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Yoga in Tulum: 5 Best Tulum Yoga Retreats You Can Read Reviews and Book Online

Rachel Jones — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 15:26:59 +0000

There’s no doubt that Tulum is the “it” place in Mexico and maybe even the world right now – yeah, big statement but let’s be real, everyone and their mom has been to Tulum lately! It’s where celebs go to pretend they are “down to earth” even though it’s one of the most expensive places in Mexico. It’s popular and booming for a reason, it’s the most idyllic little coastal town, with a center that has true Mexican vibes, local food, nearby Mayan ruins and cenotes, but on the beach they have modern villas, parties, and a Bali party vibe. Many people come to Tulum looking for yoga retreats and are shocked by the prices they find – yoga in Tulum isn’t cheap. I’m going to share a few Tulum yoga retreats you can book online through the site I’ve used for years back when I was living in India, bookyogaretreats.com, which is like the booking.com of yoga.

Whether you go to Rishikesh or Bali, this is a great website to start your search. While they won’t have all the smaller mom and pop places, they do have a listing of popular retreats with reviews you can read in detail about the yoga classes, teacher, cleanliness, lodging, location, food, and more. Even though they don’t list them all, this is a great option for people who want to book ahead, arrange airport transfers, read reviews, and pay through a safe website.

Remember that this won’t be all the options, there are hundreds if not thousands in the area! For more options you can google yoga retreats in Tulum and search for websites of the ones on offer – it’s just hard to know if their reviews are real that way so be careful sending a ton of money via PayPal or a bank transfer without doing your research.

When looking at prices for yoga retreats that include accommodation, take into account you’re getting a lot there when a non-A/C villa near the beach could be $300+ per night or a popular ‘Instagram-worthy” place is $600 and up per night with A/C. Tulum’s popularity comes with a hefty price tag if you stay on the beach. Many retreats that are very affordable offer accommodation off-the beach in town. You are still just a bike ride into the beach area and it’s actually nice to stay in a real little cute Mexican town. This is what we do when we visit Tulum.

Not interested in Tulum specifically? Here are 6 of the best retreats in Mexico

You can also see al Tulum listings here.

1. 6 Days Yoga Retreat in Tulum, Mexico for 15,839 MXN ($817)

This Tulum yoga retreat is the highest and most reviewed retreat in Mexico! It currently has 77 5-star reviews. Tulum is so pricey that for this rate just getting such an awesome loft for five nights is a steal! While food isn’t included, the 19% state and local taxes are. For food, it’s kind of good in that it will get you out exploring more so you can try some of the best food in Tulum. I have an article about my time here, you can read here. You can hire them for an airport transfer and tours for an additional fee. You’ll notice the Tulum retreat is priced higher than others on this list – Tulum is very trendy now and is expensive because of its popularity, which I think you can also tell by the sheer number of reviews for this retreat.

Read reviews for this Tulum retreat and book here.

The above listing is from Tribal Tulum Yoga and they also offer a similar 8-day retreat which you can read about here and a 6-day free-diving yoga retreat you can read about here.

2. Various Options with Copal Retreats, Tulum, Mexico Starting at 19,000 MXN ($987).

Copal retreats have options in Tulum and Riviera Maya and the prices range. This is for people who are really into yoga and have specific teachers in mind. You can scroll their listings and see the teachers who are doing each course. I can’t link to them each as they will expire – they will have X teacher on April X and then another teacher on another date, so you can take a look yourself and see.

Choose your teacher and course based on reviews here.

3. 6 Day Relax and Restore Retreat in Tulum, Mexico for 17,345 MXN ($902).

While here, you’ll be staying in luxury glamping tents at Harmony Glamping & Boutique Hotel Tulum which has a pool and yoga shala and is 7 km from the beach. Food is farm to table and the yoga shala is in “lush organic gardens and a beautiful pond with water lilies and Japanese fish”. During this retreat, you will be served 10 meals, 5 breakfasts and 5 dinners at Tropica, and either Raw Love, Verdant and/or Frida Restaurant. You will receive 12 meal coupons when you register at the reception; 6 for breakfast and 6 for dinner.

Read reviews and book here. Reviews are directly on the bookyogaretreats website and they also add reviews from TripAdvisor. While this place sounds amazing, the reviews are totally mixed with some people loving it and others saying it was awful!). I would check for recent reviews.

4. 8 Day Simplify and Replenish Yoga Retreat in Tulum, Mexico for 44,278 MXN ($2,304).

This retreat is through the company One Yoga Global and your teachers are Bita and Moses. While i’s lsited that food is standard, reviews say it was vegan. This listing is pricey compared to others, and that is likely because it’s on the beach.

Yoga classes
Meditation and breathing practices
7 nights’ accommodation
Pristine beachfront lodging
One group airport shuttle transfer to and from Cancún International Airport (CUN)
Daily healthy meals

Read reviews and book here.

Those are the top listed reviews for Tulum yoga retreats online. While it’s not a lot to choose from, I think the first option is going to be your best bet with tons of 5-star reviews, it’s actually one of the top retreats in Mexico.

These are just from the bookyogaretreats site, there are so many more retreats in Tulum! I’m just trying to help you narrow them down to ones you can review – You can also search on TripAdvisor or in the Google search results. Much of what comes up are either drop-in classes or luxe retreats at 5-star properties. I’ll keep an eye on more listings I can add to this blog post.

Pin these 5 best yoga retreats in Tulum for later:

The post Yoga in Tulum: 5 Best Tulum Yoga Retreats You Can Read Reviews and Book Online first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

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6 Best Yoga Retreats in Mexico That You Can Book Online

Rachel Jones — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 13:29:35 +0000

I love living in beautiful Mexico, and like India (where I was for years before moving here), it has the same hippie yoga vibe with tons of retreats here for healthy eating, yoga, to help change your lifestyle, and enjoy Mexico and being in paradise at the same time. I haven’t been in Mexico long enough to try out these retreats myself, but after so many emails asking me for recommendations, I put this together – so if I sent you this link, sorry for the less-than-personal message but I hope this helps you find a yoga retreat in Mexico. I am listing ones that were recommended to me by friends who have tried them as well as ones from the only yoga booking site that I trust and have used for years in India, bookyogaretreats.com. These top-ranked yoga retreats in Mexico are in some very cool areas and I’ll share their rating, what they include, and their prices.

After reading these options, you can then click through to see what personal reviews people have left and then book directly through the bookyogaretreats.com website. There are thousands of retreats in Mexico that focus on yoga – and most will ask for PayPal payment, bank transfers, or payments on their website but the reason I love bookyogareteats is that you can pay safely through them and see all the unbiased reviews. The other great thing about this site is that you can see each of the teachers and read their qualifications and learn more about their background, where they have taught before, and what style of yoga they do.

If you want more than yoga, you can search yourself on the site because they offer surfing and dive retreats, too, as well as specialized yoga retreats like silk aerial yoga. Alternatively, you can join Facebook groups for yoga around the world or for a specific place in Mexico you want to visit to read even more reviews for places that aren’t listed online – there are SO many.

The most popular places in Mexico for retreats are trendy Tulum, laid back Sayulita, resort area Riviera Maya, and surfer’s paradise Puerto Escondido. You can’t go wrong with any of these stunning destinations. There’s also a very highly recommended digital detox 4-day yoga retreat in Mexico City, while not the most “relaxing” destination for a retreat, is loved by so many people and SO fairly priced, I’ve included it as well!

Want to know which ones I selected for Goa? Click here. I also have a list of the top retreats in India which you can read here.

1. 6 Days Yoga Retreat in Tulum, Mexico for 15,839 MXN ($817)

Read reviews for this Tulum retreat and book here.

2. 10 Day Meditation and Yoga Retreat in Mazunte, Mexico for 7,905 MXN ($408).

Mazunte, Mexico is a hidden paradise, just a small beach town, about an hour from the more well-known Puerto Escondido. This is not just a yoga retreat but is about “finding the meaning of the universe”, finding yourself, spirituality, and learning local traditions. I think this would be great for someone open-minded looking for a new type of experience as the focus isn’t just on yoga, but meditation as well. This retreat is ALL day and you can see on their schedule that they offer teachings, classes, and meals throughout the day until 930 PM. Like Vipassana, genders are separated, there is no talking, no books, no cell phones, and no smoking, drugs, or alcohol. The teachers are from the Hridaya course. These meals are strictly vegan and nothing else will be offered!

Not for the faint of heart.

Read recent reviews for this meditation and yoga retreat.

3. 6 Day Yoga and Surf Camp in Puerto Escondido, Mexico for 4,909 MXN ($254).

Puerto Escondido has a reputation for being the coolest surfer spot in Mexico – it also gets some huge swells. This yoga retreat is more of a combo, with the focus being split between surfing in the day and relaxing yoga in the evenings. In May and June when waves are quite large, they will take you to another beach that has smaller waves for beginners. At this price to get 5 two hour surf classes, accommodation, and yoga classes, it’s a pretty darn good deal! Note that meals are not included.

Read full reviews and book this yoga and surf retreat here.

4. 4 Day Detox to Retox Yoga Retreat in Mexico City for 3,247 MXN ($168).

I know a lot of people want to come to Mexico for a retreat that is on the beach, but this retreat has nearly 60 5-star reviews, is so affordable, and Mexico City has a lot to offer to make this a well-rounded vacation. With just the accommodation and meals being included, you already have saved a ton of money but you’re also getting your yoga classes and a daily wellness class. This isn’t a place that says you can’t drink or party, it’s a place that teaches balance. You your cell phone but don’t be obssesed, party but do yoga the next day and have a green juice! If you need help with balance, this is for you.

Read full reviews and book this yoga retreat here.

5. 7 Day Women’s Only Yoga and Surf Camp in Sayulita, Mexico for 32,760 MXN ($1,700)

This cource with Alana is more expensive that the one listed above in Puerto Escondido but it has epic reviews and seems very personalized. It also offers more of a yoga focus with classes in the morning and evenings offering vinyasa and yin. They also have fancy catered dinners and a huge buffet breakfast. This is definitely more upscale. I also love that it’s a women’s retreat! The accommodation is at Hotelito Los Sueños, a popular boutique hotel. I love Sayulita and even considered living there – it’s sooo stunning! You’ll love this area. It also is more of an all-inclusive with even your airport pick up included, so you have literally nothing to stress about.

6 nights accommodation (based on double occupancy)
6 full breakfasts
4 catered dinners
4 surf lessons in small groups with a 4:1 student to instructor ratio
Airport transfers to and from Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR)
Relaxing evening yoga class
Skill and strength-building morning yoga class
Welcome reception upon arrival with beverages and snacks

Read full reviews and book this surf and yoga retreat.

6. Various Options with Copal Retreats, Tulum, Mexico Starting at 19,000 MXN ($987).

Choose your teacher and course based on reviews here.

Pin these top-ranked best yoga retreats in Mexico for later:

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Ask Me Anything: How in Shape Do You Need to Be to Travel India?

Rachel Jones — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 13:05:55 +0000

As part of my Ask Me Anything series, I answer common questions I get from readers. You can read other AMA posts here. In this article, I want to answer the question of how in shape do you need to be to travel India or if age is really a factor in coming here. I also will touch on traveling India with disabilities.

It’s no secret that India is known as a difficult place to travel, so much so that many of the top travel bloggers I know have publicly said they wouldn’t come to India because of the pollution, safety concerns, and corruption. I actually have never thought much about how in shape you need to be to come to India but after having quite a few people ask me about this, I thought I’d take the time to talk about the difficulties you might face if you are out of shape or if you have a disability that prevents you from walking up stairs or long distances as well as if you are in a wheelchair. I am not saying I know how it would be to travel in India with a disability but I am simply doing my best to answer this for those who asked, based on my observations here.

In general, no you do not need to be in shape more than usual to travel to India. India doesn’t have to be any different than traveling to Europe in terms of your daily acitivies unless of course you do something adventurous – which you can always choose not to do.

Here are some things that you might find challenging if you are out of shape in India:

Long sunrise and sunset hikes in popular tourist places like Pushkar or Hampi
The hot days cause dehydration and can be physically challenging as sightseeing in India often involves a lot of walking
Trekking in the Himalayas is okay for a day trek but if you plan to do something more hardcore, you might want to prepare
Adventure tours are popular here like camel rides, rafting, hiking, kayaking, and more.
Most temples are located at the top of hills and some can be a very long walk up tiny and uneven steps to get to the top

Things to consider with age while traveling in India

I do not think that age is much of a factor, but then I am 29 and don’t know what it’s like to be 79. I do know that I see many older travelers here and my advice would be if you are older and want to take things slower, to do just that. Some tours will be very fast-paced so either travel on your own or join a tour which has a slow-travel itinerary. Rather than seeing the top attractions of Delhi in two days, spend a week there and make time each day to relax and recharge.

My parents came to Mumbai, Goa, and Hampi for two weeks – they are around 60 years old and they did get tired in Hampi after so much sightseeing. They also had a lot of jetlag in the beginning.

For more, check out this post on places to visit in Hampi and this one about their visit!

I also don’t think there is an age that is too young to come. I have friends who travel with their infants and children and see 18-year-olds backpacking here. I do think that a young inexperienced traveler should not attempt to travel here on their own.

If you are traveling India with a disability here are some things to keep in mind:

If you are not steady on your feet, you might have difficulty with the fact that in crowds in India, people do push. There is not a lot of personal space in some instances like when standing in line or on public transportation so just make it clear that you want some space and you can physically put your hand on the shoulder of someone who is too close and motion for them to move back.

Some of the most famous iconic landmarks in India do not have wheelchair access. There are not often ramps or any way for people in a wheelchair to enter some famous temples and palaces. This is slowly changing and even in the 6 years I’ve traveled here, I have revisited places that have added ramps.

You might find it strange, but in places that do not have ramps and have hundreds of stairs to get to the top of a hill to see a temple – there are men who carry you up. This is not just for people who cannot walk, but for the elderly or the people who choose to not walk for any other reason. They will have a sort of cot or chair that has rods off the end which they will carry – similar to how kings and queens were carried back in the day.

You also won’t find disabled toilets except in airports where there is usually one stall with a bar on the wall to help you hold onto it. You won’t find braille on the elevators and you won’t hear beeping sounds to help you cross the road if you having a sight impairment.

Getting in and out of rickshaws might be difficult for you if you are using a cane or have trouble bending as it can be a tight squeeze. You might find that taxis will not be helpful to you or not want to be patient for you as people are sometimes treated differently in a negative way or even in a too sympathetic way as that article explains that even in 2017, people with disabilities are not seen as part of society.

Another thing I found surprising here is the language used – which isn’t meant to be derogatory but isn’t the same words we use in the USA. For example, a mute person would be called “dumb” and a person who cannot walk is “lame”. At first, I thought this is to do with the ways things are translated but then I found out actually in England, they use the term “dumb” as well in some cases. I met some textile workers who were weaving cotton and one could not speak – my tour guide said he was dumb and I was in shock. I was a little angry before I realized he did not mean he was illiterate but that he was mute and that “dumb” was the word they used for mute.

Because of the lack of infrastructure for people with disabilities traveling in India, I do suggest that you take a tour that is suited to your personal needs. If you google that, you’ll see that there are dozens of companies that offer unique specialized tours. I haven’t worked with any that are for special needs, so I cannot vouch for a particular one. Definitely, do some research, read reviews, and ask the company questions before you make a booking.

I hope that this was helpful for you. To sum it up, I don’t think you need to be in some kind of special shape to travel in India, nor does age really play a huge role as long as you travel slowly if you need to – however, traveling with disabilities here can be difficult, therefore I recommend trying a tour in that case.

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16 Things You Need to Know Before a Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh India

Rachel Jones — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 13:15:46 +0000

I am so happy to share this guest post with you about what to expect at a yoga retreat in Rishikesh!

A yoga retreat in Rishikesh, India (“the birthplace of yoga”) can be a truly life-changing experience. In fact, it’s an experience I think everyone would benefit from having at some point in their lifetime. Set in northern India, tucked into the Himalayas with the Ganges river flowing through, it’s no wonder this quirky little city attracts throngs of yoga and meditation retreats each year.

