Yoga + Raw Food Experience

I recently read someone’s blog (i wish i could remember who – gah – so sorry!), who stated that they commit to trying 10 new things a year. Sounds simple yet exciting, eh? Less than 1 new ‘thing’ per month, but 10 guaranteed to take you outta your comfort zone, even just a lil bit, experiences. That blog inspired my Saturday.

TeamFab embarked on something new – a Yoga + Raw Food Experience. It was hosted at a stunning home – beautiful kitchen – heated floors – floor to ceiling windows looking *directly* over the water. Schools of seals watched us all day long!

HighFive to the Chief Yogi Instructor – Melissa Blyth – who left the corporate world to find meaning in her work. She created a company called GreenOneVentures who started manufacturing organic bags and has now transformed into hosting yoga/raw food retreats. All Green, All One. Love it! Thank you Mel.

We were guided thru postures by the beautiful Tracey Groshak for the morning and afternoon sessions. She focused on alignment, on correct postures, on bio-mechanics. Clearly passionate about how she spends her days teaching yoga. Partner yoga was fun with my man:)

Tracey + Melissa demonstrating partner-perfect Hand Stands

Our mid day break involved a delicious raw food lunch prepared by Dr. & Raw Food Chef, Nikica.  We had freshly grated beets with lime juice, olive oil and Hymilyan salt; his version of cucumber salad with a macadamia nut puree and tabouleh made from brazil nuts, parsley and sun-dried tomatoes; marinated mushroom coleslaw and a ginormous salad of a variety of fresh greens and other veggies. I was full to the brim.

A table of delish Raw Food

It was after lunch was served, when Nikica came and sat down beside me that really blew my brains. This man’s life stories are meant for a book or perhaps a movie would be better! He became a vegetarian at age 5 – he’d trade his meat with his sister for her fruits and vegetables. At age 18, he became addicted to long distance running and proceeded to go on a 40day water only fast to cleanse his body. He craved an orange to break the cleanse and that was the start of his raw food diet. He proceeded to become a farmer to better understand how the food he would consume was made. He then went to medical school to become a doctor – believing that he could help heal people. That only lasted 9years and he was too upset with his patients for not taking responsibility for their health. He was a wanderer for 15years – traveling on foot – in the woods with animals. He seems to really love those lil critters. Also a self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, he used to run a marathon a day on Saturday and cover 200miles on his bike on Sunday. During the week, he’d run all night, craving the endorphins.  Today, he ‘swings a hammer’ building eco-friendly homes – providing shelter for others to pay for the food on his table. I asked him if he could be anywhere, doing anything today where would he be: living on the Big Island with his favorite farmers, surfing all day in the ocean on his long board.

The guy practices yoga 2-3hrs/day, he eats 10 oranges +1 papaya for breakfast, he has a farm in Yugoslavia and brings in all of his produce fresh from the trees in Hawaii. He is high on fibre and on life! This guy really is a trip. You should meet him someday:)

The man himself, Nikica.

As we left the house, the crazy man looked at me and said – Love Life, kid. ’nuff said.

Namaste.