springtime + savoring life

Life runs away from you sometimes....and we try to run with it at least. That's how the past month or so has been feeling for me - things coming at me in all directions - mostly good. Really good things. When this year started I felt like it was going to be a great year - not exactly sure why I was sure of it, but I felt that there were changes in the air, optimism on the horizon, and lots of fun to be had. For now...just a small story of stopping to smell the flowers of life...

About a week and a half ago, we went up to Asheville, NC for a long weekend in the mountains with a group of friends. Mountains, hiking, good food, cool nights, some yoga, picnics, and lots of live music from the guitars, banjo, harmonica, and bass which made the trip as well.

Mornings never started with an alarm clock, and hours passed without anyone rushing to go somewhere or do something. Time was slow, conversations plenty, and a birthday was celebrated with the richest chocolate cake I've eaten.

Asheville boasts a strong community of local/organic/vegetarian restaurants, which we were able to sample. There are also a handful of wonderful yoga studios, and always an array of classes and workshops to choose from. I was just in Asheville over Christmas and had stopped in on an Ashtanga class, and decided to go to an inversion workshop this time at Asheville Yoga Center for a couple hours one afternoon.

We hiked some Smoky Mountain trails and drove with the windows down over miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway...through tunnels, past valleys and peaks. We stopped for a little picnic at a lookout, and enjoyed the afternoon sun. Made our way to the stream at a waterfall, and watched the mountain ranges turn purple at sunset.

It was a beautiful several days with a wonderful group of people. It's a reminder to breathe in deep, unplug, and enjoy the spring flowers that are blooming!

Pose Series #6 \ Virabhadrasana II

Virabhadrasana II

 :: Warrior II

Feet grounded.

Front knee bent at 90º angle.

Knee over ankle (not past), foot facing straight ahead.

Back leg strong and straight.

Foot facing side.

Quads engaged.

Hips open to the side.

Tailbone tucked under.

Pelvis floor engaged (mula bandha).

Navel pulled in and up (uddiyana bandha).

Chest open to the side.

Shoulders relaxed, down your back, away from ears.

Arms strong and parallel to mat.

Palms facing down.

Hands and fingers strong and reaching away from each other.

Neck long, head relaxed.

Gaze (drishti) towards front hand.

B R E A T H E (ujjayi breath).

smile.

KARMA CONNECTION \ Weekly Italy Fix

I've been enjoying the

Eye on Italy podcast

since its very beginning in the spring of last year. This weekly podcast is always on my iPod when I travel, especially on longer drives. Of course, I'm a bit partial because of my extreme interest in Italy - the country I love to consider my second home - but even for those with just a general interest in "il bel paese", travel, world knowledge, or just different cultural facts, will find it very interesting.

"Eye on Italy is an Italy podcast that focuses on news, culture and travel in English. Each episode includes expert interviews and guests, Picks of the Week for new Italy applications, websites, and tips in every episode, plus a different Italian word featured in our Angolo d’Italiano (Italian corner)."

Our friend, Sara, is one of the hosts along with Michelle and Jessica. All of these lovely American ladies have amazing credentials. Sara, lives in Milan and is a techy-guru, find out more about all of her projects on her hub site,

sararosso.com

. Michelle, is a freelance writer and attorney living in Calabria where she blogs at

BleedingEspresso.com

. And Jessica is a writer for BootsnAll Travel Network and also runs the

WhyGoItaly

 travel guide.

Each week they get together with various guests to talk about current news in Italy, special interest subjects, and plenty of travel talk. The most recent episode is about a subject close to my heart: "Being Vegetarian (and Dealing with Other Special Diets) in Italy" - and includes a mention of the

EAT.PRAY.MOVE

Yoga Retreats. Read about and download the episode

HERE

.

So if you can't get to Italy as soon as you'd like, but would like a way to transport your mind...check out more of Eye on Italy through the ways below:

Subscribe to FREE podcast on iTUNES

Look through PAST EPISODES

Follow on TWITTER

Like on FACEBOOK

Tempting Tuesday \ A Peek at the Pavilions

Today's "Tempting Tuesday" post is all about taking a closer look at the location of the

Marrakesh, Morocco yoga retreat

. I'm so happy to be hosting this retreat at such a lovely location. Peacock Pavilions has been featured in travel and design publications, and it's easy to see why.

This boutique hotel is located in Marrakesh on 8.5 acres of land, including 5 acres of olive grove, this stylish and eco-friendly abode has been featured in worldwide publications, including National Geographic Traveler.

