Yoga & Adventure: Peru Retreat Recap

In April we took a journey to the beautiful country of Peru for our 7-day ‘Yoga & Adventure’ retreat. This was the first retreat offered in over two years which made it feel truly special. Our trip was centered around exploring Peru and learning about its culture. Some of the highlights of the trip included visiting one of the seven wonders of the world - Machu Picchu, as well as the Pisac Market and Moray and Maras.

Our time together included yoga, meditation, hiking, sound healing and heart centering. We were nourished by the local organic cuisine, special teas and treats, sacred ceremonies and more. Here is a recap of our adventures…

Day 1 — ARRIVE

Around 1pm we arrived at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport located in Cusco, and was met by our driver. She took us through the town of Cusco and Pisac, stopping along scenic spots to explore and take photos. It was such a surreal moment to finally have arrived in South America! The views were simply breathtaking.

About an hour and a half later we made it to our retreat sanctuary, Samadhi, which is hugged cozily in between the Andes Mountains. Samadhi houses ensuite mountain bungalows- each representing one of the seven chakra energy centers in the body. Immediately upon arrival you can feel the serene and mystical power of the Sacred Valley, which is considered one of the most energetically powerful places on Earth. It was an honor to have this beautiful space as our shared home for the week.

We spent the evening getting settled in, exploring the retreat grounds and meeting people from our group - some arriving from solo-travels, others with family. Our group ended up being people from all over - Arizona, California, Washington, Virginia, Utah, and even London.

It’s always amazing to meet everyone in person and to feel an immediate sense of connection. After we had all unpacked and enjoyed some free time, we spent our first dinner together and had a fire pit underneath the stars.

Day 2 — GROUND

We started our first morning off with a hatha yoga flow at 7:30am. The morning air felt crisp and clean, and the birds were chirping a warm welcome as we made our way to the sun shala, which overlooked the incredible Sacred Valley. The morning class focused on slow grounding movement with mobility and static stretching to help open up our bodies and to prepare for the day ahead. We started with breathwork connecting us to the present moment, and then began our flow.

After yoga, we enjoyed breakfast with a beautiful view of the mountains.

After morning yoga and breakfast, we prepared for our Native Despacho Ceremony. This ancient indigenous ritual of the Andean people is a creation of a mandala-like bundle or offering which serves as a gift to Mother Earth, Pachamama.

The gift is also used to transmit intentions of gratitude and to help us manifest the greatest desires of our life using earth elements as the sacred messengers.

Despacho, “dispatch,” refers both to the ceremony and the sacred bundle being offered. The traditional despacho ceremony begins with the practice of creating sacred space by calling in the helping spirits of the earth, the mountains, the elements, the animal archetypes, the sky and the ancestors - the paco sets the stage for support in carrying the prayers to Pachamama.

We came back to the main retreat space to have lunch before heading off to our next adventure. The food at Samadhi was one of my favorite parts of the retreat. The dishes were all organic, farm-to-table, balanced and healthy, prepared by gastronomic artists-chefs. We had three meals each day along with tea and herbs from the Sacred Valley - it was such a treat! During lunch we continued to chat and pulled some tarot cards.

Our final adventure for the day included an afternoon trip to Moray and Maras.

Moray is an archaeological site in Peru that contains ancient Incan ruins, mostly consisting of several groups of incredible circular terraces. It was so interesting to learn about the history here…

The Inca Empire had no written language. Without any written information from the Incas, the purpose of the Moray Inca Ruins remains a mystery. There are many theories, one of the most popular ones being that the ruins were used as an experimental site for agriculture.

We walked around the site and planted intentions in the Earth for our future.

Next to the Moray Inca Ruins, we explored the Maras Salt Mines, which contains around 6,000 salt ponds. Families from the small village of Maras own the ponds. They harvest and sell this famous Peruvian salt all around the world. Afterwards we walked around a few shops to purchase some salt ourselves.

We made it home just in time for evening dinner where we relaxed, ate delicious pasta with dessert and then headed off to sleep!

Day 3 — HEAL

The next morning we woke up to soft spring light and clouds rolling over the hills, casting a haze and shadows on the mountain tops. It was time for our vin to yin yoga class. The practice focused on long-held postures that helped to open up the full body and release stored emotions. We started with a vinyasa flow to shake out old, stagnant energy, and then relaxed into a restorative stretch.

After our morning yoga class, we had breakfast in the dining area. Today was the day our group had extra free time. We spent the afternoon relaxing, lounging in the hot tub, walking around the town, workshopping yoga poses, taking photos and laying out in the sun.

Our evening ended with a 90-minute group sound healing session. This was a truly unique experience that brought healing through sounds and vibrations. We began with a guided meditation with breathwork, leading into an ancestral musical adventure that allowed us to feel the connection with the elements of nature: earth, fire, air and water.

We ended the evening early after dinner to prepare for our big morning ahead.

Day 4 — EXPLORE

We greeted the early morning before sunrise. By 4:30 we were on the road to Machu Picchu! An hour later we arrived in Cusco where we took the Perurail to Aguas Calientes, a town in the Urubamba River Valley, known as a gateway to the nearby Inca ruins. The town center is full of eateries, shops and craft markets. From there we took a quick bus ride up through the jungle terrain and mountains.

Machu Pichu sits in the heart of the Peruvian Andes in the middle of a tropical mountain forest. It’s lush, green vegetation stands out against the vibrant blue shades of the sky and mountains. When we reached the top of the trek, we were all in awe. The beauty and magnificence of this landscape in person doesn’t compare to any pictures. To this day it is one of the most beautiful settings I have ever seen.

After walking closer to the terraces, we took off our shoes and planted our feet in the grass, sensing Earth’s energy beneath our feet and feeling grateful for the ability to ground. We took a moment to stretch and bask in the sun rays. Then our tour guide shared more information about the ancient history of Machu Picchu.

Similar to the Moray Inca Ruins, many of Machu Picchu’s mysteries remain unsolved. It’s believed to have been built in the fifteenth century, and served as a royal estate or sacred religious site for Inca leaders. It was abandoned when the Inca Empire was conquered by the Spaniard in the sixteenth century. It wasn’t until 1911 that this historic sanctuary was made known to the outside world.

We spent the afternoon meditating, practicing breathwork and learning more about the architecture and landscape of Macchu Picchu. Our group agreed this was the best day.

Later we made the hike back to the entrance where our bus took as back to the town center. We ate at a delicious local restaurant called Chullos and reflected on our trip. Afterwards we made the journey back home where we were greeted by the lovely staff that was taking care of us. We enjoyed dinner together and then headed off to bed.

Day 5 — expand

We started the day sleeping in before heading to breakfast at 8am. After a nutritious meal, we took a car ride to Ollantaytambo, where we hiked for about an hour and a half. Our intention for the hike was to take our time, move slowly and truly enjoy being in the present moment. There was no rush, no race or sense of urgency. It felt so good to relax into being, rather than get caught up in the go-go-go, fast-paced mentality that is engrained within us on a daily basis. This hike was truly healing. Along the way we did a tree meditation beside the stream. We spent time connecting to nature, listening to the sounds of the water and giving ourselves time to enjoy the incredible views.

We also took some time with the sacred coca leaf to make an offering to Pachamama. The coca leaf is an integral part of the lives of the Andean people from both a cultural and traditional medicine perspective.

This ritual consists of holding three coca leaves and joining them with two hands. Traditionally, each coca leaf represents one of the three different worlds in Andean cosmo-vision: Uju Pacha (the under world), Kay Pacha (the surface world we inhabit as humans, also known as Pachamama), and Janaq Pacha (the upper world). The under world is symbolized by the serpent, the surface world by the puma and the upper world by the soaring condor. Shamans believe that these three leaves are necessary for communicating with the gods of these different worlds – they are literally the spiritual channel for traveling and delivering important messages between all three worlds. The leaves are then blown as a sign of respect for the gods of nature such as the sun, the mountains, the lagoons, the earth, etc.

