Now the question on everyone’s lips….what do I pack?
This is a friendly reminder – we are living one week of ISLAND LIFE! Not New york fashion week!
hehe So, with that in mind, PLEASE don’t feel obliged/ resist the temptation to buy new clothes etc! or alter your beautiful self in any way! Come as you are that’s exactly how I want you!!
Here’s what I usually throw in for a week in Greece! Keeping in mind you can have your clothes washed daily in reception compliments of the Carian hotel.
Note when packing – ROLL YOUR CLOTHES in your bag! rolled up like little sausages you can fit more into less space! I promise the less you bring the better your going to feel! Light and Liberated!!
Your bag can include:
2-3 sets of PJ’s – im a comfortable nighty girl!
2-3 pairs of togs
2~4 sets of yoga clothes/exercise gear
3-5 casual outfits – shorts/singlet
2 comfy throw over beach dresses/ Sarong
1 x Goddess dress- something you feel beautiful and comfortable in!
1x joggers , 1-2 x casual footwear/thongs
1 x hat
1-2 x semi warm jumper/pants for the plane (or for chilly nights stargazing on the beach)
1 x Pen and Journal for seminars.
I will have your workshop booklets on arrival!
1 x book to read on the beach!
1x beach bag or small back pack
Minimal toiletries – there are also many shops on our street to purchase shampoo/conditioner/sunscreen etc!
Minimal make up
I Encourage you to Embrace your natural glow! Nobody’s perfect and that’s what makes us real,unique and you are all beautiful! I will pack a lippy for the goddess ceremony but other than that please join me on unmasking and letting our skin breathe! This week is about focusing on re connecting WITHIN, with Mother Nature and with each other.
Yoga mats are provided!
Any questions please ask!
Oceans of Love
Amelia Vazanelli
7 Powerful Practices To Overcome Your Fears, Anxieties And Negative Energy In Under 30 Days by admin
What to pack for a yoga retreat
In this FREE guide we’ll reveal…
Ever think to yourself, “am I worth it?” – we’ll reveal 3 easy to remember affirmations you can say everyday to reframe your mindset and set you up for a life of prosperity
How to push aside the negative thoughts and naysayers in your life to channel your focus and reach your true destiny
The 3 daily rituals most successful women complete and how doing the same could help you follow in their footsteps
Think you’re truly being honest with yourself? Find out how to ask yourself the hard questions so you stop the self doubt, end the self hate and spread your wings in as little as 30 days
1. HYDRATION
THE MOST IMPORTANT practice you could do right now is to ensure your hydrated with clean spring water! One practise we all need to improve is our daily WATER INTAKE. Lack of energy, confusion or irritability are top symptoms of dehydration! In order to wipe those negative side effects out of our day INCREASE HYDRATION to INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY. That means Less caffeine, juices, hidden sugars and stimulants that leave you feeling “wired and anxious”- And MORE of what our body needs to THRIVE not “just survive!”.
TIP- Google search natural spring water delivery near me and get local NATURAL SPRING WATER full of Minerals delivered to your house to avoid drinking fluoridated (neurotoxin) and chemical rich tap water! Which harmful effects we discuss in depth in my popular Toxicity seminar during GVG Wellness retreats!
You will thank me later! Water is EVERYTHING. Dehydration really puts us off our game!
2. Mediation/ Breathwork. Aka Self Reflection
Did you know that after 30 seconds in a meditative state, your body releases ALL feel good hormones from the brain. Now thats worth sitting down and taking deep breaths during the day! No wonder they say “Meditation over Medication!) Find a time that suits you, like sunrise or sunset. Be still and without your phone or any music and noise. Preferably outside. Just Be with yourself. Breathe as deeply as you can into your lungs through only your nose. Try just 10 deep breaths a day and increase as feels natural. Eventually, As you gain perspective sitting in this clear space, ask yourself some self reflective questions as you tune into your higher self.
How am I feeling today?
What am i deeply grateful for in my life?
What do i need to release that holds me back?
… Are some examples of self reflective questions to journal from my Self Awareness Seminar in our Yoga Retreats
TIP- if your mind is wandering FAST in meditation, a less strict way to approach is MANTRA. Singing mantra (particularly OM) really helps you to do breathwork without particularly “Trying” and puts you in a meditative state! I drive and sing mantra ALL the time and play a compilation of mantra when im practising/teaching yoga, in the kitchen cooking or cleaning. It helps me feel grounded, calm and at peace & I find myself breathing deeper and more consciously as i hum along to the words.
And I LOVE the very soothing sounds of a band of Angels called “Sacred Earth”.
3. FOOD
We’ve all heard it before… YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT! To reap the ABUNDANT rewards of A clear, pure, precise, positive thoughts – you must FIRST fuel yourself this way. You can’t expect to eat off the $1 dollar menu and feel 1 Million Dollars! Fuel your body with wholesome, organic, nutrient dense, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY foods. Check out this modern anti inflam food pyramid and compare the bottom row to your life. Do you eat majority Fruits & Vegetables in your day?
Try this and no doubt you will feel INCREASED ENERGY, less lethargic, less acidic (more alykine!), sleep better, feel better, DO BETTER! If your not sure where to start, start at a local markets! Buy FRESH unprocessed food and go back to basics! I love finding new vegetarian recipes and Get creative in the kitchen!
The yogis say- “Your only as old as your spine is flexible”.
If this is true, MOBILITY should be our top priority! This vessel is to get us through life’s long journey. To be fit, flexible, healthy is the best way to truly value yourself and give yourself the greatest opportunity of health, confidence, strength, balance, willpower and dedication.
With high levels of stress in today’s society, it’s important to “Bend, so you do not break” as the guru’s say. Once you commit to your regular practise you will instantly feel the benefits mind, body soul as you learn to switch off, unwind and dance to the beat of the heart, body and breath.
“Yoga is like music: the rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life. Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees.”
B.K.S. Iyengar
TIP – Write down a list of movement you love to do – eg. Gym, Walking outdoors, Yoga at sunset and aim to do one per day! Just remember BALANCE – Yin/Yang. Give and take. Push and pull. Sweat and stretch!
5. THOUGHT
Did you know that experts say we have 95% recurring thoughts a day. 80% of those are reported negative.
This statistic highlights how important it is to INCREASE THE POWER OF POSITIVITY so you can be your own motivator rather then worse critic!
Try this, it worked for me. For every negative thought i want you to STOP it in its tracks, set it aside and replace it with THREE POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS immediately! Retrain your relationship with yourself to be LOVING, PATIENT, UNDERSTAND AND KIND and see how much life improves when your giving loving support over harsh judgement.
Try this, it worked for me. For every negative thought i want you to STOP it in its tracks, set it aside and replace it with THREE POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS immediately! Retrain your relationship with yourself to be LOVING, PATIENT, UNDERSTAND AND KIND and see how much life improves when your giving loving support over harsh judgement.
Eg – Negative thought “I dislike my body”
“I Honor and respect the body I reside in, I am perfect as i am”
“I am learning to love who i am and what my amazing body can do “
“Everyday i move closer towards my most radiant self!”
Eg Negative thought – “Ill never get my dream job”
“I am proud of my unique abilities and do not compare my journey”
“I am Learning everyday and developing my talents, i move closer to my dream life daily”
I live INSPIRED (in spirit) and am OPEN and READY for the winds of change”
TIP- “The power of intention” By Dr Wayne dyer is a recommended book/audio about our Intention and Manifesting our reality – one of my all time favorites to listen to at night as I fall asleep.
Dr Wayne quotes – “You cannot be lonely if you like the person you’re alone with.”
6. Nature Nurtures – Get outdoors – Smell the roses!!!
lectromagnetic currencies re-energize our systems and we come back to our natural state of FLOW when we are immersed in Mother nature.
Put aside a day once a month were you can spend time in nature, unplugged from technology. Hiking, swimming, walking the beach or simply lying on the grass under a full moon.
Connect your hands and toes with the earth and feel the regulating of your touch, this is called “Grounding”. Smell the flowers, touch the textures, be in awe at the colours. Be aware of how the subtle energies of our environment affect us, for example how you feel in a busy city as opposed to hiking in the alps. From polluted air to the fresh ocean breeze.
Pay attention to when your body is out of tune and needs to re-calibrate with mother earth, respect the Laws of Nature and allow “Rest & Digest.” to balance out our busy daily “Fight or Flight” lifestyles. (aka high stress!)
This is precisely why our Yoga and Wellness retreats are Located on Islands and Oasis’s of Natures Pristine conditions. To Simplify, to Slow Down and to Re-Harmonize your Connection.
TIP – Book this in your calendar right now! Pick a day and location and make it a date with #1! Sit at a beach or forest, bushland wherever your safe place is, and use your senses to absorb nature’s beauty around you.
7. AFFIRMATION
To Affirm something is to state and believe in it. Positive Affirmations are powerful tools to move closer to Peace & contentment.
AFFIRMATION FOR SOUL RENEWAL~~
I am not my unsettled thoughts…
I am a divine being of light and love.
I know that If I focus on the highest in me, the highest will flourish…
I let go of the idea that I need to be fixed or that I am broken or unworthy because I am not.
I know that once I change my perception I automatically shift with that perception.
I choose thoughts that create acceptance,
thoughts that are free of judgment towards myself and others.
I choose to see with understanding eyes that Instil forgiveness towards myself and others and enable me to feel peaceful and happy with myself as I am.
I embrace my own beauty and magnificence in this moment, The past is gone and right now I am born anew.
I am not the person that I was yesterday, nor am I yesterday’s outlook.
All is in perfection
I claim my life as it is
Today I am grateful for what I have
I am taking each step as it arrives with clear allowing feet.~
TIP – Print this and place it where you can read it daily. Affirm on full moons. Use white sage to cleanse the energy around you beforehand to support the Release.
Do these 7 Powerful Practices for 30 Days and let me know how your life evolves, if you need any help or would like to deepen your understanding of the above and much more please get in-touch with me and come along to one of our Full-Immersion Retreats!
Cleanse Guide – Leading Up To The Good Vive Getaway Retreat
This is a very simple cleanse, which basically just cuts out the ‘muck’ that may cause symptoms of digestive discomfort and bloating, energy highs and lows, fatigue, mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, sinus issues, skin breakouts and redness as well as muscle and joint pain.
Do you ever feel irritable, annoyed or angry for no apparent reason, or find that you have an inconsistent and irregular mood? Do you wake up and feel sluggish and lethargic some mornings, no matter how much sleep you had?
Do you feel tired and bloated after eating, randomly and without knowing the cause?
Cleansing, or detoxifying our bodies helps us to break down stored toxins, balance blood sugar levels (which helps reduce inflammation and facilitates weight loss), and improve energy levels, skin, hair, nails, mood, digestion and the process of elimination.
It also helps us to store and assimilate the appropriate amount of nutrients so that we gain the maximum amount of energy and vitality from our foods.
Toxins can be internally produced by the body (endotoxins), such as oxidative stress, free radicals, emotional stress and some hormones, or produced from sources outside our bodies (exotoxins), from the
environment.
These exotoxins may be industrial chemicals, pesticides, plasticisers, artificial food additives, pharmaceutical drugs, heavy metals and lifestyle toxins, e.g. caffeine, sugar, alcohol and recreational drugs.
The liver is an incredibly complex organ; to a large extent our health and vitality is determined by the
health and vitality of our livers. It is important that we nourish and look after it.
This is a guide, to help you slowly detoxify your body for the next 8 weeks before the retreat begins. Incorporate this into your daily life as much as possible, and create an awareness about how food makes you feel. Be gentle with yourself and allow your body to work through the detoxification process. Eat fresh food, drink plenty of water and take part in gentle activities like yoga, walking, cycling and swimming.
Pre Prep
Spend the weekend before you begin cleaning out the pantry and re-stocking it with delicious, healthy, nourishing foods.
Cook some dishes for the week and freeze them.
Chop up a bunch of veggies and stick them in the fridge.
Pre make bliss balls or little snacks for the day ahead
Buy Tupperware containers to store food appropriately if needed
Make sure you have a decent water bottle and filtered water (even if it’s the one in a box from the supermarket!)
The more prepared you are, the closer you already are to success.
