top of page
Search

My Experience at This Year’s Repurpose Your Life Retreat in NYC

Writer's picture: Taylor Engle AndersonTaylor Engle Anderson

This year’s third annual Repurpose Your Life retreat was the best one yet—although as a vendor, I might be biased. Either way, this was a beautiful, approachable gathering of like-minded individuals: New Yorkers seeking wellness and community were connected with gifted vendors sharing their passions, encompassed in a safe space with laughter, love, and tons of delicious food. 


The group gathered at Heyground Harlem, where visionary Isabel Varela hosted this immersive, family-friendly event, designed for anyone seeking personal renewal. This retreat had something for everyone: a curated mix of both ancient practices and modern techniques for stress management and overall wellness that you could take home with you to apply to the rest of your life. 


Here are some of the highlights I can’t stop thinking about.


Kicking things off with Korean Tai Chi

My husband Shaun Anderson started the morning with a special brand of Korean Tai Chi: a meditative-yet-fiery practice that had everyone feeling engaged, awakened, and a fair amount of sweaty. 



Participants learned six key breathing techniques designed to connect you to your center and life force, which we eventually combined into a slow, hypnotic, thigh-burning form that we repeated enough to raise the room’s temperature by at least 10 degrees. 


A study on swapping and shopping

Next up was a helpful breakdown on optimizing your wardrobe with Raaheela Yusuf, the founder of Miss Ralzie’s Closets. Ralzie walked participants through an interactive exercise, where we identified our lifestyles, daily habits, and beliefs so we could understand how our wardrobes represent (or should represent) our truest selves. 



My first belly dancing class in NYC!

After a small break, where participants had the chance to explore vendor tables, network, and snack on some vegan and vegetarian fare, it was back to the classroom for my belly dancing session, where I shared some beginner-friendly moves, which we ultimately combined to shake our truth-telling hips to Shakira and Beyonce. 



It wasn’t long before the room was once again hot, sweaty, and full of smiling faces. This was the best dance class I’ve ever taught, and I’m so thankful for everyone who participated and brought the good energy. 


Yoga time with Jazy Melendez

My class was followed by a much-needed yoga session with Lofty Heights Movement founder Jazy Melendez, who specializes in classes for BIPOC/LGBTQIA+ people who are looking to live sustainably and find community along the way.



The class was so relaxing and accommodating for every individual’s body type and need, as Melendez guided us expertly through moves that encouraged relaxation, connection, and emotional and physical release. 


Sound healing with Isabel Varela

The action-packed day ended with the ultimate centering practice: a sound bath healing session led by Varela. Varela used a variety of instruments to guide participants through a deep relaxation journey, where we were able to connect to inner peace on both a personal and community level.



Participants were blown away by this experience; most of us felt like we’d been transported to another dimension, where time and space ceased to exist.


And more!

Beyond and between these sessions, attendees got to explore the rest of the vendors’ offerings, including:



There were so many opportunities to connect and find community in wellness, so whether you were interested in movement, food, healing, or getting your face rubbed down by Jayaraj, there was something for you at the Repurpose Your Life retreat. 


And…more?!

This year’s event may be wrapped, but we’re far from being done. Stay tuned for future retreats in upstate New York, Southern California, Arizona, and beyond; we can’t wait to continue repurposing life with you.


Wait!!! Don't go yet, my love—Click here to subscribe to my monthly newsletter.

17 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram

©2021 by Taylor Engle.

bottom of page