The coca leaves also have many medicinal properties, including increased stamina and endurance, as an aid to digestion and as a treatment for altitude sickness or fatigue.

When we reached the end of the hike we came across ancient ruins. We sat down in a circle sharing our experience, what messages came up to us and what we were feeling in the moment. For me it was a beautiful and emotional moment of connection. A realization that this retreat was happening because I chose to listen to my heart and my own intuition. The message that suddenly became clear to me was: always follow your heart. When you want something, spirit/universe will guide you and support you along the way. Trust yourself and your own inner wisdom. I was filled with a deep sense of gratitude and peace.

We ended our hike with a cold plunge in the stream. One by one we eased into the cold, rush of water, immersing our bodies as we scooped cups of the river water over our heads. We encouraged each other during the plunge to breath through the discomfort. It was a symbolic moment of courage, rebirth and deep purification. Afterwards we felt alive with more energy and clarity. Finally it was time to make the trek back home.

We arrived in time for an appetizing lunch and then had free time to enjoy the afternoon however we liked. Some indulged in a massage or facial, while others relaxed in the shared amenities. The following evening we had a candlelit vin to yin yoga class focused on backbends and opening the heart. Our theme for the day was “expansion” - physically, mentally and spiritually. We practiced a full body flow as the sun set over the mountain horizon. The night ended with dinner as always, together.

Day 6 — connect

“The intuitive connection is more than a feeling, it’s a harmonization of being.”

We started our final full day together with a morning yoga class. Our practice was a vinyasa flow to connect to ourselves and tap into our intuition, setting the intention to be mindful of how we were feeling.

Our final excursion of the retreat was a trip to the town of Pisac to visit the Pisac Market, where people from the surrounding communities come together to sell and buy produce, textile products, jewlery, pottery, crafts and other supplies in the town’s central square. This is one of the most famous food centers in Cusco. It’s centuries old, since the settlers used to meet there during the colonial era.

It took about an hour to reach the market area. Upon arrival we found the cutest cafe called Kula, where we got coffee to go. The town was so vibrant and beautiful to walk through - with many different textures and colors it felt so welcoming to explore. We came across women with llamas decorated in colorful tassels and pom poms all over the market. In exchange for a few soles we took a few photos to commemorate the trip. These photos are my absolute favorites. After spending a few hours exploring the town we made our way back to the car and headed back to Samadhi.

Immediately we had lunch and then headed off to our final free time activities. A group of people relaxed with massages, while others enjoyed a creative painting class as well as traditional pottery lessons.

Finally it was time for our evening yoga practice. This class was special as it was our final flow of the retreat. The class centered around a reflecting slow flow. The practice began with a guided meditation to reflect on the past week - the lessons learned, the conversations had. And then I invited everyone to envision their lives outside of the retreat center, back to their families, their friends, their job and responsibilities. We began to visualize how we would like to embrace our new lives moving forward and how to integrate such a unique experience. I wanted everyone to set an intention for their final practice and to remember to cultivate this guiding principle or feeling back home.

Our final day together ended with a pizza party and bonfire where we reminisced on our favorite parts of the retreat and sang songs together.

Day 7 — depart

We enjoyed our last breakfast together as a group, and then prepared for our closing ceremony with gifts. We were blessed to have an amazing group of sponsors for our retreat.

Thank you to…

• Intelligent change for gifting our Five-Minute Journals and Health & Wellbeing Affirmations

• Mantra Medallions for gifting our Medallions

• NOLAVA designs for gifting our Lotus Eye Pillows

• MantraBand for gifting our affirmation bracelets

By noon we were all packed up and took a van as a group to Cusco for our departures.

The ending of this retreat was bittersweet. I felt a sense of longing and sadness for having to go our separate ways, but also a deep, newfound love and appreciation for the beautiful souls who came together. During this retreat we became family. It’s always a wonderful surprise when a group of strangers can connect so quickly and form a lifelong bond. It’s so rare and special. After spending a week courageously exploring, practicing vulnerability and connecting deeper to nature, ourselves and community, we left Peru ultimately feeling inspired to return home with these memories that will be cherished forever.

Until next time, x

Jess

P.S. — are you interested in coming on a retreat? Click here to be notified when my next retreats launch!

Brick Hotel Review x Mexico City

During my recent travels to Mexico City, I had the pleasure of staying at Brick Hotel, which is in the beautiful neighborhood of La Roma - a vibrant, hipster area of the city known for its parks, cafes, public spaces with cultural background and beautiful architecture.

Brick hotel is considered a small, luxury hotel; it has 17 guest rooms, a wellness spa area, rooftop terrace, a really cool basement speakeasy with a lounge area and bar, and two different restaurants.

Upon arrival I was greeted by the sweetest staff. Everyone there was very attentive to my needs and made sure my stay was comfortable. I was welcomed with a refreshing cocktail, and later, homemade chocolate chip cookies - which were absolutely d-i-v-i-n-e!

My favorite part about the stay was the design of my room. It had a bright, open and spacious bedroom layout, an elegant bathroom with my dream tub, and the most beautiful balcony with views overlooking the streets. It was so peaceful in the mornings, I would sit outside on the porch with my journal and meditate to the gentle sounds of the city awaking. The property itself is stunning, the design is very sleek and modern, but what I love is the pop of greenery, plants and nature within and around the building. It made me feel so relaxed and grounded during my stay!

The next morning following my arrival, I taught an outdoor yoga class to some of the hotel guests on the roof terrace. We moved our bodies, connected to our breath and found stillness within. I felt so grateful to be given the opportunity to teach in such a beautiful space! After the class we had a delicious breakfast of avocado and egg toast, fruit, granola with yogurt and coffee at Terraza95, which overlooked the city streets below.

Once breakfast was finished, I went back to my hotel room to take a shower and rest. And then I headed to Hela Spa for some much needed self-care (after a week of traveling and carrying luggage around, this was long overdue!) The luxury spa getaway at Hela includes access to three private treatment rooms, a couples treatment room, a sauna and steam room, and both male and female locker rooms. I spent the first 15-minutes in the sauna and steam room to relax my muscles, and then I headed to the massage room for a 60-minute deep tissue treatment. I felt so relaxed and calm after this experience, it was truly incredible!

Another favorite part of my stay was the incredible food. I loved that the cuisine was mixed with European bases and Mexican touches. You could tell the food was local, sustainable and of quality products. The hotel has two main restaurants; Cerrajería, which is Brick’s signature indoor restaurant, and Veranda 95, a unique outdoor terrace (pet-friendly!) ideal for breakfast, snacks, afternoon cocktails and light dinners. The hotel also has in room dinning 24 hours which is absolutely amazing.

Here were some of my favorite dishes…

Overall my stay at Brick Hotel was incredible, the staff that worked here were some of the most friendly people I’ve ever met. I was blown away by the hospitality of everyone. This hotel is truly a hidden gem - with the location in one of the best spots in the city - close to all the trendy restaurants, bars, parks, etc. I cannot wait to go back again! If you have the chance to visit Mexico City I highly recommend making a stop in La Roma and staying at this beautiful small luxury hotel. For more details, you can visit Brick Hotel’s website here.

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Yoga Stretches For Post Travel

This is a quick routine you can do to feel better after traveling. You can do these stretches in your hotel room, on your bed or really wherever you are.

Practice with me here!

Nourish: Joshua Tree Retreat Recap

This past fall we ventured off into the deserts of Joshua Tree for our 4-day, 3-night ‘Nourish’ yoga retreat. It was time to escape the hustle of the city buzz and embrace ourselves, each other and our practice, with the intention of cultivating a deep sense of nourishment and wellbeing.

Day 1 — Ground

Around 4pm we arrived at our retreat sanctuary, a magical desert oasis tucked near the dreamy landscape of Joshua Tree. Our home for the weekend was located at a modern day, boho-style haven that sat on 5 acres of land. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful setting for our retreat.

