Combining photography lessons and yoga at a tranquil retreat in Greece that just clicks

This must be how it feels to be part of a 'flash mob', I muse as I attempt to block out the sounds of people milling about behind me and stretch my body into 'half moon pose'. 

Although my pose leaves a lot to be desired, the location certainly does not.

A small group of us are practicing yoga as the sun sets atop a 900-foot sheer cliff with arguably one of the most breathtaking – and certainly most photographed - views in Greece: Shipwreck Cove, on the Ionian island of Zakynthos. 

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Cerulean sea: Catherine took this shot of the north east coast of Zakynthos from a little taverna during a lunch break. The photography and yoga teachers are swimming (bottom right)

Cerulean sea: Catherine took this shot of the north east coast of Zakynthos from a little taverna during a lunch break. The photography and yoga teachers are swimming (bottom right)

It's probably one of the most beautiful spots I've ever laid a yoga mat – and it's just a taste of things to come on my week long 'Soulfood Retreat'. 

But what has specifically attracted me to this holiday isn't just the yoga. I will also be learning how to use a digital SLR camera to create stunning landscape shots of my Greek idyll, a skill I can take away with me forever. 

Having been given my first SLR camera aged 14 by my keen photographer father I'm known for taking hundreds of photos, but my challenge is to stop using the 'auto' selection on the camera – and not to rely so much on the various groovy filters on my iPhone.

Agios Nikolaos: A world away from the packaged resorts

Agios Nikolaos: A world away from the packaged resorts

I've brought along a Canon 100D, the smallest and lightest DSLR in its class. It has a touchscreen display which makes it easy to adjust settings and review shots, and as the week goes on I find out how to use all sorts of whizzy features I wouldn't in a million years have discovered without hands on tuition.

Zakynthos, also known by its Italian name of Zante, is a mix of busy beaches and quiet coves, wild and rugged cliffs, pine forested hills and fertile grasslands in roughly equal measures. 

We are thankfully a world away from the heavily packaged resorts of the eastern and southern shores, just a short walk from the quaint harbour town of Agios Nikolaos in the north east. 

The Villa Zaharoula, with sweeping views out over the Ionian Sea, is surrounded by olive trees

The Villa Zaharoula, with sweeping views out over the Ionian Sea, is surrounded by olive trees

Classic Greece: Catherine learned that colours can easily be given more intensity with an in-camera colour booster, negating the need for 'photoshopping' afterwards

Classic Greece: Catherine learned that colours can easily be given more intensity with an in-camera colour booster, negating the need for 'photoshopping' afterwards

No filters required: The impossibly blue swimming cove at the tranquil Kapari Bay hideaway

No filters required: The impossibly blue swimming cove at the tranquil Kapari Bay hideaway

Most photographed: Shipwreck Bay from above... before 'sunset yoga'

Most photographed: Shipwreck Bay from above... before 'sunset yoga'

A white shingle beach and some basic cafes along the main stretch of road pretty much makes up Agios Nikolaos, but despite its size (a census not so long ago returned a population of '42') - the pretty village is an important harbour.

Ferry boats carry visitors to next-door island Kephalonia, and to the Blue Caves around the headland, named for the deep colour of the sea here.

I'm staying 10 minutes' walk away, in Villa Zaharoula, the Greek HQ for Soulfood London.

Formed by longtime school friends Kate, Charlie and Chloe, each bring a different gift to the table.

Natural cook and all round organiser Kate exerts a calm, grounding influence from the kitchen and single-handedly provides meal after colourful meal seemingly effortlessly.

Charlie (charliemorganyoga) is a yogini extraordinaire, whose practice emphasises correct body alignment combined with a dynamic and creative flow. 

Morgan runs classes all over London, has been name-checked by Deliciously Ella, and is the yoga instructor for the Harlequins rugby team. Lucky them – she's one very cool lady who combines her rigorous yoga practice with an innate spirituality.

Professional photographer Chloe Crewe-Read (crewereadphotography.co.uk) completes the trio, and her relaxed, informal style of tuition works well with our group – a couple of whom are total beginners.

Anne, a lovely lady from Bolton who has come with her daughter to the retreat, confesses she wasn't even sure how to switch her husband's camera on when she arrived. By the end of the week she's produced some truly stunning shots – as have the rest of us.

The Kapari Bay feast: Catherine (second right) and the intrepid band of photographers eat each meal with Kate, Chloe and Charlie

The Kapari Bay feast: Catherine (second right) and the intrepid band of photographers eat each meal with Kate, Chloe and Charlie

Our days are an agreeable blend of yoga and swimming, photography, relaxation and healthy, appealing food.

After early morning Vinyasa flow yoga, and an al fresco breakfast, it's time for our daily photography tutorial, which sees the five of us on the retreat roaming around, cameras in hand, putting theory into practice.

The business of creating dramatic photographs becomes clearer by the day, with tuition including choosing the right shutter speed, aperture and ISO; creating an original composition and making the most of light. We look at different styles of photography each day, with Chloe introducing us to some of her favourite photographers.

