As the autumn months roll through and bring cooler breezes and colorful fading leaves, one can only remember what this gorgeous season forewarns; winter is coming! It is time to start preparing for the darker, colder months of the imminent snow season.

Of course, it is also time to include self-care, an important part of functioning in our fast-paced world. A relaxing retreat before the blustery winter looms will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed. The Best of Both Surf and Yoga Women’s retreat offers the luxury and adventure one needs where the sun is shining, and the average temperature of is a comfortable 78 degrees.

In the fall, plane ticket prices are affordable, allowing you the best deal for booking early. Airlines understand the rush for vacation bookings in the winter seasons, and increase the prices as a result. According to good old Benjamin Franklin, “people don’t prepare to fail, they fail to prepare.” So jump the gun before everyone else plans their holiday trips and book dates for the surf and yoga retreat now! Remember the feeling of the post-holiday rut accompanied with dreary winter days. Beat the rush of the slush and book a retreat now! You will thank yourself for planning ahead and have something to look forward to during the months of frost-bite and flurry.

Book by the end of November and enjoy $300 off your winter get-way. The Best of Both Adventures for Women Retreat will take care of all your vacation essentials including: surf lessons, yoga classes, massage, complimentary menu, and much more. Escape to Puerto Rico for a rejuvenating and healing adventure you won’t want to miss.

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New updates on Best of Both location

Fresh updates on the Best of Both Adventures Retreat location! Picture this: In the peace of the lush, green atmosphere, one can fully immerse themselves in the relaxing sounds of the breaking ocean waves. Walk along the soft sandy beach, and one could find themselves unaccompanied as far as the eye can see. Tucked back into a hidden garden, privacy is achieved while maintaining intimacy solely between the guests and staff.

In addition to the large bedrooms and wrap around sunlit balconies, enjoy a dip in the refreshing swimming pool that will be added in late September located only steps away from the sea. Swim and snorkel along with tropical fish in the warm shallow Caribbean waters outside the doorstep. Spend the day surfing Puerto Rico’s famous surf spots or enjoy some of the added adventures, including kayaking, hiking, or a trip to the waterfalls!

The expansive, private, ocean side deck is the perfect location to practice yoga while connecting with nature. The flowing breeze allows one to unwind and truly become present in the moment. Inhale the salty air and feel the rhythm of the breath flow with the tide while practicing in the shaded comfort of tropical trees. Our registered yoga teacher will offer additional guided meditation at the wish of individual students for a low rate in between reg classes.

In addition to the previous retreat activities, a sunset sail is included in the package as an opportunity to socialize, share stories over wine, and dine gourmet appetizers under the glow of the vibrant sunset. Experiencing a Best of Both surf and yoga retreat is truly a revitalizing and rejuvenating indulgence that one must truly see for themselves!

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Teacher Discounts

After a long hot summer, school is back in session and our teachers are working hard. Preparing for the new school year, student, tests, and grades can be draining on the soul. What better way to treat yourself before mid-terms with a relaxing surf and yoga retreat?  We are offering a “Back to School” deal including a $500 discount towards The Best of Both Adventures Women’s Surf and Yoga Retreat in Puerto Rico! Let someone else do all the planning: from healthy gourmet chef-prepared meals, nourishing massage, transportation, restorative ocean side yoga classes to exciting outdoor excursions, all with in the company of like-minded women like yourself. Puerto Rico’s Sandy beaches, calming ocean waves, and the golden sunshine of the Caribbean are yours to enjoy. Teachers, book before the end of November 2009 in order to take advantage of this special offer. Check out www.bestofbothadventures.com for dates. Offer good towards teachers with valid school identification.

 

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From your Yoga teacher

Hello Ladies!

This is your yoga instructor, Shannon, wishing you a warm hello from Puerto Rico. I am so excited for the new retreats to start, ushering a winter season full of new friends, experiences, and memories.  Sharing yoga is one of my passions, and I can not wait to enjoy it with you.