We spent the evening exploring the property and eagerly awaiting everyone’s arrival. The group slowly trickled in, some arriving from solo-travels, others with family. Our group incidentally ended up being all woman from different parts of the country. It was amazing to have such a connected group of people come together for an experience like this. After we had all settled in, we watched the sunset and enjoyed our first dinner together.

Later that evening we gathered around inside for a cozy, grounding slow flow to give our bodies some well-needed love after a long day of travel. After our yoga class, we all sleepily headed off to bed. We had a big day planned ahead of us!

Day 2 — Balance

We started our first morning off with vinyasa yoga at 8am. The class focused on strong standing and balancing postures in order to help us feel energized and ready to take on the day ahead. We gratefully welcomed the morning sun and fresh air as we moved and connected with our breath under the wide open sky. After yoga, we enjoyed breakfast with a beautiful view of the mountains beyond the horizon.

After morning yoga and breakfast, we set out towards Joshua Tree Park for our adventure hike. It was a beautiful afternoon with a high of 85 degrees. We came across High View Nature Trail, a 1.3 mile loop trail that gave us a beautiful 360 degree view of the mountains and valleys.

We came back to our retreat space to have lunch and some free time before our pranayama + yin yoga class on the elements. I introduced the group to the passive practice of yin, which encourages a softening + surrendering and an observation of present moment awareness. I explained the relevance of traditional chinese medicine, and how there are 5 elements that are integral to all life — wood, fire, earth, metal and water. These elements are fundamental to the cycles of nature and are reflected in the cycles of our own bodies. Each element is associated with its own particular season, emotion and organ system. After our yoga session, we ended the day with dinner, a beautiful view of the sunset and s’mores by the fire.

Day 3 — Nourish

The next morning we woke up to soft autumn light illuminating the grounds. It was time for our energizing vinyasa flow to cultivate power. The class focused on postures that tested our strength and balance. We worked on core and arm strengthening, twists and inversions. After our morning yoga class, we had breakfast outside.

Today was the day our group had extra free time. A few people in the group decided on a hike in the national park, and some of us went to town to thrift and check out some local shops. It was an eventful and fun afternoon all in all.

After our free time, we had lunch. Our final practice for the evening was a myofascial release workshop with yoga nidra. We used therapy balls to target trigger points in the body and release tension to achieve a form of self-myofascial massage. I shared common stretches and a full-body restorative style practice to target the deeper connective tissues. To close the class, I shared a powerful relaxation meditation of yoga nidra or ‘yogic sleep’, which is a conscious relaxation practice intended to induce total physical mental and emotional relaxation. We ended the evening with our final group dinner and stargazing in the hot tub.

Day 4 — Connect

We greeted the early morning sun at 7am. Our final yoga class together was a vinyasa flow and meditation centered around connection. I wanted everyone to set an intention for their final practice and to remember to cultivate this guiding principle or feeling back home.

Following our class, I was able to meet-up with the people who catered our retreat, Caity’s Catering. Their entire team was amazing at providing us with the cleanest, most delicious food. All of the meals were made with the finest local and organic ingredients… you could really tell it was cooked with love. I highly recommend checking them out if you are in the area, they offer cooking for home deliveries and special events!

We enjoyed our last breakfast together as a group, took more photos for memories and finished some last minute packing. By noon we had all said our final good-byes and parted ways.

The ending of a retreat is always so sad, but also filled with a deep sense of gratitude and love. After spending the past few days cultivating nourishment + wellbeing and fostering a sense of community, we left Joshua Tree ultimately feeling inspired and connected. This was a special experience that I will treasure forever, and I am incredibly grateful for the beautiful souls who were a part of it.

Until next time, x

Jess

P.S. — are you interested in coming on a retreat? Click here to be notified when my next retreats launch!

Manifest & Flow: Bali Retreat Recap

This past January, we had a group of 12 women from around the world join together in Bali to manifest and flow their way into the new year! My partner Norris and I hosted the retreat, and as a group we spent six transformative days setting intentions, discussing the power of manifestation, experiencing local Balinese culture, participating in healing events, workshops and discovering how to step into our personal power. We did lots of yoga and meditation, had soul chats, ate delicious food and connected deeply with ourselves and one another.

Here is a recap of our time spent together…

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DAY 1: ARRIVE

Monday afternoon our guests arrived to Ubud Prime Villas, a beautiful luxury retreat center located in the heart of Bali’s finest rice fields. The ladies were welcomed with a refreshing mix of dragonfruit and watermelon juice to sip on while everyone got to know one another and settle into their new home for the week.

Soon after everyone arrived, we had our opening circle where we officially introduced ourselves and our specific intention for the following week. Many of us shared similar missions; to gain clarity, find peace, self-love and deeper connection. And what better place to discover this than the inspiring, healing space of Bali, surrounded by other uplifting, like-minded humans?

Towards the end of our circle we surprised the girls with welcome gifts — bracelets from MantraBand. Each bracelet had the same mantra: ‘breathe’, a beautiful reminder that they could wear to stay present and centered.

We followed the opening circle with our first yoga class, a two hour ‘Slow Flow’ yin fusion practice which was the perfect compliment to a busy day of traveling. We worked through a variety of different postures to get a full body stretch, allowing ourselves to feel grounded, present and fully arrived — physically, mentally and energetically.

After yoga, we enjoyed our first dinner together. We ate from the resort’s restaurant and enjoyed a variety of dishes from traditional Balinese style food. We went to bed early to prepare ourselves for our next full day of retreat activities!

DAY 2: DREAM

The following morning we started our day with a 90-minute vinyasa yoga class: ‘Find Your Flow’. We moved from a place of intuition, connecting our breath and postures with our inner wisdom. I encouraged the women to find freedom in their bodies by embracing mindful, fluid movement and finding what feels good.

After sweating it out, we quickly showered and enjoyed a big, hearty breakfast of tropical fruit, scrambled eggs, roasted tomatoes, balinese styled pancakes, toast with apricot jam, freshly-squeezed mango juice and ginger-lemongrass tea. It was absolutely divine!

Next we had our Clarity Workshop, which was led by Norris. He introduced us to new tools to use on how to get clear with what we want, why we want it and how to create it. We learned how to get from where we are to where we want to be through journal prompts and mindful reflection. Norris then guided us through a powerful meditation in which we envisioned meeting our best selves. One-by-one we opened up by sharing our biggest takeaway/insight that we gained through the workshop.

Later we embarked on our first local excursion together — Bali Swing Heaven! We were picked up from the resort by old school VW Safari’s and rode through the city centre with the top down, feeling the breeze as we rode deeper into the jungle of Ubud.

“Fly without wings.”

When we arrived, we were introduced to the beautiful property which had over 14 different swings to fly from and 9 nests to take photos in — for the perfect IG pic of course ;)

This day honestly felt like a dream, with the Ayung River valley open beneath us and the sky as our only limit as we swung towards the heavens. The group instantly bonded as many of us conquered our fears, and felt empowered receiving words of encouragement from each other when it was our turn to fly. We ended our first adventure together eating lunch under the jungle canopy.

We arrived back at the resort just in time for our yin class, “Let Go, Create Space”. I introduced the basics of yin yoga and curated a class to allow ourselves to release stagnant energy in order to create more room for creativity and connection.

The night closed with dinner together at the dining hall, as we reflected on an eventful day.

Day 3: Manifest

Our third day started at 8 AM, with a 90-minute yoga class to build confidence, strength and focus for our peak posture: Sirsasana, or headstand.

These strong ladies amazed me as every single one of them put in the work, challenged themselves and were willing to get upside down!

Afterwards, we enjoyed another delicious breakfast together.

The group had the afternoon free to relax, lounge by their own private pool, book massages or take a shuttle to the city to explore Ubud.

At 3 PM we had our Manifestation workshop. Norris taught us how to harness the power of our subconscious to create the results we desired. Through a meditation he guided us in freeing ourselves from limiting beliefs about who we are and what we are capable of.

