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 posted on their blog. 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?