Have you ever had the urge to run away to another part of the world? I did!
Meet Erin Lewis founder of EAT.PRAY.MOVE yoga retreats
Erin Lewis is founder of EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats, and I was fortunate enough to find Erin’s retreat, a soul searching experience in Tuscany, in 2014 - at a time when I needed to run away. Part of my healing through my divorce was learning to reconnect with myself on a deeper level and why not in Italy!
With yoga, meditation, shopping, day spa’s, eating and so much more your experience of getting to know yourself and making lifelong friendships is truly a blessing in disguise with EAT.PRAY.MOVE. With my renewed love of yoga and with Erin’s beautiful inspiring presence, she truly came in my life at the right time and I will be forever grateful.
Now on the sixth year of retreats, EAT.PRAY.MOVE was born from Erin’s love of yoga and travel, and a passion to share these two loves with others. She calls both the US and Italy home these days.
I am so grateful and thankful you have taken the time to connect with me and share a little about yourself and EAT.PRAY.MOVE.
Can you share how Eat.Pray.Move became?
A couple years before I began EAT.PRAY.MOVE (EPM), I’d reached a point in my life where I decided to really look closely at my passions and what I truly wanted to do. I narrowed it down to travel, yoga, and humanitarian work. The first two came together quite easily as I wrote out ideas for what my “dream job” would look like - with no boundaries - (and now the last component has been added with our expanding “Give Back” initiative). I knew I wanted to offer a yoga retreat that I myself would want to go on. Something that was balanced and a fun, interesting way to spend a holiday but at the same time allowing time to bring my practice with me. So I picked Italy initially as it was a place I loved and wanted to share with others - I knew it would include great food, site-seeing, and a bit of self-care in the form of spas, walking meditation and of course a class or two a day of yoga.
Have you always been into yoga?
I was always interested in learning about yoga starting from my teens, and I didn’t have access to a class or a teacher until my first year in university. Then through the years I was exposed to various disciplines and continued to learn more about what yoga was truly about. Then when I found Ashtanga, it was at a point in my life that that specific practice really filled what I was needing at the time and that got me to a more daily practice and then wanting to further it with training and teaching. I ended up taking my teacher training in Florence, Italy as my teacher was doing traveling trainings at the time and I thought what better place to be than my second home. Since then it’s been an amazing journey seeing how the practice continues to change in me and for me.
What do you hope for your guests on your retreats?
I hope that each guest finds the unique thing that they are searching for on each retreat. Some guests come needing relaxation and others, adventure. Some want to start a new healthy path and others just want to get away from their day-to-day. Whatever their reason, I hope to offer space for that specific thing to manifest for them in the week. One of the best things that have come from the retreats that I didn’t initially expect or really think through - is all of the true relationships that are started and continued between guests. I’ve met now many friends that I consider close and will probably remain in contact with for life - all through the retreats. And now there are almost entire retreats filled with mini-reunions of other guests who’ve met on past retreats and plan times to see each other again.
Now that you are living in Florence, what is it about Italy that is appealing to you?
Italy has always held a special place in my heart - I lived here 8 years ago for a year and fell in love with it. I’ve since come back for chunks of time and of course, incorporated it into my work as well. I moved back in April last year and feel like it’s the daily pace that really attracts me. I needed a bit of a slower tempo in my daily life from living in NYC and since I travel so much for EPM, when I’m home I wanted to be surrounded by a bit calmer energy. The culture here, one that really puts importance on the small pleasures and taking time to enjoy them, is such a rich thing to me - and something that allows me space and inspires me to live fully each day.
When living in New York, what is one of your favourite things to do when you are there?
There is no place like New York - and it’s full of so many things! Always ahead of the curve and it seems like it offers anything you could dream of. I love to go to Central Park and just walk. A visit to MoMa and some art galleries is always on my list and of course eating at some of the amazing restaurants in the city!
All your retreat destinations are incredible, do you have a favourite destination and why?
I’ve curated the locations of EPM based on places I love and are curious about around the globe. Most of them a bit unique to the world of yoga retreats and I’ve always felt like they need to be places I like so I can best share them genuinely with my guests. And although I love them all for unique reasons, I think Italy will always be my favourite as it’s a place that feels like home to me.
