Tag: Jackie George

Thank You and Testimonial from Amiga Kathy

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We love getting thank yous from Amigas. It helps reinforce our feeling that what we’re doing not only provides a ton of fun and surfing knowledge but that it can also be more than that. We often get Amigas coming down who just really need to get away. Whether it’s a recent relationship breakup, job change, family heartache, or just re-evaluating life choices, sometimes it’s more than a vacation that people are looking for. Getting an email like this makes us smile to realize that we were able to help someone beyond just improving their pop-up. See below for Kathy’s message. Thanks Kathy!

I was definitely missing Nicaragua already when I got out of the airport to rain and 5 degrees the other night. Although I did get a pretty excited welcome from this girl (aka best snuggler ever), which mostly made me forget hammocks for a moment.

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While I know you can’t take total credit for how awesome the other people in our group were ;), you guys totally set the tone for a supportive, joyful, trusting place. The fact that it’s paradise with a tropical bird chorus every morning doesn’t hurt either, nor do the great teaching skills both surf and yoga-wise.

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Oversharing time, but it’s relevant. My dad passed away (cancer) in October, and while that was sad more than painful (if that makes any sense), it definitely ranks up there as one of life’s more stressful events. I was looking to get away, to turn off responsibilities and cares for a little bit and reset my happy meter, and what I found far exceeded my expectations. Don’t get me wrong!! – I’m not conflating surfing camp with Tara’s wilderness therapy (that sounds like a BAD IDEA for both you guys and anyone expecting something like that), but I found the week to be really healing. Having an ear to ear grin for most of the day, doing something like catching a wave, which just like dancing or riding fresh powder or watching my dog wriggle around on her back fills me with pure joy (oh wait, there WAS also dancing and watching dogs be their goofy wonderful selves!), being around people who are fun, engaged in the world and interesting and also are open and compassionate, and beautiful surroundings, good food, getting exercise, being outside all day…..those are my personal ingredients for some serious recharging and self-care. Which is what I MEANT to try to say the morning I left, instead of getting all teary 🙂

Thanks! y muchas besos,

Kathy

kathy wave grab

In Between Surf Sessions

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi869QhE81M]
We are not alcoholics! But we do like to have a good time and indulge in the fine beverages available. Nicaragua is world famous for it’s Flor de Cana rum and we think it is delicious. In between surf sessions we get up to all kinds of craziness and fun. We laugh, talk about life, dreams, goals, and create friendships that will last long past the week-long adventure.

“The thing that holds people back from achieving their dreams is self-doubt” – Jackie George
Believe in yourself and anything is possible!

“the music that prompts the ocean to dance”

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It seems to be (in my experience, at least) that yoga teachers are slightly more obsessed with the moon than most people. I personally think this is a positive trait, as yoga teachers serve as trainers for the physical body as well as guides into a spiritual journey. For me, the spiritual side of the practice is as important as any, and I prefer my yoga teacher to be in tune with the natural world’s cycles, rhythms, and patterns, in order to help bridge the gap between the spiritual and physical worlds. At Amigas Surf Retreats, we have been lucky enough to find an amazing teacher who embodies just that. And she’s kind of obsessed with the moon.

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Nikki Belcher comes from Chicago originally and moved to Nicaragua about a year ago to pursue her dreams of teaching yoga in paradise. Though she’s only been teaching for about a year and a half, her students will agree that there is something unique about the approach she takes, which combines a spiritual outlook with a restorative practice. Her classes are just what you need after a long day of surf and want to turn inward a bit. What I also love about Nikki is that she isn’t afraid to drink a beer after (or before) class and be my partner in crime when it comes to shenanigans around this place. Though serious about her practice and teaching, she will agree that sometimes you cannot take life too seriously, and we must enjoy each and every day. Image

Here’s a post from her recently launched website, Fairy Lounge, about one of her most beloved topics: the moon. I also agree that the moon plays a big part in our lives as surfers, ladies, and water women worldwide and she did a beautiful job putting this importance into words.

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From Nikki’s website, Fairy Lounge, here’s her take on our Luna Bella:

The Moon is commonly associated with the super natural powers and mystery.

Ruler our feminine, yin, cool energy. She is our intuitive (unconscious), nurturing,receptive and introspective side. Bringing refreshing clarity through the depths of the mysterious. Leader of our emotions, her luminescent light (reflection of light from the sun) encourages us to bring our awareness inward uncovering our wisdom and creativity.

Discovering the light within the darkness.

