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10 Things that I loved and learned at The Hostel in the Forest:

The Hostel In The Forest Experience at The Yogi Movement by Monica Dawn Stone

October 24, 2013 By Monica Stone 10 Comments

The Hostel in the Forest is a little cooperative in Bruswick, GA.  Just hearing about a little place where you sleep in tree houses sounded so enchanting. I knew that I wanted to visit one day, so during a time when I needed to get away, I decided to take a weekend trip. The drive is easy; just three hours from Orlando, FL.

I found the hidden entrance and path, and drove through forest and trees. It was easy to follow, and I eventually started to pass colorful cabins, tree houses, and sculptures. I felt like I had just entered into a magical scene from a fairy tale.

I parked my car, and was a little nervous. No one was around. I grabbed my suitcase and started walking. Finally, a nice woman appeared, and she took me to the check-in area.  They signed me in ( just $25 a night), and I grabbed my sheets, towels, blankets, and set up my tree house. I instantly felt at home.

I was so happy and giddy to be there.

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It’s all about community at The Hostel. We all cooked, cleaned, and sang songs around the campfire together. I met a few people right away, and still remain friends to this day. 

During my visit, I spent the days mostly wondering around the property, reading the books in the library, exploring the garden, and swimming in the lake. There were a lot of people with children, and even two people with babies.

Before dinner each night, we all held hands around the bonfire and said what we were thankful for. Some people talked for a long time, and some people kept it simple.

There was a guy that chose a different letter every night and rambled off a bunch of things he was thankful for starting with that letter. For example, ” I am thankful for bandanas, beans, bicycles, bananas, boats, bean thread noodles, brick ovens, etc.” It always made me smile to see what the next person was going to say. 

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This place is a gem that I can’t stop talking about, so I put together this list of what I loved and learned at The Hostel In The Forest:

1. Home cooked meals are delicious. Cook more and with more variety. Take time to cook rather than preparing fast because of being hungry.  Make many types of the same food. For pizza night we had 10 different pizzas and same with lasagna night. Explore many veggies and fruits so that you can create variety in your life and belly!

2. Have a goal of eating clean and normal portions all of the time. When you’re in a place in the middle of the forest you have to eat sparingly and healthy. Eating this way, I had energy and never felt heavy! This is how we should always eat.

3. Be green as much as possible and live with very little waste. Staying there we had to keep track of our own trash. I honestly didn’t eat the Lara Bars I brought because I would have plastic to keep with me. So, learning to purchase and live with as little trash as possible. Also, green is the color of heart chakra!

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4. Let go of always having to be busy. When I was staying there I kept planning what I was going to do during the day. I realized that I am in a place where I don’t have to make plans. I can decide to do whatever I want whenever the inspiration occurs. Of course there must be a balance of freedom and responsibility, but also letting go of always having to stick with plans and being okay with change.

5. Learned about herbs….. They have an extensive collection of herbs for loose teas, and also a garden where they grow their own fruits and veggies.  Some that I had heard of, but never tried until this past weekend: Myrrh, Comfrey, Dong Quai, Cats Claw, Nettles. One day we all picked blueberries together, which we later made into a blueberry pie, and used more the next morning in blueberry pancakes. This prompted me to do some research on herbs and order some for my own tea collection and starting my own herb garden, and then maybe grow some of my own veggies!

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6. Accept your inner beauty: I didn’t feel the need to wear make up at all. I felt as if I wasn’t being judged, but only accepted and loved. Nothing superficial about The Hostel in the Forest. Beauty is completely internal. So refreshing!
 
7. I became inspired to do more research or use more natural products. At the hostel they use Dr. Bronner’s for the drain, to clean, etc…. so this inspired me to seek out the most natural and environmentally friendly products for our earth, and even make some myself. I started looking up recipes for homemade house cleaners too!
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8. Got me in touch with being aware of my tendencies, and then accept and let go of my tendencies.  Opened my heart for new beginnings.

9. Cut down on daily use of paper products. Inspired me to not use paper towels anymore, but buy an abundance of dish towels instead. Less waste!

10. Community and solitude must be balanced. Time together is sacred and precious and just as delightful as time spent alone.

Create peace and love within so that you can spread peace and love throughout.
 

lake I like the tradition of saying what we are thankful for before we sit down to eat.  So, before I eat dinner I am going to always say thanks to every single moment and person in my life… good, bad, ugly… because it has shaped who and where I am. And, then add whatever inspires me.People that you meet only for a night, a moment, or for longer periods will change your life.  