Afterwards we paired up and shared our biggest fears with each other. As a facilitator of an experience like this, my favorite part is watching how each person embraces vulnerability, and in turn, gains a deeper connection with themselves and each another. In our day to day life it’s so rare that we are given permission, or even encouraged, to just be ourselves. As a result, we put on masks to play our daily roles as parents, friends, siblings, co-workers, etc., and not many people get to see the true core of our beings. We often fear rejection — that we won’t be seen as good enough or worthy when we share these hidden aspects of ourselves.

This workshop (and retreat in general) was a great reminder for us that it’s important to peel back the layers, to let go of our limiting beliefs and to return back to our true selves. Because we are all worthy, beautiful and enough just the way we are!

Next, we had another gift for our lovely group — an Enlightenment Planner. A place for them to stay organized, plan our their dreams and goals and to manifest these visions into reality!

Afterwards it was time for our 60-minute yin yoga class: ‘Finding Balance’. In these slower, meditative flows we were able to journey inward to find peace and equilibrium — to balance out the quick paced, yang energy from everyday life.

We finished the day with dinner together and a fire ceremony, meant for purification and transformation. We each brought the sheet of paper which we wrote down our fears from the previous workshop. One by one we shared our biggest fears out loud to the group and then threw our paper in the fire. Symbolizing our release of these fears, our letting go.

Tears were shed, laughs were shared and by the end of the night we ended up in a group hug, embracing each other tightly in our arms. Recognizing that we all are perfectly imperfect humans who share similar struggles; we felt truly seen, heard, acknowledged and loved.

“Let your fears fuel your fire.”

Day 4: Heal

Our next morning started with a heart-opening backbend workshop.

I opened the class with one of my favorite quotes from Brené Brown, “Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection. Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy — the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”

I love this quote for many reasons. For one, it emphasizes on the fact that although vulnerability is often scary, it usually brings out the best things in life (connection, belonging, joy). And that we shouldn’t be afraid of our shadow self or the aspects of ourselves that we often hide because it’s what makes us who we are. We should embrace and love all parts of ourselves — the darkness and the light.

I then guided the class through a 90-minute practice which introduced the foundations of backbends and broke down step-by-step various different postures such as Ustrasana (Camel), Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel), Natarajasana (Dancer’s) and Dhanurasana (Bow). We partnered up at the end and assisted each other in finding our deepest variations. We embraced vulnerability, courage and trust as we allowed our hearts to expand on our mats.

After yoga, Norris led the group through an Inner Child Meditation, where we practiced both embracing and comforting our own inner child. We were brought back to a time in our lives when our younger selves needed to be taken care of. We envisioned ourselves nurturing this child through verbal words and physical connection. By spending this time with ourselves we were able to recognize and release deep subconscious emotional blockages and create space to heal old wounds.

The morning followed with breakfast together and then we prepared for our next local excursion: the Holy Water Temple Blessing.

Our personal guide, Dwi, assisted us in the proper attire by dressing us in sarongs — traditional balinese wear.

We then took a 25 minute car ride away from the busy-ness of the city centre and tourism to a beautiful, secluded spot surrounded by lush green trees, plants and natural spring water.

We learned from Dwi that Balinese Hindus from all over the island journey to the natural springs to help cure their ailments, spiritually cleanse themselves and return to their villages with holy water to use for a multitude of purposes.

We first made an offering as a group at the main temple, which consisted of different flower petals, grass and incense. Then we proceeded to the 4 fountains where we each entered the pool. At each fountain we made a prayer or asked for permission to cleanse. We then started the ritual by washing our face and our entire body facing two different directions. Each time we allowed the natural spring water to wash over ourselves three times.

We left the Holy Water Temple as a group, each of us feeling a deep sense of renewal and spiritual transformation.

We arrived back at the retreat center just in time for lunch and some free time. Many of us either relaxed by the pool or got massages.

Around 5 PM we all met in the yoga shala for Yoga Nidra. I guided the group through a 45-minute meditation that prompted total physical, mental and emotional relaxation.

Towards the end of the night we gave the girls each their own Five Minute Journal as another gift. A place for them to write their daily gratitudes. We then got to watch the sun set from the yoga shala one last time…

Day 5: Empower

We started our morning with a strong 90-minute vinyasa flow with a peak posture of Pincha Mayurasana or Forearm Stand. We cultivated a sense of empowerment through ahimsa — practicing compassion and kindness towards ourselves and our practice.

The practice allowed us to move past the restless mind, address the distractions of the body, put them at ease and become receptive to deeper insights! We used this class as a tool to prepare ourselves for visualization and meditation.

Norris finished the yoga class by guiding everyone through a Power Meditation during savasana. The intention being to remember our own personal power and to stay committed to our goals with consistency.

Afterwards we enjoyed breakfast and then we prepared for our last excursion together: sound healing at The Pyramids of Chi.

We arrived at the sound healing centre around 11 AM. The large pyramids brought an immediate sense of awe and wonder. One by one we slipped off our shoes and entered into the hushed stillness of the pyramid. At the center of the space was an array of truly fascinating musical instruments. We were guided to the mattresses and pillows that laid out on the floor. As everyone settled in, we were given a short introduction to sound healing, the benefits and what to expect. After that we laid down, closed our eyes and relaxed. Darkness moved in as the doors closed shut. The smell of sage and candles filled the air, then the ethereal sounds began…

We spent an hour in the pyramids and once the sound healing was over, we took a few minutes to reground ourselves by walking barefoot around the area. We then made our way to the centre of Ubud for lunch.

We ate at Bittersweet, one of the best restaurants in Ubud! After our tummies were satisfied, we gave the group free time to explore on their own! Most of the girls went to the Ubud Art Market which is famous for its artisan/handcrafted souvenirs.

We re-grouped at 6 PM where we had our final group yin class in the yoga shala. Ending the night we had our closing dinner. We gave everyone one last gift of remembrance for the retreat: a Mantra Medallion. These medallions serve as a simple reminder to be present. They can be used for meditation, or kept on display in your home or even office.

Day 6: TRANSFORM

Our last day began with a vinyasa yoga class in the morning. We went through a 90-minute practice linking all that we had learned from the past week — inversions, arm balances and backbends. After the class we gathered in a circle for our free-write meditation. I gave the girls a prompt and they had 90 seconds to write whatever was on their mind. At the end, they passed their paper around the circle and started a new prompt. When we were finished, everyone got to keep their sheet of paper with the thoughts and words from each other.

Following our yoga and meditation practice, we took photos together, had breakfast and finished up some last minute packing. By noon we had all said our final good-byes and eventually parted ways.

After spending the whole week getting clear on what we wanted to call in and create this year, mapping out a plan, transmuting limiting beliefs and setting intentions that were purposeful and aligned with our highest selves, we left Bali feeling instantly empowered, inspired and deeply connected.

My biggest take away from this retreat was definitely gaining more confidence, in not only my yoga practice but also within myself.... Coming here I did not expect to make so many beautiful friendships, nor did I expect to learn so much from the people around me! Seeing Bali and traveling here alone, practicing yoga every day with Jessica/meditation with Norris has really inspired me to experience more in my life, and follow what I want to achieve! 

— Holly, one of our lovely students

Thank you to each of the beautiful souls who were a part of this unforgettable experience, and I can’t wait to see you all again!

All my love,

Jessica

P.S. — are you interested in coming to a retreat? Click H E R E to be notified when my next retreats launch later this year!

Bali Travel Guide: Where To Stay, What To Eat & Things To Do

BALI — THE ISLAND OF THE GODS

My first time visiting Bali was in June 2019. What originally was supposed to be a week of teaching yoga turned into 5 months of travel, adventure and self-discovery. Needless to say, I fell a little bit in love with Bali… okay, maybe a lot. I always knew Indonesia would be where I took my first international trip (thank you Elizabeth Gilbert). I had heard so many amazing things about Bali, that it was an easy “YES” when making the decision to host my first two yoga retreats there (psst. I’m planning on hosting a third one this year)!

