I didn't know how to relax!

If you haven't done so already, I highly encourage you to take part in a retreat. Nowadays there are retreats for EVERYTHING! Business retreats, self discovery retreats, yoga retreats, inner child work retreats, women's circle retreats, relaxing retreats etc, etc. Anything you are lacking right now, I can guarantee you there is a retreat for it. You just have to do your research.

This past weekend I went on my first Yoga retreat at Bloom Holistic Centre with one of my favourite Yoga Studios in Toronto, Yoga Grove. It was a chance for me to relax and reconnect to myself and nature. The experience was so luxurious, relaxing, and just so much fun. I learned a lot of great meditation tools from the facilitator and teacher, Leslie. I absolutely loved the meditation portion of the retreat because although I practice meditating on a regular basis, I have yet to experience the level of awareness that I did while being away.

After reflecting upon my experience, I noticed three important things about myself on this retreat that I probably would have never been aware of before.

🧚🏻‍♀️ First, I noticed the way that I was able to let go. I talk a lot about relaxing and taking breaks and I incorporate this into my daily practice, but until this weekend when I experienced TRUE relaxation, I noticed that I have never actually been fully able to relax my body and mind in such a way. It was a new and revolutionary experience that I will definitely treat myself to again. I took part in a restorative Yoga class with a massage and it was revolutionary. I went into this retreat with the mindset focused on moving my body and was truly surprised when I walked into the studio for the restorative class. I saw a dark room with candles, calming music and props galore! There were structures built with bolsters, blocks, blankets, straps, eye pillows just ready to receive us and support our bodies. All I had to do in that class was relax. Every single inch of my body was supported and rested, I only had to rest my mind. Not going to lie, I found it a little challenging that day to actually get in the zone. I don't know if it was because we had just been driving for 3 hours to get there, or what kind of distractions I had going on, but I found it really difficult to surrender that day. By the next day I was ready to take on what this retreat had in store for me and starting the day off with a meditation on the dock was really a game changer for me. It truly set the tone for the rest of the day and kept me present for what was yet to come.

🧚🏻‍♀️ The second thing I noticed was that I was allowing myself to eat without thinking about it. The fear that I usually hold towards food was gone because I had blind faith that the food that was being prepared for me was coming from good hands, natural and wholesome sources, and wouldn't cause me any harm. I even had dessert 3 times!!! Which is my favourite part of a meal that I usually neglect, so this was a true treat and indulgence! The kitchen staff was so inviting and accommodating. They were truly so talented and passionate about the food they were preparing, but also about the people that they were serving. They treated us like family and it really just felt like such a homey experience thanks to them.

🧚🏻‍♀️ The last thing that came to me was how disconnected I was with nature. I knew this before going on the retreat and that was part of the reason I decided to go in the first place. But, when we did morning meditations at 7am on the dock beside the water, we listened to all of the sounds, and looked beyond our own horizon, I actually felt like a part of the whole picture. I was able to let go of my thoughts, my individuality, and my ego and just become one with nature and all the other people surrounding me. It was beautiful.

I am forever grateful that I was blessed with the opportunity to participate in this retreat. I hope to take part in many more in the future and maybe even plan my own one day!

I am curious to know, how many of you have been on some sort of retreat and what was your experience like? Share with me in the comments!

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