Escape to Shape | Travel

Kuta Beach

One of the world’s most famous surfing spots is Kuta Beach in southwestern Bali, not too far from the Ngurah Rai International Airport. Long expanses of white sandy Bali beaches, value-for-your-money eateries, and a more-than-thrilling night life are just a few of the attractions Kuta holds for people from the West. The main lure, however, is the world famous surf break in the waters of the Indian Ocean.

With quality surfing waves, especially for beginners, Kuta is easily accessible, located right in the heart of the city, where you can simply walk out of your hotel and onto the beach. With a sandy sea bottom, the average length of the wave could be as short as 50 meters, but on a great day it could last three times the distance.

Padang Padang Beach

If you’re looking for that picture perfect beach for surfing to your heart’s content, Padang Padang Beach is the ultimate destination. With not too many tourists for distraction, you can camp at Padang Padang to hone your surfing skills in peace. Easily accessible by a half-hour car ride from the airport, the Bukit Peninsula surf camp has all the learning tools for a surfing beginner’s paradise. With unfailing surf and comfortably warm weather conditions, it is easy to see why this camp is so popular.

Balangan Beach

A veritable jewel in Bali’s crown, Balangan Beach is located on the western side of the peninsula of Bukit. Not only does it have an amazing beach with a panoramic view, but its great surfing waves are easily the best spots to converge for an out-of-the-world water rendezvous.

Located between Kuta and Uluwatu, Balangan used to be difficult to find. But now with a new road, you can go all the way through, right up to where the reef meets the beach. With the best swell direction being south and winds being the Southeast Trades, on a usual day the surf will be about 15 meters high and double that on a great day.

While this area is a classic beach for surfers of all experience levels, beware of the random rock gardens and coral out croppings. One of the last main left-hand Bukit reef breaks, Balangan is best on a mid to low-tide day. This is when the different water peaks can get together to form a lengthy, speedy wall of water. One of the greatest attractions of this hidden wonder is the fact that it remains more or less secluded on week days, and hence a terrific opportunity to enjoy the surf, sea, and sun.

Uluwatu Beach

Nestled in the beautiful scenic village of Pecatu near Kuta, Uluwatu’s captivating coral reef beach with its big waves is really a fantasy come true for any surfer. The swell of the Uluwatu surf is often described as hollow and fast. It starts working at less than one meter and holds up generally to about four. Walking down from the top of the reef hill to reach the beach itself is a great experience. You can expect to encounter epic waves on top of a rocky bottom, best mainly for the experienced surfer. On normal days the breaking surf can be between 5 and 15 meters high, and on a better day the same can range between 15 and 30.

Grab your board and have a Bali blast!

Many thanks to Misha Patel Studios for this inspiring & educational post… makes you want to get on out there and see the world, try new things….dance. So looking forward to having Misha join us in Puglia to teach Pilates & Boot Camp, but until then, these activities will surely keep us fit while having a lot of fun!

When it comes to traveling, the idea of Escaping may predominantly be to “get away,” but itʼs the “take aways” from your treks that can transform you. Of course, nothing feels better than occasionally distancing yourself from the routine, in both miles and the mind. But what keeps us going back for more is delving into a new culture and being inspired by new sights, suppers, and philosophies on life

Maybe upon your return from Italy you begin to make your own gnocchi; post-Ecuadorian excursion, you take a class on South American anthropology; or you simply start sporting a new pair of Turkish boots when back home from Istanbul. Whatever it may be, youʼve been motivated to further enrich yourself, to keep the explorer mindset after the Escape.

Whether youʼve traveled to these locales or not, here are some foreign fitness routines you can incorporate into your regimen.

Top 5 workout trends from around the world

Capoeira (Brazil): Capoeira was developed by African slaves in Brazil during the 16th century. This activity combines martial arts with rhythm and dance, as slaves practiced this combat technique under the guise of dancing.

Since the 1970s many mestres, or masters, have moved overseas to teach abroad. In a Capoeira class, you will go through a long warm-up, practicing the “ginga,” or base of combat, which is a lunge that travels back and forth. This movement will help you achieve the famed Brazilian backside.

In the second portion of class, everyone joins a “roda,” or circle, where participants “play fight” in the center. Usually, a portion of class will be devoted to learning the musical instruments, such as the berimbau, drums, and singing in Portuguese.

Bhangra Dance (India): What hip-hop is to America, bhangra is to India. This drum-based and rhythmic dance comes from the Punjabi region, which is primarily farmlands. A bhangra dance class will have a high-to-low cardio impact, and the heart rate is increased by multiple arm motions that raise them above the heart.

Much like hip-hop, bhangra movement is driven from the hips and feet, the form of dance most used on the floor at nightclubs. Though you can “freestyle” bhangra, the form also has the ability to be crafted into detailed choreography for performances, or in a cardio-dance bhangra class.

Muay Thai (Thailand): Muay Thai is a form of kickboxing from Thailand, and is referred to as the “Art of 8 Limbs,” because kicks, punches, and strikes also come from the elbows and knees, in addition to the hands and feet. To prepare for matches in the ring, Muay Thai boxers practice jump-roping, body weight resistance exercise, abdominal training, weight-training, running, and shadow boxing. Even if you canʼt find a place to practice Thai fighting, you can always channel your inner warrior and try some of their strength and conditioning workouts or taking a kickboxing class.

Tango (Argentina): The tango was originally danced by two women, but when the form spread to Argentina in the late 1800s, it became a sensual dance performed by couples. Tango has since evolved into several forms like modern or “nuevo” ballroom and Finnish.

Whether youʼre looking to go out dancing with a friend or find a new hobby for you and the hubby, tango dance has many health benefits. In fact, studies show tango is more beneficial for those with Parkinsonʼs disease than standard exercise as it incorporates dynamic balance, moving at different speeds, turns, and knowing when to begin movement to a beat.

Walking Backwards (China): Likely the least conventional exercise you may ever try, but the easiest to add to your routine: walking backwards. Many travelers in China are intrigued when they see people walking backwards in the park. Though the movement may seem unnatural, it helps to build postural strength and works different muscles in the legs. Chinese rumor has it that walking backwards can even stave off senile dementia and turn your karma around.

Whether you learn something new abroad or in the comfort of your own community, opening your mind and stepping out of usual habits will enhance your life. Wellness isnʼt just about a fitness routine or eating right; feed your curiosity, foster your creativity, and find a new fulfillment.

Sweet (and maybe sweaty) travels, Escape To Shapers!

MPS

by: Jamie Spiegel

There’s a good reason why typing “inner peace + ocean” into Google returns 2.6 million hits.  Something deep in our primordial brains finds the rhythm of the waves crashing on the beach to be about as soothing a sound as exists.

Then there is the beautiful turquoise color of the ocean in tropical areas. Seeing the color blue actually causes the brain to produce chemicals that have a calming affect. It is the color of the mind, aiding in concentration and providing a sense or serenity.

Now take a look at the picture below. Stare at it. Breathe. Soak it in.

Feeling calmer, more relaxed?  Thought so.

Now imagine how you’d feel if the view wasn’t from a computer screen, but was actually unfolding in front of you, enveloping your self in 360 degrees of bliss, warm sun overhead, and the gentle sound of waves wafting in on a light, warm breeze.

This is the view from the private villa of our Escape to Careyes, Mexico the first week of April.  This is a beach-chic holiday in the jet-set playground of Careyes. Enjoy yoga, beach walks, hiking, polo matches, delicious meals, massage, a private boat trip, beach picnic, and plenty of time to just sit. And. Relax.

We’d love to have you join us for our yoga retreat in Mexico. Believe in the power of blue.

Today’s recipe is quick, simple, and healthy! With just a bit of preparation the night before, you can enjoy this delicious treat as an appetizer, a side dish with dinner, or on its own!

