Negril, Jamaica: Number 1 Yoga Retreat Jackie's On The Reef

Negril, Jamaica

Photography by Lucas Stoffel can be licensed on Shutterstock and Getty Images

Photography by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

Jackie's On The Reef

Beautiful trip at Jackie's On The Reef in Negril, Jamaica. Really wonderful lovely time with Lix Wexler Yoga. Here are some beautiful photos we took of Liz and the crew on the retreat.

Jackie’s on the Reef was created as a small temple of no particular faith. We are an eco-friendly, locavore environment amidst organic gardens and overlooking 180 degrees of the majestic Caribbean Sea and Mother Earth. Our serene, supportive, and loving environment was designed to allow your temple to reconnect to your special purpose. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey of life, ” We Say Welcome...

Jamaican Yoga by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

A number of spa treatments are available. We recently added two new treatments – one is the Ion Cleanse that detoxifies the body, and the other is a Reflexology Massage on feet, hands and head while soaking your feet in our mineral bath. All treatments are provided in a cabana on the Caribbean Sea while listening to the crashing of the waves and the chirping of birds.

Jamaican Yoga by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

In addition to five spacious guestrooms, our facility features an open veranda facing the Caribbean Sea. On the veranda, we provide morning yoga and meditation classes, as well as serve evening dinner. When not practicing or eating, you can laze around on a bamboo bed like a lazy lizard or lie in a colorful hammock.

Jamaican Yoga by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

#Yoga #Jamaica

Telegraph Herald: This Light Shines Funded on Indiegogo

Originally posted on Jan 4, 2014 in the Telegraph Herald.

By Sandye Voight TH Staff Writer

This Light Shines on Indiegogo

A former Dubuquer who works as a freelance artist in New York City is organizing an online sale of real and digital candles to honor loved ones who died.

"This Light Shines" is an interactive digital art exhibition, thislightshines.com, organized by Luke Stoffel, a graduate of Hempstead High School. He was in Dubuque recently, visiting family members during the holidays.

Stoffel, who has a degree in graphic design from Iowa State University, has had several gallery shows in New York and also had several pieces in a Dubuque Voices from the Warehouse exhibition a few years ago.

The project is in honor of a friend who died a year and a half ago after contracting pneumonia. Ethan Adi Guidjaja, had been making candles to sell on etsy.com. Because he didn't have health insurance, he waited too long to get medical attention.

"I thought, 'I'm not the only person who suffers loss,'" Stoffel said. "The idea is to remember the person who passed on."

Stoffel obtained Guidjaja's candle-making supplies and decided to make commemorative candles in his studio.

His friend was a Buddhist; the project is inspired by the Buddhist belief in rebirth and reincarnation, symbolized by candle flames.

"To honor those we've loved and lost, we light candles at churches, on lakes and some send lanterns into the heavens," Stoffel wrote on the project's website."

The deadline for donating is Friday, Jan. 17. Candles will be mailed out in March. Each candle will come with a number. The purchaser can register the candle online on a map of the world and dedicate it to a loved one.

"The goal is 1,500 candles to light up the world," Stoffel said.

The project is being funded on Indiegogo: igg.me/at/thislightshines.

He is working with a computer technician in New York City to create a Tweet #shines4. The idea is that when you Tweet, a flame will blossom into a lotus flower online. The soy candles will be lotus-scented.

Update:

The project was completed funded in 2014 and candles were distributed to 8 countries. The website is now live at http://www.thislightshines.com

Discovering Washington, D.C. in 5 Stops

Washington DC, United States

Photography by Lucas Stoffel can be licensed on Shutterstock and Getty Images

The US Capitol Building by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

Let me take you on a virtual journey through the heart of the United States, Washington, D.C. It's not just a political powerhouse; this city is brimming with stories, monumental landmarks, and whispers of the past. If you've got a day or two, or maybe even just a few hours, here are five stops you must make.

1. Discover Washington by Strolling Through The National Mall:

Imagine walking on a vast stretch with iconic structures beckoning you from every corner. The National Mall is that place. On your left, the towering Washington Monument pierces the sky, while further ahead, the stoic statue of Abraham Lincoln seems to nod in silent greeting. As you walk, the U.S. Capitol looms in the background, standing as an ever-watchful sentinel of democracy. And trust me, when you visit at night, these iconic landmarks take on an ethereal glow that's just magical.

2. Embarking on a Smithsonian Adventure:

Now, think of the Smithsonian Institution as this enormous treasure chest. But instead of gold and jewels, it's packed with knowledge and history. Step into the National Museum of American History and be transported back in time. From the glittering gowns of First Ladies to the tattered Star-Spangled Banner, every artifact has a tale to tell. Fancy a space escapade? The National Air and Space Museum's got you covered. And if you're in the mood for a deep, poignant experience, the National Museum of African American History and Culture awaits.

The National Mall by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

3. Georgetown: A Walk Down Cobbled Lanes:

Sometimes, the soul of a city is hidden in its quieter corners. Georgetown, with its cobbled streets and historic homes, is one such gem. Here, you can relish a cuppa in quaint cafes, browse through boutiques, and if the season's right, witness the Potomac River adorned with cherry blossoms.

4. Delving into Spy Games at the International Spy Museum:

Alright, who hasn't dreamt of being a super-sleuth or an undercover agent? The International Spy Museum is your ticket to the covert world of espionage. Peek into the gadgets, hear tales of legendary spies, and test your spy skills. It's thrilling and oh-so-mysterious!

5. Reflecting at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum:

Discover Washington DC in our last stop is a deeply emotional one. This museum stands as a somber reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust. It's a place of reflection, learning, and understanding. As you navigate the exhibits, it’s a silent pledge that history shouldn’t repeat itself.

There you have it. Washington, D.C., is a tapestry of history, emotions, adventures, and stories. And trust me, once you start exploring, you'll realize that every corner, every street, and every monument has a tale, just waiting to be heard. So, ready for your D.C. adventure?