Breathtakingly beautiful and luxuriously designed, the living quarters where guests will stay during the retreat features gorgeous fireplaces and a glamorous bathrooms in each room. Each bedroom also has its own private terrace - just the right place to enjoy a minty tea or a zingy cocktail!

I mean, just look at these bedrooms? The hand-painted details, and carefully chosen linens to give the perfect ambiance of exotic, modern, and Moroccan.

The entire pavilion property has been decorated with care and loaded with art, special fabrics, and exotic good stuff from all around the world...A swanky place to relax, the salon/great room has a stunning lacy plasterwork that took weeks to complete. There is also seating and dining areas for intimate discussions and cozy meals. A spiral staircase leads to a catwalk high in the air, where you can sit on vintage embroideries and admire the view. 

Not only is this place gorgeous, but it's also eco-friendly. Observing "green" building and gardening techniques, you'll feel good about the organic bounty served to your plate, and the hot water you use heated by the solar panels! Spend some free time at the lovely, inviting pool and patio, or join us for a henna and cocktail party in the painted tent, or perhaps an outdoor cinema night on the lawn.

Peacock Pavilions is owned by Maryam and her husband Chris, both recently featured on HGTV's House Hunters International. Chris is an architect, and Maryam a freelance photographer, travel and lifestyle writer, and the author of the award winning blog, 

My Marrakesh

. Both make a perfect team in putting this amazing estate together.

Yoga + Souks + Camels! Oh My! New Morocco Yoga Retreat!

Not sure if you've visited the

EAT.PRAY.MOVE

website lately, but there's been some changes! We have a new site design...all to accommodate some new events!

The most recent big announcement is the addition of an

exotic retreat in MARRAKESH, MOROCCO

! Taking place SEPT 11-17, 2011, I'm so excited to add this to the growing EAT.PRAY.MOVE yoga retreats in the Mediterranean area.

This fantastic yoga retreat will take place at the fabulous Peacock Pavilions boutique hotel. Located in Marrakesh on 8.5 acres of land, including 5 acres of olive grove, this stylish and eco-friendly abode has been featured in worldwide publications, including National Geographic Traveler.

Breathtakingly beautiful and luxuriously designed, the living quarters where guests will stay during the retreat features gorgeous fireplaces and a glamorous bathrooms in each room. Each bedroom also has its own private terrace...just the right place to enjoy a minty tea or a zingy cocktail!

Guests will not only enjoy the grounds of Peacock Pavilions, the outdoor areas including a lovely pool, patio, private terraces, and covered yoga platform, but the retreat includes some amazing day-trips to the surrounding sites. A guided day in Marrakesh will lead guests through an introduction to Souqs and visits to sites such as Jardin Majorelle, Djema Al-Fnaa, Bahia Palace, and Saadian Tombs.

A full day will be spent in Essaouira, a historic fortified town on the Atlantic coast. Here we'll experience camel rides along the shore, yoga on the beach, meals on the docks, and plenty of exploring. The final full day entails a trip to the famous Bains de Marrakesh, a luxurious spa facility, where guests can be pampered to their heart's content (one treatment is included in retreat cost). What better way to wrap up a week of yoga than a day of pure relaxation.

Learn more about the Morocco Retreat HERE

Sign Up HERE

good (for you) food \ acai smoothie

One of my almost-daily energy food recipes is this yummy açaí smoothie.

So easy to make, so nutricious, and sooo good. I've talked about it before, and even

tweeted

about it. So I thought I'd take some photos while I made it this afternoon, and share it with you!

INGREDIENTS: (for one serving)

1/2 frozen açaí smoothie packet (Sambazon makes un/sweetened puree)

1/2 banana

1/2 peach (frozen pieces of fruit work best for a thicker, colder smoothie)

1/3 c apple juice

1/4 c granola

Blend all the fruit and juice together until well blended. Pour in bowl. Top with granola (and pieces of extra banana if you like). Enjoy!

You can always substitute other fruit/fruit juice combinations based on your preference or what's in season. This combination just happens to be my absolute favorite.

Back by Popular Demand! New Retreat Dates Announced!

Wow! We're excited to announce that the

EAT.PRAY.MOVE

July Italy retreat is now completely FULL! We had such an amazing response from so many people interested it was so nice to have booked it this early.

But we didn't want the site to just say "SOLD OUT" for too long...so we've added another retreat week!