Don’t be scared to fall in love – even for a moment!

Grateful for connecting with beautiful people of this universe.

 PS. I have no pictures of people or the food because if you were caught using your phone, then you get thrown in the duck pond!

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This is the glass room where I did yoga everyday!

* This is the glass room where I did yoga everyday! *

The free roaming chickens were so delightful

Outdoor showers washed away my fears

The glass yoga room surrounded by forest brought me peace

Dance Church rocked my world

Sleeping in a treehouse reminded me of my childhood

Swimming in the lake liberated my soul

Grateful that I have a home away from home, instant family, and can’t wait to see what else The Hostel has in store for me, or you!

You can find out everything you need to know HERE!

love

Filed Under: Daily Life Tagged With: Travel

Monica Stone

About Monica Stone

Monica is a lover of all things yoga, a vegetarian, an avid tea drinker, and never gets sick of soup and noodle dishes. She teaches yoga, practices daily, and runs a Spiritual Book Club in Orlando, FL. She likes to challenge the strict rules of yoga, and makes it accessible for everyone - especially people who suffer from daily life and work stress.

« How Do I Get Into That Posture….???
Soba Noodles with Tofu and Cucumber in a Soy-Vinegar Dressing »

Hi! I’m Monica

Monica StoneWell hello there! I'm Monica. I'm a yoga & meditation teacher (and junkie). I teach yoga practices that are quick and effective for the busy person who just needs a few minutes of quiet time in their day. Click around and you'll find quick meditation tips for calming the mind to simple stretches to relieve stress and tension. If you are sick of being intimidated by yoga or just confused by all of the different styles out there - then this page is for you. Yoga helps me daily & I know it will help you too! I'll show you how! Welcome to The Yogi Movement :)

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Testimonials

  • Jaime ShearerJaime ShearerYoga Student Since 2012

    Monica is dedicated to her own practice and the true path of yoga - the one of personal experience - which makes her an outstanding teacher. She is warm and easy to talk with, and she allows the student to have their own experience on the mat. She explains postures and breath in ways that are understandable so that the student "gets it." She makes yoga real and tangible in ways that truly serve the student. Work with Monica. You'll be glad you did.

  • Jacob AbercrombieJacob AbercrombieYoga Student Since 2011

    have always wanted to try yoga, but was always nervous. Monica took that fear away and made me feel like i was the only one in class with a room full of strangers. She is able to work with multiple students during the same move and still make it a personalized class for one.

  • Serena JonesSerena JonesYoga Student Since 2010

    Monica has been a highly influential teacher to me. She creates a safe environment for learning and practice. I have always felt grounded in her classes, and she pushes me beyond my own expectations. She inspires and motivates! I can't imagine my life without sharing a path with her!

  • Angela OrofinoAngela OrofinoYoga Student Since 2011

    Monica is a caring, wise, thoughtful, and talented yoga instructor. She has an in-depth knowledge of the philosophy and spirituality of Ashtanga yoga. My previous yoga experience had mostly just been at my local gym. Luckily, last year I found Monica. She has been guiding my practice at least once a week since then. As a newcomer to Ashtanga yoga, Monica made me feel comfortable and had the patience to teach me the basics. She also encouraged me to start an at home practice so that I was able to obtain a deeper understanding of Ashtanga. Monica is always encouraging and lets me know in subtle ways when she feels that I am ready to move deeper into my practice. I feel that the growth in my practice over the last year has been tremendous. Not only do I notice the change in me but others around me do as well. I am so grateful to have found Monica!

  • Sasha TamarSasha TamarYoga Student Since 2012

    I’ve come across many a yoga instructor over the years, but Monica stands out as genuinely amiable, as she glows with an infectious inner light, and highly devoted to and passionate about her practice. Her dedication to Ashtanga as a lifestyle is very clear, and creates for a contagious motivating force. Every time I’ve practiced with her, she eagerly transmits her devotion and passion of Ashtanga and meditation to everyone in class; she makes the most fledgling beginner feel at home, and simultaneously challenges the more advanced students. While I only practice Ashtanga with her, I know she provides therapeutic yoga sessions as well as meditation. And, if her methods of guiding students out of the Ashtanga vigor into the more meditative savasana are indicative of her meditational techniques, I’d recommend her to anyone

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