I was lucky enough to experience a yoga retreat in Rishikesh last March and am happy to report that I gained so much more out of the experience than I ever thought possible. However, it was not the experience I had envisioned, and it certainly wasn’t always easy.

Looking back, I realize that I was grossly underprepared for this trip. There are so many things I wish I had known beforehand would’ve made my transition into Rishikesh life much smoother. To help you avoid my mistakes, I’ve put together a list of the 16 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Doing a Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh, India.

Read More:

The Best Yoga Teacher Training Ashrams in India Based on Where My Readers Went and Loved (many are in Rishikesh, and the reader’s reviews are in the article!)
The Best Yoga Retreats in India: The Top 5
The Best Yoga Retreats in Goa
The Best Yoga Teacher Training Courses in India from BookYogaRetreats Reviews

16 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to a Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh

Planning for a yoga retreat in Rishikesh India

1. Prepare your gut months in advance- Strong stomach or not, this is the best advice you will get as you prepare for your retreat to Rishikesh. Unfortunately, the stereotype about the food in India is true. Many-a-traveler gets hit with “Delhi Belly”: a bought of fever, chills, diarrhea, vomit and fatigue that lasts for days. Definitely not an ideal way to spend a yoga retreat. My advice is to take every precaution you can to reduce your chances of getting sick once there. (I didn’t do this and suffered the consequences). In the months leading up to your trip take daily probiotics, drink Kombucha, and eat cultured yogurts to toughen up your gut.

2. Wean your body off meat, eggs, and booze

Rishikesh is a dry and vegetarian town. I was prepared for no meat and no alcohol. But I was completely surprised to find out that eggs in Rishikesh are few and far between. (Funnily enough, though, milk is everywhere.) Being someone who eats two eggs every morning, this sudden and unexpected egg-deprival came as a shock. Suddenly all my body and mind wanted was eggs. If meat, eggs, or alcohol are a big part of your diet, it would be wise to gradually reduce these from your diet leading up to the trip.

3. Satsang season runs from early February to mid-March…plan your trip accordingly

Satsangs are a spiritual event common in Indian tradition. The word satsang literally translates to ‘association with the wise’. Students come from far and wide to be in the presence of their spiritual teachers. During satsang, the teacher (or “guru”) starts by giving a talk and sharing wisdom, which is then followed by a question-answer session. From February until mid-March in Rishikesh, satsangs are held daily in venues throughout the city. If this is interesting to you, these months might be a good time for a visit. If not, you can take advantage of fewer crowds by planning your trip for a different period. I personally gained a lot from the satsangs which I didn’t necessarily expect going into the experience.

4. Find a guest house or hotel off the beaten path

With all the hustle-and-bustle of daily life in Rishikesh, it can be nice to stay in a quieter place. When browsing guest houses and hotels, look on the map for ones that are a bit off the main roads. Still accessible, but set further back in the mountains.

Packing a yoga retreat in Rishikesh

5. Pack Advil

Most (if not all) pharmacys in Rishikesh are Ayurvedic, meaning no Western medicine such as Ibuprofen. Even the corner stores don’t seem to know about painkillers. As a precautionary measure, make sure to pack yourself a large bottle of Ibuprofen. If and when Delhi Belly or the yoga aches-and-pains set in, you will certainly be happy you did.

6. Bring your own yoga mat from home

Let’s just say the yoga mats at the Rishikesh studios have seen better days. If you are even slightly germophobic and/or have high cleanliness standards, you will likely not want to use the free mats provided. This leaves you two options. You could bring your own yoga mat from home…

7. …Or plan to buy a yoga mat there, and donate it when you leave

Mats are for sale many places in Rishikesh for approximately $5. Of course, you get what you pay for so don’t expect the sturdiest or stickiest mat, but it will serve its purpose. It’s common practice to donate the mats to the studio or space when you leave if you do not want to carry them home with you.

8. Pack “emergency snacks” such as nut butter

You will likely get sick of (or sick from) eating Indian food for three meals per day. Sometimes the taste buds and belly just need a little break. Many people in our group brought nut butter with them that they ate with bread for one meal per day to give their body a reprieve from all the hard work of digesting the heavily spiced Indian food.

9. Plan to buy all your “India clothes” there

In Rishikesh, you should wear flowy, full-coverage clothing. (You will not want to wear your tight yoga pants or tank tops outside of the yoga studio.) Don’t waste your efforts trying to find this type of clothing at home as it will be more expensive and not the true “Rishikesh retreat style”. You are best off shopping upon arrival to pick up some ali baba pants and scarves to wear during your stay. There are tons of shops throughout town where you can procure your new retreat wardrobe at a great price.

10. Blanket scarves can be your best friend in Rishikesh

Especially if you are travelling in the cooler months, a blanket scarf will serve many purposes. It can be used to cover your shoulders or keep you warm in the mornings and evenings. In Rishikesh you will find yourself sitting cross-legged on the floor for extended periods of time; be it at satsang, meditation or even eating at the local cafes. Folding up your blanket scarf as an extra cushion can be a huge help for your level of comfort and spine happiness.

11. Withdraw and exchange money before you arrive

Contradictory to my normal travel stance of “bring enough cash to get by for the first few days and use credit cards for the rest”, in Rishikesh very few places take credit card. It is also not uncommon for the ATMs to be out of cash for multiple days in a row. If it’s an emergency situation, you can typically journey further outside of town to find a functioning ATM, but this is definitely not the optimal use of a day. There are also daily withdrawal limits, so I found myself having to go back to the ATM multiple days in a row. Save the hassle and convert your cash into rupees at home.

12. Bring earplugs

Whether it’s a motorbike, a car, a cow, a horse-drawn carriage, a monkey, a group of people, or a ceremonial procession, India is loud. While it can be festive, if you happen to be sleeping, it can also be quite disruptive. Pack earplugs. Sleep sound.

Settling into the environment in Rishikesh

13. The Monkeys are cute, but not friendly

Don’t feed them or let them see that you have food. They will snatch it.

14. The Cows are also cute, but sometimes headbutt

Steer clear.

15. Just because it’s a retreat, don’t expect it to be relaxing

Yes, it’s true, when most people hear “retreat in Rishikesh,” they think it will be zen. However, you must remember that retreat or no retreat, India is still India. A vibrant and dynamic place with so much going on at any given time. This is not a place for the faint of heart. While Rishikesh is amazing in its spirituality and energy, don’t expect to kick your feet up and relax. Twice daily yoga practices, meditations, and experiencing the city of Rishikesh can be extremely tiring, and often a sensory overload. Some days it may seem hard or exhausting, but know that it is all worth it and you will come out a better person for it in the end. (However, you may need a vacation afterward to soak it all in. The “post-trip savasana”, as I call it.)

16. Expect the unexpected

Every day in Rishikesh will be an adventure in and of itself. Be open to it. Go with the flow. Let go of any and all expectations you have for the retreat and let mother India work her magic on you. She has a plan, after all, that is far greater than what you could ever imagine.

There are so many reasons to pursue a yoga immersion in India that are personal to each and every one of us. Be it to get out of your comfort zone, understand yogic tradition, become full immersed, or even just to challenge yourself.

No matter what it is that is calling you to Rishikesh, though, don’t forget to be in the moment. Don’t forget to enjoy the colors, the hustle and bustle, the vibration of the mountains, the sound of the river. Allow your eyes and heart to be opened by this charming Indian city. And despite all the chaos, if your experience in Rishikesh is anything like mine, you will look back on it with nothing but fondness.

Pin these Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh India tips for later:

Author Bio:

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Jill is the author of travel blog Travels & Tribulations. Her writing covers the highs and lows of being an expat abroad as well as budget-friendly tips and itineraries. Jill has visited India twice and is now planning her third trip. You can read more about Jill’s experiences retreating in Rishikesh here and follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

The post 16 Things You Need to Know Before a Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh India first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

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How I Keep the Sea and Sun From Damaging My Hair When I Travel

Rachel Jones — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 10:01:37 +0000

Having long, tangly hair can be a little annoying when traveling but I’ve found some ways to manage it. I have a few travel hair care tips and some favorite products that I use when I’m bouncing around the world so that my hair doesn’t need a big cut after the trip is over.

I recently did a reader survey and one question asked what you want more tips on and I was surprised to see you want more beauty tips. I don’t write much about it but do have an article about travel beauty hacks I use and some travel makeup I tested out – but for the most part, I don’t write about it too much! I hope that this article on managing your hair while traveling will be helpful.

My Favorite Travel Hair Care Tips & Products

1. Prevention is Key: Fewer Chemicals and Heat

It’s really important to try and keep your hair protected ahead of time.

Let me share my hair type so that you can see if yours is a little similar or not because the tips that work for me won’t work for everyone. I have naturally “dirty blonde” or “dishwater blonde” hair that I do a partial (top) highlight to once a year. The sun keeps it pretty blonde (and makes a lot of natural white highlights) so there isn’t a lot of damage on it from chemicals. If you do dye your hair more often, that can be difficult to keep up with while you travel. I used to highlight my hair every 8 weeks in college for four years, and since I stopped that 5 years ago you literally cannot tell a difference as the sun does most of the work! I’d consider trying to let your hair go more natural if it’s not already – and spreading out how often you dye it.

Not using too much hair dye helps keep it baseline healthier. I also don’t own/use a hair drier, straightener, or curling iron which helps massively. My hair dries wavy so I add product and leave it as it is. I use heat products maybe two times a year. I think that these two things are pretty key to keeping hair healthy. You can add all the best products to heat damaged or over-bleached hair and it won’t help too much.

For products to help with preventing sun damage, I love the Aveda line. They do a[easyazon_link identifier=”B002RDA2SI” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]’Sun Care Protective Veil[/easyazon_link] and an ‘[easyazon_link identifier=”B0091R6REQ” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]After Sun Mask[/easyazon_link]’, both of which I use. I buy the larger sizes and then put a small amount in travel tubes when I’m on vacations.

2. Not Letting it “Go”

While I might go maximum 3 days without washing and combing my hair, when I do wash it, I always comb it. If you get on that “barefoot traveler” thing and don’t comb your hair, you really will get dreads! Fine if you want them, but if you want to be able to brush it back out then don’t let it go too long without taking care of it.

I have such dry wavy hair that underneath it would be uncombable if I went a week without doing it. Then, if you wait too long, you have to yank and pull to get the tangles and knots out. This does so much damage! So, try to keep up on it. Every time you hear that snapping of hair when you brush your hair, it’s just hair you are losing and breaking in half.

My hair in the image above is so matted and tangled up after hours of lessons that it is absolutely impossible to detangle without products. I have sometimes been in the shower with loads of conditioner in my hair after surfing about to give up because it’s so hard to get out the tangles.

If you swim in the sea and your hair has nice beach waves when you get out, it’s tempting to leave it like that until starts to look bad which could take a week or so. I wash and comb it after every day I swim in the sea because if you go a week with beachy hair it’ll be a disaster to try and comb it eventually.

Actually even open-Jeep rides and extremely windy beach days, I’ll wash and comb it to prevent it from getting too tangled. When I rode in an open Jeep in Golan Heights, it took me 45 minutes that night to wash my hair and that was with a handful of conditioner in it!

One thing I try to do when surfing or in windy situations like the back of a motorcycle, is to put my hair in a braid so it can’t go as wild.

3. Don’t Wash it Too Much

Where I am from in Ohio, most people have a water softener. Soft water makes your hair sooo silky smooth. In Europe, Asia, and other places you might travel, they have hard water. It makes your hair feel brittle and you might be bummed to see it doesn’t look the same as you’re used to.

It might dry different or feel different. I try to wash my hair only every 3 days unless I’m in the sea or have gotten dirty/sweaty. After too much time using hard water, my hair does start to feel more brittle and when I spend a month at home in Ohio I can feel it getting softer.

4. Use Detangling Products

If you’ve been sleeping on trains and surfing and your hair is a mess, don’t yank at it! I know you guys have limited space in your luggage, but take just these 3 essential things with you to help detangle your hair.

[easyazon_link identifier=”B06XCYFFBS” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Tangle Teaser Comb[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00CVJ71X2″ locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner[/easyazon_link] (Travel Size)
Any Brand Deep Conditioning Masks – just take a few so that every couple of week you can treat your hair. I love Aveda, but there are loads.

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”107″ identifier=”B008HJRLXK” locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/313wMqsYofL.SL160.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”160″][easyazon_image align=”none” height=”110″ identifier=”B0025VWCD0″ locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/21uUT0cTDQL.SL110.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”110″]

5. Condition Like Crazy

I use conditioner every time I wash my hair, but I also use that “It’s a 10” leave in conditioner spray every other time I wash my hair. I love this stuff because it detangles and leaves my hair feeling really good instead of dry.

6. Don’t Let Product Build Up

My hair dries naturally wavy, but when I want it to look extra good, I’ll use beach wave products on it. I do this on average once every other week, or at maximum once a week. This sounds pretty obvious, but you have to wash your hair thoroughly and get out all the products even conditioner. In India, many hostels have only cold water (no heating connected) and have terrible water pressure. I see so many tourists walking around with greasy hair because the cold water with no pressure coming out of the shower isn’t cleaning their hair and getting the conditioner all the way out.

Bucket baths can be even worse because you dump a whole bucket of water on your head with no hands to rinse it while you do, but it’s not the same as giving it thorough rinse under the shower head and use your hands to get all the product out. If you are a budget traveler, then every once in a while check into a place with hot water and a real shower so you can wash it really good.

This picture is what my hair looks like if I comb it after a shower and just let it dry with “It’s a 10” conditioner, compared to the next picture down, which is when I add product and try to, scrunch it up with a towel, and make it have beach waves.

7. Trim Your Hair When It Starts Looking Dry at the Ends

Even while traveling you can go in a salon and get a trim. I’ve even had one in a barber shop in India. You don’t have to get fancy; you can just say: “cut it straight across” and show them how much to take off. I don’t get layers when I’m traveling, but will get a trim.

8. How I Make My Hair Look Wavy

I have naturally wavy hair (pic above without products) but I do use products when I want it to look good. The products I use to help with beach waves, naturally dry your hair so you don’t want to use them daily. Some people do, but I wouldn’t want to – it’s salt basically that you are putting in your hair which is always drying.

The products that I use for my hair when I want to make it wavy are [easyazon_link identifier=”B01ESH1ATA” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Bumble & Bumble Surf Shampoo and Conditioner[/easyazon_link], [easyazon_link identifier=”B00CVJ71X2″ locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]It’s a 10 leave-in conditioner[/easyazon_link], [easyazon_link identifier=”B008FVQNSE” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray[/easyazon_link] or [easyazon_link identifier=”B01DAX2NC6″ locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Foam Spray[/easyazon_link], and that’s it! The foam spray is next, but I think I like it even more than the original surf spray.

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”110″ identifier=”B00D14A64C” locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/41PzxmuQQML.SL110.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”110″] [easyazon_image align=”none” height=”160″ identifier=”B0025VWCD0″ locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/21uUT0cTDQL.SL160.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”160″] [easyazon_image align=”none” height=”160″ identifier=”B008FVQNSE” locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/31ZRqkSTtIL.SL160-1.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”54″] [easyazon_image align=”none” height=”160″ identifier=”B01DAX2NC6″ locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/21gMy2jFrL.SL160.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”160″]

So, here’s what I do to make it wavy. I use my Tangle Teazer comb in the shower to brush my hair while I have conditioner in it. Then I flip my hair upside down in the shower and kind of scrunch it up under the water. When I get out, I gently scrunch it up with a towel then add the leave-in conditioner and surf spray and then I scrunch it again (really really gently or it’ll go frizzy). Next, I scrunch it to my head twist it, and put it in a clip until it’s about 40% dried. It looks like this (a dog after a bath lol) while it dries a bit and I go out like that (ignore the black eye from the surf board, lol):

Then I let it down and let it dry. I usually do a deep side part then some pieces of that naturally fall back to the other side and have a little more bounce/fullness. If I really want it wavy, I won’t comb it in the shower, but it will be so tangled for the next time I need to comb it – and I always regret doing it!

