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Women In Wellness Retreat Report October 24 – November 4 2009 |
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We had such a wonderful time that plans are already in the works for next year's event. We hope that next year we will have more presenters and people sharing their expertise or hobbies and that more presenters will participate in other activities. We realized that all women give of themselves in their career and personal lives so they all need a chance to give back to themselves and to network and spend time with other women. We want to thank all the participants and presenters for their commitment and for giving so freely, and bravely of themselves.  Many of the group arrived on Saturday, October 24th. We hit the road running, or I should say, hit the bay with a splash! The group immediately got in their suits and headed to the water. Heather from Extreme Control brought her paddleboards and gave a great demonstration and allowed many to give it a try. We ended the day with Happy Hour at Lol Ha and dinner. Some folks got a chance to see baby hatchlings released by CEA. Most people were tired from traveling all day and called it an early night.  Sunday we had a pleasant morning with a great sunrise and calm bay, just perfect for snorkeling. Some people got their exercise early with Gynna, Sexy Snake's Bellydancing class. It not only was a lot of fun but an incredible work out. The class is held in the Yoga Studio every Sunday Morning and costs 100 pesos. We had so much fun that we scheduled another class by the pool for later in the week.  The day was relaxing but also full of exercise, with water aerobics, swimming, and impromptu dancing after dinner at Lolha. And to top it all off we saw 3 water spouts over the bay and a double rainbow.  Monday was another fabulous day, starting with a 2-hour introduction to Yoga led by Marti Johnston. We stayed busy all day with shopping, snorkeling, and water aerobics. Later that afternoon some of us attended Quita's “Destress for Success” workshop, which was really great information about how our minds and hearts work. Happy Hour was fun with Quita's Salsa lessons. Many of us headed for dinner at Cueva. Are those twinges we felt from belly dancing, swimming, water aerobics, salsa or yoga? It doesn't matter because it all felt so good. And the best part was the laughter!!!! It truly is the best medicine. Tuesday we spent the entire day exploring Xel-Ha. The group stayed together for breakfast and floated down the river together and then everyone went off to explore and do their own thing. Some walked, some floated down the river again. Others shopped and many found time to relax in a hammock.  Wednesday was a full day and more women arrived either Tuesday night or Wednesday. Those who were already around headed to Yal Ku lagoon on golf carts, and after snorkeling and doing a noodle class in the lagoon we headed over to Casa Romero to visit Quita and enjoy the rooftop pool. Happy hour held more Salsa lessons from Quita. Our Women In Wellness dinner was great, with a dinner show by Gynna Sexy Snake as well as a Latin Dance group.  Thursday was work for those taking WaterART's Personal Training program. But the rest of us had a lovely day with water sports of our choosing. Several of the women gathered at the CEA Center to have a blessing of the water, led by Quita. It was an opportunity to take a moment and appreciate all we receive and to give back through powerful positve energy. Lunch at Turtle Bay Cafe was highlighted by a great fashion show by Ixchel Boutique. Mary Henderson did a great job and all her models were fantastic. We cooled off with a noodle class led by Drusilla, it was abruptly interrupted when Barbara's Birthday Bouquet arrived – her husband did a great job of surprising her. Quita had her second workshop in the Destress for Success series on assertiveness; and it was wonderful to share our thoughts and feelings in a safe and supportive atmosphere.  Later that afternoon many of us headed to Playa del Carmen for some incredible shopping on 5th Avenue and we were surprised with a Day of the Dead Parade. Dinner that night was as the magnificent John Gray's Place. We feasted on a 3 course menu and it was the perfect way to celebrate Barbara's birthday.  On Friday we had to say goodbye to three of our participants and it made us all realize just how close we had become. We enjoyed Akumal that day and had a free day to do what we wanted and to relax. Even our water fitness class was in that mode, with Drusilla leading a Tai Chi workout. That afternoon Quita gave her final workshop on Investing in yourself and again it was wonderfully enlightening. That evening at Happy Hour at Lol Ha we had a little surprise – CEA announced that more hatchlings were being released. And that worked perfectly into the theme of the night since Nancy Poor did a small fundraiser for CEA – she brought some of her wonderful jewelry and donated the money to CEA – we raised $360 that night.  Heather To Cowgirl  Sunday was Day of the Dead. Many of us relaxed during the day. That afternoon we went on an amazing sunset sail. The crew took us to Yal Ku Chica to snorkel and enjoy the pristine setting. We were so fortunate to sail that night because, not only was it great weather, but we had a full moon rising as we headed back. That evening some of us headed back to La Buena Vida for a quiet dinner.  Monday some folks headed to Sian Kaan on a private tour, others went ATVing, diving, snorkeling or shopping. It was a day that everyone got to choose what they wanted to do. Several of us had dinner at La Lunita on Half Moon Bay.  Tuesday was a WaterART's day with some of us working on our various certifications. While others made sure they got all the photos and souvenirs that they wanted. It was a gorgeous day and we all made the most of it. Wednesday we all said goodbye – but none of us will forget the great time we had. Many are already talking about attending next time. I want to thank several people who went above and beyond to help make this an incredible experience. First I want to thank Laura Bush Wolfe for all her support, hard work and great ideas and for making space available for us including allowing WaterART to film in her pool. And for her entire staff – even Gary who was full of pranks. We could not have done this without Laura being there helping me every step of the way. Thanks to Blanca “Quita” Sanchez-Navarro for presenting such a wonderful workshop series as well as her latin dance lessons – and for her wonderful spirit and great laugh! A special thanks goes out to WaterART's Julie Twynham and Drusilla Leitch for their marketing efforts throughout the year and for leading such great classes, what inspirations you are. Marti Johnston, thanks for being you. You shared so beautifully and opened up the world of Yoga to us and also made a great model! Gynna Sainz, what can I say? You are an amazing teacher and such a multi-talented young woman. Thanks for all you did to entertain us and make us get in touch with that wonderful child in all of us. Mary Henderson, Jen and Bart Smith – thanks for the Fashion show luncheon it was so much fun and it was so great to see such a great turnout. You all succeeded in attaining what the Women In Wellness was all about – bringing together visitors and locals, presenters and participants! Kudos! And thanks models. Karena Black and the staff at John Gray's Place – wow what a feast! Thank you for providing an elegant dinner arranged just for us! Nancy Poor, thank you for providing your jewelry, many of us are now proud to say “this is from my Nancy Poor Collection.” It was a great way for our group to give back to Akumal by supporting CEA which is vigilant in the protection of this little piece of paradise. Charlene Powell, a special thanks goes out to you. To me you are like the Welcome Wagon Lady of Akumal, a constant smile, a genuine greeting and always there to answer a question. La Buena Vida – Job well done on another fine Halloween Party. And thanks to TSA Reservations who helped us with our Sunset Sail and to the amazing crew who did a great job and kept us laughing the entire time. Nayeli Aparicio for your help with the transportation and your wonderful store full of authentic Mexican art. Thanks Heather Froeming for sharing your Extreme Control Paddleboards with us and not laughing when I walked off the back. Thank you Juan, El Indio for those incredible massages, you have such healing powers that one can't put into words how they make us feel. Eva Estes for the incredible Maya Breeze oils that made our massages even better. And to all our participants who grew closer to each other each and every day one laugh at a time. More photos can be seen on Facebook. Become a Fan of Just Imagine Vacations, Inc. Read about 2nd Annual Women In Wellness. |
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