Kat Farrants is a former city solicitor whose experience of getting stressed out about getting to the very best yoga classes led her to ask the best teachers if they would make videos so that we could say when class starts.  She founded Movement for Modern Life in 2013. She is passionate about ensuring that everyone has access to the very best yoga and wellbeing teachers, even those who work long hours in the home or office or live remotely.

And today is the launch of Kat’s seriously exciting The Cellular Renewal Online Retreat!This 7 day online course combines delicious raw food detox recipes (can you guess whom by?) with transformative daily yoga and wellbeing practices to deeply cleanse, nourish and restore your body and mind. Free to member and only £37 otherwise. Check it out>>

Meet our January’s Master of the Month…

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY OF EATING AND DRINKING.

I start the day with two large cups of hot water and lemon. That makes me feel better about the next step, which is a cup of coffee. I then have my power smoothie, which I’ll sip on throughout the morning. Lunch is usually salad, again, with tons of seeds. I drink enormous cups of herbal tea throughout the day. At the moment I’m loving PositiviTea’s blends. I love my juicer and I may juice myself my favourite drink in the course of the day, which is carrot and apple. Delicious if the veg is organic and fresh. For dinner, I love a good vegetarian curry, simple veg stir-fry or a veg chilly which my friend and co-worker Victoria has given me the recipe for. This may be accompanied by a glass of wine, if I have company. After dinner I usually have a peppermint tea and before bed, always always a cup of camomile tea.

WHAT (OR WHO) INSPIRES YOU TO EAT WELL AND STAY HEALTHY?

I’m inspired to eat healthily purely by watching and noticing how my body feels. I like feeling light and energetic. So if I have a carb or sugar binge (which does happen!) or if I’ve been dining out on rich food, it’s just that I hate feeling less fresh inside me, so I’ll naturally probably have just juices or raw food the next day.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST WEAKNESS WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD AND HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?

I have many weaknesses. Coffee is one. Cheese is another. My method for dealing with both is to make sure I buy the best quality (small producers, always organic) of both – which means that I need less of them and enjoy what I do have more. I couldn’t afford to binge on either if I’m buying the best of them!

MY TOP TIP FOR:

Improving your diet is… ‘Eat less. And eat mostly plants’.

Staying healthy while travelling is… spend time working out the best places to buy and restaurants to eat where they prioritise locally produced food, then you’ll see the real heart of the new town.

Detoxing is… start every day with a detox of hot lemon and ginger. You’ll become addicted to how good this makes you feel.

Immunising is… I make all of my dishes with lots of garlic. I love it, but also it’s great for the immune system. But I am also single.. It has it’s downsides!

WHAT’S THE NICEST THING ANYONE HAS EVER SAID TO YOU?

‘You can do it’. Only when we have the confidence in ourselves will we be able to take risks, and really live life.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?

As someone who tried her best.

IF YOU GOT TO KEEP ONLY 3 OF YOUR BELONGINGS: 1 THING FROM YOUR KITCHEN, 1 THING FROM YOUR GARDEN AND 1 THING FROM YOUR BOOKSHELF- WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

1. My blender! I’d starve without it!
2. From my garden – my apple trees.
3. ‘The Four Desires’ by Rod Stryker. This book changed by life and will continue to do so.

IF YOU COULD HOST A DINNER PARTY FOR 3 GUESTS (DEAD OR ALIVE)- WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU SERVE?

Maya Angelou.
Saffy, my dog who died two years ago – if I can bring her back for just one meal that would be heaven.
Ellen De Generes.
I think that Maya and Ellen would be such fun, it’d be a riot to have them there. And Saffy would just sit at the table with us, I’d cuddle her whilst I enjoyed and joined in with the fun and giggles with Maya and Ellen.
Saffy would eat raw bones – her favourite. We’d have a lovely, raw, vegan curry with cashew cream. Everyone eats raw!

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT LIFE IS BETTER RAW?

Simply because you can live a fun, filled life when you’re full of energy and health. I often get asked where I get my energy from. Raw food and eating mostly plants is the answer.

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Our Master of The Month shares her favourite raw food recipe…

POWER WAKE UP SMOOTHIE
Serves 1-2

Kat says: I love this morning smoothie as I’m so busy I don’t get the time to make all the right food, and I know that this is the best way to start the day. It keeps me going til lunch – there’s a lot of it, I keep sipping it throughout the morning. All the seeds make it filling and provide me with lots of energy. I like to use Spinach and apples as they both grow in my garden, so I know that they are organic and fresh (in season!) – the spinach is a lovely veg to grow, it seems to keep giving right until heavy frosts. I try make my smoothie seasonal and is always organic, so alternate it according to what’s going on in the garden or available from the organic delivery company.

