The women at this retreat were strangers to me at first, but now I see we became an assembly of goddesses. That's the magic spell cast upon us at Sagrada by the lovely Leslie St. John and crew. Three times a day, we gathered around a 10-foot rustic table for vegetarian feasts plated to entice, seasoned to delight. The kitchen staff--Lourdes, Stacie, Richie, Emilee and Jim-- made us feel welcome, queenly, and at ease as they dazzled us daily with their creations. Even the coffee was great (which matters to me!)
The grounds at Sagrada are rustic ranch style, set amid live oaks, grey pines, mimosas, and lavender. All is comfortable and clean, with a pool and hot tub nearby. The cotton sheets breathe, the air is fresh, and nights are cool (at least in June). Best of all, the yoga room is spacious and ventilated with a wooden floor and plenty of props. Even the water pressure for showering was good.
Leslie St. John is a gifted and dedicated teacher of both yoga and writing, and all of the exercises she offered were fun and approachable. She scheduled just the right amount of group time and free time for us to truly feel we had been on a retreat. The vibe was entirely welcoming and she kept it real but light. Together we all bloomed into a bouquet of gratitude, inspired by Leslie's abundant use of beautiful objects in practice. She clearly brought her A-game to making the retreat lush and memorable, which it was. And she is, herself, adorable.