So, these are my basic tips for how I keep my hair managed while traveling. Again, it’ll be different for every hair type! My hair is actually thick (as in a have a lot of it) but each individual hair is very fine, not course, so it’s very prone to tangles.

I want to keep it long, so that’s why I use these travel hair care tips! I feel like these aren’t even good hair photos I’ve added to this blog post – I can’t think of which places my hair looked the best – but you can also check out my Instagram to see photos of my hair and see if you’d want to try these products.

Pin these travel hair care tips for later:

The post How I Keep the Sea and Sun From Damaging My Hair When I Travel first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

The post How I Keep the Sea and Sun From Damaging My Hair When I Travel appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

Best Yoga Retreats & Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) Courses in India Based on Hippie in Heel’s Readers Reviews

Rachel Jones — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 11:50:41 +0000

India is a gold mine for people coming here looking for yoga – and many of you are! I am based in Goa, which has dozens of very popular yoga retreats. Rishikesh and Mysore are also huge for yoga. I’ve written some introductory posts on the best yoga retreats in India, which I am going to put in bullet points just below this paragraph, but in this post, I want to share the places my readers have specifically told me about. I have a group on Facebook called India Travel Tips which is full of my readers and travelers to India. I asked them to tell me about their yoga retreat experiences and was so excited that 20+ girls told me their favorites, and many were mentioned more than once.

Here are three post I have on the topic, all three with prices and options for all budgets.

Book A Yoga Retreat in Goa, India (these are all so so amazing)

5 of the Most Famous & Loved Yoga Retreats in India

Choose a Yoga Teacher Training Course in India From These Top 5 Ashrams

The Best Yoga Retreats in India& Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) Courses in India Based on Hippie in Heel’s Readers Reviews and Personal Experience

I link to bookyogaretreats.com and their partner bookyogateachertraining.com because they round up the best of the best and there are more reviews and direct information to compare programs. You also pay through them, whereas some school in India want you to wire money before the class or pay in cash on arrival, so it makes payment easier and more trustworthy. When you see something you might be interested in, click over to that course and you’ll see dozens of images of the food, room, and classes, as well as more information about the courses, food, and accommodation. You can then read more reviews from people on that website. I’m not going to go into too much detail since you can click through and see it all for the ones you are interested in.

The Best Yoga Retreats in India according to Hippie in Heels readers:

1. AYM: Association of Yoga and Meditation, Rishikesh

Tara McManus just did a 200-hour YTT course at AYM and says she recommends it highly. She talked about “beautiful grounds, great well-rounded curriculum (hatha and vinyasa, yoga philosophy, anatomy, meditation/pranayama/shatkarma), and kind & knowledgeable instructors”. She said it’s also an Ayurvedic center, so “Ayurveda courses were available and everyone loved them”. She said that “food was simple and good” and she paid $1350 for the course with a shared room and food. She mentioned it would have been $1,600 for a single room. Someone asked if it was only for advanced people and she remarked “You’ll be fine! Definitely a bit sore but none of the poses they teach are super advanced. Especially if the teachers know you’re a beginner, they’ll cater to you accordingly. I would say go for it!” On the website I use for comparisons of courses, this is ranked as a top 10 retreat in the world based on reviews.

Another reader, Emily Basford, also chose this place for her 500-Hour training. It seems to be the most popular in Rishkesh, but not more expensive so I’ve listed it first.

Option 1: 27 Days 200-Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Course, Rishikesh 86,716 Rs. ($1,352)

Daily yoga classes
The course combines Hatha, Iyengar, and Ashtanga Vinyasa
Classes suitable for all levels
Meditation and pranayama practices
Certification upon completion affiliated with Yoga Alliance
Teaching kit and course-based books
26 nights accommodation
Three daily meals

Read reviews and book the hugely popular 200-Hours AYM course.

Option 2: 59 Days 500-Hour YTT Course, Rishikesh 192,703 Rs. ($3,006 USD)

Great value for money compared to other 500-Hour courses
Advanced course
Yoga therapy
Daily yoga classes
Daily practice of yoga asanas
Meditation and pranayama sessions
Knowledge on anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology
Certification by International Yoga Alliance USA
58 nights accommodation
Daily meals

2. Om Shanti Om Yoga School, Rishikesh

Bailarina Gaspar told us how much she loved Om Shanti Om. She did a 200-hour YTT course and said “I couldn’t recommend it more. It was the greatest experience ever and I am now going back in January to the same school to do 500 hours. It was a good price: 4 weeks, everything included, around 1150 Euros.”

You can see ALL 6 courses that Om Shanti Om offers on this link (from 7-day budget ones to an intense 500 hour 71-day YTT courses). But, I’ll give you two options here that are ranked really high with their prices. This school is also ranked 8/10 but you can see full reviews on the links.

Option 1: 27 Days 200-Hour YTT & Meditation course, Rishikesh 80,293 Rs. (1,251 USD)

Daily yoga and meditation classes
Experience a pooja ceremony and mantra chanting
200-hour Yoga Alliance US certificate upon completion
Teaching methodology, anatomy, therapy, and Ayurveda notions
1 Ayurvedic massage and an Indian traditional music concert
Meditation and pranayama theory and therapy
3 daily vegetarian meals per day
26 nights accommodation

Click here to read in-depth reviews and book this 200-Hour course.

Option 2: 14 Days 100-Hour YTT & Meditation Course, Rishikesh 44,964 Rs. ($701)

Daily Ayurveda yoga lessons
Daily Hatha and flow Vinyasa classes
Ashtanga and Laughter yoga therapy sessions
Outdoor and Osho dynamic dance meditation sessions
Pranayama, Satsang class, and mantra chanting
Indian classical music concert
12 nights accommodation
Daily vegetarian meals

3. Yoga with Awdhesh Semwal at Shiva Yoga Peeth or Vedansha Institute of Vedic Science and Alternative Medicine

Courtney Gonsky said that her favorite Ashtanga teacher from her YTT 200 She said he is an “incredible teacher” and “he was by far the best part about my YTT and I would highly recommend his classes to anyone!” She took his classes at Shiva Yoga Peeth, but he also teaches at Vedansha. She said she recently completed her 200-Hour YTT course but felt like she was participating in “yoga tourism” and it lacked the authenticity she had hoped for, as everyone “passes” regardless of skillset. But she did ‘expand her own personal practice and surround herself with yoga, which was great”. She loved that her room had a view of the Ganga River and the food was “great”. So, since she liked but didn’t love her experience but did love the teacher, I’m going to share her exact course but also two other courses that Awdhesh is a teacher at.

IMPORTANT NOTE: As of Feb 5th 2018 there is news that an instructor called Sudhiranand was arrested for molesting a student at Shiva Yoga Peeth! You can read about this here. These things happen at yoga retreats and yoga teacher courses way too often and it’s horrific! I will be following this story and see if he’s been fired or released; so I can remove the listing from this post if so!

Option 1: 28 Days 200-Hour YTT Course at Shiva Yoga Peeth

This one looks to be booked out online, but you can monitor in case it becomes available again. You can also check out Om Yoga Academy which is where Courtney booked.

Option 2: 27 Days 200-Hour YYT course at Vedansha Rishikesh 83,505 Rs. ($1,301 USD)

Concentration and meditation
Deep study of breathing & mantra techniques
Asana Hatha and Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga classes
Yoga philosophy & Ayurveda in daily life
Workshops & teaching your own class
Excursions & Ayurvedic massage
26 nights accommodation
3 daily vegetarian meals
This is for beginner and intermediate yogis

Option 3: 6 Day Budget Yoga Retreat at Vedanasha Rishikesh 22,482 Rs. ($350 USD)

Daily Hatha yoga classes
Pranayama & Asana self-practice
Mantra chanting and meditation classes
Brief astrological map consultation and aura assessment
Participation in online webinars and courses
3 daily meals and detox drinks
5 nights accommodation
Himalayan excursion
For all levels of yogis

4. K Pattabhi Jois Yoga Institute, Mysore

Sara Eaton says she highly recommends K Pattabhi Jois Yoga Institute in Mysore: “It’s amazing to meet Ashtanga yoga people from all over the world who go there to practice and study. It’s so inspiring!” I went to their website which had tons of information about their style of Ashtanga yoga but it says they only reach in Dec/Jan and are already full. The institute is also quite strict, saying “Beginners (who have not studied from our KPJAYI authorized teachers/never visited Mysore to study in KPJAYI) are not allowed to apply/study with Guru Sharath Jois. One should study with any of our KPJAYI authorized teachers around the world for a minimum of 2 months to apply/study with Sharath ji.”

But there is another place called Samyak Yoga in Mysore that does his teachings, so you could learn this style then next year try for the actual institute since you can’t go there without having already done courses on his style of teaching. This place, Samyak, has an 85% “excellence” rating.

Option 1: 28 Days 200-Hour YTT Course, Mysore at Samyak Yoga 115,00 Rs. ($1,797 USD)

Ashtanga yoga teacher training follows the traditional practice and teaching of Ashtanga yoga as per the teachings of Sri K Pattabhi Jois
Daily Ashtanga yoga practices
Daily meditation and pranayama sessions
Understand the meaning of Vinyasa Krama
200-hour yoga teacher training certification from Samyak Yoga
Learn yoga philosophy and theme-based workshops
27 nights accommodation
Daily Ayurvedic meals

5. Anadi Yoga Center, Rishikesh

Sarah Wainewright says that Anadi Yoga Centre in Rishikesh is “incredible”. After finishing her course in November, she says she “can’t recommend it enough thanks to small class sizes and really knowledgeable and authentic teachers”. On their website, they have some YTT classes available although you cannot see the price until you email them with an inquiry and fill out an application form (this is why I stick to linking to the bookyogaretreats page). On the bookyogaretreats, they seem to be sold out. I’ll go ahead and link to the 200-Hour course below in case they get more dates added in.

Option 1: 28 Days 200-Hour Hatha YTT Course, Rishikesh (price not available)

Yoga practice
Pranayama and asana sessions
Guided meditation, yoga Nidra, and mantra chanting
200-hour yoga teacher training certification
27 nights accommodation
Vegetarian meals

6. Yoganandham Yoga School, Rishikesh

If you want something a little more relaxed and not as long and intense, you might enjoy these two options. Reader Caroline Smits wanted a place that could communicate with her well as she’s deaf and was worried about communication challenges. She emailed them ahead and they said they can write everything down with her. She realized while researching that other schools include rafting, massage, or trekking which she didn’t want – so settled on Yoganandham. She explained, “I have two yoga classes in one day. Hatha yoga in the morning and asthanga in the evening. After evening yoga class I got meditation class from Sailesh, my guru. He’s very friendly and had patience with me. He also took me for his private class to repeat his meditation lesson and it helps me to understand.” As for her classes, she said they were good and they taught correct posture so she didn’t have any pain. The meals were good too, and they gave her vegan food which she requested. She added: “The people working there are friendly and patiently. I surely recommend you all to stay at Yoganandham school ashram to experience the purity and simple life.” She did the 3-day class linked next.

Option 1: 3 Days Relaxing Meditation & Yoga Retreat, Rishikish 8,335 Rs. ($130 USD)

Daily yoga classes
Meditation and pranayama classes
One yoga t-shirt and cleansing process material
Introduction of yoga philosophy and participation certification
3 organic and vegetarian meals a day
2 nights accommodation
One excursion

Look at reviews and book this 3 day retreat.

Option 2: 7 Days Meditation & Yoga Retreat, Rishkesh 19,235 Rs. ($300 USD)

Yoga sessions daily
Meditation sessions daily
Yoga asanas, philosophy, and satsang
Pranayama and introduction to Ayurveda
6 nights accommodation
Daily Ayurvedic meals

Many Goa Recommendations for Purple Valley (famous teachers from all over the world), SWAN Yoga (real traditional yoga), and Kranti Yoga. I have a post on yoga retreats in Goa which tells you more about these. Usually, Goa is more expensive than Rishikesh but you are on the beach in a really cute beach shack! Here’s the post that explains more about the best Goa beach yoga retreat options. If you click there, you’ll see the top 5 including these rather than me copying all the information over here. But DO check it out as Goa will be totally different than learning in Rishikesh or Mysore. Also, thank you so much to the readers who took time to do this. If you have stayed at any of these places, please leave a comment with your thoughts!

Pin these first-hand reviews of the best yoga retreats in India for later:

The post Best Yoga Retreats & Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) Courses in India Based on Hippie in Heel’s Readers Reviews first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

The post Best Yoga Retreats & Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) Courses in India Based on Hippie in Heel’s Readers Reviews appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

5 Essential Tips for Traveling With Dietary Restrictions

Rachel Jones — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 12:33:48 +0000

A friend of mine from college, Lauren, is a fellow lover of travel but she travels with dietary restrictions after struggling for years learning what she could and couldn’t eat. She shared her whole journey on Facebook and Instagram. I reached out to her and asked if she could share a little about traveling with dietary restrictions when you feel so limited to what you can eat without getting sick. Thanks, Lauren.

Simplicity and planning are two keys when you’re traveling with dietary restrictions. The stress of travel is already draining. You don’t want to add to it with foods that don’t sit well with you or have to deal with the stress of trying to find foods that you can eat. It’ll just bring you down and bog down your trip. When you’re traveling, you want to do everything you can to support yourself so that you can get the most out of your trip – because that’s the whole point…to explore, experience and FEEL good while doing so.

A little background on my health and my experience with dietary restrictions- although I no longer see them as restrictions, I see removing them from my diet as a blessing. I’ve been dealing with chronic and autoimmune conditions since age 12. I’ve been labeled with fibromyalgia, lyme, chronic fatigue and so much more. My health journey has been a hell of a ride.

Three years ago I realized I wasn’t getting better doing what I was doing – pumping myself with pharmaceuticals and eating any and all food you can imagine. I hit rock bottom one day and threw out the pills, cleaned out the cupboard and never looked back! I’ve gone through all sorts of stages of removing, adding in and experimenting with foods, using myself as a guinea-pig-science experiment. I started out slowly by removing one thing at a time… gluten, meat, dairy, processed foods/sugars, soy, grains and so forth. After finding everything that didn’t work, I finally found a combination of things that DO work. I have ultimately ended up as a raw vegan, eating a diet consisting of predominantly fruit, some vegetables and nuts/seeds, which has been what is reversing my chronic and autoimmune conditions (it’s a process).

Read more:

9 exercises you can do in your hotel room

How to get good sleep when you travel

11 tips to stay healthy while you travel

During that time of experimentation, I became really good at dealing with the ever-changing dietary restrictions I was going through. I learned how to navigate through social situations, traveling and restaurants – and I’m here to share my experience to make it easier for you to live your life, no matter what dietary restrictions you may have and no matter where you are!

5 Tips for Traveling With Dietary Restrictions

1. Plan Ahead

Do your research before you get on the road! Research the area you’re going to and where you’ll be staying and traveling around. Look into restaurants and their menus – you can literally plan out what you’re going to get at each restaurant before you even leave for the trip if that will make it easier for you! Also, be upfront! You can call and ask them if they will be able to work with your food restrictions. Most restaurants are totally cool with it and they WANT to cater to you.

I like to personally make a list on my phone of restaurant names, the meals I was looking into that would work for me, phone number and the address of the place. This way when I arrive, I don’t have to go back internet surfing trying to remember what is what and which place carries what foods I’m able to eat. A good google search would be wording like “restaurants near/in cityX with gluten-free options/vegetarian options/dairy-free options” and go from there.

2. BYO

I have been known to BYO avocado a time or two… no matter your dietary restrictions, almost every place you go to is going to have some type of salad options, grains, vegetables, simpler side dishes, etc., in some form or fashion. A lot of the sauces and dressings have ingredients that don’t sit well for a lot of people so here’s what I recommend.

