LiquidRoots Retreat Testimonials
"What an amazing experience BodyRoots Azores was. I am relatively new at yoga so I thought this would be a wonderful challenge to try SUP Yoga for the first time. Well everything about this trip was a first. It was a wonderfully organized trip. It was part yoga retreat, met the most magnificent island in the Atlantic and then sprinkled in a little culture and culinary exploration.
It was the perfect trip for all ages. I am 50+ and never felt that I was on the wrong trip even though everybody was a bit younger and more experienced than me. BodyRoots was able to adjust for each persons level, which is rare.
Everybody was challenged and everybody came home in great shape and full of appreciation for an island nobody has ever heard of." – C.R. / 2017
“I enjoyed as we started as strangers from all around the world and at the end we felt all connected, peaceful, and like we had known each other forever. That makes me so grateful. The retreat is a perfect balance, unique and special.
This was my second year attending and its always different. I am always surprised with JO, she always does an amazing job teaching and explaining the anatomy. I always experience so many different things...I prefer to be surprised at the moment she always bring "new challenges".
Its always a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend anyone come to exhale and Inhale in this retreat for anyone looking for guidance, rest, peace and FUN!! Everyday I returned with a renewed sense of motivation to take on life’s challenges with grace, gratitude and a smile. Even the meditations touched me so deeply and that has always challenged for me.
It as changed my life that is for sure!! I am grateful!! My breath is deep as I need day by day as a single Mom, breath is very important for any step I have to take with my children. Movement its magic for me, I feel free as a bird. I Just learned to hear my body since I meet JO on those amazing boards. My body is grateful for any movement.” S.C. / 2018 & 2019
“Where to begin! I will start with what does not even touch the surface of the incredibleness that is Terceira Island and the BodyRoots Retreat. There is the islands vibrant colors from its natural beauty, the quaint villages that take you back in time, the delicious Azorean cuisine, and it’s warm-hearted people. Terceira Island holds all the best qualities that an off the beaten path type of traveler would want to experience. This is just the Island I’m talking about, and the BodyRoots Retreat on the Island makes it ten fold!
Imagine waking up to an ocean view every morning before starting your day of poetic movement on and off the water, that Joana Meneses takes you through. You’re drinking an espresso, looking out over an infinity pool that runs into a deep blue horizon and a spectacular view of Mt. Brazil. During the day you get to be playful on the water, and every evening you get to restore with movement at a new beach, not expecting the next one to be more breathtaking than the last. With accommodations right in the center of it all, you can easily walk to a restaurant or cafe and eat some of the best Portuguese food you may ever have, and can’t find on the mainland. Celebrate with the local villages during the running of the bulls, drink, dance, and eat a giant donut! You quickly come to find that this is not your typical mind/body type of retreat. If you want a cultural experience on top of getting in touch with your true movement abilities then this is absolutely a thing for you. I could go on about the retreat and the island, but it would probably turn into a book. I will end my testimonial with this...
It’s not so much a retreat, but more of a time to disconnect from our on-the-go type of lifestyle and into a day in the life of an Azorean from the Island of Terceira. JOana having native roots on the island delivers above and beyond what you would expect from a “retreat.” By the time the week is over, you feel like a true Terceiran, you have been welcomed with open arms by its people, if I may say, “your roots have been planted.” As a world traveler and having gone on multiple retreats, I feel confident in saying this is by far the most memorable and meaningful experience I’ve had.
My roots have definitely been planted on the Island and I can’t wait to return to this magical place.” - K.R. / 2018
“Besides the amazing people, experiencing different parts of the island as they were incorporated into our "movement" sessions.
It was mind-blowing to do yoga on a scenic overlook or on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Challenging, enlightening, enriching, the sights, memories and the wisdom imparted keep me going.
I felt utterly rejuvenated upon my return and when I am having a not great day - I recall JO's words - Just Breathe and its all more tolerable.” - E.I. / 2019
“Some experiences in life are hard to put into words. You feel them. You experience them. They become a part of you. This was the 2016 Azores SUP Yoga Retreat for me. I had no idea what to expect from a retreat like this as it was my first of its kind. I was also coming off ankle surgery and wasn’t sure how much I would be able to do. My fears were unfounded, as JOana worked with me to make sure that I modified anything the group was doing to suit my bodies needs and not slow down the group. She is a master at this!
Everything from the pickup at the airport to the incredible team she assembled in Terceira was first class. Our hotel was fantastic and the location was paradise. I’ve traveled quite a bit and have to say the culture and people of Terceira were some the most friendly and welcoming.
Starting each day with poolside meditation introduced me to the benefits of meditation outside of my yoga practice, and having a consistent week of this helped me bring it back to NYC. Morning SUP Yoga on the boards at a different beach (or hotel pool) was spectacular! We got to see more of this stunning island, challenge our SUP practice on the water and learn with hands-on personal attention from JO. There truly is nothing like doing yoga on the Atlantic Ocean and connecting to the pulse of nature! I had no idea how much I would love SUP yoga but JO’s teachings and philosophy on the board was perfect.
JO made sure we all had choice in what we wanted to do with our free time so that each day was at our pace. After SUP Yoga we would venture to beach, each new one seemingly more gorgeous then the last! Rest, sun and fun was the perfect compliment to morning Yoga and to get ready for sunset yoga at another incredible locale. Sunset yoga was very special. I will never forget those practices and how they connected me to body and mind.
Every night we dined at a different local restaurant after sunset yoga. It was a new adventure each night with delicious meals and lots of laughs. I could write a book on the food alone! This “retreat” is so much more than what you expect and an incredible deep dive into culture, history and the joy of truly disconnecting.
I reluctantly came home but completely refreshed, renewed and ready to go back! I’ve already booked my spot for JO’s 2018 retreat and I truly cannot wait. Thank you JO!” – K.H. / 2016, 2018, 2019
"This trip was a great opportunity to discover and explore not just a new country but also myself. It held many beautiful firsts for me. My first time in the Azores, Portugal, my first yoga retreat and the first time I traveled for myself. The week gave me many different aspects in connecting to both mind/body and nature.
The twice-daily workouts with SUP yoga on the ocean and sunset mat yoga surrounded by postcard perfect views, helped me deepen my practice in the arm's of this island paradise.
Other than the high regard that JOana had shared with me over the years and her adoration for her island roots, I did not know anything about the Azores. I found it to be a hidden diamond in the rough. It was a really interesting place built on tradition, sincere hospitality and beautiful volcanic landscapes!” - C.F. / 2016
Private Sessions with JOana
“I started doing private pilates with JOana in 2005 after taking several of her group classes. I could never have imagined how much her knowledge as a pilates teacher and her friendship would change my life. When I started working with JOana I had been doing pilates for several years as a way of helping to manage chronic injuries sustained as an ice skater in my childhood. I was in constant pain and being able to walk one block without having to stop had become challenging – and I was only in my early 20s. I had sought advice from top orthopedic doctors around the country and was told that my only treatment option was major surgery. I tried every form of rehabilitation available hoping that I would be able to find something that would help besides surgery, but nothing worked.
It wasn’t until my weekly private sessions with JOana that I regained my mobility and flexibility, and also experienced a significant reduction in pain. I was literally able to do things with my body that I had not been able to do for 10 years, and quite honestly some things that I thought I would never be able to do again.
JOana’s knowledge allows her to modify and diversify my workouts so that every session is challenging and healing, no matter what kind of shape my injuries are in when I walk in to her studio. Even after all my years as an athlete, after doing pilates with JOana I soon found myself in the best shape I had ever been in. Not only is JO an amazing trainer, but also a remarkable person. She truly cares about your health and your goals, and will do everything she can to help you achieve them.”
— Joanne Garduno
“Training at BodyRoots is so essential to my week, my mental well-being, and my physical identity. Without it and, MOST importantly, without JO, life just isn’t as good.
JO is such an encouraging presence in my life; her unfailing smile and energy help to sustain me between workouts and I know that even if I’ve had a terrible day, I’ll leave her studio feeling invigorated and refreshed.
A week without JO and BodyRoots is like a week without the sun!”
— Kendra Harpster
“Within the first 4 months of working with JOana, I regained 1" in height that I had lost from poor posture, ever weakening core, and living in the suburbs! And, within 8 months of working out at BodyRoots, I dropped an entire suit size and lost 3" around my upper waist, which was huge for me. (I had originally started seeing JOana so that I could wear my Thom Browne trousers without having a muffin top.)
All this sounds great, and it is, but JOana has done something much greater for me: she’s changed how I view fitness and it’s impact on my mental health. I have an incredibly stress filled job. And
...since I started seeing JOana a few hours a week, I'm better able to deal with all the “noise.” The time I spend with her has become a highlight of my day.
Within 5 or 10 minutes of walking through the BodyRoots door, I’m not thinking about who didn’t pay their bill or which case is upside down; instead, I'm following JO’s cues, thinking about my mechanics, and noticing my progression from one week to the next. When I leave, I’m calmer, more relaxed and happier, which makes everyone who works for me a hell of a lot happier too! I simply can't imagine doing what I do without JO’s help.”
— Chad Bogar