I met Karunamayi, Kathryn Wiese, Director of There’s No Place Like Om Yoga Studio on the Big Island of Hawaii, almost 2 years ago. We were both attending a yoga workshop on Maui and I admired her dearly from our very first meeting.

Her warm greeting made me feel honored, partnering with her and practicing along side of her was such a joy. Her compassionate nature flows out of her effortlessly and eloquently, and her eyes sparkle with a childlike enthusiasm.

I will always recall one lunch shared together with another yoga friend of ours, we were all talking story and sharing our worlds. Karunamayi tells us that she truly wished for everyone on the planet to open to their fullest potential, to be the best they can be, and to be genuinely happy. I forget her exact words, but that was the gist of it. It was her sincerity that really, really stuck with me. How beautiful is that?!

So, it is with great honor that I invite you to come play with us both! I will be guest instructing a yoga class at her studio late this month. And she leads weekly public classes on the island of Hawaii. Soon coming, we will be instructing yoga teacher trainings together!!! More on that to come.

Come join the fun. May 31st, 5:30-7:30 pm at There’s No Place Like Om.

Please call 808-640-7204 to register.

Find out more about Kathryn’s Big Island yoga happenings here, and register for my newsletter to the right to stay connected about our outrageously fun, deeply transformational yoga teacher training program that is in the making. Yahoo!!!!!

I look forward to meeting the Big Island community and in sharing yoga with you this May 31st.

Aloha

The other day I had the sweet privileged of witnessing a mama monk seal and her baby swimming together right near the sea shore. So playful and free. Then they scooted, wattled, crawled (wow, how is it to describe the wild way in which these creatures move their huge bodies upon the earth?!) up onto the beach to have a rest. After they found themselves a comfortable placement, the baby seal nursed and it was all just so amazing! I truly felt like what I was witnessing was a once in a lifetime scene from “How Amazing and Beautiful Our Wild World Is.”

Sunday, May 20th I will be leading a guided yoga practice in Kilauea. This is a DONATION yoga practice and ALL moneys will be going to Tara Golden for her documentary and work that is bringing awareness to the world about monk seals!

You can see the trailer of her documentary here:

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

DONATION YOGA CLASS ON KAUAI, FUNDRAISING FOR MONK SEALS

Class time: 9:15-10:30am, this Sunday the 20th

Class level: All-levels

Class type: A guided yummy, yoga practice lead by Samantha Fox Olson

Class location: Kilauea Farms 

Call today to register your space today:  808-351-4958

One of the deserts we drooled over during my May Yoga Retreat here on Kauai was a live Lemon-Banana filled pie. Not only is this pie mind-blowingly delicious, it also baffles the mind to know that there is ZERO sugar or additional sweeteners added to this amazing treat.

Ohhhhh, my mouth waters just thinking about how good this is!

The participants at my retreats have encouraged me to make a Recipe Book that includes all of our meals we enjoy together throughout the week. Ummm, how yummy is that encouragement?

Well, I haven’t dove into that creation quite yet, but today I am delighted to share with you (with permissions from Mark Reinfeld from the 30 Minute Vegan) the recipe for this unanimously desired desert.

From the 30-Minute Vegan, the filling recipe:

3 cups sliced banana
2-3 Meyer lemons, zested (2-3 tablespoons zest), or to taste  (I go for 3 big ones)
1/2 cup coconut oil  (I use raw, organic)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I actually left this ingredient out for retreat pie)
1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Put all this in your VitaMixer and blend.

For the final creation of the pie you can either use a pre-made organic graham cracker crust, or you can make your own live pie crust.  Layer your crust with your filling, stick in the freezer for a couple hours to set the pie, and dive in. It’s all good!

For my gluten free participants I served this filling to them as a pudding, sprinkled coconut shreds and cacao nibs on top. My daughter by the way, loves this pudding sooooo much and it makes me so happy to know how much goodness is fueling her body with this healthy, delicious and raw food snack.

From the 30 Minute Vegan, a live Pie Crust from heaven:

1 1/2 cups almonds
1 1/4 cups pitted Medjool dates
2 tablespoons shredded coconut
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground cardamom, nutmeg, or allspice

To prepare this crust, place the almonds in a food processor and process until just ground. Add the dates, coconut, cinnamon, and cardamom, and process until the dates are broken up and the mixture begins to run up the sides of the processor. You may need to add more dates if you are using a variety that is not as moist as the Medjool.

Use your hands to press the crust into a 9-inch pie plate and refrigerate or freeze.

Ahhhhhh, enjoy!

Find out more about the great cookbook, the 30 Minute Vegan, here.

Purchase the 30 Minute Vegan here.

Find out more about my delicious yoga retreats on Kauai here.

Raw, Vegan and Gluten Free Cooking Classes in Hawaii

Oh, and if you will be on Maui soon, check out Mark’s offerings there! He can offer a 10% discount to anyone who mentions ME when you sign up.
Thanks so much Mark!

http://veganfusion.com/vegetarian-raw-food-gluten-free-cuisine/cooking-classes-events/10-day-workshops/10-day-immersion-maui-hi-august-18-2012/

http://veganfusion.com/vegetarian-raw-food-gluten-free-cuisine/cooking-classes-events/2-day-training-workshops/2-day-vegan-fusion-workshop-·-maui-hawaii-·-september-8-9-2012/
http://veganfusion.com/vegetarian-raw-food-gluten-free-cuisine/cooking-classes-events/teacher-training-workshops/3-day-vega

Have you ever had a week that inspired and infused you with so much gratitude that it literally changed your entire life from then forward?

Have you ever dove so deeply into the FEELING of your yoga practice that it eternally, and internally, transformed the way you pray and offer your heart into the world?

Do you know the feeling of celebrating life with your every cell?

Have you ever felt connected to all of the universe by intent-fully sharing your breath with nature?

Have you ever played blissfully under a waterfall and felt the ecstasy of being fully alive and free?

How does it get any more magical than this?!

I just shared a week with magnificently amazing women in my recent yoga retreat here on Kauai. To put the week into words isn’t an easy expression. However, I did ask these women if they could share their week in just one word what would they say. Some of the contemplated replies were:

• BLISS
• gratitude
• perfection
• appreciation
• GROWTH

I am so delighted to share this 7 minute slide show of our uplifting and blissful Yoga And Nature Retreat with you below. It tells our story so sweetly. (Turn up the volume, and open to full screen to experience the infinite beauty.)

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Heart-Felt Words From Kauai Yoga Retreat Yogini

I have so much to be grateful for and feel that my Kauai retreat experience ( a euphoric fairy tale) won’t wear off for a long, long time!  What was the best? My favorite?  Everything!  The yoga, yurt, the house, view/views, the birds, the weather, the lovely rain, the awesome food, so healthy!, the bike ride, the paddle boarding, the Queen’s bath, the hikes, the rain forests, the waterfalls, the Java Kai lunches, the private and personal lunch on the lanai, the May Day ceremony, the beaches, the bonfire, pizza, the lei making and offering at the confluence of the river and the sea, the sweet shops, the chickens, the huge and colorful hibiscus, plumeria, and other flowers everywhere, the fresh local fish tacos, the unbelievable coconut cheesecake with strawberry topping,  the geckos providing us with curiosity and laughter, on and on I could go, but please know how much I appreciate you constant efforts, patience, creativity, versatility, and beautiful smile throughout.  Is there a word for much,much, mahalo??  Thank you so very much.

Love always gratefully,
Barranca

Up And Coming Kauai Yoga And Adventure Retreats

When is my next Yoga Retreat On Kauai? Coming soon!!! Possibly September!

Stay connected with me via my subscribe button to the right, and FB.

How much better can it get? I’m buzzing with delight sitting with this question.

Mahalo nui piha aloha to each and every glorious being that assisted us in making this past week so incredibly memorable and magical. Aloha mai.

Introducing…. April 30th, 2012 Kauai Yoga Retreat Co-Instructor, Kimberly Daniels!

I first met Kimberly Daniels in Maui a year and a half ago at an Anusara yoga therapeutics training where we also shared a Ram Dass Satsang and beach time. From the time we met she delighted me with her friendliness, and her enthusiastic love for life and yoga.

Today I am super geeked to tell you more about my friend who will be co-teaching our April 30th Yoga and Nature Retreat On Kauai with moi.

Kimberly Daniels, Anusara Inspired Instructor, RYT-E 500

“Yoga found me 6 months after I graduated from the University of Connecticut as I searched for relief of my constant back pain due to many years of competitive cheerleading, gymnastics and a variety of sports.  I yearned to find a space that honored and challenged my body as well as my mind. After my first class, I knew I stumbled into the opening; it was then that I began on this amazing journey to learn more and eventually bring these teachings to those who seek its nourishment.

After growing up on the east coast, I decided it was time for a change. Those changes lead me to San Diego where I could deepen my knowledge and love of Anusara Yoga.  In addition to being an Anusara Inspired Instructor, I am also certified in Pre and Post Natal-Anusara (TM), Viniyoga as well as Hatha traditions, and Children’s Yoga.

I have been blessed to study, and continue to do so with Anusara Yoga founder, John Friend, and my philosophy professors; Dr. Douglas Brooks, and Christopher Wallis. Deep, immense gratitude to all of my teachers, students, family, friends, and colleagues who have supported me on this path.. I bow to you.

I invite you to join me in my local, private classes or destination retreats to connect deeper to your heart and journey. Let’s have some fun on your path together!” -Kimberly Daniels

 April 30th, 2012 Yoga Retreat On Kauai

COME JOIN IN THE FUN!

The accommodation for our upcoming retreat are beautiful.

Nature and Yoga Retreat With Ziplining Or Horseback Riding

Daily Yoga Classes, Up to 3.5 hours per Day

The yoga will be fun, captivating for all levels, nourishing and delicious. You will leave the island with a new inspiration and understanding of yourself from our weekly yoga time together. You will be guided with the fresh inspiration from TWO instructors, Samantha and Kimberly. The instruction is very personal with a limit of just 8 students. This offers a very rich and unique experience for all.

Nature Excursions

Excursions will include stand up paddle boarding, waterfalls, sandy beaches, hiking and more. There is also an option for ziplining and a private horse back riding trip.

Food

Our meals will offer a colorful cuisine that is local, fresh and full of the mana (life force) of this ‘aina (land).

Register Today

One room still available. Call Samantha to join in the fun: 808-351-4958

Want more details?  Click here and don’t forget to view the short video on the right side bar of my site for a bleep of my 2010 Retreat.

Scenes From January’s 2011 Kauai Yoga Retreat: