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Mother’s Day is around the corner. It’s time to start shopping! Traditionally Mother’s Day is filled with flowers, cakes, and charm bracelets. But that’s not every mom’s style. If you’ve got an active mom, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. We’ve created an ultimate list of gifts for the active mom. Every active mom will adore any one of these gifts.

1. The gift that keeps on giving

Subscription boxes have been a popular gift for years. They’re the gift that keeps on giving! But there are more options than the traditional wine, cheese, or chocolate subscription boxes.

If you’ve got a mom who is particularly health conscious, check out Graze or NatureBox for a health snack subscription. If your mom is a yogi, then she’ll love the any of the YogiSurprise boxes. Whichever subscription box you choose, it’s a great way to remind her how much she means to you, every single month.

2. A Picture Worth a Thousand Words

Is your mom always behind the camera? Then why not get her a camera that can withstand her active lifestyle. Of course, there is always the GoPro. Famous for being both affordable and durable, this little camera will allow your mom to capture beautiful videos of her adventures.

If your mom loves to dive, then she’ll love the SeaLife cameras. These cameras were designed to capture gorgeous photos of life under the sea. If you are looking for a more versatile camera your mom can use for any activities, check out these great waterproof and durable cameras.

3. Beats on the Go

If your mom loves music as much as she loves being active, than a portable speaker could be the perfect gift. The BoomBottle is a wireless speaker that’s the same size and shape as a water bottle. This powerful speaker can easily fit in a backpack or the water bottle cage of a bicycle.

For an even smaller option, check out the Puma Soundchuck, a tiny speaker that brings great tunes to any location. It comes with a silicone cord that will let your mom hook it to just about anything

4. An Ohm-azing Yoga Mat

For the yogi moms out there, a yoga mat can be a great gift. But don’t just get any yoga mat. Get one that will make her jaw drop. The Yoloha cork yoga mats are all gorgeously designed and made with eco-friendly cork material (which gets stickier as it gets wet).

For more stunning yoga mats, check out this list of the most beautiful and unique yoga mats around. And if you’ve got a traveling yogi mom, pick her up one of these travel yoga mats for her next trip.

5. A Life-Changing Journey

There are tons of different gifts for the active mom that are fun and will make her smile on her next adventure, but why not give her the adventure itself? Giving your mom a week-long yoga retreat is the perfect way to say thank you for everything she has done for you.

A yoga and wellness retreat in some of the most beautiful places on earth will give her a chance to relax and show her that you truly embrace and support her active nature. You could even make it a bonding experience and go with her!

Celebrate her with these gifts for the active mom

Your mom will love any of these gifts for the active mom. What she will love most is the fact that you found a gift perfect for her. Celebrate what makes your mom unique. Celebrate her love of the outdoors and the fact that she’d rather go camping that get her nails done. Your mom is an active woman and this Mother’s Day you can honor that by giving her any one of these gifts for the active mom. She’s bound to appreciate the thought as much as the gift itself! Make sure to wish her a happy Mother’s Day on our behalf!

Dear Mom,

I remember when I was a little girl and you would take us to the beach. The other moms would lather up in sunscreen and hide under the umbrellas. But not you. You were right there with us, building sandcastles, body surfing the waves, and laughing in the sunshine. You never worried about getting dirty or looking the fool. You just wanted to enjoy yourself.

I have always admired that about you. You’ve never cared what other people do. You just do what you want.

When I was just a toddler you decided to bicycle around Lake Tahoe. My dad had done it, so, why couldn’t you? Sure, you weren’t as experienced a cycler as he, but you were determined. You hopped on your bike and started peddling.

It was hard. Harder than you’d expected. By the end you were near tears, sweat dripped from every corner of your body, and your muscles quivered. But you didn’t care. You kept riding. And you did it.

Just like you climbed half dome for no other reason than to prove you could. Because that’s who you are. You are a woman who isn’t afraid to be herself. And you taught me that it’s okay to be myself too. Even if who I am is a little different than the rest.

