Yoga Retreat

For the first time ever, I recently went on a weekend yoga retreat. A retreat specific to yoga is one where you experience, rather than sit and listen to others talk as you absorb their information. A yoga retreat allows you to explore new insights into your own well-being.

For me, the retreat was an incredibly healing journey that I sorely needed after almost 3 years of a very stressful life. The retreat was at Chinsegut, an historic property in the hills (yes, hills!) of central Florida. To go on retreat means being away from the day to day of our lives. It also means that when we return from retreat, the things we leave behind are still there upon our return. Yet because a retreat like this involves self-exploration, once we jump back into the world of reality, we do it with the new tools that we were given. Reality is always hard, but I am much stronger from the experiences of that weekend to deal with the day-to-day. Here are a few things that I learned and perhaps will resonate with you.

It Doesn't Matter

"It doesn't matter." This quote from one of the teachers continues to stick with me. This means, that unless it is life and death, just try to let it all go. The "it" in this case, is the stresses of daily life. For me, specifically, it is my attempt to control my daily life. I now find that if I take a deep breath and say to myself "it doesn't matter," I remain more peaceful, more calm.

I did acupuncture for the first time, attended a crystal sound bath, did some very creative social activities and, of course, did yoga asana classes. The social component of the retreat with 12 others was a big part of making this an even deeper experience.

I continue to absorb it all and hope to share more with you in the coming weeks. I highly recommend for you to explore your own high quality yoga retreat. If you are unable to go somewhere on a retreat, you can make your own mini-retreat by carving out a set time of maybe 30 minutes to an hour during your week.

A Mini-Retreat

Find a quiet room, then set the scene. Lower the lighting. Maybe you have a Himalayan salt lamp that you can use for your lighting. Maybe have available something new of which you wanted to deepen your understanding. Something peaceful and calming. Hard copy is best since you want don't want to read on your devices. The light from a device can make us more excitable and less relaxed.

Put on music that you know eases your mind. Liquid Mind Radio is always a good place to start. Or maybe find a YouTube video of a sound bath. Perhaps, use an essential oil such as lavender to bring peace and calm to the environment that surrounds you. Using a non-aromatic oil such as 100% pure coconut or jojoba, do a self massage by massaging the oils using circular motions on the joints (ankles, knees, wrists, elbows and hips) or anywhere that it feels good.

Sit on a pillow, bolster, or meditation cushion or lie down on your mat in savasana. And just breathe. Notice the breath for about 5 minutes or more. Then when you feel ready take a deep inhalation and slower exhalation. Stay here for as long as you need to. When thoughts cross your mind, allow them to float past you on a cloud. You may then want to do some yoga stretches and continue to notice what is going on inside of you body, mind and soul. Eventually come back to a comfortable seated position before opening your eyes to let the world back in.

I cannot let this opportunity go by without a plug for Yoga Nidra. Yoga Nidra is like a mini-retreat because it helps you to go deep within and retreat from all that surrounds you. Coincidentally (not really, haha), I am offering a Yoga Nidra class tonight that focuses on Gratitude. If you are interested, register here.

Thanksgiving

Here in the U.S., the Thanksgiving holiday is this week. Thursday, November 24 to be exact. Thanksgiving is a time to gt together with family and friends and provides the opportunity to find gratitude for each other. For more on gratitude, I refer you to my previous blogs from Thanksgiving 2021 and August 22, 2022 where I describe the concept of gratitude, in depth .

Gratitude can be defined as the feeling of joy that comes from appreciation. Deep appreciation for others can produce lasting happiness.

Have a wonderful, joyous and gratitude-filled holiday.

Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.—Eckhart Tolle

References & Further Readings

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Gratitude. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved November 20, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gratitude

Tummee.com Gratitude

https://yogashanti.com/focus/nov-11-gratitute-thanksgiving-yoga-padma-borrego/#.Y3pEJy-B3fI

Art of Living facility 8 yoga poses that kindle gratitude on thanksgiving/