If possible, I’ll bring my own avocado, a travel packet of almond or cashew butter and/or a travel packet of coconut aminos. Nut butters makes a great creamy addition on its own in a dish, or mixed with the coconut aminos as a delicious dressing/sauce. The aminos also mix well with lemon juice and a little honey or maple syrup (almost all restaurants have one or the other). Other options are asking to sub any sauce/marinade with simple olive oil, lemon/lime or my favorite, lots of extra guac… because guac goes with and on everything (I’ll order like 3 servings of extra guac – and I’m not sorry about it!). Another idea is to bring mini seasonings to add massive flavor to any dish! Also, if I’m just going to an event or restaurant when not traveling, I make my own dressing at home, put it in my bag and bring it with me!

3. Mix and Match

Mix and match different items on the menu to create what works for you. If you look at an entrée description, you’ll see most of the foods that are in a dish. For example, if I saw a dish that had roasted vegetables or potatoes but what I was ordering didn’t have it, I would either sub out something from my meal or kind of create my own using sides and items from different entrées.

If they have it listed on their menu, that means they have it in the kitchen. Just because they don’t offer it with other entrees or on its own, doesn’t mean they can’t accommodate you and make you up your own serving! Also, if you see a sauce from a different entrée that would work for you, ask to have a side of it.

4. Fruit for Breakfast

Fruit makes the morning meals a breeze wherever you are traveling. Almost anywhere you go for breakfast will have some sort of fruit. A lot of the time they’ll just come as sides or as accents to other dishes, but that means they have some in the back. It’s easy to order let’s say, 5 sides of whatever fruit platter they have (you’ll be full – trust me…order five servings of any fruit platter and then tell me you’re still hungry!).

In a similar sense, you would save time and money if you researched markets/grocery stores ahead of time and bought your own stash of fruits. That way, you can wake up, have your breakfast and start your adventures, having one less meal to worry about trying to accommodate. It’s also a great snack to have on you throughout the day as a snack.

Fruit is a perfect meal and your body’s best friend. And no, fruit does not have too much sugar in it (biggest myth EVER), but don’t get me started…that is totally for a different article.

5. Travel Prepared

Be prepared to succeed and stay full & satisfied. There are a ton of great snacks and foods you can travel with to have with you throughout the duration of your trip. Especially if you’re checking a bag, that means you get a personal item and a carry on. You can bring a bag solely for the purpose of stocking with fruits and snacks.

The fruits are great because that way, you have food on the plane and some for when you land, so you’re not scrambling to get to somewhere to eat right away. You can also stock your suitcase with easy, on-the-go snacks that you can throw in your bag and have with you while you’re traveling. My favorite travel snacks (in no particular order): dried fruit, delicious bars, granola, raw nuts and seeds, crackers, nut butter packets and coconut amino packets.

Traveling with Dietary Restrictions is Possible!

I know it may feel overwhelming at first when you’re adapting to living with food restrictions, but know that you are not alone and it is totally doable! Start playing with the recommendations above and you’ll find that even though it may seem like a lot of planning at first, it really doesn’t take much effort and you’ll become an expert in no time!

I wanted to touch on the emotional/mental part of having dietary restrictions and living life with them. I know how frustrating it can feel going to social situations and restaurants and feeling like there’s nothing for you to eat. It gets easier with a little planning, adapting and becoming creative by working with what’s around you, I promise.

I know it’s taken me awhile to come to a place where I’m comfortable with what I will and will not eat. It’s easy to give in to peer pressure and feel uncomfortable in social settings, but it takes courage and strength to stand up for yourself and feel confident in the choices you make for your body. A lot of times it can feel isolating, embarrassing and like somethings wrong with you, like you’re an inconvenience (YOU’RE NOT). I used to feel like that a lot.

I would feel massive guilt around saying “no” to foods that were being served and what everyone else was eating. I used to feel so uncomfortable at restaurants because I would have to change my order so much: can I please have X without a,b,c,d,e, etc. and can I sub that with this and can I have an extra side of that, actually can I just make up my own dish, etc.

But here’s how I’ve come to see it…we only know one thing FOR SURE: we have the body we’re in for the rest of our time here. Don’t you deserve to feel good and treat it properly, the way it’s asking you? If you eat foods that don’t agree with you just because of other people and then you feel unwell, even sick, then what’s the point? Who has to experience that unpleasantness – YOU DO. This is your vehicle through which you move in this world – feed it the way it’s asking to be fed!

A list of healthy travel snack that you can buy on Amazon, curated by Lauren:

FRUIT
Dried Fruit
1. Coconut Chips
2. Apricots
3. Dates
4. Figs
5. Raisins
6. Mulberries
7. Mangos
8. Pineapple
9. Banana Chips
Bars
1. That’s It
2. Larabars
3. GoMacro
4. Simple Squares
5. Kind Bars
6. The Gluten Free Bar
7. Redd Superfood Energy Bar
8. Granola
9. Purely Elizabeth
10. Kind Clusters
11. Raw nuts and seeds
12. Cashews
13. Almonds
14. Pumpkin Seeds
15. Sunflower Seeds
Crackers & Chips
1. Flackers
2. GoRaw
3. Mary’s Gone
4. Rice Cakes
5. Jackson’s Honest Chips
6. Buddha Bowl Popcorn
7. Nut butter packets
8. Cashew
9. Almond
10. Justin’s Squeeze Packs
11. Travel-Friendly Condiments/Spices
12. Coconut amino packets
13. Travel Size Spice Kit
Chocolate!
1. Endangered Species
2. Alter Eco
3. Seaweed Snacks
4. Snack Packs (Different Flavors)
5. Large Raw Nori Sheets
Alternative to Wraps
1. Raw Wraps Spinach
2. Coconut Wraps

Thanks Lauren, for these tips for travel with dietary restrictions!

Author Bio: Lauren is on a mission to ignite a heal-yourself revolution and create something massively different than what’s been going on thus far. Three years ago she went on a journey to heal herself from debilitating chronic & autoimmune conditions and is now successfully overcoming them. She is a Certified Regenerative Detoxification Specialist & Iridologist, working with people to help them identify where and how to start healing themselves. You can follow her on her Instagram, website and subscribe to her soon-to-launch YouTube channel, as well as visit her Shopify store which carries spunky t-shirts for plant enthusiasts. Check out

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Choose a Yoga Teacher Training Course in India From These Top Ashrams

Rachel Jones — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 13:10:23 +0000

India is a fantastic place to visit for yoga teacher training (YTT) courses, and often they are less expensive here than in the USA or Europe with even better teachers who know what “true yoga” is. Yoga originates in India and has been around since 5000 BC, so if you’re going to learn how to teach yoga, coming here to learn is your best bet for success. When you search for a yoga teacher training course in India, you’ll find there are A LOT to sift through, and it can seem like a headache to try to choose. So, I decided to write this post with the best of the best yoga ashrams in India that offer yoga teacher training courses.

India, in general, is a great place to take courses that will allow you to earn your own income abroad and be your own boss. I myself took a massage course which I did as a job until my blog earned money. If you’re great at yoga and thinking about becoming a teacher, then consider a course in India; it could change your life. Think about how you could travel and do retreats around the world! I have many friends who are yoga teachers, one who got certified here in Goa, and they all lead such interesting and travel-centric lives!

Yoga teacher training in Rishikesh and Goa are the most popular options. Goa is the land of hippies from back in the day and Rishikesh is where the Beatles’ chilled out at an ashram, making these two places notorious. Hence, most of the best ashrams to take a yoga teacher training course in India are in Rishikesh and Goa.

You can search for more on this website or this one. Both are the same brand and are the best of the best for searching and comparing yoga courses. You can search by budget, location, type of yoga, and more. When you click over, you can see more about the teachers, the course, and even the full daily schedule.

If you’ve found this on Google and are wondering who I am – I am Rachel and I’ve been living and traveling in India for 6 years. You can read my India guide ebook which plans your trip to India from visas to treehouse hotel and meeting local artists to yoga classes & iconic monuments – you name it I cover it. You can read about it here or click through and buy it here.

The following are the best ranked courses in India, and ones my friends have taken BUT I also asked my readers (in an Indian tips Facebook group I run) what their favorite YTT courses were and got so much feedback on fantastic ones, I summed them up in this post so you can check out even more options over there. Definitely click over and check it out.

Which Yoga Teacher Training Course in India is Best for You?

1. Ashiyana Yoga Teacher Training, Goa $3,350

This is a 28 day, 200-hour course. Ashiyana is just absolutely stunning and if I were going to learn to teach yoga, THIS is where I’d do it. You’ll stay in amazing rooms in an old Portuguese house or in beach huts near the sea, in the jungle. Here, they focus on finding well-being and inner peace and their training inspired by Satyananda, their spiritual master. According to them, “The course will be framed around the four main paths of yoga – Jnana, Karma, Bhakti, and Hatha (Raja). There will be a thorough examination of the traditional and most common interpretation of yoga according to Patanjali’s eight limbs of Raja Yoga.”

Daily yoga classes
Yoga material and instrument
Yoga Alliance UK Registered certificate
Full accommodation during program
2 minutes walk to the beach
Local fresh, delicious meals

Click here to read reviews and check availability.

2. Purple Valley Yoga Teacher Training, Goa $3113

This is a 28 day course, 24 with instruction. They have world-renowned teachers come here. It’s located in a magical part of Goa, the jungles of Assagao (just a 10-minute drive from the beach). This course has been featured in magazines and websites as one of the best and I’ve been here myself. It’s beautiful. In regards to certification, here is what they say: “It is important to learn Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga from a trained teacher who follows the traditional lineage of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Please note that only the Krishna Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Institute can grant you an official authorization or certification to teach Ashtanga yoga.” The instructor is Joey Miles who has an extensive amount of expertise in Ashtanga.

Ashtanga yoga sessions
Hands-on asana adjustments
Chanting, meditation, and pranayama classes
Deepen your practice with two weekly guided retreat days
Intensive study days four times per week
Enjoy a weekly full day of rest
27 nights accommodation
Daily vegetarian meals

Click here to read reviews and check availability.

3. World Peace Yoga School, Rishikesh $1396

Here you can take a 200-hour, 28-day yoga teacher training course right next to the Ganges River. This isn’t a luxurious one and you’ll be a basic shared-room guesthouse but the price matches and if you’re on a budget with not a lot to invest, this is going to be a great option for you. They say “the course deals with in depth knowledge on Hatha, Ashtanga, and Kundalini yoga postures, along with meditation yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, naturopathy, and spiritual techniques.” Yogi Vishnu, the creator of the course, will come for a fire ceremony on the first night.

Certificate affiliated with Yoga Alliance
Weekend excursions
Every Saturday kirtan night
One the Himalayas sightseeing trip
Daily nutritious vegetarian meals, detox juices and teas
Free taxi-pickup from (DED) Dehradun airport
27 nights shared accommodation
A free ayurvedic massage
Yoga materia

Click here to read reviews and check availability.

4. Rishikul Yogshala, Rishikesh $1746

This is a 30 day, 300-hour course. Like the above, it’s a budget option and considering this is 100 more hours, it is quite a steal. This is a level two course for intermediate students and above; “The course is accredited by with Yoga Alliance and is open to any students who want to be confident yoga masters”. They also offer this 200-hour course.

Nasal wash pot
1 rafting trip
1 t-shirt for yoga class
2 yoga books for self-study
Yoga YTT manuals and materials
Comprehensive and detailed curriculum
Detailed teaching on communication skills for teaching
Detailed teaching on meditation, pranayama, asanas, mudras, sadhana, and mantras
Weekly group discussion aimed to develop your critical skills
Weekend social, cultural, and recreational activities
Outdoor yoga practice and meditation
1 Himalaya sight-seeing tour
3 vegetarian meals per day
300hr YTT certificate
3 teas per day

Click here to read reviews and check availability.

I hope you find a course you love. If you’re more interested in a retreat, these are the best yoga retreats in India.

The post Choose a Yoga Teacher Training Course in India From These Top Ashrams first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

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Book a Yoga Retreat in India: The Top 5 Yoga Retreats in India with Prices & Reviews

Rachel Jones — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 06:10:27 +0000

Yoga was first started in India in 5000 BC and is still practiced here in India. So many yogis feel called to the birthplace of yoga but then overwhelmed when they start looking to book a yoga retreat in India. There are many scams and fake ashrams in India that offer retreats, but the teacher isn’t actually that great. There are some AMAZING places in India with authentic courses that will teach you about Ayurvedic health, wellness, and different styles of true yoga, which is much different in India than in the West. In India, the focus is not only on the asanas (the physical part like the positions you get into) but also the other half which is breathing, meditation, mantras, and philosophy.

I’m not a yogi, although I do take classes here and there, but I have been living in India for five years and have many friends who are very enthusiastic about yoga, are teachers themselves, and go to courses around India. I want to help you find classes by summing up some of the best yoga retreats in India and include some of the most affordable yoga retreats in India.

For yoga retreats, the website bookyogaretreats.com is the most legitimate trustworthy site out there, so that is what I’ll be linking to throughout this post. They compare reviews from yogis who have stayed at the retreats. You can search yourself on there and use filters based on budget, yoga style, and location. Keep in mind, although India is a relatively cheap place to travel, yoga is not cheap here – it is priced according to its value, and as the birthplace of yoga, prices are fair.

There are some other traditional yoga centers like the Ashtanga Institute in Mysore, Bihar School of Yoga, Art of Living, and Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune. These are very legit and famous for good reason but are for very serious yoga students. You can read more about traditional places for advanced yoga students here.

In this article, I am focusing on places that are for beginners and intermediates, a more relaxing holiday yoga retreat rather than an intense one for very experienced students. I also didn’t include really expensive ones and tried to choose places that are reasonably priced and/or budget. I think that the advanced yoga students probably know about these famous places mentioned above, so this article is more for people who don’t know about yoga and want something introductory while they travel India.

Book a Yoga Retreat in India – The Top 5 Retreats for Beginners and Intermediate Yoga Students Based on Reviews

1. Swaswara, Gokarna 126,00 Rs ($1964 USD) for 8 days/ 7 nights

This eco-resort is as iconic in India as Gokarna‘s Om beach is. Swaswara is in the state of Karnataka, one of my favorite states in India, which is lesser visited by tourists. This is a higher priced retreat but it’s pure luxury on the beach. “Swara” means inner voice. It’s for beginners and intermediate yoga students. The lodging is luxury eco, which thatched coconut roofs but modern amenities, including outdoor rain showers with each private hut.

Daily Ashtanga yoga sessions
Morning asana practice sessions
KPJAYI certified teacher and assistant
Chanting, philosophy, Satsang, and asana technique classes
Ayurveda consultation and full body treatments
Twice daily Ayurvedic organic meals
Limousine group transfers
7 nights accommodation
Art classes and Ayurvedic cooking classes are available.

Click here to read reviews and check availability.

2. Hinterland Village Resort, Kochi 38,000 Rs ($591) for 10 nights/ 9 days

A budget option. It says “monsoon” retreat, but that’s just because it’s currently monsoon – it’s open all year. The rooms are A/C, surrounded by the jungle and hidden beneath the coconut trees, near paddy fields. The food will be delicious veggie Keralan Ayurvedic food. Here, you’ll get a consultation with Ayurvedic doctors who are on-site and although this isn’t some luxurious retreat, it’s a FANTASTIC value for money. If you really want to take time to work on your health, this is it.

Daily yoga classes
Sattvic or balanced diet
Pranayama and meditation
Personalized Ayurvedic/ Naturopathy consultations
Asanas workshop and perfecting classes
Rejuvenating massages and steam baths
Complimentary facilities’ use
9 nights’ accommodation

Click here to read reviews and check availability.

3. Purple Valley Yoga Retreat, Assagao 76,495 Rs ($1193 USD) for 14 days/13 nights

I’m biased to Goa since I have lived here for so long, but Purple Valley is one of the most sought after yoga school in India, not just Goa. It has a focus on Astanga Vinyasa yoga, which is a difficult type of yoga (my favorite kind because it feels like you are really exercising). This is for the modern people who want detox juices and WiFi and time to catch the sun by the pool during downtime. They accept and encourage beginners to come for a retreat.

3 types of lodging to choose from for those on a budget, including gorgeous rooms in renovated Portuguese houses.
Guided meditation and pranayama
Practice and understanding of Ashtanga yoga
Daily morning and afternoon yoga classes with experienced instructors
Daily vegetarian breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared by an onsite Ayurvedic chef
Full use of the retreat facilities
13 nights of accommodation
Top instructors from all over the world, listed on their schedule
Affordable spa options for add-on

Click here to read reviews and check availability.

4. Rishikul Yogshala, Rishikesh 32,000 Rs ($497.99) for 7 night/ 6 days

This is a great option for budget travelers. Rishikesh is one of the best places for yoga in India and there are a lot of options there. I personally just showed up and tried out a random ashram I found in Lonely Planet: it was terrible. You’ll have some classes right on the Ganges, the holiest river in India and maybe the world. This place is popular with backpackers and travelers passing through, so do be sure to book ahead. The teachers are all Indian and you can read about their certifications on the review page.

Morning sun salutations
Daily meditation sessions
Daily Ashtanga and Hatha yoga classes
Daily chakra and color healing
Explore beautiful Rishikesh
6 nights accommodation in a variety of rooms, shared or single

Click here to read reviews and check availability.

5. Ashiyana Yoga Retreat, Mandrem 45,999 Rs (717.66 USD) for 7 days/ 6 nights

I almost didn’t put this place because it’s another one in Goa, but it truly is one of the best in India and for a relaxing comfortable retreat in a beautiful space, this is a great option. It’s on the beach in Mandrem, which means during down time you’re near so many amazing things. While some places serve small meals, here you will have a buffet and be able to to eat what you’d like with many options available.

You level of yoga is unimportant here as they cater to everyone
2 large buffet meals per day
All-scheduled drop-in yoga classes
One week accommodation at Ashiyana
Optional massage and holistic treatments
Relax in the peace and quiet of Ashiyana
All Ashiyana creative activities
Meditation, chanting, karma yoga, walks, and impromptu gatherings and workshops

Click here to read reviews and check availability.

If you are coming to a retreat in Goa, do check out my 170-page ebook The Insider’s Guide to Goa, which has all my secrets about Goa from the past 5 years of living here. You can use discount “GOAYOGA” to get 30% off my ebook. Click here to purchase it.

A few things to note about coming to India for a yoga retreat and planning out the booking aspects of your trip:

If you want to save money on your flight, check Kiwi. I always find the best and cheapest options for flights on this site and use it almost exclusively.
Make sure you have travel insurance just in case anything goes wrong. I have used World Nomads for years and they are recommended by everyone, including Lonely Planet.
You NEED a visa! Here’s some info: Getting a visa for India
Want more tips for traveling India or better yet to have me plan your trip? Buy my India Guide ebook and even if you ONLY read that, you’ll be 1000% prepared for your trip. It’s 6 years of India travel experience all wrapped up in an organized easy to read manner.

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The post Book a Yoga Retreat in India: The Top 5 Yoga Retreats in India with Prices & Reviews first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

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Book a Yoga Retreat in Goa, India For a Week (or More) of Pure Relaxation & Wellness

Rachel Jones — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 11:37:00 +0000

Are you thinking about venturing to Goa for a wellness or yoga retreat? You might find that online you’ll be overwhelmed with the options when you try to book a yoga retreat in Goa and it’s hard to filter through it all. I am no yoga pro, which I don’t hide but I’ve lived in Goa long enough to hear about the best places, some of which my friends have come here for. I get asked about this all the time on email, so I wanted to just put all the ones I’ve heard are the best into a blog post so it’s easily accessible to you all.

For bookings, I’m linking to the largest yoga retreat booking site called bookyogaretreats.com for you to book a yoga retreat in Goa from. This site is great because it has reviews from people who have taken the course personally and you can look at the property, the food, the types of yoga, the wellness aspects, the cost, and book it all online before you come to Goa. The website only allows very professional companies on, and they themselves research each program. I suggest comparing in depth the places I mention to see which ones work best for you. They aren’t cheap, and many of the best ones are run by foreigners with Indians as partners, so the rates are typical to a Western budget, not an Indian one. You can search by budget, level of study, and type of yoga practice in the filters. Many retreats have a money-back guarantee.

Goa is a GREAT place for a retreat for so many reasons:

The warm weather is great for your health, as is the Ayurvedic Indian food
The retreats are all in the most amazing locations with monkeys playing in the coconut trees overhead
Some of the best yoga teachers in the world come to places like Goa to run retreats
You can combine it with a holiday here in Goa, before or after

I am going to list five of the top yoga retreats here in Goa, India but in my 170-page ebook The Insider’s Guide to Goa, I have a more extensive list within each beach area of the retreats by area. You can use discount “GOAYOGA” to get 30% off my ebook. Click here to purchase it.

Book a Yoga Retreat in Goa – Your 5 Best Options for Wellness and Relaxation in Goa, India

1. Swan Yoga Retreat, Assagao 42,000 Rs ($655 USD) for 8 days/7 nights

A post shared by SWAN Yoga Retreat Goa India (@swanyogaretreat) on Nov 7, 2016 at 1:44am PST

This is a seven-day yoga and meditation retreat in my village which many of my friends have joined, and I have gone myself for drop-in classes. I am listing this first because it’s the number one place I recommend. The property is really cute which bamboo huts up on the hill and a sandy juice bar zone to chill at. The yoga shala is tucked up in the jungle and has a peaceful vibe. All instructors listed here are Indian and you can read the full schedule with this link.

3 types of eco-friendly accommodation for different budgets with WiFi and solar water heating
Vegetarian brunch and dinner included
Yogic techniques
Havan or fire ceremony
Morning meditation and yogic kriyas
Pranayama and asana classes
Buffet-style vegetarian meals
7 nights of accommodation
Yoga styles include: Kriya, Restorative, Nidra, Karma
Affordable spa treatment add-ons

Click here to read reviews and check availability.

2. Purple Valley Yoga Retreat, Assagao 76,495 Rs ($1193 USD) for 14 days/13 nights

A post shared by Purple Valley Yoga (@purplevalleyyoga) on May 10, 2017 at 9:02am PDT

This is another retreat in my village that I have had many friends attend. I often see the yogi from this retreat at my favorite cafe in town, Villa Blanche! This is a longer course, and is focused on Astanga Vinyasa yoga, “which has also been shown to help build strength, improve flexibility, relieve stress, therefore creating a general state of calmness, well-being, and ease”. This is more upscale, gorgeous rooms in an old restored Portuguese house, and amazing food. The original Purple Valley comes from Mysore, which is famous for yoga. This is a GREAT value for what you get and the length of the program.

3 types of lodging to choose from for those on a budget
Guided meditation and pranayama
Practice and understanding of Ashtanga yoga
Daily morning and afternoon yoga classes with experienced instructors
Daily vegetarian breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Full use of the retreat facilities
13 nights of accommodation
Top instructors from all over the world, listed on their schedule
Affordable spa options for add-on

Click here to read reviews and check availability.

3. Little Cove Yoga Retreat, Cola 7 days/6 nights

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Rajsic food enjoy by the sea in little cove yoga retreat Goa

A post shared by Littlecoveyogagoaindia (@littlecoveyogaretreatgoa) on Apr 4, 2018 at 1:54am PDT

For those of you looking for a yoga retreat by the sea, this is one of the top-ranked retreats not just in Goa, but in India. You’ll get beautiful beach huts by the sea on one of South Goa’s secret and most secluded beautiful beaches. It’s listed on the yogaretreats.com website to read all the details and reviews, but for booking, you’ll have to book on TripAdvisor as the review site doesn’t have any dates listed.

Daily yoga sessions (Ashtanga focus)
Daily meditation sessions
Traditional dance performance
Daily pranayama sessions
6 nights accommodation
Daily vegetarian meals

Click here to read reviews. Click here to book.

4. Ashiyana Yoga Retreat, Mandrem 45,999 Rs (717.66 USD) for 7 days/ 6 nights

A post shared by Ashiyana Yoga (@ashiyanayoga) on Aug 10, 2017 at 3:05am PDT

I love this property! Mandrem is a stunning beach town and this resort is beachside in North Goa. It’s not just a yoga retreat but a spa one too! When it comes to location and comfortable, cute bedrooms, this is THE best place on this list. They say “it has been designed as a deeply nurturing space where you can relax your body, calm your mind, and awaken to your inner peace of being.”

You level of yoga is unimportant here as they cater to everyone
2 large buffet meals per day
All-scheduled drop-in yoga classes
One week accommodation at Ashiyana
Optional massage and holistic treatments
Relax in the peace and quiet of Ashiyana
All Ashiyana creative activities
Meditation, chanting, karma yoga, walks, and impromptu gatherings and workshops

Click here to read reviews and check availability.

5. The Beach House, Colva 59,00 Rs (920 USD) for 6 days/ 5 nights

I know this one sounds expensive for such a short time, but this is not just a yoga retreat, but yoga combined with wellness. The program “offers a mixture of medical and holistic therapies, providing all the means necessary for a complete body and mind overhaul whilst relaxing in stunning surroundings”. This retreat is on the beach and is a little more luxurious.

Ayurvedic consultation
5 nights luxury accommodation
Signature progress monitoring before and after assessments
Personalized nutritionally balanced Ayurvedic vegetarian meals
2 daily holistic treatments from across the globe
Complementary dry skin detox body brush

Click here to read reviews and check availability.

More options to book yoga retreats in Goa

These are just five of the ones that I know because of friends going or because I’ve seen the property and/or taken a class. There are SO many to choose from. If none of these caught your eye, then do check out the Goa listings and do your one research to see which are the best. Read reviews closely and see what makes a good fit for you. There are 212 listed, so I recommend filtering by the best rated for reviews. Click here to start searching.

Enjoy your wellness experience and if you are for sure coming to Goa, you can read up on my Goa posts by clicking here. You can read about my ebook guide to Goa by clicking here and remember to use the code just for yogis: GOAYOGA when you buy it for 30% off.

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The post Book a Yoga Retreat in Goa, India For a Week (or More) of Pure Relaxation & Wellness first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

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Here’s Why You Should Consider A Wellness Retreat at Myrtle Beach

Rachel Jones — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 13:25:38 +0000

I always feel really crappy when I leave the USA and go back to India. Usually, I’m really depressed from saying goodbye to my family, anxious about the journey back to India, and feeling gross/fat from eating junk for 6 weeks straight. In the US, I get so excited about all the food I miss from home, I eat everything. So, feeling low about yourself, feeling unhealthy, and feeling sad/anxious is not a good combo! I thought doing a wellness retreat at Myrtle Beach and a little detox from fatty food before going back to India was a great idea!

Wellness Retreats at Myrtle Beach

If you’re looking for a wellness retreat, Myrtle Beach has a lot to offer; and they are actually doing really budget-friendly wellness retreats. I came to try out a mix of their activities on offer. At upcoming ones in September and October they’ll have specific retreat options at the hotel I stayed at (Marina Inn at Grand Dunes) as well as the Marriott at Grand Dunes and Kingston Resorts where with the package you save 30% on all the stuff you end up getting than if you bought it separately. They’ll have meditation classes focusing on the five senses at Brookgreen Gardens for smell (loved this), Skywheel for sight, Heidi’s Corner (so delicious) for taste, Myrtle Beach State Park for sound, and Barefoot Landing for touch (you get your massage here!). Plus there will be gifts in the room, bicycle excusions, and yoga on the beach on Saturdays. You can read more about it here.

Here are some more reasons to get your wellness on in Myrtle Beach

Get Some Vitamin Sea (and D!)

There’s nothing wrong with spending your time on vacation by the beach or pool for a few hours every day. The hotel I stayed at, Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, had a shuttle to their private beach with towels, chairs, and umbrellas. I laid out and read the first day. The other two days, I used my free time to lay by the pool and finish up my book. The sun really does make you feel refreshed, and hey – a tan doesn’t hurt.

Spa & Massage Time

For me, it’s not a real vacation unless I get some spa time and hopefully a massage, too. My hotel had a sauna and all that (actually the shower in the room was like a steam room anyway!) but I opted for a massage. They did them in-room. After 60 minutes, I was feeling pretty relaxed. My masseuse actually told me how she lives in Costa Rica and is home for a few months visiting family and how she’s already feeling anxiety about leaving – it always makes you feel a little better to know other people have the same thoughts and feelings.

Eat Healthy Seafood & Fresh Salads

You could come to the beach for fried fish and coconut shrimp, and I sure did get my fill of that in Key West, but this was a focus on wellness for me to try and reset myself before heading back to India. I don’t go healthy often so I wanted to do it right! Nacho Hippo tacos with grilled or blackened fish was a great option near the airport. On route 17, Carolina Roadhouse has huge tasty salads, and Johnny D’s has fruit smoothies at for breakfast (go early, they get PACKED!)

I went up to Little River to try Patio’s Tiki Bar and had a really nice Southwest chicken salad. They also do sushi. If you want something fancy, you can try Chianti South. If you head into Conway, you might like Bonfire on Main Street which is a new place that does BBQ and tacos. I also had some yummy clam chowder at River City Cafe.

On the way back to the airport, I tried Croissants/Heidi’s Corner on King’s Highway which is the second location of the chef Heidi and it’s really famous around here. I got the Acai Berry bowl; I haven’t been able to resist these since Bali!

Relaxing (But Calorie Burning) Kayaking Tour

I took a kayak tour with Black River Outdoors which goes kayaking in Murrells Inlet (meeting place is the Oyster Shell Recycling Landing, just north of Huntington Beach State Park). The marsh you paddle through is beautiful and has this cable grass around that makes it really nice to see birds, oysters, crabs, seat turtles, and even alligators and sharks on the little islands they make.

You could tell our guide wasn’t just doing this for work; he loves his job. He’s into birding and nature and the two-hour tour sped by learning about everything as well as stories of the area, dating back to the 1800’s. There are 630 am, 9 am, and 6 pm tours. I recommend the sunset tour. Part of being on a wellness retreat means getting a lot of sleep!

Try Out Some “Shag Dancing” at Fat Harolds

Fat Harolds is known foritss free “shag dancing” lessons on Tuesdays. It’s a type of dancing done down here to country music. It’s kind of like a line dance but smoother? I was so tired after kayaking and showering that I didn’t get back out to Fat Harolds but I was lucky that I got to experience Shag Dancing anyway when I was at Patio’s Tiki Bar. They had live music there (which was wonderful) and some couples got up to show us how it was done. It was really cute and I know those of you who follow my Instagram stories loved the videos!

Some other entertainment I recommend is The Carolina Opry, Alabama Theatre or Legends in Concert. Live music seems to just make me feel better! You can also check out Myrtle Beach Comedy Club at Broadway at the Beach because laughing heals everything!

Walk It Off At Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens

Just get there before 5 pm. Every local around Little River told me that Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens were fantastic but I planned to go after dinner at Patio’s Tiki Bar and when I arrived it said it closed at 5 pm. So, just keep that in mind. There were picnic tables and people hanging out with their dogs, but through the park apparently, there are walkways out to the backwaters.

Spend Hours in Nature At Brookgreen Gardens

The huge gardens at Brookgreen Gardens have the most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculpture in the USA and also have walking trails, restaurants and a little zoo inside (with only animals from this area which they are doing many conservation efforts for).

If you want to do the kayaking, these are near each other so you could do both in a day. I think 2 hours at the gardens is sufficient. You can also eat around here. I went to River City Cafe before my kayaking. Wicked Tuna, near here, is also supposed to be good but I didn’t try it.

Wake Boarding

You have GOT to try out wake boarding at Shark Wake Park and play around the Aqua Park next to it (that has all these floating obstacle courses). The wake boarding here is cable wakeboarding which I hadn’t even heard of. I’ve only gone behind a boat. It’s VERY different but cool because if you were good at it (I was not) you could keep going forever and ever. There were jumps set up. I saw a lot of guys coming in to the park with their own boards who were there to practice tricks on the jumps. It’s cool to watch. I went three times before giving up (my arms were also sore from kayaking) and it was a blast. I’d definitely do this again.

Where To Stay: Marina Inn at Grande Dunes

I stayed at Marina Inn at Grande Dunes. It was a really nice hotel with a huge spacious room. It isn’t a resort but it has that feel because they have towels out by the pool and give you a shuttle to the beach as well as towels and lifeguards there, all included.

Their restaurant, Waterscapes, has fresh seafood options and is absolutely delicious! Also, if you forego housekeeping, you get a $5 coupon each day. I used mine for my daily fruit smoothie!

Getting There & Away

The airport was about 20 minutes from my hotel. I booked a rental car with Enterprise which would have been $103 for the 4 days but I have no insurance so it ended up being close to $300 for my car – I’m sure you would be able to go without all their add-ons!

The car rental places are all together just outside the airport from baggage claim, so no need to take a shuttle. It’s pretty easy breezy. Everything I listed here shows up okay on Google Maps.

Pin this Wellness Retreat at Myrtle Beach for later:

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Beat Travel Insomnia: How to Catch More Zzz’s on the Road

Rachel Jones — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 09:23:21 +0000

Travel insomnia is something that isn’t talked about much, but many people suffer from it. This sleep disorder involves having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep while on the road. It is something that I have struggled with in the past and I know that I’m not the only one. I was always jealous of people who could just be ‘lights out’ once their head hit the pillow.

Beating Travel Insomnia

Although often underrated, sleep is JUST as important as a healthy diet and active lifestyle. On my first backpacking trip, I didn’t realize how noisy hostels could be, how difficult it could be to fall asleep AND stay asleep. If you’ve been backpacking, you know that hostel rooms can be a bit crazy sometimes…

There was ALWAYS a Snorer, and possibly a Sleep-Talker (guilty). Then there’s the Late-Night-Partiers, the A-Bit-Too-Intimate Couple and the Early-Risers that have to leave at the crack of dawn to catch their bus or plane. Throw in the fact that you may:

· Be suffering from jet leg

· Have the most uncomfortable mattress/pillow in the world

· Have feelings of nervousness and excitement

That shit adds up.

What do you do when you can’t afford a private room, but also have trouble sleeping with 10,12, or even 18 other people in the room? And no, the answer isn’t to just get blackout wasted, although sometimes, I’ll admit, the goon got me good.

I learned a few tricks while backpacking Australia and Southeast Asia. Then I learned even more while studying Holistic Nutrition. So, here are a few things I WISH I knew earlier.

First, let’s start with the packing essentials.

These are MUST HAVES to pack in your backpack if you have difficulty sleeping away from home:

· [easyazon_link keywords=”Earplugs” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Earplugs[/easyazon_link] x 3- these little guys get lost easily, but work so well. Also handy if you are going to music festivals and want to save your precious ears.

· [easyazon_link identifier=”B00FJQFJX8″ locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Eye mask[/easyazon_link] x 2- I can’t sleep with ANY light in the room. People stay on their phones or turn on and off little lights in hostel rooms, so this was great to have.

· [easyazon_link identifier=”B01E3SNO1G” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Good quality headphones[/easyazon_link]- If you know it’s going to be a loud night, headphones are key. You’d think sleeping in the heart of the Daintree rainforest would be relaxing, but it comes ALIVE at night. Pop in these babies and put on some Vance Joy.

· Small blanket- makes those long haul bus and train rides WAY more comfortable. I honestly just used the one I got on the plane and it doubled as a pillow when I needed it. Big thanks to that airline!

· Lavender, vetiver, or bergamot essential oil- these help to relax the body before bed, plus they smell freakin’ amazing.

· Magnesium capsules or magnesium spray- explained below.

Next, let’s chat about your diet.

What are you fueling your body with? If you aren’t fueling it with the proper nutrients, along with not getting the proper sleep you need, travel is going to be exhausting and not a lot of fun.

I’ve heard it before, “But eating healthy is expensive!” WRONG! It’s really not, you just need to have a keen eye and choose healthier options.

I’ll let you in on a little secret. This is my number one tip for staying healthy on the road. Go to the market on the last day. Often times, they need to get rid of produce and will give you a deal or just give you food for free! I once walked out with a whole free box of avocados, which obviously made me the coolest chick in the hostel!

Eating foods high in magnesium and potassium is important. These nutrients help relax your body before bed. Calcium contracts the muscles and magnesium relaxes them, so if you take a cal/mag supplement, try to take it in the morning!

I always take a magnesium supplement before a long flight or bus ride. It definitely helps with muscle pain and cramping. You could also take magnesium before bed or pack a small bottle of magnesium spray in your backpack.

Some foods that are high in magnesium and potassium include:

·         Dark leafy greens (spinach is great)

·         Fish

·         Nuts and seeds

·         Bananas (we all know that!)

·         Avocado

·         White Beans

·         Coconut water

I also suggest to lay off the sugar and carbs right before bed. Your body will be trying to burn these off and it could keep you up. That midnight Pad Thai isn’t always worth it!

Adding some healthy fats to your daily eats is pretty much great for… like EVERYTHING. I won’t go too Nutrition Nerd on your ass, BUT just know that they play a role in many metabolic functions, including helping your body prepare for sleep.

If you are eating a lot of processed foods and animal products, chances are that you have higher levels of omega 6 and that the ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 may not be balanced. Both of these omegas cannot be produced in the body so they have to be obtained from food. Simply put, they both play an important role in inflammation, brain function, development, and growth.

DHA is an important omega 3 fatty acid found around the body, specifically in the brain, retina, and heart. It helps release and regulate melatonin, which is a hormone that helps control your sleep and wake cycles.

If you would like to lower your omega 6 levels, cutting back on deep-fried, processed, and high-fat animal products will help. Then you could add in some omega 3 fatty acids.

Some foods high in Omega 3 oils are:

· Fish (Mackerel and salmon have high amounts)

· Flaxseeds

· Chia and hemp seeds

· Sardines and Anchovies

· Eggs (yolk)

Tea before bed could also be beneficial. Pack some passion flower or valerian root tea before you take off. These help relax the body and prepare for sleep.

Next, let’s move to lifestyle recommendations.

Like I said earlier, there are a number of things that could keep you up while you’re on the road. If you’re like me, your thoughts may keep you up at night, leading into a series of thoughts and worry. Traveling is not all fun and games and can be stressful. Often times you don’t even know what bed you will be in sleeping in next!

Journaling before bed is an awesome way to let all your thoughts out, AND traveling is like, the best time to do it. You can look back one day and read about all the rad as hell adventures you went on. Show your kids that you were freakin’ cool.

I also do breathing exercises at night. It’s super easy and helps to slow down brainwaves and prepares the body for a restful sleep.

First, close your eyes.

Take a deep inhale through your nose and fill the lungs completely.

Think of one thing you are grateful for.

Hold for 5-10 seconds.

Exhale through the mouth.

Repeat 5 times.

Meditating before bed is also a great way to relax the body; let everything from the day go, and just focus on the breath. It has really saved me, so I STRONGLY suggest incorporating this into your night-time routine.

The purpose of meditation is not necessarily to have no thoughts at all. It is a calmness of the mind, and if a thought comes up, not having it lead to another string of thoughts. If a thought arises, simply pretend you are placing it on a leaf, and it is floating down a stream and disappearing. Always come back to your breath. Eventually, with time, you will become a master of the mind, because you are not your thoughts.

‘HeadSpace’ is an app that is around $12/month and you have access to loads of different guided meditations. You can try the free trial to see if it’s for you. There is also a free app called ‘Insight Timer’ that has a wide variety of guided meditations.

The next tip is to turn down that blue light into your phone! The blue light in your phone suppresses the secretion of melatonin. Apple has an awesome setting called, ‘Night Shift’, where you can set it to automatically come on a few hours before bed. Other companies should have a setting or I’m sure there’s an app for that (see what I did there? ;) ) Staying clear of fluorescent light bulbs later in the evening will also benefit you as they transmit a lot of blue light.

Your phone probably duals as your alarm clock, right? Setting your phone on a shelf or in a bag beside the bed is better than having it directly under your pillow. You could also turn off other electronics near you since they all emit electromagnetic radiation which could be harmful.

In the morning, the best thing to do is head outside! The circadian clock is the mechanism in your brain that tells the body when to sleep and when to wake up. Sunlight is a huge influence on your circadian rhythm. The body is able to wake up easier when exposed to sunlight, and when the sun sets, it becomes sleepy. So get your booty outside!

Read more: how to prevent jet lag

So there you have it peeps! If you have any questions whatsoever about how to stay healthy on the road, or are in a rut and need some help and support with your health, I’m your girl. Now beautiful, go get that sleep that you deserve!

This is a guest post from Jenny D, who specializes in this topic! You can catch more from her about topics involving health and travel in the blog link below.

*These recommendations are not for chronic insomnia. Contact your healthcare professional if you need help with sleep deprivation. Please note that I, Jenalle Dion of Jenny D’s Remedies Ltd. am not a doctor. My services are intended for general well-being and are not meant for the purposes of medical diagnosis, treatment, or prescribing of medicine for any disease, or any licensed or controlled act which may constitute the practice of medicine. I can assess and advise you through nutritional, supplemental and lifestyle recommendations. To better understand my abilities with your nutritional needs, please read through the Scope of Practice of a Certified Holistic Nutritionist .

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Why You Should Add a “ME” Day to Your Itinerary

Rachel Jones — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 13:24:41 +0000

The following is a guest post from a fellow travel blogger about why we shouldn’t feel guilty if we pamper ourselves a bit on vacation (not that I needed to be told that, lol).

Cultural Spa Experiences

I’ve never had fish bite the dead skin off my feet but if I had the chance, I would do it. When I travel, I splurge on self-care.

I believe pampering is a worthy cultural experience.

The traditions change from country to country and what you get out of it is different from a guided tour. Instead of learning, I get one-on-one time with locals and an immersive experience that makes me feel something.

“Whether it’s wonder or awkwardness, I feel and connect to the culture on a deeper level.”

Alleppey, India

Happy faces are the prettiest faces! What a warm welcome at Kairali Ayurvedic Healing Village! #kairali #ayurveda #hdr #smile #yoga #spa #travelblog #travelblogger #day1 #wellnessblog #wellnessblogger #healing #healingenergy

A post shared by ShivangiReviews.com (@shivangireviews) on Feb 16, 2017 at 3:56am PST

In Alleppey India, I got an Ayurvedic massage. When I walked in the room I was given granny style panties made of paper. Confused, I looked back at the woman. She then pointed at the shower and motioned for me to strip down.

I walked out of the shower and sat on a short stool as she stood behind me. Without warning, she dumped unidentified oil on my head. The shock and awkwardness forced a smile as I laughed in my head.

After that, nothing was a surprise. Not even laying down on a plastic bed or the massage that felt more like a rug burn. It was the oddest massage I’ve ever had but that’s what my masseuse does multiple times a day.

Istanbul, Turkey

A post shared by FABERSS İSTANBUL (@faberss_istanbul) on Feb 15, 2017 at 4:57am PST

I had a difference experience in Istanbul when my girlfriends and I went to a hamam for a Turkish bath. After we wrapped ourselves in towels, we walked into a pristine, white marble dome.

At the center was a flat, circular platform where everyone sat waiting to get bathed by half-naked, older Turkish women. After I got bathed, which is like a half-salt scrub, half-massage with a soapy towel, I washed myself in one of the surrounding coves and went back to the center platform to lie down.

I looked up at the dome thinking of all the women who got luxuriously bathed centuries before me when the older Turkish women started singing Little Mermaid style. The Opera-like voices harmonized and echoed, which made it all feel like a magical dream set in ancient times.

Hveragerdi, Iceland

A 1 hour hike brought us to Reykjadalur (an amazing geothermal valley with hot springs) #reykajadalur #hveragerdi

A post shared by Nandini (@_nandini_s) on Jul 5, 2015 at 5:26pm PDT

My best friend went to Iceland last winter and had to try the hot springs. Instead of going to the must-do Blue Lagoon, she boycotted and went to a local spot, Hot River, Reykajadalur. After driving down an empty road for miles, she had to hike through hail, snow and rain before seeing the first signs of steam. Only two pieces of wood covered her as she peeled off her layers to jump into the hot springs.

Being in a bathing suit surrounded by a winter wonderland was stunning. Then mother nature blessed her all with a beautiful sunset. It felt surreal.

Why these cultural spa experiences are a worthwhile way to spend a day traveling:

What made an Indian lady pouring oil on my head, Turkish women singing Opera in a hamam and an Icelandic hot spring soak in winter so special? It was the unique traditions, the different environments and of course, the locals.

If we hadn’t taken the out time to pamper ourselves we would have never had these experiences. Taking a “me” day is often overlooked so the next time you travel, add it to your itinerary.

Even if it seems touristy, it’ll be worth it. My next destination is Central America and I’ll probably try the coffee spa treatments in Costa Rica. I’ll let you know whether I feel caffeinated or relaxed after that!

Michelle Arrazcaeta was an avid traveler, amateur photographer and strategist in advertising when she started GirlGoTravel, a brand that gives girls the guts to travel on their own. She recently left her job to make traveling a lifestyle by roadtripping through US National Parks and solo backpacking Latin America. Over the next 6 months, she’s writing about her travels, coaching girls, and creating more resources that empower girls to travel solo. You can see her Website and follow her on Instagram.

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Day Trip to Jurmala, Your Perfect Seaside Escape From Riga

Rachel Jones — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 15:20:10 +0000

Located about 30 minutes from Riga by train, you’ll find the resort seaside town, Jurmala. To get here get off the train at the Majori stop. It’s a beautiful journey to this cute little town and an easy nice day trip to Jurmala from Riga.

FYI make sure you are ready to get off before it stops. I had a bit of an issue getting off with my luggage. My rolling luggage is about 30 pounds and I had a purse and backpack on. The steps off the trains are very steep and I couldn’t really get down so I was putting the luggage first when suddenly I heard the whistle blow that the train was leaving. It had only been stopped about 30 seconds! The doors shut hard and my backpack (which was on my back) was on the inside. I was on the outside! I tried to pry them open as the train started moving and literally couldn’t they were totally unmovable. I had to throw my luggage down and twist out and jump off the train. It was actually scary and I cut my thumb. So standing on the platform, bleeding, in freezing weather, I decided I was not going to go check out the beach as I thought I would but instead was going to the hotel and relax a bit.

Day Trip to Jurmala

While it’s a great day trip town, I stayed over and think that if you have time in your travels it’s a good place to hang out and relax (or detox if you’ve been partying in Riga!).

I stayed at Jurmala Spa Hotel which is a 4-star hotel that focuses on spa treatments and has over 200 types of massages. They also have saunas, pools, and steam rooms you can use for free as a guest. Rooms were spacious and had ocean views. I got there just in time for sunset. You do have to wear a swimsuit in the saunas, etc. You can walk around in your bathrobe. The robes are only supplied in premium rooms. If you don’t have that type of room you can rent a robe.

At Jurmala they actually do full week-long health programs and have doctors there so you can use it as a health retreat as well as a spa.

The main promenade is a cobblestone street that goes out toward the sea. There are shops, hotels, and restaurants on it. Off this road are mostly residential houses.

The sea was stunning but with the high wind, I couldn’t even go out as the sand was flying everywhere. I took these images with my eyes shut, literally.

My last day here I went to Baltic Beach Hotel a 5-star property on the beach as you might have guessed. The rooms are really nice, the spa is stunning. I had a water treatment called zero gravity. Basically, it’s like laying on a water-bed, then having another water-bed on top of you. Or being inside a water-bed burrito. OR an infant in the womb lol. It was crazy. Then they turn on the jets so you can relax and they leave you there. The therapist didn’t speak English and just looked at me and said “shhh” as she put her hands to the side of her head motioning “sleep”. I couldn’t sleep but it was relaxing. I finished it off with an oxygen juice. Apparently good for the health.

This is a beach resort town and is seasonal. You can find more people here in the summer until about September. It is known for its spas and they are very affordable. Some went for about $20 for a 30 minute or about $40 for an hour massage at the Jurmala Spa. It was $13 for a manicure here. At Baltic Beach Hotel you can average about $1 per minute so $60 for an hour massage. I would want to come back and see it in the summer when the beach bars are open as well

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9 Exercises You Can Do From Anywhere

Rachel Jones — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 12:31:51 +0000

The following is a guest post. Lindsey who runs a business getting women in shape! She’s also a life coach and motivator. I asked her to share some tips before in this post: How to Stay Fit While Traveling almost 3 years ago. She’s come back for more tips, this time, sharing exercises you can do from anywhere.

She made a video just for you guys so that you can try these as you travel. She works as a fitness coach virtually which means as a traveler you can still have a trainer – something I am hoping to start doing with Lindsey. There are so many fitness blogs out there but the reason I always follow hers is because she’s REAL, down to earth, sweet, and she doesn’t have 2 million followers, she still can do things all herself one-on-one. I find following her Facebook and Insta so inspiring and think you will too.

9 Exercises You Can Do From Anywhere – Perfect For Travelers!

For all the exercises below, there is a video here to show you exactly how to do them. Make sure to click “HD” to see the best version.

The most important thing about staying healthy is just keeping your body in motion. Of course it’s amazing to get to the gym for a workout routine, but the reality of life is we may not always have access to the weights, gym or program we may need.

This is where focusing on keeping your body in motion comes in. Exercise does not have to look a specific way or be conventional for it to do your body good.

Whether it’s getting up and moving throughout your workday or getting in a workout while traveling, here are some bodyweight exercises you can do from anywhere.

The only equipment you need is YOU and a chair or box. You can get creative with this.

Do as many rounds as you can make time for!

1. Jumping Burpees

Burpees are an excellent way to get your heart rate up quickly and work a wide range of muscles.

Start in an athletic stance>Squat to place your hands hip width apart on the floor in a squatting position>Jump your legs back to a plank> Jump your legs back up into a squatting position> Jump and land in an athletic squatting position> Repeat 10 times.

2. 3-Way Lunges

3-way lunges allow you to work different muscle groups in your leg by changing the direction you are lunging. Your lower body has the largest muscle groups, so when you work this area, you are burning the most calories.

Start in an athletic stance>Step forward with one leg in a lunge position>Be cognizant of not allowing your knee to go past your toes> Both legs should be in a 90-degree angle> Push back to regular stance> Lunge to the side, keeping the opposite leg straight and keeping the lunging leg in a 90-degree angle> Push back to regular stance> Step backward in lunge position again be aware of the 90-degree angle and keeping your knee behind your toe> Push up to regular stance> This is 1 round> Complete 5 rounds on each leg

3) Jump Squat

Here is another exercise to get your heart rate up.

Start in an athletic stance> Squat down> Jump to max height> Land in an athletic squatting position> Complete 10 squat jumps total.

4) Push-ups

Time to get more of your upper body involved. Push-ups are a great way to work multiple upper body muscles groups as well as your core because it requires stability.

Start in push-up position> Bend arms to drop your body as close to the ground as possible keeping your core engaged and back flat> Push up> Complete 10 total (If you cannot do regular push-ups, complete this exercise on your knees and keep your back flat).

5) Dips

This next exercise is going to work your triceps and is the only exercise that requires some form of equipment. You can get really creative with what you use. Here I use a chair but you could use a bench, an end table, or anything that is sturdy and you can lean back on.

Start facing away from the chair with heels straight out on the ground, knees slightly bent> Lower your body toward the ground by bending arms at 90-degree angle (do not sit down, just barely touch)> Push back up> Repeat 10 times.

6) Supermans

The back muscles are equally as important as our abdominal muscles to maintain a strong core.

Start laying on your stomach with arms bent> Tighten lower back to lift as much of your body off the ground as possible> Body should come up in an arched C position> Relax body back to ground> Repeat 10 times

7) Shoulder Push-ups

This is an uncommon form of push-ups to engage your shoulder muscles.

Start with your hands on the ground and your butt up so your body is in a V position (like downward dog)> lower your head toward the floor with pressure on your hands> (Be careful not to fall on your head)> Push back up to your initial V position with straight arms> Complete 10 total.

8) Planks

Here is another exercise to engage your core.

Start with forearms on the ground > keep body completely level> Tuck your hips under to engage your lower core muscles> Hold for 30 seconds or as long as you can.

9) Russian Twists

Last exercise to finish off the circuit.

Sit on your butt with legs up in a 90-degree angle> Lean back to engage your core> Clasp hands together> Rotate your body to touch your hands to one side of your body> Return to center and turn the other direction> Complete 20 total

Excited to have this little project done and be featured on @hippieinheelsblog … 9 Exercises you can do from Anywhere.. Soon to be on her site! ✨ *sorry for the lack of music due to copyright issues *

A video posted by Mangofit3 (@mangofit3) on Oct 31, 2016 at 3:05pm PDT

I hope you liked these exercises you can do from anywhere! I think they’re perfect workouts for travelers like you to try while you’re abroad. Good luck and get in touch if you want to find out more.

Lindsey Mango is both a Life and Fitness Coach. She works with her clients completely virtually and can work with people anywhere in the world. Her goal is to help people live their most vibrant, happy life through either reaching their fitness goals or creating happiness in every aspect of their life through their mindset. Connect with her on Instagram and Facebook to follow her journey or email her at MangoFit3@gmail.com to connect.

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18 Travel Beauty Hacks You Need to Try

Rachel Jones — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 10:42:51 +0000

Over the years, I’ve come up with some travel beauty hacks that have worked wonders. I’ve also found lots online that I’ve tried. Some of those have worked and some haven’t. So, here are some of the travel beauty hacks and tricks that DO work and will be great to incorporate on your future trips.

Travel Beauty Hacks

1. Travel Perfume

So, this seems like an obvious one… but the tip I have is how to get SO much perfume for free! Well, one way is to get samples at Sephora. They will put any perfume you want into a little spray bottle and label it for you. Second, (and this is what I do) is buy a Sephora Perfume Sampler when they have them. Sephora always has these trial perfume kits with about 7-10 little mini perfumes (not the small spray bottle size, but bigger) that actually last me about a month since I don’t wear perfume every single day. The thing that makes these THE BEST is that it comes with a coupon for a free full size perfume of your choice from the box set. I wait until they have a sample box that has the perfume sample I want in full size anyway. Last year I got to try lots of new perfumes which I throw in my bag for travel and got a full size Burberry Body to keep at home. The box set is less than the full size perfume I chose, so I saved money and got loads of perfume that lasted me all year. Perfect!

2. Blotting sheets

I always have a package of [easyazon_link identifier=”B000UXX2D4″ locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Boscia blotting sheets[/easyazon_link] in my purse. They take off any oil from your face throughout the day. Make sure to dab, not wipe, and it will keep your makeup in place.

3. Silk Pillowcase

When you sleep, your face gets all scrunched up on your pillow when you toss and turn and it causes wrinkles and dry skin. Not with a [easyazon_link identifier=”B0027IS1O0″ locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]silk pillowcase[/easyazon_link] though! It’s woven tightly and has a low absorption rate which keeps your skin fresh and never dry. You can throw this over your hotel pillows when you’re staying at place with harsh sheets.

4. (Free) Expensive moisturizer before long flights

You know that duty-free? Those sample bottles are there to be sampled! I have an amazing [easyazon_link identifier=”B00AN5TRKG” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″] Clinique overnight moisture lotion[/easyazon_link] but if I have a couple short flights before my long-haul flight, I’ll wash my hands and face at the airport and go put some lotion on in the duty-free. Flight are SO drying and you have got to moisturize before- and not just your face, but your whole body!

Read more: Tips to avoid jet lag
Read more: Products to help prevent jet lag

5. Travel-sized Makeup

There are kits you can buy. I’ve used Stowaway and it’s VERY tiny but very high quality makeup. I also buy mini’s of regular makeup that I like. Minis actually last up to a year for me and it’s great because you can get new fun colors each year rather than be stuck with full-sized makeup that lasts forever. Some of my favorite small pieces of makeup I always travel with are:

[easyazon_link identifier=”B00161DDJM” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Smashbox under-eye highlighter[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00MTW1448″ locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Laura Mercier brow stick[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B006GGIYNM” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Benefit bronze illuminator[/easyazon_link] (tiny bottle lasts FOREVER)
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00CJBPOG8″ locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Josie Maran stain[/easyazon_link] (lips and cheeks… amazing stuff)
[easyazon_link keywords=”MAC concealer” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]MAC concealer[/easyazon_link] (small and even if you only use it a few times, it’s worth taking).

6. Biore Pore Strips

I take one [easyazon_link identifier=”B006RFZ66K” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Biore Pore Strip[/easyazon_link] to use part way through a trip. I love throwing things away once I’ve used them and find this usually works as well as a facial.

7. Crest White Strips

Only on long trips, I do take [easyazon_link identifier=”B00336EUTK” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Crest White Strips[/easyazon_link]. They are my favorite… I know it’s an “American” thing to want such white teeth, but I can’t help it! I buy a box but only use about 1 a month or less a year.

8. Essential Oils

I use these for so many things when I travel and actually have a whole post on the uses of essential oils for travel. I like to throw cotton balls with a few drops of lavender oil on them unto my luggage to keep it smelling nice. I also put one in my dirty laundry bag in my luggage.

9. Mini Surf Spray all the way!

I take mini [easyazon_link identifier=”B008FVQNSE” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Bumble & Bumble[/easyazon_link]. Sometimes I make my own and you can put that in recycled mini spray bottles.

10. Travel-Size Dry Shampoo

The most famous of course is [easyazon_link identifier=”B004XMAVFA” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray[/easyazon_link]. It’s been well-known for years and I’ve never tried on that works better. Spray it on at night and when you wake up your hair will feel like it’s just been washed.

11. Contact Cases for TWO things

There are SO many things you could put in contact cases, but don’t take it too far! What works best for me is my [easyazon_link identifier=”B005O54SVS” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Smashbox primer[/easyazon_link] and [easyazon_link identifier=”B00T5ZCRNE” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Boscia BB Cream[/easyazon_link]. The original bottles are pretty big. I don’t put much in the cases as if you don’t use it, it’s wasted.

12. Mini lotion for Bath & Body Works

Umm.. you never have to pay for this! If you sign up to their emails and give your real address you get SO many coupons for free mini lotions (3 oz) that you can just keep stocking up and have them on hand for trips. I don’t know how they make money lol! One 3 oz bottle lasts for a week-long trip for me.

13. End of trip face mask

We can’t all afford to buy and have on hand amazing face cream/masks. I try to buy about 7 or 8 face masks at Sephora that I use throughout the year after big trips, like spending a week in the desert in Jordan! One of my favorites is [easyazon_link identifier=”B009GZ3U3O” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Dr. Jart+[/easyazon_link] but there are so many there in different ranges. It takes up less space than a jar, plus on the way back it’s already been used and thrown out.

14. Don’t go overboard on free samples

Brands love to stick samples in magazines, or give them as an extra when you order something online. You don’t want to take a sample shampoo or hair product you’ve never tried on your dream trip to Hawaii you’ve saved a year for. What if you hate it? You’ll have to run out to the store to buy new. Just take what you know and love. Buy some [easyazon_link identifier=”B002VS8H3G” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Go Toob containers[/easyazon_link] and squeeze your favorite shampoo and conditioner in.

15. Save your bronzer!

Bronzer is the only full size makeup I travel with. The same circle cotton pads I use to put some essential oils on, I use to save my bronzer. I put two on top of each other in my Sephora Bronzer and close it up. Supposedly, it can save them from breaking in transit.

16. Take one mini bottle of OPI

I always do in case I need to do my nails myself or am getting a manicure in Asia where they often charge extra for OPI or nicer nail polish. I get a [easyazon_link identifier=”B0157OJSLU” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]10 piece mini kit[/easyazon_link]then take one of two with me on a trip. Many hotels have emery boards so you can skip bringing that and even clipper if you keep up on the filing and don’t let them get too long.

17. Mini Sunscreen

I never travel without a [easyazon_link identifier=”B007MV4BQY” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Sun Bum face stick[/easyazon_link]. It is small and works amazing. It’s also eco-friendly and reef-friendly which is not the case for most sunscreens. Bonus: it smells like bananas.

18. Clarisonic Mia Fit

The MINI travel size [easyazon_link identifier=”B01C8277TE” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Clarasonic Mia Fit[/easyazon_link] is here! I have been using it a few months and love it. You can use it morning and night. I used to have to bring a face exfoliating scrub from the US to India and stock up, but now I can use any face wash and it will exfoliate. For me, this does take less space. If you pack a regular face wash and a scrub, then try this instead! Same space but works better.

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The post 18 Travel Beauty Hacks You Need to Try first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

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Eco-Friendly Travel Products You Will Love

Rachel Jones — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 03:10:57 +0000

A lot of nice readers have emailed asking for tips on how to travel green and although I am not totally education on this matter, there are some products I use because I know they either won’t harm the environment or because they save on plastic. I thought I’d share my favorite eco-friendly travel products so you can possibly try to switch over to them on your next trip.

Eco-Friendly Travel Products You Will Love

LUSH toiletries

If you’ve been in a [easyazon_link keywords=”LUSH” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]LUSH[/easyazon_link] store then you know that they don’t use much packaging. Everything is sitting out in little baskets. They take going green seriously and their very famous [easyazon_link identifier=”B00V4IQ3TY” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]solid shampoo[/easyazon_link] is evidence of that. I have a bar that I take on short trips and it seems to never get smaller. It suds up like normal shampoo although the conditioner didn’t work for me. You can buy a [easyazon_link identifier=”B0016OB1UC” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]LUSH tin[/easyazon_link] to hold the shampoo which is re-usable. No plastic packaging to throw away and they are luxurious bath products from the face washes to [easyazon_link identifier=”B0016OCU3O” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]body butter[/easyazon_link] lotion bars for which you can also find tins.

“We prefer to use ingredients that are produced in a sustainable way and avoid those that aren’t. Palm oil, for example, went into our “little black book” and was replaced by more earth-friendly oils in our soap base” -LUSH.

Read more about their green policy here. They’ve been listed as one of the best, but another option would be Burt’s Bees.

[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”B003G5UWTA” locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/41GZ62HczjL.SL160.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”160″] [easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”B001K5V8NC” locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/413cl6GRM3L.SL160.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”160″][easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”B0016OCU3O” locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/31sXbOckKML.SL160.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”160″] [easyazon_image align=”left” height=”143″ identifier=”B0016OB1UC” locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/51vpbJZ11ZL.SL160.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”160″] [easyazon_image style=”float:left” height=”160″ identifier=”B00FTB29YK” locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/31CvQzm2Bw3L.SL160.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”160″]

GoToob

If you have some toiletries to make, go for these [easyazon_link identifier=”B002VS8H3G” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]GoToob squeezy bottles[/easyazon_link] to fill up instead of the generic brands. They are BPA-free and made from silicon. They are easy to clean and are TSA size approved. Plus, they are really cute.

[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”110″ identifier=”B004WKHOBW” locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/31hbW9Se6L.SL110.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”74″] [easyazon_image style=”float:left” height=”98″ identifier=”B009NJUYI2″ locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/41NgakW8w2BL.SL110.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”110″]

Timbuk2

I’ve been trying out Timbuk2 recently which is known as being very eco-friendly. I wanted to try a customized bag and this is what I created below. I went with red and gray’s but it was a hard choice. I also got a regular backpack to just use as a carry-on. I wanted one that had a lot of padding for my computer and got this Showdown laptop bag in gray. The red one is more for a day hike while the gray one is for travel. I”ll be taking them both back to India with me but I’m sure Ben will steal the gray one!