Do you have a favourite yoga practice? Why do you think yoga is so important?
This is something that continues to change and evolve in me as my life continues to change and evolve as well. I’m most drawn to Ashtanga as my personal practice, but also love more restorative type practices as well as meditation - this past year I had an injury (non-yoga related) that took me away from many of the asanas for a few months. I find in these times I’m open to then learning more about the lessons of letting go and expanding my definition of what yoga really is. It becomes less about the movements and more about the other 7 limbs. This is also why I think yoga is so important - the fact that it continues to change you as you stay with the practice. As soon as you think you’ve mastered something in any way, it throws you a curveball to say, “it really wasn’t just about that at all…look at all of the lessons over here you still can learn.”
What would you say your life mantra is?
I will answer this with one of my favourite quotes: “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough”. Meister Eckhart
What’s next for Erin? Do you have new retreats coming up in 2016?
This year is already off to a full start. We kicked off New Years on the Iceland retreat and head to India in February, Morocco in March, and it’s consistent after that in Croatia, Provence, and several retreats in Italy. I’ve already scouted a few new places this year and am excited to have brought on new collaborators to the EPM team to free up my time to explore new locations to share with our guests in the future. (stay tuned!)
The newest retreat we just listed which I’m very excited about is the “Vinyasa+Vino” retreat in Italy April 17-23 in collaboration with a sommelier - and guests will receive a Level 1 wine certification at the end of the week.
What are you most excited about for the year ahead?
Mainly just riding this flow and seeing where EPM goes, meeting new people, continuing to find new experiences to share with others, and really trying to make a difference - both in the lives of our guests and the “Give Back” groups that we’ve partnered with. I’m looking forward to working with our expanding list of collaborators as well - all who bring another unique aspect to the retreats - art, meditation, life-coaching, etc. I hope to keep expanding the MOVE part of EAT.PRAY.MOVE - to include moving your body, mind, spirit, creativity, knowledge and more!
Lastly, you inspired me during my break-up journey, who or what inspires you?
I’m most inspired by those who show everyday strength and openness to change, find adventure and allow for life to not be exactly as they expected - and are okay with that, and even find more excitement and grace in the unexpected.
With yoga, meditation, shopping, day spa’s, eating and so much more your experience of getting to know yourself and making lifelong friendships is truly a blessing in disguise with EAT.PRAY.MOVE. With my renewed love of yoga and with Erin’s beautiful inspiring presence, she truly came in my life at the right time and I will be forever grateful.
Now on the sixth year of retreats, EAT.PRAY.MOVE was born from Erin’s love of yoga and travel, and a passion to share these two loves with others. She calls both the US and Italy home these days.
I am so grateful and thankful you have taken the time to connect with me and share a little about yourself and EAT.PRAY.MOVE.
Can you share how Eat.Pray.Move became?
A couple years before I began EAT.PRAY.MOVE (EPM), I’d reached a point in my life where I decided to really look closely at my passions and what I truly wanted to do. I narrowed it down to travel, yoga, and humanitarian work. The first two came together quite easily as I wrote out ideas for what my “dream job” would look like - with no boundaries - (and now the last component has been added with our expanding “Give Back” initiative). I knew I wanted to offer a yoga retreat that I myself would want to go on. Something that was balanced and a fun, interesting way to spend a holiday but at the same time allowing time to bring my practice with me. So I picked Italy initially as it was a place I loved and wanted to share with others - I knew it would include great food, site-seeing, and a bit of self-care in the form of spas, walking meditation and of course a class or two a day of yoga.
Have you always been into yoga?
I was always interested in learning about yoga starting from my teens, and I didn’t have access to a class or a teacher until my first year in university. Then through the years I was exposed to various disciplines and continued to learn more about what yoga was truly about. Then when I found Ashtanga, it was at a point in my life that that specific practice really filled what I was needing at the time and that got me to a more daily practice and then wanting to further it with training and teaching. I ended up taking my teacher training in Florence, Italy as my teacher was doing traveling trainings at the time and I thought what better place to be than my second home. Since then it’s been an amazing journey seeing how the practice continues to change in me and for me.
