To NYC with Love

So this past Sunday was the first mini "urban retreat" I hosted here in NYC with the company SideTour. Like I mentioned in the last post, SideTour brings together local enthusiasts and guests for interesting "experiential" tours. From beer-making classes and private dinner parties to graffiti art walks and intimate concerts - these tours connect NYC locals and visitors with a unique experience in the city - past the traditional tourist activities. Plus, the groups are small leading to a more intimate experience.

Carl Schurtz Park

The one I ran this past weekend was a combination of - what else - eating, praying, and moving! A handful of guests joined in from various parts of the city, and I even had one person visit all the way from Boston just for the event! She'd come on the Tuscany retreat last year and it was so nice to see her again.

Peter Pan - our meeting place

We started at the beautiful Carl Schurtz Park in the Upper East Side of the city. Here we enjoyed introductions and then I spoke about the practice of meditation before we headed to the water promenade to experience first-hand a time of walking meditation.

walking meditation along the river

Next it was off to a nearby yoga studio for a private small-group lesson to get our heart-rates up. Finally, we ended the afternoon at a lovely vegan restaurant where we each enjoyed some tea and a couple healthy courses before saying goodbye.

It felt like a small family for the day - like a mini version of the friendships forges on the week-long retreats. Everyone seemed to have a great time and I'm looking forward to more meetings like this locally. In the meantime...off to plan some new Mediterranean retreats...

au revoir!

Mini Urban Retreat

Calling all fellow NYC'ers, or even those thinking of visiting the Big Apple...I'm excited to announce that  there are now mini EAT.PRAY.MOVE urban retreats right here in the city.

The NY-based company SideTour recently contacted me about teaming up with them with a health&wellness tour. I love their concept of offering experiential tours around the city with local experts. It's such a great way for residents to learn more about specific subjects or locales around the town, as well as a wonderful opportunity for visitors to dig deeper than the typical tourists sites.

I'm hoping that these ongoing mini urban tours will be a great way to introduce city-dwellers to a more peaceful way of living, as well as giving guests a way to indulge in some eating, praying, and moving during their visit.

Join me on the first tour where we'll start with a walking meditation through one of the city's hidden gems of a park, then on to a yoga class, followed by a meal at one of the top vegan restaurants including a small presentation on the benefits of a healthy diet.

Read more about the details & sign up HERE!

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!