Ingredients

500 grams feta cheese
250 ml olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 eggplants
1 cup garlic salt
1 tablespoon paprika
1 cup olive oil

Preparation

1. Crumble feta cheese and marinate in olive oil and crushed garlic. It is best to marinate the cheese overnight, if possible.

2. Slice eggplants into about one centimeter discs. Lightly sprinkle each disc with garlic salt. Mix paprika with olive oil and brush over each disc.

3. Place each disc on a hot grill plate. Cook to golden brown on each side, brushing occasionally with paprika and olive oil mix.

4. Once flesh is soft, top immediately with feta mix and enjoy!

Escape to Shape has many luxurious adventures on the horizon in 2012 . From Angkor Wat, Cambodia to Antigua, Guatemala, our upcoming calender’s variety is certain to attract a lot of happy travelers.

Whether you have already reserved your spot or are still considering the idea of joining an Escape, many questions can arise when traveling to a strange and foreign land.

Room has been reserved, check. Booked my flight, check.

Packed suitcase? A lot of what to bring depends on the location and, more importantly, on the weather and time of year. The information below should help ease your mind and help ensure you won’t pack your entire closet for a week’s travel.

Better yet, if you are still on the fence on whether or not to join us, this might just help steer you towards your perfect Escape.

These are average temperatures (Fahrenheit) for each location during our Escapes.

February  18 – 25, Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Average High: 91

Average Low: 72

Average monthly precipitation: 0.40 inches

March 3 – 17, Bali, Indonesia

Average High: 87

Average Low: 78

Average monthly precipitation: 8.40 inches

April 1 – 7, Careyes, Mexico

Average High: 82

Average Low: 65

Average monthly precipitation: 0.05 inches

May 5 – 19, Marrakech, Morocco

Average High: 80

Average Low: 57

Average monthly precipitation:  0.70 inches

May 26 – June 2, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Average High: 79

Average Low: 65

Average monthly precipitation: 2.0 inches

June 16 – 30, Puglia, Italy

Average High: 78

Average Low: 61

Average monthly precipitation: 1.30 inches

August 18 – September 1, Istanbul, Turkey

Average High: 82

Average Low: 65

Average monthly precipitation: 1.0 inches

October, Cartagena, Colombia

Average High: 88

Average Low: 76

Average monthly precipitation: 9.50 inches

November, Antigua, Guatemala

Average High: 72

Average Low: 58

Average monthly precipitation: 3.09 inches

Many thanks to fabulous guest and friend Harini Gokul for sharing her recent adventures in Marrakech with us! This piece provides a great ‘taste’ of all that Marrakech has to offer … and leaves me eagerly awaiting our return in May, just in time for all the roses throughout the city to bloom!

Happy New Year from Marrakech! Marrakech is a short flight from Amsterdam (which is where Harini currently calls home – Ed.), but what a different world!  Photos don’t do this city justice; you have to stop and slow down to feel it. Sunny, warm, noisy, chaotic, often smelly, but never boring!

Marrakech is roughly divided into two parts: the old walled city known as the medina and the new city, the ville nouvelle. The medina is a maze of narrow passages, part of it devoted to the souks selling food, crafts, and just about everything else imaginable.  People live the traditional way of life in the medina, with women and men in more traditional garb (kaftans and djellebas). The ville nouvelle is the more modern part of the city with two distinct neighborhoods including Gueliz and L’Hiverna.

Djemaa el Fna square is the focal point of the Medina – As the sun goes down, the place transforms into an open-air food fair with stand after stand of traditional food.  I personally like the smaller stalls that specialize in a single dish: fried veggies, soup, and my personal favorite, egg sandwiches, where men literally smash a hard-boiled egg into a piece of flatbread, add some mashed potatoes and hot sauce, and offer it up. Some of the best “fast food” I have had in a while (side note: not exactly Escape To Shape friendly)!

