Photo Story of my Unwind and Uplift Retreat @ Xinalani in Mexico

Hammock (and favorite post-lunch relax spot) in my palapa

My palapa: so fitting to all I've been pondering as of late

So soothing and lovely are these suites/palapas

First savasana in the Jungle studio, where we practiced every morning

My husband was on board the first 4 days of the retreat and took some beach asana shots.  Here I am attempting Flying Pigeon on some rocks!

The main group.  LOVE these people.  We also had between 2-5 others join in for practice throughout the week.  

Dancer's pose near the tidal pool

Post-dinner beach stroll with the gals.  

Excursion to the Quimixto waterfall

The mules we rode to get to the waterfall.

Angelfish!  

Our dining area.  Such a gorgeous setting to share meals.  And they were so delicious and special all week!  Wish I took some photos of the food.  ;)

When I was really missing Isak, I would channel Ganesha.

Selfie in the Greenhouse studio.  We practiced Yin or Restorative every evening in here.  

Our evening practice was always so special and lovely way to end the day before dinner.  

Favorite spot to read and relax near the water.  

Leslie getting Tripod headstand for the first time!  

Some of the meditation trail leading to the studios.

Diana getting Tripod, too!  So proud.  

The heavenly massage room.  

On the last night, we had dinner on the beach patio!

Rockin their dancer's poses!

Caitie getting into Wheel!  Love it.  

Leaving on the panga (boat) to the airport.  View of Xinalani from afar.  Such an incredible experience!  

New Post is up on EJ, plus DISCOUNT for my retreat

Here is my new personal piece just published on ElephantJournal.com on being vulnerable to the struggle or experiences in your life that will help you become more empowered!  

It's inspired by my dear friend, Mel, in Santa Fe who is working through Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Also for my Grandma in Pittsburgh hanging tough through Leukemia!  And a yogini friend, Caitlin, taking on breast cancer in Nantucket.  

And it's really for everyone.  For YOU.  We all go through these struggles, transitions, new feelings in our bodies and emotions.  I hope you can connect and enjoy the words.  

Feel free to comment just under the post on the EJ site, as well as share!  The more it gets shared or viewed and commented, then the better chances it can help or connect with more people who view the site.  

My many thanks, and cheers to all of our healing!  

With this, it's just one week until I lead my Yoga Retreat to Mexico!  It'll be my first time away from my son (who is now 26 months old) and I'm excited to nourish my spirit by teaching what I love and getting some real, solid sleep!  This trip was a catalyst for the post I just wrote on EJ and I just know it will be a magical and empowering experience.  
SO, I'm offering a discount to anyone who signs up last minute between now and Thursday of the coming week!  Email me directly if you're interested.  
jpyogini@gmail.com

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/05/finding-empowerment-through-vulnerability/

End of MAY classes and Events!

Okay, so I'm back from an amazing 4 days in Santa Fe, NM visiting dear friends in their new hometown.  It was my family's first time to that lovely city and it was fun to see it with friends!  We ate some yummy food, hunted for turquoise jewelry, sat in the sun, watched the old railyard trains with my boy, looked at art, and took 2 yoga classes.  You can view some of my photos from there on Instagram.  ;)

I'm teaching my usual 6:00 flow tonight (5/15) at Karma Yoga Studio-Harvard, and also my Sunday morning classes there (10:15 hatha and 11:45 flow).  Plus, this coming Tuesday (5/21) morning Flow at 9:30am at Bow Street Yoga.

In addition:

THIS Friday, May 17th, I'm co-teaching a BENEFIT class with Larisa Forman, Kate Greer, and Nicole Burrill to support our yogini friend, Caitlin Marcoux of Nantucket, who is totally rocking her journey with breast cancer.  Join us from 6:00-7:15pm for a hatha flow mix of a class that will combine all of our supportive and loving energies in Caitlin's honor.  
At Karma Yoga-Harvard Sq. 
*If you can't make it, you can still donate here! 

Mama Friends:  This Saturday, May 18th is my next Yoga for Mamas session in my home studio space.  I have 1-2 spots left for any mama who'd like to join for some rejuvenating yoga and then tea, chocolate, and chatting post-class.  10:00-noon for $25
email me at jpyogini@gmail.com 

*Also, I'm subbing the Prenatal Class at Karma Yoga-Harvard this Monday, 5/20, at 5:45pm.  
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--After Tuesday, I'll be heading away for my Mexico Yoga Retreat to Xinalani!  
There is still room for 1-2 more people, just in case you get the last minute urge or that last minute tax return check...

My subs will be:
Wednesday, 5/22- An Li Liu for my 6:00 @ Karma
Sunday, 5/26- Rachel Barringer for both my 10:15 and 11:45 @ Karma
Tuesday, 5/28- Rob Phillips for my 9:30 @ Bow Street
Wednesday, 5/29- An Li for the 6:00 @Karma
Sunday, 6/2- Rachel Barringer for both classes again @ Karma

I'll see everyone at regularly scheduled programming on Tuesday, 6/3 for my 9:30 @ Bow Street.  

*And, mark your calendars for the upcoming Herbstalk event here in Somerville, June 8-9th!  I'll be there volunteering and taking herbal classes/shopping the marketplace.  

Cheers to your end of May and end of Spring!  