JUNE 19-25, 2011

So if you missed out on signing up for the July retreat, go ahead and join us in June. Same program. Same amazing villa. And same affordable price of just $1400 for 7 days inclusive (lodging, meals, day-trips, transportation in Italy, daily yoga classes, and more!).

Check out our new re-designed main site: www.eatpraymove.com

Find out all the JUNE retreat details HERE

Sign up HERE

Pose Series #5 \ Virabhadrasana III

Virabhadrasana III

:: Warrior III

Standing leg strong.

Foot grounded, toes spread.

Weight distributed on all parts of foot.

Quads engaged.

Hips square to the mat.

Lifted leg strong and engaged.

Pelvis floor engaged (mula bandha).

Navel pulled in and up (uddiyana bandha).

Neck long, head relaxed.

Gaze (drishti) towards thumbs.

Shoulders relaxed into sockets away from ears.

Arms strong and parallel to mat.

B R E A T H E (ujjayi breath).

smile.

Announcing Extended Travel Planning Services

Pantheon in Rome

Happy Friday! I'm so excited about all the interest we've been getting for the upcoming

yoga retreat in Italy

. Almost everyday I hear from someone else who wants to join us this summer. Plus, as of earlier this week there are ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT! Want to be one of them?

SIGN UP

today!

Several people who've contacted us have wanted to make more of a full vacation out of their trip to Italy, adding several days before or after the retreat to experience more of the country's amazing treasures.

gondolas in Venice

This is where we can help!

CUSTOMIZED TRAVEL ITINERARY PLANNING AND PERSONALIZED TOUR GUIDING SERVICES ARE NOW AVILABLE!

Would you like assistance in finding a list of suggested routes, cities, sites, accommodations, and dining options? Or would you prefer a very specific list of an exact itinerary to follow? Maybe you want an onsite personalized "concierge"/tour guide to accompany you, allowing you to just sit back and enjoy the ride?!

Vernazza, Cinque Terre

Whatever your preference, we can help! Don't worry if the 7-day yoga retreat isn't long enough for you to travel to

"il bel paese"

- you're free to extend your trip as long as you'd like.

Visit Rome and see the Eternal City with the ancient ruins, go to Venice and experience a city unlike any other on earth, or even head to the beautiful Cinque Terre and hike along the seaside cliffs and picturesque villages. Whatever your ♥ desires...

EMAIL US for more information and pricing details!

Plus, don't forget to "Like" us on FACEBOOK!

Pose Series #4 \ Salamba Sirsasana

Salamba Sirsasana

:: Supported Headstand

Fingers interlaced.

Side of hands pressing into the mat.

Forearms pressing into the mat.

Elbows in at shoulder distance apart.

Top of head in hands, resting (not pressing into) mat.

Neck long.

Gaze (drishti) at third eye.

Shoulders strong and lifting.

Navel pulled in and up (uddiyana bandha).

Pelvis floor engaged (mula bandha).

Legs stacked, engaged, and strong.

Feet and toes pointing upwards.

B R E A T H E (ujjayi breath).

smile.

Hanging Upside-Down in the Big Apple

photo by

Om Factory NYC

A couple weeks ago I visited the Big Apple and was so happy to have been able to participate in an AntiGravity Yoga class at the

Om Factory NYC

yoga studio. I'd been looking forward to experiencing this class since I first heard of it, and made sure to sign up early online for a space during my long-weekend stay in the city.

AntiGravity Yoga was founded in 1990 by broadway dancer and aerial acrobat, Christopher Harrison. Now an emerging trend in the yoga and fitness world, his "suspension trainings" are spreading wildly.

photo by

Om Factory NYC

Located near the fashion district, Om Factory is on the 17th floor with a lovely space complete with dressing rooms, several yoga rooms, and a spacious lounge. I arrived in time to get dressed (complete with a long-sleeve shirt as they recommend to lessen irritation under the arms), sip on a coconut water, and chat with a couple other people waiting for the start of class.

When the time came to get set up, I walked through the grid of hanging orange hammocks and picked a spot in the front corner with a great view out of the windows overlooking the city. An assistant came around with a ladder to adjust everyone's apparatus to the correct height just at the hip-bone level. After we were all situated, the lovely instructor, Shelley, walked in, welcomed us, and began the class.

I'm not sure what else I can really say in words about the experience, other than it felt like a 75-min massage. It was amazing really. Perfect for (re)alignment, spine lengthening, decompression, and relaxation. For my normal, quite rigorous practice, this would be a class I would love to add to my routine as a fun, challenging, very unique, and benefit-rich experience.