Hannah, a fellow guest on the retreat, turns out to be very photogenic and makes a good subject, framed in the kitchen window at Villa Zaharoula

Hannah, a fellow guest on the retreat, turns out to be very photogenic and makes a good subject, framed in the kitchen window at Villa Zaharoula

Characterful: In hill village Volimes, the roaming photographers find an old lady who lets them all take her photograph. Catherine uses the arm of a fellow snapper as a frame for her shot

Characterful: In hill village Volimes, the roaming photographers find an old lady who lets them all take her photograph. Catherine uses the arm of a fellow snapper as a frame for her shot

One day we are pottering about Agios Nikolaos trying to capture movement and freeze shots, the next roving around traditional hill village Volimes, seeking (and finding) characterful faces to photograph. 

Volimes is the largest of Zante's hill villages, and we buy exquisitely flavoured honey, olive oil and herbs while we wander about snapping.

Chloe has given us homework to encourage us to start creating a set of original photographs we can be proud of, and by the end of the week I have around 800 shots to edit down to around 30 for the promised final night's slide show. 

I am impressed by how quickly I've learned how to use a camera that before I would have baulked at using, adjusting the settings continually to get the best possible shot and the deepest colours. 

A riot of colour: Getting the right settings to begin with and made the shot of carpets more of an abstract

A riot of colour: Getting the right settings to begin with made the shot of carpets more of an abstract

'This little girl at a honey stall was gorgeous and I was happy to catch her looking so thoughtful'. Catherine used a black and white filter to add drama to the shot

'This little girl at a honey stall was gorgeous and I was happy to catch her looking so thoughtful,' said Catherine, who used a black-and-white filter to add drama to the shot

A huge earthquake in 1953 destroyed much of the beautiful Venetian buildings in Zante, so we are happy to eschew a visit to the island's capital for hanging out at Villa Zaharoula, with its views over an impossibly cerulean sea - and hammocks aplenty.

Kate has been coming to this island since she was a child and we eat out once a day, in a different taverna each time, usually followed by a swim at a deserted cove. 

One of the best lunches away from the villa is at the exclusive hideaway Kapari Bay (kaparibay.com), which is run by gifted chef Emma Schuster.

Morning swim: Capturing the spirit of the holiday with Hannah as unsuspecting model, Catherine used the black and white setting for this early morning shot on her favourite beach

Morning swim: Capturing the spirit of the holiday with Hannah as an unsuspecting model. Catherine used the black-and-white setting for this early morning shot on her favourite beach

Film and music stars, ministers and royalty have stayed here, perhaps inspired by Aristotle Onassis and Maria Callas, who were fans of Zante and visited in the Sixties.

After a mouthwatering selection of dishes, we wander down through her garden to a private cove below for a dip in sea so clear it's like swimming in pale blue glass.

The close bond between Kate, Charlie and Chloe has ensured a lovely relaxed feel to proceedings, and far from the yoga and photography seeming 'bolted on extras', the retreat feels like the perfect blend of creativity, health and relaxation. 

The dynamic trio behind Soulfood (left to right) Charlie, Chloe and Kate

The dynamic trio behind Soulfood (left to right) Charlie, Chloe and Kate

These three women are the embodiment of what they preach - Chloe and Kate both join in with the yoga when their schedule allows it; Charlie learns how to use her new DSLR and we all eat together at each meal, with the laughter level increasing as the week progresses.

Having also run retreats in Morocco and Italy, the trio's next plan is to open a permanent urban space in London which will act as a combined café/gallery/yoga space and become Soulfood HQ.

'We want to become the go-to brand in the wellness sector for both luxury and rustic healthy and creative breaks and events,' Kate tells me, and reveals plans to open at least two retreats in the UK within the next five years.

You get the feeling that when these three put their mind to something, there's a good chance it's going to happen.

It's certainly been a transformative week for me. Arriving stressed and burnt out, I've slept more soundly than I have in weeks, and enjoyed the succession of healthy meals without once craving alcohol or chocolate (although both are allowed should the need arise).

Our twice daily Vinyasa yoga sessions - with the evening sessions even including some life coaching from Charlie - have motivated me to reignite my yoga practice when I get home, and I'm uber-excited about my newfound photography skills.

Four weeks after I get back the yoga mat on my bedroom floor is in use daily before work and I'm still feeling the benefits of my week away.

I can't help thinking that my soul has been well and truly nourished - on many levels.

TRAVEL FACTS 

Catherine stayed at Villa Zaharoula (villazaharoula.com) with Soulfood London.

Cost of a week long retreat: from £825 (double occupancy) and £1,150 per person (single occupancy). Flights, excursions and one meal a day (either lunch or dinner) are not included in this price. 

Long weekend retreats in various locations will cost £349 for double occupancy and £495 for single occupancy for three nights. For information and bookings for forthcoming retreats visit www.soulfoodlondon.com.