A Yoga Retreat Sale. Say what???

Hola Amigos!  For the month of June I am offering a special discount on all my international retreats!  This includes the...

 Jungle Spirit Yoga Retreat MEXICO

Feb. 7-14, 2015

Jungle Spirit Yoga Retreat COSTA RICA 

Feb. 21-27, 2015

Jungle Spirit Yoga Retreat BALI 

May 3-10, 2015

Receive $75 off your retreat if you book before the end of June.  This can not be combined with any other offer however "repeat offenders" will be given $75 off instead of their usual $50 discount.  Retreat availability is first come, first serve, and the multiple occupancy spots are always the first to go so please book ASAP!  Now, if you're not already convinced that you will need a yoga retreat by 2015, here are some 2014 retreat photos to drool over...

Jungle Spirit Yoga Retreat MEXICO

Jungle Spirit Yoga Retreat COSTA RICA

Jungle Spirit Yoga Retreat BALI


Am I less of a yoga teacher because I can't handstand?

Recently, I've succumbed to insecurities I thought I was strong enough to avoid.  I blame social media for the nosedive in confidence, and I know I'm not the only yoga teacher who feels this way.  

Here's the deal.  I CAN'T DO A HANDSTAND.  I'm not even close. I recognize that a lot of practice (including but not limited to: creating new neural pathways in my brain, the release of the fear of injury and ego, the increase of flexibility in my shoulders, and the increase of core strength) would be required to get me to the point of handstand freedom.  Alas, I am in handstand tyranny; a place where I feel the pressure to practice but would much rather spend my time drinking coffee with loquacious fellow yoga students and teachers, hiking sun-drenched mountains with my pooch, and traveling to different cultures.  I accept this, but I can't seem to free my mind from the ego hit it takes every time I see a photo of my favourite yogi doing a handstand on Facebook.

Behold!  A highly impressive seated spinal twist!!

Behold!  A highly impressive seated spinal twist!!

Social media has taught me that because of the choices I've made, I will never be a "famous" yogini.  I will never get thousands of followers on Instagram, I will never travel the continent for the sake of leading yoga workshops because society will recognize that I am not as good of a teacher as the instructors who can, in fact, handstand.  

Now I recognize that a lot of you are pissed off reading this, maybe you don't agree with what I'm saying and that's okay.  Or maybe you think I should stop whining and gallivanting and instead put some more time into my practice.  OK, fair, but here's what I've observed: I worked super hard to learn how to do a headstand.  And then, finally, it happened.  The end.  There was no pinnacle moment of enlightenment.  My happiness level did not significantly increase as soon as I learned how to stand on my head.  I learned how to do a pose.  End of story.  Meanwhile, elephants continued to be poached in Africa, there was a political uprising in Syria, and a cruise ship sunk off the coast of Italy.

The conclusion: This is a shout out to all the yogis and yoga instructors who think less of themselves because their practice is not "fancy" or "photo worthy".  It is your choice.  You can do the more challenging postures if you practice, anyone can.  But sometimes you have to practice A LOT.  If this is important to you, go for it.  You can do it!  But if you don't practice, it will likely never happen.  Recognize that this is a choice you make and stand by your decision.  If you spend your free time gardening instead of hand standing, you go girl!  Embrace those flowers!  Your activity is just as worthy!  Ultimately, your practice is perfect, just as it is.  Oh, and so are you:)

Rock on,

l.e. martini

Martini Yoga Philosophy

Namaste!  I recently returned from the Jungle Spirit Yoga Retreat BALI 2014 and unfortunately, the 11 hour flight home did not include a television and I had already finished reading all my books!!  No entertainment?  I was left to be present to my own devices for an entire 11 hours!  Thus, in between meals I sketched out the defining philosophies that sum up everything I've learned (and am still learning) from my experience in yoga practice.  These key mantras are what motivate the growth of my teachings; they are what inspire and keep me happy and healthy.  I can teach you how to do an anatomically accurate downward dog, but it is the philosophical stuff that has to do with your life off the mat that really gets me fired up!  So here it is, the Martini Yoga Manifesto.  If we've ever been in class together or retreated together, you will probably recognize some of these teachings as I tend to like to preach them til the cows come home (that happens around Thanksgiving on my parents' farm in case you were wondering…which you probably weren't). 

Learning how to drop back to Wheel Pose during the Jungle Spirit Yoga Retreat BALI 2014

Learning how to drop back to Wheel Pose during the Jungle Spirit Yoga Retreat BALI 2014

Truth.

Truth.

  1. JUNGLE SPIRIT:  The innate wisdom that we, as living beings, come from the earth and are thus happiest when we spend time cultivating a deep connection to Mother Nature.
  2. ROCK ON:  Be proud of your efforts, surrender the fruits of your labour, and continuously remind yourself that it's all good.
  3. TRANSFORM YOUR PERSPECTIVE:  Always remember that you have the power to control the way you perceive reality.  Your concept of reality is different from everyone else's.  Never judge anyone for viewing the world differently than you do.
  4. RETREAT:  In order to stay inspired and healthy, you must never forget to take time off for yourself to completely relax, do yoga, eat well, laugh, and love the living being that houses your mental and spiritual body.
  5. NEVER STOP LEARNING: Honour that you can never master anything as the world changes on a daily basis.  Always focus on bettering yourself and the world around you.  Trust that on your dying day, you will be proud of your capacity for growth and the good that you created with the wisdom you have developed.
  6. IT'S ALL YOGA: Yoga occurs everywhere, in every decision you make, in every reaction you take, and in who you choose to be both on and off your mat.  Everything you do is a practice in yoga.
  7. YOU ARE PERFECT.  Let your yoga practice not be about getting somewhere, but about being comfortable with where you are right now.  Everything about this moment is innately perfect.
Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.

Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.

Please understand if you don't agree with these mantras, that's okay!  Different philosophies work for different people with different beliefs.  These work for me because they inspire me to be a better and more loving person.  In our culture, I feel like this is something I need to be reminded of on a daily basis!  Anyways, happy spring everyone, and, as always...

rock on

l.e. martini


The official launch of Jungle Spirit Yoga Retreats!

When I started running yoga retreats 4 years ago, I never imagined how passionate and close to my heart they would become.  Only recently have I been able to pinpoint what my subconscious has been drawn to as the international retreats have developed and evolved; they are all in divinely lush and naturally spiritual locations.  

Costa Rica Yoga Retreat, Nosara, February 2013.

Costa Rica Yoga Retreat, Nosara, February 2013.

Growing up on a farm in the middle of nowhere, I never realized the peace and exhilaration that comes from being surrounded by nature.  After moving into the city, it became clear to me on visits back to the farm that simply being in nature renewed a sense child-like wonder and relaxation within my body and soul.  Now, I've learned to take an hour each day to get out of the city and walk my dog on trails in the nearest park.  If I miss one of these days for whatever reason, I have come to find that my happiness level decreases and I feel uneasy and anxious.  

View from The Costa Rica Yoga Spa (where the Costa Rica Retreat is being held in February, 2015)

View from The Costa Rica Yoga Spa (where the Costa Rica Retreat is being held in February, 2015)

There is this moment, when you turn a corner on a trail at my local park, where you can see the incredible length of the lake and the rolling grey curves of the mountains in the distance.  Always at this moment do I feel a sense of spiritual awakening; a sense of connection and oneness.  For many years, I strived to achieve this spiritual connection by reading books on different religions and cultures (I even studied religion when I majored in cultural anthropology in University).  It wasn't until I took the time to pause and observe my mind's reaction to this particular landscape that it became clear how prevalent God (replace that word with whatever you need to) is in nature.

So from now on, I am devoted to running my international retreats only in places which offer spectacular immersion in nature.  I'm talking about thick jungle, sweeping natural park views, audible crashing ocean waves, and don't forget about nourishing farm to table meals!

Beach at the Mexico Yoga Retreat February 2014 and 2015 (just released)

Beach at the Mexico Yoga Retreat February 2014 and 2015 (just released)

When you attend a Jungle Spirit Yoga Retreat, I guarantee that you will be getting out of the city and into the primal wild.  These retreats are about finding your connection to nature; however that may manifest in your body/mind.  They are about re-discovering who you are and nourishing the animal spirit which lies within you.  Through these retreats I promise to do my best to rekindle your sense of child-like wonder and provide you with an immense sense of peace and contentment through the sacred vehicle that is mother nature.

So with that, I officially announce my latest Jungle Spirit Retreat: Costa Rica February 2015.  I've done my research and can promise you that this place is spectacular.  No fancy resorts, no commercial developments, just nature in it's purest form.  I'm already imagining the fresh salty air blowing off the ocean and through the palm trees.  Absolute paradise.  And you're invited. 

The view from the yoga palapa at the next Jungle Spirit Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica!

The view from the yoga palapa at the next Jungle Spirit Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica!

Rock On,

l.e. martini

5 ways to piss off your yoga instructor: A rant on yoga etiquette.

I've heard it all.  My nearly 7 years of yoga teaching experience has given me the opportunity to practice reacting from a place of peace and non-judgement many times.  Here are 5 of my most challenging experiences.  Enjoy. 

awkward.jpg
  1. "I'm 9 months pregnant and my doctor told me to try yoga.  I've never done yoga before.  Is there anything I shouldn't do in this Hard Core Power Class?"  Um. Yes.  This usually happens when I'm teaching a packed class and there's about 20 seconds before the class is scheduled to start.
  2. *cell phone ringing* "Hello?  Ya, hold on I'm just taking a yoga class.  Can I call you back?".  Really?  Please turn your phones on silent ladies and gentlemen.  And never answer your phone during a class.  Ridiculous.
  3. "I feel super sick; I think I have the flu so I thought it would be better if I came to yoga instead of working out at the gym."  Thank you for being compassionate with your body but remember there are usually other people in the class! Please respect the people around you and get healthy in the comfort of your own home! If you are too sick to work, you're probably too sick to come to yoga!
  4. "I have to leave halfway through savasana."  The rules: if you absolutely have to leave before the end of class, leave BEFORE savasana so you don't disturb your neighbours.
  5. "My practice is actually way more advanced than this Easy Yoga class so I'm just going to do my own thing."  Great.  That's not going to distract anyone.  And make sure your head fits through the door on your way out.

That is all.  I feel better now.  As always,

rock on, l.e. martini