Travel

Liberated Heart

January 29, 2017 // by Admin// 2 Comments

Yoga classes led daily by Alana & Caileigh accompanied by Singing Bowls and Vibrations with Brian

Are you missing the Liberated Heart tribe?

Good news! Here is the week

in review to take you back to paradise! The stories of the Liberated Heart retreat will

be fresh in my mind and heart for years to come. I believe the world is made of stories

as much as it is made of molecules so reflecting on the magic of this trip has really reminded

me just how fantastic our retreat was!

Hard to believe that its only been two weeks since we all embarked upon our journey together.

For Caileigh and Alana, the story started a year before when Caileigh went on Alana’s retreat in Costa

Rica. Caileigh had such a transformative time that it inspired her to team up

with Alana to form Explorations of Self. It’s incredible how her own experience on retreat

led her to create life-changing retreats for others.

(From left to right: Brian Anahata Russo, Caileigh Feldman, Alana Diosa Roach) our Liberated Heart Guides

Caileigh, Alana and I envisioned Liberated Heart as a retreat to bring out the love in everyone

through yoga, sound, food and community. We did not have to try too hard! Everyone was in awe

as soon as they arrived to the beautiful Bodhi Tree Resort. A grand dining room, an infinity pool,

spacious cabinas and a coconut to sip upon arrival. Bodhi had it all. The staff were so friendly

and the food was first class. Everyone felt right at home at Bodhi and relaxed in Costa Rica’s tropical climate. On the night we first arrived, I asked Sonhei how she was feeling coming into the retreat. She said, “To tell you

the truth, I haven’t been thinking about it because I’ve been so busy with work. I really have no

expectations, I’m excited for everything.” I love this response because it rings true for many of us

who came on retreat. We are juggling a million things and then suddenly we have a

week to unwind. We don’t even have time for expectations. And that turns out to be a good thing,

because no expectations allowed us to embrace our experience with openness and curiosity.

Cindy shared how she was almost dreading coming on retreat because it was taking her away from

her many responsibilities. Then, she was captivated by Costa Rica as soon as she arrived! She

realized there is no “right time,” you just have to go! And that is the point of liberated heart, dropping the

stories we tell ourselves to allow new ones to emerge. It reminds me of a conversation I had with Debra Hardison, She told me that we always have a choice to tell the stories that bring out the best in us. Debra literally did this when she told the story of Dropsy the Squirrel, a book she wrote about nursing a squirrel back to health after he ‘dropped’ out of a tree.

Delicious & healthy local cuisine, 3 times a day with Liberated Heart, Explorations of Self Retreat in Costa Rica

Cindy embodying her inner goddess in Playa Nosara

Bodhi Tree Resort is an amazing place to recreate the story of yourself in only a week! With a gorgeous outdoor yoga shala overlooking the beach and many indoor shalas for practice, Bodhi

held the space for us to return to our roots. Speaking of roots, every day of our retreat was symbolized by one of the seven chakras. It was amazing to see how the chakra theme played out in the yoga sessions and sound healings each day. I gave George a sound healing on root day and the day after he told me how rooted he was feeling in the space of the retreat center. I was so blown away by George’s story. He had broken every bone in his body after getting hit by a truck and he brought himself back to life through the power of his heart. As soon as he was able to flex his knee just half-an-inch, he began his journey into yoga. He was told he would never walk again yet through his own inner-strength and yoga practice, he now strikes the fiercest warrior pose I’ve ever seen!

George’s story is not only an incredible tale of his perseverance but also of yoga’s saving grace. Yoga means

union with God and that’s why yoga is the heart of our daily practice on retreat. It was so special to see our

mother-daughter pairs unite through yoga. Deborah and Sonhei were ‘flown’ in the air, resting on their daughters

hands and feet just like they did for Lisa and Hannah when they were babies! It was so powerful to see how everyone’s practice blossomed under Caileigh and Alana’s instruction. Through beautifully guided sessions, we learned to tune into the present moment of each posture, be gentle with ourselves and stretch what we thought was possible for mind, body and soul! Doing one Hatha and one restorative session every day allowed us to balance our active side while allowing ourselves to heal as well. Alana reminded us to ‘find our edge’ in so many poses; to stretch into that place where we are a little uncomfortable so that we can grow into our mastery! It was so awesome to see everyone find their edge beyond the mat. Ellen really took this to heart. She had fun while facing her fears on the longest zip line in Nosara and through difficult yoga poses. Zip lining wasn’t the only excursion our retreaters had fun exploring. Our retreaters had an awesome time riding horses on the beach at sunset and surfing on one of the top surfing beaches in the world. It was so cool to see how people who never thought they’d get up on the board were riding waves all the way into shore! We also had a service trip where retreaters got to plant beautiful tropical trees right on the beach and even give them a name! Carolyn and some other retreaters even went local and spent

time hanging with Costa Rican families. Anything is possible here in just one week!

What I loved about this retreat is the community that formed so effortlessly between different kinds of people of all

ages. Jenna and Marianna didn’t know anyone coming on the retreat but now leave Costa Rica friends for life!

Developing community is built right into the retreat. Everyone ate together which gave us a chance to practice mindful eating. Caileigh and Alana led a nutrition workshop that inspired many retreaters to make changes to their diet and commit to a healthier lifestyle. Bodhi Tree even had vegan deserts which made eating healthy even tastier!

