I’m a beginner when it comes to yoga and retreats, and I wasn’t sure how I would fit into a group where some of the other guests were experienced practitioners—and even retreat leaders themselves.
I almost didn’t go.
I’m a beginner when it comes to yoga and retreats, and I wasn’t sure how I would fit into a group where some of the other guests were experienced practitioners—and even retreat leaders themselves.
But from the first morning, I felt completely at ease.
For four days, life had a wonderfully simple rhythm. We began with sun salutations and movement classes, spent time by the beach, shared delicious, wholesome meals, and gathered around beach bonfires in the evenings. There were sound healing sessions and a guided meditation that took me somewhere I wasn’t expecting to go.
What made the experience special, though, wasn’t just what we did. It was the people.
There was no pressure to be experienced, enlightened or particularly good at anything. I was welcomed exactly where I was. The retreat leaders in the group were just as open and engaged as everyone else, and somehow that made the whole experience feel even more genuine.
Over four days, something happened that is difficult to manufacture: we became connected.
Not in an artificial, everyone-must-be-best-friends kind of way. We simply spent enough meaningful time together to listen, laugh, share stories, move, eat and experience something new side by side.
And I came home different.
More balanced. More energized. More present. I felt emotionally refreshed in a way that a typical vacation doesn't always provide. There was something about stepping away from my usual routine, being somewhere beautiful, and having four days with nothing to accomplish except being there.
I travel internationally and enjoy beautiful places, good food and interesting experiences. This had all of those things. But it also gave me something I wasn't expecting: a chance to reconnect with myself while connecting with other people.
Four days wasn't a long time.
It was long enough.