Do
something inspired. Quiet the outside voices, break free
of the illusions, and give yourself some restorative breathing room
to remember who you really are. You will go home with a sense of
purpose and significance that will affect everything in your life.
|
This
is an extraordinary health retreat.
Yes,
you will drop weight while you're here. But much more than
that—you'll shed the layers of monotony, conformity,
and fear that keep you from making changes and moving forward
in your life. And you will absolutely get in better shape.
But you'll tone your inner convictions as well, and get support
to believe in yourself. There will be plenty of rest and private
attention (just five guests and a small loving staff), and
the retreat offers deep healing massage. But here's the real
rub—the changes you make will be for good. You will not
go back to your old ways. You can't, once you've opened your
eyes and heart to what you know is true for you. You'll learn
timeless tools to stay on track and create a life that reflects
what you value. |
 |
|
| You
are not alone. Many
of us wonder if we're the only ones who sense the shallowness,
feel the insidious stress that comes from trying to keep up.
Does anything I do even matter? Can I ever really live a life
that's genuine, that's truly mine? Yes, you can. Come and
see what's possible. Meet people—future friends—who
care, just like you do, about what's good for all of us. This
small barefoot community on Fire Island is the perfect place
to clear your head and get in touch with your soul.
|
|
|
Just
get on the boat. The
quarter-mile-wide barrier-reef island on the horizon is
National Seashore coastline — remote, protected, no
cars, no big stores, buildings or hotels. We'll be waiting
for you at the dock with a red wagon to pull your bag to
your retreat home overlooking the bay. The space is simple,
calming, alive, flooded with light and sea air. It's a green
house — we used natural clay paints, insulation made
from denim scraps, sustainably-harvested Brazilian cherry
(actually helps the rainforest), an efficient wood-burning
stove, ceiling fans, and organic fabrics. There's a community
room upstairs for after-dinner talks, with a dining table
inside and out on the deck (a great spot to watch the sun
sink into the bay). The kitchen is set up for cooking classes,
there's a spacious screened porch and a private deck for
massage. The house is just ten steps from the bay and 100
steps down the boardwalk to the ocean.
|
You
will wake up while you're here. Every
morning at six we'll hear the sounds of the birds on the
bay, then pull on our sweats and go down to the beach to
meditate and breathe as the sun rises over the glorious
ocean. Back to the house to practice yoga—real yoga, the
way it was intended, to transform your entire being. We'll
take you on a bike ride to see some of the island, you'll
have a private consultation with Barbara, a delicious massage,
and some free, free time to wander on this spectacular stretch
of beach, to read, to reflect, to float in the ocean or
swim laps in the bay. (Don't worry, you'll eat—some of the
best food on the planet.) In the late afternoon we'll hike
to the lighthouse, then back for our cooking class, a fabulous
meal, and an evening talk on the deck or around the fire.
At ten, you'll be drifting off to the sound of the surf.
|
|
Nourish
You Can Cook We'll show you how to make simple whole-food
meals in Everyday Cooking classes. Add A Whole Bunch
of new life-enhancing foods to your list (we get produce from
an organic farm and a garden out front). Get Shopping
Confidence You'll learn to sift through all the choices
for the foods that are worth it.
|
|
Make
your home live
Clear Out Here's how to get rid of the dead weight
and focus on what really makes your house a home. Meet
Ms Clean Enough with the poisons—learn to care
for your home with products that are gentle, yet strong and
effective. Spend Well Remember how powerful you are—vote
with your dollar—here's the good stuff and where to
find it.
|
 |
Practice
health
Trust in the wisdom of your own body and learn real
prevention—you'll have a private consultation to guide
you in choosing the diet and remedies that are right for you
(instead of reacting to headlines or blindly following advice).
|
|
Evolve
Get High Here are some thoughts on how to find your
own voice, get in touch with your Higher Self and—if
you really do the practice—feel more grounded, happier,
and move forward in your life.
|
|
|
| |
Want
to come?
Each
retreat has its own life.
June
is mellow out here since summer hasn't geared up, the nights
are cooler, the water refreshing, things are starting to
come alive. July and August bring
more people, but also warmer water and lifeguards, the fans
are whirling, there's a lushness. September
is a relief, the last boat pulls away on Labor Day, you
can feel the change in the air and sense the light shift,
time to be quieter again, the ocean is still warm and at
its best, the perfect chance to set your inner resolve before
the winter holiday season rushes in. October
mornings are fall-fresh, time to get the fire going
in the evenings, the moon seems bigger, the tides more dramatic,
the bluefish are running, only brave souls around, watch
the birds migrating, just us and the critters.
The
retreat is a must if you want to feel rejuvenated,
excited and ready to trust your truth. -Melissa, a guest
from Massachusetts |
|
|
| Rates
The all-inclusive cost for your stay at A
Real Life Retreat is $1750 for a 4 day/3 night
retreat. A deposit of $1000 is required at the time
of reservation, of which $400 is non-refundable. The balance is due 4 weeks (28 days)
prior to arrival. (At that time you can schedule a 30-minute phone consultation and we
can discuss your specific needs). If you have to cancel within 4 weeks of your
reservation date, the $1000 deposit is forfeited. However, if your spot can be filled
from the waiting list, just the $400 deposit will be forfeited, or can be applied to a
future retreat date if one is still available.
Spaces
are wonderfully limited—so
if you send a deposit by mail, please complete the registration
form, then print and send with your payment. This will
let us know your deposit is on its way so we can hold your
spot. Consider a second-choice retreat date just in case.
We will give you a month's notice if a space opens up.
|
A
Real Life Retreat gave me friendship, laughter, healing,
and strength. -Sally from Kentucky
|
|
We
are here to answer any questions you might have. Please
email us and include
your telephone number so we can contact you.
|
 |
|
|
|
Share the glow
I have been longing for an experience like this for such a long time. Thanks for your honesty in everything. I feel like Dorothy in Oz - I opened my heart and found the courage and wisdom to move forward and be who I really am. You thought out every detail in your home - it was simple, easy to care for and so natural, from fabric to dishes. You are my inspiration to remember that it all does matter. - Olga from Florida
The
sound of surf in my ears, good food in my body, grand ideas
in the air - just as from the pages of A Real Life,
Barbara's nurturing guidance and impassioned voice has so
inspired me. - Kari from Utah
The
house has warm Brazilian wood that gives the real feel of
home. The food was fabulous. The beach, the ocean, and the
bay were beautiful. But the best part was the people and
the relationships we built. Barbara has a wealth of life
experiences, and the beauty for all of us is that she is
willing to share it. Thanks for an experience of a lifetime.
- Mary from Pennsylvania
I have been
inspired by the truth that Barbara shares from her daily
life and the vision she creates to help us find our way,
to care for ourselves so we can care for others and support
all beings on the planet. (I also lost four pounds and plan
to lose more). - Jenn from New Jersey
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| A
Real Life TM is a magazine published by A Real Life Inc.
Copyright 1996-2007. All rights reserved.
No portion of the publication may be reprinted without permission
from the publisher.
Printed with soy-based ink on non-chlorine-bleached, 50% post-consumer
recycled paper.
None of the information on health is meant to take the place of consulting
with a health practitioner when necessary. |