Your cleansed diet is going to include the following:
An abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables
Lean proteins such as eggs, nuts, beans and pulses
Small amounts of organic dairy (if tolerated)
Nuts and seeds (all animal produce should be organic and free range/pasture-fed where available and affordable)
A small amount of grains such as quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, spelt, sourdough bread and oats
Lots of herbs and spices to make all your food taste incredible and be beneficial
Purified or spring water, herbal teas and coconut water
Little treats now and again like organic dark chocolate and homemade raw desserts
Your cleansed diet WON’T include the following:
Canned or tinned fruits, or non-organic dried fruits (due to the high level of preservatives or sulphur dioxide, which may damage our livers and cause digestive issues)
Canned vegetables
High sugar food products like lollies, biscuits, ice cream, frozen yoghurt, muesli bars and low-fat
products like diet yoghurts and milk
No quick microwave meals or anything meal you can eat out of a cardboard box
Smoked and cured meats (at least while in the beginning stage of the cleansed meal plan)
Sauces like tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, high-sugar relishes and jams, bottled salad dressings
Soy milk and unfermented soy products, textured vegetable protein and gluten containing and artificially flavoured vegetarian meat alternatives
Fried foods, margarine, soy oil and trans-fats
Alcohol and coffee (for the first few weeks at least), cordial, soft drinks, bottled fruit juice, energy drinks and anything sweetened artificially
Anything with artificial sweeteners, flavourings, colourings and preservatives
While you’re on your cleanse, it’s important that you try as best as possible to avoid exposure to toxins and chemicals, from pesticides on your fruits, to eating out of plastic containers, to breathing in regular, conventional aerosol deodorants.
if it’s possible try and buy organic or chemical free food and use natural personal and household cleaning products.
Amazing Detoxifying foods
Veggies from the brassica family (broccoli, cabbage etc.) that help to improve the detoxification pathways and balance our hormones, brightly coloured fruits and veggies for all the beautiful nutrients and antioxidants they contain, plus lots of lean proteins for their crucial amino acid content.
Eat your greens! They provide numerous essential nutrients for optimal health, energy, vitality and detoxification, such as B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin K, chlorophyll and beta-carotene.
Enjoy bitter foods, which help to improve bile flow and therefore fat emulsification.
Bitter foods include rocket, endive, chicory, asparagus, radish, lemons, limes, grapefruit and apple cider vinegar.
Beetroot and globe artichoke are also beautiful foods to include in your cleansed diet.
Beetroot helps to flush the blood of toxins and globe artichoke flushes the liver and helps with excess fluid retention, reduces high cholesterol levels, protects the liver, helps with fat metabolism and also improves digestion. Beetroot also helps to detoxify the blood and circulatory system.
Fibre is also crucial in the detoxification process (especially if you’re trying to balance your hormones) as without adequate fibre, toxins may be recycled through the digestive system.
Fibre allows them to be swept up and eliminated through the bowel. Adequate water intake also helps this process.
Dandelion root ‘coffee’ + dandelion leaf tea
Let a dandelion latte be your new best friend!
The dandelion ‘coffee’ made from the root is really high in nutrients (vitamins A, C, K, B1, B6, calcium and iron) and is a great liver tonic.
Dandelion coffee and regular coffee have some similarities; they’re both dark in colour, bitter and strong, so chances are, if you like coffee, you’ll enjoy dandelion coffee.
The tea made from the leaf acts as a diuretic but the high levels of potassium make it safe, meaning you won’t excrete valuable electrolytes.
Pair dandelion leaf tea with some peppermint leaves and you have the perfect post-dinner beverage
Rooibos, green + rosehip tea
Rooibos tea is incredibly high in antioxidants for glowing skin, calcium and manganese for strong teeth and bones and has a mild sedative effect, meaning it’s great if you’re feeling a little stressed or ‘wired and tired’.
Green tea helps to speed up our metabolism and if you add some fresh ginger, can improve mood and concentration.
Rosehip tea is high in vitamin C, which helps collagen production (think tight, glowing skin) and nourishes our adrenal glands.
The adrenals produce stress hormones and small amounts of sex hormones.
