The Short and Sweet Version...
It all started with my first hula steps at age 5...thru the years my passion for dance continued to grow and I became fascinated with all types of dance as well as a healthy lifestyle to fuel my constantly moving body. Post high school, I moved away for several years to attend college and to experience what opportunities life held for me. After several life-changing years, I returned home to Hawai`i with a BFA Degree in Dance and Minor Degree in Sociology; Professional dance,touring, and teaching experience; Certifications in Pilates, Yoga, GYROTONIC(R); in-depth practice in Meditation; and many other eye-opening-soul-deepening life experiences.
I have been bountifully blessed over these years with amazing opportunities, experiences, and people... about a year ago, my na`au (guts/intuition) were nagging at me, telling me that "I'm supposed to be doing something more with these gifts/resources, something bigger, something to share with people in a very significant way." After sitting with these feelings for a couple of months, I decided that Wainani (which means Beautiful Water) Wellness Retreats was my vehicle to share, collaborate, and grow with people in a very significant way.
If you like reading & like details, feel free to read on...
The Extended Version...
What’s Behind Wainani?:
As previously mentioned, I have always had a passion for dancing. My parents have the videos of my brother and I dancing to Vanilla Ice's "Ice Ice Baby" to prove the fact that I've been drawn towards dance since my early years. Pursuing dance in college lead me toward my passions for being a student and teacher of Pilates, Yoga, Meditation, and GYROTONIC(R). Another one of my great loves is Food and Cooking! I love everything about food - the yumminess, science, nutrition, art...and most of all, I love how food can bring people together. For the majority of my life I've been health conscious and opt for healthier food alternatives and try to prepare most of what I eat myself. In recent years I've made it a point to gather with friends and family as often as possible, and to make an event of preparing food together. Sitting and eating together is nice, but I LOVE to gather in the kitchen and have that time enjoying each others company, while at the same time putting our attention and energy into our food.
While going through my GYROTONIC(R) training in San Francisco several years ago, I was introduced to RAW Food at Cafe Gratitude. I was blown away by the simplicity and complexity, the beauty, the energy, and the amazing flavors of this food. Most people hear "raw" and think, just a bunch of veggies on the plate, blah...but this was like nothing I had experienced before. I couldn't believe that nothing on the menu had been cooked, yet it was so satisfying to both my taste buds and my eyes. The foodie side of me reveled in my first raw meal...while the cook, artist, and scientist in me was inspired! Needless to say, enjoying raw food and sharing the experience with others has become another passion of mine. Healthy cooking-especially raw food preparation-can been very expensive, time consuming, and require a lot of special appliances. Because I love to eat healthy, but don’t have a ton of time and spare cash, I've made it a hobby of mine to find, try, and then share the recipes that I find easy and inexpensive.
Sharing Is Caring:
Would you agree that life is so much better when we Share! Nothing makes me happier! Not even a full day of raw food and yoga...that is unless I'm sharing it with good people. Most of us, once we get something good or experience something great, we want to share it with others...and that's because sharing experiences with good people just enhances the experience. Who doesn't wanna feel good, great, amazing!?! I have had the honor and privilege to learn from a plethora of AMAZING “teachers” - my parents, family, friends, students, dance, Pilates, yoga, GYROTONIC(R), meditation, traveling, and time. Nothing makes me happier than to share the knowledge and inspiration of these experiences with you.
What’s In A Name?:
In Hawaiian culture, the name that is chosen for you is very significant. We believe that a name and the meaning behind the name holds specific mana- strength/energy- for the beholder. My name "Wainani" means "Beautiful Water," and is very special to me because it was gifted to me by my parents with the intention I would possess and embody the energy of beautiful water.
Water is significant to each and every one of us, and is how we are able to survive on this Earth. To me water is: life, energy, refreshing, rejuvenating, soothing, inspiring, humbling, powerful, calm, grace, and beauty. These are all the qualities I strive to evoke within myself and my students/clients everyday, AND this is exactly what I want these retreats to be about!
Hence...”Wainani Wellness Retreats”
Aloha & Namaste,
Wainani
