Who Needs a Retreat?

I have been wanting to do this for a while. Thinking about how I want it to be, where and when I want it to happen. I didn’t rush the process, I allowed the opportunity and answers to unfold when the time is right. And so the day has come to invite you all to a yoga and gong retreat.

It seems like everyone these days is organising some kind of a retreat, from a weekend mini-retreats in the city to longer 2-3 weeks retreat in some remote parts of the world to meet different needs. What I would like to offer you is based on the yogic and ayurvedic knowledge that I understood, assimilated and experienced in over a decade of regular practice. What have I learned? What have I experienced?

We meet in different studios, do various classes, attend events, workshops and these all can inspire us, teach us, help us to restore health and balance our life. But, there is something else that retreats can give us…. the opportunity to focus on our body, our needs, our experience, our entire self only, without any distractions, anything that could occupy our mind. There is just you, your body, your mind and your breath ? All basic needs are met, everything is provided so you can find space for yourself and connect with yourself in a safe environment. It sounds so simple but is so powerful and so needed these days. We’re living in the world full of opportunities, but also the world full of noise and stimulae for the mind and the senses. Sometimes it’s not so easy to stay with healthy rhythm of the day, healthy eating, physical routine, open and positive attitude towards life and future. Sometimes it’s just too much, sometimes we wish we could just run away for a moment, right? A retreat acts as an escape to some degree, so allow yourself to escape.

What we may notice during a retreat, when we’re ‘away from it all’ is that we can go much deeper into our yoga practice, our breathing, we do it regularly every day without any excuses, distractions or uncertainty whether we’ll be able to make it to the class today or we need to stay late at work. For some of us it may be actually a completely new experience to practise every morning and let me assure you… it feels amazing! It will give you a new perspective and maybe deeper personal insight. I can say from my experience, that one of the most profound healing experiences happened to me when I was away from my daily duties, being completely present and free ?

We may also find it very liberating that we actually have time for doing nothing ? Sky gazing for example or going for a walk in the forest instead of doing something considered as more productive. And these simple ways of spending time relaxing, observing, walking, dreaming, singing, dancing or whatever else you feel like doing will begin to influence and heal our mind and body.

Did you know that one of the most significant factor for personal happiness is relationship with other people. They say we could be as wealthy as a king, yet miserable, if we have no friends. Or we could be as poor as dirt, yet happy, because we’re surrounded and supported by friends. This is so true and yet again in our busy lifes we so often forget how vital connection with another human being is. Our retreat will provide an opportunity to meet people who, like us, want to relax, restore, re-balance, maybe let go of something. And I know it can be a little intimidating sometimes especially if we need space for healing or grief but the fact that there are other people around you with similar fears can really serve you. We will be accompanied by like-minded people, potentially making friends that will last longer.

Having all these wonderful sessions daily, delicious healthy meals, lovely people around, being in vibrant healing nature with beautiful views you may decide to go off line for a couple of days. Wi-Fi is limited and rather slow allowing you to stay in touch but rather discouraging you from staying on facebook all day and check news every five minutes. You may even realise that having your phone on airplane mode is the best part about getting away ?

If I can summarise it all I’d say retreats to me are more than just a holiday, it can be a very powerful step toward personal transformation on both, physical and mental level.

Join me this May in a Spring Yoga & Gong Mountain Retreat.