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Wedding in the Pines

May 2, 2013 by Theresa Polley

Marissa and Jason had always dreamed of an outdoor wedding. They agreed that the beauty and stillness of Texas’ own Retreat in the Pines was the perfect place for them to start their new life together. The day they visited, it was cold, wet and basically miserable, but they immediately fell in love with the peace, serenity and pine trees.

Outdoor Wedding

Marissa & Jason’s Wedding

In Marissa’s invite to her guests, she wrote, “The venue is a lovely yoga retreat nestled in the pine trees of Mineola, Texas. We found the perfect intimate spot for the ceremony in the woods and a nice big clearing near the two log homes for dinner and dancing.”

Their dream come true outdoor wedding dawned on a beautiful April morning, the temperature were in the 70s and the bright sunbeams were streaming out of a brilliant blue sky. They were both relieved, as just days before; it had been cold and raining, very unlikely weather for spring in East Texas. They stood and exchanged vows with the trees for their backdrop.

Their wedding in Marisa’s words was “A blast!” with 70 of their closest friends and family member gathered in the pines for pizza, champagne toasts, live music, dancing, and more.

Married couple outdoor wedding

Jason, Marisa and son Jameson

We wish Marisa and Jason and their adorable son Jameson all the best on their journey!

We are thrilled to have hosted two outdoor weddings so far this year and would love to host yours. Please contact us if you’re interested.

More details on their wedding.

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Create Your Intention

December 6, 2012 by Theresa Polley

“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I’ve ended up where I needed to be.” ~ Douglas Adams

As we wind down 2012 and find 2013 almost upon us, its the perfect opportunity to look back in gratitude at the steps and even missteps of this past year. With that in mind, we are able to focus on the upcoming year with clarity. Perhaps asking yourself if you are where you need to be, or if not, taking the steps to change your direction.

Yoga Retreat May 2011

Margaret on Meditation Deck

Join Retreat in the Pines for an amazing and revelatory women’s retreat, Create Your Intention, January 11 to 13, 2013. This yoga retreat weekend will give you the opportunity to create a vision board for your life, based on where you’ve been and where you want (need) to go. Through a series of introspective yoga classes and guided meditations, you will discover your intention, or perhaps just refine your intention from the past year. More information on this life changing retreat.

Intentions can be as simple as living your life at peace or as complicated as changing directions in a career or a relationship. You can intend to face your fears, let go of a bad habit, make a change…whatever suits you at this particular stage of your life.

And by allowing your intention to guide you,  you usually end up exactly where you need to be.

 

 

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Comfort Zone

August 30, 2012 by Theresa Polley

You may have heard the saying that all of the good things happen outside of your comfort zone. Well I’ve lived that expression. Everything good that’s happened in my life, has been a matter of me stepping out of my comfort zone and getting really uncomfortable. Read more »

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Enlightenment in the Woods

July 18, 2012 by Theresa Polley

By guest blogger Christina Gorczynski. In May, I attended a yoga retreat at the beautiful Retreat in the Pines, a gorgeous property in East Texas. I had just completed my second triathlon season with Team in Training and was busy with work, volunteer obligations, Leadership Houston Read more »

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Spring in the Pines

May 3, 2012 by Theresa Polley

On a recent nature hike along the beautiful back roads close to Retreat in the Pines, these are just a few of the things Zoe, my dog, and I encountered. Click on a thumbnail photo to enlarge them. Read more »

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Connections

February 10, 2012 by Theresa Polley

Over the last seven years, I’ve had the joy to witness several meaningful connections between guests of Retreat in the Pines. This past weekend was especially inspirational! Read more »

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Today Matters

January 9, 2012 by Theresa Polley

This post is written by Kay, who found relief from a chronic headache at a retreat in September. She’s coming back next weekend.

Today Matters

Inside that lit stillness
we drank in the swelling breath that would
unfold on its own for months
from “Quiet of the Mind” by Naomi Shihab Nye

An acquaintance of mine recently returned from a two-week overseas trip that most of us would consider a dream vacation. When I asked her about it, she said, “Well, it was really nice, but I’m just so tired. We all got pretty cranky because we just had so much to do, and we had so many friends to buy things for, and it just was so stressful.”

Wow.

But isn’t that the way many of us—and by “us” I mean Americans—live our lives?  We tend to plan events so that we can “check in” on Facebook, take pictures, and say we were there. Sometimes we’re so focused on taking the picture that we forget to actually experience the thing we’re photographing. Once our event is thoroughly photographed and Facebooked, we move on to plan the next one.

Finding Peace

Preparing for Meditation at Yoga Retreat

The lines quoted above come from a beautiful poem about enjoying a moment and letting it carry you through months of everyday life and stress. It’s easier said than done.

When my friend and coworker Terry and I registered for the Yoga in the Pines Retreat, we knew we wanted an introspective, peaceful experience, but we weren’t sure how to get it.  Our husbands had sent us off with “You deserve it!” and “Take some time for yourself!” and “Don’t forget to take a great book!” We expected time to relax and practice yoga, but I don’t think we expected the slow steady sense of calm that would suffuse us.

Shortly after Terry and I arrived at Yoga in the Pines, we visited Theresa’s wonderful little boutique. Almost immediately we spotted a shirt (which I bought!) with the words “today matters” printed on it. We resolved to adopt that as our mantra and use it when we got back to work and things got a little crazy. And so far, it’s working!

Nature Walk

Enjoying Be Present Walk at Yoga Retreat

Throughout the weekend, Terry and I drank in the swelling breath of so many things: camaraderie with our fellow yogis, wonderful family style meals prepared by our yoga host and teacher, focus on our yoga practice, new friendships, solitude, literature, walks in the woods, moments on the porch swing, delight of a spunky little dog named Zoe, and the smell of pine trees.