Chris’ sacred touch workshop brought us all together to realize how profound and comforting a massage can be! My sound healing gave everyone a chance to release what did not serve them and tune into the love inside themselves. But I think Jen was right when she said the ‘laughter therapy’ around the table was the best medicine. Laughing around the table and telling stories really was the best part of the trip.

Marianna & Jenna sisterhood through Liberated Hearts

It was amazing to see how in love Kyle and Anna Maria were -after being with each other for only a semester in college-

chatting with Ellen and Marv who have been married for over 30 years. Marv said he proposed to Ellen

after only being together for five months because he knew she was the one. On the last day of our retreat I followed my heart and asked Caileigh to marry me right on the beach. And she said yes!

Brian proposed, Caileigh said, “YES!” During our last night in Costa Rica together as the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

Our seven months together felt like lifetimes and I knew she was the one. I am so happy to have shared one of the most beautiful moments of my life with my new tribe. Costa Rica really is truly magical. We started our week by celebrating Deborah’s birthday and on the last night we had Cathi’s birthday which made my engagement even more special! I can’t say enough about how much I learned about myself and how much fun I had on this retreat. The takeaway for me is that ‘liberated heart’ means being free to follow what you love.

Jenn & Cathi saluting their inner and outer power as the sunsets in Playa Nosara. Happy Birthday, Cathi!

I am so happy everyone had an incredible time practicing yoga, going inward through sound healing and tuning in to the lifestyle that they wanted to take home with them! Caileigh, Alana and I are so grateful for our Liberated Heart tribe and can’t wait to reunite on many more Explorations of Self retreats to come!

Deborah and Hannah, mother daughter love boat!

About the author: Brian is a teacher and healer. He brings the mind, body, heart and soul back into balance through overtone chanting, crystal and tibetan singing bowls and tuning forks.

He has the unique ability to hear oto-acoustic emissions, the natural
frequencies emitted by the body.

His spiritual name “Anahata Nada” means “unstruck sound” and echoes his ability to hear the sounds of the cosmos. Anahata also means heart and speaks to Brian’s passion to help others hear the sound of their heart to guide them on their journey. Follow on instagram @anahatanada333 www.besoundnow.com Contact: bjrusso333@gmail.com

A Shameless Retreat

January 9, 2017 // by Admin// Leave a Comment

Retreat! Surrender! Give-in! Fall back!

We live in a culture where retreat means defeat. In the West, life is viewed as a competition and we are programmed to believe that if you are not winning you’re losing. We’ve heard it so many times: winning is not everything; it’s the only thing. So can we end up stressed out and spend our time living on a mental and emotional battlefield instead of authentically exploring our self. The masculine bravado and militaristic vibe of our culture has seeped into these words. It’s not by accident. There is a war that is being waged on going inside ourselves. The consumer culture can’t take that because if we all looked within we would learn that happiness is inside of us and we really wouldn’t be compelled to fill the void with useless products.

So, in this exploration of self, we are not called to force our way in. We are called to retake. Sure, we have re-take what ‘surrender’ and ‘retreat’ can mean, but we can do so peacefully. We have to fall back. When we fall back, we are vulnerable. This is the last thing the culture teaches and tells us that vulnerability leaves us open to attack. But vulnerability is going inside and taking an honest look about who we are and what we feel. And in that nakedness, we discover that we reject the struggle and the dog-eat-dog world and resent having to cling to it out of the necessity that our survival is at stake.

On retreat, we learn that we don’t have to cling to it! Meditation, yoga and sound healing create the space to silence the clamor of our minds and align us with our true nature. But we have to surrender to get there! What we are surrendering from is the way we think we ought to be and what we should do. In the clarity and understanding of our true nature, we naturally flow. We don’t have to think. There is just a knowing. That’s the beauty of it!

To retreat;

it is a quiet and relaxing space where we can feel the truth and beauty of our being. It’s in retreat that we lose the false ego that makes us fight outwardly to avoid the unrest we feel inwardly. By flowing with rest, we see that it was the unrest that made us fight and force in our lives in the first place! Enjoying our journey requires surrendering our false ego –that aspect of our being that runs programs contrary to our highest and best self. And when we do that, we reveal our true nature that is already there because we feel it from that quiet place of clarity and understanding. Surrender is tough for the false part of ourselves because it does not want to let go of the stories that keep fueling the patterns that don’t serve us. The catch is that the false ego has to turn itself in – or should I say inward – and see how it is sabotaging our greatest good by causing suffering based on craving, delusions and many other mental and emotional patterns.

The solution is simple. No matter what comes up, surrender. Your false ego can lay so many traps for your mind because it knows you so well. So let yourself be caught. Sit there. Don’t avoid it. Let the feelings come up to be known and cleared. Stop running from it. Once your thought or emotion has nothing to take from you, it has no power over you. It has no fuel to sustain itself. By virtue of your soul sovereignty, your essence cannot be taken away. You are eternal conscious light and love. So the only thing that you can surrender is what does not serve you –and then you are left with what you have always been – light and love. Surrender removes everything that obscures our light. In offering up our obstacles to the flames, we are transformed.

May you hear the call to retreat, so that your life may answer with all the joy, beauty and creativity you have to shine!

