local government but also loves to work alongside Tara’s groups in short, half day sessions; or longer week-long workshops.
Most mosaics reflect the natural world and sign writing is also popular, his unique designs make gorgeous additions to pool areas and other outdoor areas. Dan refers to himself as a ‘glass artist’, and compared to the traditional mosaics seen all over the Costa Blanca, has a more modern take on mosaic art.
It is essential for beginners in yoga and Pilates to work with a certified instructor, not only to prevent muscle injury, but also to ensure the maximum benefits are achieved. This can be done with Tara at the retreat, or if you fancy training to become a teacher yourself, tutor Rory Griffin provides courses at scheduled points throughout the year.
See http://www.tarasretreat.com for full details.