If you're in New York City, I'd definitely recommend checking this out and experiencing AntiGravity Yoga for yourself!

FIND OUT MORE:

OM FACTORY NYC

ANTI GRAVITY YOGA

Upcoming Weekend Emersion Master Class

Tempting Tuesday \ Umbrian Cuisine

It's about time I start talking to you about one of the fabulous parts of the

Eat.Pray.Move

Yoga Retreat that is taking place this summer in Italy...the CUISINE.

I mean "Eat" is the first word of the title, although, don't get me wrong - yoga is still the focus. But food - beautiful, tasty, healthy, organic Italian cuisine is also a wonderful part of the retreat that guests are sure to enjoy. Amanda, one of the hosts at the villa, is a natural when it comes to preparing simple, seasonal meals in the traditions of the Tuscan and Umbrian regions.

I thought today I'd feature a recipe of hers which she’s shared. It's the perfect in-between seasons meal with the warmth of the grilled bread and beans, with the tanginess of the fresh rosemary.

Bruschetta with Cannellini Beans & Rosemary

1 tin or jar good quality cannellini beans, drained

Large spring rosemary

Balsamic vinegar

Extra virgin olive oil

Sea salt and black pepper

2 cloves Garlic

Coarse country style bread, sliced

First grill your slices of bread. While they are still hot drizzle them with olive oil and rub them with a cut clove of garlic.

Pull all the spikey leaves from the rosemary spring and chop very, very finely until almost a powder. Fry one clove of chopped garlic in a little olive oil but be careful not to let it colour. Add the drained beans and continue to cook for about 5 minutes, add the rosemary, a little more oil and season well with salt and pepper and a spritz of balsamic vinegar. Mash everything together using the back of a wooden spoon until you have a coarse puree. Heap the beans onto the grilled bread and drizzle with more of the olive oil. This is delicious with a sharp green salad on the side and a glass of rough red wine to wash it down.

Now, doesn't that make you want to

join us in July

?

KARMA CONNECTION \ Chianti Wine Tour

Today on another installment of the "Karma Connection" blog series where I highlight other types of retreats in order to share the ♥love♥, I'd like to introduce you to

Passionate Palate Tours

.

I was lucky enough to meet the beautiful founder,

Jeni Moretti

a few years ago when I was living in Florence. We had "met" through the blogosphere, and finally met in person and enjoyed a glass of, none other than, Chianti. She and her husband Antonio run a wine business and from their love of the grape, came the Passionate Palate tours where they share their knowledge of Italy and Italian wine + food to guests on their trips.

photo:

Artist in Italy

They just announced their upcoming trip this fall, taking place September 5-11 and will allow guests to indulge in VIP wine and food tours, alongside of chef and author Leonardo Curti.

Leonardi Curti

Find out details

HERE

.

Cin Cin!

Pose Series #3 \ Virabhadrasana I

Virabhadrasana I

:: Warrior I

Fingers and palms reaching up.

Strong, straight arms and elbows.

Shoulders down away from ears.

Neck long.

Gaze (drishti) up at thumbs.

Chest lifted.

Navel pulled in and up (uddiyana bandha)

Pelvis floor engaged (mula handha).

Tailbone tucked under.

Hips square to front of mat.

Front leg strong with 90º bend in knee.

Weight in front heel. Feet pointed straight. Toes light.

Back leg strong and straight.

Foot pressing into floor at 45º from front.

B R E A T H E (ujjayi breath).

smile.

Pose Series #2 \ Urdhva Mukha Svanasana

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana

:: Upward Facing Dog

Fingers and palms pressing into the mat.

Hands below shoulders.

Shoulders moving down and back.

Neck long.

Gaze (drishti ) towards third-eye.

Abdomen engaged (uddiyana bandha).

Hips lifted off mat.

Pelvis floor engaged (mula bandha).

Gluts soft.Legs engaged and lifed off mat.

Feet hip distance apart.

Tops of feet pressing into the mat.

Toes pointed.

B R E A T H E (ujjayi breath).

smile.

Pose Series #1 \ Adho Mukha Svanasana

Welcome to the first post in a new series of posts I'm working on. It is a series of poses that I thought would gear us up for the

upcoming retreat in Italy

. (These will also be posted on the Eat.Pray.Move

Tumblr

as well).

How better to start a series of poses than with one of the foundational

asanas

(poses):

Adho Mukha Svanasana

(Downward-Facing Dog). In this series I'll try to plainly explain the physical cues from FINGERS to TOES. As, we all know that in yoga, we must be aware of every part of our body, breath, and mind in each pose.

