Integritus Prime

I got back from a yoga retreat recently and began a period of reflection on my experience. One of the best outcomes has been to put yoga more regularly into my schedule. Another has been to feel rejuvenated after a few intense bursts of work that included travel for the first time since the pandemic. In this post, I want to share 7 tips for a rejuvenating retreat:

1. Beautiful setting in nature: It’s so critical to be in a place that inspires. I’ve always sought stunning places for retreats, whether I was co-leading or participating. My last retreat was in Vanua Levu, Fiji, on a 42-acre property that boasted a lagoon, views of the ocean and neighboring islands, and access to hills with beautiful views. Nature is a master healer, and can directly restore us when we slow down and simply be.
2. Yoga and exercise: Moving the body regularly and meaningfully is so important for so many reasons. Yoga can be restorative and healing as it brings us fully into our bodies and allows us to heal with conscious breathing techniques, twists and stretches. I also spent time swimming in a saltwater pool, which was a wonderful low-impact and relaxing form of exercise.
3. Bodywork: Massage and other forms of bodywork, such as acupressure and acupuncture, can release toxins from the body and allow us to experience true healing and relief. I received a couple of massages during my last retreat and benefited greatly from them. I also continued with my nightly practice of doing Reiki on myself before sleeping.
4. Complete rest: Resting by not doing anything, lying down with a calm mind, sound therapy, meditation, or through deep sleep is critical for the body to integrate healing and rest organs and muscles before another day of activity. The body cannot integrate healing if we are always on the go, which can be tempting when it’s a retreat with scheduled activities, like the one I attended recently. I chose to miss some activities on the third day and rest, which resulted in a wonderful feeling of rejuvenation on the final day, and I returned home with a sense of joy and balance.
5. Conducive people or solitude: I tend to do personal retreats alone, but the one I attended recently had a few women who I bonded deeply with, and I feel grateful for the experience. One cannot choose the people who attend a group retreat, but sometimes one can be lucky, or benefit from the fact that like-minded people will opt into a self-care adventure like the one I just had.
6. Nourishing Food: Food is one of the most important aspects of life, and so too for any retreat. Eating junk food would diminish the positive impacts of yoga, exercise and meditation. I was diligent to ensure I did not eat anything other than my usual diet of vegan and gluten-free fare, and was grateful to the resort chef, who made efforts to ensure I was happy.
7. Journaling and reflection: I journal and reflect daily, and this allows me space between my experience and my self. While on retreat, I found myself journaling multiple times a day, journaling my dreams, and noticing my reaction to being in a new place. I am quite sensitive to energies, and I was feeling the energy of the location, including its history, which I took time to ask about and understand better.

In sum, a retreat is a conscious time of rest and rejuvenation. It’s a time to return to balance. I hope these tips are helpful – I’d love to hear yours.