Although the Moon does not have a magnetic field of her own, we are highly effected by her gravitational pull on Earth. Earth’s satellite, the moon is essentially a messenger between Earth and the Universe. Controller of water, she is the music that prompts the ocean to dance. Tides tend to be more extreme during New and Full Moons.

Because the human body is about 70% water, the Moon holds immense power if we chose to tune into it.

Completing a full cycle every month, she is a symbolism of our internal cycles; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Reminding us of our internal cycles, the New Moon (also known as Dark Moon) is a magical time for new beginnings and rebirth. During this phase, the Moon is not visible in the sky. An opportunity to begin again! Clean slate. Allow yourself to listen and honor your deepest needs and desires. This is a time to dream big! Discover the power and abilityto manifest your aspirations.

TODAY’S FORECAST:

Moon (unconscious) AND Sun (conscious) are in Scorpio with total Solar Eclipse. During a total Solar Eclipse, the Moon is directly in front of the Sun. While Sun ‘disappears’ for about four to seven minutes, the influx of energy from the Moon is magnified ten fold–lasting up to six months! Super powerful.

Scorpio is an expressive sign of deep emotions, transformation, passionateintimacy and sexuality. Exploring everything totally, Scorpio also representscreation and destruction. Now is a time to find freedom from toxicillusions. Clear space internally and discover strength in expressing your feelings.

***Trust the intimacy of your heart. Allow your SOUL to take lead and embrace the beauty of your Divinity***

Spacecakes – the video!

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_IMRZ7eEJA]
A friend brought down a prototype inflatable SUP and we put it to the test in some solid surf. It was not easy to ride solo, so we decided that the best idea would be to get three of us on there. A couple of the wipeouts were actually quite painful and in the end we were kinda scared, but still motivated to catch a bomb! This experience made me very grateful for badass water-women friends!

Fashion-forward Surfwear for Ladies

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I first discovered Seea when an amiga was wearing a super cute rash guard during one of our retreats in El Salvador.  Shortly after, I ordered one for myself and realized that the company is based in my hometown (San Clemente, CA). Super random. I have always had a bit of a bathing suit obsession, but I have never really been able to find cute rash guards and one pieces  that provide good sun-protection, which is huge when it comes to living in the tropics. In the past, I’ve always known rash guards to have huge brand names labeled across the front, annoying turtleneck collars, and an awkwardly kinda loose/ kinda tight fit. Here are some of the Seealooks that are just the opposite.

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Seea offers all the important factors when it comes to ladies’ surf wear. The styles are super cute with a vintage flair, functional in pounding surf, and often offer protection from harmful UV rays.  From “playsuits” to dresses you wear surfing to stylish rashguards, I love every bit of their collection and admire the uniqueness and new energy the company is bringing to the surf fashion world.

Here is a peak into their collection via cute video lookbook:

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/26117693 w=500&h=281]

Because I know that our retreat girls sometimes come from cities far from the ocean, away from the surfwear world, and often during winter months, we decided to bring down some Seea styles for sale at our spot in Nicaragua. I’m calling it the Suitcase Boutique and eventually plan on carrying other brands. For now, the Suitcase Boutique is stocked with Seea rash guards, surf suits, and bikinis for purchase at an Amiga discount. For details on inventory, sizes, and other information, feel free to email me at [email protected].

for more looks and to purchase, check out:

www.theseea.com

Tent Life with Jackie George

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Our Surf Instructor Jackie George is living the dream right now spending a couple months in Nicaragua, surfing, doing yoga, riding horses, and helping Amigas achieve their dreams. Coco Loco is full right now, so she’s “glamping” in a tent. With a noserider, a fish, a real bed, a few cute dogs, and a lot of great friends – what else do you need?

This is What Awesomeness Looks Like

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We think we are awesome.
We’re silly. We like pink, and blue, and stripes.
We like making up stories, doing cutbacks, and going for long walks on the beach.
We ride longboards. We shred on shortboards.
We surf, we do yoga, we laugh, we dance. We encourage back flips and water fights.
You should come surf with us…
Because we are awesome!

Music “I Dunno” by Grapes Courtesy of http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Natural Spa Treatment

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The surf was flat yesterday.. so some Amigas and I spent the day in the cloud forest of El Salvador for a little adventure. The Laguna de Alegría at the top of the inactive volcano offers a spa treatment that some people pay upwards of $100 for: a hot mud bath.


According to local legend, the lagoon was formed from mermaid tears. She cried so hard when the volcano erupted, she drown herself in the water.. and her spirit remains to this day.

For more stories by Jackie George, check out her blog.