Keynote Speaker Literary Agency Maryann Karinch

We’re pleased to announce our new Best of Both keynote speaker Maryann Karinch! Maryann is the CEO of the Rudy Literary Agency in Colorado which is a leading agency for new and experienced writers. She is widely recognized for the 17 books with her name on the cover as well as for her athletic endeavors including completion of the first Eco-Challenge. Karinch defines the most crucial elements in taking your writing to the next step and I’ve heard it said many, many times: “If you want to take your writing to the next level, her techniques and advise will give you the tools necessary to possess that potential for hitting that best sellers’ list”.

It gives us distinct pleasure to announce that not only will Karinch be this March 8th – 13th 2012 keynote speaker, but Best of Both”s founder Dez Bartelt will speak about her new book “They Call Me White Devil- Her mission in Africa”: Collecting stories of the tribal women risking their lives to save girls from female genital mutilation. Despite the connections and experience of her traveling companion, long-time FGM activist Regina Faehrmann, Dez quickly found herself entangled in tribal politics and stalked by a witch doctor intent on completing a “cleansing ceremony.” She sought routes to safety through the backdrop of whistling mortar shells and explosions from al Qaeda attacks as well as civil unrest. She will give you incites to this amazing story and how it has effected her life and work. This is just the icing on the best of Both retreat cake!

Your yoga week is a combination of activities designed to rejuvenate and relax your body and mind. Various activities are scheduled throughout the week, but keep in mind, this is your time!!! We’ve created a inspiring week to get you into the perfect mind and body frame of mind : yoga sessions to transform you into your true self; a nutritional & health counseling session to bring awareness to your being; a one-hour private massage to relax body and soul; three delicious meals per day to keep the energy flowing; and daily outings that will introduce you to the local beauty and culture.

Morning

• 1 hour yoga session
• Breakfast
• Nature hike/ 1 Snorkeling or Kayaking excursion or Surfing
• Lunch/ Guest speaker

Afternoon

• Free time: explore the beaches, nutritional counseling session, relaxation (scheduled massages, poolside, hammock, and/or siesta) one on one with Dez Bartelt
• 1 hour yoga session

Evening

• Dinner (occasional outings to other restaurants), Guest speaker

Her love for travel, food and education
led Gina to India, where she completed the one-month Yoga Instructor
Certification program at S-VYASA Prashanti Kutirum Yoga
University in Bangalore, India

Her Massages
Swedish – manipulates the superficial layers of the muscles to:

• Reduce muscle soreness and stiffness
• Increase blood circulation and oxygen flow
• Stretch muscles, ligaments and tendons
• Help restore muscle tone
• Increase joint flexibility
• Relax the body and mind
• Deep Tissue – focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles, connective tissue and fascia through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted and restricted areas
• Sports Massage – for maintenance/training, pre- and post-event and injury rehabilitation, Sports Massage incorporates stretching, Swedish, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point Therapy and Lymphatic Drainage for every level of athlete.
• Reiki – Reiki is a gentle yet powerful system of energy-based healing and spiritual growth practices, created in the early 1900′s by Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist.

Hatha is a marvelous means of exercising, stretching, and freeing the body so it can be a healthy, long-lived, and vital instrument of the mind and soul.

In addition, hatha yogis can become extremely clear-minded and can concentrate well. However, a few yogis do practice hatha yoga as their main method for spiritual realization. Their clear minds and pure, healthy bodies enable them to meditate easily.

Our primary focus is on creating an environment where people have the opportunity to join with others, create space and stillness in their minds and lives, and participate authentically in their own self-discovery in life or business. We also hope to share with our guests a sample of the sights, sounds, tastes and sensations that make the tropical island of Puerto Rico a unique place – one with many facets worth exploring. Best of Both mind and body is an ideal place to relax and refresh, to try new things and experience old favorites, share with friends and take time for yourself, soak up the natural beauty and radiate it back. In short, it’s a place to explore both inner and outer landscapes and see how seamlessly they stitch together. The natural warmth of the tropics provides the perfect space to deepen stretches and help the body to detoxify and come alive through the ancient series of poses that are enjoyed in yoga classes around the world. Yoga is a practice. It’s an undertaking that continues to evolve and unfold as we explore it more deeply. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned practitioner is of little import. All levels are suported here, and everyone is encouraged to participate and explore to the degree that they are comfortable. Ultimately, it is your movement, breathing, awareness, and intention that combine to open within you a more transparent connection to your own nature. With regular practice, you’ll experience more freedom of movement, a lessening of chronic pain, and a greater opening to the world around you. This is what we’ve found — and what we look forward to sharing with you.

Shared Accommodation – Now $1595 was $1795 save $200

Private Accommodation with private bath – Now $2195 was $2495 save $300

Additional Surf Instruction Packages:
Just add these prices to your yoga retreat package and you’ll be ready to surf.

• One-day Class: $70
• Two-Day $135
• Three-day Classes: $200
• Four day Classes: $260

Must book 24 hours in advance for extra surf lessons

Retreat has limited spaces so book now to insure your space!