Pose Series #9 :: Vasisthasana

Vasisthasana :: Side Plank 

Bottom hand spread, fingers pressing. 

 Arm strong. 

 Wrist directly under shoulder. 

 Torso open to side. 

 Navel pulled in and up (uddiyana bandha). 

 Hips lifting. 

 Pelvis floor engaged (mula bandha). 

 Bottom leg strong. 

 Side/bottom of foot pressing into the mat. 

 Extension (optional): Top leg lifting. 

 Pressing away with heel. 

 Grabbing toe with fingers. 

 Gaze (dristhi) upwards. 

 B R E A T H E (ujjayi breath). 

 smile.

so where is Ischia anyway?

After announcing the upcoming yoga retreat in Ischia, Italy, I've already had a few people ask me, "So where exactly is this place?". I know it's not as well-known of a destination (at least not for American tourists) as some of its more famous neighbors, but that's one of the reasons it's so special. So for those of you wondering a bit more about this magical place called Ischia - keep reading!

Ischia is a volcanic island in the Bay of Naples on the mid-southeastern coast of Italy. Located 30km from Naples mainland, it measures just 34km in diameter and is profiled by Mount Epomeo peaking at 788 meters above the sea. Historically, the island has been inhabited by the Greeks, Syrausansa, Romans, Heruli, Ostrogoths, Byzantines, Normans, Saracens, Turks, and Aragonese, and plenty of ruins remain to suggest the lineages of these colonies. With its wonderful climate, nice location from the mainland, and richness of therapeutic hot-springs, it's not hard to see why it was a landscape worth fighting over!

Nicknamed the "Green Island", Ischia was one of the world's first health spa destinations. For centuries people have flocked to Ischia to indulge in its volcanic muds and waters rich with healthful minerals. Doctors even prescribe stays here to reap the benefits of bathing in the healing springs. I've had the opportunity to try out various types of springs on Ischia — from the famous "thermal parks" which are planned areas of various pools, gardens and baths — to the naturally-occurring, free and open spring mouths on the edge of a cliff by the sea.

Island Activities: 

• Thermal Spas (parks, natural springs, mineral baths, health spas)

• Mountain hikes

• Artisanal shopping

• Beaches 

• Gardens 

Famous Neighbors:

• Isle of Capri 

• Pompeii 

• Amalfi Coast (Sorrento, Positano, Ravello, etc)

Besides all of the lovely things about Ischia and it's landscapes and beauty, one of the most appealing things to be about it is the hospitality of the people themselves. I've enjoyed interacting with almost everyone I met on the island, and it's something that draws me back...

As you can probably easily tell, Ischia is a place I really love and that's why I'm very much looking forward to sharing with with the guests who join us on the EAT.PRAY.MOVE retreat. Want to reserve a spot? SIGN UP TODAY (and take advantage of the $100 early sign-up discount for the first 4 guests).

Yogamix 1 :: May Mix

I've had several people at the studio ask me about my playlist. I tend to make new ones each month to keep it fresh, and thought I'd share this month's May mix! 


Music and yoga are a fun topic to talk about, and there's been some good "twitter-sations" about it this past week too. Do you think music has a place in a yoga class, and if so, what music do you prefer? These questions will spark quite varied views for sure. I definitely enjoy the variety of both silence - enjoying the ujjayi breath as the metronome, and also enjoy some beats as well, especially during the days when my mind is hard to settle and it might be easier to get in a rhythm with music in the background. I even attended a DJ Yoga party power class a few months back, which was so much fun!


I do love the classic Ashtanga series to be practiced in silence, but I also teach the "rocket" series at our studio (founded by Larry Schultz a student of Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois), which incorporates the Ashtanga series from primary through third series.  This exposes the student to a powerful flow through all levels of ashtanga, as the Rocket focuses on core work, balances, inversions....and "flying and floating"...safe to say some periodic music tends to balance well with it. 


Definitely a bit more upbeat that a lot of my mixes, here is a small sample of this month's tunes that should easily take you through a 75 min or so practice. Starting slower and building through the surya namaskara (sun salutation) series, building during standing and seated postures, then grounding during the closing, finally calming and restorative at the end for savasana.


Enjoy! And let me know what you think...

right click HERE to download

I'm God (Instrumental) :: Clams Casino

Eyes Be Closed :: Washed Out

Hawaii (Niva Remix) :: Blackbird Blackbird

Young Blood (White Sea Remix) :: The Nakes and Famous

The Walking Dead :: Weird Tapes

Colourful Day (Seams Remix) :: Alan Pownall

Beat #6 Vs. The World At Large :: Modest Mouse Vs. Ratatat

Dream Analysis :: Jesse Ruins

Houdini RAC Remix :: RAC

R.I.P. (Grimes Remix) :: Bikini

Ready For The World (Star Slinger Refix) :: How To Dress Well

Pretty Poly :: Teebs

Ghost In My Head :: Niva

Loftcries :: Purity Ring

Ungirthed :: Purity Ring

Dream Valley (Young Montana Rework) :: Solar Bears

Bathsalts :: SLEEP ∞ OVER

Lady Daydream (Blackbird Blackbird Remix) :: Twin Sister

Lord Knows Best :: Dirty Beaches

For the Other Self Who is Far Away That I Can Not Reach :: Susumu Yokota

Islands (Nosaj Things Remix) :: The xx

Obsessions (oOoOO Remix) :: Marina & The Diamonds

Calling Rainbows :: Sofiah and AJ

EAT.PRAY.MOVE - May Announcements

*These are some highlights from the May EAT.PRAY.MOVE newsletter, but I thought our blog readers may be interested in some of the announcements from this month. If you want to join the mailing list contact us from the website.