Every time we go to a nail salon together you joke about the dirt caked under your fingernails. You were always a little embarrassed; most of the moms didn’t show up to the nail salon with dirt-covered hands. But in my eyes, that dirt is a symbol of who you are. A symbol of what makes you, not only different than the other moms, but so much cooler. (I know, I’m biased, but seriously… you’re the coolest).

I guess what I am trying to say is thank you.

Thank you, Mom, for being so fearlessly true to yourself. You taught me what a real woman looks like. I grew up watching you pull on heels and red lipstick on day, then swap them for snowshoes and a baseball cap the next. I grew up learning that beauty can be a little black dress and diamond earring, but it can just as easily be mud-caked jeans and paint-stained tee-shirts.

Watching you live your true nature gave me permission to live mine. Growing up with you as a role model taught me that there is no right or wrong way to be a woman. You taught me that as long as I am true to myself, I am beautiful. Because you are always true to yourself, and you are the most beautiful woman I know.

You often tell me that you admire my self-awareness. You say you are impressed by how well I know myself and how unapologetically authentic I am. I wonder; do you realize that you are the one who taught me how?

Like any daughter, I turned to my mother as a model of womanhood. I followed in your footsteps and, as the years passed, you went from being my mother to my role model to my hero. And today? Well, let’s just say if someone asked me what I want to be when I grow up, I’d show them a picture of you.

Thank you, Mom. Thank you for being yourself and for teaching me how to do the same.

Love always,

A very proud daughter

Some of the most meaningful quotes I have ever heard are from individuals who are speaking English as a second language.  There is something about a limited vocabulary, and actually having to take the time to think about what you are saying, that can really boil an aspect of life down to a profound essence.

A couple of weeks ago, river plans were brewing over a breakfast of fresh juevos, avocado, and pineapple juice in the small town of Baeza, Ecuador.  Presented with one option, a friend quoted a favorite saying he had picked up from a Northern European country somewhere along the way.  Mimicking a bouncy sing-song accent, he said, “Step out of comfort and into adventure!”

We all laughed.  Since, I have reflected on the truth of that.  

Ultimately, stepping out of comfort makes us face our fears.

Regarding fear, Pema Chodron recounts the following story:

Once there was a young warrior. Her teacher told her that she had to do battle with fear. She didn’t want to do that. It seemed too aggressive; it was scary; it seemed unfriendly. But the teacher said she had to do it and gave instructions for the battle.

The day arrived. The student warrior stood on one side, and fear stood on the other. The warrior was feeling very small, and fear was looking big and wrathful. The young warrior roused herself and went toward fear, prostrated three times, and asked, “May I have permission to go into battle with you?”

Fear said, “Thank you for showing me so much respect that you ask permission.”

Then the young warrior said, “How can I defeat you?”

Fear replied, “My weapons are that I talk fast, and I get very close to your face. Then you get completely unnerved, and you do whatever I say. If you don’t do what I tell you, I have no power. You can listen to me, and you can have respect for me. You can even be convinced by me. But if you don’t do what I say, I have no power.”

In that way, the student warrior learned how to defeat fear.

Comfort means different things for different people.  For some, traveling to a new place or trying out a new activity in which she or he is completely incompetent is incredibly uncomfortable. For others, facing the fear that comes above dropping a steep line on skis or running a 90 ft. waterfall may be a lazy-boy of comfort compared to the commitment of letting go enough to truly love someone instead of something (which ultimately leads to something more fulfilling than ever imagined).  

Fear can make us do many things.  It can make us freeze.  It can make us take off running.  It can make us scream, cry, or execute a rash judgement or decision.  The scariest part of fear is being mindful to pause and not doing anything at all.  To sit with the discomfort long enough to recognize fear as fear and not as part of us.  In this recognition, we are able to overcome fear by recognizing it for what it is, and not doing what it is telling us.

