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The Perfect Time to Travel
 Dear Soul Adventurers,
I hope this latest circular finds you happy and smiling! I am currently traveling around India to research future Global Soul Adventure trips... exploring the local landscape (the picture to the right is of the Himalayas from Mcleod Ganj in Upper Dharamsala) and culture (the stretched picture above is the of the local fisherman on Chowara Beach in Kerala shortly after sunrise,) getting to know the various local communities, learning more about yoga, rituals and regional variations... and enjoying all of the randomly beautiful events and moments that present themselves along the way! I had an interesting conversation with a gentleman that I met in Rishikesh, during the International Yoga Festival at the beginning of this month. He had lost his job, a good portion of his bank account, and was off to see the world... and his reasoning was, "it's perfect timing." Now is the perfect opportunity to utilize some of the extra 'free time' you may have been gifted to explore other places around the world, to make the current money you have saved last a bit longer (especially when you have a very favorable exchange rate,) and to simply free up some time in your life to 'feed' your SOUL! So on this note, may I wish you happy travels and invite you to join us for our upcoming journeys (please see special offer at the bottom of this newsletter) around the globe! Live it up TODAY,  Kate LaCroix, Founder & Director |
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Our Soul Adventures.... 3 incredibly special journeys ahead!
Whether you are feeling called to the Mayan Ruins, Caribbean beaches and world's 2nd largest barrier reef (HONDURAS;) the rice terraces, volcanoes, monkey forest, and island surf breaks of Nusa Lembongan (BALI;) or the mountain spa retreat in Queensland (AUSTRALIA,) we seek to facilitate an exploration of joy, relaxation, introspection, adventure, culture, community and beyond!
Copan Ruínas & Roatan Island, HONDURAS
with Yoga Instructor Laura Downing, of San Diego, CA
Spend your first 4 nights in an exceptionally beautiful, eco-friendly restored, family Hacienda, with yoga practices overlooking the Mayan Ruins across the river valley, time with a local Shaman, and exquisitely delicious 4-course cuisine... followed by your next 4 nights beach side, in a lovely resort home tucked in the trees at shore's edge - we will practice yoga overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Side adventures will include natural hot springs, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, horseback riding, and more.
Ubud & Nusa Lembongan, BALI - Indonesia
with Yoga Instructor Jo Tastula, of Venice Beach, CA / Freemantle, W.A.
There is a very good reason why everyone always raves about Bali... with its artistic heart residing in the village of Ubud... hand-made offerings line the streets, monkeys fill the forest, and rice terraces highlight just about every part of the local landscape... we will spend our first 4 nights here, followed by 3 more nights on the island of Nusa Lembongan, overlooking turquoise blue paradise... with opportunities to explore an off-shore surf break, snorkeling, or simply sunbathe at your leisure.
Mountains of Queensland, AUSTRALIA
with Yoga Instructor Jo Tastula, of Venice Beach, CA / Freemantle, W.A.
Tucked high up in the mountains, where the Atherton Tablelands meet the Daintree; where you can retreat into eco-friendly timber cabins; where you are only a 25 minute drive from Port Douglas, and access to the Great Barrier Reef, awaits the ultimate 4-day, 3-night mountain spa retreat getaway. Indulge on scrumptious foods made by our retreat chef and pamper yourself with massages and other spa sessions!
On each of the above mentioned journeys, you will have the opportunity to relax, sleep and unwind, or take to daily adventures - your choice! Each of these journeys will offer at least two yoga practices each day and the opportunity to select your eco-adventures. The bios for each of our fantastic yoga instructors can be found on the respective itineraries, and Kate (Global Soul Adventure's founder) will be with us to facilitate all of the trip logistics, general guiding and coordination with local guides for anything else you may seek to do during your retreat. The yoga style is Vinyasa Flow, and is open to all levels.
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Something to play with... A Bit of Balance
We often have to embrace interesting moments in life when we are presented with something that looks so simple, yet can be quite challenging... and that is where the balance comes into play - with our concentration and (letting go of) ego more than anything. Here are two "simple" yoga asanas (poses) to play with this month:
Palm Tree Pose (as called in English in India) / Reaching up on your Tip-Toes
Simply stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart, and on an inhale, raise your arms up to the sky above your head (hands interlaced with palms facing up,) or with arms separated in a "V" shape as seen in this picture - ideally with your palms facing each other... and simultaneously rise up onto your tip toes - staying here for a count of 10 breaths, if your body agrees. As you are trying to balance up on your toes, focus on relaxing your shoulders, jaw, eyes, and see if you can lengthen your inhale and exhale to 4 counts for each... you may also play with 3 variations - staying in this position for longer than 10 breaths; rising up on the inhale and lowering your heels so they are just barely hovering above the floor on the exhale; or attempt to stay still on your tip toes while closing your eyes... and from here, you may flow into the following asana, Tree Pose.
Tree Pose / Vrkasana
Standing up right with your legs together, inhale as your lift your right foot up off the ground and place the bottom of your foot against your inner left thigh. Ideally, you want to have your foot on the upper part of your inner thigh, or a tad lower (doing your best to avoid resting it against your knee joint) - or on your calf for a modification, should that feel more comfortable for you. Your toes can wrap around your inner thigh towards the space behind you... or point straight down, if that feels better. Calmly breathing and focusing your eyes on a fixed point about 3-4 feet in front of you, bring your hands together at your heart, so your palms are touching. Once you are steady in your balance here, you can raise your arms up above your head with your palms still touching, and then open them up into a "V" shape if that feels good to you. You can play with rotating your palms to face the front and back, paying attention to the space you create between your shoulder blades when rotating your palms to face behind you... or try to maintain this posture while closing your eyes. After you play with one side, try once again with your other side (i.e., left foot then rises off the ground to your inner thigh or calf.)
Physically balancing in asanas can also serve to help you with balancing mentally and emotionally in your daily life... keeping you calm and focused. Enjoy!
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Did you know?... GSA Monthly Travel Tip
Have you ever wanted a greater piece of mind with keeping copies of your passport and visa(s) within easy reach, should you need them while traveling? In the rare event that you end up without all of your baggage while traveling (hence your passport & visa, and possibly its copies too) then you now have the greatness of our digital age... before embarking on your trip, take a digital photo of your passport (a clear, close-up on the actual front page with your picture and all of your information) as well as close up photos of your visa(s) too... then take these digital photos and send them to yourself in your e-mail inbox (preferrably and e-mail address that can be easily accessed from any computer worldwide... such as Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, etc...) and either keep them unopened in your e-mail inbox (so you can easily find them) or file them into your sidebar. Shazaam! You can access the copies from ANYWHERE in the WORLD at ANY MOMENT, should you need or want to. I would still recommend keeping 2 paper copies on hand as a general rule, as they are easier to carry with you during day trips / night outings where necessary, and using this idea as the ultimate back-up!
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May you follow your SOUL to your next adventure.... and may we help - see below!
Happy travels,
Kate LaCroix
Global Soul Adventures |
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Trips
at Cost
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In these more challenging economical times, around the globe, Global Soul Adventures is working to drop all fees from upcoming trips (i.e., offering the trips AT COST) to you.... in an effort to keep our trips running and provide a phenomenal opportunity for you to enjoy some international ventures during this period of financial 'fun'. We know and trust that times will change in the near future and we will all be thriving once again... so in the meantime, please allow us to extend this special offer your way. (Please view respective itineraries on "Our Soul Adventures"... and please allow about 24hrs for the new prices to appear!)
We look forward to having you travel with us!
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Offers this good are available now!
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