Heidi Dietrich will be leading a yoga and meditation retreat with Italian Cooking Classes next September in Italy! Read on in this exclusive interview to learn how the idea of “Full Circle” plays into her retreat and learn more about Heidi’s greatest influences and passions.
Heidi is a RYT500 Yoga Teacher and has 108 hours of training in the heart-oriented method of Anusara. Through the dance of balancing the body, mind and spirit she guides us toward harmonizing our inner truth with our actions and experiences. Heidi’s gentle and restorative approach to the yoga practice incorporates energy work, flower essences, mantra, yantra painting, gemology and astrology as well as Yoga Nidra. Join her in Italy from September 15- September 22, 2018!
Meet True Nature Leader Heidi Dietrich
1. How does the idea of “Full Circle” play into your upcoming Yoga Retreat, and what themes do you see coming up?
“The breath flows in and just before it turns to flow out, there is a flash of pure joy -life is renewed. Awaken into that.” – Lorin Roche
In the setting of this Living Yoga Retreat, Full Circle gives us a framework to step outside of daily demands and really meet ourselves again. Just as we reside in the NOW in the practice of yoga, travel offers a direct avenue to wake up to the magic of life, lightened of prior beliefs or thoughts, consciously embodying each moment, we digest life fully, breathe it in then let it go. Practicing yoga and meditation tools during the Retreat will strengthen the habit of relaxing into the flow of life as well as tuning into our inner callings. Find the Pause.
When we fully digest our experiences, we are more open to live in the present moment. We are invited to consider completing a project as a tribute of our time in Italy as a way of digesting the adventure and integrating the ah-ha’s. This may include a photography book, a painting, learning how to cook an Italian dish to make at your next gathering, writing letters to loved ones, planting a new garden, designing a new piece of clothing based upon Italian fashion…
Let’s ride the cycles of life, thoroughly digesting our experiences and celebrating their impact on the quilt of our lives. Inhale. Exhale. Full Circle.
2. Who has been your greatest influence and why?
From the very beginning, my organized, supportive and loving parents shaped my ability to be a conscientious human, to take responsibility for my choices, and to pursue my dreams. In the company of my best friend, Beth, I found the courage to expand my view of how the world works and branch out into entrepreneurship, creating the life of my dreams. My yoga teacher, Brenna Geehan was my inspiration to become a yoga teacher and her teaching partner, Jean Mazzie felt like a gift from God! Jean personifies the absolute freedom that called forth my authenticity and truth. And for my entire life, my sister Heather, who is also a yoga teacher, has encouraged and inspired me and … she celebrates my Wild Woman side.
3. If there was a yoga pose or meditation practice that describes you – what would it be and why?
The practice of Yoga Nidra in its peaceful, relaxing cleansing of all the layers of ourself. Savasana was what pulled me to learn more about yoga as I wanted to live wherever it was that I went when I floated into Savasana. The healing and the recharge that we experience while the whole body is completely relaxed is what I encourage everyone to remember. Relax into your True Nature.
4. Other than yoga and meditation – what are some of your passions? Will these be explored in your retreat?
Travel, Painting, Photography, Wine, Food. When I imagine us in Italy, it includes watercolor painting on the veranda, perhaps with an afternoon glass of wine. We will have the opportunity to schedule special outings for photography shoots, explore Italian cooking classes, plus wine and olive oil tasting! We will be absolutely glowing!
5. What is on your “Italian bucket list” and what are you most excited about?
Spending rent on a pair of leather boots. Riding bikes around Italy. Strolling through farmers markets. Watching the colors of the buildings on the Amalfi coast shift in the Italian sun. Soaking in the luxurious and abundant energy of Italy. Photo-ops in the vineyards and on the coast. I am most excited about visiting a new country in the loving care of True Nature Travels and having the opportunity to once again launch into new frontiers to share and explore life with adventurous souls.
6. Is there a saying or quote that really resonates with you and your upcoming retreat?
From the Radiance Sutras by Lorin Roche, Ph.D
The way of direct living experience begins with a breath
such as the breath you are breathing now.
Awakening into the luminous reality
may dawn in the momentary throb
between any two breaths.
The breath flows in and just before it turns
to flow out,
there is a flash of pure joy –
life is renewed.
Awaken into that.
As the breath is released and flows out,
there is a pulse as it turns to flow in.
In that turn, you are empty.
Enter that emptiness as the source of all life.
Enter these turning points
In the play of respiration and expiration,
Where the rhythms of life transform
Into each other.
Cherishing these moments, 
Mind dissolves into heart,
Heart dissolves into space,
Body becomes a shimmering field
Pulsating between emptiness and fullness..
In any quiet moment when you are breathing,
the breath may flow out and pause of itself,
or flow in and pause of itself.
There experience opens into an exquisite vastness
with no beginning and no end.
Embrace that infinity without reservation.
Dive into it, drink deeply of it and emerge renewed.
