We just got back from our fire and ice flow retreat in Iceland. This was a special collaboration with Tara Stiles and Mike Taylor of STRALA YOGA exploring this spectacular landscape full of glaciers, geysers, waterfalls, thermal spas, and learning how to find ease and flow in our lives.
EPM founder Erin Lewis has been connected to the Strala family since working together with Tara and Mike at the former Strala studio in NYC a decade ago. Here we have an interview with Erin about the highlights of their time and all of the exciting exploration, cuisine, yoga and tai chi the group was able to experience during the week….
Q:I know that you have visited Iceland in other parts of the year including April, August and even over New Years. Did you find any differences coming in early December?
Yes, one thing I immediately noticed during last weeks retreat is how beautiful the light was. I think everyone in the group, at some point, commented on how gorgeous the scenery and light was around us. Since there are only a handful of hours of daylight each day, we would finish yoga and while we were leaving for our day trip, the sun would start to rise. This would give us a couple hours of “magic hour” light immediately followed by a couple hours of sunset “magic hour” light again! The photos we were all taking were filter-free and spectacular. We were in the moment and in awe of the beauty.
Q: How was it collaborating with Tara and Mike from Strala after so much time apart?
It was a great experience. We’d been brainstorming something like this for years and finally during Covid Tara reached out to me to finalize a plan! We had so much fun collaborating on the classes - Tara led us mostly through the week in her flow-with-ease style…some energizing and relaxing. While Mike also led a tai-chi mini workshop which I really enjoyed as well. It’s so nice to mix it up! I led a couple of classes as well and I think we all enjoyed the variety and the overall similar vibe of letting go, being gentle with yourself, and flowing together. We can’t wait to put another one on the calendar :)
Q: Do any culinary highlights stick out in your mind about the trip or Iceland in general?
It’s funny because people always ask about food in Iceland - not because it’s what you think of for that country, but more so because it’s not! But even since I started coming to Iceland over 10 years ago the food scene has steadily become more interesting and now there are some amazing choices and chefs in the area. On the first evening we take the group to a cozy waterfront restaurant that specializes in new takes on the Icelandic traditional food…also in a vegetarian style with wine pairing. I think one of the main highlights that guest remember is always our visit to the organic greenhouse where we see how food is actually grown in Iceland and get to taste some goodies. Then another place we learned how the rye bread is baked under the hot lava sand where the natural hot springs are. (Plus don’t miss the whipped butter in Iceland if you go!)
Thank you so much Erin. Looking forward to more EPM X STRALA collaborations in the future. Keep your eyes peeled for one to be announced in the coming year.
WANT TO JOIN US IN ICELAND? Registration is open for our Ritual+Renewal in the Land of Fire & Ice APRIL 18-23. DETAILS HERE