This past January, fitness guru and Trip Tribe Ambassador Desiree Nathanson led a group on her fitness-fueled Paddleboard and Yoga Retreat to the sun-drenched beaches of Jamaica.
When they returned, her guests said this about the retreat…
“Desiree certainly made this trip for us. She is not only a very skilled instructor but is also accommodating of various skill levels and makes classes fun and functional.”
“My favorite part were the fitness sessions with Desiree. She did a great job and I highly recommend her for future trips.
I’m ready to go again with Desiree… I came back refreshed and enthused. I might have been the oldest by far, but I had as much or more fun than anyone!
Good news for her guests: Desiree is in the process of planning her next retreat with Trip Tribe.
We spoke with this All Star Ambassador to get her insight on what made her retreat a success and we got some great tips from the expert on how to make yours an unforgettable experience.
Trip Tribe: How long have you been teaching yoga/fitness?
Desiree Nathanson: 5 years
What were the main reasons why you wanted to lead a retreat?
The first retreat I did for fun, but my main reason for going into the second one is that it seems to serve as a gateway to a healthier lifestyle for people. Most of the attendees on my first trip ended up adopting several healthy habits after our long weekend together.
What piece of advice would you offer to someone organizing a retreat for the first time?
Market, market, market! I thought I was being very vocal about my retreat, but when I started posting pics while on my retreat, I got many comments about how people wish they would have known about it. Post on social media in the morning, afternoon, and night. Different people are on social media at different times and you want to make sure everyone has a chance of seeing your posts. (This is also the most important thing that I learned.)
How did you get the word out about your retreat?
Social media (facebook, twitter, instagram); postcards at my studio and announcements in my classes
Which marketing tactic seemed to work the best?
Facebook
Who were the participants of your trip?
Regular students
What is your current favorite yoga pose/exercise?
My favorite yoga pose is pincha mayurasana (check it out!) and for fitness, my current favorite are burpees
What is your current must have piece of yoga/fitness equipment or apparel?
Foam roller for recovery!
Any additional advice?
Be flexible. You never know if you will have to make a last minute location change with one of your scheduled classes so just go with the flow 🙂 Always have a backup plan!
Desiree Nathanson is the Official Fitness Trainer of the Atlanta Hawks Cheerleaders & a former Hawks dancer who performed at the 2002 NBA All Star game & Celebrity All Star Game – Fitness Expert, CNN Fitness & Nutrition contributor, dietetic technician, athlete, model, dancer and instructor, nutrition coach, and Fitness Universe Competition. Visit her website.
Originally published April 2015