"now she's back in the atmosphere
with drops of jupiter in her hair."
i've returned from this magical little place that is nestled into the nooks and crannies of the world's most ancient mountain range. bend of ivy lodge, in the blue ridge mountains just north of asheville, was the location of alena hennessy's soul painting retreat. it was so very luscious. as i sifted through my photographs, i became aware that i was more present with my eyes and heart than with my camera.
still, i did not neglect to capture some of the magnificence of this week. they are in no particular order as i have not yet shaken off the rhythm of retreat (i.e. go with the flow, say yes, be present, be open, etc.). i'm going to hold on to it as long as i can.
everything we did...painting, talking, laughing, eating, sitting in silence...was adorned with the sounds of nature: the creeks, the crickets, the rustling trees, the birds, the goats, the thunderstorms.
there was so much attention to spirit.
alena's teaching style is gentle and intuitive. she provides demonstrations and guidance, but the painting process is yours alone. i love this.
and it was such a delight to have the joyful and profoundly talented mati rose to teach and guide too.
summer's lush was just barely yielding to the crisp nature of autumn. the grounds were incredible.
the lodge was cozy and you could tell its walls had held much happiness over the years. we enjoyed yoga, qoya, reiki, journeying, storytelling and meditating here.
and we were nourished with an abundance of organic food sourced from local farms and providers.
all of our meals were made from scratch and with love by dava. i have never been so well fed on so many levels. the food was quite simply the most beautiful energy my body has ever had the pleasure to taste and smell and touch and see and hear.
even with all the amazing amenities and activities, it is always the people who make or break a retreat. these women, who bravely came from near and far and gathered to quickly create a sisterhood out of strangers, they are the heart of this retreat. they are artists and singers and healers and huggers and dancers. the mountains will echo their laughter for a long time to come.
thank you life.
bonus list of things to start practicing in real life:
- wear a bindi every day
- dance qoya and shake your body like a dog
- walk in nature
- put your fingers in some paint and move it around a bit
- sing to the sun
- crap food doesn't feed your body or your soul, cook and eat like dava.
- let people hug you.
- people that make you laugh until you cry: find more of them.