What do you hope for your guests on your retreats?
I hope that each guest finds the unique thing that they are searching for on each retreat. Some guests come needing relaxation and others, adventure. Some want to start a new healthy path and others just want to get away from their day-to-day. Whatever their reason, I hope to offer space for that specific thing to manifest for them in the week. One of the best things that have come from the retreats that I didn’t initially expect or really think through - is all of the true relationships that are started and continued between guests. I’ve met now many friends that I consider close and will probably remain in contact with for life - all through the retreats. And now there are almost entire retreats filled with mini-reunions of other guests who’ve met on past retreats and plan times to see each other again.
Now that you are living in Florence, what is it about Italy that is appealing to you?
Italy has always held a special place in my heart - I lived here 8 years ago for a year and fell in love with it. I’ve since come back for chunks of time and of course, incorporated it into my work as well. I moved back in April last year and feel like it’s the daily pace that really attracts me. I needed a bit of a slower tempo in my daily life from living in NYC and since I travel so much for EPM, when I’m home I wanted to be surrounded by a bit calmer energy. The culture here, one that really puts importance on the small pleasures and taking time to enjoy them, is such a rich thing to me - and something that allows me space and inspires me to live fully each day.
When living in New York, what is one of your favourite things to do when you are there?
There is no place like New York - and it’s full of so many things! Always ahead of the curve and it seems like it offers anything you could dream of. I love to go to Central Park and just walk. A visit to MoMa and some art galleries is always on my list and of course eating at some of the amazing restaurants in the city!
All your retreat destinations are incredible, do you have a favourite destination and why?
I’ve curated the locations of EPM based on places I love and are curious about around the globe. Most of them a bit unique to the world of yoga retreats and I’ve always felt like they need to be places I like so I can best share them genuinely with my guests. And although I love them all for unique reasons, I think Italy will always be my favourite as it’s a place that feels like home to me.
Do you have a favourite yoga practice? Why do you think yoga is so important?
This is something that continues to change and evolve in me as my life continues to change and evolve as well. I’m most drawn to Ashtanga as my personal practice, but also love more restorative type practices as well as meditation - this past year I had an injury (non-yoga related) that took me away from many of the asanas for a few months. I find in these times I’m open to then learning more about the lessons of letting go and expanding my definition of what yoga really is. It becomes less about the movements and more about the other 7 limbs. This is also why I think yoga is so important - the fact that it continues to change you as you stay with the practice. As soon as you think you’ve mastered something in any way, it throws you a curveball to say, “it really wasn’t just about that at all…look at all of the lessons over here you still can learn.”
What would you say your life mantra is?
I will answer this with one of my favourite quotes: “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough”. Meister Eckhart
What’s next for Erin? Do you have new retreats coming up in 2016?
This year is already off to a full start. We kicked off New Years on the Iceland retreat and head to India in February, Morocco in March, and it’s consistent after that in Croatia, Provence, and several retreats in Italy. I’ve already scouted a few new places this year and am excited to have brought on new collaborators to the EPM team to free up my time to explore new locations to share with our guests in the future. (stay tuned!)
The newest retreat we just listed which I’m very excited about is the “Vinyasa+Vino” retreat in Italy April 17-23 in collaboration with a sommelier - and guests will receive a Level 1 wine certification at the end of the week.
What are you most excited about for the year ahead?
Mainly just riding this flow and seeing where EPM goes, meeting new people, continuing to find new experiences to share with others, and really trying to make a difference - both in the lives of our guests and the “Give Back” groups that we’ve partnered with. I’m looking forward to working with our expanding list of collaborators as well - all who bring another unique aspect to the retreats - art, meditation, life-coaching, etc. I hope to keep expanding the MOVE part of EAT.PRAY.MOVE - to include moving your body, mind, spirit, creativity, knowledge and more!
Lastly, you inspired me during my break-up journey, who or what inspires you?
I’m most inspired by those who show everyday strength and openness to change, find adventure and allow for life to not be exactly as they expected - and are okay with that, and even find more excitement and grace in the unexpected.