autumnal equinox yoga + creativity workshop

if you missed my last yoga + creativity workshop don't worry - i'm hosting another on september 19th 10am-1:30pm. check out all of the juicy details here.


space is limited so please pre-register by sending me an email: melitamollohan@gmail.com

hope to see you there!

hugs & namaste

eat pray love this sunday with the bliss book club

whether you've read the book or not, please join us for our special book club meeting this sunday, august 15th.

we will meet at the hollywood theater in morgantown to watch the 12:50pm showtime. the movie is just over 2 hours in length.

after the movie i hope that you'll join the group at the kenyan cafe for dinner and/or drinks and a discussion of both the movie and the book. denis the owner is looking forward to us coming.

if you know of anyone that would like to join our book club meeting, whether they have read the book or not, please let them know about the places and times. as always, the more the merrier!

if you have any questions or need directions, please email melita: melitamollohan@gmail.com.

hope to see you there!!

* please note - i don't normally double up on my blog postings but i thought this one was worth it. it's going to be such a great time that i wanted to spread the word as much as possible. :) this plus tons of other fabulous posts can be found on the blissblissbliss blog.

image credit here

yoga & creativity workshop

Mark your calendars for the yoga + creativity workshop. Saturday, July 24th 10AM - 1:30PM.

Join Melita for an exploration of creativity as an extension of your yoga practice. Spend time indulging in creative play by making a vision board, meditating, practicing yoga, discussing ways to live more creatively, and engaging in svadyaya (self-study) while communing with like-minded friends.

Creative visualization is a mental technique that uses the imagination to make dreams become realities. We start by flipping through magazines, pulling out any images that make you smile. Taking the images that speak to you, we’ll glue them down on a folder and make a vision board.

All you need to bring is your journal, your tea mug, old magazines that you don’t mind cutting up and an open heart & mind.

Workshop is 3 ½ hours. Cost is $40 and includes a free goodie bag. Tea and light snacks will be provided. Space is limited, please reserve your spot by e-mailing Melita: melitamollohan@gmail.com.

events & workshops at bliss bliss bliss

you remember when i wrote about bliss bliss bliss before? well, my love for bliss has only grown. bliss has a wonderful yoga program, fun workshops, reiki shares, book clubs and more!

if you've never checked out bliss bliss bliss but have wanted to please take a moment to check out their website for upcoming events in february. chances are i'll see you there!

you can also stay current by following updates on twitter or become a fan of bliss bliss bliss on their facebook page.

logo used with permission of bliss bliss bliss

bliss soul retreat

i am elated for the weekend to arrive. i am attending the bliss soul retreat. what is the bliss soul retreat you ask? well, i am glad you asked!

this retreat is set in nature at the chestnut ridge park september 18, 19, 20. the retreat is to help you unwind, rewire, and reconnect with your bliss body. there will be yoga, meditation, energy and bodywork. there is a package to select which options best suit your needs and budget. don't worry if you can't spend the whole weekend, there are workshops that you can choose a la carte.

package options are:

• the bliss body for $191. this includes one private energy work session and one yoga workshop.

• the soul star for $216. this includes one private energy work session and both (two) yoga workshops.

• the bliss soul body for $256. this includes two private energy work sessions and one yoga workshop.

• the soul purpose for $281. this includes two private energy work sessions and both (two) yoga workshops.

in addition to the package you select from above each retreater will enjoy:

• a single bed in shared cabin for singles (a double bed in shared cabin for partners)
• dinner on friday, 3 meals saturday, breakfast on sunday and snacks
• special meditation circle friday night with soul assignments designed by you with assistance from elasa
• saturday morning "yoga & grounding sounds" session led by elizabeth
• saturday afternoon "silent" walking meditation to water ritual led by elasa
• saturday evening earth, water, fire circle led by elasa
• sunday morning yoga & meditation practice led by elasa (this will focus on the ancient five tibetan rites which are exercises for healing, rejuvenation and longevity)

all of that sounds fabulous but you say you can't spend the entire weekend? no worries! the yoga workshops can be taken separately.

• good morning yoga -10 am to noon - $30

join heidi sherwin for a morning yoga class intended to awaken, stretch and enliven the bliss body through graceful sun salutations, guided relaxation, and a blissful meditation. good morning yoga will help to prepare the bliss body and mind to welcome the day as it unfolds with joy, peace and gratitude. all levels are welcome. please bring your yoga mat, water and a towel.