Now the souks – There are really no words to describe what is happening in the souks. The narrow streets are always packed with stores and customers! The stores sell everything from traditional shoes, jewelry, clothing, and everyday goods including kitchenware and spices.

Bargaining is expected in the souks and described as a national sport. I had thought my years of bargaining in India would stand me in good stead here but I had not accounted for the persistence of the shop keepers. If you try walking away, they will run after you and chase you down, so go in prepared for that.

For a very different and more “western” experience, head to the Jardin Majorelle in the new part of town. This small but exquisite garden was originally designed by and named after the French painter Jacques Majorelle. In the ’90s, Yves Saint Laurent and his partner bought it and restored it back to full glory. What is most striking are the intense saturated colors of the buildings, ranging from indigo blue to sunflower yellow. There is also a small museum and gallery with some of YSL’s work.

We left Marrakech on New Year’s Day to spend the last bit of our vacation in the Atlas Mountains. More on that adventure to come soon!

Marrakech continues to be one of our most cherished Escape To Shape locations. To travel to Marrakech and experience this exotic city for yourself, join us May 5-12 or May 12-19, 2012.

Dobar tek! (Croatian for Bon appetit!)

Traditional cuisine in Dubrovnik, Croatia is basically Mediterranean, largely influenced by Italy, primarily due to its close proximity to the country famous for its food. Fish, seafood, olive oil, polenta, vegetables, garlic, and parsley are all staples on each plate.

One of Croatia’s culinary delicacies is  white truffles, idea for truffle oil, which is an exquisite combination of olive oil and white truffles.  White truffle oil adds delicate flavor to many dishes. And while it is often used with cold dishes such as salads, it can be added to many cooked vegetable, pasta, and fish dishes as well. The simple and delicious fish recipe below is sure to not only impress your friends, but most importantly, your palette!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 carrots,  julienned
• 1 large leek, julienned
• 1 celery rib, julienned
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 thin fish fillets such as pompano or flounder, no thicker than 1/3 of an inch, about 6 ounces each, skin removed
• 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons of white truffle oil

Directions

Heat 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots, leek, and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Cook gently, stirring often, until softened; about five to seven minutes. Remove from heat and cool.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Cut out a 13-by-15-inch parchment paper rectangle. Fold in half crosswise. Unfold and lightly brush the whole rectangle with some olive oil.

Lay the fillets on one half of the parchment, skinned side down, and season with salt and pepper. Drain the vegetables of as much liquid as possible and divide among the fillets. Drizzle with lemon juice. Top each vegetable mound with small drizzle of olive oil and then drizzle each with one teaspoon of the truffle oil.

Fold the other half of the paper over the fillets and, starting at the top, make 1/4-inch folds all around the perimeters. Press to crimp and seal. Close the final crimp with a paper clip.

Place the packet on a baking sheet and bake until puffed and lightly browned, about 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a warmed serving plate and serve at once, preferably while the packet is still puffed.

Enjoy!

(For more Croatian culinary tips or to purchase your own Croatian truffle oil, Escape with us to Dubrovnik from May 26 to June 2, 2012.)

“You snooze, you lose / Well I have snost and lost” – Mike Doughty, “I Hear the Bells”

This is one of my favorite song lyrics. And a good reminder that life is always moving along; if we pause and wait, it can pass us by, and with it the opportunity to experience much richness and joy.

The end of one year and the beginning of a new one is a busy time for us at Escape To Shape. We continue final plans and details for our upcoming year of trips and field a number of inquiries from people who are interested in traveling with us.  What saddens me is when people say “Let me think about this” and then wait too long before getting back, at which time the getaway they were interested in has sold out.

By no means do I think a luxury fitness vacation across the globe is an impulse purchase. Our travelers need to make sure the dates of our Escapes fit their calendars, as well as other details needing to be checked off, before they sign up.

