LAST MINUTE DISCOUNT

So it's the new year! Have you set some new intentions to get healthier? take more risks? step out of your comfort zone? travel more?

Then HERE'S YOUR CHANCE! 

 Why not join us next month for a Yoga Retreat in beautiful Marrakesh, Morocco? Feb 26-Mar 3.

LAST MINUTE DISCOUNT UNTIL JAN 15. SAVE $200!

Click HERE for all the details and to sign up!

CYBER Monday - Wednesday!

Don't miss out on our CYBER Deals. What a great time to secure a spot in one of our 2012 Yoga Retreats! We'd love to see you next year. SIGN UP ONLINE!

NEW 2012 Retreat Dates

Have you heard? We've announced several new 2012 retreat dates on the site! Now you have more opportunities to join us on an EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreat holiday this next year.

2011 was an amazing year in Italy and Morocco with some of the best groups ever. I'm so excited to see who we get to meet next year. There have already been some sign-ups and even some repeat guests coming again.

Here is the line-up! Don't miss out.

UPCOMING 2012 RETREATS: 

MARRAKESH, MOROCCO :: March 4-10 & September 23-29, 2012 • Click HERE for more info!

TUSCANY, ITALY :: May 20-26, 2012 • Click HERE for more info!

VENICE, ITALY :: May 27-June 2, 2012 • Click HERE for more info!

ISCHIA, ITALY :: September 16-22, 2012 • Click HERE for more info!

Food in Marrakesh :: part 3

Part 3 of my posts on the past yoga retreat in Marrakesh. This one will probably be my last one about Marrakesh for a while, as I have several other things to update you on...but this one is last, and not least, about the amazing FOOD we had.

The week was an ongoing parade of tastes - all completely vegetarian and completely delicious. Most of the meals were served at Peacock Pavilions, from breakfast and lunches on the outdoor poolside terrace to extravagant dinners in the Moroccan dining tent.

Flavors and spices from sweet to savory were in every bite...

(and sip...as we had a few lovely cocktails throughout the week too! Here were some cucumber mint Pimms sipped poolside during the henna party)

All fresh, local ingredients were served with a mix of traditional and more international flair of recipes.

All meals were multi-courses and served in beautiful displays before each of us.

Dessert was a daily indulgence as well. (shhh.... ;)) and I don't think there were any complaints about that.

What a GREAT group it was - so many laughs were shared each day, smiles/hugs/encouragement given, and life-long friends made. Can't wait to see everyone again sometime.

Here's a video recap of our amazing week:

There's a few spots left for the next Marrakesh adventure in March 2012. 

JOIN US!

Yoga in Marrakesh :: part 2

I hope to have whet your appetite for more about the Marrakesh yoga retreat from the last post. Oh but how much there is to say about our lovely time there.

So what did we do during the week (well besides a couple yoga classes and some meditation each day)?

PLENTY!

 The first day was a magical guide through the exotic Marrakesh Medina. Through palaces, rihads, and souks.

We explored the streets, bargained at the stalls, found just the right rugs and slippers, and of course enjoyed a few mint tea breaks throughout the day.

The main square in the old part of the city is indescribable in words or photos...you just have to be there to experience it first-hand!

One day we enjoyed a pool-side cocktail party at Peacock Pavilions while getting painted up with beautiful henna designs! (Even the guys joined in on the party!)

Then we all took a trip to the seaside town of Essoauria with its lovely laid-back vibe. After a yoga session on the beach we explored the markets and the quaint streets, (ate a gelato...shhh don't tell!), and then geared up for one of the highlights...

...Camel rides on the beach! Passing old fortress ruins, watching the sunset as we lazily rode through the sand, "fantasizing being like Lawrence of Arabia" as one guest put it!

But wait...there's more! Stay tuned for thoughts on the food, flavors, and spices of Morocco!

guest post :: husband talks of Ischia

Happy weekend everyone. Hope you're all entering the Tiny Devotions mala GIVEAWAY we have going on this week! We're hosting the giveaway in conjunction with our upcoming yoga retreat on the lovely Italian island of Ischia. If you haven't familiarized yourself with this amazing oasis off the Amalfi Coast of Italy, then you can catch up on some past blog posts here here and here. If you need some more temptation, read on...

First off, I'd like to introduce the guest blogger for today's post - my husband and partner in crime, Chris. He flew to Italy between the Tuscany retreats this summer to accompany me to Ischia to finalize some details for the fall retreat...here is his account of arriving at Villa Lina, the location of the retreat...

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Just outside the small town of Panza...

...we drive off the main road, beyond small shops and occasional warehouses...

...down winding dirt roads to the unassuming gate of Villa Lina...

Entering through the gate reveals a large house surrounded by trees, blooming flowers, and other foliage. Pretty as it is, you won't lose your breath. Yet.

The gravel driveway continues to the right and then suddenly turns left downhill.  Just as I make the turn, the serene world of Villa Lina presents itself. Looking ahead, the descending terrace of the mountain on which the villa resides and another mountain to the left mildly encroach upon my periphery as the vast expanse of the  Tyrrhenian Sea  stretches out into oblivion. Perhaps it's merely the light, but I can't be sure exactly where the sea yields o the sky. This has rendered the horizon as a thick brush stroke of hazel instead of the sharp and deep blue pen stroke I had expected to see.

Continuing down the hill and to the right, Vito, the friendly guardian greets me with hearty barking. He's a spinone, an Italian breed said to have the eyes of a person. Having greeted him in return, Vito accompanies me toward the villa just ahead. As I approach Nicola, one of the villa owners, I take a moment to gaze into the dark waters of the pool on the main terrace. There are a couple of pools at the villa, but this one is unique as it appears turbid. The pool isn't filled with crystal clear, chemically purified water, nor is it backed with inner walls of blue to feign the appearance of the sea. No, this water is a mix of the mineral-rich waters coming from within the mountain and the calm, clear, salty waters from the sea.

We carry on to meet Nicola. There is a calming aura about him, reinforced by a gentle smile that won't support even a whiff of pretense. After a brief chat he excitedly offers a tour of the grounds. As we descend on a new path down into the earthen terraces, I realize that Villa Lina is much larger than I had imagined. Nicola leads us down the path towards the indoor yoga room, past thickets of rosemary and other foliage I can't readily identify. We stop at the indoor yoga room; it's spacious and well equipped with mats and a stunning view, but I'm eager to continue down the path. We carry on through trees yielding olives, and pears, stopping briefly at a plum tree from which Nicola gives us two deep purple plums. At each pause Nicola excitedly points out new blooms or fruits that are now in season, exclaiming “la natura e cosi” (“nature is like that”).

Eventually we arrive at a pen full of chickens eagerly awaiting their meal. I smile as Nicola feeds them sliced pieces of zucchini followed by seed. I smile as I notice that these chickens are much leaner than those you'll see find at commercial chicken farms. It's apparent that Nicola respects and cares for these birds, just as he does the sprigs of rosemary, the dangling plums, the young olives, and the gulls making nests on unreachable rocks on the edge of the mountain.

There is a purity in this place; a calmness fostered by a gentle caretaker who unceasingly tends to its wellbeing and is enamored by its beauty. 

-Chris

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After this walk we ended up enjoying a meal prepared from the vegetation gathered on our walk around the grounds. The rest of our days here were lovely and I can't wait to be back with the yoga retreat guests in Oct.

There are still spaces left...do you want to join us? 

GIVEAWAY :: Tiny Devotion Mala

So the anticipated GIVEAWAY is here! (A week after the first announcement - sorry again for the delay those who saw the original post that we removed) We're SO happy to announce that we're working with the amazing team at Tiny Devotions to offer one of their lovely malas to one lucky EAT.PRAY.MOVE fan and to help promote our upcoming yoga retreat on the beautiful island of Ischia!

As the name EAT.PRAY.MOVE suggests, PRAYing and meditating is one of the fundamental aspects of the yogic experience we want to promote on our retreats, and throughout life in general. Mala beads are a great tool for helping one focus, meditate, be still, and stay present.

Here's a little snippet from the Tiny Devotions site:

"Our Tiny Devotions mala beads are perfect for beginnings and endings - goals, struggles, worries, dreams, intentions and prayers. 

Mala beads transcend cultures and religions and can be found in some form in nearly every tradition around the world. The word bead, historically coming from the word "prayer" or "to pray". 

These sacred and beautiful beads help us live in the moment - staying present to the beauty of life. 

We combine rudraksha seeds with semi precious crystals and pearls to create beautiful designer malas that each have their own specific intention. Rudraksha seeds are known as the eyes or tears of Shiva - and are worn for their protective and sacred qualities."

So...are you ready to get a set of these designer Mala Beads for yourself?
Then enter our GIVEAWAY!

Here's what you have to do:
1. COMMENT on this post (include an email if it isn't included in your comment profile) and ANSWER the question: What Mediterranean location would you like to retreat to and use your mala? 

