<h1>Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu</h1>

The above Sanskrit translates to "May all beings be happy and free."                                                

Last weekend, Labor day weekend, I went on a yoga retreat for three days. It was amazing! I had been dying to deepen my practice and looked into an opportunity at my studio, Yoga Tree (yogatreesf.com). I don't normally practice with her but I went with the lovely Chrisandra Fox on a "Heart of Renewal" retreat that she runs twice a year. It was basically a long weekend filled with lots of yoga, meditation, good food (from amazing organic, vegan food chef Meredith-- pranaful.com) and relaxation.

I was a little nervous to go. I'm not exactly a "typical" San Francisco yogi. I love meat. I am a somewhat practicing Catholic (albeit guilty and repressed-who isn't?). I'm sarcastic. I am not too experienced with chanting (unless you count "Yankees suck" as a yogic mantra . . . which well . . . maybe I do?).  I can't sit still long enough to do the horizontal portion of a crossword puzzle let alone meditate in some kind of pretzel position. I wasn't sure how it would all go but still, I was very excited. So I packed my bags and went, being careful to trade out my book Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea for something more "mature" and "yoga-ish."

I am so glad I went. The people were GREAT. Non-judgmental. Funny (sarcastic, even!) The food, though meatless, was excellent and fulfilling. I could totally be vegan if Meredith moved in with me and cooked for me. I felt very comfortable and very free to be who I am. I found out that I am NOT a "typical" yogi because there really isn't one. Again, yoga taught me to just accept myself and the people around me and let go of notions of "typical" or "normal." God knows I will never fit into any of them.

Oh, and that Sanskrit mantra above? Yeah, I chanted it. And I liked it.