Everything in between
Oh, my goodness, It' 's almost the middle of March, and I am finally getting to this post! Time is flying by. I just returned from an amazingly nourishing yoga retreat in Troncones, Mexico. I was there with Nancy Lea Yoga. You may remember I went with Nancy to Morocco back in October.
It's crazy. I was only away for one week, and literally, everything is blooming! Allergies are in full swing. Runny nose, watery eyes, super tired, and a little apathetic. Typical for this time of year.
But spring is my favorite time of the year, regardless of allergies. I love the newness the season promises. The chirping of the birds, the green of the trees, and the vibrant colors of blooming flowers. And, of course, the days are longer and lighter, and I get more done than in the shorter winter months.
Be aware that if you take allergy medication, your skin will be dry, not just your facial skin, but your body's skin will be dry and itchy. The allergy drugs will also dry the eyes, nose, ear canal, and vaginal area. Take care accordingly by using more moisturizing skincare and a humidifier at night. Drink plenty of liquids but not too much, as too much can dry out the skin further. Be sure to apply creams and oils to your body's skin to add more moisture. Also, when showering, don't use soap; soap further drys out the skin. Instead, rinse with warm water, pat dry, and use a light oil all over your body. For your face and body, Huile Réparetrice Serum is rich with Pomegranate Seed Oil, Avocado Seed Oil Milk Thistle, Morninga, Prickly Pear and the very precious Amaranth Seed Oil. Add a little to your body lotion and spread liberally on your skin. Nourishing and yummy.
Circling back to my trip to Mexico, our first night there, we were sat in a circle and introduced ourselves to the group; we spoke of our intentions for the week. What did we want to get out of the retreat or learn about ourselves?
One of my intentions was to connect more deeply to my practice. Sometimes when I practice, I go through the motions, or so I thought until I practiced with the group in Mexico and realized that I have been practicing for so long now that the asanas come easily to me.
I also intended to expand myself. Meaning my desire was to get to know everyone at the retreat, eat foods I wouldn't normally eat, swim in the pool or the ocean (I don't know how to swim, so this is a significant intention), walk on the beach, and in general let whatever was going to be-be. And I did exactly that. I let whatever was coming my way come my way. I ate more chips and salsa than ever before and thoroughly enjoyed all the unfamiliar flavors of Mexico. We had a lovely couple who cared for our group, preparing our meals and caring for the charming bungalows we stayed in. Overall, it was magical and very relaxing. And I fulfilled my intention to expand.
The weather was hot, muggy, and sticky. I used Soleil Tourjour sunscreen in SPF 30 and 50 and Colorscience powder block on my face. In addition, I wore sun-protective clothing and hats during daylight hours. Unfortunately, nearly everyone burned badly except me due to taking care to protect myself from the very harsh sun. We are Northwesterners, after all, and haven't seen the sun in nearly seven months. And we were very close to the equator making the sun more intense than usual.
For skincare, I took Imperial Cleanser, ELIXIR, and COUVERT de Rosée.
I also took all my makeup with me but didn't use any makeup. Too hot. My makeup ended up melting in the hotel room. I advise you don't take any cream products if you plan on being in a hot climate without air conditioning. For example, I use Tom Ford stick foundation or Gucci Westman stick foundation, both melted. Instead, I would take a liquid foundation like Armani Luminous Silk on this type of trip. The same goes for eye pencils and other cream products; take powder products instead.
My skin needed some TLC when I returned. My pores were clogged and full of closed comedones on my chin due to the heat and sunscreen. Skin clogging happens in muggy hot weather. It's unavoidable. So I scheduled a facial immediately upon returning to clear things up and am now back to baseline.
I have also switched up my dietary patterns over the last few weeks. I'm eating more tropical fruits like mango, papaya, and pineapple and trying to eat extra calories. I noticed I was constantly tired, so I'm experimenting with food to see if that doesn't help.
Next month it's Italy. Not for yoga, though. This trip will explore Italy's skincare secrets, and I will be observing makeup trends, drinking espresso, and eating lots of pasta. I will pass through Paris on my way home, where I will stay for two days. I will do the same thing there as I do in Italy, except I will eat croissants and fresh cheese. So stay tuned.
FYI~ I have a fresh batch of Rose Pearl mask and Hair and scalp oil. I have been using both (obviously), but the hair oil has changed the life of my hair and scalp. I balayage, color treat, and keratin my hair; in the past, my hair would break easily, but not anymore.
Namaste
xoxo~Jamie