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Spring Greetings from Asturias.
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Dear Friends, here’s a favorite haiku from Basho: An old silent pond …
A frog jumps into the pond,
splash!
Silence again. The frog’s leap reminds me of this season—quiet, then suddenly alive. It’s also a beautiful metaphor for inner transformation: the bold moment we decide to leap toward something new, even if we don’t know what comes next.
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My Jump Across the PondWe just celebrated our 7th anniversary of moving to Spain! Each April, we mark the occasion by exploring a new part of the country and taking time to reflect on the journey—what brought us here, and all that has unfolded since. This year, we traveled to Bilbao in the Basque region, home of the incredible Guggenheim Museum. It’s a vibrant, multicultural city with a creative edge that reminds me of living in New York in the '80s.
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Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
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My strong intuition to take the leap to Spain arose after the first yoga retreat I taught in Asturias. I felt pulled by something unknown - a life-affirming instinct I’ve always trusted. Looking back, I’m deeply grateful for listening to that unseen force that guided me. Like any leap into the unknown, this journey has been full of unexpected challenges, blessings, and magical moments. Here are just a few milestones from my years in Asturias: First and formost , a relearning of the concept of patience over and over again, which is not my strong point Learning Spanish—an absolute must for integrating into a new culture, and it’s a humbling ongoing process Teaching yoga classes in Spanish, including a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, and creating a growing a yoga community Scouring the entire northern coastline for five years in search of a beautiful and affordable place to call home Finding the spot to build —in the very area I’d been walking every day along the coast! (see photo below) Navigating the land purchase, choosing an architect and builder, securing a mortgage, and jumping through bureaucratic hoops to complete the project. Learning a whole set of concepts and building terms I didn’t know in English Getting to know my spirited neighbours — many of whom now attend my home studio classes—and integrating into life in the pueblo, including taking Latin American dance classes in the villiage Starting the ongoing landscaping and gardening projects . It took awhile to get my gardening chops back, but now I find myself blissfully immersed in it for hours at a time. I love that my students here are bringing cuttings from their own gardens. I miss my yogi helpers in the Goshen garden - you know who you are :-)
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A wee birdie told me.I always knew I’d stumble upon my new home on one of my hikes—and that’s exactly how it happened. The scouring for five years was a good excuse to see the whole Northern coast. One little sign on our daily walk around the peninsula caught my eye, and the rest is history. |
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The new raised bed veggie garden.I used the “lasagna method”: a rocky drainage bottom, 12" of straw (see bale to the left and cow manure in the foreground), cardboard, one-year-old cow manure (from a local farm where we get our eggs), and rich topsoil mixed with peat moss. Things are already sprouting like crazy! |
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Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation & Walking Retreatin Northern Italy with Eileen MuirSeptember 8th-14th, 2025If you feel the urge to deepen your practice, strengthen your body or simply discover a quieter way of being—consider joining me this September in Northern Italy. In a world that feels increasingly loud and unpredictable, this retreat offers space to reconnect with your breath, your body, and your inner stillness. We’ll move, breathe, reflect, and walk in nature—supported by daily yoga, pranayama, meditation, nourishing food, and the gentle beauty of the Italian countryside. Let this be your splash—a bold, life-affirming pause that carries you back to yourself. . For more information, click the button below.
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For this year’s retreat, I found a serene centre in Northern Italy with a fully equipped Iyengar studio, comfortable accommodations, nourishing meals, and a beautiful natural setting—all while keeping the retreat accessible and affordable. Join me for an energizing and peaceful journey through yoga, pranayama, meditation, and hikes 30 minutes from lake region of Northern Italy. This retreat is designed for Iyengar Level II and up, but all students are welcome. I’ll work with you individually, helping you modify postures to suit your needs, so you can fully benefit from your practice—no matter your experience or ability. My intention is that you leave feeling stronger, more flexible, open-hearted, and deeply rejuvenated. ❤️ Eileen
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New Yummy Recipe for You.
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My New Coffee Substitute: “Dirty Chai, Mud Water Style”I love coffee, but it’s never quite agreed with my metabolism. When I drink it, I don’t sleep. Over the holidays, my son Shane sent me a batch of MudWtr—a coffee alternative made with cacao, spices, tea, and powdered mushrooms. Since it’s not sold in Spain, I decided to create my own version. Here’s the recipe: Ingredients (all in powder form): Black tea (optional) Ginger (less than the other spices) Cardamom Nutmeg Cloves Cacao Turmeric Sea salt Black pepper (small amount) Cayenne (optional, small amount) Mushroom blend (optional – cordyceps, reishi, chaga, lion’s mane, shiitake, maitake)
Instructions:
Combine 2–3 teaspoons of each ingredient (except ginger, black pepper, and cayenne—use these more sparingly). This will give you a tea tin-sized batch. Store in an airtight container. To prepare a cup: Add 1 tsp of the spice blend to a cup Mix with honey to taste and a little hot water Blend with an immersion blender until smooth Froth your milk (plant-based or dairy). My fave is hazelnut Pour the frothed milk over the spice blend
Enjoy!
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Calendula - My Latest Herbal Delight
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Freshly Picked Calendula FlowersCalendula blooms year-round here in Asturias, and I’ve added some of the local wild varieties to my garden. Here are just a few of their their medicinal properties: anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant. I now harvest them as a salad garnish and dry the petals for tea. |
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Un grand abrazo y mucho amor, como siempre, ❤️ Eileen
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