2. EXTRA ENTRY: TWEET this exact phrase "win a @TinyDevotions mala from @eatpraymoveyoga http://bit.ly/npy9n3 (& join a #yoga retreat in Italy http://eatpraymove.com)" 

3. That's all! One entry + one extra Twitter entry per person. US and Canada shipping addresses only allowed for winner. Contest ends SATURDAY, AUG 20th.

That's all! We would also ♥♥♥ it if you would join our Facebook page - that way you can find out about new retreats, news, and fun other events from EAT.PRAY.MOVE.


...plus watch this lovely lifestyle video from TD, and STAY TUNED for more posts about Ischia, malas, and Diana, the beautiful founder of Tiny Devotions!

Ischia, oh Ischia!

I just got back to the States after an amazing month in Italy. Two Tuscany retreats and lots of research for the next EAT.PRAY.MOVE adventures.

 Not only did we have two amazing groups of guests at each retreat at the villa in Tuscany (which by the way, check out the summary of week one...week two coming soon!), but we also met the truly lovely people of the villa in Ischia where the October retreat will be held.

 That island never ceases to amaze me. It's a one-of-a-kind gem sitting in the Tyrrhenian Sea just off the shore of Naples and the Amalfi Coast.

 We visited ancient castles in the sea... 

...lounged on the sandy beaches

...enjoyed magical views from our lunch table

...exploring new "rooms with a view" for retreat day trips

...swimming in the clear waters

And, we also had the opportunity to stay at the Ischia villa where the retreat will be held, which sits on the cliffs of a seaside mountain. Yes, it's quite a magical place itself...

Won't you join us in the bubbling thermal pools...

 ...relaxing on the deck at sunset

...practicing yoga

...and watching the sun disappear into the sea every night

Here's a video to tempt you...

We have a great group signed up so far, and there are still spaces available for YOU! Don't miss out.

http://www.eatpraymove.com/events/ischia-italy-2011-october

June '11 Tuscany Retreat :: summary

Wow! Just said 'arrivederci' yesterday to all the wonderful guests at the June retreat in Tuscany. It was an amazing time with a great group of people. However fabulous a place may be, the dynamic of a group is one of the most important pieces of a retreat - and we couldn't have asked for a better one! Friendships were made, plenty of laughs shared, growth made in the yoga studio, and lots of delicious food was enjoyed.

We started the week out with an amazing dinner on the terrace overlooking the picturesque hills. Most of us were commenting that everyone knows that stereotypical Tuscan landscape in your mind...but it's still a bit surprising to see that it is actually exactly like that.

We'd missed the fields of red poppies in bloom just by a couple weeks, but were greeted by plenty of lavender and the bursts of yellow sunflowers beginning to bloom. One field we found was so abundant that we decided to do some group shots in the flowers.

Amazing dish by amazing dish was provided throughout the week by Amanda (villa owner / interior decorator / Tuscan cook extraordinaire) and each meal was met by mmmmm's and ahhhhh's around the table. I think by the last day we were all glad to have practiced daily yoga as well as walked as much as we had in order to enjoy all the dishes provided.

Thanks to Julian, Amanda's husband and who usually runs the art retreats at this location, we were entertained with lots of interesting anecdotes about the region, sites, and chauffeured around for the day trips...including stops in Arezzo, Chiusi, Florence, and the beautiful tiny hilltop town of Panicale. I think one of the favorite times of relaxation came during a trip to a thermal spa where we all lounged by the thermal pools and took in some of the warm rays.

Here's a video from the experience:

Overall it was an amazing week, and I feel so blessed to have been a part of it. Today I'm writing from Florence and am heading tomorrow to Ischia to work out some details for the October retreat there...then it's back to the villa next week for the second Tuscan retreat this summer! Can't wait to meet the next group!

Marrakesh Retreat - ENCORE!

We've had such a great response to the retreat in Marrakesh, Morocco that we've just listed more dates! This is the EAT.PRAY.MOVE kick-off announcement for 2012 retreats.

MARRAKESH YOGA RETREAT

MARCH 4-10, 2012

7-DAY INCLUSIVE

As I write this there is just one spot left for the Marrakesh retreat in September, and interest is still pouring in. It's not too early to mark your calendars.

Plus there's a $200 EARLY SIGN-UP DISCOUNT.

Still the same amazing location at Peacock Pavilions boutique hotel, tasty Moroccan cuisine, exotic day trips, camel rides, henna parties, daily yoga classes, and more!

So spice up your spring and SIGN-UP TODAY! 

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).