Oh MEXICO...and HAPPY LIVING

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I grew up in Texas and went to college in San Diego...so I'm used to being around cinco de mayo celebrations!  Back to my northern roots for 9 years or so now, we have to search a little harder to find some authentic Mexican love up here.  ;)  Today I head to teach my 2 Sunday morning classes with the waning Moon in Pisces (we'll do a nice balance of both standing poses and laying on the back-deep stretch).  And then it'll be garden party Mexican-style with friends popping through to both take a peek at my love's art and share in some snacks and good cheer!  

Sometimes I feel like such a lucky gal.  But one thing I've learned is that you CAN dream it.  You CAN manifest what you want.  I'm still working on it every day, but this gal is grateful and happy and ready to continue spreading that around.

Anyway...

I got this new sun hat and blue sunglasses to prep for my Mexican Yoga Retreat in the sun!  That's right, it's coming up so SOON.  MAY 25th- JUNE 1st you can UNWIND and UPLIFT with me at the private eco-resort Xinalani near Puerto Vallarta.  
There is a Petite Suite Room still up for grabs ($1481 for the week) or some single beds in the Big Palapa room ($1224 for the week--can't be beat!).  Airfare right now is still pretty doable (from the east coast, around $6-700 round trip). 

What can you expect?
Open-air bedrooms, hammocks, private beaches, meditation nature trails, spa treatments, delicious food (hello fresh guacamole!), bird sightings, and lots of nourishing yoga and discussion with me.  ;)

This strong and beautiful Clematis flower/vine in our garden is on the verge of expanding her reach, and growing to her full magical, amazing potential.  It reminds me of the strength, beauty, and magic in all beings and how we simply have to soak up the moon, be patient with ourselves, and love the journey. 

If you feel called to explore this in yourself, perhaps you'll join me in a few weeks?  Yoga vacations are one of THE perfect places to discover what you might truly be on the brink of, or the love that you hold so very true and deep.  Think about it...and hope to see some of you soon!

Salud! Viva la Mexico!

-Jenn

Unwind and Uplift #1: Class Playlist

Here's one of my most recent playlists for during my yoga classes/practices over the last month or so.  All of these artists are well-worth checking out.  Look them up on either itunes, gogoyoko, or spotify.

1.    A2: Olafur Arnalds and Nils Frahm
2.    Look at the Light: Sin Fang
3.    Letter to (...) : Hjaltalin
4.    Sunbeam: Sin Fang
5.    Rest Your Head: Bat for Lashes
6.    Catcher: Sin Fang
7.    Crack in a Stone: Hjaltalin
8.    Feel See: Sin Fang
9.    More: Nils Frahm
10.  Ethereal: Hjaltalin
11.  Old Skin: Olafur Arnalds and Arnor Dan
12.  A1: Olafur Arnals and Nils Frahm
13.  Svanur: Rokkurro
14.  We (too) Shall Rest: Olafur Arnalds
15.  Only the Winds: Olafur Arnalds

Spring Body/Soul Recharge THIS weekend

For the Workshop--
You can register by calling 617-642-9081 or by signing up in person at the Karma Yoga-Harvard location.  $25 pre-reg or $30 day of.
THIS Saturday, 4/13 from 2-4:00pm


For the retreat to Xinalani Eco-Resort in Mexico with me, SIGN UP now for May 25-June 1st of renewing and uplifting your spirit with me!

Check out my piece on Elephant Journal!

My Yoga Community and Friends--

March is almost through, and I am wishing you all a lovely end to it.  Happy Passover, Easter, Spring...to all!  I just had a few things I wanted to share today before April approaches.  

*I submitted my most recent piece of writing to the popular online Yoga publication, Elephant Journal.  Good news is they liked it and just published it yesterday!!  It feels great to get this topic that I wrote about (community) out there and I look forward to writing more on things I am passionate about.  Do read, share, and comment at the bottom of the article if you feel inclined!  It will also raise the chances of my piece being seen on the site and moving up in the ranks.  ;)

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/03/yoga-community-means-what-exactly-jenn-falk/

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**As you know, I am co-leading (with my soul sister teacher, Checka) an amazing opportunity to get away and recharge/dive deeper into your yoga practice this May in Mexico.  May 25-June 1st in Banderas Bay (Puerto Vallarta) at the private eco-resort, Xinalani!  Go to this link for more information and to sign up:

http://www.xinalaniretreat.com/145-yoga-workshop-vinyasa-yoga.html

That said, due to the arrangement and contract that we have with the resort...we need to get at least 4 more sign ups in the next 10 days for the trip to follow through!  This is because of the contract we agreed on and that the trip is just 2 months away.  The aim is to get at least 10 lovely people to join us.  :)

Checka and I have had 2 successful workshops in the Boston area over the last month together in preparation for this retreat and we are staying positive and excited that this trip will happen.  Help me out and share it to people who might be interested.  Or feel free to post the link on any message boards or work groups that you feel would generate interest.  And if YOU yourself are considering...don't hesitate to contact me with any questions over the next week or so and I'd be absolutely delighted to have you sign up.  Thank you, thank you.  

***Finally, tomorrow (Wednesday evening) is my 6:00 flow at Karma-Harvard and my last class until the same time next week.  Then I am off to Philly for the long holiday weekend with my Pici side of the family.  It will be the Full Moon in Libra, so I hope to provide a calming space for many of you to come shake out your stuff.  

Rachel Arnold Barringer will be subbing both of my Sunday classes coming up on the 31st.  And then Rob Phillips will be subbing my Tuesday class on 4/2.  See you again on Wednesday, 4/3!  xox

SO. Much. LOVE. to all of you and I look forward to the Spring!

-Jenn