About the author: Brian is a teacher and healer. He brings the mind, body, heart and soul back into balance through overtone chanting, crystal and tibetan singing bowls and tuning forks.

He has the unique ability to hear oto-acoustic emissions, the natural
frequencies emitted by the body.

A New Year to LIVE

December 31, 2016 // by Admin// Leave a Comment

I remember the first time I saw the picture that changed everything for me. It was of a man, somewhere on a seemingly deserted, white sandy beach, doing a one armed cart wheel. His legs were dancing in the brightly painted turquoise sky, and I knew in that moment that there was much, much more to life. There was more to life than the daily grind, and the striving for… what, exactly?

The Spiritual Path is like this. We get these glimpses into the very center of our SOUL and in an instant, we are changed forever. But we are not REALLY changed, we are just coming Home to, the inevitable and unshakeable Truth of our Existence, and who we REALLY ARE; who we were always meant to BE.

So how do we get so lost?

We wake up, brush our teeth, drink a cup or 2 of coffee, eat breakfast (If we are lucky) go to work or school or both, watch TV, distract, distract, more distraction. We spend money, consume, go into debt to make more money, and spend more money to get out of debt as debt consumes our lives. We end up angry, resentful, gaunt, and ultimately the lack of motivation to do anything is gone, and yet we keep going. We keep going as if we were somehow animated through wire and chord. We become caged in our thoughts, animated by our emotions, reactive, depressed, and spun out. We begin to think that THIS is the norm.

I remember the first time I saw the picture that changed everything for me, because it TOUCHED my Soul. Somewhere deep down in the core of my being, I felt like a tapestry that was just coming to life and woven by the Divine. Unlike the feeling of chord and plug, I felt powered by something far GREATER, far Superior to woman/man made (Though woman and man has made some really incredible things.) I can hardly describe it, as Spirit goes, It is ineffable. I do know that I couldn’t turn away or go back to sleep.

“The breezes at dawn have secrets to tell you

Don’t go back to sleep!

You must ask for what you really want.

Don’t go back to sleep!

People are going back and forth

across the doorsill where the two worlds touch,

The door is round and open

Don’t go back to sleep!”

― Jalaluddin Rumi

By the New Year of 2012 I had broken a lease, went on a leave of absence at work, finished a semester in college with notice that I would be taking at least one if not two semesters off. By February of 2012, I was living and back packing through my sacred heart’s home. India. Though my flesh isn’t from this INCREDIBLE land, my soul most definitely is.

By New Year’s of 2013 I became a full time yoga teacher & I started to fully allow my rainbow colored tapestry to become a muse and channel for other hearts’ songs. I woke up every morning asking how I could serve the Divine Energy that changed everything for me, that BREATHED Life back into me (As if it were lost somehow, lol.) Animated by this Divine Spirit, I came to step into my PURPOSE on this Earth. I was GUIDED to combine what inspired me and made me HAPPY in order to take it to the masses so that THEY could be HAPPY; while continuing DEEP inner work to shed the guiles of the ego so that I could be a CLEAR and unencumbered channel for God.

By New Year’s of 2014 I was looking at leading my 3rd yoga retreat in Costa Rica after living on the Nicoya Peninsula of that land for 6 months. I was leaving the man I thought I would spend the rest of my life with in order to marry the MAN/WOMAN that has never and will never leave my side. God/Goddess. In 2014 I began my courtship with Divine. Truly. Though I strayed (Or thought I strayed) from the ULTIMATE Truth of who and what I was, Divine always persisted that I was GREAT. Thank you, Divine, for always BELIEVING in ME! 😉

By New Year’s of 2015 I was incorporated as a full fledged wellness and yoga retreat business, and embarked on the most important business of all, motherhood. This was the year of fine tuning my skills. I registered for an Integrative Nutrition school that I had been wanting to go to for many years, but was too afraid to believe in myself enough to do it. This was the year of staying in touch with my dreams, whilst recognizing what didn’t serve me (Attachment to anything that was material and changeable.) It was surrendering selfishness in order to be able to serve my daughter and my Dharma.

By New Year’s of 2016 I was sitting alone in a hotel suite. I was taking time for myself, ringing in not only the New Year, but my 30th birthday, 7 months pregnant with my daughter, and fully open to learning more from Divine. “However can I serve YOU and this Planet,” was my daily morning prayer and invocation. I spent time mapping out my life on a Vision Board and hours meditating on what I was grateful for (Everything) and what I desired to CO-CREATE with the Universe and my daughter. This is a great practice for anyone on a New Year’s Day. I suggest you try it if you haven’t a ritual planned already!

The New Year of 2017 is upon us, with the Solar New Year already among us (Winter Solstice.) My beautiful, nearly 8 month old daughter is sitting in my lap as I finish writing this. I am now fully realizing my dreams, traveling the world and teaching what I believe will help AWAKEN individuals to their HIGHEST Potentials in this incarnation. I am so, SO grateful for what is to come, because in my experience, what the Universe DELIVERS is far Superior to what I can even imagine in my BIGGEST DREAMS!

