TRAVELER TESTIMONY / SUNNY SOJOURNER / SUSANNA - MARYLAND

We are so excited to introduce you to another one of our EAT.PRAY.MOVE repeat guests, Susanna! She is from Maryland, USA, and she has now joined us for FOUR different retreats (to Tuscany, Ischia, Marrakesh and Provence). We caught up with her and asked about her experiences. While she has loved every retreat, she says Tuscany really stuck out for her as a special trip. 

Susanna has added such fun and laughter to each group and connects with guests with her inspiring personal stories. She clearly has a heart that is full of joy and adventure!

What drew you to EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats?

I was doing some research on different yoga retreats and most of them were the same, just on a different Carribean Island. Then I came across the EAT.PRAY.MOVE retreat in Tuscany. I thought it was really orginal and somewhere I've alway dreamed of visiting. I signed up right away and have been on 4 different retreats so far! I can't wait to sign up for my next one!

A beautiful view in Tuscany

How did the trip compare to your expectations?

The trip exceeded all my expectations. We stayed in a breathtaking villa in Tuscany, Italy. All the activities and sightseeing tours were already planned, so there was no stress of where to go and what to do. I got to meet the most amazing women from all over the world and different walks of life.

What did you learn on your trip? Did anything surprise you?

I learned how much I really love to travel and learn about different cultures and people. I was really surprised at how much you can learn and have in common with women of all ages and different backgrounds.

Yoga fun at Castello Aragonese in Ischia

What was it like to have Erin Lewis as a guide?

Erin was an amazing guide! She did all the research and found the best places to eat, what's important and interesting to see, and she found the perfect balance of sightseeing, shopping and relaxation. The most important thing for Erin is that everybody is enjoying themselves. She puts her whole heart into planning these retreats, and you can feel that every day that you're there with her. Not to mention the fact that she's a fantastic yoga instructor!

What was the best part of your trip?

The best part of the trips were the people that I met and the friendships that I've built while experiencing the most beautiful places in the world.

Overlooking beautiful Italian waters

What lasting impressions did you have? What stayed with you once you traveled home?

There isn't a week that goes by that I don't think of an experience or a person from one of the retreats. Those moments will be with me forever, and they are priceless. Taking these amazing adventures has made me change my perspective on what's important in life and what's just not worth stressing about. I can't say enough great things about EAT.PRAY.MOVE and Erin Lewis.

Susanna, we are so grateful for your thoughts and time. It's travelers like you that keep us inspired to create and to give great experiences. Thank you for being a part of the EAT.PRAY.MOVE family, and we can't wait to see you on another retreat!

TRAVELER TESTIMONY / THOUGHTFUL ADVENTURER / REBECCA - MASSACHUSETTS

We love catching up with our past guests and hearing about their experiences on our retreats, and this month we were lucky enough to talk to Rebecca!  She hails from Massachusetts, and has joined us for retreats in Marrakesh and Tuscany.  We love her enthusiasm and adventurous nature!

Rebecca on a mule trek in the Atlas Mountains

What drew you to EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats?

I love the idea of combining travel and yoga...they are 2 of my favorite things in life! I came across EAT.PRAY.MOVE on a blog, and after exploring the website and seeing what was in store for the retreat, I knew I had to attend one. Marrakech was my second retreat with Erin, and my first was in Tuscany. I loved everything about the Tuscany retreat, so making a decision to go on another was a piece of cake. I chose the Marrakech retreat because it's somewhere I wanted to visit, but not necessarily on my own. I knew I'd be in good hands and would get the opportunity to practice yoga, and see and do a variety of things.

How did your trip compare to your expectations?

After the wonderful Tuscany retreat I had high expectations because it was THAT awesome! Marrakech not only held up, but exceeded my expectations. Erin does a wonderful job of scouting out the best places to visit and things to do. It was a diverse itinerary and a great balance of yoga and exploring.

What did you learn on your trip? Did anything surprise you?

