8 minute read
A Tribute to Henri Schott, Rachel Lovegrove
A Tribute to Henri Schott
and Quinta Mimosa Retreat Centre, Portugal
Rachel Lovegrove
Rachel and Henri, enjoying the hospitality of Quinta Mimosa (photography: Rachel Lovegrove).
Earlier this year, in January 2021, Henri Schott died at the age of 95. Henri was the owner of the much-loved Quinta Mimosa Retreat Centre, Algarve, Portugal. It was because of his vision and generosity of spirit that many teachers, me included, were able to host retreats at one of the most uniquely Iyengar-friendly centres in Europe.
I was lucky enough to participate in many visiting Iyengar yoga teachers’ retreats – Cathy Rogers and Judi Soffa (my first visit in 1993), Judy Sharpe, Alaric Newcombe, Jayne Orton, Aisling Guirke, Jo Zukovich, Kyra Mann, Lisbet Wilkman and Helen Stylianou, to name but a few, and not forgetting my very own sister Hannah Lovegrove.
Always, when you walked into that hall, there was a special atmosphere, the imprint of all the practice and study that had gone on in there over the years. I was teaching in that great room the day that Guruji died. It felt like the perfect place to be on that sad day.
The reason that I wanted to write this article, was to mark the passing of Henri and, I fear, of Quinta Mimosa. Its future is unknown and all the staff there, who have put so much into keeping it going, are teetering on the edge of change and uncertainty. This is due not only to the Covid crisis and all those cancelled events, but also, now that Henri is gone, to the fact that this much-loved venue may soon be up for sale.
"Unpack your bags and feel instantly at home."
Over the years, I realised that Quinta Mimosa had a unrivalled uniqueness. It wasn’t perfect, there were the occasional staffing issues and booking problems (in the early days Henri managed it himself, with a couple of onsite assistants – things didn’t always go smoothly!), but Henri would always try to rise above all that and greet us with smiles and positivity. He often joined us in the evening classes.
From the very beginning the hall was set up to be fully equipped. For me, the yoga retreats were always about taking people into a space where they could immerse themselves in the subject of yoga, away from distractions, and hopefully be inspired to continue their Iyengar yoga practice once home. Indeed, some of the participants I met there are still my students today and, like me, many have gone on to complete their training as teachers.
I am looking forward to returning, but will it be the same? Even though Henri was quite ill the last time I was there, just the fact that he was present seem to give some kind of hold over the place. Thank you Henri for believing in yoga, for welcoming us all and for giving us memories to cherish for a lifetime.
Rachel Lovegrove is a Level 3 teacher, www.orangetreeyoga.com. If you would like to contact Quinta Mimosa, you can write to Paula, the centre manager, at info@quintamimosaalgarve.com.
Student Memories of Henri and Quinta Mimosa
"I recall very easily what a wonderful space it is. How calm and relaxing, restful and communityenhancing…. I loved sitting outside at the table with a cuppa or a meal in the good company of fellow retreaters, or quietly with a cuppa on my own.And the yoga space felt so perfect, enhancing my practice, my ability to relax into it, to focus." – Rika
"I am saddened by the news of Henri’s death. He was a great character and I have very fond of the Quinta Mimosa retreats." – Rose-Marie
"Quinta Mimosa will always remain a special place for me. Henri created this wonderful place and I hope it remains such a peaceful oasis for many years. I have fond memories of him joining us for a chat and a drink! My thoughts are also with all the kind people who worked there and will miss him." – Alison
"Ah Henri, may he rest in peace. He certainly created a wonderful haven and space, and I will always be grateful that he opened his home for retreats. He was so interesting and cheeky to listen to. Quinta will not be the same, but wow, what memories!" – Jo
Yoga at Quinta Mimosa – the Early Days
Catharine O’Neill
Catharine O'Neill (right) and Rachel Lovegrove.