After traveling around the island, I wanted to share all the places I explored and things I did to create a helpful guide if you decide to visit one day!

This island is full of pure, undeniable magic — beautiful nature with pristine beaches to explore, secret waterfalls and lush green rice fields to visit, heart-warming people to meet and lots of great food and cultural experiences to be had. Each spot in Bali offers something unique and different.

Below are some of my favorite places and activities to do in Bali, from the most famous touristy spots to even the more private hidden gems. I highly encourage you to visit Bali and see all these places for yourself.

GETTING AROUND

First things first: decide on how you want to get around. Depending on what vibe you’re after and if you plan on moving from place to place, I recommend hiring a car or renting a scooter. It’s a good idea to look into purchasing traveler’s insurance to keep you protected, especially if you decide to stay long term.

One side note: please don’t forget your helmet! You may see some people driving without helmets, but I assure you it’s much better to be safe than sorry, especially when visiting a foreign country. Be aware that driving on the roads of Bali is more like Mumbai than the US, the traffic laws are much different, so only do it if you feel confident. Renting scooters is fairly cheap, around $4-5 per day or $40-50 per month. Gas only costs around $1.40 to fill up a full tank, which usually lasts for 1-2 weeks… yeah, ridiculously cheap. The first few weeks in Bali, my boyfriend and I actually walked everywhere by foot. Depending on where you stay, if you’re in the town centre, a lot of local shops and cafes are in walking distance. But I will say, once we learned how to ride scooters, we never wanted to walk again! It’s a lot quicker and overall more convenient to have your own ride. You can download the app ‘GoJek’ which is similar to Lyft or Uber where you can call a driver. However, in certain locations such as Ubud or Uluwatu, Gojek is banned because it takes away business from local taxi drivers. If you hire a taxi or private driver it’s usually more expensive, so be sure to keep these things in mind!

ULUWATU

Uluwatu is my favorite area to chill on the island of Bali. It has an off-the-beaten path, tropical and rugged beach-y vibe with trendy sunset restaurants and local shops. Located about 45 minutes from Seminyak and about an hour and a half from Denpasar Airport (the only airport on the island), the hilly peninsula of Uluwatu is home to some of Bali’s most scenic luxury villas and resorts, beautiful hidden beaches and world-class surf breaks.

Favorite Food Spots: The Loft, Single Fin, Kelly’s Warung, Suka Expresso (we ate here almost every day — order the Banana Brûlée pancakes and thank me later!)

Places To Stay: D’Padang Guesthouse (free breakfast included), Uluwatu Beach Cabin (free breakfast), The Edge Hotel (luxury), Alila Villas (luxury)

Things To Do: Uluwatu Temple, Thomas Beach, Surfing, The Yogi Lab, Omnia Bali Dayclub, Ulu Cliffhouse, take a day trip to Nusa Penida

KUTA/SEMINYAK

Kuta and Seminyak are two of the most popular tourist destinations in Bali. With Kuta being closer to the airport and home to some massive nightclubs and night life, and Seminyak (Canggu’s older brother) containing lots of hotels, restaurants and beaches to enjoy. Both being about 20 minutes by taxi, Uluwatu 45 minutes and Ubud about an hour and a half away. If you came to Bali for rice fields and tranquility, you might want to limit your time in this general area, as it has more of a city vibe and traffic can get quite congested. But the food options at these places are definitely delicious and the location of Kuta/Seminyak is quite convenient as it’s in the center of most places, so you can easily take a day trip to other areas of Bali.

Favorite Food Spots: Downtime (try the fried tempeh burger!), Tasty Vegan, Cafe Organic, Nalu Bowls, Shelter Cafe

Places To Stay: Johan’s Villa, The Legian Bali, The Colony Hotel Bali, Sahana Villas

Things To Do: Get a massage, chill at the beach, shop on the main street of Seminyak — Jl. Laksmana (Jl. Kayu Aya), visit Pura Petitenget Temple

UBUD

Located up in the hills, about an hour and a half away from Kuta, Ubud provides a more leafy, earthy alternative to the beach scene. You’ll find it serving up an abundance of amazing health-conscious foods and activities for the mind, body and spirit. The first time I visited Ubud, I ended up staying for four months. I’ve heard from many others that it tends to have that effect on people. Ubud has healing qualities. It’s not only a place of concentrated art and culture, but it has also been an important place of spiritual growth throughout history. Ubud is derived from the Balinese word Ubud, which means medicine.

Favorite Food Spots: Coffee-To-Go Cafe (order the fruit-topped waffles), Namaskara, Lazy Cat, Sayuri Healing Food, Famous Pizza Ubud, Clear Cafe, Bali Buddha, Pizza Burger Liquor, Alchemy, Zest (smoothie bowls), La Pacha Mama, Sage,

Places To Stay: Arki Guest House (stayed here with the sweetest Balinese family for 4 months — definitely recommend this place!), Wooden House Ulin (walking distance to Coffee-To-Go), Bambu Indah Hotel

Things To Do: sound healing at the Pyramids of Chi, yoga at Radiantly Alive or Yoga Barn, Tegalalang Rice Fields, the Monkey Forest, spa/self-care day at Rembulan Span, Campuhan Ridge Walk, shop at Studio. K Organic & Ethical Yoga Wear Shop (my favorite store), buy souvenirs at the Ubud Art Market, chase the Tegenungan Waterfall

CANGGU

Canggu is one of the most up and coming spots in Bali, Indonesia — if not the whole of SE Asia. The beauty of Canggu is that the area is divided into 3 main sections that are interspersed with rice fields, restaurants and villas. There are hardly any large hotels in Canggu (for now) and most tourists stay in private villas or boutique accommodation. As the restaurants, spas and shops are all spread out, there’s not one hectic main drag. Canggu is a beach lover’s dream and also a top destination for digital nomads.

Favorite Food Spots: Crate Cafe, The Shady Shack (vegan cheeseburger is to die for!), KYND Community, Motion Cafe, Debbie Does Salad, Taco Casa, The Compass, I Am Vegan Babe, Plant Cartel, Give Cafe, In The Raw Beach Garden

Places To Stay: Aston Canggu Beach Resort (1min walk to the beach), Desa Seni, Hotel Tugu, Frii Hotel

Things To Do: La Femme Tattoo, The Lawn Canggu, Surfing, Echo Beach, Tanah Lot (great spot for sunsets), party at Old Man’s, Sandbar, check out Dojo and Outpost for co-working spaces, yoga at The Practice and The Chillhouse

Tejakula

Tejakula is a coastal village and diving resort area in the Buleleng regency of Bali, not even included on many tourist maps. It’s away from all the hustle and bustle of the crowded areas and honestly one of the most beautiful, tucked away places. Only one and a half hours by road north of Ubud. This is where my first yoga retreat was held and the first place I felt like I really got a taste of what I had envisioned Bali to be like — I had my first real coconut here! Some of Bali’s oldest communities known collectively as the Bali Aga, are in Tejakula. It's a great spot to learn about sustainable ways of life of a local fishing community. Definitely not the place if you’re looking for nightlife or surfing, it’s more of a quiet and peaceful location. Tejakula is about 40km east from Lovina Beach, the more popular tourist hub in North Bali.

Favorite Food Spots: Cili Emas Oceanside Resort, Bondalem Beach Club, The Villas Tejakula, Warung Kelapa, Kintamani Restaurant (buffet-style, an hour drive from Tejakula but has a beautiful overview of Mount Batur), The Lookout Resto and Bar

Places To Stay: Desa Saya Eco Resort, Sea Community Villa, Gaia Oasis, Bali Beach Villas at Tejakula

Things To Do: Mount Batur hike, Batur Natural Hot Springs, Les Waterfall (one of the tallest on the island), take a trip to Lovina Beach, scuba diving, snorkeling, Ponjok Batu sea temple, Les Village Market for shopping

Lombok

Lombok is sandwiched between the island of Bali and the remote, uncharted Sumbawa Island of West Nusa Tenggara. Despite rising popularity and growing development, there is still much to discover in this island beyond the now mainstream spots. Unlike the Hindu-majority Bali, the residents of Lombok are predominantly Muslim. From Bali you can either take a connecting flight to Lombok International Airport, a fast boat off the coast or a cheaper public ferry from Padangbai port to get to Lombok.