• assisted yoga - 12:30 to 2:30 - $30

join mary jo schick as she helps you bring a modern twist to an ancient art. in this yoga assist workshop you will stretch deeper and move more effectively into poses, sometimes with less physical effort on your part, thus giving you a glimpse of the full potential of a pose - before you can achieve it alone!

assisted yoga fosters a sense of trust as many times your stability rests mutually or solely on your assister. it increases you ability to experience the pose knowing that your partner will support you. it makes balancing poses easier with the support of another person. it creates an environment for easy, open and fun communication (both verbal and nonverbal). come enjoy assisted yoga and see how it fosters a deep sense of connection, sensitivity and attunement. all poses are adapted to fit (we are all a variety of sizes, abilities and flexibilities). see how fun, lighthearted, and exploratory yoga can be. find how assisted yoga can help your body remember and visualize the pose for your other yoga practice. please bring your yoga mat, water and a towel.

as with all yoga - these classes are not about being flexible but about feeling your body - where you are at, being in the moment and in this case experiencing and enjoying yoga in a beautiful outdoor setting. please note we have reserved a covered space for the yoga workshops in case of rain.

here is the retreat event calendar:

friday
check-in: 2pm-5:30pm
meal prep: 4:30pm-5:00pm
dinner 5pm-6pm
sitting circle with elasa: 8pm

saturday
sitting circle - grounding sounds and chakra yoga with elizabeth: 7:30am
breakfast: 8am
private sessions: 9am-2:30pm
good morning sun salute yoga workshop with heidi: 10am-12pm
yoga assist with mary jo: 12:30pm-2:30pm
self serve lunch: 12:30pm-3pm
silent meditation hike: 3pm-5pm
meal prep: 5:30pm
dinner: 6pm-7pm
sitting circle with elasa: 7:30pm

sunday
breakfast: 9am
sitting circle with elasa: 10am
check-out: 12pm

locations:
all meals are in the klaer lodge
private sessions in designated spots - check with your practitioner
yoga workshops on the covered stage behind the main office
sitting circle: check with your practitioner

please keep in mind that you can opt-out of any activities that we have planned so that this is the healing environment you are seeking.

if you are interested (and i hope you are) in any portion of the bliss soul retreat please visit the bliss bliss bliss website or contact elizabeth at 304-685-9942 or at elizabeth.blissblissbliss@gmail.com.

as for me, i am doing the soul purpose package. i need the whole shebang! please come and hand out with like-minded individuals and renew your bliss body. i hope to see you there!

image credit and retreat information used with permission of bliss bliss bliss

tea garden

i spent my morning and early afternoon at zen clay's cafe or the tea garden. it is a wonderful place to meet up with friends to share a pot of tea (or two or three in my case), sit and read, grab a bite to eat, or study (as was in my case today). anyway you look at it, the tea garden is one of the best cafe's in town. (and for all of you in the dc area, this is as close to teasim as morgantown has.)

when i first got there i ordered myself a pot of pu-erh tea with rose hips. i set down inside the cafe and laid out my things to begin to study. but i decided to pack everything back up and move onto their deck. there was no one on the deck and the sun was beaming in brightly. how could i resist?! so, outside i went. i set everything back up and got my study on!!


after an hour and 15 mins into studying, i needed a little lunch break (and another pot of tea). i ordered their "peanut sauce wrap." this wrap had mixed salad greens, tofu, green peppers, carrots, red onion, roma tomatoes, mushrooms, cucumbers and peanuts in a ever so slightly spicy and delicious peanut sauce. it was even better than i described. with my wrap i enjoyed a pot of gunpowder green tea with hibiscus.


one of the best parts about the tea garden (besides all of the delicious things i have already listed) is that their staff is extremely friendly. this is something that is really important to me.

after lunch break, i went into another little round of studying before i headed off to unwind with a great yoga class at bliss bliss bliss.

photos by moi

bliss bliss bliss

i've been going to yoga classes at bliss bliss bliss for a while now, but last week was my first massage there. it was heavenly!

lauren, my massage therapist, was very professional and paid attention to detail. with a foot massage as the finale, i was over the moon.

your budget is something you need to keep in mind when booking a massage and bliss bliss bliss offers membership massage packages to suit your needs. you absolutely can't go wrong (or find a better price) than their 12 one hour treatments. a membership with $10 new client intake fee lowers the cost to one massage a month for $40, who can't afford that?! what happens if you decide 12 massages per year isn't enough? after the 12th the price drops to $35 per massage.

in case a membership isn't exactly what you are looking for they offer hour or 1/2 hour massages at comparable prices to other local spas without all the fuss.

there is nothing pretentious about bliss bliss bliss or the wonderful people who work there. they make you feel immediately welcome, as if you have known these people all along. want some water or a cup of hot tea while you wait or afterwords, no problem. don't be surprised if you don't have to ask.

if you haven't been to bliss bliss bliss, you must go! isn't your bliss worth it?!

logo used with permission of bliss bliss bliss