Pura Vida and Why Women Need to Retreat!

I am just back from a 7 day Retreat in Costa Rica, at Blue Spirit Yoga, world renowned for Yoga in the magical landscape of Costa Rica and the Blue Zone, a place where nature and your spirit come alive.   This Retreat was special for many reasons, and for me, it was lead by my Yoga instructor of 15 years, the talented teacher I have grown up with in my Yoga practice, her name is Tricia, owner of Elephant Tree Yoga, and her gift and calling is to teach.   

There were so many gifts in this Retreat and I want to share them in a way that inspires you to discover more of yourself, your spirit and growing your commitment to living your HIPP life with Yoga, either on or off the mat.  

I am a Yogi, I am fully into my practice, and consistently practice on the mat in studio 4 to 5 days a week, this is important to my recovery journey, going from a hustle bustle lifestyle, and years ago a drinking lifestyle to my Yoga lifestyle, my Alcohol Free lifestyle, which are all part of my journey in Living HIPP.   You don’t have to be a Yogi to attend a Yoga Retreat (one that is for all levels) and you don’t have to be AF to attend many, however, you do need to have an interest in better living, and bringing more healthy practices into your life.   Likewise, you are open to living more mindfully and practicing daily things that feed your body/mind/soul with goodness and light, it is such a transformational way to live, which requires us to be more grounded, and to simplify our life, so that we may amplify our energy and experience.   

The benefits are endless and are important to whole living, at a Retreat it is transformational and even the daily practice of Yoga on/off the mat creates positive change.  It is you, it is your spirit, it is your heart, it is your mind, it is your spirit, all being nourished and fortified with loving acts, loving thoughts and intentional living, all while navigating challenges and all the thoughts and experiences that we have and some that we heal.  I can’t think of anything that helps facilitate us back to our core being, and helps us live authentically and to ignite our spirit and essence from within.    You are the one you have been waiting for, and you already have everything inside of you that you need.  

This Retreat was filled with so much, and while I can describe some of it here, it left me with a feeling and more clarity on my Dharma (purpose) and how I continue to inspire women and use my voice and life as a force for good.  

I feel completely renewed and revitalized, which is an important process and experience that we should all experience each year (and also each season in our homes and in our lives).  Being in nature, not having any of the pressures of every day life, and the busy work we all juggle in our day to day lives.  While life is much less busier than it was just a few years ago, it remains important for me to Retreat and have time away from the distractions of daily life.  

This and similar Retreats provide time and space for creativity, connection, clarity, solitude, rest, realness, kindness, compassion, healing, mindfulness, contentment, peace, love and reflection.   Likewise it ignited my energy, my charisma, my joyful and happy way of life, something that is just part of me, but often can be buried with fear, should-ing on myself, taming (or at least the taming I inherit from those around me that don’t have the same spark or energy) and life….    We all do this and while I coach and inspire other to live out loud, let their light shine, I had that reminder again to really open up to the vibe of me….  We need explore who we are authentically and continue to write her story….   This keeps me grounded and true to myself, all while having vision, imagination and aligning with my values.  

Ask yourself this….   Who is She?  

She is a leader, she loves big, she performs, she entertains with humor, she smiles, she laughs, she inspires and she raises the energy around her, she has been doing this her entire life.   She sings, she dances and she loves love, she loves when people are having fun, when there is joy and laughter and it is real, and people are authentic.   She also loves deep conversations, humility & vulnerability and to surround herself with positive, kind, loving people who also just want to laugh, learn, and make the world around them a better place by making themselves a better human.   

She also requires alone time, while she is a master at getting a group going, leading the charge on building fun loving laughter through her words, actions, or dance moves (as she tries desperately to sing), she balances that with rest, introspection and time for reflection and relaxation.  As much as she loves to liven up a crowd or a group, she craves time alone and enjoys exploration and down time, this is how she builds her energy and cares for the introvert that she is, all while being extrovert.    She has a business mind (vision, innovation and opportunity) and a heart centered soul, she loves work that has meaning and creates positive impact on the lives of others.  

This Retreat was all about doing as much or as little as you choose, which is great for all women, because for too long we have had to wear the mask of doing it all, and in most cases socially, women rely on Alcohol to do so, and then we think we can’t have fun without it.   I get it, as I felt that way years ago, and it was a hurdle for me to get over, even thou I loved the feeling of being AF, I had so much learning and mindset work to do around changing my beliefs around drinking….   Now I love to share my life as an AF woman at middle age because I want to demonstrate for others that are curious or desperate, that life is better and even more fun, for many of us on this path.   It does not mean everyone needs to be AF, it just means it is another option and it is not what you think it is, trust me on that, it is a gift that you have to work for, and get over the hard and challenging process.  

Also, it is not overnight, it is a process for many, so I invite you to explore this and not need to make any decisions or define yourself or commit to anything, because that is an old model, that does not work for everyone, and Living HIPP has been a modern day “discovery” program/lifestyle that offers more prevention and positive change outside of traditional recovery or programs that might not be for everyone.    While this was not an AF Retreat, it was most definitely supportive and ideal for AF curious, or AF women, as drinking was not highlighted, celebrated or promoted as some “wellness” retreats or venues will do, which is just the wrong message, as it is not glamorous, healthy or cool, it is just something we have been seduced by, addicted to (yes, as in I can’t imagine not drinking, so many are in that boat, and I was one of them).   No shame, no blame, no anything but truth, and saying, it’s okay, and it is a process, and the more you learn and the more you really observe, you will see how it might not be as great as you believe it to be (alcohol that is), and you can begin Living HIPP, and making changes and ultimately (hopefully) achieve freedom from it.   Events like these speak to our soul, and while that was no longer an issue for me, I know the value of Yoga and Retreats and how it helps us find our power within, and your power does not have a drink (alcohol) in it’s hand, that is just an old belief, old habit and a can of “courage”.      There is a better way, and you can begin exploring that, and Living HIPP is a soft landing, because we believe in progress over perfection, we know this is a process and that is the truth of it.    It might not be alcohol for you, perhaps it is food, work, technology, procrastination, negative thinking/self doubt, and for most of us, a mental health “issue” (not the best word) that is underlying our coping mechanisms.   The work of Yoga, meditation, compassionate self talk and movement are all tools that support your best life, and help to redirect old habits into new ones.   Again, this is not just about habits, it is more importantly about better health and better choices.  

Retreats are that opportunity to get out of your daily life and into your best teacher and student, yourself.  As spiritual leaders, we guide you through this process but it is you that really molds the experience and also the degree in which you open up into healing, transformation and positive change.     I am looking forward to hosting a Retreat next year, as so many women need this opportunity to give themselves the gift of time, yoga, movement, reflection, visualization, and application.    I have been teaching adults in leadership and personal development for 30 years and to combine that with my Yoga experience and my own grief and growth journey, I am well equipped to serve and bring others on this journey with me.  

Retreats are not only trips to beautiful places that are warm and sunny, they are weekend getaways, can be done throughout the year daily and in Living HIPP, we practice the importance of Retreat in our daily lives, and that can be at home or a visit someplace local that fills your spirit.     When we live HIPP, we choose to Retreat, and we understand the importance of tapping into our essence, and living a life that we love from the inside/out.   XO