Liebevoll umsorgt, eingetaucht an diesem wunderbaren Ort der Ruhe und Kraft, fühle ich mich nach vier Tagen aufgetankt wie nach einem wochenlangen Urlaub. Hier stimmt einfach alles, danke.

Doris, Graz

The Soami Retreat Center is a fantastic source of inspiration,I felt very well looked after, save and uplifted by the experience and the beautiful mountain landscape.

Magalie, London

Yesterday’s yoga class tried me to the limit.  I don’t know why but I kept on having fleeting moments of wanting to roll up my mat and walk out of the studio.  But I didn’t.  It was the inner will, a new inner strength that kept me there, reassuring me that I could go on.  At the end of the 2 hours I was frustrated that I didn’t do as well as I expected of myself, but I was happy with the fact that I didn’t give up.  This new ability to stick with it and push myself has also helped me on my bike the past week.  I have noticed that, even though I am training by myself and could simply ease up and not give it my all, I don’t.  I am able to push myself that bit more. Mentally and physically I can go to my limit and hold it.  I sure will need that in 2 weeks time!

As far as the nutrition goes, I am still doing well - having easily adjusted to Hildegards nutritional tips.  I have been quite strict with myself and have not ventured off the path very often.  However, I am turning 50 tomorrow and friends of mine threw me a surprise breakfast the other morning.  I was so happy and threw caution to the wind, drinking coffee, champagne and indulging on a very creamy, rich cake.  I was curious to see how my body would react.  OK, I admit, I was even a bit scared that my system would go haywire.  Well, it didn’t.  I didn’t even get that racing heartbeat which I had so often before I changed my way of eating.  I guess it goes to show that my system has  gotten into such good shape that it can tolerate “diversions” now and again.  I find that really good and important as I don’t want to have to make such drastic changes in my lifestyle that wouldn’t allow me to socialize with friends in that way.

By the way, I am having my 50th birthday party at the Soami Yoga Retreat Center.  Hildegard will be cooking for 40 people!  I can’t wait for tomorrow.  I know it is going to be really special.  I will fill you in on the details next week.

Sarah

I bumped into a friend of mine in town yesterday and she made the comment, “Hey, your posture is really better.  What have you been doing?”

It’s gotta be the yoga - ’cause cycling isn’t going to help in that department!

Sarah

“Pretty close to perfect,” I would say if asked about my weekend.  Yoga, twice a day.  In the morning 2 hours of dynamic yoga with Hildegard - practiced on an empty stomach (except for the exotically blue/green spirulina power drink she serves before class).  Evenings were 2 hours with Werner.  Although we were told his were more relaxing classes I, personally, found them challenging my limit as we had to hold muscle tissue and ligament stretches for what sometimes seemed like an eternity!  Such intense yoga sessions over a three day period really has an effect.  Hildegard and Werner are astounded at how stiff I am, especially in the hip area and we did a lot of work on that area over the weekend.  On Monday I swam and my legs felt totally different, much looser.  So, there must be hope for me yet!  And, all of a sudden,  I can really feel the development of my stomach muscles even though I never think we’re working much on stomach muscles.  But, actually, every movement we make involves core strength so I guess I am wrong about that! 

The food Hildegard served made all of us feel pampered.  A relaxed breakfast buffet with warm porridge and fresh rolls was attacked every morning directly after class.  Early afternoon a soup and pastry was served.  Warm apple strudel which would make any Austrian proud was a special treat, but then again so were her vegan brownies which were better than any brownie I ever ate in America….and I have tried many in my day!  But dinner: Ah! That was the highlight each day.  Hildegards’ vegan gourmet meals are not just delicious, they are works of art.  Starting with the unusual tableware she presents her creations on to the playful way she uses color and composition to please the eye and palate: Each dish brought on “ohhhs” and “ahhhs” from her guests. 

When we weren’t yoga’ing or eating, guests were being treated to Lomi Lomi massages by a therapist who was working at the center that weekend.  Everyone seemed thrilled with this ancient Hawaiian type of massage in which the entire arm, not just the hands, massage the body in a flowing, wave-like, motion. A perfect compliment to the yoga.

Hildegard also gave guests nutrition consultations, Werner took them for a 2 hour hike and many just used the time to relax, recharge and sleep.  I braved the icy north winds on my bike for a short ride, curious if I would see any improvement in my condition. What I did notice is that my pulse rate stayed lower, longer.  Could this be a by-product of the breathing exercises that we do in each Yoga class?  I must ask them. But, whatever the reason, I was thrilled to see low numbers on my bike computer.  Now, if I can get them even lower by the time I hit the streets of Mallorca I’ll be a happy camper!

