Hawaii retreat - January 2018 - Start the New Year in paradise!

Published: Thu, 06/29/17

Last week, I spent 5 days with 8 people in a 101-year-old mansion on the Big Island of Hawaii. I was there leading a writing-yoga-fitness retreat called MUSCLE & HEART. 

The house was right on the Wailuku River in Hilo, with a jaw-dropping waterfall view, surrounded by lush green jungle-y amazingness. 
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It was the most incredible group of people—authors, healers, activists, entrepreneurs, and one brain surgery assistant. (It’s always useful to have one of those around, just in case, you know?)

Everyone was there to work on some type of writing project—like a book, a manifesto, a class, a series of email newsletters, or a website. We carved out 4 hours each day for quiet, uninterrupted writing time, which was beautiful.

But the real magic happened when we stepped away from our computers... 

Swimming with sea turtles. Hiking around the rim of the volcano. Learning about local ferns and flowers from a professional botanist. Hearing stories about the goddess Pele and her sister Hiʻiaka. Sunbathing on a black sand beach. Long, unhurried dinner conversations. Deep questions. Tons of silliness, too—cracking up with laughter and telling totally inappropriate—and totally amazing—dating stories that will never be posted online. (The best kind.)

My favorite moment was when—during one of our dinners—everyone decided to come up with an imaginary award that they wished they could win, and give an imaginary acceptance speech, of course!
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It's been several days since the retreat ended. We’re all still group-texting each other multiple times a day. I think nobody wants it to really be "over." Myself included. 

I can't wait to get back to Hawaii for another magical retreat.

And… you're invited to come along with me! 

I’m opening registration today (like, right this second) for my next retreat in Hawaii. If you want to be there, here’s everything you need to know…


MUSCLE & HEART RETREAT:
JANUARY 15-20, 2018


A 5 day, 5 night experience in paradise. Write. Sweat. Stretch your body and mind. Get your New Year started off on a strong, focused, inspiring note. Register here.

— Arrival, departure, and location.

You can arrive anytime on January 15, 2018. You can depart anytime on January 20, 2018. You should fly into Hilo International Airport on the Big Island of Hawaii. 

— Pricing. 

MUSCLE & HEART is $3,800 per person. This includes everything (accommodation, meals, classes, activities, etc.) except for your airfare. You can reserve your spot with a deposit of $500, and then you can pay the remaining amount in 1, 2, or 3 installments. To reserve your spot, please fill out this form.

More details on everything that’s included…

— Accommodation.

Your own private bedroom with a king- or queen-size bed and private bathroom that includes a shower and tub. Lots of privacy.

— Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is included every day — with the exception of one dinner, so you can spend a little time exploring downtown Hilo on your own. Healthy, tasty food, with plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options if that’s your thing.

— Morning workouts.

5 fun workouts with Justin Smith, a personal trainer who wants you to know that your body is perfect and amazing, just the way it is.

— Writing classes.

Writing classes every day, followed by 4 hours of independent writing time where you can dive into any kind of project that feels important you.

Feeling stuck? Want some feedback on something you’ve written? You can sit down with me for a one-on-one chat at almost any point in the day. Lots of time to talk it out.

— Island adventures.

Beach trip. Farmer’s Market. Hula lesson with a legendary local teacher. And more. Every activity is optional. Come along, or stay home and keep writing if you’re in a nice groove and don’t want to stop.

— Nighttime yoga.

5 relaxing yoga classes just before bedtime, outside on the lanai, with flickering candlelight and the sounds of tropical birds and frogs.

— A full-body massage.

60-minute massage with a phenomenal local healer. (She will rock your world.)

— Airport pick-up, drop-off, and transportation around the island.

You don’t need to rent a car. We’ll swing by and whisk you everywhere you need to be.

— Beautiful details.

Epsom salts in your room so you can soak your muscles after a long day. Fresh flowers by your bed. Postcards and stamps to mail a note back home. A farewell gift before you head to the airport. Lots of love.

— Six weeks of writing coaching after the retreat ends.

Keep the creativity and momentum alive… even after you leave the island. For six weeks, I will touch base with you once a week, to check in and see how you’re doing with your project. You can also send over a draft of something you’ve written and get feedback and encouragement.


“This trip has been such an incredible reminder of what’s possible in life, on a daily basis. Waking to the sounds of nature, moving our bodies in ways that feel good and make us strong (even while recovering from injuries!), delicious meals and conversations, daily adventures, AND time blocked out to do the work we’re meant to be doing in the world. I had so much fun AND I got lots of work done!” 
—Laura Sprinkle, Branding, web design, and product launch specialist, LauraSprinkle.com


“I have come back from the retreat with this re-connection to my personal writing voice that I had almost been afraid to hope I could find again. It feels so damn good to put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard and express myself for both my business and for myself. And thank you, Alex, for offering to continue to work with us for a few more weeks afterwards. It helps me to stay on track knowing that you will be there to give me some constructive feedback and cheering me on. So very happy!”
—Valerie Tookes, Holistic Health Coach, HerHolisticHealth.com


CAN'T MAKE IT TO HAWAII?

Hey, no problem. Here's the music playlist for the retreat. You can listen at home and imagine you're there...

Also, here's a recording of one of the nighttime yoga classes that we did just before bedtime. That's Justin leading us along. You can follow along at home in your PJs. If you listen closely, you'll hear the frogs and birds in the background... Not quite the same as the real thing, but still pretty lovely. :)

Wherever you are in the world today, have a beautiful, productive day!

-Alex