Memories of FLOW SurfYogaSamba Year 3

I'm feeling nostalgic because another epic FLOW SurfYogaSamba weekend retreat has come to an end. We celebrated our 3rd year of existence at Casa San Miguel in Zambales. 

Facade of Casa Backstage Cafe

Back in 2009, the 3 of us yummy mummies (yes, we each have 1 son!) were already into surfing, yoga & samba but we needed a venue for all of us to try each others passion out. Then came the idea of organizing an awesome retreat weekend away from the maddening city that included all of that. Since then, we have done 9 successful FLOW weekend retreats...and counting!

Denise, Me & Noelle

For every participant, we gave an earth friendly FLOW tote bag filled with sponsored goodies which they can use all throughout the weekend. For this retreat, we had Bobble filtered water bottles,  Moringana capsules and tea bags, Vitaminboost & Lightwater from Suncoast, face & body sunblock from Belo Essentials Sun Expert, Human Nature feminine wash, Travel Magazines and travel tags, FLOW tees plus gcs from Beyond Yoga, Fitness Lab and STRIP & Browhaus.

The FLOW eco tote bags are for sale, email flowsurfyogasamba@gmail.com

One of the special things about going out of the city is that we can do yoga amidst nature, fresh air & greens. I led the Yin Yoga class in the whimsical garden of artists, Plet Bolipata & Elmer Borlongan. What a special treat to hear crickets, see the stars, feel the grass...a heightened yoga experience!

Yoga + Nature = perfect combination, always!

Corey Wills also taught a Surf-inspired yoga class which helps build strength and loosen tight muscles after surfing.

Then some AcroYoga moves to go with the class to lighten up the mood. Always a crowd pleaser :)

One of our participants also happens to be a yoga teacher from Absolute in Bangkok, Thailand. Canadian skiing Paul Verchere willingly shared with us by teaching a Vinyasa class to his new FLOW friends :)

Despite having no waves last weekend, everyone learned so much ground training and safety skills from Surfasana.

Nuno Romao, head coach of Surfasana teaching participants

Some onboard drills 

FLOW collaborates with Surfasana

Our make shift tent

Mona Lisa Neuboeck, a certified raw food chef can turn anyone into live foods because of her glowing beauty. She gave a very enlightening lecture on how to create yummy snacks for any Raw Food Surf Trips :)

Mona's creations: Raw Sushi and Raw Breakfast Porridge

Each night, Toni and Bogey Bernardo of Escola de Samba de Manila would take on the beats with Denise Gonzales-Bernardo leading the Samba dance steps for beginners.  

The night scene

In every retreat, the FLOW girls share the benefits of drinking green smoothies. For our 3rd year anniversary, Noelle, Denise and I each shared our favorite recipes powered by Moringana.

We set up the FLOW SHOP for our guests to opt to buy their summer/beach essentials any time during the weekend.

Our mobile FLOW Shop goes wherever we do!

Of course, our retreats are not complete without giving out special prizes from our sponsors! After presenting everyone with their certificate of completion, we presented all those that gave it their all during the activities, superstars for surfing, yoga & samba! 

The long weekend is over but the memories of FLOW SurfYogaSamba retreat will stay in our hearts forever <3 font="font" nbsp="nbsp">This wraps up another epic weekend, thanks to all our participants (from Canada, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines), teachers and sponsors: Havaianas, Aura Athletica, Bobble, Belo Essentials Sun Expert, Moringana, Lightwater, Vitaminboost, Beyond Yoga, Aloha Boardsports, Billabong, Browhaus, Strip, Lagu, Human Heart Nature, Fitness Lab, Travel Magazine and My Life on Board