Author: Ingrid Yang

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When fate meets fortune.

Big Island Hawaii. Where the volcano gods are revered and virgins sacrificed to the eruptions of the gods… I had a trip to Big Island planned a work conference), and 1 day before my flight, we read about the Mauna Loa Volcano eruption. I had no idea how this was going to affect my travel plans, but decided to go ahead and if it got worse, at least I’m a good swimmer? 😅 We got there on Tuesday night, and the next morning, drove up Mauna Kea (one volcano over from Mauna Loa) to get a view of Loa erupting. And it. was. awesome. It’s what the word awesome was created for. Truly awe-inspiring!
 
Anyway, while at the viewpoint, there weren’t a lot of people at the spot we chose, but there was a kind-appearing man with an impressive camera setup (tripod, long lens, the whole thing). So, I looked behind his camera and asked him if I could take a photo of the frame through his viewer. Then chatted with him a bit. His name was Greg and he was just as kind as he appeared to be. Then I got out of his space, and found my friend and asked her if she wanted to take a selfie with me.
 
We got on a rock, and took a quick selfie, and noticed that Greg was taking a photo of us taking a photo of ourselves (after we’d take a photo of the camera he was taking photos with — it was all very metta). We laughed and realized we probably looked a bit silly, but then he told us he was a photographer for the Associated Press and asked if we wouldn’t mind being photographed. We said yes and gave him our names.
 
The next morning, my co-worker texted us with the photo and article from the AP website with me and my friend as the main photo… then found ourselves in Washington Post… then my cousin sent me a photo from the SF Gate and New Zealand herald… and it went on and on… to where, the next day, my father sent me a photo of the front page of his Taiwanese newspaper with our photo on it!
 
 
 
Just goes to show. 1) It’s a small world. 2) get out there and have the courage to travel. You’ll see awesome things. The best experiences can’t be planned. And 3) Be kind and friendly to others, and you may get your photo printed in news outlets all around the world, even all the way to Asia 😉
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Freedom to be: Kaplankaya, Turkey October 16-20, 2022

Join me in Turkey October 16-20, 2022 for the ultimate spa and yoga vacation!

5 days, 4 nights at Six Senses, Kaplankaya, Turkey

To book your spot, email or call:
[email protected]
+90 252 511 00 30

Freedom to be yoga retreat is a time to connect to nature, with others, and to the freedom within. Hosted at stunning Six Senses Kaplankaya, Turkey, this will retreat will allow you to tap into your most extraordinary self through connections with nature, the sea and yoga. 

On this retreat, Ingrid Yang, M.D., J.D., E-RYT500, C-IAYT will lead you through various forms of meditation and yoga, vinyasa flow in the mornings, and restorative, yin, yoga nidra and reiki in the evenings. You will swim in the Aegean Sea, enjoy beautiful landscapes, journal, eat magnificent food and rest your nervous system. Located on the Aegean coast of Turkey, this beautiful retreat will include spa treatments, yoga, sound healing, meditation, a fire ceremony, tour of the ruins – layered together into a schedule that will take you day by day through the layers of your soul.

W H A T ‘ S I N C L U D E D
Your retreat experience will include:

  • 5 days/4 nights in Six Senses suite with a balcony, outdoor couches and seating and an ocean view
  • 1 spa treatment (60-min massage or 60-min Turkish Hammam)
  • 1 group sound bath session
  • Fire ceremony (welcome invocation)
  • Private group tour of ruins Didyma-Priene-Miletos, with transport and guides
  • Brunch and 4-course dinner daily
  • Twice daily yoga sessions (morning vinyasa, evening restorative and therapeutic) with Dr. Ingrid Yang
  • Guided meditation and pranayama practices
  • Complimentary use all day if the 100,000 sq foot spa (including heat, ice, crystal, salt room and more)\
  • Access to daily wellness activities
  • Mindful nature walks
  • Yoga mats and props provided

W H A T ‘ S N O T I N C L U D E D
Your retreat experience will NOT include:

  • Lunch
  • Transport to and from retreat center (airfare is also not included)
  • Testing for COVID if required to enter or leave your home country or Turkey
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T W O S P A T R E A T M E N T S I N C L U D E D

YES, the retreat includes a spa treatment of your choice between 60-min massage or Turkish Hammam (a unique experience I can recommend!) as well as full use of the Turkish spa facilities (100,000 square foot spa, the largest spa of the Six Senses brand)

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G U E S T R O O M A M E N I T I E S A N D F E A T U R E S


• Walk-in closet and dressing area
• Spacious marble bathroom with separate shower
• Bathroom amenities
• Hair dryer
• Beach bag and flip flops
• In-room safe
• Laundry and pressing services
• Umbrella
• Tea and coffee making facilities
• Minibar
• Drinking water
• Flat panel television with satellite channels
• Marshall Bluetooth speaker
• High speed wireless internet

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Superior or Deluxe Rooms
€2800 for single occupancy
€1999 per person (total $3898) for double occupancy

The Superior Rooms offer a contemporary studio-style personal oasis, with a beautifully integrated sleeping space, oversize marble bathroom and beautiful balcony views to the Aegean Sea with the options of a king-size beds or twin-size beds. Pictured below.

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More info:

Fly intoMilasBodrum International Airport (BJV)

The resort in Kaplankaya is just north of Bodrum airport. Upon arriving, the car trip trip takes 45 minutes. The resort will be able to help you arrange transportation.

