I really love retreats. I love going on retreat and leading retreats. I find them nourishing and deepening and a wonderful way to practice. There are heaps of great reasons to go on a retreat, here are just 5.
1. To take some time out to nourish yourself
Generally speaking, we are not that great at this. A retreat takes us out of our normal environment and allows us the space to let go of routine and just relax and go with the flow.
2. To deepen your yoga practice
There is so much more to yoga than asana practice and a retreat is a great opportunity to learn a little bit more about meditation, pranayama (breathing practices), restorative practices, yoga nidra. It is not 8 hours a day of postures (how exhausting!). They help us begin to understand what yoga is really about and to discover the positive effects of practicing everyday.
3. To rest and restore (especially on my retreats)
Personally, I believe retreats should be more about slowing down rather than doing more. Our aim is to send you home rejuvenated rather than exhausted. We do a general level asana session in the morning but the rest of the day is about restoring with gentle practices that might include breathing, mediation, restorative yoga, yoga nidra, philosophy discussions (satsang), walking, sitting in the garden in the sun, having a massage or a spa treatment.
4. To help break out of habituation
Sometimes we can be in a cycle of stress, illness or busyness. A retreat may be a great way to simply break you out of those cycles. A couple of days away from your normal environment. Not answering the phone or checking email or cooking and cleaning.
5. To meet great people
The people who go on retreat are usually people just like you. Looking for a bit of a break, wanting to learn a little more about yoga, interested in being with likeminded people.
I love going on retreats. I come home feeling refreshed and ready to move forward. And I love teaching retreats. It is great getting to know people better and sharing the parts of yoga out side of asana that I really love.
Check out our Workshops and Retreats Page for info on our upcoming retreats.
