MacArthur Historical Hotel, Sonoma, CA

with Lani Muelrath, Head T-Tapp Trainer

Scroll down for a retreat report; attendee comments are in "wine" italics; more photos in the gallery that follows!

 MMM Highlight: Wine Tasting at Arrowood Vineyards

Wine Country; what better place for a T-Tapp Retreat?

I knew it was fortuitous for the weekend when, upon rounding the curve in the road heading toward Sonoma vineyards and points north on my way to the retreat, from the green rolling hills flecked with golden California poppies, a golden eagle swept down and perched atop an oak gnarled darkly against the sky.

A late dinner in the library as we gather for our welcome meeting

The fog from San Francisco Bay was banked as backdrop on the far side of the hills to the west, bringing a slight evening chill that made the crackling fire at our welcome meeting in the library later that evening all the cozier.

What an absolutely fabulous weekend......you sure know how to show a girl a great time! Even though almost all of my muscles ache, I feel awesome. The workouts were great, and the location was superb. It was wonderful meeting new people and spending time with old friends. I'm looking forward to next year!! ~Andrea~

An eclectic and energetic group arrived in Sonoma for the 2nd Annual Muscles Mud and Merlot T-Tapp Retreat. Six states were represented, as well as a wide rangeof ages AND levels of experience with T-Tapp. We evenhad a mother-daughter team. And it turned out theSally and Nancy Beth knew each other through family contacts from many years ago, neither knowing aboutthe other as a T-Tapper until arrival at this event!

Cyndi and Sly

Well, this was by far the funnest and most enjoyable T-Tapp event so far. Thanks for putting together a wonderful event and bringing that something special to your workouts. I believe I am officially "back on track"... Sly had a fab time--You can actually see stomach muscle and for that he sends thanks. Location was great, and the people were awesome. We got wonderful service at the Spa and Hotel and will probably go again next year. Thanks again. ~Cyndi~

Pre-workout antics...while waiting for everyone to arrive!

MacArthur Place in Sonoma celebrates a ranch theme due to its status as a historical location of the old MacArthur family ranch. This meant saddles and other ranch artifacts scattered in the lobby outside the restaurant (named, appropriately, “Saddles”), models and paintings of farm animals everywhere. This included the gaggle of life size, toy geese that served as mascot for our workouts (we put them on KLT patrol in our workout studio, the “Rodeo Room”.

The sculptures at MacArthur Place were absolutely outstanding. Everywhere you turned - sculpture, beautiful flowers... I even saw a humming bird checking out the wisteria during our Sunday morning workout! If we have an award for MAT (Most Amusing Tapper)it definitely must go to Sally. She really kept us (and Laura!) on our toes. ~Kirsten~

To back up, the MacArthur library was the location for our welcome meeting; retreat goers arrived to find wine uncorked and chilling in buckets next to the crackling fire. We nestled into the couches, greeting new friends AND old, catching up and looking ahead to the 3 days before us.  The library was also our meeting spot for launching outings and always a favorite gathering place for casual conversation; wine and cheese daily at 5, where the hotel always featured a selection from local wineries and Sonoma cheeses; selecting a DVD from the collection; playing chess; follow-up on seminar - you name it!

Wow! What an awesome retreat that was! After the first workout I was thinking to myself 'remember, you chose to come here!' I was so exhausted and then we stacked on 4 more workouts after that over 3 days. It was truly amazing. Amazing that 1) I'm still standing, 2) that I  made it all the way through and 3) that I feel great! (aside from being tired!). I HIGHLY encourage EVERYONE to try and get to these retreats & clinics. They are truly worth every penny. I've only been doing T-Tapp since March 8th, so I was very blessed to get into a retreat so soon. I was able to get help on the moves I had problems with, and I learned to like so of those moves I hated before. Thanks to everyone for their encouragement and support. I wish everyone lived closer! ~Tracey~

The itinerary for the retreat was purposely planned with lots of "down time" to give maximum opportunity for trips to town for shopping, walking or food at one of several yummy eateries (Sonoma square was
just a few blocks away), additional spa treatments, lounging in the library or gardens, napping, or additional sessions to meet individual needs. This allowed for recovery between the 5 workout sessions that took place over the course of the weekend.

I loved the location and the treatments were wonderful. Nothing like getting worked over after working out.~Diana~

Workouts were a mix of T-Tapp Total Workout with special focus sessions: “Cores for Apples and Pears”, and “Better Backyards”. With all the extra focus on cores and torsos, everyone in attendance who measured recorded a loss (up to 2”!) in the midsection; even more impressive was watching bodies change before my eyes with flattening bellies, lifted posture, accompanied with the relaxed demeanor that only comes when you couple hard workouts with spa treatments and loads of laughter.

I'm not a tapp and tell kind of girl so I'll just let you know that I lost 7 1/2 inches after the first 4 workouts...tasted some nice wines...and made some new friends (and remade some friends from loooong ago- Hi Laura and Sally!). I will definitely be going back next year.~nb~

EFT Session in the Library

Several special features found their way to our agenda. In addition to the seminar on How to Become Naturally Thin, we also enjoyed Susan Scheskie’s presentations on EFT:

Susan Scheskie

Susan is a certified clinical hypnotherapist, a certified nutrition counselor, whole foods/therapeutic chef, has a Masters of Social Work degree and B.A. in psychology, and is a T-Tapper! Everyone enjoyed her presentation and found it to be very informative and enlightening. Susan also lead a “Guided Beach Walk” relaxation session at the close of one of our workouts. Those who have been to any of my events know that I close many a session with guided relaxation, so this was especially fun for me as I was able to be on the receiving end of this fabulous way to deeply relax.

Sly and I had a wonderful time and I was surprised that he enjoyed himself as much as he did--it's usually me that gets the most pleasure out of pushing myself physically where exercise is concerned. Still, for cramming 5 workouts into 3 days, it's the most fun I've had yet! Sly really enjoyed meeting everyone and was  pleasantly surprised to see others from the last clinic is San Francisco. A big thank you...for yet  ANOTHER fun and motivating workout. Sly was extremely pleased at the pull in on the abs and waistline area. (He's convinced there's a sixpack somewhere in there!) Have been hard at work this morning concentrating on the driving exercises you gave us to do for homework, and by the next clinic I should look like Scarlet O'Hara. ~Cyndi~

Another highlight of the weekend was our Saturday afternoon drive to Arrowood Winery in Glen Ellen (home of Jack London!). Alis Arrowood is a T-Tapper (once again, we seem to have connections in excellent places!) at this Robert Mondavi affiliate; Nancy had tables, wines, and a guided tour all ready for our group when we arrived, just a 25 minute drive north of Sonoma. The wines were delicious, the ambiance spectacular, the hostess gracious (especially in the face of our wild group - you know how T-Tappers can get!) and most everyone left clutching a prized purchase from the Arrowood cellars. Thanks Arrowood, we’ll be back!

I must say that I've already told 3 people about T-Tapp at work today. I'm going to be a walking infomercial! I noticed today that I feel several inches taller. I feel very regal! hah! Anyway, several people have told me I'm glowing and how great I look. I was also told how great of shape I must be in to complete a wknd like that! I don't think I've been told that before. Anyway, I can't speak highly enough about this wknd or T-Tapp, it's given me a reason to keep on going.~Tracey~

Many more moments captured in memory: Saturday night dinner at The General’s Daughter where the restaurant needed to open a whole upstairs room for our group (when the concierge at MacArthur called to make the reservation on our behalf, she said in response to a question from the restaurant regarding facilities: “Can THESE people climb STAIRS!”); Sedona mud wraps and peppermint foot reflexology; chocolate and spa specialties on our pillows each night; endless supply of water bottles from the hotel...see why we’re ready to go back?

Basically, MacArthur Place & Muscles, Mud & Merlot in general constituted the most fabulous weekend I probably have ever had. Oh, the smell of wisteria wafting through our workout room. I'll be living the memory of this past weekend forever! All my thanks... for putting efforts into finding a wonderful location, as well as providing the most excellent workouts I've experienced thus far with T-Tapp. I can't believe how much smaller my stomach is! ~Andrea~

I’ll let more pictures say the rest.

Cheers!
Lani

A lunchtime favorite: roasted veggie sandwiches and salads at the Boulangerie on the town square in Sonoma

Alas, Arrowood!

Such were our rooms at MacArthur...

The Syrah is breathing, the Chardonnay chilling as we arrive...dare they break into the Malbac for us? (and they did - thanks Nancy!)