As I was scrolling through our photo albums for media photos last week, I got curious. I started counting and realized-- we hit the 50 retreat mark! (Well, technically, we're at 51.) But I thought it was momentous and worth celebrating.
UNDERSTANDING MEDITATION / INTERVIEW WITH JEN
WELCOMING OUR NEWEST CONTRIBUTOR / MICHELLE LEE
WELCOMING OUR NEWEST COLLABORATOR / "ZEN JEN" CARTER
2014: WHAT A YEAR / PART 2
At the very end of June we headed to our home-away-from-home of Italy and enjoyed a week among the sunflowers with a fun group! Since many of the guests were Americans, we even celebrated the 4th of July with a private fireworks show put on just for us on the hillsides of Tuscany. Then later in July we returned to the villa in Tuscany for another week of village tours, Italian cuisine, thermal spa visits, and yoga under the Tuscan sun!
2014 : WHAT A YEAR / PART 1
I know we're not quite all the way through this year, and as we're still looking forward to the holiday season and to our final retreat of 2014 to ring in the New Year in Iceland under the Northern Lights I thought it's a good time to stop and reflect on the amazing year it's been thus far.
This year we began the season in Marrakesh, Morocco at our amazing location of Peacock Pavilions - a "do good boutique hotel" in an olive grove outside the city. There were two amazing weeks there, one classic itinerary and one luxury retreat, filled with great guests as always. We also had two more weeks in Marrakesh this past September and began the "
" retreat initiative, where we were able to donate over $800 to the
non-profit group that we've been working with at Peacock Pavilions. It was wonderful to be able to see the group of girls from the village again, and in September we also got to work with their mothers as well and see the difference that this project is making in their lives.
There are 3 Marrakesh retreats in 2015. Join us for a magical week and also to know you're giving back to an worth while cause!
(click on the links for details)
:: Luxury Retreat
:: FORM+FOCUS Yoga/Art Retreat (only a few spots left!)
:: Classic Retreat
In May we headed to Provence, France for our second visit to the beautiful Cote d'Azur and enjoyed yoga, a visit to the islands of the southern French coast, wine-tastings, and
joie de vivre
! The very next week was spent with our premier week in Dubrovnik, Croatia and it was a week that exceeded everyone's expectations...bike rides through the wine country, secluded beaches with crystal clear water, yoga in the lush gardens, and the warm hospitality of the Croatian people.
We are returning to France and Croatia early summer 2015 and would love to have you join us!
(click on the links for details)
:: Dubrovnik, Croatia (only 1 room left!)
:: Provence, France (SOLD OUT)
These retreats were a great kick-off to the summer and fall that lay ahead...Stay tuned for part 2 where we'll update on how the summer and fall in Italy, Iceland, and Morocco went!
WELCOMING A NEW EAT.PRAY.MOVE MEMBER!
We are so happy to announce that we've added a new member to the EAT.PRAY.MOVE family and wanted to introduce her to you all, as you may be in contact with her someday. Sarah is currently living in Brooklyn, NY and is a health and life coach and an overall amazing woman who just teems with positivity. She'll be helping with social media, press, and customer relations. To get to know her more, we did a small Q&A...say hi to Sarah!
at the top of the Castello Aragonese in Ischia, Italy
How do you know Erin and EAT.PRAY.MOVE?
After meeting Erin in NYC, I took one of the retreats to Ischia, Italy, and my life was changed! First of all, I got to cross two life list items off—taking a yoga retreat and going to Italy. But the takeaway was so much bigger than just a vacation. I have never come away from time off with so much insight into who I am and what needed to change in my life. Taking one of her retreats makes you realize who you are beyond the noise of regular life, and it lets you experience joy you didn’t know was possible. People noticed a tangible difference in me when I came back home.
What do you do outside of EAT.PRAY.MOVE?
I am a certified holistic health and life coach, in addition to being a blogger. I work with modern women who are stuck or in a transition period and need support to move forward in life. From nutrition to relationships, I look at the big picture and help them remove obstacles and give them tools to become the best version of themselves. I have had my own struggles with health and stress in life, and I love being able to use my experiences to help others break through to the other side.
Why is yoga important to you?
I found yoga in a dark time in my life, and it truly saved me. While all the rest of the world was stressful, I found that the space of my mat was a comfort zone. And it was one I could access at any time. It’s a gift, not only to our bodies, but to our hearts and minds. It’s a reward really, after all the stress we put on our mind and body on a daily basis. It balances me in so many ways.
living it up on the beautiful Amalfi Coast in Southern Italy
What do you love about travel?
I was fortunate enough to travel North America for 3 years with my husband’s work, so I was kind of forced into it a nomadic life for a bit. Within a month, I was hooked. I realized how much is out there and how much of it I didn’t even know I needed to see. You also get to see how much people are alike, no matter where they live. You get to learn the feeling behind a place, what drives it. Most of all, you get to learn and relearn how small you and your problems are. Travel makes me feel alive, period.
Favorite place you have traveled?
It’s a toss up. I loved Lake Louise, in Banff National Park, Alberta, I got to kayak in mint colored glacial waters, surrounded by snow capped mountains. It was like stepping into a postcard. But I was speechless at the beauty of Positano on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Italy in general is everything you have ever imagined it to be and more.
throwing a coin in the Trevi Fountain in Rome, ensuring a return visit!
What makes you happy?
Most things in life do, when I take the time to savor them.
But I love my husband, yoga, a good cup of tea, anything that gets me close to water, beautifully made vegetables, pugs, paperback books, cupcakes and TRAVEL!
Where is next on your travel list?
Paris! My husband pointed out that all of my favorite movies take place there—Amelie, Sabrina, Midnight in Paris.
I just want to drink amazing wine, eat the best croissants, see amazing art and wander through Montmartre.
What is your life philosophy?
“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”
time for some updates...
SALUT! SALAM!
So we're back from the back-to-back yoga retreats in Marrakesh about a month ago, and also from a scouting trip in Provence, France. Looks like there is lots to catch you up on.
First of all - what an AMAZING time we had in Marrakesh. Peacock Pavilions was lovely as always, and the groups were so much fun! I should do an upcoming post just about the dishes we enjoyed each day - as there were many.
This time of year the air was so clear that you could see the gorgeous snow-capped Atlas Mountains in the distance. Such a strange and beautiful juxtaposition from the desert.
We enjoyed some relaxation (with Moroccan mint tea of course!) around the pool...
...while listening to the many songbirds sing away from the branches of the olive trees.
That is, of course, when we weren't out watching fire dancers...
Plus, something new since last time in September 2011 - the yoga tent now has a beautifully painted floor that we all got to admire during those downward-facing dog poses.
Both groups were full of energy, laughter, wonderful spirits, and (newly made) friends!
Now don't miss out on the ONE SPOT LEFT for Sept 23-29 this year - and 2 weeks are on the site now for MARCH 2013!
ps. I'll talk to you soon about the NEWLY ANNOUNCED retreat in PROVENCE, FRANCE after my time touring the area and getting details set up... stay tuned!