Hawaii with Alaura O'Dell, Talya Lutzker and Mauve Fishleigh

Since 1999 we have been taking small groups of women to the Big Island of Hawai'i. Mauve Fishleigh co-facilitated the first Hawaii retreat, and as Mauve and Alaura were such a good match, they have worked together ever since. Mauve spends half of the year on the Island, and has done so for the last fourteen years. Both women are Pisces and love the water, ocean and the fiery spirit of Hawai'i. We want to travel with women who want to heal and nurture their bodies while utilizing eco-friendly retreat centers. Our Hawaii retreat is now focused on health; how we can heal ourselves with various therapies as well as with the food we eat and by doing regular exercise. The retreat is relaxing, easy and fun. The exercise and food focus will be with yoga and ayurveda. Yoga will be taught by Alaura and will be focused for beginner and also advanced students who want to deepen their practice. We had women on our last retreat who had never practiced yoga before and loved it!. Mauve will be available for healing treatments, either massage or watsu treatment. More info on our chef and ayurveda below.

As a healing retreat, an important part of our visit to the Big Island will be the healthy, wholesome food prepared by our chef for the week Talya Lutzker. Talya is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Ayurvedic Chef, Nutritionist or nutritional consultant, who makes eating healthy easy and delicious. Talya will provide incredibly nourishing food that will boost your energy, cleanse your body, leave you full and satisfied as well as helping take your yoga practice to the next level. Talya is a beautiful warm spirit and a wealth of information.

Talya will lead nutrition-focused Ayurvedic cooking classes that will inspire you to take new and easy skills home with you. She will also be available for individual health consultations by offering Ayurvedic Pulse Readings and Nutritional Consultations so you can know what foods and self-care practices are right for you. To read more on ayurveda please visit Talya's website, www.talyaskitchen.com

Proposed Daily Schedule:
7-8.30 am Yoga.
8.30- 9am Breakfast
10.30am Lunch preparation
12 Lunch
12.45-4pm Free time
4-5.30pm Yoga
5.30-7pm Dinner preparation
7pm Dinner

There will be two free afternoons.

Flights should be made into Hilo, Hawaii. You are responsible for your own transportation to retreat center unless arrangements are made in advance. We will stay at a villa estate located on the pristine Kona shore of the Big Island. This magical location revitalizes the spirit and opens the mind. Casually elegant, shared accommodations, handcrafted interiors, breathtaking views, and delicious vegetarian and seafood cuisine make this the perfect place to begin and end each day of our amazing journey.

Average retreat group size is between 12- 16 women. Please call and reserve early to guarantee a place. There are varying price options for the weeks retreat. All retreat prices are land package only. Airfare is not included. We will forward our travel agent's information on booking. Airfare to Hawaii is usually between $500-$800. A $500 ($300 non-refundable) deposit secures your place and balance is due 60 days before tour February 15th. Fee includes your accommodation choice, yoga classes, most meals including cooking classes with Talya, and one healing treatment. For this trip Travel Liability insurance is optional but you will need to sign a Medical waiver.

Accommodation options:
$595- camping in your own tent.
All rooms are shared bathroom.
$795 for basic futon accommodation or sofa bed in dorm room.
$895 for platform bed and double mattress in dorm room.
$1,295 for shared twin room.
$1,895 for single private room.

Fees include seven nights accommodation and all meals at retreat center. Meals on free afternoons are not included. Optional excursions are not included; fees based on number of attendees.

Our retreat can integrate the best of the Island activities and sites. There are many excursions people can do on the island in their free time, and our Hawaii guide extraordinaire Mauve Fishleigh will be available for information on sites and where to go. Optional Day trips and Excursions can be arranged and led by Mauve for an additional cost. Even the seasoned Hawaiian traveler will see a side of the Island not usually available to tourists. We will be staying close to the warm ponds for healing soaking visits. Some of the highlights of previous seven-day retreats included kayaking in the bay with the local dolphins. We respect the bay as the dolphins home and keep a distance from them. However, if they want to come and play, which they often do, we are delighted to share their home listening to their laughter and song. Being with the dolphins is extremely healing and we will carry our amazing experiences with us throughout the rest of our playful days on the Island. We can also spend a day sailing with Captain Kiko on his traditional Hawaiian canoe. This is a spectacular way to see the Kona coast in the traditional manner used by the ancient Hawaiian people. For the last several years Pele, the ancient goddess volcano, has been flowing on each of our visits, and this is a spectacular vision to experience while visiting volcano national park. Along with time with Hawaiian healer and teacher Mahealani Henry, this is another option to the retreat not to be missed.

This retreat is a wonderful opportunity to rest in the sun, play in the water, eat wonderful organic food, and sit in circle with like-minded women, sharing our gifts and stories. Join us for a healing retreat that will rejuvenate the spirit, mind, and body. Last year our most active traveler, Enid (nick-name Tiger) kayaked with us, hiked to see the volcano flow, and sailed with us on the canoe while celebrating her 81st birthday! She was such an inspiration.

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