Looking for Yoga and Retreats near Philadelphia, NJ or PA?
There are so many areas of natural beauty in the surrounding countryside of the Philly Metro Area. West Chester, Lancaster County and Chester County all have
Scenic trails at Tenemos Retreat Center
beautiful rolling hills where you can enjoy the stillness of nature and ponder and contemplate. There is something very revitalizing about being in the stillness of nature. It actually recharges you to be surrounded by the oxygen that trees produce. Have you ever noticed how just being near a waterfall invigorates you? That is because there are tons of negative ions that are produced when there is a waterfall and also just before a rainstorm? This actually has many proven health benefits and some electric air purifiers use this ionization technology to cleanse the air in your home.
Before you go on a retreat make sure what is included in the cost. Is food, snacks, drinks included? Do you have to bring your own yoga mats, blankets and other props? Is it really luxurious like the Four Seasons or is it bare bones and rustic? What will happen in the case of inclement weather? Can you reschedule or do you get a refund? What is the refund policy in case an emergency comes up or you get sick? How easy or difficult is the retreat to find? Are you able to find it on your GPS? You always should print out a map before driving out in the countryside to a retreat since a GPS doesn’t always track it correctly and you might not get cell phone coverage way out in the boondocks.
Fire-side snuggling at Tenemos Retreat Center near West Chester, Pa
If you were looking to get away with your sweetie but can’t afford or justify a weekend where you stay overnight someplace, what about a yoga workshop where you do romantic poses for couples or partners? Before you go just make sure it is a workshop suitable for beginners and that it is not overly physically demanding. Some types of partner yoga are actually acrobatic yoga where you are holding up all your partner’s weight on your feet and you are actually flying them. I wouldn’t recommend this for those that are not athletic or are not seasoned yoga students since you need a fair amount of body awareness in order to balance another person on your feet.
Make sure the poses are gentle and beginner friendly. Most first time yoga students have a fair amount of anxiety and fear before their first yoga class so it is always better to have a class that feel gentle and accessible so that the yoga newbie won’t be freaked out at all the weird contortions that some very advanced yogis can get their body in.
Many of the romantic poses for couples let you find a deeper sense of kinesthetic support from your partner and you will find you can move through fear and issues of mistrust and start to open up to support. It can be a very emotionally vulnerable experience so you would not want to do these kinds of poses on a first or second date but with someone that you are already committed to since you will explore more depth in your connection together that might not be appropriate for someone you don’t know that well. Most couples yoga classes will also have guided Thai massage lessons as well which can be so nurturing and healing.
My favorite type of snow, beautifully covers the grass and trees with a light blanket.
For free articles about yoga mailed once a month, email info at synergybyjasmine dot com with “Request Yoga Tips” in headline.
My Review of SaveTheMarriage.com which gives you tool to stop divorce
When I was about to marry my hottie, hellenic hubby I told him, “Divorce is not an option, but murder is”. If one of us ever wanted out someone is going to have to push someone else off the Grand Canyon.
Did you go into your marriage thinking, “Well, if it doesn’t work out, we can just get a divorce.” Going in with this kind of watery commitment is not going to hold you two together when the seas get rough. Marriage is a deep psychological process that has shaken the foundation of my identity. I think I knew I was married when I started to use “We” instead of “I” and “our” instead of “mine”. Shifting from an individual to an entity was a huge shift in my perception and lifestyle.
Dr Baucom’s present a different paradigm of couples counseling that is a shift away from the meaningless “finding ways to communicate better”. His book presents key distinctions about the nature of relationship, power struggles that inevitably come up, issues of control, independence and feeling like your marriage is a ledger book filled with “I did this for you, so you owe me”. He also makes us question why your marriage is important to you and what is it actually providing for you “security, support, companionship, social status etc).
Here is one of his homework assignments that was valuable to me.
What are the top three ways your partner feels loved?
What are the top three ways you best feel loved?
In the next week, what are the 5 ways you will commit to showing love to your spouse?
This is not a quick read and not a manual to be read for education value and should not be read casually while in line for the grocery store, but neither is the decision to leave your marriage. This book is intended for those that feel like their marriage is quickly disintegrating and not sure how to salvage it, even if your partner is unwilling to put energy into reviving it such as going to couples therapy. Think of it as marriage boot-camp and be willing to things that you are not comfortable with and that are not convenient. Are you committed to your marriage or are you committed to your excuses?
Yoga, Spas, Romantic Ideas from Philadelphia and Retreats
We hope you had an enjoyable, and fun Holiday (Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza) connecting with family & friends along with an exciting start to the New Year of 2012.
We finished the last two weeks of 2011 visiting family and friends in Southern California and four days in Las Vegas just the two of us. Vegas. . . a great date night ideas (weekend), and we found a room at The Rio for only $40!
We explored the sights, sounds and smells of Sin City from the gluttonous Rio Buffet, uber romantic Venetian Grand Canal, the luxurious Qua Spa at Cesar’s (the best and most underrated spa in the country…. did you know I used to work at Spafinder.com for 3 years?) and the dreamy Bellagio Watershow from 51 stories above in the Eiffel Tower at the Paris (check out our video).
We also explored some of the not so visited areas of Vegas like the Atomic Testing Museum which chronicled the nearly 1,000 nuclear detonations in the Nevada desert. Quite a contrast to the entertainment on the Strip with the fiery tribal volcano show at The Mirage, and haunting Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay.
We started 2012 attending a series of performances and a spiritual kirtan (concerts and chanting) at the World Beat Center in San Diego.
We thoroughly enjoyed the music, food and vibe all for a the recession special price of $27.50. I usually hate New Year’s Eve with all the crowded drunken revelry but this celebration was joyous and soulful.
Yep, you don’t have to spend a small fortune to entertain yourself and your significant other at some of those pricey events that are so heavily promoted.
Wondering what you can do for your next date night as we start 2012?
We will soon have a section on our website sharing pictures and video of creative and fun date night ideas you can use to spice up your love life from the zany and esoteric to exceptional value that your wallet will smile about.
We recently started sharing romance and yoga lifestyle related ideas on our website under Stuff I Like and Product Reviews.
Want to share creative date night ideas, we’d love to hear your ideas.
Yoga, Spas, Romantic Ideas from Philadelphia and Romantic Retreats
Guys, its good to start thinking about this stuff from now, especially with Valentines’s Day about a month away.
Venus Kriyas are meditations for couples and are excellent as a regular spiritual practice. There are several Venus Kriyas, but they are especially effective if couples choose one meditation to practice consistently for 40, 90 or 120 days to integrate a particular aspect of the relationship (40 days to change a habit, 90 days to confirm the habit and 120 days to make the new habit part of you. These couples’ meditations are an especially beautiful practice that can elevate your relationship to a higher level.
Couples Yoga Poses and Meditation Benefits
For couples who want to explore safe, playful ways of being tender and loving together, couples yoga poses can transform your connection. You will take turns placing each other in restorative poses and then massaging your partner’s hands, feet, neck and face while they simply get to relax and melt. In poses and exercises, partners rely on each other’s support to keep correct body alignment, balance, and concentration. In a deeper sense, this physical support fosters deeper feelings of nurture and acceptance. Couples are reminded to respect their own and their partner’s limitations of stretching and physical fitness and not push beyond them to the point of discomfort.
How does yoga transform you physically, mentally and spiritually?
Release chronic pain, tightness and that frozen feeling in your body through juicy stretching and deep breathing.
Each breath, coupled with movement and intention allows you to create the space for change.
Gain clarity to detach from outcomes during your day so that decisions and obstacles become less stressful, which keeps you off the emotional roller coaster for good.
Feel connected to the ether of the universe and the divine spark that resides in us all
Synchronize through breath, touch, intention, and movement and learn how to be sensitive to your partner’s needs with a healing, soothing practice
For free articles about yoga mailed once a month, email info at synergybyjasmine dot com with “Request Yoga Tips” in headline.
Jasmine Kaloudis teaches couples yoga poses as well as gentle beginner yoga in various Philadelphia area locations and is the author of the top mind body blogs and websites for 2011.
Yoga Couples Retreat near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Videos
Partner Yoga is a great way to learn surrender, build trust, and deepen intimacy. Partner Yoga can be practiced by anyone – no previous yoga experience is necessary. Some poses challenge your balance, strength and flexibility, others require your total trust and surrender. Each exercise and breathing technique uses the power of the partner dynamic to achieve more than one person could alone. From creative exercise to profound spiritual work, Partner Yoga delivers a diverse range of benefits to a wide array of people. This well rounded practice requires no special equipment and can be done in any open space (the living room, gym, or park).
Dating Ideas in Philadelphia for the Recession Wallet
For couples who want to explore safe, playful ways of being tender and loving together. You will take turns placing each other in restorative poses and then massaging your partner’s hands, feet, neck and face while they simply get to relax and melt. In poses and exercises, partners rely on each other’s support to keep correct body alignment, balance, and concentration. In a deeper sense, this physical support fosters deeper feelings of nurture and acceptance. Couples are reminded to respect their own and their partner’s limitations of stretching and physical fitness and not push beyond them to the point of discomfort.
1. How is partner yoga different from traditional yoga? Traditional yoga is an internally focused experience while partner yoga is about connecting, trusting, supporting, balance in relationship and play. Some poses challenge your balance, strength and flexibility, others require your total trust and surrender. You need to be mindful of your boundaries and limits while being sensitive to your partner’s boundaries as well. Each exercise and breathing technique uses the power of the partner dynamic to achieve more than one person could alone. From creative exercise to profound spiritual work, Partner Yoga delivers a diverse range of benefits to a wide array of people. This well rounded practice requires no special equipment and can be done in any open space (the living room, gym, or park). Working with a partner can also help you move beyond your own self-limiting ideas of what you can and can’t do. You experience being able to support and also be supported, trusting that someone will be there for you and letting someone trust you to be there for them, letting go and holding on as well. You can focus on your inner awareness and spirit and enrich your partner’s as well.
2. How does partner yoga enhance intimacy and communication? The poses are simply a doorway for you both to step deeper into your connection. When you stretch with you partner, your bodies melt each other’s tension and tightness. As a supportive partner, your role is to listen as well as share openly, and to treat the person you’re practicing with as you’d like to be treated. By exploring physical give-and-take, you and your partner can dive deeply into the principles that govern successful, supportive friendships and loving relationships. Be present and focus on each other during your partner yoga class or practice — and try not to take anything too seriously, Partner yoga is full of the hilarious and the divine
3. Is there a sensual aspect to Partner Yoga? Partner Yoga is not sexual in nature but can be emotionally intimate. It is a physical practice that can be done by couples, friends or families (mothers and daughters or sisters). Partner Yoga is not Tantra Yoga or any form of tantric practice. Tantra is a way for lovers to become united on more than just a physical level. Partner Yoga is not just for lovers. Partner Yoga is done fully clothed and there is no sexual touching that is involved. Participants are encouraged to come with their own partner since this is not a forum that encourages the exchange of partners. Partner Yoga honors and respects the commitments that couples have made to each other. Partner Yoga is open to couples of all orientations, gay, straight, bisexual or lesbian. If one does not have a romantic partner, one can still come with a good friend of either gender and feel comfortable and safe while engaging in the hands-on aspects of the practice.
For free articles about yoga mailed once a month, email info at synergybyjasmine dot com with “Request Yoga Tips” in headline.
Yoga for couples is a fun adventure into intimacy, play and relaxation. The poses are simply a doorway for you both to step deeper into your connection. When you stretch with you partner, your bodies melt each other’s tension and tightness. Whether your relationship is new or old, partner yoga will reinvigorate your life and renew your connection.
Couples Yoga Therapy
Couples Yoga is a medium created to build stronger communication and intimacy between human beings in a relationship. These Yoga Postures, breathing exercises and meditations are designed specifically to bring communication into a tangible form. We are here to help you to discover and experience the dynamics existing within your relationship
Couples Yoga compels companions to lay aside their differences while working to achieve a common goal. The simple act of breathing together and participating in a practice grounded in acceptance, unity and love translates to more open and authentic communication between partners.
This practice re-establishes weakened bonds. On the mat partners must have complete faith in each other. Postures are dependent on showing up for one another and giving equal effort. It is developed on trust and is a great metaphor for the nut and bolt aspect of all relationships.
There’s no finished, perfect pose or situation. This is about learning new methods to connect, and cooperate, while finding new ways to support each other.
Spiritual Couples Yoga Retreats in Pennsylvania near NYC and Philly
In these sessions you will learn a combination of the following practices:
Yoga postures
Breathing exercises
Partner Meditations
Massage techniques
Affirming your partner and Being Affirmed
The Power of Intention
If you begin a couples yoga class with an existing partner, talk with each other before going to the first class about what you want from this. Try not to let your expectations get overblown in terms of how the class can remedy any specific relationship challenges you’re having. Go in with an open mind and heart — not with a sense that this is going to fix something, but a willingness to learn and grow together by sharing and connecting through yoga.
As a supportive partner, your role is to listen as well as share openly, and to treat the person you’re practicing with as you’d like to be treated. Sound familiar? By exploring physical give-and-take, you and your partner can dive deeply into the principles that govern successful, supportive friendships and loving relationships.
Be present and focus on each other during your partner yoga class or practice — and try not to take anything too seriously, cautions Mahoney. “Take a deep breath and relax. Laugh together. Partner yoga is full of the hilarious and the divine.”
Spiritual Couples Yoga Retreats in Pennsylvania
A partners yoga pose sequence to try
Child’s pose is a simple favorite to explore with a partner. Everyone loves the deep release that the partnered variations give the sacrum and lower back. Child’s pose can also serve as a solid base for other heart openers such as Camel pose.”
Now add the couples elements: For a simple but delightful partners yoga massage, begin with one partner resting in child’s pose and then moving into the following sequence:
The active partner stands between the resting partner’s outstretched hands, and the resting partner takes firm hold of the active partner’s ankles.
The active partner leans forward and walks hands down the resting partner’s back until you come to an Upward Dog-like position with hands resting on the lower lumbar or sacral area of the back.
From here, the active partner moves his or her weight forward into the hands to give the resting partner a deep low-back release.
The active partner shifts weight back into his or her heels, releasing the pressure. Repeat several times. Very, very nice!
We thoroughly enjoyed the music, food and vibe all for a the recession special price of $27.50. I usually hate New Year’s Eve with all the crowded drunken revelry but this celebration was joyous and soulful.