Drinking in that swelling breath reminded us to attend to all the things that matter in our lives. We intend to hold that breath in as long as we can, releasing it bit by bit through the coming months.  It helps to know that before that breath completely “unfolds on its own” and we forget that “today matters,” we can come back to Yoga in the Pines and inhale again.

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Resolve to take care of You

January 2, 2012 by Tonya

This morning, as I lay in quiet Savasana, I thought about how well I treated myself during 2011. What I was really thinking was that I could treat myself better.

Sure, I went on a few yoga retreats to the beautiful piney woods of East Texas. I’d also trained all year for triathlons, pushing my body to new limits. I’ve stopped to enjoy some stillness but I’ll also admit that December flew by in a rush, leaving my head spinning and illness looming.

I used to be that person who did yoga 3 – 5 times a week. I used to be that person who ate more vegetables, meditated often, got massages and dry brushed my skin to make sure my lymph nodes kept my body toxin free. As I struggled through my yoga practice this morning, I recognized the effects of pushing myself too hard and neglecting the healthy practices I used to do diligently. I’ve been fighting illness for the second time in two months. I’m weak, achy and sore. My mind has been so scattered that I’ve had trouble concentrating.

On my mat, I slowed down to start 2012… or at least the 2nd day of the year. I let go of thoughts of a lingering To-Do list. I breathed in the peace and breathed out the stress of 2011.

Resolutions, I find, are usually broken. I’d rather commit instead of comply to something I feel I have to do. So, instead of resolving that I HAVE to take better care of myself, I will commit to myself and my family that I will get back to what makes me feel good. When I take care of me, I am better at taking care of my children, my house, and my business. It’s all connected.

Bring on 2012. And bring on the warmth of a healthy body, glowing skin and many more mini-retreats in the day-to-day busy-ness of life.

Thank you for the stillness of my yoga mat to remind me that quiet moments are when the good stuff happens.

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Winter Care for Your Body, Mind & Spirit

December 21, 2011 by Theresa Polley

As we step into the season of winter, take a moment to acknowledge the changing of the seasons. Today, the shortest day of the year, begins the season of going inside (mentally and physically) to prepare our bodies and minds for the more active months of the year. This day marks the point of reversal of lengthening nights and shortening days. If you can,  take a quiet moment today to contemplate the changing of the seasons, and what winter means to you.

As we settle in for winter, its the perfect opportunity to prepare our bodies for the season.  Begin by practicing the Ayurvedic methods of increasing immunity to avoid illness.

Winter is the season where nature actually nurtures us. Our appetites automatically increase in winter, and by eating the right foods you can digest foods better and give your body more nourishment…thereby increasing your immunity.

Foods that are hard to digest should be avoided in winter, things such as processed foods, frozen, canned and packaged. Fresh organic foods are best…root vegetables, fruits, whole grains and olive oil or ghee (clarified butter) are ideal. Sweet, salty and sour are the tastes Afternoon Wine Timeof the season. And red wine (yes!) is encouraged during the winter season, as is hot tea.

Your lifestyle is an important factor in building immunity. Avoid working and partying late into the evening or even just staying up late. Irregular mealtimes and sleeping during  inactivity can contribute to a suppressed immune system. Our bodies need more rest in the winter (now you have an excuse to turn in early!) so go to bed earlier…notice how much better you feel in the morning. Yoga is also an important part of Ayurvedic winter self care. A more restorative practice is ideal with lots of twists to massage the digestive organs, as well as restful poses and stretches.

Journaling is a nice addition to an Ayurvedic self care routine. As you look back over 2011, remember those special moments with gratitude, acknowledge the pain and fears you may have encountered and finally let the joy of the holiday season fill your heart.

Begin to honor your bodies natural rhythms and you will be amazed at the change….in your body, mind and spirit.

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How to Have a Peaceful and Joyful Holiday

November 11, 2011 by Theresa Polley

RelaxingGive yourself the gift of peace and simplicity this holiday season. By making room, by letting go…you open yourself up to something new. And wouldn’t it be nice to anticipate the holiday season with something akin to joy, as opposed to complete terror?

As we find ourselves preparing for a busy holiday season, the inclination is to do more…adding more to our already packed calendars and already full to do lists. This year, by doing less, you can open yourself to the true peace and joy of the holidays. Pick the traditions and activities that are most meaningful to you…and let go of the ones that you do because “you have to.”

What can you let go of?

Is it participating in the holiday cookie exchange with coworkers (do you really want to eat all of those cookies anyways?) that makes you crazy? Instead make some cookies with your family or a friend, some deliciously decadent ones, have a few and give the rest away.

Is it writing that long Christmas newsletter and sending cards to people you haven’t seen in years? Instead send a Christmas e-mail or post a Christmas greeting on your Facebook page. The etiquette experts might not agree with it, but it will free up some time for you.

Maybe its decorating your house, inside and out, so that it looks better than your neighbor’s. Really? This year, simplify…maybe just a tree and some stockings. Do your kids really care about your collection of vintage santas, do you? Does your husband really enjoy spending the day after Thanksgivng on the roof? Maybe you send him there, so you can shop.

Speaking of shopping, just cut back your list. Buy less and spend less. Does every person in your extended family really need (or want) a gift? Use that money to treat yourself! You’re worth it!

Let your real holiday dilemma be what to do with your free time. If you happen to be Winter Relaxationavailable December 9 to 11, give yourself the gift of a relaxing retreat weekend at Retreat in the Pines. Restore and renew and make way for what will really bring you peace and joy this holiday. Being relaxed enough to enjoy it…not just survive it.

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