It was in September 1985 that I first met Henri Schott. Noel O’Neill (later my husband) had rented one of the houses from Henri and we had driven down together from the UK. Henri, whose home in London was very near the Shivananda Centre in Notting Hill Gate, was already a yoga aficionado and had decided to build a yoga studio at Quinta Mimosa. When I came to live in the Algarve in 1986, work was about to commence. It seemed clear to me that there was an opportunity to write to all my beloved teachers and see if I could encourage them to come out and share the joys of the house and area.
The first teacher who came, in 1987, was John Claxton. He and his wife Ros had a family holiday/ yoga retreat combined and repeated the winning formula for several years. Other senior teachers followed – Silvia Prescott, Penny Chaplin, Judi Sweeting and Jayne Orton. These teachers brought other teachers who in turn brought their own groups; Judy Sharpe, Carol Batterson and Rachel Lovegrove, to name but three.
Henri built the studio, but we needed to turn it into a fully equipped Iyengar studio in order to continue to attract teachers! John provided the first eye bolts and ropes. Silvia Prescott was very helpful in providing measurements for wooden props (including a wooden equivalent of foam blocks), Halasana benches, wooden bricks, planks, Simhāsana boxes and three tresslers – all made by a local carpenter. The Birmingham Institute kindly donated and brought out to Portugal their secondhand cotton durries [rugs] when they replaced theirs. The first yoga mats were ordered from Germany and were cut from a large roll freighted out on a Lufthansa flight. I had some bolster covers made by a local dressmaker and stuffed them with lengths of cut up old clothes – DIY yoga props in the days before Rachel organised shipments from Yogamatters!
Henri had a long life and I was glad to have known him for some 35 years of it. We did not always see eye to eye, but our friendship survived in spite of the ups and downs. Quinta Mimosa was for many of those years like a second home to me. I was delighted to be asked to join Paula (who has been managing the place for a number of years) and a very small group of people to bury Henri’s ashes in the garden in January this year. May you rest in peace Henri.
Henri in his favourite red jumper, helping a student on one of Judy Sharpe’s yoga holidays in the 1990s.
Catharine O’Neill is a retired teacher and student.
Aisling Guirke and Beccy Cameron
I have taught an Iyengar yoga workshop in Quinta Mimosa since 2008. Encouraged by my friend Beccy Cameron (workshop organiser and administrator), we have hosted a wide range of students in this splendid setting. The week is one of our annual highlights. In the early years, Henri would join us for lunch or dinner to welcome our group. He was always interested in chatting with everyone and asking how they were enjoying Quinta Mimosa.
Henri’s vision in creating a unique yoga retreat centre, in a grove of orange, lemon and other fruit trees, was inspiring. In our early years, we would regularly see Henri practicing yoga on the terrace, using his tressler for support. For a man who was so ill, he was always happy, welcoming and interested in the guests’ experiences.
We have enjoyed so many years in this wonderful place and hope that, having been forced to suspend the last two retreats due to the pandemic, we will be able to return for our usual week in 2022.
Rest in peace Henri and know that you will be greatly missed. We truly hope Quinta Mimosa will be available to us for many years to come as we have yet to visit anything else quite like it. Maggie Dix
My memories of teaching at Quinta Mimosa are very fond ones. It was such a well-equipped hall and such a bonus having a rope wall. The food was absolutely first class too and students enjoyed picking their oranges in the morning for freshly squeezed juice, along with a very varied brunch that catered for all.
The only downside was that, with it being my first experience of teaching in a venue overseas, it was a very hard act to follow. No other retreat centre lived up to the overall standards of Quinta in the years that followed.
The staff were amazing and although we didn’t see much of Henri, he was always the perfect gentleman and always so delighted to see people enjoying their holiday. I will hold my memories dear to my heart.
Maggie Dix is a Level 3 teacher.
Maggie Dix teaching at Quinta Mimosa.
Aisling Guirke is a Level 3 teacher.
