Meet Lynn Dao of Ecstasis Retreats in Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynn Dao.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
For the past ten years, I was a boudoir photographer empowering women through photography. During that time, I was also practicing yoga and saw how the practice positively affected my being. My body and mind felt better and over time I could see it opening me up in different ways. All the while, I had this crazy lust for travel and adventure, traveling around the world to surf in Costa Rica, swim with dolphins in New Zealand, and drink ayahuasca in the jungles of the Amazon. All these experiences have led me to form Ecstasis Retreats, which combines empowering outdoor adventures with the inward journey of yoga for a transformational getaway.

I meet so many people today who are stressed out from life, and I want to offer them a unique way to decompress and recharge that goes beyond a couple of drinks at happy hour. Life is so go, go, go that many people don’t have time for themselves. These retreats allow them to take time out to restore and recharge so that they can go back to their daily lives and continue giving.

Has it been a smooth road?
I’ll admit the first women’s canyoneering & yoga retreat had some challenges. There were a couple of women who were not physically ready for hiking 5-6 miles and canyoneering down waterfalls up to 80ft. Because of that, it slowed the group down and we were not where we should have been by sunset. Thank goodness for a very experienced canyoneering guide who knew exactly how to handle the situation so that we all got out of the canyon safe and sound. I’ve learned to do a better job of letting people know what to expect before they sign up for the retreat so that we won’t encounter this situation again. However, I don’t regret the past experience because the look on those women’s faces when they accomplished something they never thought they could have was priceless.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Ecstasis Retreats is adventure, spirit, peace, and connection. The retreats are designed to empower people to overcome fears and to dig deep into making connections – connections with the earth, with other people, and most importantly, with themselves.

To accomplish this, I make sure the retreats have three elements:
1. Natural surroundings to connect to Mother Nature.
2. A challenging activity. This is so people have the chance to see their own potential – that they CAN do things they never thought they could. Taking on a challenging activity also forces you to be in the moment; there’s nothing else for you to think of at the moment besides focusing on what you’re doing. You’re in a flow state, whether it’s surfing, canyoneering, or yoga.
3. Yoga – it’s the journey of the self, through the self, to the self. Enough said, right? And no, you don’t have to be flexible or know how to do yoga poses to come on a retreat! I love teaching beginners.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My husband, Drew, who co-hosts the Costa Rica Surf Yoga Retreats with me. He’s been my biggest supporter through this huge life/career change from photography to creating and facilitating yoga adventure retreats. I host the Arizona Women’s Canyoneering Retreat on my own, but when we’re out of the country on a weeklong retreat, it’s great to have his easy-going spirit there with me.

Contact Info:

• Address: Tempe, Arizona
• Website: http://ecstasisretreats.com/
• Phone: 858-869-4588
• Email: info@ecstasisretreats.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecstasisretreats/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ecstasisretreats/

Image Credit:
Lynn Dao Photography

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