Hanging in the Balance

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Maya Tulum Retreat

I am home now. I had no desire to blog daily but would like to put it all together now that I am home and have had time to reflect on what I went through and what the retreat meant to me. A lot of what I got out of the retreat is nothing I can really share... Much of what I felt , especially towards the end of the week was hard to describe unless you were one of the 21 of us there. We talked about it over dinner, and agreed, it's really a hard feeling to put into words....relaxed, recharged, blissful, calm, light, connected,insightful, peaceful, spiritual, limber, flexible, strong...I can use all those words but none seem to fit exactly. So, I can tell you details of the retreat, but you will have to try to interpret the rest. We were a group of 21 from all over the country and even Australia, but both teachers, Saniegh and Tim were from Austin, Texas, so many were their students. We ranged in age from mid 20's to 58 ( I was the second oldest) but let me say this about yoga...it transcends age. We come together to practice our passion , far away from our homes and families , and suddenly we are ageless . It no longer matters what we look like, how advanced we are in our yoga practice, how much money we have, or what our social status is...what matters is that we show up, that we are present and that we allow the week to take us on whatever path we choose or what develops on it's own. I had no expectations, so I just let my journey unfold without judgement. I had no particular destination so wherever I ended up at the end of the week was not important , it just was. But I will say that about the middle of the week, I noticed a change in myself, something intangible, but it felt good.
The setting was enchanting....heavenly....with sights ,sounds and smells of the sea always there easing life's stressors away. Time seemed to stand still. I was immune to the outside. We ate all organic fruit , veggies and yogurt all week...Bountiful salads with homemade dressings and fruit so sweet you couldn't stop at just one big bowl. I ate more than I ever could have believed, but felt great and detoxed from my diet at home, which is generally what I believe to be healthy. I felt better eating this way.
The yoga was 2 or 3 times a day and you could do as little or as much as you wanted..The style was vinyasa flow, but had the background of anusara and Sheva Rea, so very different than what I practice at home. I loved stepping out of my comfort zone and exploring the more fluid side of my yoga practice.
I went on only one exursion which is all I wanted to do... I really enjoyed staying at Maya Tulum, and just relaxing there whether hanging out on the beach with some of my new friends or enjoying one of the Mayan body treatments.
My hut was beautiful , steps from the ocean...the breeze and thatched roof keeping me cool and my mosquito netting keeping my skin bite free as I slept.And boy did I sleep...so soundly throughout the night waking by myself at sunrise for yoga as the sun began to rise over the ocean and peek through my windows. I enjoyed opening all the bay windows and reading on the couch as the salty wind often caused me to doze off.
No makeup , blowdryer, or shoes for the week...it was great. My attire consisted of yoga clothes or a bathing suit...nothing fancier.

It was all so blissfully simple.. I had few to no decisions to make.
I guess blissful is a good word to best describe how I felt there..I hope I have brought home a few morsels of my time there. Maybe a new yoga pose, or a new ease in my yoga practice. I know my feeling of bliss will fade... It already is. But I will always remember that inner peace I felt at Maya Tulum...and if I feel broken , or worn down by life as we all do at times ,I will close my eyes and breath in the salty air of Maya Tulum remembering the magic that touched my spirit there. ( or book another retreat!) Enjoy the pictures...some may be repeats of previous blogs.....namaste

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The labyrinth

My door

Views of Maya Tulum

Sunrise from my room

Sweat lodge- I opted not to participate in this ceremony but those that did say it was very enlightening

Kimby and I after clay massages

Off to ocean to wash the clay off

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Assorted pictures and summer solstice ceremony

These hold water and are by all the doorsteps since no shoes are worn..this way your nit sandy when you go in a building

My hut

My private beach

More huts

Going to summer solciste

Ceremony on Mayan ruins

Dining area

View from my room

Paul from Austin

Summer Solciste and Sian Ka'am Muyil experience

This entry is going to combine the cast 2 days. I was so exhausted last night, I ate dinner after yoga and conked out! But I awoke today to a glorious morning...the sun was shining and of course the familiar ocean breeze gently reminded me it was time to get up for 7 am yoga...nothing much to get ready..brush my teeth, put on some yoga clothes and off I go...no shoes...no worries.I am there in 30 seconds and Saneih taught one of the best classes so far...concentrating on the fire within us...our core. Great class! Then quick bite and off to see Sian Ka'am , a unique biosphere of 8 ecological systems . We hiked into the jungle and saw some beautiful ruins...Alberto, our guide was full of Mayan stories, medicinal Trees and plants he would point out to us . All claiming to cure some ailment or make you live forever. His great great grandfather passed away several years ago at 124 years old. I couldn't get the recipe, but I know it contains honey from Mexican bees.Then We were off on a boat across a pale blue lake to meet up with narrow canals we floated down....on our backs or stomach..We had snorkeling gear on so we could see the fish and turtles...it was so amazing ...the current just gently carried us down the narrow canal, twisting and turning. Wine, cheese and fruit were awaiting us at the end. Then back to Maya Tulum in time for 6 pm yoga. a beautiful day in paradise.There is talk of going salsa dancing tonight...but honestly...I am pooped. Yoga and a clay massage in the morning...that should be an experience . See pictures below...I also have some of the summer solstice ceremony we went to at some local ruins with the local mayans..

