Moving to The White Island
When I told people I was moving to Ibiza for the quiet life they gave me that ‘You're kidding' look.
The island is not particularly famous for a ‘healthy peaceful lifestyle' but last summer, when I was here briefly, amidst the whirlwind of busy beaches and fabulous openings and hedonistic parties I saw the pieces that, in my opinion, constitute a place to call home that feeds mind, body and soul.
Mind.
For me, learning and creativity are paramount for a healthy mental environment. Ibiza is full of interesting, talented and dynamic people from all over the world. I see a balance between people firing each other up, sharing endeavours and ideas and people forging their own way. The Island fosters an intense creativity as people find the means to thrive and create a great community that encourages the balance between tourism and home on a small island: Artisans, musicians, healers, yogis, farmers, dancers, entrepreneurs, crafts and trades people, environmentalists who lead the way forward in cutting-edge sustainability and salt-of-the earth Ibithencans who hold the knowledge of generations of sustainability on this island.
Body.
To me a healthy home for my physical body has to have clean air and water, abundant healthful food and access to healthy physical activities. Though water conservation is crucial to Ibiza, the water from the wells tastes great. The air is amazing: fresh off the sea, full of negative ions and then oxygenated by the famous Pines. Outdoors activities abound: Any water sports, hiking in the hills, biking etc. There are a plethora of internationally known yoga, dance and Pilates teachers to be instructed by and best of all; we can dance till dawn every night of the week.
But, the food in Ibiza is my favourite part. Citizens here seem to demand the best. The food quality and availability is world-class. I have delighted in discovering specialty shops that impressively hold almost every possible ingredient my little chef hands desire. There has been much joy to be had in the small roadside stalls and markets sourcing fresh, local ingredients: right now the Fava Beans and Swiss Chard are stunning and the local Orange Blossom honey is swoon worthy.
I am constantly marveling at the myriad tomato varietals, olives and their oils, the seafood and of course, lemons and oranges off the tree. Yum. As well, the proximity to North Africa seems to bring some beautiful, exotic finds in. The Island restaurants are diverse, taking advantage of the bounty of food and cross-pollination of cultures.
Soul.
Things that nourish my soul: Nature, love, friends and family, a good balance between work and play, solitude and community, and most importantly a sense of freedom. A major draw for me is the stunning natural beauty of Ibiza. I love the lack of lighting on the country roads.
The deep, dark nights make for stunning stargazing, which always leaves me wonderstruck. It never grows old. Every time my eyes meet a vista of forested rolling hills, or a vast expanse of sea I can feel my soul take a deep sigh of relief.
My heart has delighted in meeting great people, sharing food, practices and ideas.
In Ibiza you can feel your body and mind relax as the soul replenishes in all these elements that invite harmony, peace, contentment, joy, freedom and our deeply human desire for connectivity.
So, what did this look like in real terms today?
This morning I had a quiet cup of tea in a beautiful home on a forested hillside with sweeping views of the Morna Valley and sea beyond. Then I practiced yoga and meditated with a fellow yoga teacher on a deck in cool, fresh, meadow herb scented air to the sounds of birdcalls as the sun climbed and warmed us gently. We are from different countries and different yoga lineages so it was a total pleasure to learn from each other.
Then, a breakfast of fresh-baked bread, greens from the house garden, excellent cheese and farm-fresh eggs. A bit of hard work, a siesta, and now as evening approaches, it's Ibiza and anything is possible.
Maili Dinim is a Yoga Instructor and Natural Food Chef. She can be contacted via MailiDinim.com