Stepping out of what we have established as comfortable for ourselves, is the space in which we grow.  By consciously choosing to do something that feels scary and sticking with it, the uncomfortable becomes comfortable, even if it is something that initially doesn’t come “naturally” to us.

But, let’s be real.  If you own a house, have two kids, a white picket fence, a loving partner and a job that allows you to experience purpose inside or out of it, we’re not saying ditch it all and get on a one way plane to Djibouti in the name of “stepping out of comfort.”  Nor if you’re atop a Himalayan peak, living off of $2/ day with your backpack in the depths of Pacha Mama are we saying to hitchhike your way home to get a “real job.”  

There is immense importance in honoring where you are and what feels right to you at any moment in time, as well as noticing the joys of “a bubble.”  A couple of years ago I was traveling in Nepal on my own, utterly exhausted from overnight buses, random marriage proposals and having no plan, and I distinctly remember recognizing the benefits of having at least a little bit of a “bubble.”  I hadn’t set myself up for the best success because I disregarded the idea of any sort of comfort whatsoever, and from that, I learned and found immense appreciation for family and friends (which continues to grow), as well as what “not to do” for my next trip.  

Inevitably, life puts us in uncomfortable situations whether we like it or not.  By specifically practicing discomfort in smaller instances that we choose, we learn and gain endurance in sitting with it.  Facing fear allows us to experience and get comfortable with moments of whatever “not working out” or that are straight-up hard.

So, take a step back and ask yourself what makes you comfortable and what makes you uncomfortable? Appreciate the comfortable, enjoy it and maintain it.  Then, look the uncomfortable right in the eyes and pick out one small thing you can do every day to experience the sensation of that discomfort.  Practice positive perspective, persistence, and patience.  And being kind to yourself.  With time, you’ll inevitably notice your perseverance and growth through exposure to discomfort.  When life throws you a curve ball, you’ll be better prepared.  You’ll grow, and growing is the ultimate adventure.

Kira is a freelance writer and the co-founder of the whole wellness getaway company KULAvie.  She is a yoga, kayak, and ski instructor who is passionate about connecting people with the outdoors and has had the privilege of working in Idaho, North Carolina, Chile, Nepal, India, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and the Tibetan Plateau. 

out-of-comfort-kira

out-of-comfort-author

The flowers are blooming, the skies are getting bluer, and spring is in the air. With spring comes a time of fresh starts and new beginnings. And I don’t just mean cleaning out your closet. Spring is a time to embrace internal cleansing. It is a time to rid yourself of the old, stagnant energy of winter and leap into the fresh, lively energy of spring. Now can be a good time to start new projects and try new things for spring is the season of new beginnings. One place you can begin anew is in your yoga practice. No matter how long you have been practicing or how advanced your practice is, we all get caught in old habits. One way to break those habits and revitalize your yoga practice is to start again. Here are five ways you can get a fresh start and find new depth in your practice.

1. Try a new style of yoga

If you have only ever practiced flow yoga, you are probably pretty comfortable in down dog. But when was the last time you stayed in pigeon for more than five breaths? Alternatively, if you always attend the yin and restorative yoga classes, why not challenge yourself to try out a flow class?

Trying a different style can be as challenging as going to yoga for the first time. You will move your body in new ways and explore yoga from a different angle. There are so many styles of yoga to choose from. Whether it is kundalini, jivamukti, yin, or something else entirely, trying a new style can truly revitalize your yoga practice.

2. Take a class with a different teacher

Not quite ready to change yoga style? Why not test out a new teacher instead? Two flow yoga classes at the same yoga studio can be entirely different if they are taught by different instructors. Every teacher has a unique style and every teacher will bring their own background and training into their classes.

The more teachers you learn from, the more variety you are going to get. This can help you discover your preferred teaching style as well as introduce you to new poses and ways of moving. Working with a new teacher can be the perfect way to revitalize your yoga practice.

3. Visit a new yoga studio

In the name of spring and new beginnings, why not try a new studio? I am all for brand loyalty, but sometimes change can be a good thing. Most studios have a preferred type of teaching or style of yoga. Going to a new studio allows you to find more variety in your classes.