In case you’re new to the yoga scene, the practice features a lot more than just exercise.  Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word, “Yuj”, meaning to unite. According to Swami Satchidananda, the guru my yoga school followed, “people think yoga always means standing on the head or doing some pose. But, the aim of yoga is to calm the mind. That’s why it’s called integral yoga-because we integrate every thing: body, mind, and spirit.” In yoga, one tries to move in the poses and feel something deeper, experimenting to see just what will happen. I want to focus on strengthening and stretching the muscles used in surfing, as well as finding poses that will bring relaxation.

I look forward to meeting each and one of the women who come for the Best of Both Adventures retreat.  Through new adventures I hope to learn as much from you as you can from me! I’ll leave you with a little phrase which simply means, “the light in me recognizes the light in you.”

Namaste,

Shannon Lyons

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A Special Note from Dez…

The Economy and Our Retreats
We have been conducting retreats for over 5 years now, Here at Best of Both , we feel we are doing important work, and that women need the personal power and strength they get from our retreats, now more than ever! We are empowered by the women who understand and support our mission.

Because of the current state of the economy, we have shortened the number upcoming retreats. However, we are offering 5 fantastic retreats for you to choose from in 2009- 2010. We’ve put together many incentives packages and options for women to encourage them to plan ahead and look forward to a more positive future. As always, we have an Early-Bird Discount, Teacher Discounts, and an Easy-Payment-Plan to assist you in making attendance a reality. It also helps us meet our obligations for a successful retreat.

Thinking About It?
If you are interested, please register early rather than later to reserve. If you are thinking about it, please let us know and we will alert you before we come to the close of our registration.

Getting Good Deals on Flights
when the economy gets stressed we have seen prices to PR go down in effort to help the island communities. This past year some tickets were $200 round trip from NY. Good for our retreat!

Money tight? Don’t know how to make this a reality?
If you are a person with little means, but dream of attending, don’t give up!

The Power of A Gift
If you are a person of means, and can make a “gift” to a woman who you know would profit physically, spiritually, and emotionally from participating in our retreat, please consider making a donation in either part or full tuition. It can make a powerful difference in a women’s life, as well as the greater good. This kind of gesture has been done on many occasions over the years. During these stressful times we do need to be aware our sisters may need a helping hand.

We have had women’s groups raise money to send a member. We’ve had fathers send their daughters, wives, and mother in laws. We had one woman give it as a reward for finding another woman’s diamond ring! We have given retreats away as fundraisers for accident victims. There have been many beneficial and rewarding occasions!

Aside from the obvious that when you give to others it helps them to manifest their dreams and desires, there is also a secondary benefit. When we give to others we are AUTOMATICALLY placed in a state of ‘alignment.’ When we are in alignment with the Universe, everything flows to us EASILY and EFFORTLESSLY. Nothing will put you in a state of alignment FASTER than assisting other people to achieve their dreams and desires.

Dez Bartelt, founder of Best of Both Adventures for women

Bring 3 friends at full rate and receive your Retreat Package complimentary!

Put on your traveling shoes and prepare to get away with Best of Both! If you’re ready for a great escape with great friends, there’s no better vacation destination then the tropics.  So…get on the phone or e-mail your girlfriend and say let’s get away. It’s time to make plans, pack your luggage and have a great time together!

In order to take advantage of this special offer, you must book and pay in full no later than October 1st 2009. To receive the complimentary package, both the paid and complimentary bookings must attend the same retreat without cancelation.  Please note-This offer does not apply if you have already booked a vacation with us during 2009 or 2010. 

 

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5 reasons to start packing:

 

1. Best of Both Surf and Yoga taps your adventurous spirit in a active tropical setting.
2. Our retreats are designed for women by women. We organize every detail of your trip while you relax and have fun.
3. You will enjoy good company with like-minded women where you can be yourself and laugh. Relax or just be a carefree woman with no worries for 5 amazing days.
4. Enjoy the freedom to do what you want when you want. There’s no pressure or competitiveness, but plenty of support.
5. Retreats don’t change our lives as much as they change    where we stand in relationship to our lives—and our capacity to see the hidden possibilities there.”

