Feed your soul on an Adventure Retreat with Yogi Magee
Anytime my friend Natalie has asked me to come along and photograph any of her yoga and hiking retreats, I jump on the opportunity fast. There is magic in her retreats and I love the opportunity to not only capture the joys on film but also bring a bit home with me.
I know what you are thinking. Why not just save the money and plan your own adventure. Any why would you want to spend your hard earned vacation time with strangers?
Natalie does the planning for you
I don’t know about you all, but as awesome as the internet is, it can be downright overwhelming. The endless options available to deep dive into when researching a vacation locale can quickly take away from the joys of the vacay in the first place. When we are all overworked and over stimulated, having someone plan all aspects of a trip can be quite luxurious. She takes the time to arrange the lodging, choose the hikes, lead twice daily yoga and more. Just show up and participate in what you want. Which leads me to….
Take the retreat that you need
While Natalie does plan an itinerary for everyday, participation levels are completely up to you. Want to go all in and take advantage of twice daily yoga AND the breakfast AND the morning hike? Get it! You will have all sorts of new friends joining you. But feeling a bit depleted and wanna sleep in? Go for it. You can check back in with the group at breakfast and take in the hike. Wanna bail on hiking and just go shop around town? You do you! There are no permanent commitments and you get to make the retreat what you need it to be. Adventure filled, purely relaxing or a sweet spot in between.
Connect and find that tribe
The first time I came to a retreat with Natalie I was pretty intimidated. Over the years I had convinced myself that I can’t connect with others. So the thought of going on an extended retreat with strangers, women at that, was a scary prospect. I can’t emphasize enough how wrong I was, and how every one of her retreats have flipped that script in my head. A yoga and hiking retreat, while for anyone, definitely attracts a certain type. And I don’t mean super skinny and bendy yogis who are sun kissed and blessed with a tribe of friends who post all over IG and make us feel less than about ourselves. I mean women that are looking for adventure, and challenge, and wanting new experiences. The women that want a connection but haven’t quite found it on the level they desire. The women that want to go out and try new things whether they have a travel buddy or have to go it solo. I have been on three of Natalie’s retreats and every time I have walked away feeling full filled and renewed. Feeling confident in what I bring to the table. Confident in what I bring out in others. And confident in the future.
Experience the Rockies
Natalie leads retreats all over the world. However the real treat is getting out with her in the Rockies which she explores endlessly. She has been coming to these tiny mountain towns for years and it shows. Not only does she take you on awesome hikes that you would have to dig through google maps to find, she knows the restaurants, the hot springs, and all the best spots to feel more like a local (read respect the area and it’s residents) and less like a tourist.
Summer Camp for Adults
When it comes down to it, we all kinda miss being kids. And not just being kids, but kids on summer vacation, running around on their bikes with their friends. Eating ice cream and playing at the neighborhood park before you were called home and crashed out in a sun drenched bliss. Well, Natalie’s retreats are like that for adults. Grab a cup of coffee and make your way to the mountain top for a gentle yoga session to awake the body. Make your way down the mountain with the sun shining on your face and grab breakfast while chatting with a new friend. Anxiously head back and get to your condo and change for the hike that will have you finally understanding what mountains majesty means. Head on back to town and grab a bike to do a leisurely cruise, or save your legs and get a glass of wine on a rooftop. Maybe instead you head to the pool or hot tub and relax a bit before night time yoga and dinner. Use the opportunity of this retreat to get back to the joys of summer as a kid.
I can’t recommend checking out her retreats enough. Check out her website for more info. And should you like to really see more of what a retreat really looks like, take a hop on over to my photography page here.