Plus, a new location can help us break habits. Poses you have always avoided may suddenly feel possible with as little as a new room to try it in. A change in location can make you more creative and willing to take risks, so a new yoga studio could be the change you need to bring new breath to your yoga practice.

4. Schedule a one-on-one session

One way to revitalize your yoga practice is to schedule a one-on-one session. They may be pricier than a group class, but they are worth every penny. You get to work with a yoga teacher you respect who can help you explore and deepen your yoga practice.

A private yoga session is the perfect place to test the limits of your practice. It is also an ideal place to discover the other aspects of yoga. Tell your yoga teacher if you are interested in exploring the history and spirituality of yoga. They will likely have resources and information they can bring to your one-on-one session.

5. Sign up for a yoga retreat

One of the best ways to start fresh is to step away from it all entirely. When you leave your routine behind, you force yourself to break habits and do things differently. A yoga retreat can be the perfect place to do this.

A yoga retreat allows you to step away from your daily life and delve into the juicy depths yoga has to offer. You will learn new things about yoga, push the limits of your personal practice, and grow in a way no studio class can offer. If you are looking for a new beginning from which to grow your yoga practice, consider signing up for a yoga retreat today.

Revitalize your yoga practice with a new attitude

No matter what you decide to do, a fresh start is about more than doing something differently. It’s about the attitude you do it with. Spring is the perfect opportunity to embrace change, so keep an open mind and an adventurer’s spirit. You just might be amazed by what a new beginning can do for you.

Love is in the air! At least it is for these awesome vegan + gluten free Valentine’s cookies! So, break out the heart cookie cutters and your favorite Elvis Presley playlist so we can get started!

As you might have noticed by now, I clearly live a gluten free and planet healthy diet. I try to chose recipes that both serve the earth and my gut in the best way possible.

 

 

 

 

“Cooking is like love: It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” — Harriet van Horne

You may have also recognized my sweet tooth. I love desserts. In particular, I love holiday desserts. Baking (Or blending) for the seasonal favorites are my favorite health challenge. I love to transform holiday’s naughty side into something you can feel good about while maintaining your sweet tooth’s integrity. Mmmm.

Let’s get started. 

My daughter was dazzled by the mess that these created whilst we began to make this beautiful concoction. She was even more dazzled by the sight of them as we sprinkled them with rainbow speckles warm out of the oven. Sorry, Zya, not quite old enough yet. All mine? Forget it. I have 2 hungry room mates that are absolutely of age to enjoy these savory treats, and while I am single, I am still generous with my baked goods.

“There is no love sincerer than the love of food.” ― George Bernard Shaw

You may be surprised that the key ingredient to these sweet treats are raspberries! YES! Raspberries. You don’t need fake food coloring to make incredible colors for your desserts. Mother earth has provided us with a rainbow if fruits and vegetables to do that for us quite naturally.

PREP TIME

2 hours 30 mins

COOK TIME

12 mins

TOTAL TIME

About 3 hours

Decadent and, “Buttery,” Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies.

Author: Alana Roach

Recipe type: Dessert

Cuisine: Gluten Free, Vegan, Refined Sugar Free

Serves: 30 cookies

INGREDIENTS

For the cookies:

•1 cup vegan buttery spread

•1 cup coconut palm sugar

•¼ cup unsweetened apple sauce

•3 cups gluten free flour blend (I like Bob’s Red Mill brand)

•¼ teaspoon of pink himalayan sea salt

•½ teaspoon of vanilla extract

For the frosting:

•¼ cup vegan buttery spread

•2 cups powdered coconut sugar (Learn how to make your own here)

•1 Tablespoon non-dairy milk (Choose your favorite! I really loved these with cashew milk)

•the juice of 10 raspberries, strained

METHOD

1To make the cookies: Cream the buttery spread and the coconut sugar. Slowly stir in the applesauce and vanilla extract

2Add the gluten free flour blend and himalayan pink salt and mix until combined. If the dough seems too moist, add a bit more gluten free flour.

