The iconic Kew Gardens offers a range of activities – many of them out of hours – including sunset and sunrise yoga in the stunning Temperate House
Kew Gardens – the world famous botanic garden in London – attracts millions of visitors every year, with many thronging to the iconic site during the summer months.
However, as a regular to this oasis of calm on the edge of the capital I have to say spring is by far my favourite time to visit the lush landscape.
Yes, in summer the blooms are at their most showy, the trees are all in full leaf. Autumn brings golden leaves, scrunching underfoot, and a raft of bronze colour on the plants and winter is arguably blissfully quiet during the day only to explode in a riot of colour when the incredible Kew at Christmas lights burst into being.
However, there’s something about spring in this stunning place. Crisp days with some sunshine and the first shoots appearing on the trees, letting us all know the cold, dark months of winter are finally over. And that’s before we even get started on the explosion of daffodils, tulips and other spring flowering bulbs bursting into life in immense carpets all over the stunning Kew Gardens.
However, the highlight for me has to be the cherry blossoms. Gracefully coming back to life in pinks and whites, bringing with them a new season, only to shower the lucky visitor with their petals in the breeze.
Nestled close to Kew Gardens’ Temperate House, a gigantic glass house which underwent a huge renovation six years ago and containing more than 3,000 varieties of plants, many of them critically endangered, there is stunning cherry blossom walkway.
An avenue of glorious cherry trees in full bloom, watching over a carpet of proud tulips was the perfect stroll before trying Kew Gardens sunset yoga in the Temperate House. I already felt serene walking into the incredible building but nothing could have prepared me for how I would feel after the season was over and I left.
Inspired by the cherry blossoms just outside, and also the many others around Kew, this yoga experience was centred on lightness and renewal – just like the season itself.
Led by Kew’s resident yoga instructor, Anil Jangi, this sessions are said to “cultivate mindfulness, enhance flexibility and invite a sense of deep calm for both body and mind”.
Held inside one of the most iconic buildings at Kew Gardens – and let’s be honest there’s no shortage to pick from – the sessions are suitable for every level. And believe me when I say if there was a level below beginner, that’s where I’d be, but Anil made sure every ability was catered for as she guided us through the practice.
Accompanied by live sound bath music, enhanced by gongs, crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, we began lying on the floor of the Temperate House. Before closing my eyes to start breath work I was struck by a sense of awe in what was described as a “cathedral of plants”.
The soft green of the fronds – some giant, many at risk of extinction – floating above us, the gentle singing of birds and a sense of being somewhere truly special couldn’t help but wash over everyone taking part in this yoga session.
This was a gentle practice, full of stretching, strength poses, balance, restoration and relaxation. I could feel any stress melting into the floor of the Temperate House.
As the sun gradually set, the warm spring light was replaced with gentle candlelight, deepening the sense of calm and closeness to the incredible plants we were surrounded by.
It ended with a blissful sound bath before a warming mug of herbal tea.
As I walked out of the Temperate House almost two hours later, I was filled with such a sense of peace and calm – something we’re all finding increasingly hard to come by in these troubled times.
Kew Gardens is holding both sunset and sunset yoga, all accompanied by live acoustic music, on a variety of dates between now and September.
For more information, visit the website.
