Going on Retreat
It’s often said that we need to retreat in order to move forwards.
In my own experience, I know that something magical happens when you step away from your everyday life and put yourself into a new environment. This can be as simple as walking in a park that you’ve never been to before or getting on a flight and suddenly remembering that there is a whole other world out there that you had stopped noticing.
Going on a retreat is a way to get away from the endless distractions, pressures and responsibilities of your daily life and immerse yourself in practices such as yoga and meditation which can help to bring your attention back to yourself and your own needs.
With nature as your backdrop, daily yoga and meditation, and like-minded people as your companions, a retreat can be a journey of self-discovery.
The first thing you might notice is the silence – not necessarily the absence of noise from traffic, lawn mowers, dogs barking and sirens but the gradual silencing of your own mind. Without the constant pull of emails and social media, your mind can settle into a calm observation of your own body and your breath.
The daily routine and rituals of a retreat allow your body to align with natural rhythm of the earth. The time spent in nature whether that be practicing yoga outside or simply feeling the breeze on your face or listening to the birdsong while meditating creates a deep connection with the natural world that many of us have lost in our indoor lives.
It is this connection that enables us to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, that place where the body can rest, restore and heal itself.
Perhaps the most unexpected gift of a yoga retreat is becoming part of a community and making new friends. There's something uniquely bonding about sharing an intensive journey with others who, despite coming from different walks of life, are all seeking something deeper. The conversations and laughter over shared meals are often as enriching as the formal practices, offering new perspectives and inspirations for life changes.
The intensive nature of yoga practice on retreat allows for breakthroughs that might take months to achieve in regular classes. Maybe you finally nail that challenging pose, master a new technique, or experience profound moments of self-realization. But the real transformation happens in your mind – you begin to see possibilities for positive change in your life with insightful clarity.
When you return home, the retreat becomes a reference point, reminding you of what's possible when you prioritize your wellbeing and inner growth.
Remember – Yoga is a journey not a destination and sometimes that journey starts with a very small step.
photo shot at Paradise View Retreat, Waipu