 

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De-stress

 

De-stress, refresh and rejuvenate in a nurturing, empowering and supportive environment. Explore the transformative power of self-care and nourish your body and soul. Take time to slow down, nurture your inner life and emotional well-being and live in the present moment. Enjoy quiet reflection and get in touch with your needs and desires. Women of all ages are welcome! A Best of Both Surf and Yoga retreat is especially great for women in career or life transition.

Stress is internal, which explains why it can wreak havoc on your health. It feels awful…it’s the sense that you’re not in control. The easiest way to mitigate its effect is to take charge of the one and only thing you have the power to control…YOU, and let go of what you can’t control. The beauty of this recipe is that by taking control of your life, external or outside things will change in response to your internal changes. Here are 10 steps to de-stress for your present and future:

1. Heal yourself.
Dr. Bruce McEwen, who wrote The End of Stress As We Know It, suggests that eliminating stress comes right from your grandmother’s journal. He says the most effective steps you can take are the simplest: exercise, a healthy diet, regular sleep, moderate to minimal alcohol intake, and no smoking. This, he notes, is the most sophisticated, up to the minute, cutting edge science available!

2. Get organized.
Physical clutter reminds us of things that need to be done and that’s stressful. Remove your physical clutter and you’ll eradicate your mental clutter, plus you’ll feel energized. Please go to http://topten.org/public/AG/AG306.html for a simple organizing solution that will work on any space.

3. Set boundaries.
Boundaries act as a filter to keep you safe from the hurtful behavior of others while allowing in the love, support and nurturing actions we all need. Set your boundaries by: (a) determining what others cannot do to you or in your presence and (b) sharing this information respectfully with anyone who is stepping over one of your boundaries.

4. Take time for yourself.
Put together a list of all the things you love to do but haven’t regularly made time to do. Put your list in priority order and enter the top five to seven items into your daily calendar. Your list may include things as simple as journaling, reading a great book, taking a bubble bath, yoga, etc. You’ll be more successful getting to these activities when you give them a time and place on your calendar.

5. Be positive.
William James, the father of modern psychology said, "The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind." In other words, what you say and what you tell yourself impact the present and create your future. Love yourself and use the power of positive words, pleasing thoughts and affirming beliefs to live the life you want to live.

6. Work in a career you love.
If you’re like most people, you spend the majority of your waking hours at work. You’ll know you’re in the right profession when: you wake up anxious to go to work, you want to do your best daily, and you know your work is important.

7. Surround yourself with a supportive community.
You are who you spend time with. Hang out with people who love and accept you just the way you are, are interested in you (not what you can do for them), lift you up (not wear you down), solve problems quickly, don’t gossip or complain, and know how to have fun. Anything is possible with the right support.

8. Learn to say, "No."
We’ve all been influenced by people in our life who tell us we should do this or we ought to do that. As a result, we may end up living a life that others have decided for us versus living the life we want. So, the next time you think of something you ought to do or someone else suggests you should do, take a breath and ask yourself if it’s something you want to do. If not, just say, "no" or "no thank you." When you say no to things you don’t care to do, you are saying yes to you and this will free up your time and energy for the things you choose to do. Bottom line – you’ll be happier.

9. Zap tolerations.
A toleration is something that irritates you and drains your energy because it needs to be done, fixed, removed, or changed. If you’re like most people you may be tolerating 100 or more things! Put together a list of all the things that bug you, e.g. a dripping faucet, money concerns, your weight, shopping and running errands, not enough time, computer files out of control, your hair, a room that needs to be painted, etc. When your list is complete, group like items and see if one solution will eliminate multiple tolerations. For example, if you have piles of clothing in each bedroom, dirty windows and dust bunnies on your floor, hiring a housekeeper will zap all three tolerations. Line up a housekeeper, today. Then, commit to spending a chunk of time each week to zap your other tolerations. If you have a toleration that you don’t have the skill or know-how to fix, consider calling an expert or seek out a skilled professional to trade services with.

