FLOW turns 4 in La Union

To mark our 4th year creating unique boutique weekend retreats, the FLOW Surf Yoga Samba is having another grand anniversary party at the San Juan Surf Resort on Nov 1-3 long weekend holiday in La Union.

Join me as I lead a beginner’s Yin Yoga class and a fun-filled Partner Yoga class in nature, our fave thing! Never surfed before or just want to hit the waves again in this upcoming surf season? The San Juan Surf School offers surfing classes for beginners and beyond led by Billabong Asia sponsored pro-surfer, Luke Landrigan. The party ain’t complete without the drum and dance sessions by the Samba School of Imperatriz Filipinense under drum director Toni Bernardo and Sambista, Denise Gonzales-Bernardo. Get your greens goin’ with our Green Smoothie and Raw Food workshop led by artist extraordinaire and vegetarian advocate, Noelle Hilario. Each participant gets to go home with a goodie bag filled with awesome items from our sponsors (Havaianas flipflops!!!)

This retreat is sponsored by: Aura Athletica, Havaianas, Bobble, Belo, Moringana, Lagu, STRIP, Browhaus, The Superfood Grocer, Rawlicious, The Juice Barista, Nyogi, Yamamay, San Juan Surf Resort, Cutieverse, LIghtwater, Vitaminboost, Travel Leisure Magazine, When In Manila, My Life on Board and Beyond Yoga,

What are you waiting for? Sign up at www.flowsurfyogasamba.com. Drop in rates also apply (See photo below!) Feel the FLOW fun! See ya’ll there!

SUNGAZING PROJECT

I got the opportunity to meet George Cromack during last year's FLOW Zambales retreat. He was one of the doctors in the team of Dr. Gabriel Cousens at Tree of Life in Arizona, a famous raw food & yoga sanctuary. I've known about Cousens since my days working with the people behind Bahay Kalipay. Cromack talked to us about the benefits of sun gazing. I didn't get to try it, had many doubts in my head but eventually gave it a shot last weekend at Anilao.

You're required to gaze at the sun for 10 seconds in increments each day at sunrise or sunset, when the sun is at the closest point to the earth... While being barefoot on soil or sand. (This is the tricky part as we live in mostly cemented city) I'll track my process, although it won't be as often as I would like it to be (since earthing is a challenge in the city where there is minimal access to actual soil- isn't that sad?).

Here are some listed from the global healing website:

Boosts production of melatonin and serotonin. Research shows sungazing stimulates the pineal gland as the direct sunlight hits the eye, moves through retinal-hypothalamic tract, and then hits the brain. This stimulates the pineal (“master gland”) and boosts the secretion of melatonin and serotonin, our “feel-good” hormones.

Increased energy levels. Modern day sungazers say the practice has boosted their vitality. This is probably related to the secretion of the aforementioned hormones.

Increases the actual size of the pineal gland. Not only can this practice boost hormone levels, it has also been shown to increase the size of the pineal gland. Normally, as we age, the pineal gland shrinks. However, brain scans of a long-term practitioner of sungazing show that this 70 year-old man has a gland three times as big as a normal man.

Promotes weight loss. One of the historical theories for sun gazing was that the body and mind could be nourished by the sun, reducing the need for food. Similarly, some modern day sungazers say they have lost excess weight, and some even report a total loss of the desire and need to eat.

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/health-benefits-of-sungazing/

There is also a documentary made on sun gazing called EAT THE SUN. Find the trailer on Youtube.

Curious? Give it a shot as well! And tell me about your experience.

FLOW Yoga and Detox Retreat at Cintai

Are you a mother feeling domestic stress? Or a burnt out workaholic? Take time to reconnect with your body, mind and nature. FLOW brings you a Yoga and Detox weekend at the Balinese-inspired sanctuary, Cintai Coritos Garden, Batangas on February 16-17. This is the first of the FLOW luxe retreat series focused on different paths to wellness.

Experience a refreshing getaway to jumpstart your journey to a healthier you. Practice rejuvinating and relaxing yoga asanas amidst the lush green surroundings and pranayama exercises with pure unpolluted air. Discover the benefits of un-cooking from the Intro to Raw Vegan Food class, drink age-defying green smoothies and enjoy hearty nourishing vegetarian meals. Learn personal detoxifying tips from the founders of FLOW and health advocates: Denise Bernardo, Monica Eleazar-Manzano and Noelle Hilario.

Package Rate: P6,880

Retreat Inclusions:

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2D/1N Shared Aircon Accommodation

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2 Yoga Sessions (Sunrise Vinyasa Yoga and Sunset Yin Yoga)

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Healthy vegetarian meals and snacks

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Intro to Raw Vegan Food and Green Smoothie Class

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DIY Detox Workshop: Oil Pulling, Energy Cleanse Tonic and more!

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Flow Shirt and Eco tote bag

To register for the retreat, log on to www.flowsurfyogasamba.com or email flowsurfyogasamba@gmail.com