Favorite Food Spots: El Bazar Cafe & Restaurant, Waroeng Alam Damai, Tomato Cafe,

Places To Stay: Qunci Villas, Mentigi Bay Dome Villas, Katamaran Hotel and Resort,

Things To Do: Visit the beaches of Kuta Mandalika, Senggigi, Tanjung Aan and Batu Payung, hike Mount Rinjani (Indonesia’s second-highest volcano), hop to the Gili Islands, Pusuk Monkey Forest, Selong Belanak viewpoint, Pink Beach, visit the Mosques and Hindu temples, take a guided tour to get to know thee Sasak culture, visit the numerous waterfalls (mostly in the northern part of the island), Tiu Teja, Tiu Kelep or Sendang Gile.

The Gili Islands

Floating off the coast of Bali and Lombok are three tiny islands adorned with white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise water, swaying palms, fresh clean air, quiet roads (there are no cars or motorbikes) and breathtaking sunsets. With a relaxing sunny island atmosphere combined with a very lively party scene, the Gili Islands are the perfect paradise blend of buzz and bliss, and are a must-do if you have enough time to explore! There are two main options to get to these islands: a boat from Sanur in south east Bali which will take around 3 hours or (if you prefer more time on land and less time on water) a boat from Padang Bay where the trip only takes 1.5 hrs. Once you reach the islands, the only modes of transport are by horse and cart, bicycle and foot. Depending on your own views on responsible tourism, keep this in mind when booking your accommodation. Please make sure to do your research on the horse and carts that are on the islands. These animals are known to not be well cared for, left standing in the heat, working all day and with stories of many of the animals dying in the streets. We personally did not want to support this mode of transportation, so instead, we packed light and walked most places or used bicycles to avoid using them. The islands are small enough to where you can get anywhere by foot or bike. Bike hire ranges from IDR 40-70 (US $6) per day and most accommodations have these included.

There are three islands in the Gilis, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. Which order you see them in doesn’t really matter as they are all very close and boats between take around 10-15 minutes. There are plenty of things to do on the Gili islands, and each of the islands has its own character and charm.

Gili Trawangan

Known as the party island with a lively reggae-ganja-magic-mushroom-vibe, Gili T attracts a crowd that in large part want to party. But that being said, quiet can be found on the western side of the island, where there are far fewer bars and shops and arguably a much nicer beach. From this side of the island you also get to enjoy sunset over the ocean from one of the many over water swings.

Favorite Food Spots: Tiki Grove, Casa Vintage Beach Cafe, Persona, Warung Dewi, Jali Kitchen, Kayu Cafe, Pearl Beach Lounge, Karma Kayak Tapas, Regina Pizza, La Dolce Vita, Thai Garden

Places To Stay: White Coconut guest house (includes breakfast and bikes), Le Pirate Beach Club

Things To Do: Lounge In the overwater swings, sunset cocktails at happy hour, check out the Night Market, sail and drink on a Booze Cruise, watch a movie at the beach 

Gili Meno

Meno is the smallest and quietest of the three islands. You can walk or bicycle around the whole thing quite easily, so if you have a few days on the island you will likely see every part of it! Take a few days here to totally escape from it all, enjoying the beautiful beaches, visiting the lake in the centre of the island, snorkelling in search turtles and enjoying a beach front cocktail (or even a Mushroom shake if that’s your thing) at sunset.

Favorite Food Spots: Karma Beach, Diana Cafe, Adang Adang, Warung Pak Man Buati, Sasak Cafe, Ya Ya Warung

Places To Stay: The Mahamaya Resort (luxury), Villa Bagus

Things To Do: Divine Divers, hang by the bean bags on the beach, bike around the island

Gili Air

If a quiet bungalow, a chill beach bar and remote relaxation is what you’re after, Gili Air is the island for you. Gili Air’s vibe sits somewhere in between Gili T and Gili Meno, there are plenty of restaurants and bars, but it still retains the calmer atmosphere of Gili Meno and hasn’t quite reached the crazy party scene found on Gili T. Plus this island has the best beaches, by a mile! So if crystal clear water is what you are looking for then head to this island first, but you may never want to leave!

Favorite Food Spots: Pachamama Organic Cafe and Private Villa, Ruby’s Cafe, Mowie’s, Sunrise Beach Club, Shark Bites

Places To Stay: Flowers and Fire, Indah Bungalows

Things To Do: Take a day boat trip out to the ocean to snorkel with fish and swim with turtles (it’s worth getting a private boat), take a yoga class at Flowers and Fire

I hope this post has helped you to plan your own trip to Bali and the surrounding islands. Wherever you stay and whatever you decide to do when you’re there, I have no doubt it will be one of the best travel experiences of your life (it was for me)! Let me know how your trip goes, and I would love to hear your own tips and favorite locations in Bali by commenting below or sending a message. Thanks for reading!

All my love,

Jessica

7 Lessons I Learned From My Solo Travels

“Finding yourself is not really how it works. You aren’t a ten dollar bill in last winder’s coat pocket. You are not lost. Your true self is right there, buried under cultural conditioning, other people’s opinions and inaccurate conclusions you drew as a kid that became your beliefs about who you are. Finding yourself is actually returning to yourself. An unlearning, an excavation, a remembering of who you were before the world go its hands on you.”

~ Emily Mcdowell

When I booked my one-way ticket to Bali near the beginning of last year, I had no idea how long I was going to be there for. I only knew I would be leading a yoga retreat for one week in June and that my partner, Norris, would be joining me afterwards.

Beyond that, everything else was up in the air.

Before leaving the country, I ended the lease early on my studio apartment and Norris and I crammed everything we owned (after selling almost half of it) into a small storage unit. It felt so freeing to not be attached to anything or to be tied down anywhere for the first time in my life.

A few days later we traveled to Bali. I led my first yoga retreat and afterwards, we spent 2 months together exploring the beautiful island. By the time August came around, our visa extensions were about to expire and we had to make a decision:

Go back to The States or stay in Bali longer?

I knew in my heart I wanted to stay and explore more. I had a feeling my time here wasn’t meant to end yet. This was my first time traveling abroad and I was already in love with the culture and the nomadic lifestyle. Norris, on the other hand, was longing home and stability; he had already spent the previous years traveling and was ready to go back to school and work.

Can you guess who is the Sagittarius and who is the Taurus in our relationship? Lol.

So, we both decided to follow our own path for the time being and to make our relationship long distance (we’ll save that story for another blog post).

The night following Norris’s departure home, I had one of the worst panic attacks I’d ever experienced.

It came by surprise as I was laying in bed wide awake. I suddenly felt wave after wave of fear and my stomach gave out on me. I could hear my heart pounding so loudly I thought it would spring right out of my chest. Pains shot down both of my legs and then my entire body started to shake. I became so afraid I couldn’t catch my breath.

I started crying.

What is happening to me? Am I having a heart attack? Am I dying?

My mind was racing a mile a minute.

I sat up and tried to focus on my breath. At this point, Norris had woken up and was helping me calm down. After about 10 minutes, I was able to come back to my senses. As soon as this happened, I began trying to dissect the thoughts and feelings that I was experiencing.

The first thought — “How am I ever going to do this?”

‘This’ being: learn how to ride a scooter, get around town, manage my money, make new friends, plan visa runs, fly internationally… live all on my own in a foreign country.

I can’t do this. What the hell was I thinking?

That’s when I quickly came to realize my biggest fear. One that I had been avoiding this whole time: being alone.