10. Get your needs met.
A "need" is not an option, it is something you must have to function fully. It is differentiated from a "want" in that a want is optional. Unmet needs can drive you to distraction and worse. Determine what needs you have that aren’t being met, if any, and then take the appropriate action to get them fulfilled. Example: If you’ve taken a big hit and are going through a career transition, ask a good friend to call you two or three times a week to check in with you and give you support. Other options include calling your own voice mail and leaving supportive messages or hiring a coach who specializes in career transitions. When you acknowledge and satisfy your needs, you will be free to focus on other areas of your life.

If you want to be happier and more successful, focus on the things you have the power to control.

 

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Life has changed

 Life has changed dramatically for many in the six months as we have watched our economy lose stability. Many friends and family member careers have been put on hold while their homes have less value than they did last year at this time. A trivial gift seems unworthy of both giving and receiving. It is said that when we evoke abundance in our lives and open ourselves up to receiving what is offered to us, the cycle of giving and receiving continues in a virtuous cycle. Putting more thought into what we give will create abundance in what we receive.

Best of Both Adventures for women often sees friends, family and co-workers coming on trips together. A great gift in itself is the thought and planning that goes into committing to a trip that will bring fulfillment long after it is finished.

A great way to make the planning easier this year would be to let Best of Both plan your Puerto Rico Surf and Yoga Adventure. If deep down inside you know that this coming winter would be a good time to get away, then let the planning begin with restorative yoga, tropical beaches and surfing in warm Caribbean waters. Some of the contents of this Newsletter article are from BOB past newsletters.  All contents come from past, present, and future staff and friends. All new and past newsletter text and pictures and web design is copyrighted by Best of Both Adventures Inc.

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Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a bargain destination and vacation packages can really help you save while relieving the stress.

A Best of Both Puerto Rico Surf and Yoga package is a great way to go!

Additional reasons why:

Now airfare from the states is very reasonable to Puerto Rico. For example a plane ticket from New York to Aguadilla is around $278 round trip (about $320 with taxes and fees). From Chicago to Aguadilla would cost more like $348 (around $400 with tax and fees).

Transportation from Aguadilla to the Best of Both Adventures is included in the package. If traveling without the package you can expect a rental car to be $350 for the week, plus fuel at about $75 for a total of $425. But not with Best of Both that’s included

What about food? Everyone needs to eat! All meals are included in the 5 day – 4 night Best of Both Adventure. Gourmet meals prepared with locally grown products and a true taste of Caribbean cuisine. If you are traveling and need to eat out you can expect to spend for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Now, some people can come to the island and just be satisfied with sitting on the beach watching the surfers. But there are those of us watching who desire to give the sport a try. Let’s add in $100/day for surf lessons. We will then feel the need for a restorative yoga class at $20/class and how about a massage to work on the tired muscles from the surf lesson. That’s another $100. without tax and gratuity! Remember that’s all included in Best of Both

Traveling to Puerto Rico requires no passport. No long lines passing through customs. It is one of the most economical vacation destinations and you can see above the comparison of booking a trip with Best of Both Adventures vs. traveling on your own.

Off the top it is easy to see that you would save with the Best of Both trip. More to consider is that in the comparison the food you would be eating would be mostly restaurant meals. After 5 days of eating breakfast, lunch and dinner at a restaurant your body may be in need of a detox. Best of Both Adventure meals are carefully prepared in a healthy, delicious way to restore balance to the body. If a fair meal price comparison were to be done and you were to eat privately prepared meals you would need to add spend quite a lot

The daily yoga sessions are designed to target the muscles used in surfing and to help you develop your own practice to return home with. Our instructors are trained to personally assist your needs and to help you find a yoga routine that will fit into your lifestyle. This is not something you would get from just any class!

We could go on and on about the beauty and tranquility of our villas, the friendliness of the staff, etc. But most importantly we cannot put a price value on the relationships that develop from these adventures. Some travel with friends or family and some travel alone, but each and every surf and yoga trip, new friendships develop and much is learned from sharing this experience together as women!

There is a saying that the if the month of March comes in like a Lion then it goes out like a lamb. This can be said of the most recent Best of Both Adventures Puerto Rico Surf and Yoga Trips.  As the month started with tropical winds blowing in and stirring the energy to float through theentire month of adventures.

