Video of Yoga Retreat for Women of Color!

One of the presenters at the retreat, Robin Downes of Yoga Flava, made a short video about it! Her video includes an interview with Maya, our founder, clips from me and Gail's workshop, and other moments from the weekend. It's almost five minutes long, so enjoy!






http://yogaflava.blogspot.com/2013/06/yoga-retreat-for-women-of-color-2013.html

Love,
Althea ◦

Video of Yoga Retreat for Women of Color!

Yoga Retreat for Women of Color

Presenters Gail, Robin, Kick-Ass Assistant Betty, Founder Maya, Kick-Ass Assistant Rose, and Me

This year's Yoga Retreat for Women of Color at Kripalu was May 17-19, 2013.

It was the single greatest weekend of my life.

I've had a hard time putting this weekend into words. While I was there I felt nourished, supported, whole, and complete. It felt like coming home. I felt the same as I do when I am with my family in Atlanta, Detroit, and North Carolina. I'd only met Maya once, and had never met any of the other women. But as soon as we gathered together on Friday night, I knew I was in the right place at the right time.

I knew I belonged there as a participant. In honesty, I came in nervous about being a presenter. Along the way, Maya, Gail, and Robin had told me that they had my back. And they did. Right before my presentation ("Change Your Eating, Change Your Life") I looked in the mirror and said, "God did not bring you this far just to drop you. They got you." I invited my Mocha Angels to come up there with me. And I killed it. I barely remember what I said, but I do remember the booming, loving reception I received afterward.

The weekend was what life should be like all the time: communal, supportive, loving, gracious, honest, and SAFE. We felt safe speaking our truths. We also had big FUN! I can't remember the last time I had so much fun! I've haven't danced in public in years (my living room has seen me dance the most). I let my hair down and boogie oogie oogied with all the other sisters. We had an "Over 50" vs. "Under 50" dance-off. The "Over 50" women kicked our butts, but we gave it the college try!

If the retreat was a luscious, sexy, decadent, rich ice cream sundae, then meeting Danny Dryer was the cherry on top! Danny is the author of Chi Running, a book I reviewed last year. I knew he coming but forgot about it in the haze of preparing my workshop. I got to meet him Sunday and told him how his book taught me how to run my 5K last year. This is us together! Sweet!!

If you are a woman of African, Hispanic, Asian, Aleutian, and/or Native American descent, all or some of the above, this retreat will leave you nourished. That is the best word I can find. I felt wholly supported and energized by the retreat. The theme was "Spirit and Joy." I left so happy and joyous. I cannot over-emphasize how important this retreat was to my spirit. When registration opens up again, register early as all of Kripalu sold out last weekend. So if you wanted to come last-minute, there was no room. It'll be back next Spring. As soon as I know about it, I'll let you all know!

Love,
Althea ◦

Yoga Retreat for Women of Color

Kripalu - Big News!

    

Me and Maya Breuer

Okay, so I've been laying low for a while. I'll just get to the awesome news!

I'm going back to Kripalu next year as a TEACHER!!! Maya Breuer, legendary founder of Yoga Retreat for Women of Color, asked me to be one the presenters next year!!!!!!!!!

OMG!!

This was completely unexpected, but something I'd wanted to do since 2004. That was a super rough year. I've had a lot of those, but 2004 stands out. I'd gotten the presenters application from Kripalu that summer. I filled it out, but never sent it in.

I had imagined that Kripalu would be my first time teaching on a national stage. And it came true! I'll be one of a few women teaching that weekend. I get 75 minutes. Maya asked me to focus on food, since that was obviously my passion.

And what is so wild is that I was supposed to leave on Sunday, June 3. I stayed another night because I was so wired from the weekend with Snatam Kaur. I had no idea Maya would even be there. I saw her and fellow teacher Sherry's seminar, and said to myself, "Oh, Maya is here. I'm going to introduce myself and ask her some questions, if I can."

I saw her for a hot second Sunday night. She said, "My class is about to start, but find me at breakfast tomorrow."

Breakfast at Kripalu is always silent. If you want to talk, there's a separate room, or you can go outside to enjoy breakfast. Maya found me. Me, her, Sherry, and a few other women shared a table. We talked for about two hours.

At the end of our conversation, Maya says, "I'd like you to be a presenter at the Women of Color Retreat next year."

I nearly fainted.

Seriously. My dream had come true. I could not believe it. I've spent the past month wondering if it all was a dream. Yesterday, Maya asked me for my headshot, bio, etc. That snapped me back to reality. Yes, it is real! All because I was moved to go to Kripalu that weekend! All because I stayed an extra night!

The process of manifestation is awe-inspiring. Sometimes, you have to sit back in wonder in how the Universe does answer your deepest wishes, be it good or bad.

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Facebook page: Yoga Retreat for Women of Color ("like" it so you can stay in the loop!)

Love,
Althea ◦

Kripalu - Big News!