I also got another treatment with Elfriede on the weekend.  She did the same “massage” and I must say that this time it didn’t hurt anywhere near as much as last time.  That must be proof that the last one worked.  ”You have got quite a lot build up still, but a few sessions more should get you into good shape,” she promised. This time I felt much freer and more open in the stomach area.  And, I was really hungry about an hour afterwards….humm?

I’m sorry I missed out on the Ginger Wraps, hot compresses applied to the back area are suppose to encourage detoxification and get the stomach fires going.  I hope I can experience that another time up at the Center. 

But, even without the Ginger Wraps, I have noticed incredible detox going on in my body since I started with the Yoga, the TCM herbal treatments and  the new diet.  It is as if my body is ridding itself of all my sins of the past to let in all the good stuff I am doing for it now!

On Monday the effects of the weekend were evident.  I had energy and just felt happy.  Being a mom with two kids, this weekend was a real luxury for me.  Just having time for “me”, not having to prepare meals, feel the pressure to tackle the ironing, clean - all those everyday things fell away.  My husband was sweet enough to take over for me enabling me to fully get the most out of the few days. It was a total recharge.

If the nasty north wind would die down, I could get on my bike and get some kilometers on my legs.  In the meantime, I will continue the two yoga classes in the week and swimming and hope that my condition will continue to improve.  Time is running out.  

SWS

Es war erholsam, anstrengend, informativ, gesellig, entspannend, reinigend,… und ich fühle mich wie nach einem 14-tägigen Urlaub. Dabei war ich nur 3 Tag an eurem wunderbaren Ort in Obermillstatt, mit einem grandiosen Blick, herrlicher Höhenluft und einem “Loch im Himmel”, das uns immer Sonne durchschickte!

Die Yoga-Stunden mit dem Blick auf die noch verschneite Bergwelt waren ein Genuß (auch wenn hart gearbeitet wurde) und das Essen war - nach anfänglicher Skepsis im Sinne von ”kann vegan und makrobiotisch überhaupt schmecken” - eine Genußtour für die Geschmacksnerven! Ich habe wirklich viel gegessen, mehr als sonst, habe mich aber überhaupt nicht belastet gefühlt und es ist mir auch beim Yoga gut damit gegangen.

Eure besondere Gastfreundschaft hat den Aufenthalt abgerundet! Ihr habt euch wirklich eine kleine Oase geschaffen, in der es einem leicht fällt, anzukommen, innezuhalten und auch zu genießen.

Vielen Dank für das besondere Wochenende, das mir wieder den Kick gegeben hat, etwas zu verändern!

When my cycling trainer Martin Birney, owner of SportActive Cycling Centre in Mallorca, sent me an e-mail an reading ” Eight weeks til training camp, how’s your condition after the winter months?” I panicked.  I had everything but condition! After a major operation in December, I had an aching lower back, little energy, an extremely weak core and little motivation to do anything about it.  I didn’t know where to start.  Then I thought on Hildegard and Werner.  I called and explained, “I’ve got 8 weeks to get in shape, please help me!”

That was a few weeks ago.  Hildegard got me back into yoga classes immediately, working in positions directed at loosening my lower back and strengthening my core.  In her dynamic classes with students of all levels, I immediately found my motivation. Over the past few weeks I can feel how my body has gotten stronger and increasingly supple (for cyclist standards!).  I’m not where I need to be so that I can ride easily with the pack, but I feel I am getting there.

Once Hildegard had me revved up on yoga, we sat down for a nutrition consultation.  She studied my skin, my eyes, my tongue asked me questions about my diet and, after some deep thought, came up with some changes I should make.  The changes aren’t totally drastic and I found them quite easy to integrate into my life style.  The Soami Corner Store, a small room at the Center stocked with the basics for healthy eating, was my first stop.  Cheaper and more convenient than the nearest health food store, I was able to get almost everything I needed to get me going on the right path.  I’m eating lots of vegetables, fish, whole grains, soya and nut products.  I’ve lost 3 kilos (which I didn’t really need to do, but it is a nice side effect!) and my energy levels have increased. Hildegard has also shared some great recipes with me which makes it easy to feed the entire family what I am eating without any moans and groans!

Hildegard and Werner have visiting therapists at their Center and I have been directed to a few of them over the past weeks.  Elfriede Schneider, who specializes in the digestive system is a master of Colon Hydro clensing.  Now, I still can’t get my mind around that yet so, even though the great pro cyclist David Zabriskie swears by it and has his own machine, I stuck to a consultation which was spot on.  An expert in foot reflexology, Elfriede took quite some time studying my feet, able to get information about my organs and general well being.  ”It is high time you change your diet, Hildegard will handle that perfectly for you.  And, cut out the black tea and coffee - they are drying you out.”  I was drinking over a liter of black tea a day and, it was true, my skin has been extremely dry and my feet were not anywhere near to being able to wear a pair of sandals!  She then did a massage over my stomach muscles, a procedure that was on the border of tolerable pain. “Hold in there.  I can free you up of a lot of buildup.  You suffer from Gastritis, don’t you?”  she asked. I thought: How on earth could she tell? “I can work on that, you won’t get it again in the near future.” and she continued to massage.  I figured the pain was worth it if I didn’t have to suffer through another bout of uncomfortable Gastritis.