What LIT you up and INSPIRED you in 2016? What were your happiest moments, and what challenges did you over come? What do you want to DREAM into being in the New Year of 2017? How can I help in praying for you to fulfill this? How can I help guide and support you? Leave comments below…

A New Year’s 30 Day Warrior Woman Course to LIVING YOUR DREAMS starts soon. Stay tuned to the, “Self Heal with Alana,” Facebook page or email SelfHealwithAlana@gmail.com for information. Come away with the Explorations of Self Tribe and me to fully be present with yourself and to unwind from the daily grind on one or more of these incredible Wellness Retreats, information at www.explorationsofself.com or email explorationsofself@gmail.com

In deep DEVOTION and AWE of this WILDLY ABUNDANT UNIVERSE,

I go in PEACE & JOY,

Alana

Namaste, soul family

BIO : Alana Roach is a International Yogi currently based out of Annapolis, MD. Formerly adorned by the city lights and the busy streets of America, she was then whisked away by the illustrious path of yoga and took to traveling the world to share it with others. A few years back she started to write about the transformation she undertook by practicing conscious meditation. Her passions became her career and she now holds RYS Teacher Trainings & International Retreats, Health Coaches, and writes every opportunity she gets. In her spare time she loves cuddling with her daughter, surfing, being in nature, and living amongst her ever growing and global loving and conscious community. She is on Facebook , Instagram, Twitter, and can be reached by email explorationsofself@gmail.com & for health coaching at SelfHealwithAlana@gmail.com

Are You Freelance:Digital Nomad Material?

November 3, 2016 // by Admin// Leave a Comment

What does it take to become a freelance entrepreneur and/or a digital nomad? What IS a digital nomad? Both offer the same thing. Freedom to work for either yourself or other businesses from any location in the world. As long as you have a competent digital office, you are able to become a freelance entrepreneur and/or a digital nomad. Within this past year, I made the jump to being a part time digital nomad, to a FULL time freelance entrepreneurial digital nomad, and let me tell you, it feels so GOOD! I still work hard, but I work from where ever I damn well please, and that makes working taste so delicious.

Are you freelance/digital nomad material?

If the following resonates, there is a good chance that you are ready to take this leap.

You could be online all day and night and still crave the sweet glow of an iMac screen, while enjoying your favorite kombucha. As long as you have your computer, headphones, and a delicious beverage, you are as happy as a clam whilst whistling away in your own digital cloud bubble. Mmm, technology, snacks, and a warm environment are your idea of a comfortable day.
You love meeting fellow workers at co-working spaces. Meeting others of like minds is such a treat for you. You love sharing space with those who are fast at digital work and occasionally like to take breaks to share fun tips to enhance your lifestyle while also taking a moment to share their life’s story and a bit of humor.
You get a rise out of sharing battle stories of traveling abroad. It’s happened to the best of us. One day you are perusing the streets of New Dehli, and the next thing you know you are doubled over in nausea from the street food you daringly tried because you… you are invincible. The next few days you feel like you’ve taken a couple tabs of acid and you can’t stop throwing up in those awesome holes in the ground. Laugh now. You certainly weren’t then.
Your laptop is always in the back of your mind. Especially when you are socializing. You take the evening off to hang out with your guest house mates from across the hall. You begin to get a little compulsive about your laptops safety. It might be nice to feel the lightness of not carrying a backpack this evening with your digital office, but you do it anyway. You are a part of your laptop, and it is a part of you.
You feel more secure not knowing where you will be in a couple of months. You enjoy going with the flow. Making plans too far out is not attractive unless there is a digital price tag attached to it, and even then you make it clear, “I work from location.” My location.
You get a thrill out of watching others cringe at your lifestyle. Even though they secretly wish they could do it, too. The secret it… they can.
You have a, “Don’t quit until it’s possible,” outlook on life. Living this way requires that. You enjoy not following the crowd. You dance to the beat of your own drum. You keep forging ahead to create the life YOU desire, which is free, and unencumbered by 4 walls and a nagging boss.
You enjoy traveling light. As Yogi Bhajan said, “Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light.” You would not have it any other way. This is your outlook on life.
You tear up a little when you are typing away from a hammock that overlooks white sands and blue seas. Are you kidding me? This is my office? You feel like you have discovered a hidden secret to life, and by simply doing what comes naturally, you are inspired to create more situations that make this lifestyle possible.
The idea of a white picket fence nearly causes you to faint. It’s fine for your peers, but not for you. You can’t do that life. Your ideal mate is a free spirit as well. If kids are in the picture, they are living the nomadic lifestyle with you. You all energetically spray paint big red NO signs on this white picket fence. Maybe next lifetime.

TOP DЕЅTІNАTІОNЅ FOR EVЕRУ TYPE ОF TRAVELER

September 23, 2016 // by Admin// Leave a Comment

Thеѕе рlасеѕ are knоwn аѕ some оf the top destinations for every type of traveler;

Lаѕ Vеgаѕ, Nеvаdа, Unіtеd Stаtеѕ

Knоwn as a mаjоr еntеrtаіnmеnt Mecca, Las Vegas іѕ a сіtу thаt always hаѕ ѕоmеthіng going оn, whісh іѕ whу іt rеmаіnѕ оnе оf thе bеѕt places tо vасаtіоn. From соnсеrtѕ, thеаtеr ѕhоwѕ аnd саѕіnоѕ tо galleries, fine dining аnd upscale shopping, Lаѕ Vеgаѕ іѕ ѕurе tо оffеr a good tіmе tо іtѕ visitors. Although it іѕ knоwn for іtѕ mаnу gambling орроrtunіtіеѕ, Lаѕ Vеgаѕ nоw has аrtіѕtіс, сulturаl аnd tоurіѕt аttrасtіоnѕ аnd entertainment venues fоr thе еntіrе fаmіlу.