None of this was a part of the original plan. Up until that point I always had someone else with me; someone else I could rely on.

The thought of being alone terrified me. But ironically, it also felt exhilarating.

They say, "If it excites you and scares you at the same time, you should probably do it." 

And guess what?

I did.

Fast forward seven months and I couldn’t be more proud myself for following my heart and taking the leap of faith to travel on my own in Bali. Towards the end of the trip, I even felt courageous enough to book a one-way flight to India where I completed my 300-hr yoga teacher training.

This experience has been a huge journey of growth and self-discovery — one where I’ve learned how to let go and surrender and get out of my comfort zone. But most importantly, I’ve learned how to be okay with being alone.

Traveling solo, I realized, is similar to developing a yoga practice; in the sense that it’s a great way to learn more about yourself.

You get to experience different cultures and explore new places all around the world, while also discovering who you are outside of your normal everyday routine back home and outside of the labels and conditions placed upon you by society.

I felt compelled to share my story, especially in case there is anyone reading who is thinking of solo traveling. It’s an experience I’m so grateful for and will never forget!

So, with all of that being said, here are 7 lessons I learned from my solo travels:

1. The importance of surrendering & letting go.

   I think one of the most difficult things in life is learning how to gracefully let go and surrender. But it’s also one of the most important things we can learn. Sometimes we have the tendency to hold on to everything and everyone so tightly, we fear that without that to which we cling to, we will be nothing. What we also fail to realize is that our attachment interferes with the love we have for that which we cling to — which takes away from the purity and the beauty that love ultimately has to offer.

   While I was traveling it became clear to me that a lot of the things I was experiencing, places I was visiting and people I was meeting, was all only temporary — which made me appreciate it a lot more.

   And the more I started spending time alone in my own company, opening my heart and connecting with my inner wisdom at a deeper level, the more I started to distinguish between true love and attachment. True love doesn’t hold, (that’s ego). True love surrenders and liberates.

2. How to appreciate & enjoy spending time alone.

   Being on my own for the first time, especially in a foreign place, was a big adjustment. It took a while to get into the groove of things — finding a stable routine and learning how to enjoy my own company. It was honestly like getting to know someone new for the first time. I started taking myself out on dates and spending more time learning and doing the things I loved. What I realized during this time is that spending time alone is actually extremely healthy. We spend so much of our time with other people (either in-person or online) and it’s therapeutic to be able to step away from that all and have some free time. When you travel, you finally have the chance to truly unplug. You don’t have a phone ringing all the time, you don’t have your phone vibrating with text messages, and you don’t have unlimited wifi to constantly be checking in on your favorite shows. While traveling you have time to really be alone and that can bring peace as you step back from everything that distracted you back home.

   “We need solitude because when we’re alone, we’re free from obligations, we don’t need to put on a show, and we can hear our own thoughts.” ~ Tamim Ansary

3. The world isn’t scary & people are (mostly) good

   Despite what the media may say, the world (for the most part) is a beautiful, safe place to explore. During my travels I have found one thing to be true, and that is the fact that all people around the world genuinely want to do good. Especially in Bali where the locals are extremely generous and welcoming. Everywhere you go, you’ll meet people who will offer you a friendly smile, some fresh fruit or happily show you around when you are in need of directions.

   The beauty about travel is that it teaches us to be open-minded, helps break down stereotypes and allows us to see the world in a positive light. It is true that bad things happen, but bad things happen everywhere, even in your backyard. You will find that stepping out of your comfort zone to explore the world is one of the easiest ways to build confidence in yourself.

4. How to truly honor & respect myself.

   Most of us are quick to seek approval and validation from outside of ourselves. We’re so busy looking for love in all the wrong places, that we can no longer connect with the side of ourselves that already knows we are enough. That’s why we stay in relationships that make us unhappy, in environments that are toxic, jobs that we hate and so on, thinking that we aren’t worthy of more. The beautiful thing about spending more time alone with yourself is that it will teach you to honor and respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you or makes you happy.

   Traveling alone also boosts your self-image and self-esteem so that you will no longer allow anything or anyone to make you feel like you are not enough — good enough, smart enough, worthy enough, beautiful enough, etc..

5. How to live in alignment with my life purpose.

   Rumi said it so beautifully,

   “Everything in the universe is within you. Ask all from yourself.”

   Before I made the final decision to finish the rest of my travels in Bali on my own, I knew in my heart that it was the right answer. As cliché as it sounds, sometimes you have to trust your heart even when logic goes against it. During my solo travels I was able to get clear on my goals and what I wanted to continue pursuing in life. When you take a few steps back from your daily routine, away from the people around you and away from all the noise that surrounds you, you are better able to connect to that side of you that knows why you’re here on this planet and what your purpose is. I learned that I want to continue traveling and teaching yoga, but I also want to create a greater sense of community by leading retreats. I don’t think I would have had this breakthrough if I hadn’t chosen to be on my own during this traveling experience.

6. Making local friends is actually easy (even as an introvert).

   You would be surprised how rewarding it is to make new friends on your travels. Although I was traveling alone, I realized that didn’t mean I wouldn’t be surrounded by locals and other fellow travelers who may end up becoming lifelong friends.  Solo traveling also made me realize that I’m actually a lot more outgoing than I thought I was. One of my biggest worries that I had was that I would get lonely and be too shy to explore or meet anyone. But as a solo traveller, I was always being approached by other solo travelers wanting to make friends as well. I also found that by simply learning a few words in the local language, or by learning how to cook traditional foods you can easily strike up a conversation and make friends. People appreciate it when you try to understand them and embrace their culture.

7. Spending time alone allows me to enjoy my relationships even more.

   When you spend time alone on a regular basis, and eventually start to enjoy being alone, you’ll come to find that you also enjoy your relationships with other people even more.

   The time spent alone gives you a greater appreciation for yourself. It also lets you appreciate all the great things that come from your relationships with other people, most of which you may have been oblivious to before. I realized that as much as I ended up enjoying traveling by myself, I also really appreciated having my partner, Norris there by my side in the beginning. And there were many moments where I wished I could have shared some of the experiences with my family as well. There’s nothing wrong with having a sense of independence but there’s also nothing wrong with wanting to be with others.

   The more time I spend alone with myself, the more I’m able to learn to embrace, accept and make peace with my so called ‘flaws’ and ‘imperfections’. I feel more love in my heart not only for myself but also for those around me. And I’ll forever cherish and be grateful for these lessons I’ve learned during my solo travels.

Thank you for reading! I hope this inspires you to embark on your own solo travels one day if you haven’t yet already.

All my love,

Jess

The Greatest Lesson I've Learned From Traveling

If this past month of adventuring into the unknown has taught me anything, it’s how to gracefully let things go and truly live in the present moment.

As much as I’d like to say I’m a “go-with-the-flow” kind of person, the truth is I’m the type who plans and usually overthinks everything. If there were guidelines and a how-to lesson for every single step in life, I would most likely use it.

Before embarking on my trip to Bali, I had carefully planned and studied everything well in advance. From booking flights and accommodations, to reading all the tips from travel blogs and articles I could find. On paper, my plan appeared flawless. We would arrive in Bali, Kuta to be exact, two weeks before the retreat in order to get familiar with the new area. Then, we would travel to Tejakula in Northern Bali for our retreat, where we would spend a week and an additional two days exploring the coast doing all the “touristy” things. After that, we would travel to Ubud, stay there for a week and eventually settle in Canggu for a month before having to do a visa run. I had the airbnbs and villas booked and the activities all mapped out. I thought that without copious planning I would be totally lost and I wanted to feel as “prepared” as possible.

Well, it turns out that I felt totally lost regardless… All of my planning and micromanagement didn’t matter once we got here. I quickly realized that navigating your travels in real life is completely different than what you imagine sitting in front of a computer screen.

