Sadie Frost Happiness Yoga Retreat

Actor and film director Sadie Frost has joined forces with Amchara Health & Wellbeing on the island of Gozo, Malta where she holds her twice yearly Happiness retreats with fitness instructor sister Holly Davidson.

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I went along to the Autumn four day retreat where the unusual wet weather did not dampen the spirits of the all-female group, an eclectic mix of famous faces, influencers and regular guests. We were all here for different reasons – full detox living on juices, a healthy vegan diet or just to chill and switch off for a few days.

Our days ran to a regular schedule of dynamic yoga with Holly, breakfast, followed by an organised trip out, free time or a treatment. I dived straight into the spa treatments with a wonderful sugar and lemon juice body scrub, followed by a relaxing back massage. All treatments are extra to the cost but well worth it.

Another day I popped out to do some sightseeing, and took the local bus to the main town of Victoria, a busy place with a pretty café square, independent shops and impressive church buildings. There were also group trips such as a walk down to Djerba, with a boat ride through the caves where we were encouraged to look down at the clear blue waters and up to the impressive overhanging cliffs.

The retreat is in a small village away from the coast but we did have an organised visit to one of the best beaches on the island, Mġarr ix-Xini where Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt made the film ‘By the Sea’. Even though it was out of season the beach café was still open which was welcomed by a couple of retreaters desperate for a caffeine fix.

Amchara, Gozo Malta.

Always back in time for midday lunch, we then had chance to catch up with our designated naturopath, easy to spot in their full length green silk boiler suits and ready to discuss personalised eating plans and health goals

Late afternoon was the gentle combination of yin yoga and meditation with Sadie, including a bonus mini massage while we relaxed into our poses. The dark early nights and candlelight helped encourage the mental detox at the end of the day.

Sadie was very much part of the group the entire time, joining us for meals and trips, most times accompanied by her sausage dog, Cherry. Evening meals were a lively affair even though the strongest drink was a plant based smoothie or herbal tea. We all had our own named placed mats which were often moved around to create a carousel of dining neighbours and a chance to catch up with everyone.

We ended our retreat with a rousing evening of sober dancing round the fire pit, hot cacao in one hand and paper affirmations in the other, written at the start of the retreat, letting go of the past and preparing for the future.