Being Still – Why a yoga retreat?

I often look at my mom and say “How did you handle all of this when I was growing up?”

She just smiles back and says “It was different back then but it was still crazy”.

I come by the busy honestly. Growing up I was a flurry of activity kind of kid. Dancing, acting, gymnastics, Girl Guides, committees, volunteering, charity work…I liked being active and living life to the fullest.

But life IS very different nowadays.

Nowadays, we don’t shut off from staying connected. We stay linked in to the world in a talk-till-you-go-to-sleep and as-soon-as-you-get-up kind of space.

It’s a time where you have to make a conscious effort to put away your phone and being present. It’s a time where looking  across a sea of people, you see the tops of their heads because everyone is looking at their phones.

LOOK UP.

BREATHE.

BE MINDFUL OF THAT BREATH.

BE STILL.

Imagine taking time to press pause against the assault the digital and frenetic world has on your soul.

Just for a little while.

I had the pleasure of that experience last year when I partook in a Dynamic Retreats Yoga Retreat last year at Allamanda villa in Jamaica

Dynamic Retreats is focused on activity, adventure and restoration. Coordinated by one of the most fun, spiritual and energetic people I have ever encountered, Melissa Jane Shaw. MJ is the heart of why this yoga retreat is completely different than any you might ever have been to before.

But first let’s talk about the scenery shall we?

When we arrived after being picked up by our driver Ray from Montego Bay airport, I felt like I was in an episode of Fantasy Island, the kind of place that felt so luxurious and peaceful, it was almost otherworldly. The view was awe-inspiring, the villa decorated out of the pages of Architectural Digest and the poolside rivalled any 5 star resort. Sheer heaven.

As we lay our bags in our rooms, I almost felt like someone was going to come and tell us we were in the wrong place. The villa was so luxe, so decadent it couldn’t possibly be the space we would be getting to zen out in for a week.

Oh but it was.

The Exercise

Throughout the week, we awoke early to beautiful shiny days and started our day off with morning yoga. Nothing helps centre your mind for the day more as we sat breathing, gazing out at a picturesque view of tropical palms and the ocean nearby.

We would then have choices of personal training assessments, chilling by the pool, heading to town or relaxing with a massage until the optional fitness class mid-morning. Every day was something different from Pilates to Booty Boot camp to Dance Dance Dance, this was a great break mid-day to get your sweat on and have some fun.

The sun setting over the sea would be met with an hour to an hour and a half of mediation and restorative yoga.

A chance to mellow into the evening focusing on quiet. This provided a chance for you to regroup and address all the adventure you put your body through for the day.

The Food

Prepared by Allamanda villa’s private chef, we feasted on healthy, delicious meals throughout the week. There is nothing more amazing than breaking bread with new friends as you discover everyone’s love for food. Dishes were innovative and the flavours brought in everything traditional in Jamaica with new twists in every dish. We had a choice of going Vegan, Vegetarian or Regular diet plan. We went as Vegetarian as possible and found my whole system responded so well to eating clean it became a focus when we arrived home.

The Excursions

Another fabulous element to Allamanda Villa was that we had a private driver, who we affectionately nicknamed Sugar Ray. This made venturing to the grocery store, out shopping and on our optional excursions amazingly easy.

We trekked to Ocho Rios one day to experience Dunns River Falls and the wildly well known Scotchies. Often considered the best Jerk Chicken spot on the island, it is not for the pomp & circumstance but 100% for the authentic Jerk experience.

A day adventure to Negril provided us with experiences like devouring local beef patties, shopping through the markets, the best sandy beach in the Caribbean, Rick’s Cafe and Jimmy Buffet’s Margartaville.

The Expertise

MJ Shaw has the mastery of yoga, dance and fitness to support this week of healthy and exotic living. She provided a daily plan of fitness each night that has us pumped and ready for what the next day would bring. She also did a fitness assessment with each of us providing a personal training plan of fitness and health goals for the future.

The Benefits

• I had to slow down. Something I can’t always do well at home but living on island time mixed with the serenity of taking care of your body all week had a tremendously positive effect on one’s psyche.
• There is nothing to me more powerful then women coming together and this was no different. This retreat was in the company of 10 other women which created a space for laughter, heartfelt conversations and beautiful spirits. We were complete strangers at the start of the week and left as great friends.
• I have never, ever felt healthier or more peaceful in my life. Full Stop.

MJ is hosting another upcoming Dynamic Retreat. This time in Nicaragua. I loved the first Dynamic Retreat so much I have decided I am packing up and heading to this one as well. I have managed to convince my friend and Around the world traveller, Gillian from One-Giant-Step to join me down there. Next, working on the hubs to come as well given that this retreat is Co-ed & I think he needs a little bit of quiet in his life too.

If you are finding the need to just Be Still, come join us.

YOGA & SURF RETREAT (Co-ed) in NICARAGUA: EL COCO LOCO RESORT

Want a taste of what it looks like? 

February 21-28th, 2015

** All the photos here were taken with a Nokia Lumia 1020. This is not a sponsored post. I just absolutely love the photo quality of this phone.