3Divide the dough into two balls. Wrap each ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours.

4Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or grease.

5Spread waxed paper on your rolling surface and sprinkle with gluten free flour. Unwrap one of the discs and sprinkle liberally with gluten free flour as well.

6Roll the dough to about ¼ of an inch thickness. Cut out your hearts, and place them on the cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes. They should be just slightly golden brown on the edges. The time may vary depending on the size of your cookie cutters. The hearts I used were about three inches across. Cool on wire racks.

7For the frosting: Press the raspberries against a fine mesh sieve over a large bowl. Discard the seeds.

8Add the vegan buttery spread and mix on medium speed.

9Add the coconut confectioner’s sugar a little bit at a time. When the frosting starts to look crumbly, drizzle in the non-dairy milk.

10Add the remaining coconut confectioner’s sugar and mix. If the frosting is too wet, add more confectioner’s sugar. If it’s too dry, add a bit more non-dairy milk. The more you make this recipe and/or frosting, the better it will get. So just do the best you can and have fun!

11Frost the cooled sugar cookies and top with sprinkles if desired.

Enjoy!

“People who love to eat are always the best people.” — Julia Child

Namaste, soul family

BIO : Alana Roach  is a International Yogi currently based out of Annapolis, MD. Formerly adorned by the city lights and the busy streets of America, she was then whisked away by the illustrious path of yoga and took to traveling the world to share it with others. A few years back she started to write about the transformation she undertook by  practicing conscious living. Her passions became her career and she now holds RYS Teacher Trainings & International Retreats, Health Coaches, and writes every opportunity she gets. In her spare time she loves cuddling with her daughter,  surfing, being in nature, and living amongst her ever growing and global loving and conscious community. She is on Facebook , Instagram, Twitter, and can be reached by email explorationsofself@gmail.com & for health coaching at SelfHealwithAlana@gmail.com

We’ve all heard the saying, “you can’t love another until you learn to love yourself.” As cliché as it is, behind every cliché there’s a grain of truth. In this case, that truth is the incredible importance of self-love. With Valentine’s Day around the corner it is easy to get caught up in worries about love and romance, but how often do we stop to consider how much we love ourselves? I think it is about time we did.

Ask you to be your valentine this year

When cupids are decorating every storefront and boxes of chocolate are flying off the shelves, it’s easy to wonder if you’ll be getting a treat this Valentine’s Day. But why not treat yourself? Whether you have a partner or are proudly single, Valentine’s Day is a great time to focus on what it is you love most about the people who are important to you. And on the top of that list should always be yourself.
Buy yourself some roses, light some candles, draw a bath, and take some time to appreciate what makes you great this holiday. Why not write yourself a love letter? You can open it and re-read it whenever you are having a bad day. These little reminders to ourselves can help us kick out negative self-talk and focus on self-love instead.

A day of self-love sounds great, but what about the rest of the year?

Like in any relationship, there are days when love comes easy and days where it is a bit more of a challenge. You are going to have days when you look in the mirror and don’t like what you see. There are going to be days when you wish you could escape your own company. So what do you do on those days? How do you keep self-love alive then?
Personally, I’ve made a mental list of the things that help me rekindle my self-love. If I wake up feeling particularly bad about myself, I go through that list. For me that list includes yoga, hiking, writing, and other things that help me clear out the negativity. The list will be different for everyone, but there is one thing that I do every time I feel my self-love wavering even a bit. I write down five things I love about myself. Not five things I like. Not five things I can stand. But five things I truly love about myself. Preferably five things I didn’t write down last time. This can help you break the patterns of negative self-talk and shift your brain back to self-love instead.

How can I fall in love with myself in the first place?

