2018 In Review: With a Grateful Heart!
Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome.For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they’re meant to be.
-R.S. Iyengar
Yes, another year has come and gone...but GTR had quite a fun-filled and adventurous 2018! We started the year off visiting Costa Rica in January. It was a beautiful trip that truly bonded us all as we experienced the jungle overlooking The Pacific. The yoga room in the trees with the expansive views will be ever gloriously etched in our memories. Costa Rica, we will see you again for sure!
Then, it was on to Bali at the end of April where we were met with two words: Sheer Magic. Our two-part journey started in the dense jungle forest and rice paddies of Ubud, and finished in Ulawatoo along the breathtaking southern seaside cliffs. And that hotel! All I can say is: Wow! Dreams do come true...or, at least they did in Bali. The weather, the group, the fun dinners, white water rafting, the jungle swing, dancing, and of course the famous boat trip. Thank you Bali!
Our summer retreat was later than usual as we pushed it to Labor Day. Bella Italia...well, what more needs to be said?! If you ever get the chance to go to Puglia make sure to stay at The Borgo Egnazia Hotel. It is one of the most unique and special hotels we’ve ever experienced. Riding bicycles together every morning to the beach club for yoga, the spectacular 10 course meal, the spa and its treatments, the style and sensuality unique only to Italy... That was a fun, fun, fun time. What a way to close out the summer!
Yes, there is more! In October we took a truly special spiritual journey to the motherland of Yoga: India. Bye bye rational mind and all neat and tidy beliefs one might have about life. What a place India is. A transformative trip to say the least. If you haven’t been, go, assuming you want to experience something completely out of the box of western civilization. You'll never be forgotten India, bless you🙏
Finally we ended our retreats this year with a Thanksgiving celebration Mexican style, because, why not?! And what a great grand finale Mexico was! Costa Careyes is truly the hidden gem of Mexico. We ate, drank, shared stories, sang songs, laughed and cried together... of course, with some yoga and meditation thrown in there for good measure.
All in all it was a great year! Like any year it had its challenges, its ups and downs, but that’s the price of admission to life- at least if you're willing to live out loud!
Our community and our yoga practice combined together contribute greatly to a healthy and whole existence.
I am very grateful to have been able to travel grow and share with each and everyone of you in 2018!
Thank you for your spirit of adventure willingness to step outside your comfort zone of familiarity, taking healthy risks to grow, evolve, connect, and have FUN in foreign lands.
May we continue our cosmic play dates abroad and within our 50 states this next year 2019!
See you out there somewhere next year on this beautiful blue planet of ours.