In the second part of our blog dedicated to spreading Ayurvedic Christmas spirit, we move away from indulging ourselves to indulging others.

And we reserve a spot for that less popular of Christmas pastimes – keeping fit, in both body and mind. So that you can start the new year with a spring in your step, rather than sluggishly roll into the office. We know. We’ve been there.

Be an Ayurvedic Santa

Looking for an appropriate gift for the Ayurveda-curious and the die-hard fan? Or simply want to surprise a loved one with a quirky, original present?

From vouchers for treatments near home to full-blown Ayurveda escapes further afield, there is plenty to choose from. Look up essential Ayurvedic oils, Ayurveda skincare gift sets, shiva lingam stones, organic herbs and spices, and even Ayurvedic Christmas decoration.

Then do a proper health-and-safety assessment and make sure you can actually fit through the chimney.

Stay healthy in body…

Get into a full-on outdoor fitness regime or go gentle on yourself with a wiggle to the Strictly Christmas special. Whatever you do, make sure you get a dollop of exercise. Even a little bit of it in darkest, coldest winter will do wonders for your wellbeing during and after the festivities.

Walking can do a world of good during a busy Christmas period. Image © Carla Cometto

Here is Banyan Botanicals’ advice: “It’s important to listen to your body this winter. If you’re feeling overextended and stretched, favor vata-pacifying types of exercise like walking, tai chi, or gentle yoga. If you’re feeling sluggish and heavy, give kapha a bit of a push with a more vigorous workout – perhaps a bike ride, a jog, or a challenging hike, snowshoe, or ski.”

…and mind

“Keep moving” is also the simple advice of Ayurvedic Yogi. And they put an emphasis on staying sociable in the cold, dark days.

It’s tempting to stay at home and clutch your cup of cocoa like it’s a sword against winter’s evil spirits. But whether it’s the local Christmas market or work outings, make sure you take part in social activities as well as physical exercise. That way you’ll be sure to shed some of the ghouls of the darker months and emerge feeling happier and more energetic on the other side.

And when your home is abuzz with the usual festive stress and excitement, don’t forget to take time to escape with some simple mindfulness and other meditation exercises to get you through. And if you think you’ve got no time to set aside for some peace and quiet just for you, this one-minute Ayurvedic meditation might be just the thing.

Got a bit more time? Try this popular guided meditation by the Honest Guys.

Did you enjoy our Ayurvedic Christmas tips? Tell us on Facebook or Twitter. And have yourselves a good one!

The post 5 simple steps to Ayurvedic Christmas at home – Part II appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Think Christmas is all about waiting for the top button of your trousers to pop while you lounge out in a mince-pie coma, completely oblivious to day and night?

We know you’re smarter than that. So smart, in fact, that you long ago planned your wellbeing Christmas escape, leaving behind the festive hustle and bustle.

But even if a wellbeing getaway doesn’t materialise for you this winter, you can still make sure Christmas is wholesome, recharging, and enhances your wellbeing.

How? Well, as is so often the case, we look to Ayurveda for the answer. And if you can’t come to Ayurveda, then let Ayurveda come to you – with five easy steps brought to you in this two-part blog post.

Ayurvedic Christmas food with all the trimmings

An authentic Ayurvedic getaway is unlikely to include turkey. Or roast potatoes. And you can guarantee there will be few (ok, no) gingerbread houses to devour one wall at a time.

But opting for an Ayurvedic Christmas this festive season doesn’t mean shunning hearty, warming food that punishes the chill and keeps you toasty. On the contrary – well-planned Ayurvedic winter dishes will make you warm and comfortable to the core.

The gingerbread house makes way for all kinds of deliciousness at Ayurvedic Christmas time. Image © Carrie Stephens

The Life Centre’s Xenia Bolomiti advocates seasonal steamed vegetables in place of raw food, and swapping cold water for lemon and ginger tea. Try soup lunches that are at once easy to digest, yet hearty and satisfying.

A few specific dishes caught our eye – great either for an Ayurvedic Christmas dinner or throughout the holiday season. Try out Joyful Belly’s acorn squash recipe, detox dal by Food: A Love Story, and, to round things off, sweet carrot halva courtesy of Ayurvedic Yogi. Now get those aprons out!

Chin-chin with an Ayurveda twist

Ayurveda in winter is all about keeping warm. Which is also, incidentally, one of the best excuses for a sip or three of good mulled wine.

And the secret to mulled wine is none other than spice. Spices, to be correct. This is where Ayurveda comes into its own. No stranger to wine as a remedy for winter chills, Ayurveda is also fantastic at unlocking not just the flavours of a myriad sipces, but their warming, healing and soothing properties too.

For inspiration, check out Joyful Belly’s spiced wine recipe, and get invigorated on the inside.