I learned a lot about Morocco in general that I was not aware of before. It opened me eyes to the culture and history.

yoga fun on the rooftop in Marrakesh

What was it like to have Erin Lewis as a guide?

Erin is an amazing guide and person...she's outstanding at what she does. She always had our best interest in mind and makes sure things run smoothly, but with an easy going attitude. She also has a great sense of humor, which I think is so important when you're a guide and having to deal with others and situations that might not always go as planned.

What was the best part of your trip?

It's really tough to choose one part. One of my favorites was the spa day at Les Bains de Marrakesh. Ahhh, I was in total bliss. Another favorite part of the trip for me was the food. Everyday was different...so fresh and delicious!

What lasting impressions did you have?

This retreat definitely made an impression on me and I know I will attend another retreat in the future. We watched a short film about Project Soar, which is an organization founded by the owners of Peacock Pavilions. It's goal is to "help under-served communities to soar a little higher through art, design and renovation projects, as well as through sports and health education." Learning about this project and about the people it serves definitely put my perspective in check. It's something that stayed with me.

The amazing set of travelers on Rebecca's Marrakesh adventure

Thank you, Rebecca for sharing your memories with us!  Even more, thank you for continuing to share your travels and time with EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats.  We are grateful to include you as a part of the incredible extended community we have here, and we can't wait to see you on another retreat!

TRAVELER TESTIMONY / INSPIRING SPIRIT / BONNIE - PENNSYLVANIA

Welcome to another edition of our series, "

TRAVELER TESTIMONY

" where we have the pleasure of introducing some of the amazing people that have joined us on EAT.PRAY.MOVE retreats. This month's spotlight is on an inspiring guest who has been on many retreats at all of our locations to date...but today her Q and A is focusing on her experience in Provence, France (where our next

upcoming retreat

will be held)!

Bonnie lives in Pennsylvania but is definitely a world citizen and always brings a great sprit to the groups. I had the pleasure of meeting Bonnie on a humanitarian trip to Cuba many years ago and from the start of EPM, she's been someone I can count on seeing every year. In her 60s, not only does she keep up with all the activities in the week, she also brings inspiration to others who've met her - with her resolve to see the world, meet other people, experience cultures, get out of her comfort-zone, and never stop exploring! Also, if you happen to be on a retreat that falls just after a breast-cancer awareness 'Race for the Cure' - you may just find that she's dyed her hair one of many shades of pink to show her support!

 Bonnie illuminating her henna hands in Morocco

What drew you to EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats?

As a single, retired woman with a strong desire to travel, I realized that there weren't many options available to travel with like-minded individuals. When a mutual friend mentioned that Erin had started EPM, I jumped right on it. The first trip that was available for me was to Marrakesh and there was no way to say no to that. I enjoyed it so much that each time a new location is offered, I sign up before it gets filled up. The last 'new' location was Provence, and since I had spent no time in that area I was roaring to go.

 Bonnie showing LOVE on a retreat in Ischia

How did your trip compare to your expectations?

The venue and the fellow travelers always change, so no trip is ever the same. Since Provence was my 4th Retreat, I pretty much knew the mechanics of the trip, and what the general schedule would be like. As it turned out, the details where better than I expected, although each retreat always is better than expected!

What did you learn on your trip?

What was confirmed for me on that trip was that the "universe" which supplied all my fellow travelers was one that matched my interests and suited my travel style.

 with some of the group in Tuscany

What is it like to have Erin Lewis as a guide?

Erin is a wonderful guide! I recently came back from a retreat in India, and kept thinking that if Erin had led it, things would have been better and easier. Our guide had never stayed at any of the 4 places we used. Erin always scouts out the places before she selects them, and her standards are quite high. Erin treats all of us with patience and tolerance, a really necessary talent for a guide. She also gives us the freedom to choose whether we want to go along with the daily program or arrange our own side trips. And if we feel like sleeping in, missing a few yoga class. whatever, that's fine, too.

 enjoying an espresso in Italy

What was your favorite part of the retreat?

