The Cowgirl Yoga Experience: Yeehaw and YeehAUM!

The Cowgirl Yoga Experience:

Yeehaw and YeeAUM!

www.bigskyyogaretreats.com

                               

           Ahhh to go on a yoga retreat. So exciting but so many choices! When it comes to finding a yoga retreat the choices are endless, from different locales, to spa retreats, to intense trainings, to weekend getaways, to long excursions. My mom and I have been saying for years we wanted to take a yoga retreat together, but timing and coordination were everything.  Not only did I have to find a chunk of time to take off work, but both of us wanted to align with the intention of the retreat.  We were also coming from different yoga experiences…there is myself who has been teaching yoga fourteen years, in my mid 30’s and extremely active, and my mom who enjoys gentle yoga, has a few injuries, and in her upper 60’s. We spent at least a month or two trying to find a retreat at the end of June to celebrate both of our birthdays, however nothing was aligning with what we were seeking. Believe me we looked at many options from Costa Rica, to California, to Kripalu (my fav spot for years), to the Poconos, to ashrams, to yoga spas, you name it we probably looked at it.  Then we searched for “unique yoga retreats in the western United States” and stumbled upon Big Sky Yoga Retreats/Cowgirl Yoga! I clicked on the site and we both thought..hmm we both never been to Montana (check), there is daily yoga (check), horses (check), all women empowerment focused (check)! Quick backstory…While growing up my mom and I would go on trail rides every mothers day on Long Island, did a mother/daughter trip to Pinegrove ranch a few times, and occasionally ride on family vacations if it was offered.  So Cowgirl Yoga seemed perfect!  The timing wasn’t exactly right as the retreats were in July, however no problem there with getting shifts covered at work and yoga classes covered. I emailed the founder of the retreats, Margaret Burns Vap and she responded within a few hours, which I immediately thought how great it was that the owner herself was responding (not an assistant or automatic reply).  She answered one of my main concerns of my mom having a hip replacement and riding horses, along with some other logistics.  In this email she also went into detail about how the Cowgirl Yoga retreats are very unique and not like any other typical yoga retreat at a retreat center. The uniqueness was in the nature of the retreat, as well as the small group bonding, the ranch, the food, and even wine every night (most yoga retreats do not have alcohol or even caffeine so this was a very nice bonus).  I told my mom all this information and she was sold, but as perfectionsists  we still wanted to do a little research before booking to make sure this was “the one.” About a month later we were convinced that this is the retreat we have been waiting for so we booked!

            Fast forward to the retreat…

The drive to the B Bar Ranch was a beautiful ride through the mountains with an adventurous 6 mile climb up a rural gravel road (not my typical Orlando driving).  We arrived at the ranch and were escorted to our sweet little A frame cabin. From there we had a little downtime to unpack and “get into retreat mode.”  Yoga started on the lodge porch at 5pm where we met our yogini cowgirl sisters, and leaders Margaret and Caitlin.  And there we were…a group of 10 women about to start our journey! We started with brief introductions and a grounding yoga class. Margaret guided us to set our personal intention for the retreat and we began with a gentle flow class, along with Caitlin’s amazing hand on adjustments.  You could see the gorgeous Montana mountains and I immediately felt more spacious.  It was like taking a huge exhale that I have been holding for so long with all of my stress,rushing, overworking, etc.  It was a life exhale! Next we had an orientation where we met our knowledgeable wranglers Molly and Henry who introduced to the horses we would be riding and connecting with during the retreat.  That first pet of the horse on the nose was everything I wanted/needed. These big, strong, powerful animals that have personalities just like humans do, different body types, different colors, experience moods changes, etc.  I knew this is what the retreat is all about.  It’s not just about the yoga on the mat, but how we can apply that to connecting with the horses. Breath, being with the horses, befriending, core support, aligning the body, confidence in control, partnership, communication, etc. 

A frame cabin at B Bar Ranch

And then happy hour (yes happy hour on a yoga retreat)!...

The happy hour/dining scene

Each day of the retreat we had happy hour as we enjoyed our wine or beer (all horse inspired brands… Dark Horse, 14 Hands, etc), and amazing little appetizer snacks from hummus and veggies to cheese and crackers.  Great conversation was had during happy hour as we reminisced about our day, did mala making one evening, heard poetry and such. Dinner was to follow and wow is all I can say.  Linsday the chef was extremely gifted in all of her meal crafting, catering to any dietary need, with all fresh local food. Outstanding! The beauty of this retreat is that it wasn’t all vegan or vegetarian. There was chicken, fish, meat, dairy, etc.  I normally don’t eat chicken or beef, but knowing its local source I ate it during the retreat .and you know it what? It was darn good and my body savored it.  It was refreshing to see a group of women enjoying their meals whether meat eaters or plant eaters, drinking wine, having dessert, and not obsessing over it.  Was it hard for me? Hell yes it was! For those that know me I do not treat myself often especially dessert, I am quite picky and very set it my ways when it comes to clean eating.  This eating was clean as far as ingredients but was it all low fat, low carb, stevia sweetened, cream free food? Nope.  It tasted so good and I thouroughly enjoyed it..some guilt was had but I gave a big shhhhhh to my inner calorie critic.  As Henry put it, “you only have one life so you might as well enjoy it!” 

