Not only does the name Crystal Creek denote an enchanting body of running water holding refractive, transparent, glass-like treasures, Crystal Creek is a real place sitting on a mountain, a special sanctuary surrounded by a mossy rain forest. It really is an enchanted place where twice a year, in May and October, I hold two one-day Hatha Yoga Retreats at Cathy Pierce’s home and yoga studio in Issaquah, Washington.
Over this past weekend, I so enjoyed facilitating two day-long yoga retreats at Crystal Creek. Every aspect of the retreat is special. The day started with the drive over to Issaquah from Seattle. Given it was early morning, there was not much traffic, which made for a pleasant drive. We enjoyed driving past forests painted in colors of autumn, arriving just before 9 a.m. and breathing in the pure mountain and forest air.
Walking up to Cathy’s house in October means being greeted by bursts of plump orange pumpkins and orange chrysanthemums. And then there is Cathy’s home and yoga studio. I have rarely experienced such warmth in a home. Exquisite art is everywhere. Her birds chirp and chatter from their cage. I think the first thing we do when we enter Cathy’s home is to peak into the kitchen and see the covered pots over the stove. That is perhaps when the eager anticipation for lunch begins!
How I love to watch everyone step into the house because I know they feel embraced, not only by Cathy and me, but also by the warmth of Cathy’s home! The yoga sessions are wonderful. There is a long warm up session and everyone works to their level of ability. It is a joy to be able to work so deeply and to explore the art of integrating yoga concepts into our lives. By the time lunchtime comes around, we are all so ready to feast on the scrumptious meal Cathy cooks. After lunch, some of us go hiking (the trail is only seconds away by foot from Cathy’s home and studio) and some opt to stay in to nap, read a book, take a solitary walk on their own, or hang around and chat with others. The afternoon focus is to melt away tension and restore energy with restorative yoga.
We all go home happy, relaxed, and feeling renewed, me included! I love teaching these long sessions and working with a small group where I can focus on each individual and be fully present for the group. From an instructor’s point of view, holding a retreat, in this case a one day retreat, is the most satisfying of all teaching experiences!
It is not too early to sign up for the next ONE DAY HATHA YOGA RETREATS in Issaquah. Let me know if you would like to attend! Choose from the following three dates:
Wednesday, December 4 , 2013 Pre-Holiday Wellness Yoga Retreat 9 am -5:30 pm (cost $140, includes yoga instruction, lunch, and a half hour massage with Seattle massage therapist, Julie Bacon) Give yourself the gift of renewal and relaxation for the holidays!
Saturday, May 3, 2014 Issaquah Day Retreat 9 a.m.-5:30 pm (cost $100, includes lunch)
Sunday, May 4, 2014 Issaquah Day Retreat 9 a.m.-5:30 pm (cost $100, includes lunch). Please note, Sunday section fills very quickly!
Friendly ghosts sway in the wind.
Feast of colors!
Pumpkins and forest beyond
Laurie enjoys the hike on Saturday.
Howard and Leslie walking back to Cathy’s home and studio after our hike on Sunday
Bursts of yellow
