Picture (when I used to be cute) from my very first time in Kauai.
June 2-June 10, I went on a yoga retreat to Kauai. Great yoga, wonderful food, fantastic yoga, and amazing scenery. Two of my favorite yoga instructors (Scott Moore and Kim Lynn) in Salt Lake were the one's that set up this retreat.
I arrived on June 1. On my way over, I was having some doubts about arriving a day early. I was flying over all by my lonesome and not really knowing if there would be someone there to meet me. After gathering my baggage from the bag claim, I walked out to the curb and waited patiently for my welcoming group. After only a few moments, I spotted Celeste (one of my yoga teacher's wife). How refreshing to see a familiar face in a unfamiliar place. With Celeste was Scott, Kim, and Molly. I was greeted with hugs and a beautiful lieu.
This is a picture from the top of the Sleeping Giant hike. Beautiful if you ask me.
On June 2, I woke up and went for a run/walk along the beach boardwalk w/Kim, Molly & Wendy (Kim's Stepmom). That afternoon, I went for a hike up Sleeping Giant. Steep, short climb but amazing views from the top. I love to hike on my own (occasionally with company isn't so bad). Something about being out in the silence except for the sounds of nature is therapeutic to me.
That evening all the other yogis arrived and we had dinner and got to know each other at Kim's parents house.
We were lucky enough to have a musician friend of Scott and Kim's come to play music. That night she played the guitar and sang. When she started singing, it was incredible. Wow. She has an amazing voice.
Song quote for the day: "So Close, No Matter How Far, Couldn't Be Much More From The Heart,
Forever Trusting Who We Are, And Nothing Else Matters." Nothing Else Matters by Metallica
This is one of the many incredible views at the Monastery.
On June 3, we had the unique opportunity to go and get a tour of the Kauai Hindu Monastery. At the entrance is the Lord Ganesha (elephant-headed Hindu god of wisdom, literature and worldly success) called "Nepali Ganesha" and the "Tiruneri" (Holy Pathway) up to the Kadavul Nataraja temple.
The picture above is a view of the flag of the San Marga Iraivan Temple where hand carved stones shipped from India are being assembled. The main sanctum rises majestically in a tropical paradise setting. It's an awesome sight for pilgrims. We were lucky enough to see the last stone set in place on the temple floor.
On our way to the temple, the main monk walked by on his iphone, stops and asks says to our tour guide "Did you get my email?" We were privileged enough to have him visit with us. You can read more in the article below.
We became famous by getting an entry on their daily blog. Go to the following link:
http://himalayanacademy.com/blog/taka/2010/06/03/salt-lake-city-utah-hatha-yoga-seminar-participants-visit-kauaii-aadheenam/
View from the front of the beach house.
After the monastery, we went into the town of Ka'paa and ate at this yummy place called Mermaids. They serve fish tacos, wraps (yummy!), and lots of other yummy things.
That afternoon, we packed up and made our way to our beach house for the week on the North Shore of Kauai. It was a good hour and a half beautiful drive.
Upon arrival, we helped unload food, got settled, and did some yoga outside on the grass. Despite the mosquitoes, it felt nice to move around with the cool breeze and the sound of the ocean.
Song Quote for the day: "it's hard somehow to let go of my pain...Will I always feel this way so empty and estranged?" Empty by Ray LaMontagne
View of Na Pali Coast Trail. Ahh....breathtaking
This morning I woke early and took a little run/walk on the beach. It was tough because the beach in this area, is at a slope. Not the easiest to run on but beautiful setting to be in.
We would start each morning with a yoga practice. Some pranayama breathing exercised followed by some yoga movement.
After yoga, I went for a hike with Betsy, Amanda, Bill, Gwen, and Zach along the Na Pali Coast. Amazing views all along. The trail is steep in some spots with a cliff on one side most of the way. At one point, I fell and landed within inches of the edge. Dusted myself off as I was laughing, and continued on the trail and tripping (but not falling) a few more times.
After the hike, I went for a little swim. While in Kauai, I got in the water probably about 2 or 3 times. This says how much I like the water. Not very much at all. Love the sound of the waves crashing on the shore but not a huge fan of swimming in the ocean or in a pool.
Every afternoon, we would do another yoga practice. We would practice yoga for a total of about 4 to 4 1/2 hours a day.
