“Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere. And sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself.”

Last week, I bumped into a friend at a coffee shop and in conversation, she referred to my Costa Rica retreats as “Speakeasy” retreats. This was the second time I heard this comment, so clearly in my little town, this is the word on the street.

I chuckled with a big smile but was confused. For me, the word “speakeasy” brings up images of hidden, mysterious bars in the ’20s with red velvet couches and well-made cocktails. So I had to ask…Why are people referring to my retreats as “speak-easies”?

She laughed at the thought of a boozy, sultry retreat and said:

“No. That’s not what people think!   Your retreats just seem to fly under the radar and sell out quickly. To find out about them and understand how to get in, you have to be “in-the-know”. They’re sort of a secret.”

Alright…I have to pause here and own that I kinda suck at marketing    marketing is a growing edge for me. (Yes, I left that in on purpose so you can see how my crazy mind works.)

I’m incredibly proud of my work and the retreat experiences I create, but tooting my own horn feels a little weird. The last thing I want though is for anyone to think that they are not invited or welcome on my adventures.

After walking home, I googled “speakeasy” to better understand my new reputation. Here are some words that came up:

• Intimate gathering
• Hidden or Secret event or location
• Impossibly hard to find
• Exclusive vibe, a place for insiders or those in the know
• Lack of publicity, contributing to the in-the-know cachet
• Information spread only by word of mouth
• A really good time!

There were also words like: illegal, booze, and prostitution, but I will sidestep those since those allegations aren’t intended for me…thank goodness.

Turns out, there are a few things that are true about “Speakeasies” AND my offerings.

• My retreats are intimate. And new friendships are born from our shared experience in paradise. Every year, women tell me that their favorite “unexpected surprise” on retreat was meeting and getting to know other amazing, interesting, engaging women.
• The retreat is a really good time!…This is absolutely true, but instead of returning home hung over, you return to your life healthier, restored, connected, and happier.
• Side note: Fancy cocktails and wine are available, but the retreat is not a booze-fest, nor are there prostitutes. So, if you are currently signed up and thought this was part of the package, please reach out immediately. 🙂

The rest of the “Speakeasy” reputation is a myth.

My retreats are not meant to be hidden, secret, or exclusive, in fact, I value connection and inclusion more than a perfectly aligned yoga pose, which is saying something for an anatomist like myself.

l want everyone to feel welcome: all fitness levels, abilities, body types, races, religions, sexual preferences…and beyond. Truth is, the thing that makes my heart soar is holding space for others to come together, support one another, and return to life feeling a sense of connection, restoration, balance, & levity…and maybe have slightly longer hamstrings.

I’m committed to doing a better job of sharing my retreats with the world and making it clear when registration doors open.

So check it out…I have an invitation for YOU!

If you long to step out of your life to take care of yourself and breathe yourself full again, I’d love for you to join me where the jungle meets the ocean for a week of yoga, surf, and soul nourishment.  You can find retreat details, dates, accommodation pics, and more, here on my website retreat page.

Feel free to reach out.  I’d love to connect with you, answer any questions you might have, and help you secure your spot in paradise.

love,

Tener

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Photo by Shanti LaRue