Rio De Jаnеіrо, Brazil

Althоugh hаrdlу a ѕесrеt dеѕtіnаtіоn, Rіо dе Jаnеіrо іѕ shedding its image аѕ a ѕun, ѕеа, аnd ѕаmbа tоwn аnd going for glаmоur аnd sophistication. Jоіn thе frіеndlу Cаrіосаѕ for an innovative 10-соurѕе Amаzоnіаn dinner аt Rіо’ѕ top Le Pr Catelan rеѕtаurаnt оr ѕоmе dеlесtаblе “brараѕ” (Brazilian tapas) at hір еаtеrу Ouі Oui. Evеn Rіо’ѕ mаgnіfісеnt bеасhеѕ аrе bеttеr thаn еvеr before; from Lеmе to Lеblоn, nеw оutdооr cafs bоаѕt fаbulоuѕ seaside раtіоѕ wіth comfortable bathroom facilities. Aѕ hоѕt of the 2014 Sоссеr World Cuр аnd thе 2016 Summer Olуmрісѕ, the сіtу is аbuzz with еxсіtіng dеvеlорmеntѕ that will be ѕurе tо attract hugе сrоwdѕ. Beat thе ruѕh and ѕее how thе Girl from Iраnеmа is аll grоwn up.

Dоhа, Qаtаr

Dоhа dоеѕn’t attract the hоаrdѕ оf beer-swilling Brіtіѕh tоurіѕtѕ or thе ѕhееr numbеr of hоtеlѕ that the U.A.E.’ѕ Dubai does, but іtѕ bеасhеѕ аrе mоrе bеаutіful and its gоurmеt rеѕtаurаntѕ аrе lеѕѕ crowded. The Al Jаzееrа nеwѕ network іѕ whаt рut Doha оn thе map a decade аgо, although a different sort оf саmеrа — thе mоvіе kіnd — is whаt’ѕ drаwіng tоurіѕtѕ for the Doha-Tribeca Film Fеѕtіvаl. Next уеаr mаrkѕ іtѕ third іnѕtаllmеnt. Dоhа is соnсеntrаtіng оn bееfіng uр іtѕ рrеѕеnсе оn the іntеrnаtіоnаl stage bу following uр іtѕ world-class, I.M. Pei-designed Muѕеum оf Iѕlаmіс Art wіth a bid fоr thе Olуmрісѕ іn 2016 аnd thе Fіfа World Cuр іn 2022. Pluѕ, the сіtу іѕ hоѕtіng professional ѕоссеr’ѕ Asian Cup іn January. Groupon offers great deals at low discount to travelers to visit these destinations.

Bаrbаdоѕ

Bаrbаdоѕ is a соmраrаtіvеlу flаt island ѕіtuаtеd іn the easterly Cаrіbbеаn Sea juѕt to the north оf Trіnіdаd. Thеrе іѕ a glіtzіеr, mоrе ѕорhіѕtісаtеd feel tо Bаrbаdоѕ than mоѕt оthеr Cаrіbbеаn іѕlаndѕ, it аlѕо fеаturеѕ some of the bеѕt hоtеlѕ and resorts іn thе Cаrіbbеаn thаt mаkеѕ thе іѕlаnd tо оnе of thе tор vасаtіоn destinations in the Cаrіbbеаnѕ tо gо fоr a hоnеуmооn.Bаrbаdоѕ іѕ a bеаutіful соrаl island with a special сhаrm аnd warmth, wіth nеvеr ending роwdеrу white sand bеасhеѕ, аn аttrасtіvе уеаr-rоund сlіmаtе оf sea brееzеѕ аnd sunshine, еxоtіс bоtаnісаl gаrdеnѕ, асrеѕ оf аbundаnt, rolling ѕugаr саnе fields, and a rісh and exciting hіѕtоrу. Bеѕіdеѕ, the іѕlаnd is оnе of the bеѕt, аnd mоѕt рорulаr роrtѕ оf саll in thе Cаrіbbеаn. Barbados іѕ blеѕѕеd wіth a nеаr іdеаl сlіmе. It іѕ a year-round dеѕtіnаtіоn, dryer thаn mоѕt other Cаrіbbеаn іѕlаndѕ, еvеn though уоu mау wаnt tо аvоіd thе rаіnу ѕеаѕоn frоm June tо Nоvеmbеr. Thе joyous island аmbіеnсе, thе асtіvе lосаl ѕсеnе and rhуthmісаl muѕіс, making Barbados оnе оf thе most роwеrful bеасh сulturеѕ around thе glоbе.

Miami, Florida, Unіtеd Stаtеѕ

The long, skinny іѕlаnd of Miami Bеасh – and ѕресіfісаllу image-conscious South Mіаmі Beach (thаt’ѕ South Beach or SоBе in ѕhоrthаnd), with іtѕ сhаrmіng Art Deco District аnd sizzling dining and club ѕсеnеѕ, has fоr thе past dесаdе rеіgnеd аѕ one оf Amеrіса’ѕ capitals of cool. It’ѕ thе kind оf рlасе whеrе you mіght ѕроt Cuban boat реорlе wаѕhеd up оn Oсеаn Drіvе оr a guy walking a lеаѕhеd mоuntаіn lіоn оn Lіnсоln Road. Surе, thеrе’ѕ some рrеttу interesting and еvеn cultural ѕtuff tо dо оut hеrе, but іt’ѕ really all аbоut “thе ѕсеnе” – bу dау, sun аnd ѕаnd аmіd ѕсаntіlу clad, hаrd-bоdіеd rоllеrblаdеrѕ аnd vоllеуbаllеrѕ, by nіght, dіnіng and раrtуіng аmіd a mix оf thе rісh, fаmоuѕ, аnd fаbulоuѕ. This ѕрrаwlіng, sexy, ѕun-ѕрlаѕhеd resort рlауgrоund’ѕ роѕh combination оf ѕun, ѕаnd, аnd hеdоnіѕm mаkеѕ іt the ԛuіntеѕѕеntіаl glаmоrаmа party capital and a perfect ѕрrіng brеаk destination.

Puеrtо Vallаrtа, Mexico

Whіlе there аrе quіtе a fеw Mеxісо hot ѕроtѕ favored аѕ spring brеаk destinations, no place other thаn Puerto Vаllаrtа combines a rаgіng nightlife ѕсеnе with a colorful соlоnіаl vіllаgе imbued wіth оld-wоrld аmbіеnсе. Indееd, Puerto Vаllаrtа’ѕ арреаl іѕ undeniable: Thе сіtу рrореr, a fаblеd hіllѕіdе hamlet, brіmѕ with muddlеd аllеуwауѕ, red-tiled rооfѕ, аnd bаlсоnіеѕ draped іn bougainvillea. Miles of gоldеn ѕеаfrоnt, dotted wіth newer tоwnѕ and rеѕоrtѕ, ѕtrеtсh tо іtѕ north аnd ѕоuth, whіlе the lосаl соlоr оf an оld Mexican fіѕhіng vіllаgе mіnglеѕ wіth mоdеrn uрѕсаlе influences. Thе fаmеd malecn – a wаtеrfrоnt bоаrdwаlk thаt stretches frоm thе сеntеr оf tоwn towards the Hotel Zоnе – іѕ dоttеd with ѕhорѕ, rеѕtаurаntѕ, саfѕ, bаrѕ, and ѕtrееt аrtіѕtѕ. Thе lіvеlу promenade is аlwауѕ hopping and perfect for grаbbіng a drіnk оr a bіtе durіng thе dау and аftеr sunset. Pluѕ, come nіghtfаll, уоu саn rеvеl in trendy lounges, rоwdу рubѕ, surf-side watering hоlеѕ, аnd rоmаntіс taverns. Mоѕt оf the wоrthу nightlife іѕ lосаtеd along a three-block ѕtrеtсh of Cаllе Ignatio L. Vallarta, оn the ѕоuth ѕіdе оf thе rіvеr, where еvеrуthіng frоm mаrіасhі music аnd sports bаrѕ tо ѕаlѕа сlubѕ аnd dіѕсоѕ is found.

Lоѕ Cаbоѕ, Mеxісо

Frоm Hоllуwооd ѕtаrѕ tо rоwdу teens, Los Cаbоѕ, Mexico, attracts ’em all for a quick winter getaway – аnd іt’ѕ nо wоndеr. Beaches, mоuntаіn, and deserts – you nаmе іt, thіѕ рlасе hаѕ got іt – with a plethora of асtіvіtіеѕ to еnjоу the bеѕt оf еасh. Scuba dіvіng, fіѕhіng, gоlfіng, whale-watching, hіkіng, аnd biking аrе just a few оf thе оutіngѕ оn offer. Whеthеr уоu choose tо stay in сrаzу Cabo Sаn Luсаѕ wіth іtѕ bars and nіghtсlubѕ оr in thе quieter, рісturе-реrfесt village оf Sаn Jose dеl Cabo, уоu аrе guаrаntееd a gооd tіmе.

Mоntеgо Bау, Jаmаіса

Jаmаіса mау dо dutу аѕ a spring-break central еvеrу уеаr, but thе rеggае-сеntrіс ѕроt has a fascinating history, vіbrаnt сulturе, аnd passionate political раѕt thаt mаkе it an еnсhаntіng (аnd wаrm!) рlасе tо vіѕіt fоr a ԛuісk wіntеr gеtаwау. Knоwn аѕ MoBay, Jаmаіса’ѕ second-largest сіtу is thе рrеmіеr tourist dеѕtіnаtіоn on thе northwest соаѕt, offering trаvеlеrѕ еvеrуthіng frоm picture-perfect whіtе-ѕаnd beaches tо river rаftіng; from spicy jerk сhісkеn tо some оf thе bеѕt gоlf іn thе Wеѕt Indies. Catering tо еvеrуоnе – hоnеуmооnеrѕ, party-goers, аnd fаmіlіеѕ аlіkе – thе іѕlаnd оffеrѕ аn аrrау оf ассоmmоdаtіоnѕ from luxurіоuѕ villas to аll-іnсluѕіvе resorts аnd оut-оf-thе-wау еnсlаvеѕ.

