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Do you ever have those days where everything is just driving you nuts and you feel like you need an escape? Just a chance to press pause, go somewhere else and recharge, before returning to real life?
A couple years ago, I was feeling that way. I was at the end of my treatment for Lyme disease and just been feeling major cabin fever. I booked a last minute solo trip to the South of France, feeling excited and nervous and a little bit like my old, adventurous self. And that made me feel so hopeful, after literally years of fighting Lyme disease.
Despite my anxiety of traveling alone for the first time in probably a decade, it wound up being one of the best trips of my life. Nothing really significant happened. I didn't take any mind-blowing tours, or stay in any outrageous hotel. I didn't have any memorable meals or even talk to anyone, apart from the servers at the restaurants. I was quiet, soaking up the warm energy of Nice, taking in the beautiful views of the Cote d'azure, and enjoying swimming in that gorgeous water. I read, wrote, slept in, and shopped at the local grocery stores (my favorite thing to do when in another country - you can find out so much about a culture based on their grocery stores). It was perfect.
As I prepare for the YBC 2015 Spring retreats, I hope to deliver an experience like this for my students. When I dream up a retreat, I always have that type of person in mind - someone who just needs a little escape to recharge so that they return to real life feeling like the best version of themselves. Today, I'm excited to share what I'd pack for a yoga retreat (or any vacation, really), and offer what is quite possibly our best giveaway yet.
Pin it and enter to win this awesome giveaway!
Yoga Retreat Packing Guide
1. Socks with a grip {Great Soles, $12} - Traditional yoga practice says no to socks, but I think it's fun to switch it up once in a while and these, with a sticky grip on the bottom, mean you won't be slipping and sliding and can take your practice off the mat. Plus, wear them with hiking boots and enjoy your trek through the jungle!
2. Lightweight tee {Super Love Tees, $35} - If you're at a retreat where early morning meditation is first up on the schedule, believe me, you'll want to layer it up with a long sleeve, lightweight tee. This one has the bonus of a sweet inspirational message.
3. Lip balm {Splurge Skin Care, $7} - Probably best to leave your makeup at home, but do bring a good lip balm for a little hydration during the travel.
4. Hoodie {Eightyone20, $50} - Whether you're zip-lining through the rainforest, or taking a midnight trek out to the ocean to see turtles hatching, a quality hoodie is always a good call. This one is awesome with thumb holes and temperature control technology to keep you toasty warm.
5. Mantra necklace {Bohindi, $38} - Ok, probably not a necessity, but me and my travel anxiety love a good mantra, and this OM necklace is a nice reminder to stay in the moment.
6. Solid leggings {Cory Vines, $55} - For running around town, I love a good pair of solid leggings. These are nice and opaque, and hug in all the right places without feeling constricting.
7. Immunity boost {Kor, $4} - Traveling can take a big toll, so give yourself a little immunity boost with these raw shots from Kor!
8. Rain jacket {Crane and Lion, $185} - I certainly hope rain isn't in the forecast for your yoga retreat, but pack this bad boy just in case. It's lightweight and easy to travel with, and super flattering with a slim fit.
9. Mantra bracelet {Mantraband, $25 - $35} - Again, probably not a necessity, but I love these bracelets so much. They're simple in design, really high quality, and easy to slip in and out of when going through security at the airport.
10. Backpack {Bowndling, $130} - This is the perfect little backpack for day trips exploring the town. I love this one, with its vibrant color and simple design.
11. Yoga mat {Kharma Khare, $70} - Duh, you'll need a mat for a yoga retreat! I love this one, which is a lightweight travel option. It's also made from recycled car tires, and has no break-in period - perfect grip from the start!
12. Healthy snack {RxBar, $23.99} - This might sound crazy, but I tend to travel with snacks because I suffer from a serious case of HANGRY when I'm stuck without food. These bars are nice because they're made with ingredients you can actually pronounce, and never contain soy, gluten, or GMOs.
13. Protective beach bag {Itzy Ritzy*, $17.95} - No need to stress about sand on your kindle or shells scratching your sunglasses while at the beach - just pop them into a bag like this, and call it a day. *Not included in giveaway.
14. Treatment stick {Worker B, $11.50} - Whether your skin is dry, sunburned, windburned, or just itchy from that weird bug bite you got in the rainforest, this little stick, made with bee propolis, will help!
15. Printed leggings {Werkshop*, $88} - For yoga class, I love a good pair of printed pants. These are ah-mazing, with high quality fabric, stitching, and a gusset for total comfort throughout the class. *Not included in giveaway.
16. Hands-free storage for goods {Hip Appeal, $25.99} - While I love a great cross-body bag for travel, this little fanny pack is more discreet, and actually looks cute! Perfect for storing the essentials while you're exploring your surroundings!
We'll be picking three winners:
Winner one: receives everything above except the beach bag and printed leggings.
Winner 2 and Winner 3: will receive one mantra bracelet from Mantraband, and one fanny pack from Hip Appeal.
To Enter the Yoga Retreat Packing Guide:
I love getting to know you guys better, so let's share vacation stories. What was your most memorable for being totally amazing or supremely terrible? Where'd you go? Who'd you go with? Anything funny happen? Would you ever consider a solo trip?
Rules for entry:
- All entries will be verified (i.e. make sure you leave a comment as well as entering using the box below).
- This giveaway is open to those in the USA. I feel badly about this, but each country has different rules for giveaways. (In Canada, for example, apparently a winner cannot be chosen by random, but rather, some element of skill must be involved?) So to open it up to everyone would mean adding additional rules to ensure it complies with each country's laws. I apologize.
- Three winners will be chosen by random using Rafflecopter on February 17, 2015, and notified by email.
- he companies will be shipping each item separately. YBC will pass on the winners' info to each company, and then will not be responsible for communication/shipping between the winners and the companies.
- If you have a separate email for promotional use, feel free to enter using that email address because by entering the giveaway, you consent to being added to the YBC weekly newsletter list and receiving occasional promotional emails from the participating brands.