So, here we go. Try it yourself. Enjoy...and b r e a t h e.

ADHO MUKHA SVANASANA :: DOWNWARD-FACING DOG

Fingers gripping the mat.

Palms pressing down, even weight distribution.

Hands shoulder-distance away.

Head relaxed.

Gaze (drishti) knees to navel.

Neck relaxed and long.

Abdomen engaged (uddiyana bandha).

Tailbone tilted up.

Pelvis floor engaged (mula handha).

Quads strong.

Kneecaps lifted.

Feet hip-distance apart.

Heels pressing down.

Toes light.

B R E A T H E (ujjayi breath).

smile.

photo by

Crystal Jones

KARMA CONNECTION \ Morocco Retreat

This is a new blog category where we plan to feature other inspiring people around the world doing amazing things of their own, because hey, isn't that what part of the yogic spirit is about?

Plus, this gives those of you reading an opportunity to learn about other options out there - retreats that take place on other dates in the year than EAT.PRAY.MOVE and perhaps other places on the globe that are more accessible to you.

photos from

My Marrakesh

This week, as the first KARMA Connection on this blog, I'd love to introduce you to the lovely,

Maryam

, an American who lives in Morocco and blogs at

My Marrakesh

.

From reading her blog for years now it becomes more and more apparent that Maryam is a sort of Renaissance woman - wearing hats from writer, expat, journalist, traveler, designer, hotelier

of sorts

, wife/mother, and shopper. Yes, among many other things, she's a professional personal shopper and is hosting a retreat this May for those interested in diving deep into the exotic Moroccan shopping experience.

photos from

My Marrakesh

When she isn't acting as purveyor of peacocks at home on her 9-acre olive grove property, she's getting ready to host amazing experiences for her guests in May at the

Ace Camp Morrocan Shopping Retreat

. Enjoy a week shopping in the souks with Maryam as a guide, Morrocan wine tastings, palace visits, expert talks, and lodging at the

Peacock Pavillions

boutique hotel.

Find out more on Maryam's site

HERE

. And say,

"salam alekoum"

for me!

Tempting Tuesday \ A Walk Around the Villa

If you've already checked out the

EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreat

website and read through the details, you'll know a little already about my friends' villa in Umbria and the lovely

art retreats

they host. You'll have a sense of the loving details they put into restoring each room of the house, and how they make guests feel like part of the family.

Then you won't be surprised when I tell you how much I love visiting, and I thought I'd give you a few reasons to why I can't wait to get back there this summer. (Plus, I'm thinking that maybe, just maybe, you'll read this and picture yourself there with me this summer as well. *hint*)

There are so many reasons really, but let's start with the little ones. The small pleasures...Let's take a walk around the estate where the EAT.PRAY.MOVE yoga retreat will be held, shall we?

Heading out the villa, past the olive tree in front, and down the pebbly road we're greeted by Tartufo & Tiddly Feet, the resident pets ready to take an afternoon stroll as well. Tartufo is aptly named as, you see, he's of the specific breed of dogs trained to sniff out those Italian treasures in the Umbrian earth,

tartufi

(truffles). Funny enough, those types of dogs even look like truffles with their brown, uneven surfaces.

As we continue up the road the pebbles change to packed clay and on either side of us are sweeping hills of winter wheat and depending on the season, there are endless rows of sunflowers or red poppies, or even a freshly plowed field revealing orange earth. The layers of colors and textures are always changing, always beautiful.

Stroll past the lines of cypress towering over us, guiding us long the paths of the estate. Cypresses, which so iconically invoke images of Italian landscapes, are often seen lining the edges of drives and seem to welcome a traveler forward. As we head back over the last hill, the villa comes into view once more and we gather again for an evening yoga class during the sunset and the evening is topped off with a glass of wine on the terrace before dinner.

Won't you

JOIN ME

?!

welcome

Hello everyone. I'm really excited to announce the EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreat in Italy this summer.

It's a 7-day, inclusive yoga retreat in the heart of Italy. Taking place in a restored art villa, guests will enjoy daily yoga classes and mediation, olive oil and wine tastings, day trips to thermal spas, villages, cities, a full day in Florence with a yoga workshop included, as well as plenty of time to relax and enjoy the homemade Italian (vegetarian) cuisine prepared lovingly by the hosts.

Find out all about it and view photos on the website: www.eatpraymove.com.

JOIN ME IN ITALY.