Prаguе, Czесh Rерublіс

Wе hеаr thе quеѕtіоn, “Whаt’ѕ thе nеxt Prаguе?” a lоt. But whіlе wе’rе аll fоr dіѕсоvеrіng grеаt nеw dеѕtіnаtіоnѕ, wе hаrdlу thіnk Prаguе is оvеr. Surе, everyone’s hеаrd of іt, but іt’ѕ ѕtіll a grand сіtу with еxtrаоrdіnаrу hіѕtоrіс аnd сulturаl ѕіghtѕ, and it’s dеfіnіtеlу worth a vіѕіt. The оftеn-rеbuіlt Prague Cаѕtlе has overlooked thе сіtу ѕіnсе thе 9th century, and thе synagogues аnd сеmеtеrу оf the Jеwіѕh Quarter are must-sees. Nіghtlіfе hеrе is diverse and рlеntіful, frоm trеndу сlubѕ to sophisticated wіnе bars tо lаtе-nіght celebrations.

This guest post is written by Frank Lee, he works at Rebates Zone, so far he has visited over 24 countries. He loves hiking and snowboarding. you can follow him@franklee84.

How to Achieve a Mobile Lifestyle in 5 easy steps

September 12, 2016 // by Admin// Leave a Comment

1.Find your web presence.

Building a successful web presence because with choosing your web host. I have had several of these and I vote Bluehost as they have less down time, better technical support, and great prices. For a back end, I enjoy Word press. It is very user friendly, especially considering how dynamic the user experience is for business sites, bloggers, merchants, minisites, portfolios, and much more.

2.Weather proof your gear.

I learned this the hard way after losing 2 lap tops in Costa Rica due to excessive humidity, I decided to go Mac and I haven’t looked back. If you are going through really harsh
conditions, I have heard really great things about the Toughbook, however I use a 13 inch Macbook air and it has served me well in Costa Rica on several occasions over the years.

3.Establish your communications. You will most likely have a lot of clients from all over the place. Skype has long distance calling for as little as 3 cents a minute, and I really love the app Talkatone. It’s free to get a US phone number, text, and receive incoming calls. As far as your phone goes, check with your provider about international rates, and unlocking for everyone besides AT&T. For anywhere wifi, check out the Airport Express by Apple .

4.Become your own accountant.

I really love fresh books (freshbooks.com) for invoicing and book keeping. Paypal for accepting and sending payments and e-Junkies for payment & fulfillment for your ebook, audio, or other information products.

5. Travel Wisely.

For flights I really love Skyscanner and WhichBudget.

(At top of article)I started traveling when I was in my early twenties. I knew, from the moment I peered over the city of Rishikesh from our roof top of an Ashram that we had rented a room from, that I wanted to not only do this for the rest of my life, but make money while doing. I envisioned a plan right then and there. I imagined what my life would like like while doing this for the next few years while building this, and then beyond when I was established doing this. I knew I wanted to teach others how to live this way, if they chose to, because in my experience, this is really living.

So if you, like me, have the travel bug, but it’s more like a lifestyle rather than a phase, follow these simple 5 simple steps into creating your Mobile Lifestyle.

Alana Roach is a International Yogi currently based out of Annapolis, MD. Formerly adorned by the city lights and the busy streets of America, she was then whisked away by the illustrious path of yoga and took to traveling the world to share it with others. A few years back she started to write about the transformation she undertook by practicing conscious meditation. Her passions became her career and she now holds RYS Teacher Trainings & International Retreats, Health Coaches, and writes every opportunity she gets. In her spare time she loves cuddling with her daughter, surfing, being in nature, and living amongst her ever growing and global loving and conscious community. She is on Facebook , Instagram, Twitter, and can be reached by email explorationsofself@gmail.com

I am a single mother living a digital nomad lifestyle

September 10, 2016 // by Admin// Leave a Comment

I am a single mother living a digital nomad lifestyle.

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5 Ways To Feel Into What Works For Health

October 19, 2014 // by Alana Roach// 1 Comment

I was recently approached by someone who was curious about the way our mind and body connect in relation to the food they give it. They, like me, had more than one expectation when, “Going mind/body green.” Expectations can lead to confusion, and I have explored my own questions with vigor and dedication for the past 6 years. Yoga has opened me up to a mind/body/Spirit connection that I had never dreamed possible. Shortly after my first yoga class I stopped eating chicken and beef… why? I simply lost the taste and it felt right. I have been FEELING into what is right ever since and benefiting leaps and bounds. A lot of it, for me, is trial and error. I want to share some of these trials with you. Please know that I am not a doctor, please seek a health professional before trying any of this on your own.

Please remember that these are merely examples of my own experience and I truly believe that everyone is a bit different. I am an advocate of learning how to LISTEN to your body with and open heart and attuning that heart so you can more easily access Self-Love & Acceptance.