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One of the temples today

This is a nut incense us made from..smells good

Couldn't resist

On the boat going across the lake

Reaching the narrow canals

Here I come

This is heaven !

Wine and cheese awaits us

Group shop

Back hone.. Waiting for class to start

Class starting....got to go..namaste

Maya Tulum yoga retreat day 2...I am almost mush already

It started out as a wonderful day..I slept in my mosquito tent with a fan blowing on me, listening too the waves crashing outside my windows..There was a warm tropical breeze that kept the temperature cool ...great for sleeping. My net kept me safe and I didn't stir all night . I wish I could sleep at home like this. But the combination of 3 yoga classes, healthy food and no midnight snacking, the ocean air and a relaxed body and soul led up to the perfect nights sleep . I awoke to some blue sky, but a pelting rain came done during yoga class at 7am..no worries,,the weather is getting better, I just came in from hanging on the hammocks on the beach with 6 or 7 others..we were singing songs..it was like being in camp again.it was awesome.I then walked into town to poke around in some of the shops , but just a lot of junk. It was a nice walk though. Then the best part of my day...evening yoga...what a class. I got into a posture I have never done before but have been eyeing it in Yoga Journal for months...it just took the right sequence
and few tricks by Tim , one of the instructors..I was so happy that i let out a big smile, which Paul noticed( another student) and congratulated me afterwards. I felt on top of the world!!! All the students are really nice and friendly, always inviting me to join them in whatever activities they may be doing, like swinging on the hammocks tonight .Sometimes i join them, sometimes I don't..like after breakfast I took a 2 hour nap! Go figure....but it felt really good...I like my no makeup,naturally dried hair and barefoot look, ( never in ormond beach) Tommorow is the summer soloctise so the town has a big Mayan celebration at one of the ruins, at 8 am. So yoga class at 6:00 instead of 7
So it's a good time to turn in.....miss everyone, but I am taking it all in ..

K

Tl

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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Maya Tulum ..yoga ,yoga and more yoga

so today was the official start of my retreat. I had some ah-ha moments . Despite some pretty impressive rain, I still feel like I am in paradise , and lo
Like a kid, experiencing sand for the first time...its just everywhere. I am just amazed at a truly barefoot resort.I also took a shower today without blow drying my hair...that's a first. I actually have a little wave to my hair and a lot of frizz....not my most attractive look. But as my mantra for this retreat goes...who cares? It was a little odd sleeping in a mosquito net...I felt like I was in a movie starring as the carefree yoga goddess on a safari with killer mosquitos destined to ruin my search for the Indian Guru living in mosquito infested Africa who was going to teach me the ultimate yoga pose that would amaze all yogis.( OK, maybe I spent too much time on my head today) The yoga was awesome and I took and additional class the resort offered in Acroyoga...I was flying through the air( on Daniels feet) but it was a great class. I also had a Mayan massage called a yeet where they massage your power house( translated abdominals) so hard , they actually reposition your organs for better digestion . it was really awesome...My spleen and liver loved it..Then more yoga before dinner...another great class and I just about got my foot behind my head... I am about a half inch away from the full pose !...despite all this activity, I am about as mellow yet energized as I can remember . I. Can't figure out how to yes the flash on my camera, so no good pictures today. Weather should be better tomorrow . Planned a few exursions for later in the week...I will blog about those then. Getting to know everyone , everyone is really nice. We have a group from all over including Australia, California, Texas , New York, and Spain...oh and Florida...only me.Spent most of my day with Kimby...a medical student at Mount Sinai!!! I am hanging out with someone my daughters age...go figure...but many ages represented here. The dining room is closing now...they need to turn off the electricity....later

Kimby and I before our "guts" massages....we both loved it

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Betty from housekeeping trying to clean up the water from the rain In my living area

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Arriving in Maya Tulum

It's been a long day....Although Tulum is closer to florida than I thought, it's been one calamity after another to finally reach my destination . However, I got out of the van, and looked at this beautiful beachside retreat and I knew I had arrived at exactly where I needed to be for the week...to recharge, re-energize and relax . This is a resort made of thatched huts...all with beautiful Mayan features. It sits on a beautiful beach and there was sand under my feet the minute I got to the registration desk. It's all open aired.. The yoga rooms, the restaurant , the spa...everything. you can hear and feel the strong , salty ocean breeze from anywhere in the resort as your feet sink in the beautiful white sand. No shoes required here.But the best was yet to come. They led me to my room....a beautiful thatched villa steps from the ocean water....beds covered in elegant mosquito netting...a large living room , all facing the ocean with large windows throughout allowing me what I will imagine to be an awesome sunrise. I can't go through all the traveling blunders..,,I don't even care anymore. I am here. Everyone seems awesome and yoga at 7am can't come too soon in this paradise. Of course, this comes with rustic charm. No AC, electricity only during certain hours , no phones or TV and yes some pretty awesome rain while in my first Savasana, with little drops ticking my nose coming through the thatched roof. I took a few pictures, but more to come when I have some daylight . I don't know what I am going to do about drying my hair.. But right now.. Who cares ? More tommorow ...I hope the sun comes out. But if it rains again , I will just have to get a massage . Adios...