Goop Summit 2019

This year I had the opportunity to attend the New York Goop Health Summit.  I did not have an idea of the impact that this experience will have during this year and how it woke me up.  It reminds me of who I really am and what I enjoy. What I want to have in my life and what I just need to release.

I described to several people how much I loved the Summit.  I did not have an idea what it really was.  I was hoping would have been able to describe their experience.  With this blog, I am hoping someone should benefit and know in advance the pros and cons.

I am already planning my trip next year as a Christmas present. Unless the ticket price is prohibited, I plan to go.  The benefit I receive and the awakening to my soul surpassed the cost during this year.

I learned of the summit from a friend.  Lou asked if I was going to the summit. Like I knew what she was talking about!  (I think that she thought that I was cooler than I what am) and then, after several emails and text plus Google search,  in less than half an hour we decided to go.  I was traveling from Texas and she was coming from Puerto Rico.

Arriving in New York was liberating. Somehow it was good for my body to be away from home.    It has been a while since I travel alone. Meeting my friend and my Goddaughter was a bonus that brought happiness and a familiar sense to what I was doing.  We stayed in the Fashion District because we wanted to see that part of New York City and from my part to visit several stores I don’t find in Texas.

We arrived punctually the next day, taking a Lift since the rides to and out of the summit were complimentary.

The organization and willingness to help from the GOOP staff was great.  There was a little bit of miscommunication when we arrived about if we were allowed to take the stairs (if we are ok to take the stairs) or not.

The venue was Pier 17.  It was a loft type of place beautifully decorated with something that reminds me of Cherry Blossoms with views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.  The “check-in” process was smooth and quick with sweet voices and smiles (bear in mind, we arrived early and there were not many people). You will receive your bracelet by “Your Intention” with the word that you previously choose online.  I chose “Charm”.  Not because it was a charm in the bracelet but because I think that everything has its charm somehow.  I was able to take a minute to fully observe the ambiance, feel the scents and breath something that reminds me of an unknown happy place. To the right was the Chat Room where the opening and closing ceremony was going to take place and where the chat sessions were going to happen.  To the right was the Keds Show Swap station.  Upon arrival, you receive a pair of cute Keds Sneakers to use during and after the event. Socks are also included.  By 9.00 am you are able to pick your own size pair of Lululemon leggings.  (The retail price is around $110.00).

Every personal schedule is chosen prior to the event based on available space for each group class. I was very interested in the Intuitive and Energy sessions but I was not that quick or lucky to get into any intuitive. At 5.00 pm was the end or “evening” Fireside followed by cocktails.

 

A little bit further from the Keds Swap Station is the Coat Check.  And later on, this is the place where you receive your gift bag when checking out.  I thought that a gift bag was something like a paper bag full of promotions like other experiences I had but this was something else!

A couple of steps further and to the right, there was a line of young fit guys offering the Goop Glow Beverage. It has some sort of orange flavor but, it was not my cup of tea.

There was plenty of security, which gave me the impression that I was in some kind of important event or a risky environment.

Further and behind the line of young men,  I found a series of stations that I was not sure if I can use them or not.  It turned out, I can.  B12 Shots, Ear Piercing, the Ear Seeds (one of my favorites), “No-MakeUp” make up by Beauty Counter. The Infrared Sauna by Sunlighten, The Sleep Sanctuary by Buffy. Straight at the back was the Shop with books from all the authors who were going to be part of the chats plus other books.  To the left and right of the big loft style room were different sections: Food Studio, Body Studio, Energy Studio (my favorite), Spirit Studio (meh) Beauty Studio (yay).

The Opening Ceremony began with a Kundalini Meditation session by Gabrielle Bernstein who wrote: “The Universe has your back” a New York Times Best Seller.  Kundalini is not a well-understood Yoga practice but, I was grateful to be introduced to the event with something that I was familiar with. After we had Gwinett Paltrow arriving with a Louise Vuitton white boots, baby pink cargo skirt and black blouse from their line G Label, she presented and interviewed Caroline Myss author Anatomy of the Spirit more than a decade ago.  I loved this part because I thought she has a lot to do say and want to say more.  I bought her book.

After this session that finished after 9.40 am, it was the opportunity to meet the authors and ask them to sign your books or run to your next session. I hurried to take a sit to my next session in the beautiful Spirit Studio with Kim Russo (who also had a book for sale).  In this group reading, psychic medium and intuitive counselor Kim Russo attempted to receive the energy of deceased loved ones.  I understood that we were going to some sort of workshop to learn how to receive the energy of deceased loved ones allowing us to receive answers and give us spiritual tools for a more peaceful, successful, and balanced life.  I thought it was a teaching experience for all of us but it turned out to be a session to the “ones” she felt their energy called her. I expected for tools and not some sort of psychic reading. It felt short.

Sessions lasted forty minutes therefore, there are twenty minutes to regroup with friends, have a bite or go early to your next session. I met with my Goddaughter and we both went to the Food Studio to the Food and Mood Class with Uma Naidoo at 11.00 am.  We arrived early and were curious about the spices located in front of us.  It was an interesting discussion about the effects of certain species not only for our body but our mind and mood.   I was happy to find out that Ginger is good for anxiety and that Turmeric is a good anti-inflammatory.   I love Ginger Shots in the mornings. We were able to smell the spices in front of us, touch them and later on prepare our own tea combination.  We receive a teacup or tumbler by Porter and Naidoo recipe for Golden Milk.

After this session, I have two hours of free time that I used to try some of the health-conscious food and get a B12 Shot and try the ear seeds by the Yinova Center.  It was the first time I got the shoot.   I am always skeptical about the new diet and health trends.  I love the increased energy level the following day!  My level of energy was all high!  I felt like this for several weeks but, it may be the whole Summit experience.  I am planning to get another shot this week.

My friend and Goddaughter went for their piercing by Simon G.  I avoided it because I am not a fan of needles and one pinch was enough for me.

I also went to The Shop, bought a couple of books and met April Gargioulo, founder of Vintner’s Daughter, the active botanical serum that I love.  My friend bought the serum.  I also bought the travel size of the Instant Facial by Goop.

At 1.00 pm, I went to the Chat panel with Sally Kohn about Conflict and Connection.  I went to the right chat.  I loved.  She is witty and funny making references to the “B12 in the Bum” and our impact in the current divisive environment in America.   Right beside me was Will Cole who was part of the panel in the Integrate Healing session.  I found him dangerously handsome.   This is my definition of someone who looks smart and handsome without trying, maybe because of spiritual growth. I don’t know the guy.  I just kept looking at him after we began laughing about the same remarks by Sally Kohn.  After this session, I follow her on IG.

My next session was one of my favorites at 2.00PM:  The Beauty Studio: The Goop Skin-Care Master Class by Anastasia Achilleos.  My Goddaughter did this earlier.  I loved it.  I learned this facial massage technique for the face that helps with lymphatic drainage. She has this beautiful dress and she seemed very personable and passionate about what she does.  I would have loved to meet her but, I do not like to overwhelm people. The reality is that many people want to meet them there but not many want to really meet them later on.  I hope I can meet her when I go to London again but in the meantime, I follow her on Instagram.

I left this Master Class with a red, very red face but I found out it to be beneficial in the long run. I have incorporated these massages in my skincare routine application.  I headed to the Energy Studio to the Reiki Energy-Healing Session by Caitlin Marino at 3.00pm.  I was very excited to share this session with my friend Lou.  It was a guided meditation energy session that was good to me.

Right after my last session, I learned that I may go to another session with open seats because sometimes people do not show up.  I was first in line for the Aura Session with Deganit Nuur.  This one was the best end to my workshops.  We learned about seeing and feeling the colors of the different aura through a guided meditation and then partnering with someone to feel their energy and their color.  I will never forget my partner Nathan.  He had such a strong energy that physically moved me during our practice.  I hope to hear from his experience too.

After my last session, we headed to the ‘Evening Fireside.   This session was by far fuller than the morning session.  I was more interested in the people/authors in the morning than at this session.  Among all the people in this panel, I was interested in listening to Ms. Huffington, author and founder of the Huffington Post and Gucci Westman, makeup artist and founder of the recently launched clean cosmetic line, Westman Atelier.

The bar session was ready early on but, they did not serve any cocktails but after the fireside.  We hear a little bit of the “fireside” but we decided to pick up one of my biggest surprises, make reservations for Victor’s, take a lift to go to our hotel.

The Gift Bag was amazing! A Lululemon gym bag with books and retail and travel sizes of many clean lines plus a couple of naughty items.  Next time, I will not travel carry on.

There is criticism about what GOOP as a business is and the affordability not only of their products but of these retreats versus what a retreat really is.  Organizing this type of event requires the use of lots of resources and costs. It opened my eyes to other areas of the mindful movement that I think it always existed but was not talked about.  It also reunites a group of people who are part of this movement and willing to share their knowledge and experiences in a personable manner. Although skeptical at first, I find the event to be positive, life-changing for some and eye-opening to others. I loved the Summit and I hope that the next one is as good as this one.

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