5 Ways To Feel Into What Works For Health

1. Trying new things. I had to say it, but if I don’t try it, how do I know if it feels right or not. That could mean that yoga class or 5k marathon you have been putting on the back burner. Typically when I try something knew I reflect for a bit afterwards. I close my eyes and take about 5 or so long inhales and exhales, being mindful of my breath. After I empty my mind, I notice how I feel in that moment. If I feel even a little better than I did when I walked in, I mark it off in the, “Do it again category.”
2. Eating slowly and deliberately. I try to only eat when I am hungry and when I eat slowly I am able to savor the flavor of the food I am eating. I can feel the textures, taste the juices, and I give my body time to fill up! It takes about 20 minutes for our belly to chat with our brain and let it know that it’s full. I eat extra slow these days (Or maybe it feels that way because I am usually the last one to finish).
3. Journaling how you feel after you eat. This can be fun and also a little disheartening. When I started to recognize the patterns in how I felt after I ate certain foods, I realized I had to make major changes in my diet. This also means to recognize how you feel in the morning after you eat that late meal. Timing food can be a big factor in feeling your best. So once again, eat your meal or drink your juice and close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and say to yourself, “How do I feel in this moment.” With love and kindness, answer HONESTLY (Honesty is the only way this works)… If you feel tired, groggy, grumpy, foggy, upset stomache, bloated, and the like… you may have to reconsider what you are putting in your body.
4. Eating the Ahimsa Way. Ahimsa is a yogic term which means non-violence. This could mean non-violence for you but also non-violence for whatever it is you are consuming. I am not saying to go vegan because again, no two bodies are the same… but I am saying to notice where your energy level is after you eat that farm raised egg, chicken wing, etc. Do you all of a sudden feel angry, sad, etc? The cleaner I started eating, the more sensitive to this I became. Opting for organic whole foods is always a safe bet, but no two people are the same in what they need, breathe/pause, feel into what’s right.
5. Environment. Surrounding myself with positive, uplifting people and seeking out healthy environments (Excluding bars, etc.) helps me stay on track. This becomes easier the healthier one gets. I believe we are all mirrors for one another, and like attracts like. Water will seek water at the same level, so the healthier and whole you get, the more of the same will come to you. So work on yourself, practicing self-compassion, unrelenting forgiveness the whole way. Just be mindful of what or who you put your energy towards or into. Breathe/Pause/Ask!

With much love, light, and honor for your Inner Journey,

Alana Roach
CYT, E-RYT, Wellness Motivator, Travel Blogger/Writer/Artist
alanaroachyoga.com

Want to explore feeling into your health with me in Costa Rica this January? Click here to find out more!

Wildlife Refuge in San Jose, CR

October 11, 2014 // by Alana Roach// Leave a Comment

While we walked through, my talented and handsome companion took these beautiful pictures www.lancelaurence.com

As we walked through this breathtaking sanctuary we were guided by a lovely and knowledgable lady who proceeded to tell us some devastating stories about these beautiful conciousnesses. A lot of them were bought through illegal animal trafficking and when the Refuge took them in they were in really bad shape. A monkey who was kept in a small cage for year by a drug trafficer now has nervous ticks and though they are working with him to reduce his stress on a daily basis, he swings wildly with ptsd. A turtle who was poisoned by someone coating their shell with toxic red paint because they got bored of the natural markings it came with and another who got run over by a car and was left to die. A crocidile who was tied up by a group of people with the intention of killing it and left it there so long it lost both of it’s front arms and dislocated it’s jaws. While I am forever grateful that Refugees exist, it is extremely disheartening to know that all of the abuse cases I saw were because of humans. It reminds me to be mindful of ALL living creatures, and how even a small action good or bad can have a mass chain reaction that can effect the world. This was just a microcosm of what is going on, on a much bigger scale. We are in trouble and desperately need to work in harmony to save all species in this world. Concious co-living is the answer to this.

Let’s work together to save this planet and all beings that reside on it!

With much love and light,

Alana
CYT, E-RYT, Reiki, Wellness, Travel Blogger
www.alanaroachyoga.com

5 Ways To Beat Negative Self Talk

September 22, 2014 // by Alana Roach// Leave a Comment

“Remember sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” Dalai Lama

Today I look to the true beauty with-in and surrounding me and I am in awe because if it weren’t for all of the relationships, jobs, & material items that did not work out the way I had hoped, I wouldn’t be where I am. Yet, in those moments, where it’s not going according to “plan,” I sometimes feel utterly lost, angry, confused, and alone. I think all things negative before all things positive. I stop trusting in Spirit and I want to give up, but it is in those moments I grow the most. How boring this life would be if it all went according to, “Plan.” It is certainly navigatable by positive thinking and intention, but there are always bends and twists that I never see coming. I think that is so cool in retrospect, because it always works out for the best. Why is that? Some would say there is a Divine plan. I certainly think believe there is.

So when my mind starts beating me up in times of uncertainty and doubt I try to remember these 5 things.

1. I am not my thoughts. Thoughts come and go, I have a choice whether or not to latch onto one of those suckers and let it take me on a wild ride.
2. I am fully alive. Being alive is being present to all things, not just the, “Good,” ones.
3. There is a reason for EVERYTHING. The mantra, “I am exactly where I am meant to be in this moment and I have great purpose,” keeps it real for me.
4. Get present, get grateful. GRATITUDE, I can’t say it enough. If I am grateful in this moment, fear can not exist.
5. Is it true? Is it really true? How do I know that it’s true? (The work) My mind will turn on me in a second, and when it does, these questions bring me back to the now, and in this moment, I am always taken care of.

Namaste and pura vida 😉

Alana Roach
CYT, E-RYT, Reiki, Travel & Wellness Writer, Life Lover
www.alanaroachyoga.com