Indulgences In Sayulita... Nov 7, 2018

As I walk past the small alter with a single burning candle I am drawn to the very simple sign tucked in the corner on the wall ~ "Let it Go". I stop for a few minutes and let that thought resonate... This is the truth to why I am really here. The source of it all. I walk on and up the stairs to the first yoga class of the morning. It is still early, the sun is just starting to shine through the billowy white curtains and I take a place on my mat. Our instructor Narayani we are fortunate to experience. this morning~ She is leaving to teach at a National Conference in Mexico City. She begins... "Today is a new moon...symbolizing new beginnings, the magical phase providing a reset where goals are renewed, desires are set and new intentions are made. Please set your intention for todays class and be compassionate towards yourself today and others...

Hatha Yoga is meant to create balance within the body and unite the opposites. With the practice of yoga, we develop a balance of strength and flexibility, effort and surrender with each pose. I can't help but notice the synchronicity of how life in Sayulita is unfolding before me, the natural transition of being alone without the feelings of loneliness & how my heart is opening. My energy is changing and I feel it in the way I am attracting life towards me. Synchronicity and harmony at their finest. The yoga class is grounding, challenging, soothing and rewarding all at the same time~ a sequence of vinyasa today.

I return to my room and have a shower before my next self indulgence... a deep tissue massage with the highly recommended Antonio Marcos from Organic Massage. I meet him at the front desk and I am immediately aware of his size~ he is a large man with even larger hands. His eyes are kind and he is soft spoken. He knows of the Comox Valley~ he was flown there 6 years ago to be the Masseuse to a wealthy Doctor who was fighting stage 3 cancer, along with a Reiki Master and a Healer ... he knows of the beauty of our valley. The palapa style tent is modest and he leads me inside~ "I will close my eyes and you can get undressed and lay face down on the table"~ I believe him and do as he requests. The air is fragrant. I choose to be still, and quiet and do so. I want to fully be present to this experience. He applies firm pressure with slow long strokes over the muscles of my body. From head to toe I am pampered and pressed for what feels an eternity of pleasure. The massage ends and he extends an offer for "something special"... I politely accept. He has kind eyes, I have undressed in front of him, I Trust him. What happened next is hard to describe- I feel I was transcended or floating as he applied various pressure and vibrations to my face, neck and scalp with scented oil. I could feel a very light and fragrant powder sprinkled across the bridge of my nose and my forehead. It was pure bliss. I must have fallen asleep for a few minutes because when I awoke he was standing behind me, almost in a trans of some type. I was told to wake up slowly and could come out when I was dressed. I have not experienced many massages in my life but I can say that experience was like no other. Antonio I would highly recommend if you are lucky enough to have him. He comes to Paraiso Yoga.

That afternoon I set off for my 3rd indulgence of the day~ a 3 hour guided horseback ride through the jungle and across the beaches with Mi Chaparruta Sayulita. I am greeted at the office by my casa by Carlos ~ a true Mexican Cowboy. I am escorted into the back of an older truck with bench seats on either side with a metal frame along the perimeter. I am the solo passenger. I keep my arms in from being it by the passing trees and signage along the road and brace when we hit a bump in the road. There are many. We drive through the main Plaza and through Sayulita and out to the Ranch. The Ranch is a full service destination~ horse trail rides, zip lining, ATV rides, fishing trips, surf lessons... We make our way over to the corral. There are various horses tethered in the shade, some in stalls and a few saddled up. I get my choice of the "grey or the brown" one he says. I chuckle... "I will take the grey. I have a chestnut at home." He confirms that I have experience and I re-confirm "Yes, but I still want safe"... He laughs "Palmona likes to go fast but is good, he will read your energy". I put my trust in the cowboy and myself and get on. I am immediately aware of a few things... this horse is narrow and small, low to the ground, this saddle feels very wide in comparison to English and thirdly, no helmet? It is like reaching for a seatbelt in Sayulita that isn't there.

We set off down the road, the two of us and the dog. Traffic is racing past us, the dog stays on the trail obediently in front of us, as do the horses. There is no spooking, head tossing, side steps... Just two eager horses wanting to get into the shade of the jungle and not concerned with the traffic. Philippa You have come a long way I tell myself and smile. We head deeper into the jungle and Carlos describes the various vegetation. The terrain is narrow and rocky and the horses navigate it like gymnasts on a bar. It is a treat to have Carlos all to myself and have a horse that is listening to my leg. The jungle opens up eventually onto a gorgeous sandy beach. The horses energy changes and we are set to gallop up the coastline. We are the solo people on this majestic sandy beach. We escape back to the coolness of the jungle and head to our second beach destination- another high speed gallop through the waves ~ its exhilarating! Upon arriving back to the ranch I am served a cold cervesa and a shady spot to take a look through some photos. We have been out for around 3 hours and its dinner time when we dismount. I am the solo guest left. One of the fishing staff has caught a large tuna and has just made ceviche. I am kindly offered to join the staff for dinner and I politely accept. The ceviche is delicious and the conversation is easy and light, lots of laughs. I have been made to feel one of their own. On the way back to my casa I ride "inside" the truck this time... we have broken bread together so to speak so the front seat I have now earned.

To solo travel is to take a journey into yourself on so many levels.