Song Quote for the day: "I gotta get my body moving shake the stress away" Don't Stop The Music
Kayaks loaded up and ready for the drive back to the north shore
One of the amazing parts of Kauai is the Na Pali Coast. I was lucky enough to Kayak the coast. Breathtaking views around every corner. 17 miles and 12 hours later, we got back to the beach house for some much needed food and rest. As much as I loved the kayaking, it was definitely a long day. Would I do it again....probably not.
Impromptu dancing during a kirtan circle
Favorite day of the trip!!
After morning yoga practice and breakfast, quite a few of us headed to one of the most beautiful beaches on Kauai. Lomahai Beach (Gwen and Zach, who were on the trip, got married on this beach). I walked/ran there with Gwen, Betsy aka Mrs. Ball of Firey Energy, Zach, and Patty (my roomie). It was a little over three miles along the road where dodging cars was the name of the game. The sand on the beach was unbearable hot. I would compare it to walking on burning coals except I have never experienced walking on burning coals so....
After the beach, I was treated (it was included in the price of the retreat) to a Lomi Lomi Massage by Mr. Thomas/Gorgeous Massage Goddess. Just what I needed before I went and undid the benefit of the massage.
We started our afternoon yoga practice with a Kirtan Circle led by Leraine. One of the highlights of the trip for me was having the magnificent musician Leraine to entertain, play during savasana, after dinner and during impromptu dancing sessions. To end our Kirtan/chanting circle, we did a little dancing as you can see from the picture above.
Kim and Scott thought that it would be fun to do an "add on" flow for our yoga practice. What followed was a fun, sweaty flow. Add on is when you do one pose and add on another and then do the sequence while adding a pose on every time until you have one crazy flow. At the end, Scott got an idea to finish the practice with running out into the ocean to cool off. Seriously the best way to end a hard yoga practice.
That night after eating, we ended up having an impromptu dance party. What fun! I love to dance even though I can't dance to save my life :)
Proof I actually did yoga. Penguin Pose.
Kim with Scott's feet as her base. Partner Yoga. Super fun.
Today we started our morning with some partner yoga. I highly recommend partner yoga. Extremely fun. Great way to get into poses that you can't on your own. Kim and Scott, of course, make it look very easy.
Partner savasana: front to back: Betsy, Amanda, Patty, Brian, Meredith, Kathleen, Maya, Shannon, Jocelyn, Gwen, Zach, and Bill
For our afternoon practice, we went to Hanelai (a little town about 10 miles from where we were staying) to a yoga studio. We were lucky to try something new to most of us...strap yoga. We use straps that are connected to the wall to get us to stretch deeper and hang upside down.
That night, we took a beautiful silent, sunset walk along the beach to watch the sunset on the Na Pali Coast. So peaceful and beautiful.
During sharing time. Warren (Kim's father), Molly and Wendy (Kim's Stepmom)
Today instead of going on a hike, I listened to what my body needed (imagine that) and hang out at the beach house reading, napping, relaxing with a afternoon walk/run on the beach. It was so nice to just hang out and relax.
That night, we did a sharing thing or as Scott put it our "Secret Awesome" for our last night. We had music, poems read, dancing and more music by Kim's amazing family.
At the Botanical Gardens. Left to right: Bill, Amanda, Shannon, and Maya
For dinner the last night, Brittany and Bobbie had met some local boys earlier in the week and they caught some fish and fixed it for us. Incredible yummy! Great way to finish an amazing trip.
This is a picture of half the group by the lighthouse on our last day in Kauai. From left to right: Gwen, me, Zach (Gwen's husband), Brittany, Amanda, Bill, Kim, Scott, Maya, Leraine, and Bobbye
After visiting the lighthouse, we went and spent a few hours by the Marriott Resort which is on Kalapaki Beach. Crowded with all the tourists and their children. Pretty to see but wouldn't want to spend a full week there.
Thanks to everyone on the trip. They are what made the trip awesome for me. I feel like a have a new set of friends/family. They made it so comfortable to be around. Hard to find a group of 20 individuals that you can say that about.
If you are interested in seeing other pictures, go to my facebook page or I can send them to you if we are not friends on facebook.
Song Quote of the trip: "It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Your faith was strong but you needed proof" Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen
