FLOW SurfYogaSamba Retreat

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A few weeks ago, I received the most wonderful message in my email inbox. I was invited to spend a weekend trying my first FLOW retreat. The best part? I was welcome to bring my son Fin with me! This was the poster attached to the message:

For those that have never heard of these retreats, FLOW describes themselves as “Boutique three-day weekends that will spark your spirit and leave your body and mind relaxed and revitalized! Learn Vinyasa Yoga and Yin Yoga, surf and samba. Nourish your body with delicious meals and raw food snacks.”

FLOW has held retreats in Cebu, Danjugan, La Union and even as far as Bali, Indonesia. Prices and activities vary depending on the location, but you’re guaranteed that you’ll leave these weekends with new friends, healthy discoveries, and a fully recharged battery of energy for your day-to-day life. Here are photos from my FLOW experience that was held in picturesque Windward House in Batangas.

My super efficient wedding planners Monica Eleazar-Manzano and Denise Gonzales-Bernardo are two of the three ladies who founded FLOW. These women live and breathe an all-natural life and are always glowing without a dab of makeup.

Monica after teaching her sunrise morning yoga class. Watch my interview with Monica here about her water birth experience.

Denise getting ready to demonstrate how to make the perfect detox morning drink.

One of the first things that FLOW gives you is an adorable tote bag filled with goodies you can try during your weekend. These items vary depending on the retreat being held.

We were offered an afternoon demonstration on how to juice vegetables and fruits, dry skin brush, and oil-pull. More on oil-pulling in a future blog entry.

We had a stand-up paddle boarding session with SUP distributor/ instructor Tonio Legarda.

I’m not vegetarian, so I was a little apprehensive to spend a whole weekend having nothing but vegetarian food from morning to night. Needless to say, I worried over nothing. Each meal served at the retreat was tastier than the one before it. Denise Celdran of Edgy Veggy did an excellent job of giving us greens that were so fresh and an assortment of dishes filled with color and flavour.

The retreat also gave us time for our own reflections and relaxation. Many of us would use these free hours to chat, read, or just lounge by the pool. Fin and I included.

FLOW retreats are offered in only the prettiest of locations. This retreat was a stone’s throw from powdery beaches and other dream houses.

One of the best parts of this retreat was getting to meet so many people with such colourful stories. Even though our retreat was all women, FLOW retreats often include men as well. Guys, don’t be intimidated to sign up.