Marley Thorpe ( @Woman_of_the_Wild_ ) is a free-spirited, earth roaming goddess who is currently travelling the world sharing her talent and love of expressive movement. A Sri Lankan bound yogi who lives and breathes the ultimate island life. We talk with Marley about her lifestyle, her dreams and aspirations and she tells us about the journey she has been on, we discover how yoga and movement has guided her to magical moments and has inspired her to help others become more in touch with true selves.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you call home?
I’m Marley, 27 years young and I'm in love with all things bright, colorful and wild. I am a yoga teacher, free mover, truth seeker and spirit warrior.
I grew up in a small beach town on the East Coast of Australia, Hastings Point. It has a special place in my heart and will always be the place I call home. Currently, I am living 6 months of the year in Sri Lanka and I'm always open to new destinations with sun, surf and yoga.
How did you end up living in Sri Lanka?
I was travelling through India for 6 months and then completed my 500hr yoga teacher training in Goa. I knew I wanted to visit Sri Lanka on my way home and thought it would be a fun and good opportunity to teach yoga while I was there.
I found a job when I arrived and originally, I planned on going home straight after that month. On my first day in Sri Lanka I fell in love with the country, I fell in love with the people, the surfing and the lifestyle. I knew I wanted to stay and live there.
Job opportunities were flowing my way and it was a sign that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Two and a half years later I am still living half of the year there, enjoying the sun and surf.
It is my second home. My island home.
Tell us about your yoga journey?
I used to be a professional dancer, I started dancing when I was 4 years old and have been in love with dance and movement ever since. My career in professional dance was challenging and I had to face many physical, mental and emotional struggles. I began losing myself to the pressure of the industry, so I decided to take some time off to heal. This is when I found yoga... or yoga found me.
I made the choice to dedicate an entire year to self-love and focus on my practice. For me yoga is not just a physical practice, it's a mindset. It's a practice of healing and devotion and it's a way of living. I now share my love for yoga from a deep place of knowing that it can heal from the inside out.
Yoga truly helped me heal, it is such a powerful practice that can change your life if you allow it to.
What inspired you to start Woman of the Wild Retreats?
I have a deep yearning to inspire people, I want to share the love and passion I have for movement and expression with others. I want women to experience how powerful it is to be connected to their bodies, I aim to create a sacred space for women to express their truest selves without judgement or shame.
The Woman of the Wild Retreats are full of self love and magical moments.
What is your day-to-day life in Sri Lanka?
Wake up at first light and go for a sunrise surf. Then I eat an amazing healthy buffet breakfast at Talalla Retreat (my workplace and Sri Lankan home). During the day I teach 2 or 3 yoga classes and after that I relax by taking a walk on the beach at sunset or surfing again. Another delicious buffet for dinner and off to bed early to recharge for the next day.
What is your 3-favorite thing about Sri Lanka?
The palm trees and fireflies, and the local people. The lifestyle there is really a dream come true.
What does a day at your retreat look like?
We start the morning with chanting, meditation and pranayama, then we move into a vinyasa yoga practice. Journaling and self reflection time before indulging in a tasty breakfast.
Mid morning is either some type of movement workshop or an excursion to explore some of the beautiful places Sri Lanka has to offer. Then we take lunch.
In the afternoon there is some free time to relax or have a massage before we move into our afternoon activities which vary each day but could be any one of these; surfing, hula hooping, fire dancing, sound healing, ecstatic dance and cocoa ceremony or yin yoga. Finishing the day with a light healthy dinner.
What is on the horizon for Woman of the Wild?
Exciting new locations – India, Costa Rica and Mexico
What keeps you inspired?
The ocean, it has always been my place to go to when I need cleansing or healing. It reminds me to stay strong but fluid, to be humble and let go of the need to control. The ocean is my healer and my teacher.
What is your daily practice?
Some form of movement weather it's yoga, surfing, dancing or walking barefoot on the earth. Then 15 or 20 minutes of seated meditation.
What inspiring words do you live by?
“There is always beauty if you know where to look”