With a bad diet, hectic lifestyle and no ‘down-time’ you’re at risk of running yourself (and your adrenals) into the ground.
Take the time to nourish and support them with some delicious rosehip tea
Chlorophyll
This deep green plant concentrate is very cleansing and acts as an internal deodoriser, flushing out waste and toxins.
It contains magnesium and is very alkalising, while also being a great gargle if you get a sore throat.
Drink about 1 tbsp. in a glass of water in the morning, or add it to your water bottle and sip throughout the day.
Apple cider vinegar, lemon juice
These are all highly alkalizing, improving liver function and therefore overall digestion.
Choose one and take it in some warm water before breakfast, as a salad dressing with some olive or flaxseed oil and even after dinner if you’re feeling a little bloated.
Epsom salt baths
This is a beautiful, nourishing and relaxing way to detoxify and cleanse your body and your mind.
It helps to ease a sore and aching body as well as relieve stress, anxiety and insomnia.
Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulphate, is well absorbed through our skin – our largest organ.
This is another way to ensure proper electrolyte balance in your body after a hard workout, as well as give yourself an excuse to just bliss out.
Aim for around 2 baths a week, preferably right before bed (so you can just collapse – relaxed beyond belief – into your bed straight afterwards).
Use a handful of Epsom salts and stay in the bath for at least 20 minutes!
Lymphatic massage (or dry skin brush)
Lymphatic massage can accelerate the detoxification process by cleansing the lymphatic system.
Dry skin brushing is another wonderful way to remove toxins and increase circulation, as our skin is a major organ of elimination.
You can get good natural-bristle brushes from health food stores.
Try doing it before your shower. It can feel a little uncomfortable the first few times, but soon your skin will be glowing and it will all be worth it
Move in a circular motion across the skin
Cleansed Food List
Fruits
All fruits! Except tinned. Limit dried fruits as they’re super high in sugar.
Veggies
All veggies! Except possibly the nightshade family if you’re sensitive to them.
Lean proteins
(Limit meat to 2-3 times per week max, but if best results will be if you try to eat vegetarian as much as possible in the lead up to the retreat)
Organic Beef
Organic Chicken
Free Range Eggs
Fresh fish
Nuts and seeds
Limit to ½ cup per day – raw or activated (soaked)
Almonds
Brazil nuts
Coconut
Chia seeds
Hazelnuts
Linseeds
Macadamia nuts
Natural nut butters/spreads
Pecans
Pepitas
Pine nuts
pistachios
Sesame seeds
Sunflower seeds
Walnuts
Dairy + substitutes
Natural cow or goat yoghurt and kefir • A small amount of haloumi, aged cheese or a little bit of feta, 1-2 times per week
A small amount of organic cream (e.g. for your baked apple and honey cream dessert) – no more than 1-2 times per week
Rice milk
Nut milks (e.g. almond)
Goat milk
Beans
Ensure they’re prepared correctly before cooking, by soaking them for up to 24hrs in water with either salt, lemon/lime juice or apple cider vinegar so they’re easily digested and absorbed.
Broad beans
Butter beans
Chickpeas
Lentils
Lima beans
Grains
Amaranth
Brown rice
Buckwheat
Millet
Oats
Quinoa
Sourdough bread or gluten free bread (from a bakery, not supermarket)
Wholegrain corn, rice and buckwheat cakes and crackers
Natural sweeteners
Coconut sugar
Organic honey (small amounts)
Organic pure maple syrup (small amounts)
Dates
Beverages
Pure, filtered water – lots!
All caffeine-free teas
Green tea (max. 2 cups per day)
Dressings + condiments
Apple cider vinegar
Garlic, freshly crushed
Homemade guacamole and hummus
Lemon and lime juice
Olive oil and flaxseed oil
Sea salt (Himalayan or Celtic for high mineral content)
Tahini
Tamari (wheat-free soy sauce)
Use a variety of herbs and spices in your cooking
Fats + oils
Cold pressed oils are preferable.
Coconut oil (use for cooking at high temperatures)
Flaxseed oil (don’t heat this oil, just drizzle over salads)
Macadamia oil
Olive oil (use for cooking at low temperatures)
Sesame oil
Walnut oil
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