R E T R E AT
Yoga Retreat
In November 2014, when photographing Roxy for our November issue cover, I would never have guessed nearly four years later I’d be doing sun salutations in a wooden forest cabin with her as my yoga instructor.
Imagine enjoying fire heated yoga in a log cabin, set in the magical Elgin valley
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WITH ROXY LOUW
Roxy has endless stamina and is forever evolving her life. From surfer and model to yoga teacher and entrepreneur she brings calm and persistent energy to everything she does. Her first yoga encounter was in Costa Rica with the sports brand Oakley. She fell in love immediately. “It gave me the same mind, body and soul connection I got when surfing,” she explains. Ten years later she went to Thailand and completed her teacher training. Now she has a studio in Durbanville, Cape Town and offers yoga retreats that combine nature, nurture, yoga instruction and a whole lot of fun. This particular one was in the Elgin valley, less than an hour from Cape Town. Cherry Glamping is the most magical place. It’s camping in its most luxurious form. Tents, scattered around the forest are set on wooden platforms and fully equipped with electricity, proper beds, gorgeous linen and Pinterest type d cor. There is a separate large wooden platform perfect for spreading out yoga mats and a cozy cabin with a fire for eating, laughing and communing. Roxy did a combination of meditation, medium paced yoga classes, and mountain walks. There was easy opportunity to opt out or in to any of the activities and ample hammocks to replace the more vigorous options. Food was perfectly balanced between delicious and nutritious and choices for all the free-from preferences. The menu was inspired by Marlien Wright, author of ‘The Yoga Kitchen.’ Marlien made a special trip to give us a talk on nutrition and gut health. Everyone ate their meals together in a long table overlooking the forest and dinner was paired with Deetleefs wine cellars vineyard selection. Conversations were delightfully enhanced by Roxy’s partner Sam. Sam is also a life coach and brings a lovely team spirit and wisdom to those life searching moments that seem to pop up when you combine yoga, forest and fresh air. Look out for more retreats by Roxy and book yourself into a whole lot of fun, some intimate bonding and an opportunity to stretch both your mind and body. Roxy is the founder of GreenLeaf Vitality, a business dedicated to a healthy mind, body and soul. Specialising in yoga and general health and well being, Roxy makes health and wellbeing accessible to everyone by hosting yoga retreats, corporate yoga events, kids and adults yoga classes, work shops as well as surf/yoga retreats.
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