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Stepping out of Your Comfort Zone

Women’s Experiential Retreats…So Much More Than Yoga

When was the last time you did something uncomfortable for your physical or mental health (or just for fun)?

I don’t consider myself to be an adventurous person. I went on my first solo yoga retreat when I was 51 years old!

Although I practice yoga, taking my first trip was not about yoga; it was about nurturing myself in a difficult time and refreshing my soul by being outdoors, eating delicious food, and doing activities I had never done before. I also took time to pray, read my Bible, journal and rest.

Tulum 2018

The experience was so profound that I decided to become a Christian yoga instructor and lead retreats of my own – not just because I loved yoga, but because I have struggled, and I wanted to encourage other women to take a break and remember who they are and whose they are. Although the trips I organize include yoga, it is just a small piece of the experience that I offer.

“I had a wonderful time – wonderful group of ladies; Lori is a great trip planner, everything was excellently planned, and we just had to relax and have fun. Yoga was top notch; I always learn every time I have yoga classes with Lori. Food was marvelous. I can’t wait until our next trip next year!” – Roxana I.

“What a wonderful trip!! After the stress of holidays, it was a wonderful renewal of spirit & mind!! Lori was fabulous as an organizer of activities; plus yoga for a bunch of beginners!! Can’t wait to go on another trip!” – Becky J

Tulum 2020

A Busy World of Doing Instead of Being

Sometimes we forget that we are human beings and not human doings. Obviously, there are things that must get done such as taking care of our families and performing our jobs. But if we don’t learn to hit the pause button and create a space for restoration, we will burn out.

Carving out time for resting in God’s presence, praying and meditating daily are vital to fueling our souls to maintain a Biblical mindset. But there are some seasons in life when we just need more. We need to physically get away from our daily routine and create space to exhale, self-examine, laugh, and be a kid again.

Traveling with a group of like-minded women can create that space and support – an opportunity for a renewed perspective and a safe environment where you can be yourself, reflect, unwind, recharge.

It was really wonderful. I came to spend some time relaxing, getting away and sorting out some stuff, spending time with God. I felt like I was able to do this and spend time getting to know the other ladies.” – Sarah D. (solo traveler)

Puerto Vallarta 2022

Fear

Fear is crippling and can keep our world very small. I get it.

I remember feeling so uncomfortable traveling to Mexico alone with a group of women I had never met. It took extreme stress in my life to get me to say “yes!” to the retreat and to shake me out of my comfort zone.  The silver lining on my stressful situation is that it provided me with a catalyst for a new era of adventure. I am forever grateful for that silver lining. God can use anything for good!

Do not be afraid to leave where you are — to leave your old world behind. Be brave enough to travel to the unknown, to open yourself to something new. Strive to see extraordinary places and meet extraordinary people. Dream with the dreamers and do what you once thought was unthinkable. Explore with the explorers and discover endless possibilities. Do not let fear be your map. Do not let comfort determine where you stay. Let curiosity guide you. Let your eagerness for adventure, for diversity, for aliveness lead you. Do not be afraid of getting lost — you may just find what you need. Lose your logic, find your soul. Lose your path, find your direction. Lose your way, find yourself. You have the power to determine your journey." - Bryan A.

“I am so glad I stepped out and was brave enough to travel to Mexico AND alone for the first time ever! It was a great experience.” – Patty G.

“What a blessing this has been! You made this special for each of us and I have LOVED getting to know you and all the ladies.” – Shauna G. (also a solo traveler)

An Investment in Yourself

Is money an obstacle? You can split up your payment with a deposit to hold your spot.

“I attended Lori’s first wellness retreat in Mexico two years ago. At the time I was a single mom with two kids and no job. Booking that retreat was wayyy out of my comfort zone. I also knew that my soul needed it.  Probably more than anyone there. I took a leap of faith and scrambled to get the deposit. I saved up for 6 months so that I could make it work. It was the best investment in myself I ever could have made. Do this for yourself. you are worth it.” – Kristi C.

Join us

Join me and a small group of like-minded women on an adventure at an amazing, luxury boutique hotel in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico April 30 to May 4, 2023.

For information and registration, go to: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/experience-puerto-vallarta-2-a-luxury-adventure-retreat-lori-washko-puerto-vallarta-73860615

REASONS TO INVEST IN A LUXURY WELLNESS RETREAT

You’ve heard the saying, “put your oxygen mask on first.” This statement is probably overused, but it is so accurate. Very different from your typical vacation, wellness retreats are enriching escapes that provide a safe haven to allow a deeper physical and emotional break from the stress of life.