My horse card

After an amazing dinner we had a gathering and told what was to come for the rest of the retreat weekend. This led into a “horse card” exercise that we would continue journaling about each day of the retreat.  Each of us picked a beautifully illustrated horse card from The Way of the Horse deck, but were not told its meaning nor the essay that came with it.  This would come later in the retreat and would lead to the culmination at the last day.  Then its off to early bed in our cute little cabin, as the next morning is an early one!  

Day 2: Meditation, and yoga, and horses oh my!

Day 2 began at 7 am with a morning meditation followed by a lovely yoga flow class to start the day. All practiced in the brand new “yoga yurt.”  We followed with a delicious breakfast and then into our groups for riding techniques and ground work.  During our riding technique/evaluation we got to ride a few of the horses (I got to take my turn on Smokey and Cody) doing some basic horse comfortability, turning, backing up, walking, trotting.  This was basic technique, but just as an experienced yogi can learn from a beginner yoga class, so can any rider benefit from a good breakdown review.  Every horse is different, just like every yoga class is different. 

Ground work/"joining" in the round pen

Ground work was something ive never experienced.  This involved learning about the human to horse connection, grooming, brushing, massaging, and “joining” with the horse.  To massage such a strong creature and to see the enjoyment look in their eyes (just as a human enjoys a massage) was quite soothing, even to brush their mane and tale was a satisfying experience.  We even got to do a little assisted stretching for the horses, just like a thai yoga massage.  Joining of the horse was a new one for me, infact I never heard of it. We did this in the round pen as we stood at the center of the circle and guided the horse in one direction and then changed directions.  The purpose of this is to create a connection between horse and human…so the horse knows their world is safe when connecting with their human guide.  Once this is established and the horses know they are safe they then follow their human partner.  Literally will follow them any where they go.  

Self Practice during free time 

There was free time embedded into the retreat, which was great for me and my movement hungry self.  So I practiced a solid vinyasa flow on my own outside the yoga yurt. Beautiful scenery to practice outside with a view of the beautiful montana mountains, not to mention gorgeous summer weather!  No high 90’s and humid like my typical Florida summer day. 

On this first evening I opted in for the yoga photoshoot with the horses with the talented photographer Larry Stanley.  If you are thinking of going on the retreat and love photos I highly suggest it.  You will see some of the photos in this blog and I couldn’t be happier with these pics! I like to think Skywalker and Sundance are smiling in the photos too! 

One of my favorite shots from the photo shoot with Larry Stanley

Following this was an awesome dinner, wine of course, and great conversation. We then wound down the night with a restorative yoga class taught by the sweet and serene Caitlin.  It was quite chilly so we were cozy in the yoga yurt with lots of props and blankets. And this was the perfect night cap before bed…

Day 3: Trail Rides and Yoga

Day three began with a meditation by the pond.  It was so funny for me because here we are in the middle of July and it was 47 degrees at 6:30 in the morning. We were wrapped in blankets and kept warm as we meditated together. Definitely not like a hot and humid Orlando morning. Then, we were split into groups (the same groups from the first day), so one group was off to their trail ride, while the other 2 groups were off to a yoga practice.  The small groups are great, which is another reason why I loved this retreat so much.  Our total number was 10 but then with the small groups it was 3 or 4.  

After this came yummy breakfast (did I mention you can fresh squeeze your own orange juice)? Followed by (depending on your group) more yoga or trail ride.  My trail ride was after lunch so more yoga for me.  The trail ride was so beautiful in the Montana mountains and the landscapes were gorgeous.  Such a feeling of freedom in that open air.  I got to ride the handsome Cody was so very calm, but just hungry…so sneaky trying to grab snacks during the ride! I was tuning into the human/horse connection thinking about connecting my breath to his, connecting to my core to feel supported as he carried my weight, experienced gratitude for his strong muscular body as he carried me through the mountains.  

Time to start our trail ride! Giddy up! 

After this I took an amazing shower before happy hour where I got “cowgirl dressed up.”  During happy we made malas, which I have so many but never made one before. I always wanted to make one so another check mark for this retreat! Caitlin guided us as we picked our charm and our stones and showed everyone how to use a mala. We all wore our malas for the rest of retreat.  It was like our cowgirl tribe accessory of intention.  Many of us wore it as we left the retreat the following day. Currently, I keep my mala in a plate with healing stones on my nightstand.  I like to have it nearby to remind me of the retreat and what was shared there.  

