Green exercise and a Gold Coast mindset. Yoga and fitness retreats with Sophie Ellison, founder of Sun and Salt Escapes. 

When did you start your business and why? 

We ran our first retreat in September 2021. Initially, I wanted to come up with a day retreat for locals; to bring more yoga and fitness to our community and combine it with Alissa’s Supper Clubs (who make the most incredible vegan food!). We couldn’t fit everything into one day so we decided to extend the retreat to a couple of days instead. 

How did you get into Yoga? Can you remember your first class? 

Yes absolutely! My first Yoga class was a free class at a public leisure centre. The teacher would do the same exact sequence every week on a Tuesday evening and I thought that was Yoga and there was nothing else outside of that one class, I think that’s how most people start!? She was an amazing teacher but I was under the impression that every yoga class in the world was the same as that one. 

I remember thinking that I was so inflexible but if I keep showing up surely I’ll get better. I wanted to be more flexible but I was also going through a transition at the time and wasn’t sure which direction my life was going in. It was the first time I got to sit and question my actions; I was 22 and trying to figure out if I should make some changes in my life and Yoga allowed me to be still and helped me to reflect on that.

What is your favourite aspect about holding retreats?

I love hosting and looking after people but I also love seeing all the boundaries break down. People sometimes come in with bravado or a bit of an ego and to see them soften and transform is amazing. On the other hand there are people who are more quiet or shy and it’s great to see them open up. I love witnessing how all these different relationships unfold and see people really bond. Quite often women find it difficult to take advice from those closest to them and it’s easier to seek solace from a stranger who is naturally more impartial; seeing friendships being made in this way and being a part of someone's personal growth is really special.

 

"Seeing friendships being made in this way and being a part of someone's personal growth is really special"

What or who are you inspired by? 

I lived in Australia for a long time and I love the Gold Coast way of life - getting up super early with the sunrise, coffee shops are open, everyone is out exercising and moving their bodies first thing. People prioritising their health is completely normalised, it’s a lot of fun and absolutely not a chore. That’s what inspires me and I try to recreate that mindset and lifestyle here in Pembrokeshire - We’re getting there slowly even if it is dark and cold in the winter!

What do you do to Live Well? 

My partner and I have 5 pillars. If you can look back over your week and meet most of these pillars you can guarantee a great week, which rolls into a good month, a good year and so on and so forth. First of all, being outside. It’s so important for your mental health whether it’s hanging out with friends or being in nature, there’s a tonne of science behind it. Second is moving your body, in whichever way suits you as long as you’re moving. Third is being social, connecting with your partner or seeing a friend. Last but not least is being openly grateful; practising verbal or written gratification so you can keep compounding the things you love and recognising what makes you happy every day.  

How do you use MÔR Multi Balm?

I use MÔR Balm for three different things. Firstly, for personal de-stress moments, when I need to ground myself I use a little on my temples and the scent helps me to release tension immediately. I also use it for my students at the end of Yoga classes by warming some between my palms for a savasana massage or on pressure points. My students always comment on the scent and how it adds to the experience. Thirdly, when I have any little dry patches on my elbows and knees I use it then and it works very quickly and very well. 

Explore MÔR Nourishing Multi Balm here

Find Sophie at:

www.theflyingfitfoodie.com and www.sunandsaltescapes.com