• two handfuls spinach
• root ginger to taste
• root turmeric to taste
• 1 x banana
• 2 x apples
• squeeze of lemon
• 1 x tablespoon flax seeds
• 1 x tablespoon sunflower seeds
• 2 x tablespoons ground hemp
• filtered water

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For more on Kat, Movement for Modern Life and The Cellular Renewal Online Retreat, which starts today- go here movementformodernlife.com/crprogramme

MONA AND TANYA ARE BACK TOGETHER AFTER RAW FOOD & SOUL ADVENTURES RETREAT IN ECUADOR AND WANT YOU TO EXPERIENCE A MINI MORNING RETREAT OF YOUR OWN IN LONDON.

ABOUT US

This year. This October. It is happening once more. Vilcabamba is calling!

Whether you are looking to recharge, cleanse your mind and spirit, renew your youthful glow, take your soul on an unforgettable adventure, breathe in the purest air, alkalise by marvelling at perfect nature, nourish your body with the most flavoursome and nutritious organic meals, learn how to prepare all the healthy raw foods or experience what the real Valley of Longevity is all about…

…there is no place on earth, like Vilcabamba to satisfy all of your senses and dreams.

This October, a carefully chosen group of people will get an opportunity to experience the ultimate Raw Food & Soul Adventures Retreat, once again. Read on for more details…

Every year I head out to the majestic Vilcabamba in Ecuador for my own personal retreat. And every year, you begged me to introduce it to you too. In 2013, we had an incredible group of 18 individuals thriving in the energy of such a magical place for our very first epic adventure. In 2014, I plan to make it even more special and intimate for your ultimate experience.

This incredible little village is entirely surrounded by mountains, it is known as the valley of longevity, the playground to the Inca and the capital of raw food. It runs on super charged living spring waters, provides the most healing organic produce, supplies exceptional air quality and has the potential to transform you forever. The vibrational frequencies of its sacred land are very high and not everybody is ready. If you feel drawn to experience a complete rejuvenation of your soul, body, mind and spirit, then I believe Vilcabamba has spoken to you. I know that it has spoken to me to invite you this year. I couldn’t be more honoured and thrilled for the opportunity.

Hi, I’m Tanya Maher, a wellness coach, chef, author, Reiki do Satori master healer, and a renowned raw food and detox expert. I was born in Russia, raised in New Zealand and now live in London, where I’m super lucky to have been hailed by various magazines as the UK’s leading wellness coach. I’m the founder of Better Raw, co-founder of Tanya’s Cafe in Chelsea, creator of Amazon’s #1 best selling DVD ‘Raw
Food 101’ and author of numerous eBooks, all available here on www.BetterRaw.com. This ‘Soul Adventures’ Retreat is my life’s work. I can’t wait to share the experience with you too.

Elena Alekseeva, my clever mama, has a decade of extensive experience with Reiki do Satori principles and a unique gift to heal. She is connected to the information consciousness of the Universe, which allows her to perform incredibly detailed and accurate readings for thousands of people around the world, who all discover her somehow without any advertising or a website. Elena specialises in correction of the body, spirit, soul and etheric bodies to help a person heal from any past life karma, negativities brought on by others and self-destruction.

Vladimir Alekseev, my amazing dad, is the Mr Fix-It and Make-It-Happen man. This retreat wouldn’t be possible without him and all his behind the scenes organising. You can be certain that you’re in good hands (with impressive Spanish!) when Vlad is around. Mum and dad made Vilcabamba their permanent home five years ago and together they organise a monthly sell-out raw living luncheon at their Restaurant ‘Sungate 11:11’.

Mona Heep is a gorgeous German, who currently lives in London, bringing inner peace to its many residents. Everyone who’s ever attended Mona’s classes fall in love with her energy and her sincere pleasure in helping you with movement, strength and injuries, while improving your overall physical and mental wellbeing. After beginning her practice several years ago, she quickly developed a passion, completing her teacher training, as well as a Masters degree focussing on food politics. Yoga enabled her to work with her thoughts constructively and achieve a level of acceptance and self compassion she wasn’t able to realise beforehand. Nevertheless, a big part of Mona’s interest in yoga also lies in the link to anatomy. Mona’s yoga classes focus very much on the essence of yoga, the relationship between movement and breath which calm the mind and the “mind stuff” that stops us from enjoying life to the fullest, cluttering our thoughts with the past, future and internal blocks that don’t serve us in the present moment.

El Descanso del Toro Hosteriais the village's most prestigious and luxury resort, which also happens to be authentically Ecuadorian, when it comes to nature, peace, creativity and beauty. I believe there is always a need for a little luxury in your life, however expect to be spending more time with the land, than in your room all day long and then retreat to your stunning nest for the evening. When you spend time at the resort, you will be treated to privacy, clean and spacious bedrooms, tasteful decor, your own bathroom, and outdoor lit up swimming pool, revitalising sauna, relaxing spa and the most stunning vast natural walks and gardens for resting, walking and bringing out  your inner Yogi. You'll be staying just a 5 minute stroll away from town square and a 10 minute stroll away from my parents' citrus garden where plentiful lunches will be held.

