Beacon Yoga Centre was my first experience of WWOOFING (Willing workers on Organic Farms). It's basically an exchange programme where you work for a few hours a day, in exchange for free accommodation, food and a new experience. Most of the opportunities are farm related, and I still don't know how well I'd get on in the middle of nowhere working on a farm (though I should rise to the challenge really) but as my first experience I found this yoga retreat was right up my street.

I was lucky and had my own massive room at the Ashram, which was strictly vegetarian but the pantry and fridge was fully stocked with amazing veggie foods. There were two live in 'Swarmis' who basically are spiritual teachers and dedicate their life to this. Swarmi Latskhmi, who is now 69 and founded the Ashram years ago was there (she spends half the year at an Ashram in India) and Swami Mahima, who is teaching here for a year, from India.

It was interesting as I had only ever done yoga before at a gym, and more as a complementary class for my cardio and weight work, but doing the classes here I was exposed a lot more to the spiritual side of yoga and the link between mind, body and soul.

The week flew back but it was nice and relaxing. I woke up, made breakfast, did some housekeeping in the morning, such as getting the rooms ready for a huge ten day live in retreat that was coming up, then I would have the rest of the day at my leisure. They provided free bikes so I could cycle down to Fremantle centre in about 10 minutes and South beach in just 5. There was a spiritual library too so I tried to do a bit of reading to find out a bit more about it all.

Every single yoga teacher had their own style so it was interesting going to them all. One of the classes was advanced and it was so hard! You need amazing strength for the classes. I certainly need to work on it. This class was probably my favourite though as was so challengingly physically, which in all honesty is more the side of yoga I enjoy, that side I did always look forward to the 15 minute meditation/relaxation part at the end, and so nearly fell asleep in the hall a few times. Was so relaxing. I was also lucky enough to be there for the once monthly Yoga Day where I helped prepared a great Veggie buffet and then got to partake in special classes with external guest teachers. I also got to try out this special type of dance linked to Chinese medicine and Earth, Wind, Water and Fire, it was really interesting and fun. I also went to an evening of beautiful live music and singing at the yoga hall on the Sunday night. It was with a well known band in the industry and outsiders came and paid for the event. Everyone was joining in and singing, but obviously I didn't know the words but it was really good still.

Just secured another experience when I get to South Australia at this 5* retreat called Authenticity, going there next week so I'll see how I get on!

Peace out man.