Women's Surf Camp » Surf and Yoga Vacation

SwellWomen Retreats:: Sunset Beach Yoga

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:14:08 +0000

There’s nothing like practicing yoga outdoors. There’s nothing like practicing yoga outdoors during sunset and on the beach in Maui. Ommm, Bliss.

Nothing like a sunset stretch in Maui.

The amazing Katherine Wilder! We love our yoga instructor.

Ommmmmmmm.....here's to a blissful day.

Yoga High Five.

Sister Act:: Five Tips for Keeping it in the Family

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:44:58 +0000

Enjoy a vacation with your sister.

By Ellen Barone

Is traveling with your sister on vacation a recipe for disaster? It doesn’t have to be as long as you lay down some ground rules first. Here are a few travel-tested truths for keeping peace in the sister hood.
1) Leave the baggage at home: Sibling relationships can be fraught with the peril of childhood roles, divergent interests and unspoken resentments. So, no matter if you’re the big sis used to being in charge or the baby accustomed to being indulged, leave the birth-order baggage at home.
2) Privatize: Allow for private time in your itinerary.
3) Get thee to chocolate: If you start to get snarky, or she does, take two chocolates and another in the morning. If symptoms escalate, wine is also recommended.
4) Play well with others. Say please and thank you a lot. Show respect, admit your mistakes and never be a tattletale.
5) Money, money, money. Be sure to discuss in advance your expectations for sharing costs, the level of accommodation or how paying for meals is to be handled.

For the complete story visit HERE.

The Studio Maui:: John Friend Workshop

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 12:31:22 +0000

Reason #1455 why I love living on Maui! We always have amazing yoga instructors from around the world conducting workshops in paradise. One of these renowned yoga instructors is John Friend who joined over a 100 yogi’s at The Studio Maui for a spectacular week of Anusara Yoga and heart opening.

One of our SwellWomen yoga teachers, Katherine Wilder is a student of John Friend. Our SwellWomen guests get to enjoy a combination of Anusara and flow during our week long surf and yoga retreats.

John Friend Anusara Workshop at The Studio Maui

Beginning of Class with John Friend

John Friend and Ram Dass Satsung

North Shore, Oahu:: Hawaii Spirit Festival

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 00:21:32 +0000

I had the privilege of attending this year’s annual 2010 Hawaii Spirit Festival held at the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s North Shore. What was even better is that it was a sister trip for my sister, Monica and I. Our last yoga retreat was two years ago and we were long over due to enjoy some downward dogs together. The festival was held from Oct. 21st-24th and features some amazing yoga instructors such as Annie Carpenter, Rod Stryker and Sarah Tomson-Byer to name a few. The other component to the festival was music. The guests were treated to a 6 hour concert on Saturday night featuring artists such as Justin Ancheta, John Cruz, Rocky Dawuni and Go Jimmy Go. Some of the proceeds went to supporting local non-profits’ Hui O Ko’olaupoko, Stretch Your Imagination and Kanalu’s. The cool thing about the proceeds is that WE got to pick the non-profit that we wanted out money to go to. I’m looking forward to The Hawaii Spirit Festival 2011! A big Thanks to all the wonderful teachers, Kate and the new friends that we made.

Sister Yoga Trip (Monica left, and Me-Shell right)

Prop work with Annie Carpenter

Annie Carpenter teaching an all day workshop next to the beautiful ocean.

Annie Carpenter assisting my sister into a deeper forward fold.

Another sibling duo, The Yax Brothers.

Yoga at SwellWomen Retreats

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:20:30 +0000

Time to stretch, strengthen and breathe. We love yoga time at SwellWomen! Thanks to our wonderful instructors, Katherine and Tiffany.

Stretching the side body while listening to the tropical birds.

Spirit Fingers Michelle holds steady during her plank. We all admired her strenght, beauty and humor.

SwellWomen Lunge.

Great image of Olga in a peaceful Child's Pose.

Holding Tree Pose near our lovely Yoga Tree.

SwellWomen Retreat Time is Here!

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:49:00 +0000

The weather is beautiful and the water is warm! Hope you will be joining us in 2010!

Retreat time is finally here! We are looking forward to an incredible season with women coming from all over the world; Germany, Australia, All over the US, and more. Stay tune to our Facebook Fan Page and our Blog for updates from our retreat. We will also be posting on Twitter, too. Hope to surf with you in 2010!

5 Reasons Why You Should Never Ever Go To SwellCo-ed With Your Partner or Spouse…Huh??

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:29:30 +0000

Can you picture yourself waking up every morning on a paradise island, doing yoga, surfing throughout the day, and being fed delicious and healthy meals prepared by a chef? Sounds terrible doesn’t it? How could this get any worse? How about if the women’s surf camp was a co-ed surf camp? Why would you want to go on a co-ed surf and yoga retreat with your loved one? Shopping at the local mall with your girlfriends or golfing with the fellas are much better options, aren’t they?

If you are not already convinced that you should absolutely not attend a co-ed surf camp with your partner or spouse, here are some other great reasons why you should stay just home:

Reason #1 You and your partner can get fit together. Participating in a surf camp together would give you an opportunity to maximize your well-being as a couple. Wouldn’t it be preferable to stay at home and work on increasing your love handles?

Reason #2 You may end up fighting over the surfing magazines. You don’t want to end up bickering over who is going to read the latest surfing magazine first, do you?

Reason #3 You and your partner can enjoy an interest together. Going to a co-ed surf camp as a couple could give you a combined interest. Isn’t it better to have no interests in common? Do you really need a topic of conversation at the dinner table that enthralls you both? Do you really need a common passion?

Reason #4 You could experience a family bonding vacation. A co-ed surf camp also means that families can experience all the joys of a surf and yoga retreat together. Would you really want to become closer to your grown children or parents? Do you really want your family to be close knit and communicating well?

Reason #5 You might have too much fun with your partner or spouse. You would be in serious danger of enjoying yourself at a co-ed surf camp. Guys, girls, yoga, surf lessons, massages, delicious meals prepared by a chef, all on a paradise island. This sounds like a recipe for far too much pleasure and relaxation. What kind of couple would want that?

In this day and age of soaring obesity, stress, divorce rates and violence, why would anyone want to take time out from the hustle and bustle with their significant other? Wouldn’t you prefer to become a statistic of the 21st Century? Why go to a co-ed surf camp and risk improving your physical and mental well-being? Imagine how much more pleasant the world would be if everyone decided to indulge themselves in a surf and yoga retreat getaway. Statistic or bliss? The choice is yours.

Check out our 2-9-09 entry for our SwellCo-ed Valentine’s Special. Expires on February 14th, 2009.