Meet Stephan Reuter: Yoga Beneath the Palms at Seaside Palm Beach

Each afternoon, yoga mats are laid out on the lawn. Palm trees cast welcome shade, the air is warm, and guests begin to gather. Some have attended Stephan's classes for years; others are stepping onto a yoga mat for the very first time.

Stephan Reuter greets each participant, taking time to observe how the group moves during the warm-up. His classes never follow a rigid routine. Instead, every session begins with the people standing in front of him.

Since 2002, Stephan has been leading yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and meditation classes at Seaside Palm Beach. For many returning guests, seeing him again has become as much a part of their stay as an early morning stroll through the Maspalomas Dunes or a quiet afternoon beneath the palms.

From Personal Challenge to Competitive Sport

Stephan's fascination with movement and wellbeing began long before yoga became his profession.

Shortly before his fifteenth birthday, he was diagnosed with a serious blood disorder that required lengthy stays in hospital and left him physically weakened. During that difficult period, one doctor's advice changed the course of his life: rather than protecting his body from every challenge, he was encouraged to strengthen it through carefully guided exercise.

That advice became a turning point.

What began with gentle physical activity gradually developed into a passion for sport. Stephan went on to compete in swimming and athletics before discovering basketball, eventually playing at regional level. Alongside his training, he immersed himself in exercise science, movement mechanics and sports nutrition, eager to understand how the body performs, adapts and recovers.

Looking back, he sees those years as the foundation of the approach that still shapes his teaching today.

"I wanted to understand what movement does to the body and how it can make us stronger."

It is a philosophy that continues to define every class he teaches. For Stephan, yoga has never been about mastering impressive poses; it is about helping people move better, feel stronger and develop a deeper awareness of their own bodies.

How Stephan Found Yoga

Later, Stephan's path took him to Italy, where he spent several years living, studying and travelling throughout the Mediterranean. Along the way, he encountered new cultures, different ways of thinking and, most importantly, disciplines such as yoga, Tai Chi and meditation.

What drew him in was not simply the physical practice, but a different way of understanding movement and wellbeing. Rather than focusing solely on external performance, these disciplines encouraged him to become more aware of how the body moves, where tension builds and how greater balance can be achieved through mindful practice.

For Stephan, yoga has therefore never been just a sequence of postures. It is an opportunity to pause, to observe and to reconnect with the body.

Questions such as How does this movement feel? Where am I holding unnecessary tension? What does my body need today? continue to shape the way he teaches every class.

Three Days Later: A New Beginning in Gran Canaria

When Seaside Palm Beach reopened in 2002 following an extensive refurbishment, the hotel introduced an ambitious new wellness concept. As part of this vision, it was looking for an experienced instructor who could teach Tai Chi, Qi Gong, yoga and meditation, while also leading a range of other wellbeing activities.

Stephan came across the advertisement, submitted his application and was soon contacted by the hotel's then General Manager, Michaela Mittendorf. Just three days later, he was on a flight to Gran Canaria.

What began as a new professional opportunity soon became something far more enduring.

For more than two decades, Stephan has welcomed guests of all ages and nationalities onto the yoga lawn at Seaside Palm Beach. Many return year after year, making his classes an integral part of their holiday.

Over time, brief encounters have grown into familiar traditions. Some guests have been practising with him for many years, while others discover yoga for the very first time during their stay and leave with a completely new perspective on movement, wellbeing and themselves.

Yoga That Adapts to the Individual

Stephan's approach to yoga is refreshingly straightforward. Rather than striving for perfect poses or complicated sequences, he focuses on what is genuinely beneficial for the person standing on the mat.

As he puts it:

"Simply do what works."

Every class begins with a dynamic warm-up, giving Stephan the opportunity to observe how participants move. By watching posture, mobility and natural movement patterns, he gains valuable insight into each guest's individual needs. Newcomers are invited to share any previous experience, current fitness level or physical concerns before the session begins.

Only then does he decide where the focus of the class should lie.

Some sessions concentrate on mobility and gentle stretching, while others place greater emphasis on strength, balance or coordination. Breathing exercises and meditation are also woven naturally into many classes.

Years of experience have taught Stephan that no two groups are ever the same. Instead of following a fixed routine, he adapts each session to the people in front of him, modifying or replacing exercises whenever necessary.