From malas to dinner time to then bear watching.  Yep bear watching…never thought id say that before! We rode in 2 cars a few miles away to try and get a glimpse of the bears, alas there were no bears but we did see elk.  Im glad we had Henry and Molly there as our fearless leaders to help guide us…not just on the trail but throughout the retreat.  This led us into our bonfire, which felt great on a cold night.  

Day 4…closing and goodbyes

Although we were there for a short time it certaintly felt like a lot longer with the strong connections our group of women made.  We started with a meditation, then yurt yoga, saying goodbye to the horses and wranglers, followed by brunch.  During brunch was one of the most powerful parts of the retreat where we sat at the dining table and brought out our horse cards.  We received the essay and the meaning of the card the day before so had time to digest it and journal about it.  The amount of authencity that came out of all of our mouths was incredible.  Lots of tears from each of us as we shared how the card connected to our lives both past, present and future.  

On a personal note, I had verbally revealed something that ive known for a while but yet never said with such truth. My card posed two questions...What needs to be released? What needs to be rejuvenated.  What I realized is the thing (career) I have been clutching onto is the very thing I need to let go of to rejuvenate.  The confirmation that it is time for me to finish the “book” of 9 years at my current job because im not happy anymore.  It is time to start to write a new book and grow.  Ive stopped growing and learning where im at and this retreat helped confirm to me all there is to experience in the world.  There is so much out there in this world and ive climbed to the peak of this career mountain and need a new dream, a new mountain. To say this felt cathartic and rejuvenating as I took another huge extended life exhale! 

After all the emotion it was time for goodbyes to eachother.  I can tell you that I will definitely stay in touch with these women.  There are definitely a few in the group that I can say I will definitely see again and visit or perhaps they will visit me.  These amazing women of all ages from 30’s to 60’s.  How wonderful to have new friends in different parts of the US that I can visit!  

My mom and I could not have picked a better retreat to bond as mother and daughter.  It exceeded our expectations and was truly one of the top vacations and retreats we have ever been on.  My mom and I have always been close and best friends, so to share experience with her was truly special.  It was her first yoga retreat and I saw her reach a spiritual side that I never fully saw before.  She understands now why whenever I came back from a yoga retreat I would exude a sense of clarity, positivity, rejuvenation, spirituality.  We had the opportunity to experience this together and I am so grateful to Margaret for assuring us in her very first email that this retreat is unlike any other.  

The motto of Cowgirl Yoga Retreats is “put a little yeehaw in your namaste.”  This is exactly what we did and that’s coming from two New Yorkers who are far from country. We stepped out of our comfort zone to the peaceful mountains of montana and were transformed into Cowgirl Yoginis! Nama”say” Yeehaw and YeehAUM! 

Our Cowgirl Yoga Tribe! 

Post Retreat…wait this is another great part! Keep reading…

Trail Ride in Bridger Mountains 

There is an option to continue your retreat another day with a morning/afternoon trail ride with Margaret and the wranglers. If you don’t have to rush back to your home this is a MUST!  We rode about four hours in the Bridger Moutains, which was just as if not more beautiful than the views from the retreat trail ride.  There was lunch in the mountains and some post chill time at Henry and Molly’s ranch. This long trail ride/more bonding made our trip feel complete.  We took Margaret's recommendation to stay at The Lark Hotel in downtown Bozeman, which was one of the artsiest hotels ive stayed in and the staff is so friendly. The town of Bozeman is quaint but yet energetic having a local hometown feel with a touch of tourism.  Great restaurants, shopping, coffee shops (wild joe’s was my fav), yoga studios (yes I took more yoga at Ekam Yoga and Your Yoga studios), and culture.  

Post trail ride at Henry and Molly's Ranch. Pictured above Caitlin, Pam, Margaret, me, mom

I can honestly say that Bozeman is my new favorite town and Montana my new favorite state.  I want to move there..seriously. The people are so welcoming and charming, the environment is clean and crisp, and the city is blossoming.  Perhaps my new book will be taking place there.  Montana has a state motto of “be found.” I first saw this on a sticker in a store and immediately thought of the song “you will be found” in Dear Evan Hanson which is my favorite musical. I bought the sticker on my first day in Montana where I was coming from a feeling of being lost and then on my last day I saw it again on a magnet.  I bought this too, but this time with a feeling of BEING FOUND! 

If you are interested in attending the retreat I would be more than happy to chat with you or show you more pictures.  The link to the retreat is above.  My email is julweiss11@gmail.com.  Thanks for reading!