Connie Fuscious reports on the recent completion of Nikki's two month programme as a volunteer at the Healthy and Fun Yoga Cafe in Bo Phut, Koh Samui.

 

Many people in the Far East believe that Yoga will grant you the necessary modalities to live a happy life, and to get closer to your inner world and to the secret forces of nature.  Healthy and Fun was set up two years ago in Bo Phut by two English girls,  Lorraine and Carole, who both had discovered the benefits of yoga first hand and shared a vision to promote well being in a fun environment.  As well as daily yoga classes, the cafe offers an Alternative Therapy Centre, a movie night and a really healthy, organic menu day and night.

 

 

Nikki discovered the Yoga Cafe in January 2005 whilst on a cleanse & detox holiday to Koh Samui and became instant friends with "Lozza" who runs Healthy and Fun. Upon her return in 2005, the opportunity to enrol in the 2 month volunteer programme was too good for Nikki to pass up.  I caught up with her recently in between her asanas (postures in yoga) to see if indeed yoga had granted Nikki a happy life and find out what she had experienced:

 

Connie:  Nikki, is your body a temple?

Nikki:  No, I'd say more of an amusement arcade ...

Connie:  What made you volunteer at the Yoga Cafe?

Nikki: It was a great opportunity to learn more about yoga and alternative therapies, get access to some delicious wholefoods and, most importanly, a chance to work with some lovely people

Connie: Apart from practising Yoga, what have been some of the highlights for you?

Nikki:  I really enjoyed hosting the alternative movie nights - I got to research some great films and write a brief introduction which I would present each week to the audience

Connie:  So, you were the Jonathan Ross Of Bo Phut?

Nikki:  I'd say more of a Mariella Frostrup type - I have been cultivating a husky voice for years just for this moment!

Connie:  I heard you devised and led a Performing Arts Class as well... 

Nikki: Yes, that was a breeze as the participants were so good - especially Ray, who was a great support and really enthuastic!

Connie:  Sounds like you had a lot of fun. I thought this being healthy lark was supposed to be serious?

Nikki:  Not at all!  that is why I was attracted to Healthy and Fun in the first place. They even have red wine & healthy juice cocktails on the evening menu - who says keeping healthy should be about denial!

Connie: Any plans for the future after this venture?

Nikki:  I want to continue with my yoga practice and maybe one day do a yoga teacher training course. Ray and I are heading for India so I would like to think I could study there.

Connie:  A final word about the benefits of Yoga?

Nikki: FLEXIBILITY!... of the body AND the mind.

 

 

 

Healthy and Fun Yoga Cafe, Bo Phut. For more information on the Yoga Cafe, visit www.healthyandfun.net

 

Editors Note: The Alternative Therapy Centre treatments include an unusual form of Sound Healing, in which a didgeridoo is used during the therapy to create resonant sound which has strong healing potential.  Ray underwent a sound healing session with Tamara, a trained sound therapist, and reported good results.  "I was really surprised at just how deep the sound vibrated into my muscles", said Ray.  "I asked Tamara to focus on my left shoulder which had been aching for some time, and immediately noticed at least a 50% improvement after treatment".  MOZZIE BYTE