Spices are the key ingredient of mulled wine © Sara Marlowe

Not so bothered about food? No problem – you can still have an Ayurvedic Christmas with these handy ideas.

The post 5 simple steps to Ayurvedic Christmas at home – Part I appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

If a hangover and a lazy lie-in are not your idea of a well-spent New Year’s Day, then you’ve come to the right place.

Escape from the usual boozy countdown to midnight, and start the new year as you mean to go on. From Sussex and Norfolk to Fuerteventura, our New Year getaways will let you begin with a fresh mind and a spring in your step.

Think we’re giving you too much notice? Don’t be fooled – it may only be September, but New Year getaways are getting booked up fast, so don’t miss out.

You don’t have to go far there are New Year retreats in the UK. And if you’re looking for a Christmas escape too, take a look at our brilliant Christmas retreats.

‘Yoga for happiness’ – a Sussex New Year retreat
Come for daily yoga, meditation practice, walking, and optional holistic treatments to fully relax, plus of course, a fitting New Year’s celebration. Courtesy of The Yoga Root and The Joanne Sumner Studio.
From £445 for 3 nights, full board, sharing (single £550)

Head to Oxfordshire for a peaceful yoga retreat
This winter wellbeing retreat with at a beautiful manor house in Oxfordshire will revive you with its peaceful setting and twice-daily yoga. Quote Neal’s Yard Holidays for a free massage.
From £265 for 2 nights for a couple/friends sharing

Feisty fun on Fuerteventura
One of our top New Year getaways, this retreat makes for a truly exciting start to the new year, with its white sandy beaches, optional surfing, and dramatic volcanic landscape. A chance to rejuvenate and reconnect in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
From €465 for 7 nights sharing (singles available)

Finally, if you need something for after the party, why not relax with yoga and a hot-tub soak at Raw Horizons’ North Yorkshire detox retreat? From £450 pp (single) or £345 pp (sharing) for 2 nights.

Whichever one of our New Year getaways you go for, and whatever you get up to, we wish you a fantastic New Year celebration and a great start to the new year!

The post Where to go for Christmas and New Year retreats – the top getaways appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Want to get away from it all this Christmas? It may not be too late. Here is Neal’s Yard Holidays’ handpicked list of last minute Christmas retreats.

It happens to the most organised of us. We start off with the best intentions to book our Christmas holiday early this year. Then, before we now it, it’s upon us and all the best places are booked up. But it may not be too late… availability can be subject to change and it’s worth double checking.

While most of our long-haul holidays are indeed now full, there are still some other options for a last minute Christmas or New Year retreats, especially if you’re happy to stay closer to home.

For more inspiration see also our overview of other holistic holidays. Whatever you decide to do, have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

The post Last minute Christmas Retreats appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Looking for winter sun and where to go for Christmas?
Here is a selection of our Best Christmas Retreats.

Christmas always seems like a long way off and then suddenly catches up with us. If you want to swap the festive stress and cold weather with a rejuvenating retreat of yoga and warm sunshine this year, there’s no time to waste. Some of our most popular Neal’s Yard Holidays retreats are already full, and many others will get booked up by mid-October.

If you are tied to a Christmas at home, or only have a few days to spare – not to worry. We’ve also got some lovely short breaks on offer, right here in the UK. So you can still escape for a relaxing and rejuvenating few days before the start of the new year.

But first, let’s talk about sunshine:

In Sri Lanka, you can truly get away from it all at Srimal Plantation Villa. Off the beaten track and surrounded by nature, you’ll wake up to the sound of tropical birds, enjoy a tailored programme of Ayurveda treatments and while away your days exploring the local villages and rural countryside.

Will you choose winter sun? In any case you can make this your best Christmas. See more choice of Christmas and New Year retreats.

The post Where to go for Christmas retreats appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Need a last minute holiday or retreat? December is now over, for current choice of holidays listed by date see here.

For last minute Christmas and New Year retreats see below.

Is Christmas not your thing? Want to get away from it all? Or your plans changed at the last minute?
For something a bit different, a yoga retreats around this time of year is just the ticket – you don’t need to be bendy, beginners are welcome. And you can enjoy the festive season with good company and fun.
We’ve rounded up some last minute Christmas and New Year retreats to lead you into 2013 as healthily and happily as possible.

Please bear in mind that availability can change fast, so be quick to check out these Christmas and New Year yoga retreats, plus you find more choice here.

Head for to the countryside to blow the cobwebs away

If you need to recover before Christmas is upon us then combine relaxing yoga with the unique experience of staying in  a privately owned Manor House. Adventure Yogi Retreats offer revitalising yoga, rejuvenating massage, calming meditation and nourishing, delicious, vitality foods with gentle activities such as lawn tennis, fresh water swimming and walking.

Wherever your last minute break takes you – don’t forget to read our post about the best cheap travel insurance!

The post Last minute Christmas and New Year Retreats appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.