Sun Bum sunscreen

I picked up a [easyazon_link identifier=”B007MV4BQY” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]face stick[/easyazon_link] while in Hawaii last year and it changed my life. Now I have so many Sun Bum products, I am obsesssed! Ben works in the ocean building artificial reefs to protect beaches and promote wildlife. Guess what helps destroy reefs? When you surf over them and snorkel over them with normal Sunscreen on. It’s terrible for reefs! Sun Bum is the sunscreen which is used by the Hawaiian LifeGuards and partnered up with lots of pro surfers like Kelly Slater to give to skin cancer prevention charities. I use the Face stick, Sun Bum Shampoo & Conditioner, Sun Bum salt spray for beachy waves, and the baby Sun Bum for my body. I also have a handful of their sunscreen chapsticks.

[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”B007MV4BQY” locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/41jqZkacqgL.SL160.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”160″][easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”B00XO31GUI” locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/41g2yDChTML.SL160.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”160″] [easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”B00TUJWAKK” locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/31OEgzoiqL.SL160.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”43″] [easyazon_image style=”float:left” height=”160″ identifier=”B004F35T5O” locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/31yWNt1WVyL.SL160.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”52″]

Diva Cup

I’ve written about the [easyazon_link identifier=”B000FAG6X0″ locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Diva Cup[/easyazon_link] before. I brought it to India my first time traveling here. It’s a reusable silicon cup that you can use instead of tampons and pads when you’re on your period. It didn’t work great in India as not all bathrooms were clean- it’s best for when you will be staying in hotels but many travelers swear by this. You can leave it in all day and even do yoga or work out- plus no fear of toxic shock syndrome. There are two sizes: pre baby and post baby.

Luggage

Research the environment policy for your luggage brands. Most sites will have a page about this. For example, I just got a [easyazon_link identifier=”B01D8GZHDM” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]3 piece Calpak luggage set[/easyazon_link]- I can check easily on their website to see if they care about their carbon footprint. They do! So does [easyazon_link keywords=”Osprey” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Osprey[/easyazon_link] (I love them) and [easyazon_link keywords=”Eagle Creek Luggage” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Eagle Creek Luggage[/easyazon_link] whose products I haven’t tried but know many travel bloggers swear by them.

Water purifier

There are a variety out there but the most popular is the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00V7P1R86″ locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Steripen[/easyazon_link]. You can read up on it but basically, it can sterilize water anywhere and would prevent you from buying water bottles as you travel, even here in India.

Paperblanks

This diary company is totally environmentally friendly! [easyazon_link keywords=”Paperblanks” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Paperblanks[/easyazon_link] are really cute and if you’re like me, you’ll want to take a journal on your travels. They are so fun to look back on.

“We manage all aspects of our business to ensure we are environmentally responsible global citizens. With respect to the production of our journals, all of our paper is derived from sustainable forest pulp, and our binder boards are made with 100% recycled materials.”

Swimwear

I have mentioned my love for Vitamin A on here a lot and their “little black bikini” which is the ultimate bikini that every celeb owns but is affordable. It’s said to be the best fitting swimsuit there is. They use EcoLux™ green fibers which are recycled nylon fiber and feel like matte jersey material.

MGRA Swim is also green! I love this swimsuit because it looks like the sea. The artist’s hand paints these prints in a way that is called resin art. The results are stunning. The best friend is the bikini designer, and the hot girlfriend is the model. Their bikinis are 78% recycled and 10% of sales goes to nature conservation in Australia.

Solio Solar powered battery

This is what is says, really. The [easyazon_link identifier=”B005AEQ43I” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Solio solar powered battery[/easyazon_link] uses the sun to power up your electronics rather than needing to plug in. A reader told me he used this in India and it went perfectly for him. I haven’t tried it yet but think it’d be a good gift for Ben this Christmas!

House of Marley headphones

Your purchases support “youth, planet, and peace” with the Marley 1Love foundation and beyond that they make their products with the planet in mind. [easyazon_link keywords=”House of Marley” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]House of Marley[/easyazon_link] takes going green pretty serious!

[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”B00LL6P5U2″ locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/41Nxas35H5L.SL160.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”144″] [easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”B005FO2CAW” locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/51g6j8BvI6L.SL160.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”160″] [easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”B01DWHZU7A” locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/51BKrr6WolL.SL160.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”160″]

Marley products are sustainably crafted from earth-friendly materials including our exclusive REWIND fabric, cotton and canvas textiles, recycled plastics, recyclable metals, bamboo and Forest Stewardship Council-certified woods.” – House of Marley

Teeki Yoga Clothing

Teeki makes the coolest trendiest prints on yoga clothing and is committed to not harming the environment while they do it. The fabrics they use are made by material which is spun from fibers made out of recycled plastic bottles. Wow!

TOM’s

I am so in love with my [easyazon_link identifier=”B001211TBA” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]burlap TOM’s[/easyazon_link]! I take them on all my trips and they still haven’t fallen apart. They are made with the environment in mind and each time you buy a pair, a child in need gets a pair too! Next, I want the canvas ones.

[easyazon_image style=”float:left” height=”160″ identifier=”B001211TBA” locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/51lcLOJfIPL.SL160.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”160″] [easyazon_image style=”float:left” height=”81″ identifier=”B001J6NXOO” locale=”US” src=”https://hippie-inheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/41coAfPlaL.SL160.jpg” tag=”Hipinhee-20″ width=”160″]

Bedol Water alarm clock

You can use water (somehow magically) to power this alarm clock – wow! No need for batteries or charging. Check out the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00EUL948O” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Bedol water alarm[/easyazon_link] clock here.

I hope you found some eco-friendly travel products on this list. There are dozens more out there but these are some that I either use or are on my wishlist, like the clock and battery charger. We may not all be perfect with “going green” but these purchases instead of your normal ones may be a small step in helping.

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Stowaway Review: Is it the Best Travel Makeup?

Rachel Jones — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 14:15:01 +0000

I used to love makeup and not just any makeup, but nice expensive makeup from Sephora. I was a VIB (very important beauty insider) which meant I was spending a lot a year. I used to wear makeup when I lived in the US, but the more I traveled the less I packed makeup. I only recently heard of the travel makeup brand Stowaway.

I have some favorite makeup that I take along with me when I travel, but when I go carry-on I take only the small things like a cream blush, under eye highlighter, regular highlighter, and mascara. My Boscia BB cream and Naked eyeshadow palette get left behind because of size.

Stowaway Travel Makeup Review

I’ve tried out the Stowaway make up for a couple months now and wasn’t expected that much as usually “trial size” or smaller size things made for travel don’t have the quality I am used to, but this makeup pleasantly surprised me.

You can see the six pieces that come in this set: BB cream, concealer, blush, lipstick, mascara, and eyeliner which is all that things that they sell. I went for medium BB cream and light concealer, since I usually use concealer under my eyes and this set didn’t come with a highlighter.

You can see in this photo the size compared to my hand, that these are pretty small bottles. BB cream and concealer usually last me a long time, and I would guess these would last me about 3-4 months since I only wear makeup a couple times a week.

The BB cream was very orange when it came out and I was worried by the color. I thought it would be not only too dark, but a strange color. Once I put it on and rubbed it in, it was actually a normal color to the point where you couldn’t really see it.

For blush I went for cantaloupe color as I always like the peachiest of the bunch! I love this blush, it’s my favorite of the whole batch. I would say it’s similar to Josie Maran’s oil blush (which can be used on lips too) and it rubs in perfectly.

Do NOT go to Jordan without trying Ma’in Hot Springs Spa

Rachel Jones — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 13:01:47 +0000

I tried out a few spa options during my time in Jordan like the luxury Intercontinental in Amman and Kempinski with the magical Dead Sea salt, but I think Ma’in Hot Springs is the ultimate spa experience in Jordan. and the famous hot springs at Ma’in (Hammamat Ma’in) are what make it the best spa in Jordan – or in other words, one you better not miss while you’re there!

Although I haven’t tried all the spa treatments Jordan can offer, I did try the ones with the best reputations. Beyond that, the other top spas in Jordan are in 5 star hotels. I’ve had signature massages at, for example, the Four Seasons in a few locations in the world and I can guess that they would be similar here as well – same goes with other top 5 star hotel spas in Jordan.

The Best Spa in Jordan

I was a guest of the tourism board in Jordan and I told them that I am massage-obsessed and they said I just had to try the spa at Ma’in and in their mind it was the very BEST the country could offer. I was like yeah, I’m in (obvi). So what makes Ma’in the best spa in Jordan?

-The mineral rich hot springs and natural waterfalls!

-It’s a Six Senses Spa.

Six senses is a brand of resorts and spas. To me, the most famous is the one in the Maldives which has won loads of recognitions. Not only was the spa amazing, but the Ma’in Resort itself was incredible. Ben could care less about spa stuff but was like “we’ve got to come back here!”

Beyond that, CN Traveler did a round-up of the “readers’ choice” top spas in the world and Ma’in is #2, granted it was a few years ago.

It’s at 264 meters below sea level and very close to the Jordan River and Dead Sea. I’ve shared about how the Dead Sea is full of minerals and mud that celebrities use to look young and some people even use to heal a variety of ailments. This is no different in that sense, although the water isn’t salty like the sea. It’s still mineral-rich with Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium.

These hot springs do have areas that are open to the public, pay per use. The ones in here are not open and there are two places you can use them the resort pool and the spa pool. The spa pool is a little walk away (enough that they offer a car). The spa pool is definitely the best of the two. The waterfalls come into the pools and you can stand under for a back massage. The water is 113 degrees (and higher) in the falls.

I had a mud wrap and an “oriental” massage. The mud wrap was of course Dead Sea mud and after it was put on, I had to get into a heated space blanket (like in Istanbul!) and then got a massage until it was too hot to take! After taking that off I had the second half of the treatment, which was basically a Balinese. I loved it! It was a two-hour treatment and absolute heaven.

The Ma’in Resort

The resort is a “wooden” theme I guess you’d say? Ha, it’s all natural looking. Even the pens at reception are wooden. I loved the decor and feel like I could live in a place decorated like this. The rooms were cozy with huge bathtubs and balconies. The food was also quite stellar.

The food was fantastic. We had big sandwiches for lunch with Caesar salad and the dinner buffet had.. wait for it…. make your own fajitas complete with gooey cheese sauce. This was our last night in Jordan so I felt okay having some Western food after eating Jordanian food all week. Although it was a buffet ha, I had a little of everything!

The morning that we left, we had about 30 minutes before check out and Ben was like, “I have to get in that waterfall one more time!” He swam and jumped and played… and I said Ben we have to go! He’s like Ohhh 5 more minutes! Ha, like a kid at the pool. He really loved it and I did too.

Historically, this area was frequented by the folks in the Bible! John the Baptist was killed here & King Herod used the waterfalls!

I highly recommend this resort & spa. You can book here!

Address: Six Senses Spa, Evason Ma’in Hot Springs, Madaba, Ma’In, Jordan. You can read more about visiting this area on Lonely Planet.

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Tips for the Dead Sea in Jordan… a cool & crazy experience!

Rachel Jones — Mon, 23 May 2016 11:01:31 +0000

Visiting the Dead Sea is something I’ve always wanted to do and I was lucky to visit this dream destination on my recent trip to Jordan. You can also visit this Sea from Isreal. There were a few things I didn’t know ahead of time so wanted to share some tips for the Dead Sea in Jordan so you can enjoy it to the fullest.

Hey, Ash… are there any fish in the dead sea? (me to my tour guide)

–(his reply) umm.. no, that’s why it’s called the dead sea.. everything dies.

Right, that makes sense… my bad.

I should have Wikipedia’d this place before! lol I knew it was so salty you could float but that’s about it. As I started traveling in Jordan people were talking about the magical mud from the Dead Sea. This didn’t come as a huge surprise because since I can remember there have been Israelis/Jordanians/Palestinians selling Dead Sea Products in the middle of the malls of America in Kiosks. I have tried those products and did like them but never thought that much about it. I also was excited to see what it felt like to float. So, here are my tips for visiting the Dead Sea in Jordan.

Tips for the Dead Sea in Jordan

Visit SOON before it’s too late

Sadly, this sea (which is really a lake) has shrunk by 30% and scientists say we may only have 50 years to float in these healing waters. The water comes from the Jordan River which is also used as drinking water for everyone around. There so far is no solution in sight.

Choose the perfect hotel

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most people. There are dozens of great hotels to choose from but if you can budget out $280 a night you’ll be sleeping in one of the best hotels in the world: the Kempinski Ishtar. Kempinski is one of the most high-end hotel brands in the world and you don’t often find such an incredible hotel at these prices (even in India it’s more at the Leela Kempinski Goa). To put it into perspective, a room like this in Waikiki usually goes for about $700.

I wouldn’t suggest splurging out like this on your whole trip to Jordan. Most people visit so many desert and forest places that don’t have luxury options, that this would be your one-time splurge… one that is well worth it!

Definitely book ahead for the spa

If you stay at the Kempinski, which many people do (it’s HUGE), you need to book ahead for a spa treatment as they fill up. They were voted the best spa in Jordan and for good reason. You can get “Dead Sea mud treatments” all over this region, but here you’re actually at the Dead Sea getting it straight from the source.

You actually can just go to the sea and use the mud free of charge, but a treatment would be a heated mud wrap, olive oil or mud facial, and a massage.

You luckily can buy this mud at Macy’s, Nordstrom or [easyazon_link identifier=”B004UQH4CW” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]online here[/easyazon_link]! AHAVA is the best brand!

This wonderful skin-perfecting mud stains!

You should wear either an old swimsuit or a black swimsuit. The mud does stain some light-colored fabrics. I wore my TIA one piece bikini because it’s my darkest one. You can wear a bikini, though, it doesn’t have to be a one-piece. Once you’re in a 5-star hotel in Jordan you can dress a little less covered up if you really feel like it and you can drink booze!

Most of the hotels are set up along the Dead Sea, so this doesn’t just go for where I stayed, the Kempinski. You can expect that the hotel will provide towels, an outdoor shower, and a little container of mud to dig into.

You can’t actually dig down and get the mud yourself because you can’t get this water in your eyes… which leads me to my next point.

This water will BURN your eyes and open cuts

In fact, you should not even shave the few days before you get in the Dead Sea. Razor burn would be MISERABLE! After about 10 minutes, I started to feel a tingle on my skin so I got out. You shouldn’t stay in more than 15 minutes.

The routine for your skin was told to us as: Get in and float 10 minutes. Get out and apply mud. Let the mud dry. Get in for another 10 minutes. Rinse off in the shower.

The rinsing off in the shower is the most important bit! The mud actually sticks on so once you back to your room you should wash up again.

This mud is well-known to help your skin look like a lasered celebrities skin and is highly recommended.

You can’t actually swim as the water is so thick with salt you are forced to float. Make sure you fall backward into it and not onto your face.

The Dead Sea has healing properties… loads of them!

People didn’t start coming here because they could float. People came because the water was magical. It’s said to heal all kinds of problems like psoriasis and osteoporosis. There is not only a lot of salt in the water but many other minerals. Along with soaking in mineral rich water, you are very far below sea level (in fact, the lowest point on earth!) so that you aren’t getting the sun rays that will burn you. For that reason it’s a safe place to lay in the sun and let the mud and salt water work their magic. People come from all over the world on medical trips to help their health, while looking for alternative cures.

Make time for the River Jordan

We really tried but didn’t get the time. I hadn’t realized until I got there that it was where Jesus was baptized. I really wanted to get our friend (and dogsitter) Ryance some water from the river, as well as my brother and his wife. It’s only 20 minutes from the hotel area, plus a 20 minutes shuttle but with their timings (9 AM- 4PM as we were told) it never worked out to make it on time. Later, we found tiny bottles in a shop with water from the River Jordan and bought it, although I have a sneaky suspicion the used similar sales tactics to the man who sold Ben the RayBans Tom Cruise wore in Risky Business ;)

Here are a few links to similar pieces that I wore here!

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