It feels a little silly to even attempt to write about the experience of our first-ever yoga retreat to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands last month. It totally exceeded my expectations and filled my heart up with love of nature and community, and a feeling of gratitude, ease and playfulness.
I'll let the photos do most of the talking. Here are a few of my favorite memories:
Chartering a private plane with our new-found friend Renee after missing our connecting flight.
Feeding cans of non-alcoholic beer to pigs. (?!)A long lazy day at the beach, full of paddle boarding, swimming in the ocean, beanbag toss, fish tacos, frozen mango drinks and Jack Johnson on the speakers.Dogs, everywhere we went. Especially Angel.Hula hooping on the dance floor of a clifftop bar to the sounds of a live band.
Teaching yoga and meditation on the beach. Amy's mom's headstand. Using palm trees as barres in our "Coconut Barre" classes.
Team-teaching with Amy and Lindsey in the beautiful open-air studio of the Courtyard. The rain starting to pour during Lindsey's barre class and gently splashing in through the windows and over the porch railing. Buddha bowls after class.
Telling ice breaker stories, sharing fun facts, and bonding with our amazing group, which included 3 pairs of mothers and daughters.Being hosted by a fire-dancing troupe named Kiki and the Flaming Gypsies.Heart to heart talks in the cabin of the sailboat on the way to beautiful Buck Island.Elise never leaving my side. Being surprised at how nicely my kids got alongWalking as a group on the buttery sand of Buck island and being immersed in the warmest, most gorgeous turquoise ocean water I've ever seen.Gliding across the water at sunset on the sailboat.Playing "Yes yes yes yes yes," being served delicious food, and sharing things we love about each other at Villa Del Mar. Taking a mindfulness walk in the Labyrinth.Fire dance party on the beach.Jumping off the pier together as a group.
Watching the sunset.
Realizing that this is what I get to do at work (?!) and feeling so, so, so grateful.And SO MANY more beautiful moments not listed here!
Check out the video below, made by our fabulous hula-hoop teacher Julia to see even more of this amazing adventure, including some incredible fire dancing. And don't forget YOU can join us when we return to St. Croix!
The next Barre & Soul St. Croix Yoga & Barre Retreat is April 13-26 and you can pre-register now.