His teaching also reflects modern understanding of movement and physical wellbeing. Alongside traditional yoga practice, he incorporates insights from movement science and physiotherapy to ensure that every exercise is both safe and purposeful.

Ultimately, his philosophy is simple: the yoga adapts to the individual, not the other way around.

Yoga Begins with the First Step

Many guests hesitate to join a class because they have never practised yoga before or worry that they may not be flexible enough.

Stephan quickly puts those concerns to rest.

"The best way to learn is simply to give it a try," he says.

His classes begin with straightforward, down-to-earth movements before gradually progressing at a pace that feels comfortable for the group.

He often compares the learning process to building a house:

"First you lay the foundations, then you build the walls, and only afterwards do you put on the roof."

There is no expectation to master difficult postures or keep up with anyone else. Instead, the aim is to become more aware of your own body, discover your natural range of movement and enjoy the process without pressure.

More experienced practitioners also benefit from Stephan's flexible teaching style. Because every session is tailored to the participants, the same exercises can be adapted to suit different levels of ability, allowing everyone to find the right level of challenge.

Guests with injuries, medical concerns or simply a little uncertainty are always encouraged to speak to Stephan before the class begins. A brief conversation helps him adapt the session where needed, ensuring that everyone can take part with confidence and enjoy the experience at their own pace.

Yoga Beneath the Palms

For Stephan, the yoga lawn is far more than simply a place to teach. Between classes, it is where he chooses to pause, unwind and spend a few quiet moments himself.

Practising outdoors is an essential part of the experience at Seaside Palm Beach. Thanks to Gran Canaria's exceptionally mild climate, yoga classes can take place in the open air throughout most of the year, allowing guests to enjoy the calming surroundings as naturally as the practice itself.

The palm trees provide welcome shade, while the grass creates its own gentle microclimate, making even warmer afternoons surprisingly comfortable.

Rather than competing for attention, the setting quietly enhances the experience. The movement of the palms, the fresh air and the peaceful atmosphere encourage a slower pace, allowing body and mind to settle naturally into the rhythm of the class.

For many guests, it is this combination of mindful movement and an exceptional outdoor setting that makes practising yoga at Seaside Palm Beach such a memorable part of their stay.

Tai Chi and Qi Gong: A Different Way to Begin the Day

Alongside his afternoon yoga sessions, Stephan also teaches Tai Chi and Qi Gong in the mornings, offering guests another way to experience mindful movement.

While yoga tends to be more physically demanding, with a stronger focus on strength, flexibility and mobility, Tai Chi and Qi Gong are gentler practices built around slow, flowing movements, balance and body awareness.

Meditation also forms part of both classes—standing during the morning Tai Chi session, and usually seated or lying down during the afternoon yoga class.

For Stephan, these disciplines are not separate paths competing with one another, but complementary ways of developing greater awareness of how the body moves and responds. Each offers its own approach, allowing guests to discover the practice that suits them best.

Whether choosing the quiet, meditative rhythm of Tai Chi or the more dynamic nature of yoga, both experiences invite participants to slow down, move with intention and enjoy a different perspective on wellbeing during their stay at Seaside Palm Beach.

What Stays With You After Your Holiday

A holiday offers the perfect opportunity to discover new ways of looking after yourself. The real challenge, however, is carrying those habits home.

That is why Stephan encourages his guests not to aim for dramatic change, but to start small.

"Nothing leads to disappointment faster than expecting too much too soon."

Rather than setting ambitious goals, he recommends choosing a few simple habits that fit naturally into everyday life: taking the stairs instead of the lift, walking short distances whenever possible, stretching for a few minutes between meetings or simply pausing to take a conscious breath.

For Stephan, lasting wellbeing is not built through occasional bursts of motivation, but through small actions repeated consistently over time. Perhaps that is one of the most valuable lessons guests take away from a session on the yoga lawn.

Yoga does not end when the class is over or the mat is rolled away. It continues in the way we move, breathe and pay attention to ourselves long after the holiday has come to an end.

If you would like to experience Stephan's classes during your stay at Seaside Palm Beach, our Reception team will be delighted to provide the latest timetable for yoga, Tai Chi and Qi Gong sessions.