January/February 2006
— by Adam Endelman
When scooping has you stumped and your core won't cooperate, a change of scenery and three mind-body lessons a day might be just what you need. See for yourself with Tom McCook's Pilates and Yoga retreats. Several times a year he leaves his studio, Center of Balance in Mountain View California, to bring students to deepen their practice amidst towering redwood trees at Stillheart retreat center in nearby Woodside, California, or along the Caribbean coast at Maya Tulum Resort, on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. The daily classes at his weekend and week-long getaways cover the full range of McCook's breadth of knowledge - he specializes in at least seven mind-body disciplines and has designed programs for world-class athletes and regular folks alike.
"This is about giving people an opportunity to get in touch with their practice," says McCook. "it's just a transformative experience." Each retreat package includes accommodations, meals, classes and daily activities like swimming, snorkeling, hiking and meditation, with spa treatments available for an extra cost. The next retreat to Woodside is scheduled for February 9 to 12. Visit centerofbalance.com for more information.