Prices:
Superior or Deluxe Room with ocean view, Single Occupancy, King Bed €2800/pp
Superior or Deluxe Room with ocean view, Double Occupancy, Full-size Bed $1999/pp (must be booked with another guest)
Superior or Deluxe Room with ocean view, Double Occupancy, King Bed $1999/pp(must be booked with another guest)

Ridge Terrace with ocean view, Single Occupancy, King Bed $2600/pp
Ridge Terrace with ocean view, Double Occupancy, Full-size Bed $1800/pp (must be booked with another guest)
Ridge Terrace with ocean view, Double Occupancy, King Bed $3600 ($1800/pp)

All prices include tax, meals, etc. but do not include gratuity.

Please review the program policy prior to booking. By booking this retreat, you are agreeing to the policies as set forth in the Program Policy page.

Cancellation Policy:

Please see terms below for yoga retreats, workshop and teacher training courses payments:

ALL DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-EXCHANGEABLE, AND NON-TRANSFERABLE

Payments on account after deposits are NON-EXCHANGEABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE
Deposit of 20% is due at time of booking. Payment is fully due 3 months prior to  the start of the retreat or your spot and ddeposit will be forfeited. 

To book your spot, email or call:
[email protected]
+90 252 511 00 30

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Yoga Magazine: Yoga for JOMO

Read Ingrid’s article in Yoga Magazine’s March 2022 issue on Yoga for The Joy of Missing out, including a yin sequence for you to practice!

 

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What is your moon?

The other day, I was talking to a close friend who’s heart had just been just broken. She had just parted ways with her significant other of one year. Just a few months prior to starting a relationship with him, she had divorced her partner of 15 years. She recounted this recent year-long relationship and how he moved out of state after they split. A few weeks after their breakup, she went on a business trip to the city where he now resides. She recounted feeling anxious while she was there, actually physically shaking, fearing that she would see him. The chances she would, in such a big town? Almost none. But the feelings were there, and almost crippled her with anxiety.

I asked what she was worried about, to play out the scenarios of what her specific fears actually were. But she was not able to elucidate them – she just felt fearful. The relationship, although not the healthiest, represented a new start after her divorce; the hope that he would be the answer to many of the questions she had during her tumultuous marriage.

As I struggled to help her understand, I called upon a Buddhist proverb that I used to think of a lot, but in recent times, has slipped my mind. “He was not the moon; he was never the moon. He was just the finger pointing to the moon.” She paused and her eyes welled up with plump, tense tears. I watched her chest tighten, and finally, release all the emotion she had been holding, all the hope that she had misplaced.

We are all searching for the moon. That is the human condition. It’s never about the finger. It’s about seeing for yourself where the finger is pointing. And meditation isn’t about meditation. It’s about helping you see the nature of your mind, and the world around you. And as we search for the moon, we will sometimes misplace our heart in places where it will not flourish.

Remember, the moon is you. It is your broken heart. Is your search for love, belonging, faith, sanctuary. Take a moment to think about what you have been searching for, what you have been struggling towards. Ask yourself: is what has been on my mind the moon? Or the finger pointing to the moon?

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Watch my presentations on Yoga Therapy for COVID-19 recovery

I am honored to have delivered two 45-minute presentations on Yoga Therapy for COVID-19 recovery, both of which were hosted by Give Back Yoga Foundation and the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

In the first presentation, you will learn:

  • Surprising, cutting-edge research findings about how COVID-19 acts
  • How yoga professionals can help individuals who are recovering from COVID-19
  • The effects you might see in your clients in a organ systems based approach

The second presentation is a follow up to the first presentation explaining the science and practice of yoga for COVID-19 long-haulers. I review the pranayama protocol and asana protocol, which were developed based on the latest research and her clinical experience working with COVID-19 patients. I also answer the questions from the first lecture.

Watch the presentations here.

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Ingrid’s homemade borscht

 

 

Ingrid’s homemade borscht

I love vegetables. So this recipe calls for more vegetables than the typical borscht recipe, and I skip the potatoes. You will need a handb-lender and a heavy hand for the salting!

Ingredients:

  • 5-6 medium beets, cooked to tender, and chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 sprigs of fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon of dried)
  • 6-8 celery ribs, cghopped
  • 4-8 carrots, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 6-8 cups water
  • Dill for garnish
  • Sour cream or homemade yogurt to dollop on top
  • Salt and pepper

Directions:

  1. Cook the beets until well done (whatever technique you use, I use my instant pot)
  2. In a large 6 quart pot (or larger), cook diced onion with olive oil, thyme and a sprinkle of salt, until translucent
  3. Discard thyme stems, and add chopped carrots, sautĂŠ about 3-4 minutes
  4. Add chopped celery, sautĂŠ until carrots and celery are tender. Add a bit more salt and pepper here.
  5. Chop beets and add to pot with 6-8 cups of water.
  6. Cook down for approximately 20 minutes.
  7. When done, take a handblender and create up the veggies to make a thick, chunky blend – so you can still decipher to separate vegetable, but the different flavors meld together.
  8. Add more salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with a dollop of cream or yogurt and dill.
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Dr. Yang on Get Healthy 360 Podcast

Listen to Dr. Yang’s interview with Dr. Kris Ferguson on her transition from economist, lawyer, yoga therapist and physician. Learn about all things yoga, life transitions, and finding your calling in life. https://gethealthy360.com/yoga-motivation-and-finding-your-calling-in-life-ingrid-yang-md-jd/