With delicious, nourishing meals, Christian meditation and yoga, retreats offer a healthy alternative to a normal holiday break and provide a much more intimate environment than your run of the mill, mega all-inclusive hotels.

Each retreat can be tailored to your needs, allowing you to truly unplug, re-balance, and shift your mental and spiritual wellbeing back on track.

Not completely convinced?

Here are several motivating factors that should persuade you to consider investing in a wellness retreat for yourself:

1.TIME TO REFLECT, RENEW AND RESTORE
A Christian luxury wellness retreat can be life changing because it provides you with time to reconnect with yourself & your creator, God by bringing back adventure and joy in your life. Making sure to include an element of faith helps you grow and gain clarity in your Christian walk. When we are spiritually balanced, we can become more effective in every area of our lives.

2. AWAY FROM YOUR HOME AND DAILY ROUTINE
Wellness retreats are usually situated in peaceful locations in natural or serene settings, offering you the perfect space to reboot. Cultural immersions and excursions are also often offered. These excursions can provide you with a renewed sense of adventure and help you reconnect with your inner child (think luxury summer camp for adults.)

3. A SHIFT TO A MORE INTENTIONAL WAY OF LIFE
After a retreat, participants tend to return to their busy, demanding lives with a sense of renewal, empowerment, and clarity. The experience gained helps them make a more conscious decision in in life.

4. NATURE IS HEALING
As human beings, we are part of natural ecosystems and depend on them for their survival. Most of us don’t get that exposure very much at home. Have you ever noticed how you feel so peaceful and close to God in natural settings, such as a in a garden, at the beach or in the mountains?

5. IMPROVED DECISION MAKING
Multitasking, the addiction to digital stimulation lead to poor decision-making. Investing in a retreat is the act of dedicating intentional time to your thoughts, heart and actions so you can make good decisions.

6. PAMPERING!
We can’t leave this one out! Taking time for massages and other spa treatments are generally offered at retreats. Massages relieve stress, pain & muscle tension as well as detoxify the body.

For your next vacation, why not go on a wellness retreat and allow yourself to truly unwind and spark the joy and adventure of life again? Don’t wait until you feel burned out in your job or life. Remember; you cannot serve from an empty vessel.

By Investing in a wellness retreat, you are investing in yourself. You will return home empowered, restored and inspired.

The Five P’s

Good morning to my yogi virtual school mamas!

Who knew the 20-21 school year would start off like this?
We’ve got this!
 
I wanted to share something I am posting on my son’s desk to help him when he gets overwhelmed or stressed, especially during these next three weeks of virtual learning. It is something I am applying in my life as well.
 

The Five P’s:

Pause
Pranayama
Praise
Pray
Pivot
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Pause – Stop what you are doing a take a few seconds or longer to pause.*
Pranayama – Breathe! Pranayama is one of the eight limbs of yoga. Prana means life force; when we are stressed, our breath becomes very shallow. In times of constant stress, this shallow breathing can affect our immune system negatively. Learning to take deep breaths and practice breathing techniques such as the Victorious (or Ujjayi) breath that we have learned in class is scientifically proven to calm the nervous system and reduce stress. (I will review this again in class on Wednesday morning.)
Praise – Find something to thank God for! He has done so much for us; sometimes we forget how blessed we are. When we cultivate an attitude of gratitude, it can override our stress.
Pray – Ask God to help you with whatever you are struggling. You might not have an immediate solution but know that He hears you and cares about every minor detail in your life.
Pivot – Sometimes we need to change our course of action, perhaps switching to another activity or subject temporarily before coming back to the problem at hand. This might mean physically moving, incorporating a few yoga poses or taking a quick walk to reset. There are specific poses that reduce stress, such as Legs Up the Wall and Child’s Pose. (Remember, every pose in yoga has a purpose!)
*Another note on Pausing: 1. Make sure you are taking time to feed your soul! Read your Bible and devotionals daily. Even if it is quick, it can set the tone for your day. 2. Take time to care for your body; you are investing in your mental and physical health when you come to yoga every Wednesday at 9 a.m. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.
You’ve Got This! Praying that this year will be fantastic for all!

See you at 9 a.m. this Wednesday in my backyard for yoga! Go to the FB group for sign up info.

