I just got back from leading a yoga retreat at Lake Atitlán in Guatemala.
Last week, when I returned I immediately moved into a new apartment in Brooklyn and jumped back into work at my full-time real estate job at Compass. This Monday morning, after a weekend of unpacking, organizing, and cleaning up my new home, I settled back into my normal morning routine of meditation, journaling, and writing.
As my pen quickly moved across the pages of my journal, I caught myself writing about the things I wanted to do next. I had been listing out all the things I still want to accomplish and put out into the world: teaching a weekly yoga class in NYC, launching Real Life Magic, etc. More, more, more.
Luckily I stopped myself I put down my pen when I noticed. I softened my shoulders and my jaw, took a few deep breaths, and then looked around to ground myself in the present moment. This is something I do multiple times a day.
Our minds easily focus on the negative, the things that didn’t work out, the things we need to fix in our lives or about ourselves, and the things we still have to accomplish. That combined with our culture that is constantly looking for the next thing, or more, or bigger, better, best, it is easy to jump to the next thing before we even look around to take in where we are now. Before we even digest and integrate the things we just did or learned.
I’ve learned so much about this over the years and have been practicing reframing my mindset to appreciate the things I already have/ the things I’ve done, and accepting or surrendering to things as they are now. Living like this feels like such a relief to me compared to constantly forcing, pushing, and racing to the next thing. A breath of fresh air.
I am glad I was able to catch myself and stop on Monday morning. I laughed at myself and thought, can I give myself a goddamn break? I just got back from hosting the Guatemala Retreat, registration is open for the Morocco Yoga Retreat, and just moved. Can I just be here now?
Part of living mindfully, part of weaving yoga & spirituality into daily life, something I am so passionate about, is coming back to the present moment and savoring it as many times as I can remember to do so.
After my pause, my Monday morning of journaling turned into a celebration of the things that went well instead:
I just hosted a yoga retreat in Guatemala! At Lake Atitlán! And it was such a joy to lead! It went so well! Holy shit, this was the first thing I wanted to do when I got my first yoga teaching certification five years ago, and I just did it!
So, I am doing my best to stay here, soak that up, and savor this recent retreat. Remembering all the moments I had planned for that retreat, thought about it, dreamed it up, and brought it to reality.
I would appreciate your help spreading the word:
I am leading another Yoga Retreat: Morocco: May 11-17, 2024 with Caitlyn!
*There is an early bird discount available until Nov 15!
We are looking to expand our circle of yoga retreat go-ers and we could use your help.
If you know anyone who might be interested, please pass it along :)
All ages and experiences with yoga are encouraged to join. Retreats are a great place to get started and experience yoga as so much more than movement. There is pranayama (breathwork), meditation, mindfulness, self-inquiry, and much much more.
Here are the Morocco Yoga Retreat details:
Daily Yoga & Meditation
Explore & shopping tour of the famous markets in the Marrakech Medina
Camel Rides in the Desert
Cooking class at an organic farm
Moroccan Wine Tasting
Plenty of time by the pool
Creative well-being workshops, journaling, and much more
Community
All at the luxurious Peacock Pavilions Hotel