I used to suffer from severe depression and there was a point in my life where I truly despised myself. I heard others tell me to be kinder to myself, to love myself, but this was some vague concept as impossible as if they told me to grow an extra pair of hands. I refused to see any good in myself and let the negative self-talk that was constantly in my mind take over any positive self-thoughts that tried to make a breakthrough.
During this time my only saving grace was yoga. I went because I was convinced I wasn’t thin enough. I went because I wanted to look like the yogis on Instagram. But when I got there, I found something else. I found a group of men and women emanating love to everyone who walked through that door. I found a yoga teacher who preached compassion and appreciation, not just of those around us, but of our selves. I found a community where even my flaws were beautiful and a practice where I became more connected to myself than ever before.

We all learn to fall in love with ourselves in different ways. If you find it through yoga, great. If you find it somewhere else, that’s also wonderful. What matters is that you start looking. Take the time to get to know yourself more intimately than you ever have before. If you take the time to nurture that relationship, self-love is bound to come out of it.

January is a time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the new year. Often after the slump of the holiday season, we find ourselves eager to get back on track. We join gyms, start diets, and insist that this year is going to be our healthiest year. And yet, by the time spring comes around the momentum is gone and maintaining our commitment to our healthiest year grows challenging. But it doesn’t have to be this way. These five easy steps will help you make 2017 your healthiest year ever.

1. Set achievable goals

A big mistake people make when making resolutions is setting their sights to high. I remember one January 1^st when I insisted I was going to stop eating sugar and go to the gym every single day. Needless to say, I slipped up. Within the first month I had missed a few days at the gym and by the time my birthday came around in February there was no way I was refusing a slice of birthday cake. When we set unreachable goals, it is hard to stay motivated to achieve them. Your goals need to be realistic based on where you are in your life today.

At the same time, don’t get too vague. What does “eating healthier” really mean? If you want 2017 to be your healthiest year yet, you need to know what that looks like. When creating your goals for the new year, make sure they are realistic, but also make sure they are clear.

2. Focus on mind, body, and spirit

Health goes beyond the body. It has been proven time and time again that our body and mind are intricately linked and the health of one intimately affects the health of the other. To make this your healthiest year, you need to consider more than just how fit you are. We have a family tradition of setting three new year’s resolutions; one for the mind, one for the body, and one for the spirit or soul. I have found this framework to be really useful for creating holistic resolutions that really work together to make me my healthiest self.

3. Discover the root issues

For years and years one of my resolutions was to go to the gym more. But try as I might, I could never keep up with it. I always got angry at myself; I’m a determined person who cares about my health, why was this causing me so much trouble? Eventually I realized what it was; I hate working out in gyms. With a little trial and error I finally figured out fitness routines that I actually enjoy and suddenly staying healthy was so much easier.

If you really want this to be your healthiest year, try to get at the root of what keeps you from sticking to certain resolutions. Set goals that address those issues and are easier to stick to. It will help set you up for a successful, healthy year.

4. Get a fresh start

Our brains love habit, and habit can be a great thing, but it is also incredibly hard to break ourselves of habit. One of the best ways to break an old habit or start a new one is to make a sudden change. If you’re having trouble eating healthy, throw away everything unhealthy in your house and create a meal plan for the next week that is full of veggies. If you are having trouble maintaining a fitness routine, something like a yoga retreat can be the fresh start you need and set you on the right track for achieving your healthiest year yet.

5. Make it all about you

A major part of health is self-care. So make this the year of you. In addition to setting goals that are achievement oriented (like eating such-and-such way or exercising every so often), set a few selfish goals. One of my goals this year is to turn off my phone an hour before bed and use that time to care for myself (i.e. journal, take a bath, or read a good book). When you feel nourished and rested, you will find it easier to stick to your more challenging goals, so set a goal that’s all about taking care of yourself.

Ideally, we would all have no problem sticking to our new year’s resolutions, but we are all human and the fact of the matter is that each and every one of us is going to have an off day. So while you are setting goals and taking the steps toward making 2017 your healthiest year, remember to be kind with yourself. Remember that it is okay if you miss a yoga class or eat an extra cookie—sometimes that break or that cookie is what you need in that moment. These tips will help you have your healthiest year, but the best thing you can do achieve that goal is learn to listen to yourself and give yourself what you need. You’ll find you know more than you think. Here’s to a new year and a happier, healthier you!