• NEW RETREAT ANNOUNCED: Ischia (Italy), Oct 2-8, 2011

"The beautiful island of Ischia awaits you with hikes to dormant volcanoes, thermal spas, vineyards, lush gardens, crystal clear beaches, and amazing Ischitani hospitality!"
Don't miss it...plus, we're offering an EARLY SIGN-UP DISCOUNT. $100 off for the first 4 sign-ups. Email erin@sojournista.com for discount.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS


 • LAST MINUTE DEAL for June 19-25, 2011 TUSCANY Retreat

$200 off for those interested in a spot at the June retreat. This is only $1200 for 7-days inclusive! Email erin@sojournista.com for discount.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS


 • MARRAKESH Retreat Sept 11-17 almost sold out!

Only 3 spots left for this exotic retreat. It's going to be an amazing group and week! All the details are on the site.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS


 • SPECIAL GROUP / PRIVATE WEEKS are always possible. Whether you're interested in a private retreat, or just have a particular place + date in mind, with just a minimum of 4 people we can work on arranging a special EPM experience.

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone for their interest and support. We couldn't do it without you - You are what make EAT.PRAY.MOVE possible. We're so excited to bring you unforgettable experiences and hope you can join us. Currently, we're in the process of planning the 2012 calendar...and as always, any places/dates suggestions are always welcome!

 P.S. Don't forget to join us on FACEBOOK

 Namaste

New Retreat! Italian Island of Ischia

Castello Aragonese, Ischia Ponte

Well, I think I've narrowed down one of my most favorite places ever - to a small(ish) island in the Bay of Naples. Ischia had always enticed me, (yes yes, I will say that my obsession with the film "The Talented Mr. Ripley" initially had a little bit to do with that), but after getting to visit this amazing island I can say that it now entices me even more since experiencing it firsthand. One day when my husband and I were vacationing and exploring the various villages, I found a partially abandoned building overlooking the ocean and tucked it away in the "maybe-one-day-I-can-make-that-a-yoga-studio-and-live-here-part-time" file in my mind. Who knows....maybe, just maybe...

 view back over island from the Castello

There's something magical about this place for me - not only for the pre-Roman history, lush landscapes, natural thermal spas, small castles in the sea, or the dormant volcano which the whole of Ischia rests - but it largely has to do with the pure kindness of so many people there with whom we've come in contact. Plus, since it's a bit more off the grid than at least the main stops like Rome, Florence, and Venice, it feels a bit more authentic Italian and less touristy. Patience towards visitors is something we observed as well. This combined with the amazing hospitality we encountered and the breath-taking beauty of the island, it's easy to see why it's a place I've wanted to return.

Between the two upcoming EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga retreats this summer in Tuscany, I had one week completely free to travel, so during that time I'm headed back to Ischia to explore even more of the island - plus scout out some locations and details for the retreat I just announced today, taking place in, none other than ISCHIA!


The retreat will be at Villa Lina which overlooks the Mediterranean from the western coast of the island, I'm so excited to share all the things I love about this place with the guests. We'll be taking day trips to thermal spas, hiking up to Mount Epomeo for views over the entire bay, visiting famous gardens, and lounging at the beach. Plus enjoying daily yoga classes at the yoga space overlooking the sea. I can't wait! 

CHECK OUT ALL THE DETAILS OF THE ISCHIA RETREAT HERE

SIGN UP TODAY. 

P.S. have you joined us on Facebook yet?

Pose Series #8 :: Ustrasana

Ustrasana :: Camel Pose

Knees hip width apart.

Shins parallel behind knees pressing into mat.

Tops of feet grounding.

Quads engaged.

Hips lifted and pressing forward.

Glutes soften.

Pelvis floor engaged (mula bandha).

Navel pulled in and up (uddiyana bandha).

Heart and chest reaching up.

Shoulders back.

Arms reaching back.

Hands reach toward heels.

Neck long and head looking back.

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

smile.

Travel Thursday :: Bella Italia

As you can guess, with the summer yoga retreats in Italy coming up soon, my mind is filled with images of "il bel paese". Tickets were booked this past week, and the details have been coming together.

I'll be in the boot for a month, and will be able to spend some time in the city I like to consider my second home, the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence, Italy. I love the familiarity that immediately hits me when I set foot on the cobblestone streets. Then they'll be plenty of exploring in the countryside of Tuscany and Umbria. Hiking, admiring the fields of wildflowers, eating, drinking, enjoying.

Lately I've been watching Anthony Bourdain's No Reservation episodes from Venice, Rome, and Tuscany, as well as rewatching some of my favorite films (The Talented Mr. Ripley, La Dolce Vita, 8 1/2). Last week I even checked out an older film which I'd never seen, Summertime, starring Katherine Hepburn in Venice!

Besides getting to experience all the places we'll take guests during the retreats, I'll also have a bit of time between the yoga weeks to scout out some new locations for future  retreats! I have my eye on a few places...want to guess where they are?

Or better yet - let me know some of the places you'd love to visit for a week of yoga!