A week later Hildegard called.  I have a TCM doctor here.  I have told her about you and she wants to see you.  Come at 6pm.  Surja studied western medicine before getting into TCM.  She offers her wisdom to clients at the Center a few times a year.  I was totally lucky that she was there when I was in need.  Asking questions about physical and mental health, reading my pulse as the Chinese do and looking at my tongue, she diagnosed several problems and prescribed herbal drops that would support healing as well as help with my endurance on the athletic side.  They have definitely helped on many levels. 

I have less than a month til I’m cranking the pedals on the roads of sunny (hopefully!) Mallorca.  My panic is gone.  I know I won’t be in perfect shape, but I am confident that I will manage. Through the support of the Soami Team, I have become less hectic and more peaceful and concentrated. I have energy to get through the day, don’t have that crash feeling after meals and can get out of bed each morning without that  feeling of permanent exhaustion.  I’ll be attending the Billers’ Yoga Seminar this weekend and am really interested in seeing what intensive yoga twice a day, Hildegard’s gourmet cooking and the treatments offered will do for me.  I’ll keep you posted!

ich habe ein tolles und sehr bewegendes Wochenende in Obermillstatt verbracht, bei einem Seminar, das mich einen großen Schritt in meinem Leben weiterbringen wird. noch dazu gabs immer ganz einzigartiges Essen, nicht nur biologische Produkte bietet das Soami-Zentrum, sondern noch dazu so durch Hildegards Hände zubereitet, dass sich mein Körper unheimlich darüber gefreut hat. Bestes Essen, und das zu 100%, ist ja die Basis dafür, dass wir in Einklang kommen können. und dabei unterstützt noch die Landschaft, mit fabelhaften Blick auf den Millstätter See und die verschneiten Berge!!!!!!!!!!

herzlichen dank an die Soami-Familie, und ich wünsche euch viele viele Gäste. allen, die das gefühl haben, ein paar schöne, stille kräftigenden tage erleben zu wollen, kann ich das nur ans herz legen!!

Am Wochenende vom 28. 11. bis Montag den 1. 12. konnte man im Soami-Retreat Center seinen inneren Stimmen begegnen, die einem teilweise noch heute das Leben schwer machen. Die Methode nennt sich Voice Dialogue und wurde von erfahrenen Therapeuten aus Deutschland angewendet. In einem feinen kleinen Rahmen, konnte man sich in langen Einzelsitzungen ein Bild davon machen, welche Personen und welche Meinungen oder Urteile aus teilweise frühen Kindheitsjahren heute noch die Richtung im Leben vorgeben wollen. Die Erfahrungen des Wochenendes waren für manch einen oder eine schmerzlich, aber alle sind sich darin einig, unbedingt mit dem Voice Dialogue weiterzumachen, da es ein äußerst effektiver Weg ist, sein Rollenspiel im Leben zu durchschauen und man Änderungen am Drehbuch vornehmen kann.

Die Zimmer im Gästehaus sind inzwischen fast alle beziehbar - die Umbauarbeiten nähern sich dem Ende. Das Retreatcenter nimmt immer klarere Formen an und entwickelt sich zu einem Angelpunkt therapeutischer Vernetzungsarbeit. Hildegard Biller hielt als Draufgabe eine Yogaeinheit ab, die mir wieder einmal vor Augen führte, wie belebend diese Form der konzentrierten Bewegung sein kann. Das Essen war wie immer außerordentlich - wir erwarten gespannt ein Kochbuch, das demnächst veröffentlicht werden soll.

Voice Dialogue: alle drei Monate soll es so ein Wochenende geben. Ich mache weiter, da ich mir von der Qualität und der tiefgreifenden Wirkung dieser Therapie ein Bild machen konnte.

Hut ab und weiter so!

Jochen

Ankommen - wohlfühlen - loslassen - in der Stille sein.

Dieses wunderbare Haus …… 
euer liebevolles Umsorgen - Hildegard, dein Essen war wieder unvergleichlich …..
Yoga, so einfach und doch wirkungsvoll …..
und nicht zu vergessen die wunderschöne Bergwelt und der Blick auf den See!

Der Abschied ist mir sehr schwer gefallen. Es tröstet mich die Gewissheit, dass ich wiederkomme.