There is no way getting around it. Peru is magical. 

True Nature has the privilege of hosting retreats here and have an amazing adventure coming your way with Bobbie and Amanda!  Learn more about their trip here and sign-up while there are still spots available!

Immerse yourself in mystical Peru, an amazing power place on the planet. This 8 day retreat offers a rare opportunity to commune in the pristine stillness of the Andean mountains and the ancient Incan Ruins. You will have the option to extend your trip by two days and explore magnificent Machu Picchu. Peru provides the perfect environment to unplug, relax, and explore the cherished beliefs and ideas about yourself, others, and the world.

In a beautiful mountain yoga retreat center, enjoy mindfulness inquiry workshops, interactive sharing, meditation, yoga, and fabulous food daily.

Not to mention the leaders are top notch. Inspiring, playful, welcoming, and experienced. It is our pleasure to introduce Bobbie and Amanda!

TN= True Nature B= Bobbie A= Amanda

TN: How does the idea of “Exploring the Essence of Yoga in Sacred Peru” play into your retreat? What themes do you see coming up throughout the journey?
B:
We anticipate the change of environment to have a huge impact on how we connect with and theme the practices while on retreat. Coming from the urban, hurried, angular cityscapes like New York that have the tendency to harden us  to the lush, green, vibrant landscape of the Sacred Valley; we will have the opportunity to recalibrate and soften our senses, tune-in to the elements and absorb the effect on our overall consciousness.
So often, we reference earth and sky in classes or salute the sun – without the direct connection. In a culture as rich as Peru’s we will have the opportunity to observe and participate in a more reverential acknowledgement to the natural world around us.
TN: If there was a yoga pose or meditation practice that described you – what would it be and why?

A: For me, it is really about the concept of creating pause, ventilation, space for insight in my experience. Whether that is in my physical asana practice, my seated practice, how I relate to my children, what I consume, etc. Having enough space to be able to choose wisely how i wish to respond in my life rather than letting reaction breed into reaction without conscious awareness and high intention playing a defining role. This is the embodiment of all the practices to me and how they move from compartmentalized practices into the nooks and crannies of our lives. Space is so key for me.
TN: Other than yoga and meditation – what are some of your passions? Will these be explored in your retreat?

B: Both Amanda and I love the meditative practice of Kirtan (devotional chanting) so we plan to offer lots of opportunity for students to express themselves and get lost (and found) in the power of the collective voice. We are also very excited about the Seva aspect of the retreat as the yoga practice is incomplete somehow if not shared and taken outward into the community. Amanda has just started a service umbrella through Prema as an outreach program for our local community, which I’m sure she’ll tell you more about, take it away, Amanda!
A: Sometimes we can participate in these practices and stay locked in the narrowness of it all, almost to the point of spiritual narcissism. These sacred practices are about improving the self in order to improve and make an impact on the lives around you. And not just human lives. To be non-discriminate in our levels of outreach and to do whatever we can to actively alleviate the suffering of all sentient beings and the great Mother Earth herself. So, for me, to not include Seva in our yoga, it doesn’t compute and is horribly incomplete. To be able to practice in the morning and then go and serve the community afterwards is a privilege.

TN: What is on your “Peru bucket list” and what are you most excited about?

A: To be honest, all of it. What I’m most excited about is to experience these rich full days and to be able to immerse, even for such a short time, in the beauty of the culture. There is such a history of vibrant spiritual and magical life, I’m thrilled to be able to participate in a small way.

TN: Is there a saying or quote that really resonates with you and your upcoming retreat?


B: You and I are in training to become conscious, compassionate beings in the truest and deepest sense. Become an instrument of joy, an instrument of equanimity, an instrument of presence, an instrument of availability and at the same time, absolutely quiet. -Ram Dass.