During my time here I’ve ran into situations that hadn’t even crossed my mind when originally planning for this trip. For instance, when we went to get our visas extended at the immigration office in Denpasar, we ended up waiting for about 6 hours because the machines weren’t properly working. When the machines finally were up and running again, it took us about 3 minutes to get through the interview and fingerprints. To say that was a frustrating day would be a big understatement.

Another example, is when we finally arrived in Canggu, the area we planned on staying at for a month. It turned out that the airbnb host had given the room we booked to someone else! Luckily, we were able to get things sorted out and found a different villa in Ubud (an area we actually liked even better than Canggu). In the end, I felt grateful and relieved. But at the time, I remember feeling stressed and anxious about finding a new place in such short notice.

I could give you so many more examples of situations like this — situations that didn’t go nearly as smoothly or “perfect” as I had wanted them to. But the point is, no matter how hard you try to plan ahead, life is always going to throw surprises your way.

A certain bit of planning is usually necessary and good — prepare enough. But risk enough too. Risk will teach you far more than over-thinking anything ever will. Have a plan. A flexible plan. Yes, do the research on visas, health insurance, safety and what to pack. But you probably don’t need to spend hours each day researching like I did.

So here are my top 5 tips and reminders I’ve used throughout my trip to help deal with unpredictable situations. Maybe they will come in handy for you:

1. Realize that you can’t control everything. No one can plan for every potential problem that might come up. The important thing is that you understand that you have the ability to problem solve in the moment. Part of this is accepting that problems will arise. Going with the flow is having the confidence that you will be able to handle the unexpected.

2. Accept that you can’t control others. Going with the flow means sometimes giving up control, not only of the situation, but of other people. A situation might become more stressful because of the behavior of another person. For example, you might be hanging out and talking with a group of friends when suddenly someone says something that goes against your core beliefs and upsets you. Remember that in situations like this you can’t control someone else, but you can control your own actions, feelings and attitudes.

   • Try to empathize with the other person. Is what the other person said only hurtful to you or also to others around you? Why might they be acting the way they are acting?

   • Give them the benefit of the doubt. Most people are just trying to do their best and might not know that their behavior is being perceived as disruptive.

   • If these harmful actions continue to happen from the same person, it may be time to let that person go from your life.

   “Letting go doesn’t mean you have given up and it does not mean you no longer care. It just means that you are releasing the attachments of the past that keep getting in the way of your happiness and mental clarity. Letting go is the unbinding and disentangling of old behavior patterns that keep pulling you into unnecessary mental tension and worry.” — Yung Pueblo

3. Live in the moment + honor how you feel. Dwelling on things you could have or should have done in the past will only make it more difficult for you to enjoy what is actually happening in your present. Accept that what is happening in this moment is your reality and that beating yourself up or spending your time searching for someone to blame is not going to change anything.

   • Sit with each emotion you feel and honor whatever is showing up. Give yourself some time (if possible) to process the situation and get down to the root cause of your feelings.

4. Practice exposing yourself to the unknown. Get out of your comfort zone. It sounds cliché, but it works. Try doing a small unpredictable thing each day. Walk or drive a new way home from work without planning it. Go to a new place for lunch. Order something new you’re not sure you will like. Start a conversation with someone you don’t know very well. The more comfortable you get at putting yourself in situations that are unpredictable, the more easily you will be able to go with the flow no matter where you are.

5. Let go of the idea that things need to be perfect. Practice Aparigraha, or non-attachment, which is one of the 5 Yamas from Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga. In this state of acceptance you learn to release expected outcomes. Sometimes it helps to remind yourself that things are never going to be perfect. You may set up an idea of how you want things to go, but rarely do they work out exactly that way. Striving for perfection is striving for something that ultimately does not exist. You don’t need to completely let go of your goals or ideas, just be sure to make room for the fact that things don’t always happen precisely the way you would like them to.

   • Focus more on the experience than the outcome. Whether you are cooking a new meal for the first time or trying a new workout routine, expecting that you’ll get it perfect the first time is only going to distract you from the joy of learning how to do something new. Instead, focus on the method and the joy of each moment, rather than obsessing about the outcome.

   • Avoid seeing yourself as a set of accomplishments. The things we achieve in life can give us confidence and make us feel good, but it becomes dangerous when we lean too much on them for all our happiness. Think about the other things that make you happy like a hobby you have, or a friendship/relationship you cherish.

I hope these tips help you to navigate through the next unpredictable situation that pops up in your life. And when all else fails, remember to take a deep breath and breathe. It can be difficult going with the flow if you are feeling overhwhelmed or anxious. Trust in the process and have faith that everything will work itself out in the end, because I can promise you, it truly will.

All my love,

Jess

7 Reasons Why You Should Go On A Yoga Retreat

Want to travel to some of the world’s most stunning locations around the world, guided by inspiring teachers, surrounded by a positive like-minded community while enjoying daily wholesome foods and yoga? A yoga retreat can give you all these things — and it can be a magical, transformative experience. It’s one of the best ways to self-nourish and gain perspective on life through intentional ‘time-out’.

A retreat is defined as ‘withdrawal to a quiet or secluded place’ and any integrated retreat will offer you the space to dive deeper into yourself through daily Svadhyaya (spiritual practice of self-inquiry), nature and community.

Whether you’re looking to get away on a local weekend retreat or a ten-day global adventure, here are 7 reasons to consider going on a yoga retreat:

1. Connect with other like-minded People.

   During a retreat there is a power in the intimacy that is created with oneself, but most importantly there is a greater sense of connection and harmony felt as you share this experience with others. Everyone is encouraged to welcome one another from a place of authenticity. There are fewer ‘masks’ worn because you only know one another from a neutral and supportive space, not as the ‘busy, stressed out employee, student or parent’. You drop into a space of community that helps to guide you past your personal perspectives, struggles and ego and invites you to become more open-minded and compassionate.

2. Experience ambiance and a healing atmosphere…

   in the accommodations and retreat center and access to nature. Most retreat centers are built or created on beautiful or sacred land, often in nature — near rivers, lakes or beaches. Yoga alone is empowering, but in a sacred setting your practice becomes amplified.

3. Open your mind and focus on yourself.

   When you physically travel to new locations (even if its only hours away!) you have the ability to create more space in your mind and let go of your daily ‘identity’ and duties (parent roles, student responsibilities, work life and survival tasks of cooking, cleaning, errands, etc.) — this gives you an opportunity to intentionally focus on yourself with far less distractions.

4. Eat healthy, nutritious and local foods.

   The food offering on a retreat normally consists of delicious, hearty options. The meals often include organic, locally sourced ingredients to keep an eye on your health. And if you’re traveling overseas, you can use a yoga retreat as an opportunity to experience unique food. Many countries around the world are renowned for their cuisine. At home, we often have to cook our own food, but on retreats we don’t have to worry about anything other than eating what’s being served!

5. Pleasant mix of inner discovery and outer exploration.

   Along with tools and practices for self-inquiry you will have ample time for rest, play and adventure. While each retreat differs in teachings or theme, each one is designed to aid you through healthy routine in a supportive atmosphere — imagine 8 hour of deep sleep, healthy wholesome meals, fresh air and sunshine, along with daily movement/contemplation.

6. Become inspired.

   Depending on your desire and receptivity throughout the experience, a retreat can be an awakening to unhealthy habits or addictions, and can be the exact inspiration and kickstart needed to shine light on more positive habits we can incorporate in our daily lives back at home.

7. An opportunity to have fun, relax and create new memories.

   Again, at home we tend to fall into serious routines. We get stuck in the day-to-day habits and roles that might feel confining and hold us back. Going on a retreat is the perfect opportunity to be curious and playful with life. You will remember the light and beauty that is always present in yourself, others and that which is all around.

   A yoga retreat is truly an opportunity to practice your daily living yoga — on and off the mat. It brings purification, clarity, balance, rejuvenation and inspiration into your many layers — physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually!

Are you ready for a soulful retreat immersion? Find out more information below.

Upcoming retreats

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