Last weekend, I co-hosted a yoga retreat with my dear friend Kerstin at Tamerlaine Animal Sanctuary. Our intention was to create a healing space where compassion could be felt on every level — nourished by a Traditional Chinese Medicine–inspired menu, and strengthened through connection with nature, rescued animals, and one another.

With the gifts of our talented friends Wanli and Minty, the journey expanded even further: through art therapy that invited us inward, and ecstatic dance that reminded us to celebrate the joy of being alive and interconnected.

This retreat reminded me of something simple yet profound: being vegan is not a solitary path — it’s a communal one.

At Tamerlaine Animal Sanctuary, surrounded by rescued animals and the beautiful green mountain, our group of yogis shared more than just yoga and meditation. We shared meals, laughter, silence, and stories — proof that compassion becomes stronger when practiced together.

The food was a highlight, of course: nourishing vegan meals infused with Traditional Chinese Medicine, each dish a reminder that plants can bring both comfort and abundance. Around the table, no one had to explain their choices or feel set apart. Instead, we shared different approaches to the vegan lifestyle.

Between yoga, art therapy, and time with the animals, we discovered the joy of living gently and collectively. Whether hiking together, sharing art therapy sessions, or singing and dancing, the weekend reminded us that vegan living doesn’t mean isolation. It means joining a community that celebrates empathy — for ourselves, for each other, and for all beings.

Leaving the retreat, I carried this truth home: when we live with compassion, we never walk alone.

And to my dear husband Liam — thank you for your love, support, and inspiration. This journey would not feel whole without you.

photo credit: David Wallach