It's always difficult for me to pick out the best of anything. I'm very lucky in that there's almost nothing I don't enjoy. But if I'm forced to pick out the most exceptional event in Provence, it was going to the Thermal Spa. After an incredible massage and delicious outdoor lunch, I sat in my bathing suit near one of the many outdoor pools and enjoyed watching the ocean, conversations with my friends, and sketching.

 Bonnie in Provence with pink hair for breast-cancer awareness!

What impacted you and stayed with you once you traveled home?

I had always heard about the beauty of Provence, but had no idea what that really meant. After staying in a beautiful 17th century Provincial "demure" with beautiful gardens and surrounded by fields as well as forest, I learned that It is the natural beauty of the area which is so sensational. Charming villages were everywhere we drove. What is reinforced each time I travel with EPM is how grateful I am to have such a wonderful group to travel with. The experience always adds beauty and grace to my life.

Thank you, Bonnie for your words, continued support, and friendship! You're an inspiration and I hope many more guests on future retreats have the opportunity to meet you.

TRAVELER TESTIMONY / REPEAT IMPRESSIONS / LIZ - CALIFORNIA

One of the greatest joys of EAT.PRAY.MOVE is the opportunity to meet amazing people from all locations and walks of life. We thought we would share some of our friends with our amazing community in this kick-off of the new series "

TRAVELER TESTIMONY

". 

We recently caught up with Elizabeth Jimenez, a repeat guest of our retreats. An avid yogi from Long Beach, California, she and her family first joined us for a retreat in Marrakesh, Morocco and continued on to the Tuscany and Ischia retreats the following years. Liz, her husband Rene and mother-in-law Blanca are absolutely wonderful people and lovers of life - they've inspired us, made us smile, and most importantly have become friends along the way! To share them with you we did a little Q and A with Liz and loved what she had to say!

·      

What drew you EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats?

I started taking yoga classes for the first time right before my 49th birthday and when I saw an ad for EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats on Facebook, I just knew it would be a different yet very exciting vacation for us. The itinerary and pictures for the Morocco retreat at Peacock Pavillion looked like heaven! It was something straight out of a magazine layout, and I knew it would be a very special.  When my husband and I excitedly shared with my Mom that we were attending a yoga retreat in Morocco, she immediately invited herself!!

Liz, Rene, and Blanca in Marrakesh

·      

How did your trip compare to your expectations?

The EPM Morocco yoga retreat went BEYOND our expectations. From the pictures I knew we would be arriving to a beautiful location, but experiencing the environment, our accommodations, the food, daily yoga…it was the most luxurious vacation my husband and I have ever experienced. We really enjoyed Erin as our yogi, as well as our tour and cultural guide! She provides a personal touch and she's so easy to talk to. We especially enjoyed the daily excursions she chose for us.

Y.O.G.A on the beach in Morocco

·      

What did you learn on your trip? Did anything surprise you?

Vegetarian food is quite delicious!! We didn't miss eating meat while on the retreat.

·      

What was the best part of your trip?

Practicing yoga outdoors, under the canopy, early in the morning and late afternoon was so refreshing. Each day we felt energized and the fresh vegetarian food was amazing and delicious.

riding camels in Morocco

·      

What lasting impressions did you have?  

It definitely left an impression!!  The way we eat, move and pray has definitely changed for the better!! My husband changed his diet and cut out red meat entirely! He really enjoyed the vegetarian diet at the retreat and when we returned he was able to lower his cholesterol by sticking to a fish and vegetarian diet. I've continued to practice yoga daily in my home. It has kept me limber, provides me peace, and helps me most when I feel stressed out from work. Rene and I love to travel and especially enjoy vacations that include a healthy component.  For that reason we've attended two additional EPM yoga retreats! We love each retreat’s unique location. We look forward to experiencing the culture, food, people and practicing yoga with Erin.  That's what makes it so special. 

Thanks for sharing and traveling with us, Elizabeth, Rene and Blanca!  We look forward to more adventures with you in the future! 

ps: Follow Liz and her yogi adventures on her instagram page 

@lizlovelaugh