Tree house retreat

Where has November gone? It has flown right by, but not without some major ups and downs. The election? Well that was a serious downer, a very disorienting one at that. Still is. I mean, wtf?!

But November was also a month of some major high points for me. There was a really fun trip to Kauai, a festive Thanksgiving day, and a post-Thanksgiving yoga retreat in Ojai last weekend (photos below) that were pretty flipping amazing.

I had no idea when I booked these trips that I'd need them so badly. I mean who would ever think a Trump presidency possible? Not me, that's who. But somehow it's our current reality, and stepping away from the day to day has been helpful for me in terms of trying to get my head around it.

Full disclosure, I still can't believe it, head still spinning, but spending time with an amazing teacher and like-minded people last weekend did create some space and some perspective. I mean, really, there are millions of us all reeling together, and being in community and acknowledging that we all have a part to play in keeping the progressive momentum moving forward is important. There is work to do, and we all need to step up. The time to leave it to others has passed.

That said, there is however, time for rest, rejuvenation, and good advice. And I tapped into that last weekend.

The retreat was in Ojai at a lovely villa (full disclosure: first 7 photos stolen from the villa website),

which housed a gorgeous kitchen, where the chef turned out some mighty tasty vegetarian morsels.

Also a lovely outdoor space that included

a giant hot pool, a cold pool, and a super cold pool.

(Looking here from cool pool to hot pool to house beyond.)

And a well appointed stand-alone yoga studio with great natural light where we spent a lot of time. And...(perhaps the best part)....there was

A yurt/tea house just for Aquilino and me. Isn't it cute????

 Adorable even?

 Let's get a close-up view out those windows, yeah?

It was like living in a tree house for a few days.

It's hard to like anything more than the yurt, but I have to say, I really did enjoy these people too.