Marie is currently managing the holistic spa at the Uma Paro Como Shambala Resort in Bhutan.
At Uma Paro, conditions are ideal for your holiday with a holistic spa, healthful food and a dedicated Yoga studio.
For more information, contact uma.paro@comoshambhala.bz
PRESS RELEASE: February 2010
New teacher Marie Baker heads up year-round Yoga offering in Bhutan
For 2010 Marie Baker, Uma Paro’s resident Yoga teacher, will be hosting 21 different Yoga Retreats at the COMO Hotels and Resorts’ property in Bhutan. Marie has been practicing Yoga for 10 years and trained under Louisa Sears of Yoga Arts of Byron Bay in Australia.
The majority of Yoga Retreats are four nights in duration, combining cultural exploration with daily practice (single rates from $2,552). Sessions focus on simple Vinyasa and Hatha Yoga, Pranayama and silent meditation, the Retreats open to beginners as well as advanced practitioners. Using Uma Paro as your comfortable base—accommodation is included as well as healthy COMO Shambhala Cuisine breakfasts, lunches and welcome and farewell dinners—this is also a great opportunity to explore the big outdoors. Retreat itineraries include three separate day walks, taking in the Paro Valley, the National Museum, Kyichu Lhakhang for a special long-life puja (blessing), and a pilgrimage to Bhutan’s famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery. All walks are led by Uma Paro’s English-speaking guides.
For those who prefer dramatic Himalayan trekking, Uma Paro offers five-night ‘Yoga, Culture and Camp Retreats’—in May, June, September and November. These retreats comprise four nights at the hotel and a further night under canvas as part of a two-day, overnight pilgrimage to Tiger’s Nest (single rates from $3094). We approach the monastery from our campsite above the clouds, visiting several other remote and spectacularly perched religious sites. Ponies, the services of two experienced local Uma guides and cooks, all tentage, kitbag for packing all personal kit on the ponies, first-aid kit and sleeping mattresses are all provided for the trek. The itinerary includes two short walks, two day treks, four dinners at the hotel’s Bukhari restaurant, picnic lunches, and one camp dinner. Yoga and silent meditation sessions take place twice daily on four of the days, with a gentle session on the evening guests arrive.
Back at Uma Paro, guests of all Yoga Retreats can enrich their stay further with treatments available at COMO Shambhala Retreat. These might include Ayurvedic therapies or a Bhutanese Traditional Hot Stone Bath and Massage.
“To be able to combine Yoga and its calm, meditative approach with a cultural tour of Bhutan is entirely unique,” says Marie: “It is why we are responding with a much more comprehensive year-round offering, these dedicated Retreats specially designed for those who want to deepen their connection with Bhutan and their own state of health, balance and wellbeing.”
Please note Uma Paro can provide extensive travel assistance, including advice on visas and Drukair flights into Bhutan.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Uma Paro
PO Box 222
Paro, Bhutan
Tel +975 8 271597
Fax +975 8 271513
Email res.paro@uma.como.bz
Website uma.como.bz
FOR ANY PRESS AND MEDIA QUERY:
Crystal Seah, Director Marketing Communications
COMO Hotels and Resorts
Tel +65 6304 1488
Email crystal.seah@como.bz
Chris Orlikowski, Marketing Executive
COMO Hotels and Resorts
Tel +44 (0)20 7447 1049
Email chris.orlikowski@como.bz