Mom Yoga Retreat: Getting Centered and Finding Happiness

A Weekend of Yoga for Moms

“When You Give What You Want Not What You Need … When You Love Someone But It Goes to Waste … But If You Never Try, You’ll Never Know.”

Never underestimate what you can accomplish when you believe in yourself.

My mom’s weekend retreat at Kripalu was meant to be a weekend of yoga, wine, tarot card readings, and mom bonding time. Oh, don’t forget some spa treatments and not having to cook or clean. It was all that but so much more.

There were eight of us moms. We are all at the same elementary school and connected in that wiggly, tangled web that is hard to follow but also so tight as to be unbreakable. Our kids are friends or classmates or once were one of these but aren’t anymore. They were teammates or went to the same summer camp, were in the same carpool, or again, none of the above. We moms exercise together, volunteer together at our school on the same committees, belong to the same country club, or again, none of the above.

It was in this safe environment that we were able to take some time to help our friends who had lost their way. Believe me, if you put a small group of women together who are tightly bonded, we can accomplish anything!

And that is the beauty of having eight wise women who have been there, done that. My mom friend Julie was my roommate on this trip and divorced almost a decade ago, subsequently remarrying and added two more kids. She was a beacon of hope for our recently divorced mom and another mom that was struggling through a mid-life crisis. What better place to tackle a mid-life crisis than at a yoga resort surrounded by the love and support of your friends?

Our other mom friend is frustrated by a career crossroads. She wants to return to work after a brief hiatus but in a work environment where she knows that she makes a difference.

I think that the root cause of all discontent is often be found by looking inward though this can be as mysterious as a zen koan. But I think the key is this:

If you change nothing, nothing will change.

Don’t be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try.

Mistakes are proof that you are trying.

I’ve been collecting quotes to live by on my Pinterest page and these speak to me. And perhaps, forgiveness, admittedly not my forté, is also important. But again, I think it starts with yourself and forgiving yourself. But here are more quotes to think about:

Do what is right, not what is easy.

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. (e e cummings)

Holding a grudge is letting someone live rent-free in your head.

The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. And the first to forget is the happiest …

For those of us on the trip,  there was comfort and resolution from a few things: insights from a tarot card reader that reinforced insights from friends about forgiveness, book exchanges, and a few bottles of wine. We left our yoga retreat a little more relaxed, and grateful for time well spent with friends.

Have you ever tried a moms trip without kids? What was your favorite trip?

p.s. In keeping with the Yoga As Inspiration theme, I wanted to share this video that my husband sent me. Enjoy! I cry every time I watch it but then I watch it again. If you never try, you’ll never know!

Best Self Help Books for Women

The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. “The days are long, but the years are short,” she realized. “Time is passing, and I’m not focusing enough on the things that really matter.” In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project.

In this lively and compelling account, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness when spent wisely; that outer order contributes to inner calm; and that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference.

The Essential Tarot Kit: Book and Card Set by Rosalind Simmons

The classic Hanson-Roberts Tarot deck and 112-page Essential Book of Tarot are combined in a beautiful, sturdy decorative box with a magnetic closure.

A great value (the deck alone sells for over $15), and a terrific resource for Tarot aficionados of all levels.

Surviving an Affair by Willard F. Harley

A guide to understanding and surviving every aspect of infidelity–from the beginning of an affair through the restoration of the marriage.

To examine any of the items listed, please click on image of item. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

image from NY Times eXaminer

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Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

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Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me