Owner Dez Bartelt flew in during the first trip on March 4th on her way to her round the world adventure.  She had time to meet the ladies and brief them on her next leg of her trip.
You can follow Dez on her travel blog at http://www.bestofbothadventures.com/dez.  Here is what the news has to say about her adventure!

PRESS RELEASE
Adventure Tour Leader Dez Bartelt to Document Women’s Travel Issues on World Trip Bartelt Seeks to Educate Females About Safety and Health Challenges with Six Month Trip

March 9 – Travel can be one of life’s most exciting, liberating and educational experiences.  Discovering new places, meeting interesting people and enjoying the pleasures of destinations are what make travel experience so rewarding.  Unfortunately, many women, from students to seniors, faceseveral health and safety challenges while on the road.

Dez Bartelt, founder of Best of Beth Adventures for Women, an adventure tour group for women, will embark on a six-month around the world trip to document the issues that women face while traveling and how to overcome
them.

“I have been traveling for more than 30 years, to some amazing and crazy countries,” says Bartelt. “I have dealt with just about everything, from men throwing stones at me in Pakistan to French men telling me to get off their mountain when I was climbing. I never let that stop me from traveling or doing what I wanted to do. If anything it made me stronger. However, it would have been a big help if someone could have given me a little more insight.”

Bartelt’s trip kicks off in Aspen, CO on March 31, 2009.  Then Tahoe on the 31st for 6 days .She will then head to the North and South Island’s of New Zealand, Australia, and destinations in Asia including Bali and Singapore. Bartelt’s itinerary also includes European destinations such as Scotland, Greece, Germany, England, Spain, Austria, and Italy. Her trip will conclude in Latin America, with the countries of Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador. Her tentative end date is September 24, 2009.

Bartelt will provide information and advice about topics such as using public transportation and credit cards, preventing jet lag, and handling sexual harassment. She will also interview women travelers such as Layne Beachley, a seven time world women’s surfing champion and Kay Kottee, who sailed round the world by herself 21 years ago.

Bartelt will document her experiences and advice on her travel blog, located at http://www.bestofbothadventures.com/dez, in addition to contributing original content to Colorado-based Womenof.com and Girls By Design, Smallville actress Kristin Kreuk and producer Kendra Voth’s website for empowering teenage girls. Bartelt also plans on releasing a book about the trip next year.

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It comes to be that each group of women traveling to Puerto Rico for an adventure creates their own bond and in the case of the tropical winds of March the energy blew in and created wonderful friendships and relationships that are sure to last a lifetime. Memories created together of morning yoga classes with the sounds of surf creating a cosmic voice to calm the mind. Splashing around in the water, paddling through that same surf to master the skills required for the sport of surfing. Sitting around the dinner table enjoying healthy, restorative meals and sharing life stories. This is the spirit of women as they connect and flourish in the environment.
As the month continued and the second trip attendees arrived the spirit was renewed by the hope of good things do happen in life. Winner of the Women’s Adventure Magazine and Best of Both Adventure Contest Kathy Nelson attended the March 18th trip. Kathy shared with the women the story of entering the “Get me out of Here” contest and all shared their stories of what led them to an adventure trip to Puerto Rico. Everyone leaving with the idea that winners are all around us! Despite the economic situation of the world.

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Best of Both Adventures knows that the economy  downturn has had an effect on women and their families.  As a Spring Stimulus Package, to encourage that trip to restore and renew what has been a long and hard winter, Best of Both is offering a $600 discount incentive on any new bookings for the next
trip. Here are the details:Best of Both Adventure Stimulus PackageSpring Break Special!   A deep discount to help stimulate the economy.$600 off the next trip April 8-125 days and 4 nights of Tropical Surf and Yoga Adventure.  Daily yoga classes, surf lessons, healthy meals, spa treatments and more!It is not too late to reserve your Spring Break Best of Both Adventure in Puerto Rico. Remember no passport required!

Best of Both is offering this substantial discount to encourage you to treat yourself to a restorative week of fun after the long, hard winter!

Call now to reserve your space! 787-823-0610