If you’ve followed me for some time, you already know my standards, you’ve probably made my recipes and perhaps even tasted my raw gourmet organic meals, elixirs and desserts. Now this is your opportunity to indulge guilt-free and thrive not only on some of my favourite dishes for a full week, but have them all prepared from local, fresh, organic and most nutrient dense ingredients available to us on the planet. As you cleanse your palette and your level of consciousness begins to lift, your taste buds won’t know what hit them. What’s more is that Elena, my super talented mum and creator of 'Sungate 11:11' Raw Living Restaurant will be preparing some of her most raved about activated meals for you to experience. I say ‘experience’, because we will guide you to get food working for you, your digestion and any physical or spiritual ailment you may have, as well as excite and satisfy all five of your senses: sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. I’ll teach you how to prepare all the food and email you recipes to enjoy forever.

Every day as you slowly rise to bird song, you will have the opportunity to rejoice in Yoga. Mona has a true gift to glide through a group and help each individual appreciate Yoga for the immense pleasure, rather than a chore (if you’re in this space currently). You do not need to be flexible or experienced, we simply ask that you come open minded towards what movement and breathwork can do for your soul. If you are a long time Yogie, you will fall in love with Mona’s style and energy. And that’s only a start! Your days will be filled with nature walks, picturesque hikes and wild swimming.

By now you may have gathered that your week in Vilcabamba won’t be short of meditation. It is a big part of my family’s spiritual journey and we will introduce you to various techniques, so that you can choose what works best for you and feel inspired to include it in to your regular regime for many years to come. The Valley of Longevity is home to many gurus and healers, and I’ve invited some very special guests to treat you to their incredible talents.

I ran a survey of what may interest you the most in a destination retreat and from the hundreds of people who’ve responded, a trend was more than obvious. You are a nature loving spirit and you want all the mountain hiking, trail exploring, wild plant foraging, local veggie market visits, zip lining and water fall trips, which Vilcabamba has to offer. I promised you an opportunity to create your ideal
retreat, so we’re including all of the listed excursions to our week together. Get ready for the most adventurous fun, while you satisfy your inner child’s cravings for joy and freedom.

This is a retreat that requires investment in you. Anyone can visit Ecuador and enjoy its many resources at any time, but I insist that you are not here looking for a quick fix to your health concerns and that you apply only if you are truly willing to make the effort, are serious about getting involved and keep an open mind to new ideas. There is an application process, because it is very important to me that I choose the right group of individuals, not for me, but for you. If you are game, here’s what you need to know…

We have arranged a special rate for any additional nights that you may decide to stay. We recommend that you arrive on Saturday 25th October and spend two nights on your own, adjusting to Vilcabamba’s energies. The retreat will kick off at 4PM Monday 27th October and conclude at 11AM Monday 3rd November.

Your investment for a full week:

1. Own private deluxe room with en suite |£900 after 1st August | Early bird £791  
2. Shared double deluxe  room with en suite | £750 after 1st August | Early bird £651 
3. Shared twin deluxe room with en suite | £750 after 1st August | Early bird £651

*Pricing is in GBP and includes the following: (Please note the Ecuadorian currency is USD)

7 nights lush accommodation
(27, 28, 29, 30, 31 October and 1, 2 November)

7 x daily nutrient packed raw food breakfasts, including organic local fruits, chia porridge, detoxing juices, homegrown fresh leaf teas, crunchy granola clusters, creamy nut milks, rawtella spreads on raisin bread and coconut water.

7 x gourmet three course lunches, including multi layered lasagna, marinated and pesto stuffed mushrooms, creamy soups with onion bread, gazpacho with garden picked vegetables and fermented sauerkraut, sun burgers, energising snacks, decadent chocolate cakes and digestion aiding smoothies.

Please note that dinner is your free time to explore Vilcabamba’s cafes and restaurants, which all have raw food offerings on their menus. This is a key time for you to soak in the day’s activities and learnings, as well as digest the vitamin rich foods that you won’t try any where else. Many people prefer to skip dinner and meditate, rest, sauna or enjoy a pampering session, while others take the opportunity to order a cooked vegetarian meal, so not to experience detox symptoms on their holiday. Soul Adventures is very much about you.

8 x hours of raw food workshops

1 x 60 min relaxation massage
(more available at $30 per hr)

7 x 90 min invigorating and enlivening Yoga sessions

Gifts and surprises along the way

2 x 90min taxi transfers to and from Loja airport

(Please note that this is covered if you arrive no more than 2 days before your retreat and depart no more than 2 days after. Outside of these days the taxi is an additional $40 each way)

7 x daily meditation sessions

Local fees and adventure excursions

Numerous simple, yet life changing techniques

Hanging out and creating lifelong friendships

…as you can see- it’s everything except your flights to Loja, Ecuador!

*All rates are per person.

SPACES ARE VERY LIMITED AND YOUR APPLICATION MUST BE APPROVED IN ORDER TO JOIN US. IF YOU ARE READY FOR THE MOST LIFE ENRICHING WEEK IN THE SACRED VALLEY OF LONGEVITY, APPLY TODAY>>

Got more questions? Here are some answers>>