Retreating

3 times a year i travel around the country with Yoga Journal Magazine to their conference retreats. I have worked an exchange for my travel, lodging, food, and classes for working with their sponsors, presenters, and registrants. So here i am again, this time closer to home, just outside Estes Park. For 8 days I'll be relishing my sobriety, taking yoga classes from the best instructors in the world, eating vegan, and attending late night panel discussions on the previous. It is nice to have no distractions and be among such a positive and spirtiual community again.
I cannot say that my yoga practice in anything but beginning, so i often enjoy the mind and body lectures as much as the actual physical practice itself.

Truthfully i can't remember the last time i went just 1 week without lifting my spirits with alcohol and other things. I have no regrets about my lifestyles at home, but i do regret my lack of discipline in this matter. That said, i feel it is my true weakness and yoga helps teach me control through an absolute freedom and clarity that i have untapped within me everyday.

I always thought by hiking in and bouldering as much as possible that i was living a healthy lifestyle. i suppose to an average mid-westerner, i am. I am not. So I am enjoying the process again of learning where, at least for me, true balance is through re-connecting with the practice of yoga. I hope also to return this Sunday feeling inspired and rejuvenated towards bouldering.

Each morning so far there has been the sounds of bugling elks and fresh blankets of snow on the peaks of RMNP. From my little world i can see that the climbing season there is closing fast. Enjoy it while you can. Namaste.