What I’m actually trying to encourage with this post is getting people to stop putting things off — all things in every aspect of life — in order to have deeper and richer experiences.  Yes, we should look before we leap, but we don’t need to stop and make an oil painting.

For 2012, I encourage you to shake things up, and when you find yourself contemplating whether or not to do something, adopt the mantra “Why not?”  If you can’t come up with a good reason, then go for it.

Socrates has been dead for almost 2500 years and yet his wisdom is so powerful, his words remain with us today: “The unexamined life is not worth living and the unlived life is not worth examining.”  This year, live your life.  Make bold choices. Experience all that there is to see, learn, taste, and know.

Amma, the Mother of All

As promised, here is the second installment of Beth Weesner’s personal account of her travels through the countryside of India …

As I write this, I’ve arrived at Amma’s ashram in Kerala, which I can’t wait to tell you all about, but first, I’ll share a few more highlights from Rishikesh. Rishikesh is a very special place. It was hard to leave, but I know I will return; when I leave a place and I’m sad about leaving, this means I’m meant to return.

One highlight was visiting two of Swami Rama’s ashrams.  Swami Veda (Swami Rama’s “protege,” to coin an American phrase) lives here when he is in India.  Manoch (my yogi, whom I referred to in my previous post) lived at this ashram for many years and it was wonderful to visit as a guest of such an esteemed member of their community.  I was first introduced to Swami Veda when Rancho La Puerta did its first ashram week almost five years ago. That was when I decided I needed to visit an ashram in India, so it was very special for me to be able to spend time at his ashram.

While I was there, they were running a kids’ program for devotees’ children and they had 100 kids running around doing a scavenger hunt. It was great fun to meet the families. I met some very spiritual, even enlightened, devotees and was mesmerized by some of the swami’s ways of speaking and how easy it was to be drawn into meaningful conversation quickly.

The next day I had what I can only guess is one of the most unique yogic experiences imaginable.  I went bungee jumping with Manuch. It was one of the three things he said he wanted to do in his life and so off we went.  I’ve never seen anyone do something so scary with such grace.  He was completely still, didn’t make a peep.  I guess meditation can come in all forms.  I, however, wasn’t so cool under pressure and let out a very loud scream.  I will say, once I started bobbing up and down, I felt this wonderful high.  It was like a completely awesome headstand.  I suppose you could say we really took inversions to a new level.

Another special treat was on Christmas Eve. As a complete surprise (to me, at least!), Krishna Das showed up to the Shivananda ashram and led us in kirtan for over an hour.  It was incredible to sing with him and hear the passion in his voice. Even just feeling his presence and the vibrations only feet away took my breath away. There was a beautiful Christmas tree behind him as well which helped to make me feel a little less homesick.

I’ve been at Amma’s ashram now for only 24 hours and I’ve already experienced an incredible array of emotions. The opportunity to practice in a living master’s presence is truly amazing.  Amma is a living saint.  I have read a book about her and messages from her, but somehow nothing could prepare me for feeling her presence in person. I feel so blessed to be here and thank Laughing Lotus for introducing me to Amma.

I am participating in a yoga intensive program, learning Amrita yoga while staying at the ashram.  In addition to this, there are many other daily ashram activities:  seva, pujas, archana, and bhjans.  We have satsang everyday with some of Amma’s closest devotees as well as five to six hours of Asana and meditation.  How do we fit it all in?  We begin our day at 4:00 am!

Tonight I will receive darshan from Amma.  International guests are through the night, so tonight will likely only be about two to three hours of sleep.  The natural energy I have here is incredible, and during the afternoon there is always chai to help me get my second wind.

At the time of this posting, Beth has decided to stay on for an additional 10 nights with Amma at her ashram. We look forward to hearing more about her personal journey inward …

Here’s part one of Beth’s travels through India.

Here’s an exotic ginger drink recipe that’s especially perfect for summer barbeques and gatherings, but is refreshing any tome of year.  Best part, this Balinese beverage is both delicious and healthy!

Ingredients:

Directions: