From May 12-May 19, 2018, we’re headed to Amorgos, Greece with Anastasia Bobadilla and Laura Green. Below, Anastasia and Laura tell us what inspired their Wellness Playground: Reconnect To Play Retreat, who their greatest yoga influences have been, what quotes inspire their practice, and more! Meet Anastasia and Laura and find out what you can expect on their retreat by checking out our exclusive interview below!
1. How does the idea of the Wellness Playground: Reconnecting to Play” play into your upcoming Yoga Retreat, and what themes do you see coming up?
In our retreats, our aim is to remind people how wonderful it feels to play, to laugh and to enjoy.We are wired by evolution to PLAY. Allowing ourselves to PLAY not only decreases stress, improves brain function, and boosts creativity; PLAY also helps balance our mood, cope with everyday life decisions, and frees our spirit to bloom with more passion in every day observations.
Especially as an adult, PLAY boosts our immune system and improves our resistance to disease. Whether it’s a soft giggle, 
a loud deep belly howl, or a simple smile and a wiggle. Allow yourself to let go, laugh, and take amusement to yourself and those around you.
a loud deep belly howl, or a simple smile and a wiggle. Allow yourself to let go, laugh, and take amusement to yourself and those around you.Don’t take life so seriously.
Free your inner child and allow your sense of PLAY to bubble up inside you.
2. Who has been your greatest influence and why?
Our greatest influences are the people in our community! The people in the Reno/Tahoe and surrounding area have so much diversity and openness. We feel so blessed and supported by our tribe that we continue to teach and share these practices of connection and play. Without this sense of tribe, our playfulness dulls because we strongly believe that the connections, experiences and memories we create in life is what makes our souls shine.
3. If there was a yoga pose or meditation practice that described you – what would it be and why?
Our mantra or meditation is “Namastizzle”: The monkey in 
me sees and honors the monkey in you. Namastizzle helps us connect with our primal playfullness and honor our innate sense of a monkey mind set. We allow that connection from our inner light to shine through hearts, radiate into our hands, and enrich the world with our inner sense of play.
me sees and honors the monkey in you. Namastizzle helps us connect with our primal playfullness and honor our innate sense of a monkey mind set. We allow that connection from our inner light to shine through hearts, radiate into our hands, and enrich the world with our inner sense of play.
4. Other than yoga and meditation – what are some of your passions? Will these be explored in your retreat?
Beyond Yoga & Meditation, we focus on connection, trust, communication and play. During our week, we will over many different classes, giving our participants a chance to explore all of these things. For example, AcroYoga teaches us how to trust in a partner to support us, to connect to that person physically and feel safe and even empowered. It teaches us how to communicate effectively both verbally and non verbally. The profound connections that develop through AcroYoga are incredible. We love the give this kind of experience to our students. Our other classes include Aerial Yoga, Laughter Yoga, Movement & Dance, Budokon, Slacklining, and Thai massage. All of these classes are designed to introduce our students to a wide range of play. Students of any age or experience level can come to our retreat and be inspired and empowered by these offerings. All of our classes during the week are optional, so students and pick and choose which classes they are intrigued to try.5. What is on your “Greece bucket list” and what are you most excited about?
The top bucket list items that we are most excited about are:
– to swim, float and snorkel in the clear salt water of the Aegean Sea
– learn and immerse ourselves in Greek culture ie. the people, Greek mythology, Greek Cuisine, Greek Spa
– explore the island of Amorgos exploring the unique island ecosystems, animals, and plant life
6. Is there a saying or quote that really resonates with you and your upcoming retreat?
“The body heals with play, the mind heals with laughter, and the spirit heals with joy.”
Learn more and Register for Anastasia and Laura’s Wellness Playground: Reconnect To Play Retreat.