 
Love & Peace,
Lori
 
Isaiah 40:29-31  “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary; and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
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Class Cancelations

Yesterday I received the following email from the Yoga Alliance:

We are strongly recommending for communities where social distancing has become required, recommended, or the community norm, that all in-person yoga instruction be canceled until the need for social distancing has passed.”

Therefore, I am canceling classes this week. I plan to create a free video for all of you stuck at home. I am not very tech savvy, so I’m not sure exactly how to go about all of this. If the weather clears up, we can have classes outside.

In the meantime, I urge you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.  This is a trial that we are all enduring, and it will pass.

2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

I am open to suggestions for instruction!  Please reach out if you have any ideas.

Take Care of yourself & your families.

Love,
Lori
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Creating a Vision Board

You will never leave where you are until you see where you’d rather be. – author unknown

Vision Board KT1

What is a vision board?   A vision board is simply a collage of images and words representing your wishes, dreams or goals. Visualization is one of the most powerful mind exercises you can do.  It is proven that you move toward what you think about. The purpose of your vision board is to bring your dreams to life.

On September 12 Kristi Meenan, former corporate trainer, and I will lead a fun workshop in creating a vision board.  (The vision board depicted above is hers.) To sign up, go to Vision Board Workshop.

In her book, DREAM IT. PIN IT. LIVE IT, Terri Savelle Foy states that surrounding yourself with images of your vision causes your dreams to become more alive inside of you.  It’s a vital component to success.

God wants us to thrive, not just survive! You must give yourself permission and have the courage to DREAM.  In the Bible, the Israelites were terrified of giants in the promise land, a place God had led them to that was rich with milk and honey.  Because of their fear, they chose to stay in the desert longer than they had to.  Once in the promise land, they didn’t encounter a giant for over 100 years!  Most of what we fear never even happens.

The fear of the future is usually worse than the real future…  We shouldn’t entertain thoughts that reduce us.  Many people never come to their destiny because of fear… Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  It is not the absence of fear, but the presence of YES! – Kris Vallotton

Pray about your dreams.  God wants us to be clear on our vision, and we need to be in alignment with his plan. Don’t limit God or yourself.  Ephesians 3:20 says He can do more than we could ever ask or imagine!  You were meant to have a full life.

Where there is no vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18), but without courage, dreams die – Rosa Parks

When you create a vision board, you are seeing yourself the way you WANT to be.  It gives you clarity on your life’s purpose and goals, builds your faith in God’s ability to do the impossible and boosts your confidence and self-esteem.

Put it in writing.  Studies show that you are 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down.  It makes your goals real and attainable, so write from your heart.

Visualization works.  When you are surrounded by ongoing negative messages that life will never get better, your vision board will serve as a daily reminder of where you are headed and fuel your faith to trust in God and your God-given talents and abilities for those dreams.

Stop making excuses.  Mel Robbins, famous life coach, speaker, and author has some great quotes about procrastinating and making excuses for not pursuing dreams.

          “We are all so afraid of uncertainty that we want a guarantee before we even try. We want evidence that if we take a risk we will “get the girl” It’s a numbers game. To play any game, you have to start. To win, you need to keep going. If you want to make your dreams come true, get ready for the long game.
Life is not a one and done sort of deal. You’ve got to work for what you want.
Picasso created nearly 100 masterpieces in his lifetime. But what most people don’t know is that he created a total of more then 50,000 works of art. .. Thats two pieces of art a day. Success is a numbers game. You are not going to win if you keep telling yourself to wait. The more often that you choose courage, the more likely you’ll succeed.”

          “When it comes to change, goals, and dreams, you have to bet on yourself….Hesitation is the kiss of death. You might hesitate for a just nanosecond, but that’s all it takes. That one small hesitation triggers a mental system that’s designed to stop you. And it happens in less than—you guessed it—five seconds.”

          “There will always be someone who can’t see your worth.  Don’t let it be you…You Are One Decision Away from a Completely Different Life.” ― Mel Robbins, The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage

Your vision board will be a collage of pictures or words depicting your dreams.  What you post can range from places you want to go, things you want to accomplish, items you want to own or aspirations you want to achieve.  The possibilities are endless.  Don’t settle where you are.  Dare to dream!

To sign up for the September 12 vision board workshop, go to Vision Board Workshop.

Cost is $40; includes yoga, journaling prompts to create your board, supplies and light bites.  BYOB

youareyouronlylimitsign

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